Jungle Railway

Photo of my dorm and train station in Gemas

I caught bus from queen st bus stop to the border crossing into Malaysia. Was a very strange experience, didnt know where I was going and there were no other westerners around except me, but I managed to find my way back to the bus which took me to Johor bahru. I got through immigration and got my visa for Malaysia, valid for 3 months. Next had to find way to train station for a train to Gemas, was 4 hour trip but sat next to a lovely Malaysian man and chatted to him all the way, he pointed out things of interest along the way such as temples, workers cottages on palm oil farms and rubber farms. Got off train and found a hotel, 25RM for the night but was pretty dodgy felt more like a horse stable than a hotel room. I locked my door and went for dinner, hoping that my stuff would still be there when I got back. I walked around town looking for something to eat, got heaps of stares, no smiles, found a place to eat but I couldnt speak malay and for some reason their language wasnt in my SE Asia phrase book. So I managed to get fried rice but had to pick out the meat, finished meal and went back to my room. Was happy to find my things were still there, there were some nice guys in the halls we tried to communicate without speaking english, was interesting but neither had any idea what the other was trying to say. Today, caught the train to Jerantut which was about 4 hour ride, lovely little town people are very friendly and helpful, staying in a nice place tonight, very helpful staff can speak english too. Tomorrow I get minibus to jetty and from there catch a boat up to Taman Negara.