Ourwalkabout.nl is a blog about the world trip Michiel de Wit and Judica Wondergem are making in 2010.


6 ° 7 'N, 102 ° 15' E
July 20, 2010, 5:38

Kota Bahru city = new

Malaysia was as Michael wrote really a different experience. For still our loyal readers, when we actually start traveling again in a month really follow weather reports each day because we then things did happen. After 3 days have been gone for three new posts, we have experienced so much.

The slightly longer version of the story before yesterday morning when we rolled off the train came we walked quickly to the exit (again much power display with big guns) where there are already dozens of motorcycles were ready to transport us. The small rock nap took us still 30TBH (0.75 Euro) and quickly across the border. As mentioned, we shared a taxi with David, a Frenchman for his visa went to Kota Bahru. From the way up in the taxi, I can not remember the view, I am talking generally much but when David came I will not intervene.

Passports taken away and quickly with its twos on the road because after a night sleep is not a talkative Frenchman something too much. He advised us to still get past Mydin, a supermarket. After a round of hotels finally found a hotel in price and service was consistent with our wishes. Delicious and showered but still outside.

At the supermarket, we made a real success. On the island, everything is twice as expensive and the choice is minimal. Toothbrushes, shower gel, baby oil and table tennis balls (for Ed, attribute to deep dives) were smashed. Michael and I foraged sometimes spread through the shop. At moments like this I could tell that young adolescent boys like me "subtle" haunted. Of course I had long pants and covered my shoulders but probably I looked after local standards still look like a prostitute.

There was even a lingerie department where I (thought I) had found something in my size, European sizes op.Nadat we were there (without the row to mind) had settled our bags were sealed with a cable tie, the coupon was on the bag and stuck at the exit of the store you got a stamp on the receipt. For example, you create or work and is also very difficult to steal something.

We have the stuff a little back to the hotel and came to the conclusion that the purchased bra did not fit anyway. Back to the store, and coupon along to the customer department. It was initially impossible to trade. Since I purchased well less than 3 hours in my possession and all the tickets had sat there I realized something more. The woman asked if there was not anything in my size on Sat What then was my size? I repeated that size on the bra in Europe was just my size would be. On to the lingerie department to see if there was something else.

Before I continue I must admit that among women in the Islamic culture is a kind of connectedness know that I am not used. Several times I was right by women looked and there was friendly and polite laughter. It felt like we shared a secret that the rest do not know, very different and special.

The lingerie department was then moved heaven and earth to do something in my size and taste to find. There was something I looked around and found that there was not somewhere a fitting room. again without buying something I dare not really fit anymore. Anyway without further ado, the saleswoman kept it for, making the bra to the rear and there I was, right in the store / supermarket, fully dressed with a red bra over my clothes. I admit that I'm not easily embarrassed, but this was really about my limit.

Of course I have not bought that bra but we could get a voucher for the amount. Still searching for things we needed to semi to the amount of 3 euros to come. Can you still buy quite a lot for :)

The next morning quickly to the consulate, by taxi, on the border with the bike to the station. There plenty of time and we have enjoyed delicious special crispy fried bananas. The train journey was long, tiring, hot but we are there come.

This trip I will not soon forget, but it's really wonderful to wake up on a boat, the sun's coming next to your temporary home paradeiland.


6 ° 7 'N, 102 ° 15' E
July 20, 2010, 5:36

Mallereisië

A brief summary of the logistics operation from the last 48 hours: 2 hours by taxi, 20 minutes on the bike, 22 hours in the train and 9 hours on the boat. Why? Because our visas for Thailand threatened to expire and had to be replaced by new ones. And, believe it or not, the easiest way to do that is by a return to Malaysia to do. Across the border with Thailand is Kota Bahru, a provincial capital with one of the main attractions a Thai Consulate-General.

Our journey started the 17th. With the most luxurious boat that rich island, a 10 chairs wide catamaran, we left halfway through the afternoon to the Thai mainland. Despite rain, wind and waves the boat whizzed almost silently and without rolling or bobbing on the water. A very pleasant experience. Especially when the rain on the windows and turn off the bow waves splashed high, it is not difficult the luxury of a comfortable chair and cooling air to appreciate.

The 'real travel' (a word that ought to rhyme with fighting spirit) only began on the mainland. A coach had us from the pier to Chumphon town and put off the train. The train was just before 9 o'clock in the evening on the starting state and all was still light outside. What walking around killing time in Chumphon. The city is not very exciting, but certainly not without its comforts. Anyway, Judica wrote about our super ice cream.

The train trip to Malaysia was exciting. In a couchette Thai life but in Chinese, so we learned. We were on the Trans-Siberian train coupees pretty accustomed to, this time we all slept in the hallway. At dawn, heavily armed soldiers joined in our group. The track runs straight to Malaysia by three rebellious provinces: the cutting pliers of the conductor is not enough to impress.

From Su-ngai Kolok, we could easily cross over. A taxi ride of an hour, shared with French inn keeper David Pangan neighboring island, took us in Kota Bahru. About the city does have some things to say. Malaysia is an Islamic country and Kota Bahru is the showpiece of that identity. Unveiled women allowed themselves to a search vegrootglas and on every street were texts in Arabic-Malay read. Many men in dresses too, and absolutely no pork on the counters of street corners, even the toothpaste is halal. Every now and then was also the call to prayer can be heard even inside supermarkets on the intercom. Quite a culture shock.

What we really noticed was the overwhelming friendliness of the Malay: Thai, the name, but we have more friendly faces across the border in 24 hours than seen in Thailand in a month. Very helpful and sociable. Yet it is strange to see how society is arranged by the Islamic identity: in the supermarket, we found bijvoorbeelod separate queues for men, women and families. At McDonalds all the ladies wore a neat uniform costume except the matching uniform headscarf. And the burgers on the street, everything halal and the taste of a double kipburger is certainly not wrong.

Our hotel room we had picked out on luxury. The Malaysian Ringit relates 1:10 to the Thai Baht and we had the luxury limit of 100 Ringit for a hotel night set. That's about 25 euros. With all that traveling, a man to himself as some tickling. Anyway, we had already understood that Kota Bahru is not known for its cheap places to stay. Anyway: after some searching we found a pleasant hotel. The room was wonderful: very spacious and clean with a soft bed, plenty of space and seating. The bathroom was therefore in stark contrast, but the upcoming renovation solves that hopefully. The water was warm as well (my last hot shower was already a month ago) and we have the luxury of coffee and tea in the room is very comfortable.

Applying for new visas went very smoothly. The application we had in Thailand printed and filled in, so we had to do little more than the paper through the window to scroll. The next morning, after a less successful Malay hotel breakfast (with rice and various dishes like soup, but no sandwiches or yogurt) we got back our passports with new visas as easily pushed back by the counter window. Very fast. The taxi was still waiting for us and drove us an hour to fly quickly back to the border (ie we had a train to pick). Stamps, a walk on a bridge in one country and we were back in Thailand.

The train left obviously delayed and when we after long hours of sitting and kanenbraaien life in the coupe thorough Sat begun to touch (even though many vendors with all kinds of food along the wagons leurden sometimes quite amusing), we were by two friendly fellow travelers tipped off that we were almost at Surattani, where we would have plenty of time for the night boat. Our original plan was to go back to Chumphon and then after a night on the street / on the pier the morning boat to Koh Tao to take. The night boat appeared to be a better idea. Many luxury of course we did not expect: the boat was already full, but we were still a number of makeshift beds. At night the boat everyone sleeps on narrow mattresses on the floor, so we were not at all. The piles of fresh eggs and prominently drawn scooters gave our bed for some shelter.

On the boat we could get some sleep. Just in time for the sun to come up at Koh Tao we were awake. After a passage of a small 8 o'clock the boat back to our familiar paradeiland. Glad to know all those places again to see, especially after the long train ride with machine guns and endless drives. Our motor bike was still waiting for us and we were relieved to see that (thanks to our watchful cockroach) in our cabin everything was where it belonged.

Now we are back in bed. Our bedding is nice and clean and we thoroughly enjoy the feeling back 'home'. Malaysia feels like a silly dream, a crazy lightning fast trip. About six weeks we go back to that mysterious country and we will hopefully reveal more of the country's beauties.