To get to and from the Perhentian Islands isn’t the easiest trip. After taking a small boat jam packed with people and luggage for 45 minutes to Kuala Besut, then a taxi to Kota Bahru, we then boarded a flight to KL. While trains and buses are also available, flights aren’t very expensive and we didn’t have much time as we stayed several extra days in paradise.
I know that some people say taking shells from the beaches is disrupting nature, etc. So, try not to be mad, but I took one. It wasn’t from the sea or anything – I found it on the beach. There were two halves to it and I left one there. I might have taken two, but Donovan wouldn’t let me. Plus it felt kind of greedy. Even taking one was a risk because I didn’t know if it would make it all the way back to Austin with us. And then it would really be like taking something from the sea and never being able to admire its beauty. So sad. But it didn’t work out that way. The wonderful security check point lady in Malaysia let me through (because it wasn’t coral and you can’t take coral back for sure – it was just a shell – a really really big shell). We got through security in KL, Singapore and LA with no issues. Well, except for the fact that my neck was a little jacked up because it weighed so much and Donovan didn’t want to bring it back so of course I had to carry it. Which is fine. It was totally worth it. Now when you put your keys in our shell when you come in the door, you too can appreciate a little piece of Malaysia.
Back to KL. We stowed our luggage at the airport and caught a taxi for a 20 min ride to the recently built Formula 1 race track in Sepang, Malaysia. We were there just in time for the GT Car Racing Series. Donovan was in heaven. Well, almost. Hello, Muslim run. NO BEER! A tough reality considering the Bud-drinking down-home Nascar fans in America. The race track was pristine though – surprise surprise. No rowdy beer drinking fans. The race was FAST. Fun to watch. We left early (only partially due to the lack of beer). We found our hotel at long last, grabbed some fast food and crashed hard.
The next morning, we narrowly made it to another random hotel to catch a luxury bus to Singapore. We rode in style for $30 a person on the 5 hour journey across the border to Singapore. Train service does exist, but it is surprisingly much slower. Plane tickets were much more. We decided a reclining leather seat with pillow and blanket, as well as power outlets for each seat was definitely an acceptable alternative. If only they had this kind of service from Austin to Mexico!
Upon arriving in Singapore, we taxied back to Iggy’s house and hung out with his parents for several hours. They are great! A wealth of knowledge and so interesting to talk to. Iggy’s dad took us (and their huge husky, Hunter) for a walk in the neighborhood. Real estate here is continuing to sky rocket. Houses are being bought for over 3 mil and knocked down or remodeled. Sounds like they are just biding their time and watching the market to see what kind of deal they can get. Real estate all over the city is in short supply and hard to come by. We also wandered over to a nearby nature reserve where you can pick various fruit – jack fruit, durian, leiches, etc. How great that it’s so close! Though the monkeys tend to hoard it before it’s ripe so you don’t always get your fill.
The next morning we hopped a plane for a long journey back to Austin. Time to try and get over the 12 hour jet lag.
I know that some people say taking shells from the beaches is disrupting nature, etc. So, try not to be mad, but I took one. It wasn’t from the sea or anything – I found it on the beach. There were two halves to it and I left one there. I might have taken two, but Donovan wouldn’t let me. Plus it felt kind of greedy. Even taking one was a risk because I didn’t know if it would make it all the way back to Austin with us. And then it would really be like taking something from the sea and never being able to admire its beauty. So sad. But it didn’t work out that way. The wonderful security check point lady in Malaysia let me through (because it wasn’t coral and you can’t take coral back for sure – it was just a shell – a really really big shell). We got through security in KL, Singapore and LA with no issues. Well, except for the fact that my neck was a little jacked up because it weighed so much and Donovan didn’t want to bring it back so of course I had to carry it. Which is fine. It was totally worth it. Now when you put your keys in our shell when you come in the door, you too can appreciate a little piece of Malaysia.
Back to KL. We stowed our luggage at the airport and caught a taxi for a 20 min ride to the recently built Formula 1 race track in Sepang, Malaysia. We were there just in time for the GT Car Racing Series. Donovan was in heaven. Well, almost. Hello, Muslim run. NO BEER! A tough reality considering the Bud-drinking down-home Nascar fans in America. The race track was pristine though – surprise surprise. No rowdy beer drinking fans. The race was FAST. Fun to watch. We left early (only partially due to the lack of beer). We found our hotel at long last, grabbed some fast food and crashed hard.
The next morning, we narrowly made it to another random hotel to catch a luxury bus to Singapore. We rode in style for $30 a person on the 5 hour journey across the border to Singapore. Train service does exist, but it is surprisingly much slower. Plane tickets were much more. We decided a reclining leather seat with pillow and blanket, as well as power outlets for each seat was definitely an acceptable alternative. If only they had this kind of service from Austin to Mexico!
Upon arriving in Singapore, we taxied back to Iggy’s house and hung out with his parents for several hours. They are great! A wealth of knowledge and so interesting to talk to. Iggy’s dad took us (and their huge husky, Hunter) for a walk in the neighborhood. Real estate here is continuing to sky rocket. Houses are being bought for over 3 mil and knocked down or remodeled. Sounds like they are just biding their time and watching the market to see what kind of deal they can get. Real estate all over the city is in short supply and hard to come by. We also wandered over to a nearby nature reserve where you can pick various fruit – jack fruit, durian, leiches, etc. How great that it’s so close! Though the monkeys tend to hoard it before it’s ripe so you don’t always get your fill.
The next morning we hopped a plane for a long journey back to Austin. Time to try and get over the 12 hour jet lag.
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