On Friday -- after many, many weeks of applying and hoping, the end was in sight.

The MM2H approval letter was ready and waiting for us.

We just needed to get ourselves to Kuching to collect it, and work out how to manage the logistics as inexpensively as possible (given that we were in Miri, with pre-paid accommodation, and an unrefundable flight out from there on Thursday...).

So we booked the first available flights to Kuching for today, Monday, as we had no idea how long the rest of the process would take.

We didn't book any transport back, to give us flexibility if we had to do/collect anything the following day. We used some about-to-expire air points to book ourselves a room for the night in case it was needed. And we packed clothes for two nights (including a fleece in case we ended up coming back on the night bus...).

In fact it was all dead easy. We went straight from the airport to a very busy Immigration office; they took our passports; we waited; they called us up to pay (MYR 900, ie MYR 90 per person per year for the next five years, at which point we will need to apply for a five-year extension); we waited a bit more; and -- ta-daa -- back came our passports with five-year extendable visas in them, plus the official approval letter.

Wow!

We are both a bit staggered that this last bit has gone so quickly.

The cheapest way back to our chattels (and itinerary) in Miri is actually to make use of that just-in-case hotel room in Kuching, as it effectively hasn't cost us anything, and the flights are a good bit cheaper tomorrow.

So we get an unexpected extra evening in Kuching. But I'm sure we can put that to good use...