My final trip in Asia before I leave Korea after three years was to Malaysia and the destination I ultimately wanted to goto Brunei. I had wanted to goto Brunei when I was in Mindanao in the Philippines just across the ocean in Feb but didnt have enough vacation days. This time I cashed in 20,000 Aeroplan miles for a free return ticket to Singapore, from there I could catch Air Asia low cost flights to travel around. 

Unfortunately August is peak holiday period plus this year Aug 8 starts an Islamic religious holiday so all the prices went up. The normal Kota Kinabalu flight to Penang for $49 went to $156 because of the religious holiday. It fell in the middle of my plans and I couldnt move things around to get a lower price. 



Also with so much going on I failed to book my train ticket in time. For some strange reason the last bus to Incheon airport is at 3pm and my flight was 1am meaning I'd have to sit and wait from 6pm at the airport. 

I decided instead to take a slow train after 5pm which would get to Seoul Station at 9.40pm. Lucky there was a money exchange place at the airport rail link area so I exchanged for some Malaysian and US Dollars. I didnt realize the airport train was another 53 mins.



When I got to Incheon airport close to 11pm everything was closed shut so lucky I already exchanged my money. I hadnt eaten any dinner expecting to get a meal on a six hour flight. Normally they serve breakfast and dinner but we were only served breakfast closer to landing. 

After snacking on peanuts I slept for about 3 hours. 4am I was served curry chicken with rice. I arrived at 6am and after passing immigration had to go back out into the terminal to check in again for my Air Asia flight later at noon

 













 
 
I was trying to sleep in a chair in the airport area when a large group of Indians arrived. The airline had missed their connection and now they were all fuming mad. Not realizing I could understand all their private conversations in Hindi they sat around me detailing their experience thinking I was Malay. They eventually were to have a replacement flight at 6pm

The air con was so cold in the airport but by lunch I was able to board my Air Asia flight to Kuching. Not wanting to exchange any money or spend in Singapore during my transit layover I had pre-ordered a meal on the Air Asia flight for 12Rm ($4) which was a spicy biriyani.

















 
At Kuching Airport I was told there are no buses and taxis were fixed rates of 26Rm ($8). Or I could walk outside for 2km and catch a local bus which I ended up doing. I followed some locals as it was just a highway with no retail stores until I reached the regional bus terminal.

Outside I caught a city bus for 1.50Rm (.50 cents) which was basically just an old school bus with open windows and no A/C. 


 
The town seemed like a nicer version of Zamboanga Philippines which I had just visited in Feb. I found my way to the hostel and was shown a room with no windows which was very muggy. After turning the A/C on it was fine and I fell asleep for 3 hours before heading out for an evening meal.  

 
 
 
 



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