Some random thoughts on Malaysia

Dearly Beloved and I have just returned from 10 days in Malaysia. This was partly work-related and partly a holiday. We worked in KL and then in Terengganu state in the north-east. Our holiday was taken in Kuching.

Infinity pool, dawn, Sutra Beach resort, Terengganu

Thought 1: Why aren't all airports as well designed and as user-friendly as KLIA? Yes, it's huge ... but its signposting is so easy to follow — and so logical — that you never feel daunted by it. We stayed overnight at the Pan-Pacific Hotel in the airport and were both pleasantly surprised. For an airport that must take a considerable hiding, it was in an excellent state of repair and our room was ultra-clean and comfortable. As for the staff ... it's one of my pet hobbyhorses that Australian service staff aren't. At the Pan-Pac, I actually felt like a guest, not an imposition on the staff.

Thought 2: Driving — I've come to some conclusions about driving in Malaysia:
(a)  Road markings are guides only and not meant to be taken seriously ... take one lane ... or the other ... or straddle both ... it doesn't matter.
(b)  Indicators have a limited number of flashes in them and hence must be conserved by using them only in dire emergencies. Other than that, they are superfluous.
(c)  Stop signs are advisory only. The decision rests with the driver as to whether or not they are obeyed.
(d)  In the event traffic is stalled in your lane, it's perfectly OK to use the lane on the other side of the road. Or if you're on a scooter, the breakdown lane ... on either side of the road.
(e)  Turning off all the lights on your scooter at night, particularly in semi-lit rural areas, is a safety measure.

Thought 3: Food — Malaysian people love their food and love for you to love it too. I'm a fan … as my "waste"line will attest … but even I struggled with five hot meals a day! (Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, "high tea" and dinner) I have one reservation, however — keropok lekor, which is a kind of fish sausage made with fish, sago and salt, ground together and formed into "sausages" which are boiled or deep-fried. I tried them, but I'm terribly sorry, I just don't like them. Nasi lemak, nasi dagang (spicier), rendang (beef or chicken), roti canai, whole fish tom yam — now you're talking. I've been told there is a genuine Malaysian restaurant in Perth — must look it up.

Thought 4: Kuching — loved it. It's very clean, very green and very open in its design. The people are friendly (as indeed they are in Terengganu) and just seem genuinely happy to see you. In parts of the city, Europeans are still enough of a rarity for people to give each other a nudge and twitch a head in our direction. Some of the Western Australian town planners might like to take a visit and see the riverwalk they have there (and the use it gets) and compare it with the desert that is Riverside Drive in Perth.

The riverwalk, Kuching

The river and city skyline, Kuching

Thought 5: Shopping — Generally, 10.00 am to 10.00 pm — and yes, people did shop during those hours. One day we'll drag ourselves into the 21st century I guess. It was the lead-up to Chinese New Year while we were there and the sales were in full swing. Try genuine Pierre Cardin shirts for MYR50 — about $16AUD at the then exchange rate. Or women's shoes — in a range which had Dearly Beloved salivating — also from about $15 a pair.

We'll be back.