Book I Read - Floating On A Malayan Breeze

Ok, this is one of those things I told myself I would do, told other people I would do - had so many ideas as to what to do... And then dilly-dallied and never got started. It was as if the ideas in my head were so perfect that to start would mean forgetting some of them, making my piece less than perfect, and then agonizing over it.

Anyway, this book I read - Floating On A Malayan Breeze - was written by a Singaporean, Sudhir. I came to know about it while reading his blog, which has a whole host of opinion pieces and commentary about life in Singapore. I was thus thrilled to find that he was also very interested in Malaysia (when I later met him I found out that we had lots in common - we were in the same JC, we knew a lot of common acquaintances).

Anyhow, the book, yes. I really looked forward to reading it because - and all those who know me well would know I am there every week - of how much time I spend driving up and down Malaysia, not just to the big cities but also to places less travelled by Singaporeans. So my interest was peaked when I found out that the book was premised on a road trip which Sudhir made with his friend, Sumana (who turns out was my junior in track & field at RI), in 2004, when they traversed all 11 states of Peninsula Malaysia on bicycle with a budget of 10 Ringgit a day. I was surprised though, when I read it. I expected the book to be more 'travel-guidish', recounting places visited and encounters with locals. There is of course a fair amount of that. But there is also an equal, and perhaps even greater amount of social and political commentary as Sudhir does a deep dive into the similarities and differences that have shaped the development of both Singapore and Malaysia after separation. It certainly didn't turn out to be a book for a tourist, but I liked it any way, because I kind of enjoy comparative political discourse and commentary.

Anyhow, what began as another read turned out to be the beginning of a series of adventures as the book seeded an idea within me. Because of the amount of time I spent in Malaysia, I thought I would do my own write-up about my experiences up North, presenting a different Singaporean viewpoint of the peninsula.

For one thing, while Sudhir and Sumana made their journey through the 11 states at one shot under absolute austerity during a planned trip, I was going to tell of how Malaysia relates to me, my practical reasons for going there - cheap fuel, good food,cheap property etc - and draw on my experiences garnered during my numerous trips there. BUT, within the next few weeks, I was also going to, like my Indian friends, traipse through all 11 states of peninsula Malaysia.

And That Is Exactly What I Did! With my redoubtable and mostly indefatigable travel companion - let's call her by her nick, Rabbit, for now - during the months of November and December, we embarked on journeys to various peninsular states to add to our already familiar knowledge of some parts of Malaysia. Of course, we weren't going to do it like the S&S (I'll just use that abbreviation for Sudhir and Sumana). For one thing, Rabbit is, comparatively, a prissy female and I am too old, but more importantly, too cancered up for any ardour during our travels. So we mostly drove. At times we took the bus, at others we flew and rarely, we cabbed and took other forms of local public transport. What was important was that we did it in relative comfort (adhering to my theory of having a strong and comfortable base we mostly stayed at the best hotels - S&S sometimes slept in public areas), adventure, reality and rusticity from a cozy viewpoint and distance, if you will.

And hence the planned title of my mini-travelogue:-

BREEZING ON A MALAYAN FLOAT

I came up with that for the obvious reason that while like the S&S we were going to travel to all the Malayan states, we were going to do it without strenuous exertion. We were going to Breeze through and experience all the far-flung wonders of what ironically is our closest neighbour from a safe and cozy platform, a float, or pedestal in other words - a Malayan Float (particularly those comfy hotels).

But also, a little cheekily, because of what I often seek out when I go to Malaysia - A&W Root Beer float which, while ubiquitous in the childhoods of many Singaporeans my age, is no longer available in our fine island...

So... During the next few weeks, if my health, and, more importantly, my spirits, hold, I hope to detail my version of travelling in Malaysia and how I have enjoyed Breezing on a Malayan Float.