 |
| Malacca, Malaysia |
We flew into Singapore and decided not to stop. Not only is it an expensive place to stay but we would be returning for a two week Christmas/NY housesit. Instead, we bussed across the boarder to Malaysia.
 |
| Someone looks tired |
We had read online that the boarder crossing can be time consuming and that occasionally people have been left behind for taking too long at customs. Slightly nervewracking but everything turned out fine. The thing about online information is that your really do have to take it with a grain on salt! Possibly that happened to someone once and no one bothers to post all the times it goes according to plan.
First stop Malacca. We needed a bit of rest and it was a good opportunity to start learning some basic Malay words and menu options.
 |
| Roti with curry soup |
We learned that the Portuguese were somehow involved by discovery our favour Portuguese custard tarts on a random local bakery.
 |
| We took photos of menus at restaurants we wanted to return to so we could research what it all meant |
 |
| An outstanding meal including a whole baked fish ikan (fish) |
Next was a bus trip to Jerantut. Not somewhere we particularly wanted to be but it was impossible to find out how to take get to Taman Negara online. We just knew we needed to go from Jerantut.
 |
| We were pretty saddened to see the extent of the palm plantations. |
 |
| Some plonker hit their head on a set of concrete steps and bled all over the bus station floor! Moral of the story ... you are much taller than the average Malaysian |
Our favourite thing about Jerantut was the local eatery. Their specialty being Roti canai, the local flatbread made on site with a huge choice of additions.
We enjoyed watching them make it nearly as much as we enjoyed eating it!
Roti canai tellur (egg)
We discovered we were in the land of the cat. Being a muslim country there are hardly any dogs. Cats rule.
We finally found a mini bus to take us on the next leg of our journey ... to Taman Negara National Park.
 |
| Dukuh fruit - sweetly sour |
 |
| A large aquarium in the park |
James enjoyed a spot of fishing before he came down with a bug that had him laid up for the rest of our stay here. Travelling doesn't always go according to plan.
 |
| Most of the restaurants were on the water |
 |
| Nasi Ayam (Rice and Chicken) takeout |
Back to Jerantut for a night then on the bus to Klang, on the outskirts of KL.
 |
| Every dried fish shop must have a resident cat |
Street art of Klang
We then took a train to the end of the line where we found a ferry to the Chinese fishing village island of Pulau Ketam. This was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint.
 |
| On the ferry |
It was not very touristy at all, which is what we prefer, with no English spoken and it was a bit of a trick once again to figure out what to eat!
 |
| Ikan porridge |
 |
| Cockle omlete |
 |
| Deep fried Ice Cream Pie |
 |
| Whole fish |
There was nowhere to go from the village. All the locals ride electric motorbikes so it is quite quiet. You just have to watch where you are walking as you can't hear them from behind.
 |
| The ferry terminal |
Some pics from our walks around the village ... lots of Chinese temples
 |
| Terapins outside a temple |
 |
One night, walking home from dinner, we got roped into the town hall for what appeared to be the children's Christmas Party. We had no idea what was going on but it was a lovely and welcoming experience.
Of course, James found an opportunity to get his rod out and attract some cute wee fishing buddies.
Pulau Ketam by night
Soon enough we were back on the mainland making the return journey to Klang which has become a part of KL that we really enjoy with it's mix of chinese and indian culture and cuisine.
 |
| Chinese claypot restaurant |
Malaysian restaurant, a bit more upmarket
Indian cuisine on our street corner
 |
We took a Grab (private car taxi, like Uber but super cheap in Malaysia) to a fish farm. We got the impression that they don't get tourists and hadn't even had a customer for a while. The owner was happily dragged from his midday nap to give us some bait and advice.
 |
| Plec - suckermouth catfish, very pretty |
 |
| Tilapia |
Also spotted this huge monitor lizard on the oppisite bank. It fortunately sloped off into the bushes away from us.
Last, but by no means least, James decided to put his arm to good use to display support for something close to his heart - FREEDOM FOR PALISTINE!
