Solo Journey: Singapore to Malaysia Travel Mishaps & Triumphs
This was my first time entering Malaysia from Singapore by land, and also my first taste of getting completely lost right after the border crossing. After completing the procedures, I saw a crowd heading downstairs and followed suit, only to realize that was the exit to the parking area, not the way up. I wandered around for almost an hour, completely disoriented, until I finally discovered the actual exit was on the upper floor.
Once outside, I rushed to Larkin Sentral bus station to buy a ticket to Muar, planning to visit a friend before continuing my journey. However, upon arrival, the scene was absolutely overwhelming: people packed everywhere, luggage piled up in long queues, and a cacophony of shouting. I soon realized that day was the beginning of the Malaysian festive period (Tết), and the next day was still a public holiday.
The Sudden Change of Plans
Seeing that chaos instantly reminded me of Vietnamese New Year scenes back home, where the roads from Saigon to the Mekong Delta are jammed, with traffic inching forward. Worried about potential gridlock the next day and missing my flight, I immediately canceled my meeting with my friend, booked a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, and changed my bus ticket to head straight to KL that very night.
I assumed having a ticket meant I could board on time, but contrary to expectations, as soon as a bus arrived, people surged forward and squeezed on, completely ignoring the ticketing system. I stood there, clutching my 6:25 PM ticket, watching bus after bus depart amidst the exhausted crowd, luggage strewn everywhere on the floor.
Unexpected Kindness on the Road
It wasn't until nearly 8:30 PM that a kind Malaysian man yielded his spot, allowing me to finally board my bus. On the bus, I was the only woman; everyone else was a strange man. The person next to me was a tall, quiet man who looked like he was from West Asia. He borrowed my power bank and promptly fell asleep beside me. When we stopped midway for a restroom break, he returned and handed me a cold bottle of water. I thanked him with a smile, but honestly, I didn't dare drink it at that moment. In such an unfamiliar environment, a small gesture can simultaneously bring warmth and trigger caution.
The Final Leg: All-Night Traffic and Tech Troubles
Just when I thought the toughest part was over, the traffic became horrendous. The highway connecting Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur was completely gridlocked, with the vehicle moving inch by inch. I was utterly exhausted; every time I opened my eyes, the scene remained the same. It wasn't until almost 4 AM that the bus finally reached TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan).
I breathed a sigh of relief, assuming booking a Grab ride would be simple. But the reality hit hard: the Grab app wouldn't accept my card payment, and at that hour, cash payments weren't an option. I pulled my suitcase and walked down to the pick-up zone, knocking on the windows of every stationary Grab car, asking, "Sir, will you take me?" Finally, one kind uncle agreed. The car set off into the still-dim city streets.
Arrival and Reflection
When we stopped in front of the hotel, the clock showed exactly 5:00 AM. I looked at the warm yellow lights spilling from the lobby, feeling a mixture of fatigue and profound relief. It had been such a long night, with moments I thought I couldn't get through, but precisely because of that, the memory is unforgettable.
Sitting in the hotel room, watching the Kuala Lumpur sky slowly lighten, I realized: throughout one night, I had traversed three cities, two countries, and experienced the full spectrum of emotions, from feeling lost and anxious to deeply grateful.
This was my first time traveling alone far from home, and I expected fear. But it turns out, once you overcome that initial hurdle of fear, everything else becomes an experience.
And despite all the hardship and moments of feeling vulnerable, when I woke up that morning, only one thing was abundantly clear:
I truly traveled, and I did it all on my own.
