This always happens and I should have known it’d happen this time. It’s never as easy as you want it to be. This trip was supposed to be one of the more simple that we’ve done. Fly to Singapore, take a train to Kuala Lumpur - stay a few days, take a train back, fly home. Done and Done.
Yeah - it was until we realized there was more to explore in Malaysia. So …now we find ourselves looking up places to stay along the Cherating Beach - East coast of Malaysia. About 3 hours east of Kuala Lumpur. This area is hopping with nice beaches, fun activities, and a definite “local touch.”
Typically through the months of April-August the sea turtles come ashore here and lay their eggs - the eggs hatch, and the babies head to the deep blue. There is a large turtle conservatory here that we expect to take in. Whether the turtles decide to visit will be up to them. Rumor has it you can arrange the conservatory to call your hotel and wake you if they happen to come ashore. (usually after midnight mind you.)
There’s also much windsurfing, ocean rafting, and local activities such as batik - Batik is found in several countries of West Africa, such as Nigeria, Cameroon and Mali, and in Asia, such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia and Thailand. However, it is in Indonesia that it is considered a national art form. Essentially melted wax is applied to a cloth and dipped into dye. We have found a place in a fairly remote part of Malaysia where we can learn to do this and we very well just may. It’s the perfect souvenir.
So Tiff’s in the other room booking hotel rooms for two nights on the coast while I figure out car rentals and work out arrangements with the Elephant Man for the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - (see below post) It always starts with “let’s stay here 3 nights and here 3 nights and then we’re done and always ends up with here 2 nights, there 1 night, rent a car over night here, take train here, fly there, sleep on beach there, etc. Never simple - always stretching the limits.