Wild Camping

Sumatra – Kindness can be found everywhere

by Nathan Molyneaux on May 4, 2024 category Indonesia, Journey, Wild Camping

Heat. Sweat. I was struggling again; it was a scorching day in West Sumatra. It always was when there were heavy storms the day before. It was only 11:00 but I needed a break, I guess it will have to be an early lunch. I am always taken aback by the kindness of people when a dirty, sweaty and smelly cyclist turns up.

The owner of the restaurant even sent her daughter home to get a fan to help me cool down. She gave me a free lunch and allowed me to stay for a few hours to avoid the worst of the sun. It was a good thing too; I went through 2 t-shirts with sweat.

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Indonesia – Not going to plan

by Nathan Molyneaux on Apr 20, 2024 category Crossing Borders, Indonesia, Journey, Wild Camping

First impressions usually count towards a country. But I’m going to let the chaos and issue I had in Dumai, my point of entry, go by the side. Despite a smelly, dirty foreigner on a bike turning up, I have only found people to be helpful and kind. Once, I got through the complexities of visa on arrival, getting cash, money exchanged, and a mobile contract it was time for my first night in a hotel. It turned out good, more than I expected and a lot cheaper. The only issue was they allowed smoking in the rooms, the lingering smell is hard to put out of your mind.

Again, I allowed Komoot to design the majority of my route and as usual, I regretted that decision! I found myself on a few dead-ends and then heading into the middle of a palm tree plantation which I would spend two days in before getting out! However, as with many of these odd routes, it brings a surprise in meeting people and the usual communication barriers. My first day ended at a mosque where the Imam allowed me to stay.

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Back to the Grind

by Nathan Molyneaux on Mar 30, 2024 category Journey, Malaysia, Volunteering, Wild Camping

A short ride to my volunteering opportunity and a chance to be selective over my last night of wild camping. Then I would spend a month in a floating house on the Sepang River. First, though, I had a chance to visit the turtle conservation centre in Masjid Tanah, just North of Melaka.

The centre is right on the water’s edge, just after the beach where the turtles come to bury their eggs. They also have a special area for the turtles to shelter from the sun, an educational section and a pool to rear turtles. There were few turtles in the pool, it was the wrong time of year.

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One continent finished and it was almost time for a break

by Nathan Molyneaux on Mar 23, 2024 category Crossing Borders, Journey, Malaysia, Wild Camping

Just two days in Singapore, it’s an expensive country. So, I had a quick visit to Chinatown and the Buddhist monastery there. It had become much focussed on tourists and every business was trying to attract you in. However, some little places still cater to locals but you have to go down the backstreets.

The history of Singapore is interesting as well. Whilst there was a small enclave in the 13^th century of Indians and a small amount of Malays who used it as a staging post for fishing it wasn’t known as a country. The British then came and decided to make it a new port on the link between East and West. Plus it was also to wrong-foot the Dutch so that we could make more of the money in the area than they could! It always boils down to money.

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Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves and a rush to Singapore

by Nathan Molyneaux on Mar 16, 2024 category Journey, Malaysia, Wild Camping

Cycling into Kuala Lumpur is a nightmare and I can see why so many people with bikes take the train! I however decided against that and to cycle anyway. It soon became a nightmare and took an extra half an hour to get to Batu Caves. I have seen many Hindu Temples on my travels through India but the Batu Caves are another level! The statue of the god Murugan, the Hindu god of war, looms over you as you enter. Guiding you to the steps, oh sooo many steps after cycling.

But you also start to notice the hordes of tourists. Hindus come to worship and others, like me, come to marvel at the intricate and colourful temples. As you climb the many steps to the cave and the temples within you will find yourself coming face-to-face with the monkey troop which guards the steps. They expect offerings; the monkeys being the real gods here.

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