Bako National Park, Kuching, Sarawak

Bako National Park is definitely underrated among Malaysians. Not many heard of it, but this national park turned out to be worthy of a visit. 

You can fly from Senai, Johor to Kuching directly. We got our return flights on AirAsia for RM180 each. Flight time from Senai to Kuching is about 1 hour 15 min, which was a bit surprisingly fast. AirAsia was also punctual. 

After arriving in Kuching at noon, we took a 20-min boat ride from Bako Park Jetty

I observed that the number of visitors was surprisingly low, so was scale of open/available treks. The park is huge, but only a small portion is open to the public. Most of the time, you basically have the entire beach or treks to yourself. This is somewhere exclusive with an affordable price tag. Some people would label this place boring, but I found peace and 'Zen' here. 

Why rush back to Kuching if you could enjoy a serene sunset at Bako National Park?

Most locals do day trips (9am to 3pm), while most westerners would stay at the hostel for a night, then visit somewhere else. For us, we booked the hostel for 2 nights, as there were much to see. Part of me doubt you could see the best of any national parks within a day or two. I personally thought the hostel (at RM 100 per room per night) was decent. 2 of us took 1 room. 

The fan was good, but it was a bit too loud.

I had a good rest for 2 nights. Meanwhile, food is available at the canteen, which cost more due to the remoteness. A complete meal cost around RM12. A cup of milo kosong is RM4. I would suggest to bring some snacks or chocolates from Kuching. 

It's been too long since my last hike, while it's the first time someone tried hiking, oblivious of the challenges

I still rate Malaysia having the best national parks and trails in the region

I woke up the next day rather pleased. It was a national park, so it was quiet and air was really fresh. 

I like to observe tourist

The Proboscis Monkey was having breakfast - A particular type of leaves

What more do you want?

Bird's eye view over Peninsular Malaysia

I was on a flight back to Singapore from Penang early this month. I deliberately chose a window seat, hoping to enjoy the 1.5-hour flight. It has been always a hobby of mine to identify landmarks, towns and structures from 22,000 ft. 

The plan flew southwards above the west coast of the peninsular, and made a sharp left turn when approaching the straits of Johor (between Singapore), flew above my home town of Skudai towards the east to the South China Sea, before making a U-turn into Changi Airport. 

It was a wonderful flight, and for once, I didn't sleep during a flight. 

The Penang 2nd Bridge, 24 km, and quite under-utilized

Jimah Power Station (2 blocks)

The jetty and coal unloading system

Downtown Melaka

An unidentifiable power station - It isn't Kapar nor Tuanku Jaafar. Anyone has the answer?

Iskandar Putri, or formerly known as Gelang Patah - Tun Aminah will be on the bottom left corner

Alas, the busiest international border in the world - The Causeway, where some 200,000 people cross everyday

Michael Portillo visits Johor Bahru

I have been enjoying this BBC series, and followed Michael Portillo around Europe, Australia, and now Asia. His knowledge, presentation skills, likeable demeanor and humour never fail to put a smile on my face.

Thank you for all the great shows!

 

How I survived the 14-day quarantine period

I finally understood how Thomas Edison might have invented the light bulb (and other inventions) after 1000 times of failed attempts. It takes relentless focus and religious-like effort doing a single task over and over again. 

I could inform dad to keep the clothes

For the past 14 days, I was confined inside a 350 square-feet room. It was a unique experience. 

I kept myself focused on work, glad to schedule night meetings, and even conducted some live-witness testing in USA (obviously during their working hours, which is 12 hours difference). I worked and ate on the same table.

However, it was equally important that I manage the screen time. There was a high tendency to get glued to the computer most of the time. This would be highly detrimental to health and mental wellbeing. So, I am thankful that radios are online nowadays. BusinessFM, MoneyFM and FlyFM would take sequential turns to fill the otherwise soulless room. 

I can truly say that this is the longest period in my life staying in a confined room. Even during the Circuit Breaker in Singapore, I had jogs once in 3 days, and busied myself cooking and shopping for groceries at the supermarket. 

Exercise was essential. It was important for stress management and to keep my limps functioning (before they degrade). Everyday, I did stretching in the morning for around 20 minutes before breakfast and work.  After work, I would do around an hour of (amateur) exercise, which include 60 pushups and sit ups, 200 swings of the racket (forehand and backhand), 100 calf raises and aerobic jumps. I increased the sets slowly, and by the end of 2 weeks, I almost doubled the initial workout regime. 

Happy Malaysia Day, from Malaysia

When the Prime Minister announced Movement Control Order  (MCO) on 16th March 2020, that Malaysia will shut its borders on 18th March 2020, I scrambled my things and head into Singapore. I had 2 major projects in April and August. Like thousands of Malaysians, there was a mad rush into the Republic on 17th March, and many hadn't come home since. There are still many that are still stuck (including my brother), between a rock and a hard place. 

I consider myself fortunate, and after completing my projects, I decided to come back. The flip-flops in immigration policies did not help. Those who have work permits could do home quarantine (PCA and RGL), while those who lost their jobs / do not have work permits need to serve compulsory 14-day hotel quarantine. Paying RM 2100 (hotel stay) + RM 150 (swap test) + RM 30 (Blood test) was the ticket to go home. 

The barrage of online reviews of not very appetizing meals and not very clean rooms (no housekeeping for 14 days) set the expectations right. I told myself to treat this like a camping trip, and had packed some snacks and food myself. In hindsight, to quarantine is for the benefit of the people around us. The last thing we want is to go home and infect our loved ones. 

~~~

It was a cloudy Saturday morning and I left my place around 9.15am. I quickly cleared Singapore customs. 

Crossing the Causeway for JB, while a crow flies towards Singapore

For the Causeway, which is probably the world's busiest international land-border crossing (some 250,000 people cross daily), it has been a quiet 6 months. Built by British Malaya and opened in 1923, this historical causeway has been the most important travel mode between both countries. 

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army had crossed into Singapore in 1942 via the Causeway, after taking Malaya. 

Got shoved into the bus, and took the last seat (only 21 person per bus)

By 9.45am (in just 30 minutes after leaving Jurong West), I was already standing at JB Customs

Little did I know, it would be until 9pm before I check-in my hotel. I wasn't in a hurry, and prepared for the long haul. As usual, the system was not the most efficient, and we had lots of waiting, which was expected. I estimate that there were around 130 people who crossed the border. I was at no. 86.