Malaysia vs. Punch 2002


Also see Deepak's version of events.

Thursday, 18th of July 2002

Location: Sydney, Kuala Lumpur

The flight over was good. I talked to a few people on the way over and they seemed pretty cool.

One Malaysian chap's daughter was in an Ivy League university in the US doing English literature.

My legs were darn cramped after that flight.

As Deepak said the first thing that hit me as soon as I walked out of the airport was the heat. In fact I hadn't even left the airport before I felt a blast when alighting from the Aerorail. The aerorail is a monorail train which runs from the international terminal to the main terminal building.

The hotel room in contrast is air conditioned to a freezing temperature. Deepak is complaining that it is too cold. I might have to whip his bitch arse but I must admit he has a point.

I have been worried a bit about bedoming sick from the water and food over here. However the only thing that has made me feel queasy at all was the "Quarter Pounder with Cheese" that I had at McDonalds at Sydney airport.

My Cirruss card didn't work at the Maybank ATM at the airport.I'll try a few other banks today. If it doesn't work I'll open a can of whiparse on Westpac.

Friday, 19th of July 2002

Location: Kuala Lumpur

My ATM card is now working. However Deepak's isn't. The ATMs seem a bit unreliable.

Both our cards seem to work in a couple of ARMs. Mine work in Huong Leung bank.

We went to "Sunway Lagoon" water park. Unfortunately the wave pool wasn't open as it was raining.

The heat hasn't been too bad. Before we went to the water park we visited the twin towers. However the twin towers were closed. We are going to try to go there tomorrow.

The weather has been hot but pleasant.

We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant around the corner. It was very anglisised. It was also expensive.



Saturday, 20th of July 2002

Location: Kuala Lumpur

Saw the twin towers today. Was good. Going further up the tower itself would have been better.

We ate breakfast at Little India.

We saw the Batu Caves. It contained alot of Hindu statues and monkies.

On the way to the cave the driver recommended Jalan Raja Chulan for a good Malaysian dinnder, however we didn't know where in heck that was.

By the way it is a long way from Chinatown to central station.

On the way back from the light rail station we were looking through some stalls when the power went out.

We are starting to get bored in Kuala Lumpur so it will be good to catch the train tomorrow night.

Sunday, 21st of July 2002

Location: Kuala Lumpur

Went to a major mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Have photo in robe inside mosque's courtyards.

Went to an Islamic museum. Interesting stuff on Islamic architechture.

Went to the plane'rium. The Lonely Planet map was kind of wrong, so we passed it. It took about half an hour to get there (although if we had gone directly it would have taken 5 minutes).

We both feel that we were gypped. The plane'arium was a waste of RM1 but more importanlty 45 minutes of our lives.

We travelled to Wakef Bharu then caught a taxi to Kta Bharu.

The train ride took 11 hours overnight. We had a sleeping bunk. I didn't sleep for more than 3 hours that night.

Deepak had about 2-3 hours sleep. We had no where to put our luggage so we put it at our feet. That was quite uncomfortable.

Monday, 22nd of July 2002

Location: Kota Bharu

Today we saw alot of Malaysian culture. The state Kota Bharu is in is the most Islamic state in Malaysia (erm maybe).

The taxi driver from the station recommended a hostel (the "RV Inn"). However it was very dirty.We looked at the "Sri Aayam" a few doors down and it looked clean. However after we paid for it the room was dirtier than we had thought and the bathroom was disgusting.

We booked some tickets at the cyber cafe which is in the square on the south side. Omar Sherif booked it for us. He gave us free accommadation at the Platinum Lodge.

We took an air conditioned dorm room which was RM5 extra each (RM24 total).

Checked out the riverside. Deepak had his hair cut.

We explored around the town. Saw some big rats.

Have been eating at an Indian restaurant on the south side.

Will be taking a taxi to Tok Bali.

Tuesday, 23rd of July 2002

Location: Pulau Perhentian Besur

The French guys in Kota Bharu last night described the island as "paradise". It is very idyllic but kind of boring. There are too many couples who keep to themselves: there is no one to chat to.

The power goes on at sunset and goes off at sunrise.

We have swimmed and eaten. There isn't much to do on the island apart from swim, eat, sleep and crap.

We are paying RM50 for the "chalet".

Wednesday, 24th of July 2002

Location: Pulau Perhentian Besur

Deepak and I have been over using "air quotes".

'Do you want to leave the "resort" tomorrow?' We found it hilarious although neither of us can explain why.

Nuuuurr Deepak's scared of a bat. Nuuurrr. There was a bat in the room. Deepak ran out like a girl, clutching a sheet.

I went into the room. Using my "Monkey Magic" powers and an ordinary broom I exorcised the bat from the room. Well the broom was mainly for effect.

Thursday, 25th of July 2002

Location: Kuala Terrengganu

We finally left Pualu Perhentian Besur.

I was very glad to leave.

We are staying in Kuala Terrengganu at a hostel called Ping Anchorage. I met a women called Besi from Indoenesia. She is married and working here for two years.

Ate some Indian food at Sri Shanmuga.

Bough some food from the "Travellers Cafe" next to the Ping Anchorage. It was safe to eat but ordinary.

Had a look at Chinatown and some local shopping centres.

Room is clean and RM24 total.

The "motor bike"fiasco occured today.

Friday, 26th of July 2002

Location: Kuala Terrengganu

Saw people from the Perhentian islands. They are staying at the Ping Anchorage.

Ate breakfast at the Travellers Cafer. Average.

We were woken by the call to prayer. There is a mosque just near the hostel.

Leaving tonight for Pulau Penkor, via Lumut and Ipoh.

There were masses and messes of people on mobtorbikes "doing a Pealy" after the Friday prayer. When I say masses, I mean masses. The traffic was solid motorbikes for a good five minutes.

Saturday, 27th of July 2002

Location: Tanah Rata

Much cooler up here. About 20C. Tanah Rata is about 5500 feet above sea level.

Caught the night bus for eleven hours from Kuala Terrengganu. Caught a taxi to Tepah for RM40. The driver wanted RM120 for the trip from Ipoh to Tanah Rata. Went from Ipoh to Tepah with a German couple.

Chinese taxi driver drove us to Tanah Rata for RM20 (RM10 each) from Tepah.

Tanah Rata is very pictureesque. Climed to "watchtower" along short track. Too tired to do longer track.

Many european tourists. Leave for Kuaa Lumpur tomorrow morning.

In case you haven't guessed we decided not to go to Pulau Pengkor.

I still haven't been sick. Touch wood. This is probably due to drinking bottled water and eating only vegetarian Indian food.

It has been most disappointing. Deepak and I needed to be sick to fullfill the "fat camp" part of the trip.

Tanah Rata is in the Cameron Highlands.

Sunday, 28th of July 2002

Location: Kuala Lumpur

Deepak and I are tired now. The bus ride was quite short (only five hours) but the first two hours were along a very windy road from Tanah Rata.

We are kind of glad that the trip is nearly over.

We ate at a Chinese restaurant. Noodle soup with chicken. It is a good break from South Indian food.

Even Deepak is looking forward to some North Indian food when he arrives home.

The number of people in Kuala Lumpur really hit me after being in Tanah Rata, more so than Sydney to Kuala Lumpur. Mainly due to Tanah Ratat being a quiet local town.

Monday, 29th of July 2002

Location: Kuala Lumpur

Deepak is very jealous that I am now going home. He is travelling to Kota Kinabalu.

I was thinking of buying an MD player for Lien. I found one which looked like a good deal, a Sharp model. However they had display models only. I looked at the others but they did not have the basic features. I had the impression that "Punchy's getting gypped."

Now that I am used to Malaysia I will have to become used to Sydney again.

A milk drink cost RM5.50 and and orange juice RM7.50. What a gyp.