CHAPTER 1: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia

Four years after: Travel is still cheap

2010-03-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

Who else can beat Airasia --Philippines to Malaysia 30pesos fare?

TRAVEL IS CHEAP AND EASY - WITH (the right) DIRECTIONS...

2006-08-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

Pre- travel preparation

Internet

My flight was via http://www.tigerairways.com/. 3000pesos two-way ticket. I bought it on sept 28 2005 for travel on January 2006. I had to buy two way ticket because I will not be allowed to enter Singapore without a ticket going back to the RP.

Going home, I booked at http://www.airasia.com/ Kuala Lumpur to Clark 980 pesos. bought it on December 2005 airasia promo.

I bought a train ticket at http://www.ktmb.com.my/ for travels around Malaysia. very nice website. user friendly.

I booked a hostel at http://www.hostelworld.com/ for hostels in Singapore and Malaysia. very efficient website. no hidden charges. hostels costs 320pesos per day.

I looked for friends in friendster and ---thanks to Alger for the free accomodation in Bangkok.

I spent 40 hrs for two weeks reading http://www.virtualtourist.com/ for tips on what to do in these countries, odds and ends, etc.

Problems encountered:

I cannot prebook for a train trip at Thai trains in the internet. Upon my arrival at Hat yai, I was told that the train going to Bangkok was fully booked for the holidays (chinese new year). I was a bit furious beacause I have not planned to stay overnight at Hat Yai. With some begging, I was accomodated at the first class berth which costs 2x than the second class train berth.
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The Language Barrier

2006-06-18T23:40:00.000-07:00

Singaporeans- english is their daily conversational use, but with a chinese-tone and "LAH"added at the end of the sentence. Although sometimes I have difficulty comprehending spoken Sing-glish, its the english variety that I love to hear. No wonder, I am touring S'pore yearly, a few times, even twice in a given year.

Malaysians (kuala Lumpur)- about 80% of the malaysians I chat with, can converse english well (e.g. hotel-, airpot-,train-atendants; taxi drivers; store keepers)

Thailand - It's sad to say I never met a taxi driver that can speak English. Not even store attendants at a huge mall in bangkok. Much worst in the streets. All is sign language. I went to Pratunam once, and requested a no pork menu at a food stall, after several minutes of sign communication, i gave up, went to MBK mall and ended up eating MCdonal's chicken. But it is the differences in language that make travel more exciting. I survived Bangkok with charades and so can you.

Cambodia-No problem with communication especially at touristy areas like Siem Reap (Angkor). However, at the street level, I never encountered an english speaking local.

Laos- Same as Cambodia, however there are fairly few who can speak french.

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

Border Blues

2006-06-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

There is not much danger crossing the borders of mainland south-east asian countries. The immigration procedure is straight forward. Queue at the entrance labeled "going-out" (or synonyms of these words) at the side of the country you are leaving; show your passport and immigration card, then queue again at the booth/table/window with an "entry" sign at the side of the country you are about to enter, fill-out immigration forms provided, then off you go (Of course, don't forget your backpack). Exceptions do occur.

At the Singapore-Malaysia border, you have to fill-out an immigration form before entering the office.If you dont have a pen with you, an oldman is willing to "help" you. He charged me Sing$1 (PHP30) after writing my personal details on the form, which is about 60 letters. (Update May2007- the old man was no longer there at his post.. I kindda miss him though)

At the Thailand-Cambodia border, the same thing happened to me when i arrived at Cambodian side. This time, though i had a pen with me , a 30something-yr -old man called me. i thought he works with the immigration office. I cant understand what he says. But he points to my passport, so i did show it to him. Then he coppied my name and other details and wrote in a card.Then firmly said "20 Bhat", with his eyes fully dilated. (It turned out he was one of the touts, supposedly "helped" me fill-up the immigration form- with a fee)

Upon arriving at the Cambodian immigration office, I was asked to pay 200Bhat. I asked the officer what's the payment for. I told him i am on my way to Siem Reap purely for sight seing. Then he returned the money without any words. I learned later from filipino friends in Bangkok that they usually pay 200bhat when crossing the border for visa extension (visa run) purposes. But i was travelling as a tourist, on my way to Angkor watt. Obviuosly, I am exempted from such fees.

Picture taken at the entrance to imigration office/complex at Thailand-Malaysia border in Padang Besar

Monorail: the best choice in getting around Kuala Lumpur

2006-06-12T01:16:00.000-07:00

Monorail in Kuala Lumpur is definitely my choice of getting around..

It is airconditioned, which contrasts the boiling temperature of the city.

Very accessable wherever you want to go in the city.

Very affordable too.

Since located highly above the ground, a great view of downtown Kuala Lumpur is an added bonus.

Thailand- Laos by train

2006-06-12T00:59:00.000-07:00

There are no trains serving directly Thailand To Laos

Options of getting to Laos from Bangkok, Thailand: Train or bus to Nongkai (thailand) then there's plenty of bus serving the Thailand-Laos border thru Friendship bridge. As I see it, the bridge possibly can be crossed by foot. I have not seen anyone, however, walking on the bridge.

Bangkok to Nong Kai: 10 hrs by train, 8hrs by bus

pictured: Nongkai (Thailand) train station and Laos immigration office. click to enlarge.

Train Travel: Thailand to Cambodia

2006-06-02T00:21:00.000-07:00

There is no direct train connnecting Thailand an Cambodia as yet, But you can Travel from Bangkok to Aranyaphratet (Thailand) then Travel by motorcycle to Poipet (Cambodia's border town).

There's nothing much to see in Poipet, except casinos. Since there are none of these in Thailand, you will queue in the immigration office with plenty of thais on their way to the gambling haven, trying their luck.

Siem Reap is where the "feel" of Cambodia is. You know, Angkor watt. To get there, you can hire a taxi for US$40- for 2 hours, the easiest, most expensive way. Other choices are: share a taxi with another tourists you will meet at the immigration office, or wait for a bus which will travel 6hrs or more.

Posted picture is the Cambodian Immigration office near Cambodia- Thailand border

Bangkok....What more can i say ?

2006-05-31T04:35:00.000-07:00

With 10million tourists registered in 2005, what more can I say with Thailand as a tourist destination?
Pictured: Facade of the station (with an unknown man) and its interior with the Thai King on the background.
This is the Hualamphong Station. All trains from Malaysia and other parts of Thailand departs/arrives here.

Train Travel: Hat Yai- Bangkok (Thailand)

2006-05-27T05:46:00.000-07:00

This is he First Class Thai train from Hat Yai to Bangkok....

A little expensive than second Class but the price is reasonable, considering you'll have free towels and bath soap, bottled water plus there will be only two of you at the room...

At night, this couch is converted into two beds...

Train Travel: Padang Besar(Malysia)- Hat Yai (Thailand)

2006-05-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

This is is the same train from Alor Setar, but this time i was on my way to Hat Yai

Border Town: Padang Besar (Malaysia) - Padang Basar (Thailand)

2006-05-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

This is The Malaysia- Thailand Border at Padang Besar. This is where border formalities are done. The immigration offices of both countries are located in the same building, that virtually you can not tell what country ends where.....

Train Travel:Alor Setar - Padang Besar (Malaysia)

2006-05-27T05:25:00.000-07:00

Second Class Thai Train from Alor Setar to the Boder town of Padang Besar..

TRain Travel: Kuala Lumpur- Alor Setar (MAlaysia)

2006-05-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

Pictured: KTMB Station At Alor Setar, Kedah

Alor Setar City- is the capital of the state of Kedah Malaysia.- is definitely more conservative than KL. Headscarf for women is a must, no sleeveless shirt and skirts should be at the foot's level.-Being near to Thailand, There some Thai presence in the city.(e.g. buddhist temples)

Mahathir Museum-

My main purpose of going to Alor setar.He is one of the great Malays who formed Malaysia of what it is today. During his term as a prime minister of Malaysia, The country enjoyed significant economic growth. He is a medical doctor (like me), Genius ( Maybe I am also, ahem) ; Living hero (Iam not). The museum displays peices of Dr Mahathir's life. Included in the artifacts are the medical equipments of his clinic, some old prescription pads, and medicine vials.-Free entrance. No cameras allowed.

Menara Alor Setar

- A communications tower, with a revolving restaurant, conference rooms, etc.-You can have a 360 degrees view of the city at the observatory level.

Train Travel: Singapore- Malaysia

2006-05-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

Pictured here is the second classs berth of a sleeper train from Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia and vice versa.

Fare: 43 malaysian Ringgit (RM) = Php 602

Going North: Depart JB -1130pm; Arrive KL- 730 am the next day, train available daily

This train actually starts its trip from Singapore. But odd as it may seem, this is how it works: When you buy a ticket for Singapore to KL, you will be charged Sing$43 = Php1, 333. In contrast, a JB to KL ticket is sold at RM 43 (Php 602) when bought in the JB station or in the internet.

So, if you want to save, start your trip via bus. Bus fare is just Sing $ 1.60 (Php 50) from MRT woodlands station (in S'pore) to JB. Buses crossing the border is on the first floor of the station. This part is a bit tricky: Alight at the Singaporean immigration office for border formalities, bring all your luggage since the bus will not wait for you. After immigation clearance, hop on the next availabe bus to cross the causeway then alight the second time at the malaysian border office for clearance. The whole journey should only use 1 ticket. The JB train station is just a few steps from the border office. Then hop on to the Malaysian train from JB onwards. Although some tourists claim the JB train station is not safe especially during the night.

Also, when the weather is good, for extra adventure you may want to walk on the S'pore-M'sia causeway. It is just about twice the length of EDSA-Guadalupe bridge.

However, if you decide to commence your travel via Singapore's beautiful pre-World War II train station (when Singapore and Malaysia was one country) take MRT from Changi airport. The nearest MRT station is Tanjong Pagar. From this station, walk for about 10 minutes. There are arrows(signages) leading to the Singapore KTM station in Keppel road. Travel light because a load of more than 10 kilos will surely be a challenge.

Again, it is interesting to note that the train station is part of Malaysia but perched in the heart of Singapore Island. When you enter the station, the Malaysian "atmosphere" is very evident. I used the bathing facilities once and realized this fact. Whats more, your passport will be noted that you are "inside Malaysia" while you are physically still in Singapore.