Malaysia - Melaka to Kuala Lumpur

Melaka to KL was a two-day cycle. Rolling the steady 50 miles from Melaka to Port Dickson was pretty uneventful except for meeting Nas, Jeremy and Nina. Port Dickson to Kuala Lumpur was a short 20 miles to Seremban where we caught the train into the city centre.

Nas rolled up alongside us on his scooter wanting to know where we were from and where we were going. He instructed us to follow him back to his Dad’s garage nearby so we could chat. Genuine and kind, he gave us a cold drink and explained he was also a cycle tourer and had just returned from a week cycling in Sumatra. He also told us about the south-east Asia WhatsApp. A large group of currently touring cyclists all asking questions, giving advice, and offering support to each other in the one group. It’s a mess - like we’re all in a room talking at once - but somehow works, and gives me comfort being part of a community of other tourers. Nas also invited us to stay with his brother at his guest house further up the coast!

Just outside Port Dickson, coming out of a nice stretch of quiet backroads onto a busy main road, we met Jeremy and Nina on their bikes. On the corner of the junction, with scooters and cars going round us, we excitedly exchanged stories. They were nearing the end of their trip, after starting in Portugal to finish in Singapore in a few days’ time. After lots of useful titbits shared - on Chinese hotels, the Pamir Highway, and camping - we wished each other well, and cycled on in opposite directions.

The train the next day into Kuala Lumpur was freezing cold - we must have acclimatised! - and for a very long train also pretty empty. The ‘Komuter’ trains allow bikes on at either end of the train, at certain times of day. They also have women-only carriages. An attractive young Indian man who got on for a few stops talked to us about his wedding (very small at 150) and his job as a lorry driver, driving across south-east Asia for the last ten years. Just before his stop he recommended we visit Brickfields for excellent curry in KL and George Town for the best food in Malaysia (chef’s kiss).

Felt excited when we rolled into KL. We’d be here for four days and had some great recommendations from our friend Kate who lived here whilst she was doing her tiger research. Lots to see and do!Baca lagi