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Begin feb 2008, West Malaysia
Geplaatst op Thursday 06 March @ 22:51:51 GMT+1
Onderwerp: Around the world in 8 years
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 Begin of Feb 2008, West Malaysia
Got stuck in the traffic chaos of Chinese New year. 99% of Malaysians travel by car. Visited Penang and Georgetown and travelled further to the south. Found a nice place in Kuala Lumpur where I stayed a week, just hanging. Again further south along the west coast, visiting Melaka and Johor Bahru. Cot off the top of my finger there. My new all-cutter made its name come true. Entirely below in the south, I could smell Indonesia.
This story was mostly translated with google translate. Its result is that some of the grammer is kind of funny, but it does save me a lot of time.
On February 6, I rode into Malaysia. Leaving Thailand did not make me sad and I liked the challenge of a new country, Malaysia. A country much different than Thailand, a Muslim majority with few large groups Indians and Chinese.
That became clear right at the border. Many headscarves, strict faces and men with moustaches. However, if you give them a smile, a row of teeth appears under that moustache. Same with the customs. 4 uniformed men with important uniforms, pistols and bats to their belt. I had already seen the signs that you can not import plant in the country, but I think, I say nothing. My plant, which I have almost 4 years, travelling around the world with me, I do not want to loose. The inspection of the car came, and I led the man as much as possible by opening various boxes and the windows (hey, they can also open), and succeeded wonderfully, I was allowed through.
Stupid stripes on the roads
Have had no auto insurance since India and in this country I wanted to try to get some. Stopped at the first bungalows with the word 'Insurance', asked about the expense. 130 Ringit for 3 months, say 30 euros, so I say to the headscarved lady, sure, let it come. She sat down behind a computer, and only after a minute or 5 I heard keystrokes. But it lasted and lasted, and I always hear the BEEP of Windows if you have something not good. After a quarter… BEEP BEEP, but it kept on beeping. After 20 minutes, I ask, to the otherwise friendly lady, if everything went well. Yes, everything was good, she had to have my driving licence. I walked back to the car and back, but still BEEP BEEP. After 45 minutes she says timidly…. Sorry, I can not, but go to another office next door. Pfff, at the other office, it went fast, because I was able to look on the screen and occasionally gave some guidance. After paying, was told that I go to an office at the end of the street, office of the ministry of transport. They had to print the certificate for my window that I could paste. Here again frowning faces. Ooh, can not, foreign auto, 3 months, jee, we should call HQ. Well, it took very long, but they kept trying, and after much consideration, call and try rolled my insurance still certificate from the computer. In many other countries they would have long ago given up.
It is pleasant that you once again have road signs with normal punctuation. This has been many countries ago that I had this luxury. Not that you understand all the signs, because they are in the Malay course, but the characters are at least of the Western alphabet. So stupid things you can understand. Hotel is…. Hotel, eskols is school and awas is… ..?
Further to the south, I stopped in the first place that I came to, Alor Setar, or as the locals call it, in Alor Star. I found a nice spot just on the edge of the city centre, a quite residential street, took the bike and rode through the city. Nice town, great shopping centres, fun to be, but it was 5 o'clock and all shops already begun to close. Entered a large shopping centre, and same story. After some enquiries it appeared that tonight its Chinese new year. Everything would close at least two days. That is not so nice, because the next day was really everything closed, like on January 1 in Europe. This made the city less lively, but easier to use my bycicle and things to be seen to go. Cycling along I saw the beautiful mosque, Mashid Zahir. The TV tower was also open at half past 10 so up to the top. Beautiful view. Decided nevertheless to continue to drive in the direction of Penang.
Mashid Zahir in Alor Star
Did not notice that much of the Chinese New Year. Yes the traffic jams and occasionally what fireworks and closed stores. But further not much. It seems that especially at home celebrated, the whole family together, good food (and drink) in the case. The days are being spent visiting with family and the temple, sacrifice things for good luck, etc.
Penang is an island, it is the city of Georgetown. I was already, once here with my sister and cousin, a half-day only. It was raining, everything was also closed (May 1), and it was not pleasant. Let us see whether better this time.
Drove local roads to the south, not the highway, they go along as each other. There was a lot of traffic, everyone was free, and then you go in the car. The closer I came to Georgetown, the more crowded it was. Panang is connected to the mainland by (they said) the longest bridge in South East Asia, and all the traffic that direction. At the bridge arrived was therefore a substantial traffic jam, as there were three highway together, and there was a toll-booth, and they had to cross the bridge all of those. Already smell problems, and went all the way to the left as a precautionary measure but the left hand drive, so I Insertion but on one side have to pay. Unfortunately, the Malay drive like Indians, even here the 'Me First' rule. It was not long before one or other stupid driver, his car against mine. Well, not his car but his mirror. I really could not go to the left, believe me, you can try to push me off but he had a Hyundai. So I heard KRRRRAAAAKKK, looked in my mirror and saw this man mirror dangling next to his car. He get out, jump on my doorstep and start crying. I say, come at the end of the bridge, we will talk together, here we block traffic. He could not do anythimg but agree. There was a small emergency parking middle of the bridge where he stopped. Then you get the your fault-my fault story, I had not opportunity given to him, blah blah, you know that very much. At a certain point he told me that such a mirror to 400 Ringit costs (85 euros), and that I had to pay. I continued to insist that it was his own fault if you start against the mine car drive I have no fault in my opinion. He wanted to call the police and was very difficult. Saturday there is not it all that but had no meaning for hours to wait for a bunch of agents with all the misery that would follow. For all the misery out to be, I gave him 200 Ringit. I say, we are both wrong, we both have pain, so you half, I half. Took some time before he that accepted, but with 200 Ringit he rode in his pocket (and his wife and children) back home. Not pleasant beginning of Panang.
Light it up with Chinese new year
It got no better. The traffic jam remained, wherever I went. It's just July 4 of Malaysia. Decided not in the city to go, which will be entirely full, and embarked on a tour around the island, hoping to find a quiet spot. That I found after a half hour drive. Signposting is bad and changes every time, the roads are very narrow and mountainous and I do not know where I am all been.
Next day drove early direction Georgetown, I think, have to visit that city again. At 8 o'clock morning parked I therefore on Jalan Tun Syed Shed Barakbah. And that's right in the centre next to the Esplanade food centre (ie hunger, I will not get) in addition to Fort Cornwallis. Beautiful place. Biggest part of the day with my byke drove around the city. It was nice and quiet. Chinese New Year officially lasts two weeks (!). Several people staed all shops than two weeks remained close, but there was no clear-cut answer. Because of the small amount of traffic, I was quickly finished my round cycling and went to the movie. Rambo 4, which is a blood and limbs and exploded and dismembered bodies are there for. Do have seen have 1000 litres of ketchup. Well, in fact, the most bloody scenes was computer animations, handsome featured in the film.
Strange was that in the film there was a little boy of a year or 6 old along with his mother (I think). Later, I spoke on the boulevard with a set of locals which is also their daughter, 6 had taken to this very terrible film. Unbelievable.
Stayed the night in the city. Had expected excessive noise, I got that too. After a large beer, I slept at 22:00 hours, but about 3 am I woke up because about 30 engines a game of keeping. Around driving was good in this area, and they did then. WWWWvvvvroeemmmm, and that his 30'en that comes to. After a minute or thirty however, everything was quiet again.
He Do, they have still wear their coats backwards on the moped. Even if the weather is nice. It is such a vague sight of that. Should it even ask what is now the intention.
Next morning I wanted to try again what to buy. Needed urgently some computer stuff. But now, in the large shopping mall, almost all shops closed. That was the third day in a row. How do people live, they must still pay rent. Then but not, this is my second visit to Georgetown, and for the second time everything is closed.
Moved in the direction of south. Got the idea that I have to go to Kuala Lumpur (KL) for shopping, but then on Monday, as I certainly knew that the shops were open again. That would give me the opportunity to enter the city on Sunday morning to drive and find a suitable parking space available. So choose local roads again not for the highway without reason really. So rode on the local one way road, direction Ipoh and Taiping. In Taiping was a beautiful park, so I think, since I am fine with my car for the night.
Busy that it was on the road, not normal. Jam with every traffic light (and there are some in Malaysia), and to many motorists. Had previously noted (remember the KRAAAK) that there are clearly some Indian characteristics with Malay drivers. Can also not be different as 7% of the population is of India is of course. But it was so busy that it was very unpleasant drive so I was glad that I came to Taiping. What I found in that park is not to be described. Outside of the fact that I rode wrong course because the first signs suddenly ceased, it was as if all over Malaysia to the park had come. There is a way around that park, and there are two parking lots, but they were both filled with cars. The whole environment was a big car parking space, cars in the park, along the road 3 rows, on sidewalks, everything filles. Yes, I think, here I am no sense to be here. Escaped therefore from Taiping, further to the south. I think, I just go to Ipoh, on the road number 1.
The government here is well aware of the fact that the average Malay not good car drive. You see cars left overtaking on the shoulder catch up, not stopping for traffic lights, hard and reckless driving, stop middle of the road,, everything not sensible. The Malay drive with a behaviour is very unfriendly and antisocial in the movement, will never allow someone else to go first whether any leave, your hand will. There are a lot of fatalities each year, especially among motor riders who are here a lot. In order must address that the government has taken a number of measures:
1) at each side street, no matter whether there ever traffic comes from, is a traffic light.
2) with each gentle curve, every traffic light, or abnormal traffic situation is a big sign with the word AWAS (I think it means danger or slow)
3) There is thick lines with yellow paint, very vague stripes on the street. But they are so thick that your car will bounce from there. Do this at every turn, at every crossing, every traffic light, school, or crossing ant.
4) Make sure there are many bumps in the roads are so traffic is not too hard.
5) Make sure there are many holes in the road. at least 20 cm higher or lower.
6) Check no people who go on the shoulder (very normal), left overtaking, ignoring traffic light or much too hard drive. Well, the latter is not entirely true, because the police checks, but it helps not a bit.
Indan temples in Muslim Malayisia
Anyhow because it is not really fast movement, I choose not for a sleeping place in Taiping but in a field along the side of the road searched but the next day the traffic was at least as ugly, or worse. Took the highway to take. Haha, I rode there less than 10 minutes when I was already in the huge jam (it was morning). Slowly continued until shortly before Kuala Lumpur and my car parked at the Batu Caves, a set of caves in a remote mountain. That's caves have a Hindu temple built. It is an important place for Hindu's, of course, mostly of Indian descent. And, they had a very large parking area that evening was almost empty (and quiet).
Indase temples in Malaysia Moslimistich
Next day called Daphne. Daphne and Thomas Foo Two Malaysian overlanders who have turned their hobby to their work. Thomas has seen the whole world by motor, now lives 20 years with Daphne, who is equally crazy 4x4 rally driving. Together they have a camping shop, (the only one in Malaysia), and organization that 4x4 agency organizing tours by Africa, South America or any other world share, a rally organisation desk. Also they do some other things in addition to business, they both car crazy and extremely nice people.
I may as overlander free on their land, with supply of toilet, and shower water and electricity, free, in Kuala Lumpur. And it is also another, very nice people.
The first few days in Kuala Lumpur (KL) is spent on updating website (free Internet access), buying a new laptop and installing all the software (which is a bl^^dy task ). Windows Vista crashed every few minutes, which made it no easier. But everything is running again as it should on my new Acer, so time for some new stories right.
Daphne and Thomas, good people..
Did it is a whole week in KL. This was thanks to the friendliness of Thomas and Daphne and because there is a wedding party on Sunday was between two overlanders. One from Malaysia with a man from Argentina, and I would and should go. seemed me also known as fun, there were also many overlanders from South America, and that is except fun, maybe even useful. In the time between the KL Tower climbed, eaten in China town, walked around Little India, on the bike to the Carrefour been ( to far) and other such activities. During dinner with Thomas and Daphne was ordered beer. They are of Chinese descent, so they drink it. But what they mixed me what seemed strange. They ordered a bottle guiness and a bottle of ordinary beer, and that mixed half to half. It seemed to me very dirty but it was actually quite good, a kind of beer with licorice taste hehe.
The wedding was immensely large. The Hilton was a room with 100 or so tables, guests from various countries and corners. Middle of each table a huge round metal pan, which, as it turned out, the food was being kept hot. The bride and the bridegroom was Muslim, to be able to marry, even to Muslim converted. So there was no drink at the party, nevertheless it was a cheerful bunch. Many people who are long time had not seen. Most wore a batikt garment, black Muslim hat, the ladies wore beautiful dresses, a little Indonesian style. It looked all to a very colorfull. However, that kind of big parties a bit stiff. After a few speeches came within newly weds, beautiful music After moving some more speeches was dinner launched by the carrying in of 2 lighted swords, covers were of the large metal domes met in the middle of all the tables were. These various types of meat, fish and curry, delicious. The evening lasted until an hour or eleven. It was eat, and what speeches leave.
On Monday, February 18, 2008, I met Mark, a German who already has a year in his four-wheel-drive minibus at the volkswagen around. He was a stuntman who had an accident. That cost him an eye, bad for him.
Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas towers..
In the afternoon I drove to the shipper. This Saturday on the other side of KL. KL is a tangle of highways, tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, connect roads and super highways. Although I thought it was pretty quick and I agreed that in the second week of March my car to Chennia will ship in India. As continues to the south on the well-toll highway, and this time it was a pleasure. No Chinese new year, so normal traffic. Stopped just before Port Dickinson where I on the parking lot of a highway, with my new cutting device, trying to get some carrots cutting therefore the top of my index finger cut off. Not a few millimetres, but a half-centimeter (also a way to loose weight, of course). That knife was very sharp. Pats, blood, syringe, blood and blood. That is a little frightening, totally alone, no mortal in the area, but you will bleed death. My first aid course was for once useful, myself as well as it could with the other hand. It was important to keep pressure on to see the bleeding stop, and after an hour it seemed as if the bleeding was stopped. When I two hours later the bandage got off to refresh everything opened up again ofcourse, blood squitring everywhere. That is something I never know not how to solve. Someone, or myself, bandage, which is very much, but if you then after a while take off to see how it goes, or to change, you put everything back open because it naturally tasty paste to each other. I have to find a solution to figure out, non sticking bandage or something.
In addition to Melaka, a city where I have already been agreed and that it was ok. But with own transportation is different than with public transportation. A bumpy road that was slow. With vague signs that you can see all over Malaysia. Signposting understand me nothing.
There was a lot of parking place in the city, that was not a problem. However vague that they Melaka in a one-direction movement system (that I first encountered in Asia), it is that they made so that the city you ALWAYS drive IN. Yes, absolutely, how it went, or reverses, you MUST always pass middle by the city, across the busiest street.
The change of my bandage bleeding started it all back violently and began to bleed me there now to worry about it. Went a pharmacy and bought some "non stick" bandages. This proved an ideal invention, the next day saw everything there is a lot better.
Auch.....
Walked what Melaka around but could not so much. Had seen the sites been here last time and could not go swimming or something related My finger. Movie looked at the bios (Jumper) and the next day go to the south.
For those who look at my log book, the notice that I am almost to the equator. The waypoint coordinates are now so that I have only 1 degree above the equator is. I started at around 55 degrees North, and is now almost at 0. Unfortunately, I will not get the 0, as the equator just in Indonesia. And this time I will not go. Should it do so with the southernmost tip of Malaysia, which is Johor Bahru, the border city in Singapore.
Melaka lies on the Straits of Melaka. For non passengers or the people who are less in topography home… since you can not drive hear. The Strait of Melaka is the small piece of water between Malaysia and Indonesia where the last time pirates often what practices take place. Pirates that a ship enter Robberies. I have looked, but saw no pirate flags.
Johor Bahru was a big busy city. There are two links with Singapore, where a sloppy 60,000 cars per day. Per piece. Many day-trippers from Singapore who come shopping in Malaysia. Gasoline, diesel, rice and kookolie funded in Malaysia and therefore much cheaper. These four basic ingredients are therefore rough on the counter. Diesel costs 1.5 ringit per litre, let's say 35 cents.
If a parking spot in the middle of the city, opposite the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Now, but hope that I have not become pregnant by. The city had not much to offer and the best parking was expensive. 15 Ringit for one night. Opposite 5 in Malaka. Do you like a lot of people here leave their cars to public transport in Singapore.
Heard on the radio that in Acheh once again was an earthquake of 7.2 on the Richter scale. I have nothing like felt, but it certainly near, so it is a bit scary. A Tsnunami am I not to wait that snap you.
Malaysia and Singapore are not on the best footing with each other. Not that there is war, but there is very much. The two bridges are full and third, already half built, was suddenly by a new government of Malaysia cancelled. They wanted to first agree on a number of issues such as the status of a few islands, the price of fresh water (all from Malaysia) and that sort of thing. Auw.
The southernmost tip what I achieved was to the east of Johor Bahru, and just east of Singapore. You could, I think, between the busy shipping traffic here by the Straits of Singapore, Indonesia side. Could any event smell, Indonesia was no more than say 20 km away from me.
You see Malaysia in many national flags. Also on cars and buildings, like I am the best, I am Maleisiër. Well you may best be proud of your country, but these are some nationalist traits (that you also see in Thailand) that I think it should be obsolete. My opinion …
Ben now a few weeks in Malaysia and I think it is a relaxed country. Incidentally, another Muslim country what I like, too. Could I have deep in my heart Muslim?
Well, fear not that I think. The people are much easier approachable, the contact is much easier, English knowledge is great and you find that people love to chat with tourists.
Can that whole thing with that headscarves are still not reconciled. Almost all Muslim women wear a headscarf, far beyond the shoulders. Even children are waring, but that girls and women are simply take part in all activities of daily life. So I saw a karate demonstration in a shopping centre in the week, and there were girls with head just to hear the rams. I think that is still somewhat strange, it is not consistent with each other. On the one hand, you may not see her because then you would be attractive (which you then just wait), but you must be careful, for example, a job as a hostess with only men as a customer or something. Nouja, I will be wrong about it. Every case I think they are in Malaysia a good balance between Muslim and modern world have found. Yes, you can see everywhere and brands that people are Muslim, yet weerhoud them not to be modern, and it is in some other countries.
With my finger, nouja what it is about, it is ok. I have a kind table mountian finger. A nice right stump. Who knows it is growing again around. But it is difficult, Unable to swim (and it's warm enough), there are of course often account knock against stupid things see there is not packed with those finger (but without that, I am also not to look at), and because your normal way of EUR and if not do you can do anything else and that is often wrong. But… the cutting device that evening I of the cutting incident equal in the trash thrown. Pfff, I have dragged from Nijmegen to Schiphol to Delhi to Kathmandu to Pokhara, and from there on in my car half continent, in order to use it once and throw away.
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