We went on our family visit to Angry Birds land (a big indoor play park) this morning and were the only ones there which was a tad weird. However, instead of being able to keep an eye on the kids from the balcony over a relaxing coffee and cake, we had to pay full price, buy the socks and follow the kids around. Irritated, I proceeded to find a spot on a not so comfy bench, only to have Chuck (the yellow bird, yes I had to Google him) come over and try to hold my hand. It didn’t take him long to Chuck off.

In the UK it became a game changer when our kids hit the magic age wherein you could take your ipad (and headphones in my case!) to the indoor play centre, plop yourself in a comfy chair and feel safe in the knowledge that they were having a great time wearing themselves out and that I would only see them if they a) were hungry or thirsty b) had an argument c) wanted to show me how sweaty they were (Owen). I looked at the other bored, red-socked parents traipsing around after their offspring and pitied the fact that they probably had resigned themselves to this regime without knowing any different.

The highlight of the day was a visit to Kota Tinggi Firefly Park. A forty minute drive from JB, it is one of the only places in the world where you are able to go on a night boat ride to see the fireflies light up the trees along the riverbanks. I had absolutely no chance of capturing this phenomena on camera, but it basically looked like twinkling Christmas lights- the guide managed to get us within touching distance so that we could see them in flight. On our way back he also used his flashlight to show us a group of monkeys sat up high in a tree and a couple of large iguanas clung to branches. The tour company were great; the added extras like the quirky styling, koi carp pond and opportunity to try Malaysian fruit (I think that they were lychees, very tasty) all added to what was an authentic and atmospheric experience.