It's one helluva bitch being an explorer these days.

The age of the dashingly romantic khaki-clad adventurer and his trusty Senoi Pra'aq trekker is well and truly dead.

Forget fear-factor thrills. Dodging the irritating sensationalist press, allegedly expert historians, and scheming bureaucrats are the latest perils. Conceited annoying academics and bumbling politicians are the new Nazis. And with the ever vigilant RSPCA (and Malay Mail ) on alert, whipping galloping steeds has to be swapped for the more humane but mundane steering of a 4WD.

Add a strong dose of capricious filibustering from bruised superior egos all-around, and that pretty much sums up the current state of my quest for the Lost City of Kota Gelanggi.

Welcome to the sad World of Malaysian Discoveries.