Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru

Asked

Dear Mr. Muzzammil

I saw your message on Pakgrid. I also need some advice. I'm joining UTM, Johor Bahru campus in Feb for my doctorate program in Engineering Education. I think I got a good deal on the airfare (ISB-KL for Rs. 38,500).

I need your advice on the KL-> JB section. Should I take a plane or bus, which is more convenient/economical.

Secondly, can you recommend a low-price but comfy hotel near UTM for the first days of my arrival till I settle in the university hostel?

Thanks,

 

Replied

 

Dear Mr. Azhar

Thanks for your email.

Firstly, I'd suggest to check with the travel agent if there is a possibility to fly ISB-JB, with immigration at Johor Baharu. Even a little bit extra charge, say 5,000, would save you from unwanted hassle with all the luggage.

For air ticket, having a look at matrix.itasoftware.com will be helpful. This website will also be useful for your future travels.

If ISB-JB is not possible then I'd recommend bus over flying/train. The best option would be the Yoyo bus from the airport, KLIA: http://www.journeymalaysia.com/ptaklia.htm

This option will save you from going to KL, which is far away from the airport and will be quite time consuming.

The above website will also be helpful during your stay in Malaysia.

Train and budget airlines, especially Air Asia, may also be useful afterwards.

Regarding accommodation, I'd recommend booking.com which is a trusted resource and provides amazingly flexible filters.

Hope this is helpful.

Best of luck for your future endeavors.
 

Muzzammil

Indonesian Visa for Pakistani Citizens

Asked

Dear Muzamil Saab Asalam Alikum,
 
I have few questions if you can help me out with these are regards to your trip to East Asia.I will really appreciate it.
 
1- what is the name of your travel agent and did you book your flights through the agent?
 
2-how many days you spend in Indonesia?
 
3-My travel agent Gerrys is saying if I apply visa through them then I have to buy the whole package from them.
 
I will appreciate your reply.
 
Thank You

Replied

Dear Mehdi sb., walaikum salam, and thanks for your email.

We spent one week in Indonesia, all in Bali. Getting Indonesian visa was not easy and my travel agent was also asking to buy the whole package from them.

However, first I got the Malaysian visa and ticket from my travel agent which was easier. Then I went to the Indonesian embassy myself and asked if they could give me the visa without going to the travel agent.
They asked to book a flight and hotels, which I did online, and submitted the documents. Finally, got the visa in a couple of days without any further issues.

You can see further details here:
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/02/planning-notes-3-oriental-outings-visa.html

Hope this will be helpful.

Regards

Muzzammil
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com

Asked

Dear Muzamil,

 

Thanks for your advice I just have couple of things to ask you more.

 

1- I heard that you need to have certain amount of Singapore currency or equivalent  with you if you have Pakistani passport.

 

2- can you tell me the place where u stated in Bali and Srilanka.

 

3- also with regards to Nepal we get the visa at the airport?

 

Thank you

 

Regards

 

Mehdi

 

Replied

 

Dear Mehdi

This is my pleasure. Here is the response to your questions:

1. I'm not sure and never heard about this.

2. There are plenty of places around Sri Lanka and Bali for all budget ranges. I would suggest using www.booking.com to search a suitable place as per your preferences.

3. Yes.

Here goes details of our SEA trip:

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelogue-oriental-outings-from.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-1.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-2.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelouge-oriental-outings-day-3.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/05/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-4.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-5.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-6-kecak.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-7-water.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-8.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/08/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-9.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-10-naan.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-11-tea.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-12.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-13-from.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-14.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-15.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/10/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-16-day.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/10/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-17-from.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/10/travelogue-visiting-elephant-sanctury.html

You might also find this post helpful:
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2012/04/visiting-china-thailand-singapore.html

 

Regards

Muzzammil

 

Charna Island

Asked

Hi , i am a resident of karachi , kindly advice me if you provide services for arranging a fishing trip to charna island , wats the cost and equipment included etc , i would appreciate if u can pass me ur cell no i will contact u tanks  

Replied

Thanks Omer for your email.

Firstly, please note that I do not provide any services. The most I can do is sharing my travel experiences and providing the information to other fellows based on these experiences, without any benefit, commission, etc.

Coming to the topic, i.e. Charna Island, you may find this helpful:

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2013/10/boating-adventure-fishing-around-charna.html

I can provide you with the contact details of the boatman, Arif: 03453742753

It shall cost you 35-40k for 15-20 persons, including full meals and basic fishing equipment, for a full day trip from Kemari. The other alternative is to reach Mubarak Village first by road and then negotiate with a boatman at Sonahra Beach. I believe this will be a lot economical, especially if there are fewer people than 15, but the first option is by far less uncomfortable.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards

Muzzammil

Higher Studies and Part Time Job in Latvia

Asked

I'm zameer from Srilanka. i'm planning to go latvia to continue my higher studies. what do u think about my plan? if i go there can i get a  good part time job?

 i hope u'll guide me.

Replied

Hi Zameer

Thanks for your email and good to know that your are planning for higher studies.

I have not been to Latvia so might not be able to comment on the perspective of a part time job. However, I did host a Latvian traveler, which provided me with a limited exposure to the country (http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2012/04/pakistan-second-love-of-latvian.html). From this experience, the first thing I can tell you about Latvia is that its weather would be significantly different from that of Sri Lanka. It will be a lot colder then one can experience in a tropical country. Secondly, I believe that the major foreign language in Latvia is Russian, and not English, which might be an important consideration.

So these are my two cents, literally!

I wish you best of luck and a prosperous future.

Regards

Muzzammil

Pakistan Visa for World Trip

Asked

Hey buddy! I read your blog and it was awesome. What neat pictures you've got there. Im in my way to Pakistan on the next year, trying to cross the border from India. So I'd like ti know about the visa I should get, and if it's easy to obtain. If you have any other advice please let me know. Thanks heaps!

Replied

Hi friend

Thanks for the email and for liking my blog.

And great to know that you plan a world trip and intend to crossover to Pakistan also.

Regarding visa, I understand that Pakistan visa can now only be obtained from one's country of permanent residence. Previously, this was not the case as one could also get it on-the-go, making things a lot easier. Otherwise, the border crossing is easy and fun. If you are coming to Pakistan around summers, then I would advise you to crossover to China after visiting Pakistan's splendid North.

Not to mention, if you happen to Karachi, my hometown, please feel welcome, and stay with me.

Regards

Muzzammil

Malaysian Visa for a Pakistani Working in Saudi Arabia

Asked

Nice informative blog , Bro I am Pakistani working in Saudi Arabia , want to travel to Malaysia from Pakistan .

1) My Bank account is in Saudi Arabia , no account in Pakistan yet , so if i make the bank statement from the bank which is here in Saudi Arabia will work for me , Is it acceptable !!

2) Need suggestion for the hotel booking , online or after reaching there we can book , which is batter !!

Replied

Thanks Usman for reading my blog. Here goes answers to your questions:

1. It should work in my opinion. At max, You might need to show the evidence that you are working in Saudi Arabia, i.e. a photocopy of Iqama.

2. I did both. Depends on the situation. If you are short of time then booking online is preferable. But if you want to be flexible, then there is no harm in booking once you are there. If you chose the second option, then I would suggest doing some research beforehand and make a shortlist of your preferred hotels with their contact details. One middle way is to to book places with no cancellation charges. I usually use www.booking.com, along with other useful websites, for hotel search and booking.

Hope this would be helpful.

This question was asked here:
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/02/planning-notes-3-oriental-outings-visa.html

Help for Cameron Highland Trip

Asked

Hello Muzamil,

I came across your blog and Cameron Highland post at http://forum.virtualtourist.com/Cameron_Highlands-1282142-5-10064997/6-days-in-Cameron-Highlands.html?showPost=10182009

We are a group of eight people touring Malaysia for the first time, we would like to go for a day trip from KL to Cameron HIghlands. Can you please refer a good tour package company? On the web I see very expensive deals worth RM 250 but in the above site you mentioned about going there for only RM 25.

Really appreciate your help and really liked your site.

Thanks

Replied

Hi Nayeem

Thanks for your email and for going through my blog.

RM 250 looks expensive to me too, however, RM 25 I mentioned on my blog was the cost of half-day trip we bought once we reached the Cameron Highlands - and not from KL.

I would suggest you to buy the KL-CH-KL bus ticket yourself which may cost you around RM 70 per person as per the following helpful website:

http://www.journeymalaysia.com/ptacamerons.htm

Just to mention, this would be a long journey, ~4+ hours, therefore, I'd suggest staying there for a night or two. Cameron Highlands is a beautiful place and there is a lot to explore around, so staying there is worth it in my opinion. However, if you are short of time for a night stay, then your best bet would be to take the earliest bus.

For the sight-seeing trip, you can buy one once there or pre-book. It would still cost you under RM100: 70+25!

So this is my two cents worth. Hopefully it helps.

Regards

Muzzammil

Asked

Hi Muzzammil,

Thank you very much for the prompt response and helpful tips on the bus. This is really great to know..  I would have loved to spend more time there, but due to our short time, we have to make only a day trip (7am-8pm).

The reason we are leaning towards tour package from KL is because it will give us the flexibility to see around in Cameroon Highland, the itinerary covers lunch as well as entrance to tea garden, butterfly park and few other attractions. If we take the bus, as you mentioned we have to get a package tour after arrival and also taxi from terminal in KL to our hotel in xxx.

Any recommendation in terms of reasonable package tour company? I understand you are busy and this is just your hobby, so thanks again for taking the time to read my email and responding.

Regards

Replied

Hi Nayeem.

My pleasure.

Your observations regarding the overheads of not buying a tour makes a lot of sense. In this case, I would suggest shopping around (the internet) to get more options and buy one with good reputation without paying extra. With 8 people, I believe you have a good bargaining power for that.

When in Cameron Highlands, I observed that there were 4 tour agencies. So imo it'd be wiser to contact them directly to minimize the middle man commission. Here goes those 4 agencies:

Titiwangsa: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g298293-d1961928-Reviews-Titiwangsa_Tours_Travel-Brinchang_Cameron_Highlands_Pahang.html http://www.titiwangsatours.com/

TJ: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1497917-d2271956-Reviews-TJ_Nur_Travel_and_Tours-Tanah_Rata_Cameron_Highlands_Pahang.html

CS: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1497917-i16161-k5901529-Cameron_Highlands_Tour_with_C_S_Travel_Tours_Review-Tanah_Rata_Cameron_Highlands_Pahang.html http://cstravel.com.my/

Kang: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1497917-d2527395-Reviews-Kang_Tours_Travel_Day_Tours-Tanah_Rata_Cameron_Highlands_Pahang.html

CS was the one we booked the tour from and the experience was fine.

Btw, did you think of making to CH directly from the airport, rather than going into KL and hence saving time and some money. This way you might manage to spare one night for CH. It would anyways be worthwhile to discuss this possibility with the tour operator you contact, unless the stay in KL is already locked-in.

This might sound pushy but spending 7-8 hours on the road is a bit too much for a half-a-day trip. 

And yes sharing tips with traveler is a good hobby for me and I feel glad when someone finds that helpful. So please feel free to contact me whenever you need so.

Regards

Muzzammil

Asked

Thanks a lot Muzzammil! Infact I got a much better offer from Titiwangsa tours using your recommendation..Feel free to add my email to the travel blog..

Regards

Ormara Guidance

Asked

Hello I am planning to visit ormara beach via, Kund Malir and Winder. can you please guide me about current security situation? and is it better to stay at night on Kund Malir Beach ? In case we are planning our trip to ormara? what re the suggested timings to leave from Karachi ?

Replied

can you please guide me about current security situation?

Security is not as bad as hyped up in the media but off-course there are risks which can be managed by planning well. I would suggest wearing shalwar kameez and let the beard grow a bit, so that you can blend into the environment. Plan your stopovers beforehand to minimize the risk. People usually avoid stopping at Hub, which makes sense to me, except for re-fueling. There are multiple security checks en-route, cooperate with them, and in fact when I go I do ask them about the security issue ahead and give attention to their word. Overall, the route is uninhabited with a strong presence of Navy, especially around Ormara, so around Makran Coast you will not find yourself insecure. On the other hand, please drive carefully as this is sort of a freeway and there are no rescue options available. This is a bigger risk imo. Keep drinking water, extra fuel, etc with you.

and is it better to stay at night on Kund Malir Beach ? In case we are planning our trip to ormara?

I have never stayed at Kund Malir Beach, though I wanted to, but there are no accommodation. I know people who stayed there with their camps, so if you are used to it, then it is a possibility. You need to register with the Coast Guard, in case of nigh stay, who will keep your CNICs and return that to you the next morning. However, this is not recommended if you have not camped before in the wilderness.

The only other alternative for the night stay is Navy's mess at Ormara, which is off-course feasible if you have a connection in the forces.

what re the suggested timings to leave from Karachi?

If you are going for a day trip, i.e. same day return which is possible and I have done that a multiple times, then leave as early as possible. I'd suggest 4am, so that you will be there at the Coastal Highway around Sunrise. If this is a 2 days trip, even then don't leave later than 8am.

Below are some of my previous experiences which you will find helpful:

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2010/09/makran-coastal-highway-karachi-to-pak.html
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2012/02/karachi-to-gwadar-survival-tips.html
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2010/10/chicken-karhai-on-makran-coastal.html
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2012/02/trip-report-cruising-through-great.html
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-road-two-thousand-kilometers-in.html

Hope you will find it helpful. Please feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Cheers and have a fun trip.

Muzzammil

Asked 

Firstly Thanks a lot for your kind response. I appreciate the way you facilitate me 😊
Secondly your suggestion are so helpful for me and I visited this place twice earlier in 2010 and late in 2009 but never did camping. so for now I am leaving that option. I will make my trip for one day that will starts from 4am. (Inshallah) as per your suggestion. I never  had a chance to visit  Buzi Pass and ormara. so this time I am planning to visit those places also, kindly give me some guidance regarding routes and how much time and fuel will it take to visit Ormara, as we have no fuel pumps out there in entire Coastal highway.
Is it fine to visit Nani Mandir, next to hingol river ??
is it worthy to visit Ormara beach or you suggest to keep my journey reserved only to Kund Malir or maximum to Buzi Pass?

 

Replied

My pleasure Ahsan and I'm glad that you found my postings helpful.

Here goes response to your questions, hopefully not too late:

this time I am planning to visit those places also, kindly give me some guidance regarding routes and how much time and fuel will it take to visit Ormara, as we have no fuel pumps out there in entire Coastal highway.

Ormara is 80km from Kund Malir. So if you go non-stop then it will take an hour. However, if you stop around Buzi Pass and Princess of Hope then add another 1 hour. Since road is good it must not take more than 15 liters of extra fuel; keep 20 maximum. And keep a funnel with you, or alternatively you may stop by the make-shift fuel dhabaas and seek their help for funnel. There are a couple of pumps around Ormara but all sell low quality fuel which I would not like to rely on.

Is it fine to visit Nani Mandir, next to hingol river ??

Yes, it is absolutely fine and highly recommended. I took my coure all the way to Mandir and other friends have done that too and none reported any problems.

is it worthy to visit Ormara beach or you suggest to keep my journey reserved only to Kund Malir or maximum to Buzi Pass?

The best part of Ormara, i.e hammerhead at PNS Ahsan, lies with the Navy. Other than this also, I would recommend visiting Ormara since you have already been to Kind Malir. The beach is right at the main road near Ormara's main square and has great views with hammerhead in the background. There is a truck hotel too where you can have food and tea.

As far as the itinerary is concerned, I'd it the following way:

1. Karachi to Ormara, non-stop except for refueling and tea, leaving Buzi Pass for the return journey.

2. Ormara to Buza Pass.

3. Buzi Pass to Hingol, and there I will take decision to visit Nani Mandir keeping in view the time available. Keep 2 hours for that.

4  Hingol to Karachi. I would prefer crossing Hub not later than sunset.

So these are my two cents worth. Please do ask if you have more questions and please do share your experience once you are back.

Regards

Muzzammil

Asked

I’ve gone through all your instructions and found them very useful, In sha Allah I will leave early morning in coming xxxx with prioritizing your useful tips on primary basis. 😊 Of course once I would be back I will share my experience.
Thanks a lot  for your useful help just answer to my last question that we are planning to take fried rice with roasted chicken along with us on this journey. kindly suggest us that it is better to take food from here? as none of us is aware of cooking. I know there are no Dhabb’as kind of thing till Buzi pass. and another thing is that my friends are forcing me to travel before sunrise as they want to see star gazing and sunrise on Kund Malir beach.
Check my Plan and guide me if I am missing anything: (Travelling hours are expected)

Leaving time 0100
Kund Malir 0600 (stay)

Buzi Pass 1000 (short stay for canyons)

Ormara 1100 (stay at beach)

0200 Kund Malir (Desert exploring)
0300 Nani Mandir

0500 (way Back to Karachi)

 

we will take 40 liters of water in portable water coolers, Cold drinks along with chips and biscuits, Roasted chicken with chicken fried rice and planning to have a cup of tea in between different hotels.

Looking forward for your reply 😊
Thanks a lot for such a kind response.

Replied

Thanks a lot  for your useful help just answer to my last question that we are planning to take fried rice with roasted chicken along with us on this journey. kindly suggest us that it is better to take food from here? as none of us is aware of cooking. I know there are no Dhabb’as kind of thing till Buzi pass

My pleasure. Regarding food, you may take it with you but I might go without food 1) to keep it light and 2) I found and tried a decent truck hotel right on Hingol bridge, before Buzi Pass. Once we even had live Chicken Karhai and absolutely loved that. There is a clean toilet also, which is a big luxury in the wilderness, so do ask for the keys from the waiter. At Ormara, you will find more options, but I have not tried any. It would be important to mention here that you may not need to go in the Ormara town, unless you would like to explore that, as the beach is on the main road. For en-route tea, I would suggest stopping at the dhaba located right at the junction of RCD Highway (the Quetta Road) and Makran Coastal Highway, and will highly advice not to stop-by at other places.

and another thing is that my friends are forcing me to travel before sunrise as they want to see star gazing and sunrise on Kund Malir beach.
Check my Plan and guide me if I am missing anything: (Travelling hours are expected)

Leaving time 0100 (Saturday)
Kund Malir 0600 (stay)

Buzi Pass 1000 (short stay for canyons)

Ormara 1100 (stay at beach)

0200 Kund Malir (Desert exploring)
0300 Nani Mandir

0500 (way Back to Karachi)

This is exactly how I would like to do that!
Have fun and have a safe journey.

Muzzammil

and here goes the hotel where we had Chicken Karhai from:

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2010/10/chicken-karhai-on-makran-coastal.html