A short bus journey from Ipoh is Gunung Rapat and a group of cave temples that are well worth a visit out of the old town for. From the main road the first one you reach is a Taoist place of worship, Ling Sen Tong, or ‘Rock of Heavenly Spirits’ as the name translates. hits you is the colourful facade, bright colours abound – curving … Continue reading Ipoh Cave Temples…
A day out from Ipoh and just a thirty minute train journey away is the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, the home of the Sultan of Perak. A beautiful city set where the river of the same name feeds into the River Perak. ‘Kurang-Sa’ in Malay means one-hundred minus one, and the small tributary Kangsar is the ninety-ninth to flow into the Perak River, giving … Continue reading Kuala Kangsar – a Royal Town
We visited Ipoh in 2020, so for us this is our second wander around a very attractive but laid back city. There is a heritage trail that takes in some of the significant buildings as you wind your way through the streets and alleyways. Throw in a good smattering of street art along the way and it makes for a great unhurried walk. Walking in … Continue reading Sleepy Ipoh
Having visited the Petronas Towers during the day a little over two weeks ago, we finally got to see them by night. As well as the impressive towers to view there is an accompanying sound and light show on the lake behind. As we approach coach after coach is already parked up, so we sense that it is going to be busy. After a photo … Continue reading Colourful Kuala Lumpur
For us food plays a big part in the whole travel experience – new tastes, textures and flavours add to the backstory of where you are in the world. Chopsticks and robots serving meals always bring that element of added danger too… In Kuala Lumpur we bedded ourselves in gently, rice and noodle dishes at the Jalan Alor food market, the longest of its type … Continue reading When in Rome…
Our map from the tourist office is looking a little faded and creased, over the last few days we have put it to good use. Today we can declare that we have visited each and every highlighted temple, tomb and tourist hot spot. The surprising thing is that we have also discovered so much more, streets and sights that don’t merit a mention on the … Continue reading More Melaka
Riding back into Melaka from the bus station yesterday we noticed a deserted monorail theme park, so with it being within walking distance why not go and explore further? It’s a deceptively short distance from where we are staying, the one way system around the city must have made the journey longer by car! In no time at all we can see the track running … Continue reading Abandoned Melaka
The final place to visit on our ‘to do’ list, just three stations along from our accommodation on the North East line. As soon as we left the Little India station it was as if we had been transported to the Indian subcontinent, shops selling flower garlands, aromatic spices, pots and pans plus all manner of fruits and vegetables that we struggle to identify. And … Continue reading Little India, Singapore
… or as it translates ox-cart water or even bullock-cart, named after the popular way of transporting water around back then. If you visit today it is hard to imagine that Chinatown was once on the coast, little boats stopping at wooden quays and stilt houses dotted along what is now Telok Ayer street. What is now one of the most colourful areas of Singapore … Continue reading Chinatown…
We visited here under strict instructions from a friend back home, as a child his Dad was stationed in Singapore and this place was a regular day out. In the days when he visited it was called Tiger Balm Gardens and some of the grotesque and weird images have always remained with him. Haw Par Villa is the creation and legacy that was left by … Continue reading Haw Par Villa
Stamford Raffles crammed a lot into his short life, born aboard a ship off the coast of Jamaica he made his name in South East Asia. Singapore is synonymously associated with his name, be that through the Raffles hotel or the Singapore Sling cocktail that was famously created there. This modern city has something for everyone, modern street art, museums, history and food combinations from … Continue reading Singapore…
The Melaka Gateway project once promised a state of the art cruise ship terminal, and aspirational living with stunning views overlooking the Straits of Melaka. In November 2020 the Malaysian government brought a halt to the whole scheme. The Gateway was to be constructed on reclaimed islands, but because the project missed deadlines the plug was pulled. In a bizarre situation ninety-nine percent of the … Continue reading Ghost Town…!
Oldest On the Bus 