I was back in Malaysia, and whilst a new work contract was getting organised, I had some time to leave Kuala Lumpur, head across the country and visit the East coast. The first stage of this journey was a bus ride up to Kuala Lipis, to spend the night. With the next morning taking the train from there that would head all the way north and east to the top of the Malaysia Peninsular.

The train line that runs over this side of the country is known as the “Jungle Railway’, as it crosses the country heading north and east towards Kota Bharu. It was a good journey with plenty of scenic sections and nice to watch the countryside and jungle pass by.

I stayed at a very friendly guesthouse in Kota Bharu, with the older gentleman being a very keen cyclist. So one day he took me out the city on a good loop around the countryside to take in some temples and cycle the quiet back roads and lanes, passing through fields and farming areas.

On saturday morning we went to a very busy local restaurant for the traditional dish here, Nasi Kerabu. The rice is cooked/coloured blue from butterfly-pea flowers. Served with crackers, barbeque chicken, and salad topping. I mixed it all together, and enjoyed eating this great dish, which is the traditional dish of Kelantan state here in Malaysia.

The local markets were full of mangos, which they were nearly giving away as they were so ripe. I paid just over £1 for 3 large mangos, delicious.

After Kota Bharu, I started heading south along the east coast of the Malaysia Peninsular.