The Bridge and entry to Malaysia

It’s quite easy to get to Malaysia from Singapore by train. You catch a Northern bound Singapore metro service (SRT) to Woodlands station and then take a short walk to the border checkpoint near the same complex then catch the old cattle train diesel KTM Malaysian service across the bridge into Malaysia. After going through the usual customs/immigration process I bordered something akin to my childhood days in the 60’s when I would travel via a diesel locomotive service to country Victoria to stay with my grandparents for holidays. It’s hilarious as it only takes 10 minutes to cross the river into the large city of Johor Bahru for around 15-20 Malaysian Ringits. To the left is Johor Bahru - Malaysia, Singapore on the right shore with Singapore’s coal power station in the distance.

Just some trivia for you - a number of my friends and I share a passion for Sandi drama or Nordic Noir (Scandinavian programs broadcast on Australian SBS television). One in particular is from Sweden called The Bridge and the story starts with two female victims presented as one victim on a bridge joining two different countries - in this case Sweden and Denmark. Yes you see where I’m going with this. The first series started in 2011 and there are now four seasons with 38 episodes. I’ve viewed the first season and totally addicted. And so is the world as there are now 100 different versions and yes you guessed it there is now one for the bridge joining Malaysia and Singapore. The official name for the structure is the Johor-Singapore causeway.

Crossing from Singapore Into Malaysia in some ways reminded me of crossing the Rhein river at Kehl in southwest Germany into Strasbourg, northeast France. I stayed at the local hostel in Kehl and commuted into Strasbourg for exploring only. I cycled across the bridge and immediately noticed a difference in architecture and atmosphere. I could tell this was the Muslim enclave of Strasbourg as soon as I saw hijab adorned women, halal and kebab takeaways - how convenient as I was looking forward to something vegetarian like a falafel for tea bu discovered this wonderful street food market and the flavour of the chicken and rice dish was amazing. So as expected for my first visit into a Muslim country I had no trouble finding many options for cheap and healthy middle eastern food in the central district of Johor Bahru where I stayed. The hotel was very comfortable with all the comforts of four-star accomodation at 1-2 star prices - I paid about A$100 for two nights as this was just a stopover to ‘climatise’ to things Malaysian.

Nasi Kukis - Spicy Middle-Eastern chicken