Kulai to Singapore: STAY AT TREE IN LODGE!

Thursday February 8, 2018, 49 miles (79 km) - Total so far: 3,841 miles

(6,182 km)

In an attempt to stay away from horrible highway 1, we willingly cycled around 20 additional kilometres to Johor Bahru. It was definitely better...and mostly fine.....but still very busy in places, often with no shoulder - especially just before and while riding along the early section of highway J3. Just not that much fun. Ed says he wouldn't recommend cycling in Malaysia full stop! We did feel better after stopping for our last roti canai.....

Here's our route, but please bear in mind the above comments!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1397145243

Leaving Malaysia was fairly straightforward. Our route was spot on, but 'Woodlands' is also clearly signposted, and there's a separate lane for motorbikes, which we assumed applied to us to. The lane continues over the causeway, which was great, given the number of cars and trucks. The fun and games began trying to enter Singapore! We went up to one of the small booths, expecting no trouble at all. But the guy spent ages looking at our passports, typing on the computer, asking us questions, wanting extra photo ID. Then he phoned someone...and two police(?)men appeared and escorted us to the 'office'. More questions. What are you doing here? Where did you come from? Do you have onward flights? Do you have enough money????

It was all fine in the end, and no one seemed particularly unhappy with us, but it was a bit unsettling. Not sure if it had anything to do with us telling guy #1 that we didn't have any cash, or if we were just a bit out of the ordinary.

After all that, we still had nearly 30km to ride to Tree In Lodge hostel.... The roads in Singapore are much better, but Ed did get run off the road by a (Malaysian!) truck at one point! Great to arrive at this wonderful hostel - such a friendly welcome and fantastic facilities. Loads of cyclists to chat too (I have been really disappointed by how few we've met). And a food court right next door. By the way - 50 0iscount for cycle tourists!!!!! And free bike boxes! https://www.treeinlodge.com

So that is that - SE Asia is DONE! 5 months, 6 countries 6178km. Next stop, New Zealand!