Here we go, this is our last day in Malaysia as we are heading towards Thailand by boat. We could have crossed the border by the road but it’s nice to take travel by sea sometimes. Once in Thailand, an hour and twenty minutes later, we had to cycle to the next town to get organised with money and phone number plus internet. We found easily the bank and then a shopping mall for the SIM card. Finally, we’ve just stayed in that same shopping mall and worked on our website until dark. Then we cycled few kilometres and stopped in a park where we spent our night.
Category: Malaysia
Kuah > Pentai Cenang (38km, 2h25)
First day in Langkawi. From what I’ve heard until today, this island is the first tourist destination in Malaysia. That’s what I’m afroad of… Personally, I prefer Borneo with its adventurous side. Touristy places means to me, higher prices for anything, especially food in my case. I did not plan to go there at first but like Penang, everyone is talking about it. Even the Malay family we met in Kuala Lumpur, Amir told us about this island many times. Our goal is to find as much free things as possible. Fortunately, there is some like watching Parachutes, jungle walks, waterfall and cycling around the island :-)
Taman Setia Budi > Ferry (56km, 1h37) > Kuah, Langkawi island (83km, 4h40)
Today we keep travelling towards Thailand which is becoming very close. We left the village “Setia Budi ” this morning and cycled until Kota Kuala Kedah to catch a ferry to Langkawi. From Malaysia, there is three cities that operate this trip: Penang (the furthest), Kota Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis (the closest). Of course, longer the trip is, more expensive the ticket will be. One way ticket cost 23 ringgit plus an extra of 18 ringgit for the bicycle. There is several ferries during the day. We let go the 6pm and caught the one at 7pm, the last one, to have the time to eat something. Once in Kuah (Langkawi) we simply slept in a tiny park just outside the ferry terminal as it was already dark.
Penang > ferry (~35min, 3.5km) > Taman Setia Budi (32km, 1h50)
After 6 days spent in Penang, well, in Georgetown which is the capital of the Penang island, we are moving again towards Thailand where we should be in 2 or 3 days time. We did not visit all the island. I thought I would spend a day or two cycling around but I got lazy. The back of the islnd is apparently very hilly so it cut off any motivation. I should have find the way to leave my trailer somewhere. Anyway, we visited the historical centre which was okay. Today we left Penang at 5pm and cycled just out of Butterworth city to find a quiet place where to camp. Easy day.
Penang, Chinatown, second visit
We did not see everything in Chinatown yesterday so we have a second round today. We have visited more Chinese temple, seen more street art and walk too much! Yes, I prefer cycling than walking. This is much easier :-) Tonight is the last day of 2015. We planned to see the fireworks. We saw it but not in the best conditions. Finally, this is when we returned to our campsite that the night really started. Always no plan is the best one :-) That worked for 2015 and it’s going to work in 2016, for sure! Happy New Year!
Penang, Chinatown, first visit
Today, we are visiting Chinatown, the real part. Until now, we stayed around the backpacker area. It is still in chinatown but on its edge. All the price are quite high but if you walk 5 minutes to the east side and follow the tourists, you will discover this old area with lots of souvenir shops, bicycles to rent, ice cream to eat and street art.
Penang, applying for 2 month Thailand visa
What you need to apply for the tourist Visa for Thailand (and from Malaysia) is pretty simple. You need your passport and its black & white photocopy, 2 ID photos and 150 Ringgit. They will ask you to fill a paper and provide them an address where you will stay in Thailand. Make sure you have one. If you don’t have the photocopy or the ID pictures there is two ways to get them. You can go to a camera shop in the city (See map). The price: 4 ID photos for 12 Ringgit and 20 sen per photocopy) or you can do it front of the Consular itself but it will cost you a bit more. The price is respectively 20 and 2 Ringgit. Two guys have their car parked front of the Consular can do it on the spot. We came this morning at 8:15 to be the first one on the queue because it grows rapidly at nine o’clock. We will pick up our visa tomorrow at 2pm, so 29 hours later. That’s pretty quick!