Out and about at 6am this morning, the usual family stall not yet ready so I wandered in the dark along to the Melaka jetty, survived the tunnel of trees of a million abluting birds.
Again the staff at Time Hotel were incredibly helpful. The internet was down again so by practiced disciline with the red notebook I already had contact details written and they were able to phne and confirm this next hotel for me. I don't have the language skills. I queried the price but she explained its school hols plus weekend. (And by crikey its worth it).
Took taxi to the main post office and I have mailed you 4kg of souvenirs and dirty washing, well that's what I wrote. Not for opening.
An uneventful three hour bus trip in aircon luxury, Melaka to Larkin (Johor Bahru: Larkin station)MYR9, ie under $4.00. Ten minutes at Larkin was quite enough. The previous driver looked out for me and directed me to the Pontian bus, which repaid my decision to choose that company among the many running the major route as only one comes out here to the coast.
MYR 8.50 for return journey. Down the main drag I'd dozed while passing millions of palm oil trees. This next hour more interesting: Restorant You Fuk, shacks among the natural vegetation, random combinations of delapidated settlements with very flash factor type buildings.
First impression of Pontian was 'you're not in Christchurch now, Dr Ropata.' My memorised map of the route from station to hotel did not fit with terrain. Asked a couple of times, then got in a taxi, cost a couple dollars but gave me assurance of direction and destination. Ha ha it turns out the new Pontian bus station is soon to open. So the taxi turned out to be a wise decision.
It doesn't look like a well off place but that's only first impressions.
The hotel Wan Loong is a real treat. Ok its cost me MYR128 (NZ$56) for a superior room as standard sold out - and superior it is. OMG its gorgeous. Pity my camera battery has died again and neither hotel had an adaptor this time. (Surely Singapore will tomorrow)
Oh my this room is pure luxury.
And that's only the start!
