Goodbye Singapore and hello Kuala Lumpur

My last full day in Singapore was spent at the zoo. I'm not a great believer in zoos but I'd been led to believe that the S'pore one is special.

And so it turned out to be, a great environment for the animals, lots of space and greenery plus thoughtful attempts at recreating their natural habitats. I didn't decide on a favourite area as there were too many from which to choose, but I did decide on a least favourite: the 15:30 Elephant Exhibition. I've never agreed with these magnificent creatures being trained to 'perform' for the oohhing and aahhing audience. But that's just my personal view.

Then it was back to the Gardens By The Bay for a final mesmerising Light Show complete with Opera accompaniment, a very special way to end my time here.

The journey here, which I had done by train 45 years ago, was made by coach. The ability to seamlessly travel between Singapore and southern Malaysia has not existed for several years. Now the easiest option is the coach. I picked the 'executive' company with plush reclining seats and on board refreshments as 7 hours on a bone shaker did not fill me with enthusiasm. Easy journey, no problems through customs and passports, and an early arrival.

Now settled in my 'treat to myself' accommodation, a 27th floor serviced apartment with incredible views over KL. will later explore the gym, the indoor pool and the rooftop Infinity pool, although with my head for heights I might be better avoiding that one.

A few photos from the zoo to follow, didn't take any on today's journey as mile after mile after mile of palm tree plantations isn't that interesting or photogenic.

Comments

Of course KL has changed, I last saw it in 1975!

My 'treat to myself' accommodation has some outstanding views and it's amazing me that I don't feel at all queasy looking out of the windows even though I'm up on the 27th floor! The day did not start well which seems to be a recurring theme this trip. I have no idea where I am, I have no maps, no mobile data, no clue as to how I'm going to get where I'm going, and I'm not even sure where that is! Google to the rescue. Photos taken of google maps and off I go. Quite a bit later, obviously, I arrive at what I think is the station I'm after. No of course it's not, it's another one I've never heard of. In my defence the KL transport system is not easy to master. Anyway a less than helpful man does a bit of pointing and grunting and I set off in the direction he sort of indicates. At the next station, which still isn't the one I'm looking for, a more helpful person tries to explain that I can connect to the one I'm after if I...

It's a good job I like trains!

Having hot footed it out of Khota Bahru and caught, by the skin of my teeth ( time difference of +1hr if you remember) the train down to Gemas it turned out that I could actually buy a ticket all the way through to Joror Bahru for onwards travel to Singapore so I persuaded the ticket clerk just before I boarded to swop my ticket without a penalty. This he very kindly did, but as I was boarding I noticed that he'd made the second leg on the 22nd. Now Johor Barhu might be a great place but I had no intentions of spending nearly a week there! Oh dear, it's never simple is it? Anyway, settled on train, seat not window and not facing direction as I was assured they would be but, heck, I'm on the flipping thing. Chunter chunter through the jungle of which I saw nothing due to my desire to escape KB. Anyway, I think they're chopping vast areas of it down for palm tree planting, shame. And yes, of course there was a 3 year old 2 rows in front who managed to scream most...

Last day in KL and first day in Penang

How exciting that I actually got to do one of the parkruns I had planned before I left home. Singapore parkrun scheduled for the 22nd, the day of my planned visit, was cancelled due to the corona virus, what a disappointment for me! KL on the 29th wasn't cancelled so I rocked up at 07:20 for the 07:30 start and realised it was a good thing I'd been running early as they were half way through the first timers' briefing. Boy was it HOT! Still can't believe I finished it and in a semi respectable time of 36.53, 1st in my age group (OK, I accept I was the only one in my age group!), and I was really pleased I stuck with it. Managed to get to the KLCC Gardens, something I'd been promising I'd try to do, and walked all the way there to book my ticket at Eurolines to travel to Penang on Sunday. It was a bit late by then to find out how close all the attractions were, so much easier than taking the trains with their very long connection tunnels. And finding the fr...

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