Some of you may know this but last month, I relocated from UK to Malaysia to be with my parents and let’s just say that it was quite a unique experience to be travelling during this ‘lockdown’ times.
This post is not really a Travel piece since I’m not focussed on the destination (not yet anyway!) but rather of the experience moving across borders when things are not as straightforward as they used to be. Hence, I’m filing this under Local Stories!
Anyway, if you’re wondering why I’ve been rather quiet… here is the fruit of my labour!
I’m finding out the hard way just how time consuming it is to edit videos. It’s not that the video has a huge amount of layers to manage but I did have at least twice the number of clips that you see in the video below and it’s been narrowing down the selection and picking the right clips that fit. And let’s just say that I’m struggling quite a bit to get an iPad, LumaFusion (the video editor app) and my Android phone to work together. It’s taken me close to 2 weeks to create this video! Oops!
The super brief summary of my journey:
- Limited flights to Malaysia and I basically waited a month plus before I could fly home
- Overall, I was travelling from Manchester to Kuching
- Manchester to London by train
- London Heathrow Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. I’ve never flown from Heathrow and hope that I never will in the future as it was really challenging getting there from Manchester with all my bags
- Swab test upon arrival and can only proceed with a negative result
- After a few hours, took a flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kuching International Airport
- Mandatory 14 days quarantine at a local hotel in Kuching; in my case, I was placed at Harbour View Hotel (I’ve only just realised how bad the map listing is for this hotel!!
). For 14 days, I cannot leave my room except to do my testing. Food gets delivered and left outside my room at fixed times. Was it tough? Watch the video to find out how I survived
- Swab test on Day 2 and 10 whilst at the hotel
- Released on Day 15 pending test results
It’s been almost 2 weeks since I’ve been released and I’m still trying to get used to how things are done in Malaysia. Some are similar, others not so much. In any case, there are some changes and constant tweaks to be done.
I present to you my list of my revelations (I have opted to refer to apps by their first letter only):
- UK: I use “A” a lot for online shopping and get tons of stuff delivered as it’s usually quick and easy to do so. Malaysia: “S” and “L” are apparently the popular choice for online shopping but I’m also having to get used to different brands of items that are more common here.
- UK: The weather is usually cool and grey in Manchester. Malaysia: The weather is scorchingly hot
. It feels like standing next to an opened oven with hot air surrounding me and making my skin prickle. Today is one of those days where I’m just constantly sweating even in the shade
- UK: I don’t drive and never had the need to do so thanks to good public transportation links. Malaysia: Public transport is okay but probably less reliable. I’m now in the process of getting lessons so that I can take my test and, hopefully, be able to drive around. Although I don’t really want to. But it’s good to have a driver’s license. But I really don’t enjoy driving. But I think I have to. Sigh
- UK: To get to places where public transport is a hassle, I use “U”. Malaysia: It’s another app again, called “G” that is more popular
- UK: I have a pretty much cashless lifestyle and pay for everything through contactless transactions with my phone (NFC). Malaysia: NFC technology is not as widely available so QR codes are the dominant method. There are also numerous local apps that function like e-wallets to facilitate the transactions such as “SP”, “B”, “GP” to name a few. Unfortunately, different businesses support different apps so if I really wanted to go cashless, I would need to have multiple e-wallets, each with money in them to pay for things. Eek!
- UK: The virus is still an issue with lockdowns happening in specific locations. Malaysia: Much less cases but still on alert. So there is less restrictions but also a different way of handling it. Everywhere I go, I need to my body temperature measured before entering a premise and I also need to write down my details for contact tracing. And wear a mask
- Past: I always thought my mum was super organised. Present: It turns out that I may be more OCD that her!
- Past: I have all my finances sorted out nicely. Present: I have to open local bank accounts. Unfortunately, I failed to realise that being in full time employment and having all the paperwork (proof) at hand really helps. I’m just thankful that I’ve managed to get an account opened but I’m not allowed a credit card. Plus, I don’t have a credit history here so I’m having to start from nothing
- Past: I had my work laptop, super fast fibre connection at home and fast mobile connection. Present: No laptop and just a decent mobile connection. I thought I could get by but I severely misjudged that
I think that in general, I certainly do feel that I have taken a few things in the UK for granted and now that I’m here, I really do miss them!
I know the above all sounds a bit whiny but I really need to look at this as if it is an adventure: to succeed I must face my challenges head on and keep working my way through them. Onwards and upwards!
Anyway, what can you expect from me for the next few months!? Well, hopefully I can start to share more things about Kuching and show you what this place is like! I already have a few places that I can ‘review’ and talk about! However, my outings are still limited as I’m trying my best to keep a low profile until this virus is defeated. I’m really hoping that I can start to meet the Local Guides here in Kuching! I’ve already done a search on Connect and there are a few around!! Whoop!! Whoop!!
The video is a bit long but I hope you find it enjoyable, if not interesting! Have you had to travel during these times too? What was your experience like? Or have you ever relocated to somewhere completely different? How did you cope (please teach me!!!)? What are your tips as a Local Guide in a foreign place?! Let’s see if I have the same tips as well!