Feb 13 - Start out the day with another trip to pick up laundry down the street. The owner is there, and for the second time we sit and chat for a bit. Like so many people I’ve talked with in Malaysia, he is very friendly and engaging, and says I should consider staying longer in the country. He boasts the low crime rate and cheap living expenses. “Watch out in Thailand,” he warns, “Not like here, they always asking for more money.”
I had been hoping to get on the ferry to Thailand for the 9:30 departure today, but they have reduced the departures from two to one and the only option leaves at 13:00. Change some US dollars to Thai baht at the only exchange facility in the port, as I have learned that there are no ATM’s in Tammalang and don’t know what exchange office exists there. I prefer avoiding the problem of having no local currency when I enter a country overland (or over-sea as in this case). Small, more local entry points to countries tend to be more prone to hustlers who take advantage of the tourist not having the correct currency, and cheat on the exchange rates.
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The ferry hugs the Langkawi coastline all the way around the eastern side of the island before crossing the Straits of Malacca.
