We flew from Bangkok to Langkawi. We hadn’t really planned on going to Malaysia but we got a cheap flight so off we went. We had a week chilling on Pentai Cenang and exploring the island by motorbike. From Langkawi we took the ferry to Penang and stayed in Georgetown for four nights checking out the temples and eating a lot of great food. We took the ferry the short distance over to Butterworth and from here got a bus to Tanah Rata in the Cameron 

Highlands. It was quite chilly but the scenery was stunning and there are lots of great walk to do in and around the tea plantations. From here we had two nights in Ipoh on the way to Kuala Lumpur. We went to the caves temples but were not overly impressed however it did break up the journey. We had a final four night in KL before flying back to Bangkok. Malaysia I look forward to coming back

PS. Aren’t the Malaysian buses amazing!!

Living so close to Malaysia for the last 18 months I thought it was about  time I checked it out. In a two week holiday I wanted a bit of beach time but also a bit of culture. So I started with a bus from Singapore over the border and onto Melacca. I spent a very nice four days here and even checked out the zoo nearby. It wasn’t quite as good as Singapore’s zoo but it was very clean and nice to walk around. From Melacca I took a bus to Mersing where I had one night before getting the ferry across to Tioman Island (where they filmed the movie South Pacific.) Here I found my paradise and couldn’t believe that it had taken me so long to pay a visit! After 9 days I flew back to Sinagpore direct from Tioman. Until the next time.

I took a flight to Singapore to spend a few nights with friends. From here I took a bus over into Malaysia and spent one night in Johor Baru. There isn’t much in the way of sights but lots of shopping malls and an impressive  harbor area. From here I took a bus to Melacca and stayed 5 nights enjoying the walks around the old town and the interesting architecture. There are also some nice day trips to other sights slightly further afield including a zoo and ‘Mini Malaysia.’ Then it was on to the capital Kuala Lumpur for ten days. I really liked the city and it is cheap if you search beneath the surface and the shiny shopping malls. Again there were some good day trips including the Batu Caves, Frim, Kuala Selangor and Putrajaya. After the city I wanted to relax a bit so got the bus to Lumut and then a ferry over to Pula Pangkor. This as a very nice beach island, quite small and laid back and not overly touristy which can sometimes be a problem in Malaysia. Then it was briefly back on to the mainland and on to  Butterworth and a short ferry ride to Georgetown. This was my favourite place, great food and lovely people. After 1 week in the city I moved to the northern beach of Batu Ferringu for some more relaxation although nothing so far had been stressful. Travel in Malaysia is very straightforward. I tore myself away after 5 days and went inland to the Cameron Highlands. I had a very nice 4 nights taking some walks and drinking the local brew – TEA! It was very picturesque. From here I went by two buses to Kuala Koh where I headed into Taman Negara – the National Park and got back to nature. Amazing! Then after a three nights amongst the trees and the wildlife I took a min bus to Kuala Besut and a ferry to Pulau Perenthian yet another beach! It is a very beautiful island and well worth visiting. I stayed for 2 weeks. Back on the mainland I headed down the east coast to Chearatin and then onto Kuantan staying four nights in each place. But the islands were still calling me so I carried down to Mersing and took a ferry over to Tioman. This is a much smaller island that Perenthian but as beautiful and full of wildlife. After a week here my time was nearly up and Malaysia was nearly covered, just a stopover in KL for one night and then a bus via Alor Star to Kuala Kedah and then a ferry to Pulau Langkawi. I think I have become an island junky! After two weeks on Pentai Cenang my visa had nearly expired so a flight to Bangkok and a flight home were my final trips.