Up at the crack of dawn, headed down for breakfast and was the first one in. I toasted for bits of bread and a dollop of jam followed by two fried eggs, black coffee and fruit and I was set.

Packed me bags and a ordered A Grab to the border crossing, no way was I taking the cheaper option of bus or tuk tuk. It cost about 800 bhat and it was well worth it. My taxi was an EV, so plenty of leg room in the rear and I felt quite the highflyer.

An hour to get to the Pedang Besar train station and this is where I was lucky because I didn’t realise I had to get to the Malaysian side using the train at this crossing. There is another crossing that foot traffic and cars use but I was told to come here. A train came after only 30 minutes.

On for one stop and turn through immigration to leave Thailand and then immediately onto Malaysian immigration. A 90 minute wait for the train to Butterworth.

The train was busy but I had a seat and it was air-conditioned, which you can’t say about the Thai train. There is an immediate noticeable difference between the two countries. Malaysia is a very wealthy country by comparison.

At Butterworth I decide to get a taxi. I have no money only a credit card. The ferry on the other side is a short walk to my hotel, but I don’t fancy carrying my cases, and so I just grab it Grab.

It’s an old driver in an old car and he is scaring the hell out of me at times. Just staying in his own lane would be a start. It’s a relief to reach the hotel.