“Bpai nai krub?” The immigration officer asked robotically as I handed over my passport. (Where are you going?) “Klap bahn krub,” I replied. “Bpai tee Krung Thep.” (I am going home, sir. To Bangkok.) My accent, coupled with my Australian passport, caught his attention. He looked up at me, momentarily surprised. Clearly, I was an anomaly—utterly different from the usual processing of Thai and Malaysian passports or border passes. I was the only non-Thai or non-Malay in the immigration hall. “Klap bahn, bpai tee Krung Thep?” he repeated, flipping through my passport.“Yes,” I confirmed in…
Malaysia’s Jungle Railway: From the Heart of the Country to the Sea
The Jungle Line (Malaysian East Coast Railway) was one of the most stunning and enjoyable train rides ever! Time flew by, and I got off the train feeling like I had completed an adventure. Summary Yesterday, I outlined how to ride Malaysia’s rail system. The country has two main rail corridors, in addition to the rail network around Kuala Lumpur.The first, the West Coast railway (red line), connects most major Malaysian cities along the country’s western side. The other is the far less busy, much more remote “East Coast Railway” (blue line), which connects the…
How to get around: Exploring Malaysian and Kuala Lumpur Transport Networks
Malaysia spans approximately 1,300 km (808 miles) from north to south and 800 km (497 miles) from west to east, covering around 330,803 km² (127,724) square miles. This is about the same size as Finland, Norway, and Vietnam. It is slightly bigger than New Mexico in the USA and Victoria in Australia. Getting around can involve flying, driving or using the train system. Riding the rails is my focus today. Malaysia’s transport network consists of three key components: 1. West Coast Line from Johor Bahru/Woodlands in the south to Padang Besar on Thai border (red…
New Month, New Travels, New Challenges— One Unforgettable Border Crossing
My busy travel schedule kicks off this month! This year, I will visit Brazil, China, Colombia, Finland, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, South Africa (first time!), Switzerland and the USA amongst a few other places. January has included air and rail journeys through Malaysia and Thailand… January included a stingray attack amidst a relaxing time in Krabi, my first flight with Batik Air, and completing all the rail routes in Malaysia and Thailand—every station, every line. Posts are coming this week. I also crossed by foot from Malaysia into Thailand’s Deep South which was anything but…
Being Captured by Captivating Krabi: Thailand’s Cultural and Natural Paradise
I just had to share some photos from my recent trip to the southern Thailand province of Krabi, where I spent a few days. Located along the Andaman Sea coast, Krabi offers visitors picturesque islands such as Phi Phi Islands, Railay Beach, and Ao Nang. The province is known for its stunning natural beauty, including rugged mountains, lush forests, limestone cliffs, clear waters, sandy beaches, and abundant marine life. Over the years, Krabi has gained international popularity due to these natural attractions. The province’s history dates back centuries, and its culture is influenced by Thai…
80 Years Later: Why we must remember the Holocaust
Today, 27 January, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945. This day is now recognised as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. I have now visited three Nazi-era concentration camps: Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg (1936–1945), Auschwitz (1940–1945), and Dachau (1933–1945). Each visit left me with different emotions, but Dachau (pic below), in particular, was the most emotional for me. The Holocaust resulted in the genocide of six million Jewish people, along with countless others from marginalised groups, including Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses,…
From Tiny Slips to Big Stories: Boarding Passes Remind Me of 2024 Adventures
While sorting through my 2024 travel souvenirs today, I gathered these boarding passes from most of my flights from last year. These are tiny and powerful reminders of my incredible adventures built around the 99 flights with 29 airlines I took last year to 28 countries. Some people collect postcards, others fridge magnets—I seem to collect boarding passes! I probably have a thousand of them now! Sign of a true nerd? Most likely. These small slips of paper are mementos of my journeys, reminding me of smooth and chaotic flights. They trigger memories, for example,…
Flying Batik Air for the First Time: What You Need to Know
I have been avoiding Batik Air for a long time, but I finally decided to try them. This review reflects my first experience with Batik Air, an airline that enjoys many negative Trip Advisor reviews. Summary Rating: 61%Route: Krabi to Kuala Lumpur, 667 km, 1 hour 16 minuteAirline: Batik Air is a member of the Lion Air Group of Indonesia, comprising Batik Air Indonesia, Super Air Jet, Lion Air, Wings Air, Biz Jet and Thai Lion Air. Batik is a Malaysian hybrid full-service carrier and flies to several Southeast Asian destinations, founded in 2013 as…
Stingray attack -a reminder of the need for Travel Insurance
I was just by the beach in southern Thailand, gearing up for a beautiful sunset beachside wedding. After a nice Thai lunch and a good cup of Es Yen (local Thai iced coffee), I figured I’d have a swim in the hotel’s net-enclosed beachside swimming area, designed to keep out the “nasties.” I had finished my laps and was heading toward the shore when suddenly, I felt a sharp, sudden sting in my ankle, followed by intense pain and a strange, keyhole-shaped wound. My yelp of pain, shock, and surprise attracted the attention of nearby…
Dreaming Differently- Czech Airlines in a Parallel World
In the 2000s, I loved seeing the OK tails of CSA Czech Airlines at airports around the world. I never actually flew them, but I wish I had. On Friday, I wrote about the airlines we lost in 2024. One of the most prominent was Czech Airlines’. As the fifth-oldest airline in the world and the third to fly a jet aeroplane, Czech Airlines (CSA) held a special place in European aviation. With its closure, I feel we’ve lost a part of aviation history. Reflecting on CSA , I was reminded of the famous Czech…
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