Mersing Astro Trip: 17-20 August

[cloud_cover]

Some small thoughts:
1. The new EDL directly links to Tampoi so you can at least bypass some of the JB Jam
2. A good interim stop is Jusco Tebrau, about 30mins from the border if you want to stock up of cheap snacks, food etc. There's a supermarket similar to Giant, fast foods, cakes and breads. Do stock up especially on water and stay well hydrated
3. There's also a shell ( and numerous petrol stops along the way) to top up your tank. There's also petrol stations in Mersing itself and some late night food places.
4. The route is quite well signposted and anyway its mostly a straight road up all the way to Mersing - some turns after you pass Mersing town itself.
5. You'll be driving in the dark on 2-lane country highways most of the way so if you're not used to it, be patient and don't overtake recklessly. Remember the other party may not switch on their lights (making them nigh on invisible)
6. Allow for lots of jams on the way home. LOTS. Its Hari Raya.
Just in case anyone is doing this drive for the first time

[rcj]

thanks cloud_cover, you have just done my job. Hmmmph.

Nevertheless, KF, not to worry, we will be stopping at the usual petrol station for buying of mineral water (get the BIG one), toilet break, and you will want to buy some snacks. We will then not be stopping all the way till we reach the chalets. You have been there before! Btw, by this time, I would have contacted most of you going for the full trip to brief on all the necessary information and things to note, both on phone, facebook, and private messaging. Do also make sure your passports are brought along and unexpired. Minibus folks gonna meet at 745PM Kranji MRT Station (near the bus-stop area). Please be punctual, we will be expecting quite a "jammy" trip up, but should be smooth after the crossing of the new highway at JB, as cloud_cover has mentioned.

[orly_andico]

d'oh. weather been looking bad over the past 24 hours

[cloud_cover]

Heh.... sorry Remus
One thing I'd like to share - the extreme leftmost lane at the Malaysia customs will unavoidably bring you to the red lane. Its not marked as such at the entrance though, you'll find out only when you enter the CIQ complex itself. Most of the time they will simply wave you on if you say nothing to declare but once I was stopped, my boot inspected and I was told I was bringing in too many things to Malaysia. (4" ED, 8" SCT with relevant EPs and 2 mounts - for photo and visual). I told him it was not for sale, for taking photos. They said taking photos in Malaysia without a permit was illegal (?!) without some "C-Pass" and there was no festival at the time so why was I going in "to take photos". Held up there for at least 30mins while they decided what to do with me. Eventually though they let me go off.
So to avoid this unpleasant situation, don't take the extreme left lane.
Hope it helps!

[Mariner]

Sounds more like they were looking for some "kopi"...

[rcj]

hmmm...that's certainly an interesting encounter you have, cloud_cover. Hmmm...never had anything like that during pass through...although when they did ask, just explained we were taking images for research purposes. Sometimes it is just the timing, luck, or mixture of both, but so far things been fine, except for the "usual" causeway jams. Even now with the new highway at JB, it has further shortened travelling time by several minutes or even half an hour. Few hours more to travelling up!

[globe53]

another fruitful trips

[rcj]

love the font, well done, Kai Feng! hehehe....

[rcj]

couldn't resist posting this! temperature during the second night! brrrr.....

[shirox]

felt like genting lol