Johor
Johor is the southern most state of Peninsular Malaysia, and the only land-base border crossing with Singapore.
When you cross the border, remember that your ticket gets you all the way to the long-distance station - don't get conned into a taxi ride you don't need.
Expect some changes if you are coming from Singapore - there isn't one central ticketing agency - there are a tonne who all want your business - but that's what happens when things are sooo cheap - a 3hr bus ride will cost RM10 - about NZD4 (USD 3). But don't expect it to run on time. There are a lot of signs up and about trying to advertise Johor as a place to visit - the shopping is more spacious and cheaper here - but be careful trying your malay on stragers - many people are from across the causeway in S'pore. There are also many new mid-range hotels here that are much better value that S'pore - about NZD35 compared to NZD 65 for similar quality (USD 20-40), but you trade that with a less reliable bus service.
Off the east coast of Johor is Pilau Tioman and surrounding islands - same deal goes for boats to the islands as does for buses - lots of touts. At the North end of Tioman is Salang - where the locals go and therefore less resort style - and there's plenty of budget accommodation that you won't find in the Lonely Planet so long as you're prepared to go without air con. Don't expect much opportunity to practice your Malay here, locals find it easier to speak English than decipher your Malay! Of course, hello and thank you will keep things in good spirits.
And here was our blog from 1st August 2006
We manged to make our way to Mersing and then on to Pilau Tioman - the
bus station was interesting with hawkers for different bus companies - we
managed to get on a bus with an elder gent that spoke no english -
combined with our very very very basic Malay it made for a really fun bus ride.
Had 6 days in Tioman. Pilau tioman was awesome - Salang is just so laid back it's not funny. And
cheap! We managed on $30NZ/day all up which is great eating amazing 2-course malay dinners everyday. My tummy is the best its been for years!!! Snorkelling was amazing swimming twice a day - the temperature was about 35 during the day and about 28 at night - fantastic! Went for a 2hr jungle walk and sweated a swimming pool like the stupid white-people we are (orangputih is slang for tourist). Went for a swim and then went back - but it had rained and soft mud sucks with jandals - alan had to literally push me back up the track!
We missed our outer island snorkel trip yesterday because a storm blew in - talk about cold we had to put wool jumpers and polar fleeces on. Unfortunately Chris also missed my Roti Kanai cooking lesson. It warmed up by evening and we were treated to coconut juice freshly collected by the person running our chalet - a really sweet older lady.
Saw a fair bit of wildlife on the island (aside from about 50 species of fish and 10 or so colours of coral
and clams) - monkeys, butterflies. monitor lizards, other bugs etc. Spent quite a bit of time practicing malay - the grammar is dead simple and we can string some scentences together now so we can be understood - no chance of understanding the locals though - they speak as fast as the south americans! Chris nearly finnished the "learn malay in 3 weeks" book. The only problem with speaking malay is that everyone speaks back in english, and never in bloody malay! That includes the kids aged 5!
