Returning to the mainland after our relaxing few days on Kecil was a bit of a shock to the system! We caught the earliest ferry off the island in an attempt to arrive in Kota Bharu early in the day, only to discover that the next bus wasn't until 12.30pm. So we treated ourselves to a (reasonably priced) taxi and experienced the insane Malay driving first hand! An hour later we screeched to a halt outside our hostel and all was well again!

Kota Bharu didnt really have much to offer in the way of attractive sites, it just happens to be on the tourist trail as its close to the Thai border and also the main starting for the Jungle Railway. We spent the afternoon wandering around the central market which covered 3 floors, each packed with hundreds of stalls selling pretty much exactly the same as the one next door! It was interesting none the less, especially the food market on the lower level which sold every type of seafood, meat and vegetables.

Early the next morning, we stood dazed and confused at the Wakaf Bharu train station awaiting the Jungle train, which would take us south-bound towards Kuala Lumpur. Expecting a rickety old train, full of chickens with only benches for seats, we were surprised (in some ways pleasantly, in other ways not) when a relatively modern train pulled up. The carriages were intact with comfy seats and tables, with not a chicken or odd-parcel in sight. The train made its way slowly through little towns until we reached the outskirts of the Taman Negara National Park...this is when the views became truly spectacular! Standing at the open doorway of the carriage was defintely the best place to be, looking out onto masses of Jungle and little shanty towns. Every now and then, we would slow down, the jungle opening up to reveal a huge river, then we'd plough on to find trees and palms enveloping us again. Holding on tight, you could lean out of the door and see the front of the train chugging away in the distance. Although this was not a fast way to travel, it was definately worth it for the scenery alone.

By mid-afternoon we reached our stop off point Kuala Lipis, where we changed over to a bus bound for KL. I think we both felt slightly sad about leaving the excitement of the Jungle Railway for a regular vehicle...that was until we saw the interior of the bus! The walls, ceiling, seats, door hinges, everything, was covered in vibrant carpet material covered in stars, planets and suns!

Our journey to KL passed quickly, probably due to a combination of Space Bus fever and the beautiful, mountainous scenery.

- S