Have you ever crossed a border without being stopped?

Flying back to Johor Bahru from Kuching, I was going to bus into Singapore but none came in sight. Since I only had a backpack, I walked along the road towards Singapore. In fact, I kept walking and walking, until I trekked across the bridge joining the two countries, but no officials stopped me to check my passport!

Niah Cave into famous soup

Photo courtesy: Starlightchild — Wikimedia Commons

Only when I reached the cave entrance, did I realize I was in trouble. I had no flashlight. As someone was leaving, they thankfully handed me their torch and I ventured into the huge underground world.

Another loss before reaching Niah National Park

Photo courtesy: Azreey — Wikimedia Commons

Have you heard of bird nest soup? If you have, you might know its connection to Niah National Park, my sole reason for pinpointing Sarawak as my destination choice for a holiday.

Bako Blunder

Photo courtesy: Peter Gronemann, Switzerland  Wilimedia Commons

I bused towards Bako National Park, thirty-seven kilometres from Kuching, leaving the city behind. The road went as far as Kampong Bako. After that I took a half hour boat ride up river to the park. The driver steered the small craft through waters surrounded by beautiful rock formations and wild vegetation.

Sarawak’s Kuching

Photo courtesy: Shoestring@wts wikivoyage — Wilkmedia Commons

I didn’t have any expectations of the town with a name like money tinkling in a cash register. So I was pleasantly surprised by an orderly city along the fast moving Sarawak River.

Hey, I’m not done with Malaysia

Photo courtesy: Terence Ong — Wikimedia Commons

This was a year when my three daughters were off on a trip with their dad and I decided that six weeks sitting at home would be down right depressing. To break up the long stretch without them, I flew to Singapore and crossed over into Johor Bahru because I could catch a cheaper flight from JB over to Kuching in Malaysia’s Sarawak, rather than from Singapore.

Tropical Tioman Troubles

Tioman was a lush green island of untouched jungle and mountains as a backdrop. To make the visit even better, it was the off-season, so although many restaurants were closed, the beaches were deserted.

Mersing’s awaiting

Photo courtesy: Peter in s — Wikimedia Commons

If you’ve read my posts on Sumatra, you’ll recall that before we set out on this month’s journey, I told my daughter she could plan the trip. Although we both chose the same Sumatran destinations, from here on, was totally her plan.

A Hunger for History?

I was curious about historical Melaka; the boring stuff that hadn’t captured my interest at school. So it was understandable my daughter wasn’t impressed when I wanted to visit old Portuguese churches and the museum.

Same place, KL a decade later

Photo courtesy: Daniel Berthold — Wikimedia Commons

While I dragged my youngest daughter through Sumatra, my two older daughters were touring Canada with their dad.