On the Malay Peninsula
Trip Start
Nov 15, 2006
1
79
228
Trip End
Jul 15, 2008
Johor Bahur,, Malaysia
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Johor Bahur, Malaysia
We are now officially on the Asian continent. Johor Bahur is on the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, right across from the island of Singapore. It seems like every time we arrive in a new city we have the excoriating process of deciding where we are going to stay. On the recommendation of our Rough Guide we choose the Meldrum Hotel [GPS 01 27.510N 103 45.920E] because it seems to be close to the down town action and cheap. And it turned out to be a good choice. Jalan Meldrum and the Meldrum Walkway is the action center of night life. After dark all the traffic is blocked from the narrow streets and alleys around our hotel and food stalls pop up like mushroom on the streets. And, they don't shut down until 5 AM. Fortunately our room is on the 3rd floor so the noise is not too bad. Tonight we walked the streets and tried to restrain ourselves from filling up at the first food stall we came to. For blocks and blocks the narrow alleys are thick with smoke and steam from griddles, pans, and grills over hot coals carrying fragrances of meats, vegetables, onions, garlic and exotic spices. The variety was astounding; from Japanese to Indian, Chinese to Malaysian. Arvid could not resist piecing on some tempting tidbits from various vendors while Irina insisted on seeing everything before making her decision. She settled on a sea food place and ordered squid, stingray and loads of clams. We pigged out; a big portion of squid, a whole stingray and 4 dozen steamed clams.
Tomorrow we cross over to Singapore.
