David Bowden continues his journey, trying out various means of mobility from the weird and wacky to the slow and steady.
NOT only travelling allows us to learn new culture and see new things, it also takes us on new adventures, trying out other forms of transportation that we don't normally take.
While many of us long to take a flight anywhere in Malaysia, others are content to travel on other forms of transportation.
Here is a selection of some of Malaysia's atypical transportations that add unique charm only the destinations have.
CYCLING, PENANG
The historic Unesco World Heritage Site precinct of state capital George Town has seen the recent emergence of cycling as a viable way of exploring the historic sites here.
While five-foot walkways still provide some shelter from the elements, adventurous tourists are branching out and hiring bicycles to get about.
Bicycle hire outlets have sprung up all over the city offering bicycles by the hour, half-day or full-day.
Some are tandem bikes and some have children's seats so that families can freely discover the heritage sites.
Many streets are narrow so that traffic moves at a leisurely pace but cycling cautiously and wearing a helmet are always advisable. Even some of Penang's famous street art incorporates bicycles. There are numerous bike hire outlets and many hotels offer the service too.
TRISHAW, MELAKA
It was only a few decades back that trishaws (pedal-powered, three-wheeled conveyances) were common in many parts of Malaysia and the region.
Also known as rickshaws (the name has its origins from a Japanese word) or cyclo (in the French colonised nations of Asia), the trishaws of Melaka, Penang and Kuala Terengganu are slowly being replaced by other forms of local transportation.
Those of Melaka exist mostly for the tourists but are worth seeking out for their colourful regalia and friendly tourist patter from the well-meaning trishaw drivers.
Most visitors hire one for the obligatory photos and a cycle past the colonial buildings of this strategic maritime city.
Some have onboard music machines supposedly for the added comfort of passengers.
TWIN-OTTER, SARAWAK
Several short flight routes into the remote upriver parts of Sarawak offer a unique way of exploring the wilds of Borneo.
These flights on 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft operate from their Sarawak hub in Miri to remote villages like Ba'Kelalan, Bario, Long Banga, Long Seridan, Long Lellang, Marudi and Mukah.
These vital services are provided by MASwings which operates a small fleet of Twin Otters in both Sarawak and Sabah and also into Tarakan in neighbouring North Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The aircraft's technical details for these STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) twin turboprop planes are that they are Viking Air DCH6-400 Series Twin-Otters.
There are just a few flights per week to these remote villages and travellers need to limit their luggage to 10kg for check-in and 7kg for hand carry.
Vital supplies are also flown in on these aircraft. The beauty of these planes is that they fly at a low altitude and all passengers get a window seat.
Discover some remote parts of Sarawak on MASwings and impress your friends with a stay in serene Sarawak.
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