Asia Mega Tour 2026 - Days Thiry Four And Thirty Five - Seeing Much More Of JB

We have had two very full days with the #3 family before they are off to the next part of their journey - going back to Singapore and meeting up with the #2's. We're skipping that to allow them time alone plus give ourselves some solid alone time. We haven't had a moment free to work on pictures. So as I've done on past trips, I'm just going to give you the dialog of what we've done and will follow-up with the pictures later now that things will be calming down. 

Yesterday, the weather changed and it was sunny and very hot. We saw two sites. One is called the Glass Temple (not the official name). It is a Hindu temple and is decorated 90% in glass and mirrors. It was quite the site, very, very different, and in its own way very seductively photogenic, and yet difficult to shoot at the same time. We had thought about seeing this at the end of our day on Tuesday but decided it was a bit too far to walk. Boy, did we have that right. I'm so glad we didn't try it. As it was, we took a Grab and it was a tortuous way to actually find the temple. I don't think we would ever have gotten to it if we'd done it on foot and on our own.

Next, we decided to go to a site that was the former jail but was converted into an area with galleries, expositions, and shops. Again we Grabbed our way their with no problems. However, it turned out that the site was still mostly being developed with almost none of the features promoted actually finished and opened, so it was a major disappointment. As it was broiling hot, and we needed to get something to eat, we followed a suggestion of the #3's that we go to a major mall downtown. There are always lots of food options at the malls and there is air conditioning. 

We ate at a Japanese place, did some shopping and then went back to the apartments where we rested, and did some supermarket shopping. We then made some grilled cheese sandwiches for a light dinner, ate a bunch of snack food and played our favorite on-line game, Gartic Phone. We bought some cake and ice cream as both Wife and 3.2 have birthdays in April just weeks from now. 

Today was a massive sightseeing day. I had successfully located a local guide who took us at our word about seeing things that were 'off the beaten path'. He was a wealth of information. We were gone all day, did some heavy duty walking in the hot tropical sun, and were ready to collapse when we got back. I'll put the details of this day in when I get the photos done and posted. 

We were tired and crabby when we went out for our last meal which was a shame as, in general, we've been doing reasonably well at finding places to eat and having good meals considering how alien the cuisine is to the younger members of the #3 clan. 

But it was all love and kisses by the time we got back to the apartment complex and said goodby. 

Asia Mega Tour 2026 - Day Thirty Two and Three - Settling In Johor Bahru

Our drive to Johor Bahru (henceforth JB) went smoothly accept for the arrival. Our driver couldn't find the entrance to our complex. In his defense, it really is not that well marked. However, #3 and family had arrived the day before and are in the same complex. They found us and helped us get into our space. Some of the security arrangements using a QR code are not that easy to use at first. 

We immediately hung out with the #3's and then went out to get something to eat. There is a bit of challenge figuring out where and what to eat as the food his very unfamiliar to the grandkids plus the heat here (compared to Sweden where they live) is a bit much to deal with as well. But we managed. 

Today we went down into the old part of town. We were pretty successful at finding things. The area is interesting. Since we were with the family, we were not in full photographic mode (though I think they would tell you different lol). To get to the downtown area, we had to take a 10-15 minute car ride from where we are. However, the walking was very easy. There are sidewalks! Lots of them. If you've read past posts related to SE Asia, you will remember the lack of sidewalk, of areas where one can walk comfortably and safely, is one of the things that have inhibited us from longer stays in one locale. 

I had both positive and negative feelings about the city from today. However, it is just the first day, so we will see. I have pictures from today. The light was not good and I haven't had a chance to work on then yet.

We had another challenge at dinner. We went to what we thought was a Korean place, but I think it was actually a Northern Chinese one. AND THE ENTIRE MENU WAS IN CHINESE CHARACTERS ONLY. Since Malaysia has Malay and English as its two main languages, this was a bit weird. Then add to that, all my gout related diet restrictions and I had helluva a time figuring out what to order. But in the end we had a very nice meal.  

Asia Mega Tour 2026 - Day Thirty One - Get Thee Back To Asia For Real! Transitioning Again

Not much to write about today. Yesterday was just a travel day. We packed up, cleaned up the Airbnb per instructions, and were whisked the 3 hours back north to Perth International Airport. By Pooh Lee Shah Carriage Services. They promise the smoothest most stress free ride and delivered in spades. (😱)

 Check is was a bit bizarre as at the Malaysia Airlines Business Class check-in there was a family checking in with about a dozen people. And there was just one check-in agent. Finally, the ground staff saw the problem and whisked us to another area to get quickly checked-in. 

Our flight departed and arrived early. It was just a narrow body plane so the seats, even in business class, were not great. Malaysia Airlines catering, however, was again, very good. 

When we arrived, we used the automated passport control which defeated us last time. This time we were successful. Our bags were already out. It was our fastest arrival through KLIA ever. Once at the Sama Sama hotel, we found we were again in the executive floor. Not sure why this happening. Have we become recognized as frequent guests?

Today, we drive 3 hours to Johor Bahru for the last part of our stay. 

Asia Mega Tour 2026 - Days 29 & 30 - Boranup Forest And Mouth Of The Margaret River

Our days in Western Australia are coming to an end. Actually, I've found I should be referring to where we are as the far Southwestern part of West Australia as West Australia state takes up almost a third of Australia's total landmass.

On Thursday and Friday we visited the Boranup Forest and the Mouth of the Margaret River. We had another high end dining experience and a great wine tasting.

 Around where we are staying

There has been a paucity of laundry to photograph. I finally had to just take a picture of our own. At least, there was a view.

 

 There is neighborhood store that serves not only the community but all the people who come to Gracetown for water activities

 

 

 

 Boranup Forest - noted for some special trees that via a bunch questions we determined were special because...well...they're special

"G'day Mate. I'm special"

 

 "You're no more special then we are mate!"

 

 Let's just acknowledge you are all special in your own tree like way

 

 

 

 

 

Pooh Lee Shah contemplates how special each tree is

 

 Lovely woman (how many wonderful people have we met this trip) who runs a cafe in said forest

 

 Wine tasting at Moss Wood

2B had me do a bunch of wine tastings and I admit the wine in Margaret River region is not at all like the stereotype of Australian wines. This particular winery only does tastings by appointment and include a tour.

de-I showing his wine cred with Estonian born winery representative

 

 Grapes

 

Because of a storm coming in, they were working like crazy to get all the grapes off the vines

 

 

 Getting wine right out of the barrel

 

 The Margaret River Mouth was a bit of a disappointment as the river didn't even make it to the sea. But the coast was still nice. 

 

 There were PENGUINS

 

 

 

Not a Penguin

 

 

 The hunting habits of Espouses Fotographicus Australis

 

 

 Parrots

 

 

 

 High End Food...Not my thing but we had a lot of it and I had to admit most of it was gorgeous and it did taste good. Just not worth the cost.

Salad 

 

 Believe it or not, these are a potato dish

 

 A fish dish

 

 Butter with honey

 

 We had an odd incident with this restaurant. They refused to let us takeaway any of our leftovers. They had some policy that it would be a food hazard and liability to them. I've never heard or experienced such a thing in all my years. I mad a big ole stink. Said they should at least let you know in advance of this policy you didn't over buy. They ended up taking all the food we were going to take home off the bill.

Signs Of The World

A fan of Squid Lips

 

 Dogs and cats are not allowed to be coexist peacefully. Fight like 'cats and dogs' like you are expected

 

Asia Mega Tour 2026 - Day Twenty Eight - GREAT DAY Of Sunset Shooting At Gracetown Shoreline

2B came this morning and said he and 2.4 had found a great path to the south of our rental that he recommended for Wife and I to visit. So at about 5pm we set out. What transpired was a truly inspired photographic shoot with wonderful vistas to work with, great light, and a totally mellow atmosphere. 

It was funny because we had told #2 and 2B that we were really body tired and beat up, and needed to stay home and recuperate. Yet once we got out we were so entranced and intrigued that we were gone for two and half hours. 

Unlike the last two days, I didn't stick to one suggested technique but switched depending on what I was seeing. 

 Surfers - Coming and Going

 

 

 

A pod of Margaret River Lesser Surfers

 

 Surfers Surfing

 

 

 

 

 Pathway

 

 

 A fertile area for Espouses Fotographicus Australis

 

 

 

 

 

Oceanside

 

 

 

 

 

 Landside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The ancient inhabitants spoke of the photographer spirit couples

 

 Contemplation

 

 Contemplating Sunset

 

 Days end