May 24, 2010
Our decision to get on the train to Northen Malaysia a day early ended up being a great one. We gave up our lower sleeper berths for uppers as they didn’t have any lowers left but it was an all night trip so we didn’t really loose out to much. We boarded the train at 7pm and with a bumpy rickety start we pulled out of Johur Bahru staion. This was definatly not a Eurorail train. More like a Manitoba train 100 years ago at best. Bumping and shaking along,, we were all smiles as we pulled away from the big city. The he ride itself was a bit uneventful other than the burping, loud talking Malaysians in our car. The train was so unbelievably cold it was hard to get comfortable. We got into the train in 35 degree heat and the A/C was on full blast. It didn’t get any warmer till we stepped off in Tanah Merah, Malaysia.
We hired a Taxi (guy with a car) to get to the coast which was an hour away. When we got to the water we took our first glimps of the South China Sea. It definatly is amazing. The bluest blue you can ever imagine with the whites sand ever. We quickly booked our ferry tickets to the Perhentian island. We wanted to stay on Long beach which we read was the nicest.
The ferry ride was a short 20 minutes. As we hopped off the boat we realized the water was bathtub warm. Too warm if its really hot outside. But, oh well. We are loving every moment of the heat and the water.
The powdery soft sand is so white and the blue water is so warm. How will we ever leave?
May 25,2010
We woke in the middle of the night to pouring rain, thunder and lightning. Wow, did it rain. Buckets and buckets of rain. I sounded like it would never stop. In the morning we awoke to a sunny calm day. We slathered on the sunscreen and we decided to make the 10 minute treck to the other side of the isand. Up and over the small hill. The other side is very similar to Long beach. It has about 8 small chalet type rentals and 3 or 4 restraunts. Perfect! We sauntered along, checking out the different places to rent and the menus on the boards at the end of restraunts and came to a small place at the far end. We asked about a boat and a lady (Julie)beside us asked if we wanted to split a boat with her and her kids to go to a private beach. We of course said we would and off we went, snorklles in hand with Julie, Malin and Julie’s 2 kids, Salome and Millan They all live in Calcutta, India and are down for a short holiday with the kids while their husbands had to stay back and work.
They are fun great people to hang out with. We spent all day in the water and on the beaches. Talking and swimming while the kids played. We had a late (3pm) lunch when we gat back to the island and swam and talked some more till the sun went down and we had to boogie back across the island before it got to dark to see the path.
Another day in paradise. Oh, on a different note. Miranda and I got to experience our first squat toilet. Now that we are experts, we are hoping we don’t need to go there again. Luckily our room here has a regular toilet. Thye train had the option of either or. Though it was so discusting that Dean would not go in it. He waited all night and all morning to get to a somewhat clean one on the coast. Thought I should add that all in so you don’t think we have it too easy her in paradise.
I haven’t heard much about Thailand recently other than that someone heard the fighting is all over. We have no means to get TV info. If anyone has any info pertaining to whether it is getting to be safer there, it would be great to know (e-mail us). We are thinking we will not go there unless all the fightling has come to a stop. But at this point we can not get any up to date facts.
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Fresh from a Government of Canada website:
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the Kingdom of Thailand due to recent violence, unrest, and rioting triggered by large-scale political demonstrations that occurred in Bangkok from March 12 to May 25, 2010, and resulted in deaths and injuries. A 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew and a state of emergency are still in effect in Bangkok and in 23 provinces: Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Chonburi (with the exception of Pattaya), Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Nan, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Mahasarakham, Roi-et, Nongbualamphu, Sakhonnakorn, Si Sa Ket, Kalisin, and Mukdahan. The state of emergency can affect civil liberties by limiting the right to assembly as well as freedom of movement, and may include imposing searches, checkpoints, and other restrictions.
Further civil unrest, sporadic violence, and attacks remain a risk anywhere in the country. Although protest areas have been cleared, the Thai government continues to deploy significant numbers of police and military forces in response to the recent unrest. Even though the demonstrations and associated violence had been focused mostly in Bangkok, unrest and demonstrations also occurred in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Khen, and Udon Thani. Canadians are strongly advised to avoid any protest sites, military installations, or concentrations of security personnel, as well as prominent government buildings. Canadians should avoid non-essential movement, exercise caution, follow the advice of local authorities, and remain informed of developments by monitoring local media.
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport remains fully operational and commercial flights are operating normally. During curfew hours, it may be difficult to commute between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Bangkok, even by taxi, due to a lack of public transportation. Thai authorities have advised that people needing to travel during curfew hours, particularly for scheduled air travel, should carry both their passport and evidence of travel. Although now operating, public transportation, including the SkyTrain (BTS), Metro (MRT), and bus routes, had been disrupted, at times by complete closures. Local information can be obtained from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) via telephone at 1672.
I would e-mail, but can't find the address on your blog. Hope you see this!
Robin
Thanks for the info. Our e-mail is deanandwendy@gmail.com
is language a problem ?
sound like you are having a good time.we think of you often.
Hey Wendy, We are planning to be in Thailand in July and at this time we are still planning to travel to the place are invited to but I know the travel advisory is still high, we will play it by ear if things start working up again. We just got an email from the mission we are joining there in Thailand and they say their area(Mae Sot) is safe to travel in and they have no added concern for us because of the fights that have happened in central Bangkok. I do not know about other places in the Kingdom. Just so you know the Canadian Embassy in Thailand is still closed at his time. If you can check twitter for the latest news stories on Bangkok.
I've been enjoying reading your travel blog.
Just noticed the embassy in Bangkok has reopened.
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