Malaysia Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Day 17: Banda Aceh, a thousand smiles

January 12, 2014

At 8 am, with some spare time on my hands, I aimed to reach Penang Airport by 11 am for my Banda Aceh flight. After breakfast, I promptly ventured outside in search of a nearby pharmacy, following the directions Milly and Jess had provided. The small pharmacy was just a 5-minute walk away, but to my dismay, I discovered it was closed, realizing it was Sunday. Frustrated, I couldn’t purchase toilet paper for my upcoming journey. Returning to the hostel, I bid farewell to Milly and Jess, planning to reunite in Europe, considering our geographical proximity. Strolling towards the harbor…

by Maarten

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Malaysia

Day 16: On the road with Emma Watson and Liam Neeson

January 11, 2014

Today, accompanied by Alex and Liam, our destination was Gunung Raya. However, in the afternoon, I needed to return to Penang. After waking up, I swiftly showered, packed my backpack, and collected my freshly laundered clothes from the diligent laundrywoman across the street. The clothes were not only clean and fragrant but also neatly ironed and meticulously wrapped in plastic—an unparalleled service for a mere 2 euros. Meanwhile, Alex and Liam were busy picking up their mopeds from the supermarket. Our plan entailed heading north to explore a national park that sees minimal tourist traffic. Today, the pleasure of…

by Maarten

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Malaysia

Day 15: Discovering Langkawi by moped

January 10, 2014

I had a leisurely 15-minute oversleep, which was perfectly fine since today held no obligations. I planned to explore Langkawi by moped, using my own rented one. Yesterday I rented one across the street. Curious about laundry services, I inquired with the hostel owner and learned they provided the service across the street. I dropped off three bags of clothes, and the lady at the laundry shop informed me they would be ready by tomorrow. That’s the convenient routine in Asia—no need to wash yourself; you simply drop off and collect. With this task completed, I focused on preparing…

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Malaysia

Day 14: Penang to Langkawi by ferry

January 9, 2014

My alarm sounded at 6:30 am, signaling the start of my journey from Penang to Langkawi by ferry. I departed the hostel around 6:45 am, following the owner’s advice to secure a boat ticket early. Rushing to Penang port, I aimed to catch the 8:15 or 8:30 am ferry to Langkawi. Taking the local bus, I reached the terminal by 7:00 am. Although I asked the bus driver about the boat’s departure point and received a vague direction due to his limited English, today would serve as a valuable learning experience. After getting off the…

by Maarten

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A beautiful vista of the Cameron Highlands

Malaysia

Day 13: On cloud nine at Cameron Highlands

January 8, 2014

Today, in the picturesque setting of the Cameron Highlands, I rose early, showered, and had breakfast, brimming with excitement as I anticipated my visit to the tea plantations. Meanwhile, Johan, who I met yesterday, had different plans—he intended to rent a motorcycle and explore the landscape. Despite his invitation, I hesitated to join him. My reluctance stemmed from my lack of experience in riding a moped, even though I possessed a license (obtained automatically with a Dutch driver’s license). The winding mountain roads in Cameron Highlands didn’t strike me as the ideal place for a beginner. In hindsight, I…

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Malaysia

Day 12: The journey continues, arrival in Tanah Rata

January 7, 2014

Today my journey would continue to Tanah Rata. This morning brought another delightful and indulgent breakfast, this time, opposed to yesterday, enjoyed in the company of Fiona, Mike, Ben, and Bryan. Later in the day, I savored delicious cuisine in Tanah Rata – more details on that to follow. Following breakfast, Mike and I crossed to the opposite bank of the river. Today marked our departure from Taman Negara; Mike heading to Kuala Lumpur, and I bound for Tanah Rata, the entry point to the Cameron Highlands. At 10 am, a van arrived at the Kuala Tahan bus stop, signaling the…

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Malaysia

Day 11: The Canopy Walkway in Taman Negara

January 6, 2014

This morning marked the start of an exciting adventure. Eager to explore the Canopy Walkway in Taman Negara, I rose with the sun. I casually mentioned to Mike and Fiona that I’d catch up with them for breakfast later – truth be told, I needed a bit more time to shake off the morning grogginess. Upon reaching the restaurant, there was no sign of Mike and Fiona. However, the breakfast spread at the resort was a delightful surprise! From French toast to pancakes, and even nasi goreng, the options were diverse. The highlight was a skilled cook crafting scrambled eggs for…

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Kampung Kuala Tembeling with a view on Tembeling River

Malaysia

Day 10: Taman Negara by boat

January 5, 2014

The agenda for the day involved a journey to Taman Negara by boat. I woke up at 7 am, rushed through a quick shower, and swiftly navigated the streets of Kuala Lumpur. Spotting a bank at the nearby street corner, I made a point to withdraw some cash, anticipating the need in the world’s oldest rainforest over the next few days. The banks, unfortunately, proved uncooperative – a frustrating ordeal of attempting withdrawals from four different banks. Adding to the annoyance, only after going through the entire ATM menu did I receive the notice of card refusal. Accepting defeat after this…

by Maarten

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Malaysia

Day 9: A night out in Kuala Lumpur, Omygod!

January 4, 2014

I woke up at 9 am and struck up a conversation with a fellow dorm mate named Gopal. Today, we planned to explore Kuala Lumpur together. Gopal, a 38-year-old who could easily pass for 23, exudes youthful energy in both appearance and demeanor. Hailing from Montreal, Canada, he’s a professional drummer who sought refuge in Malaysia to escape the harsh Canadian winter. Having recently visited Manila, the Philippines, he shared some chilling stories about the poverty he encountered. His travels are driven by the quest to find a suitable place to reside, one that offers respite from the Canadian winters…

by Maarten

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Malaysia

Day 8: Kuala Lumpur: The Batu Caves and the Menara tower

January 3, 2014

I coordinated with Michaela to depart the hostel at 8:30 am for the Batu Caves, and later in the evening, I planned to visit the Menara Tower. On that day, a German named Elio, employed at a software company handling diverse projects, joined us. Leaving the hostel, we headed to KL Sentral. Kuala Lumpur’s mass rapid transit system struck me as amusing, reminiscent of children’s toys. To pass through the gates, you use these small blue plastic toy coins. Additionally, changing lines requires a new card or coin, which I found a bit inefficient. An interesting cultural note: public…

by Maarten

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