MALAYSIA Observation Sites

Here are some DIY tips. For car owners, you may consider driving up from the Woodlands or Tuas link. Do note that all prices are subject to change due to peak period charges. Malaysian fare charges vary and can be negotiated. Malaysian toll charges apply for road users. There are many ways to get around. I would be happy to depart more suggestions or answer other queries you may have via e-mail.  
   

BATU LAYAR

Location   East Peninsula Malaysia, facing the South China Sea. Next to beach resort.
Accomodation   BYO Tents
Food   BYO or you can buy supplies from the town.
From Singapore   45-minute bumboat ride from Changi Jetty to Tanjung Pengelih Jetty (S$6 per person, one-way). Continue 30 minutes by taxi to Batu Layar beach; Arrange pick-up time and date with the cab driver for the return trip to Tanjung Pengelih Jetty (RM$70 per taxi, two-way trip). 45-minute bumboat ride back to Singapore (RM$7 per person, one-way).
Departure Times   Last bumboat from Changi Jetty at 3pm. Last taxi from Tg Pengelih Jetty at 4.45pm. Last bumboat from Tg Pengelih Jetty at 3pm. Note: The customs and jetty at Tg Pengelih operate from 7am to 5pm.
Town Area   The taxi will pass through a small town where you may get water, food or exchange currencies. There are several seafood restaurants. The town is predominantly Chinese-populated while the suburbs have more Malay households.
Sky Rating 5/10 Unobstructed skies from North to East sides on the beach front. Below moderate levels of light pollution from nearby chalets and seafaring ships. Occasional light disturbances from motorists.
Overall Rating 3/10 High military patrol area. Exercise caution when dealing with them. They can go beyond the regular interrogation and include body searches. Advisable to stay close to the resort area but heavier light pollution. Weekends and public holidays cause overcrowding.
Length of Stay   Suitable for an overnight session only. Not recommended for extended trips.
Other notes   Wild boars and biting insects applicable. No advance bookings needed but there can be heavy competition for transportation during public holidays.

TANJUNG SEDILI

Location   East Peninsula Malaysia, facing the South China Sea. Next to resort.
Accomodation   MUTIARA MOTORS RESORT
Resort Manager : Cik Khelmi Abdullah (H/P : 019-7175935)
Resort Address : Kg Sedili Kechil, Kota Tinggi, 81910 Johor Darul Takzim. Tel (from Singapore): 02-07-8918605.
However for first time bookings, you have to make reservations and pay a 50% deposit at Bagunan Mutiara Motors, No 111, Batu 4 1/2, Jalan Tebrau, 80250 Johor Bahru. Tel (from Singapore): 02-07-3319099. Subsequently, it might be possible to pay the full amount directly at the resort.
Air-conditioned chalets at about RM$140 per chalet per night 2 to 4 pax (with TV and hot shower). Holiday charges apply.
Food   There is an open traditional cafe. Food prices from RM$3. There are other sidewalk eating places about 15 minutes' walk from the resort.
From Singapore  
45-minute bumboat ride from Changi Jetty to Tanjung Pengelih Jetty (S$6 per person, one-way). Continue 2 hours by taxi to Kota Tinggi side. (Ringgit$140 per taxi, one-way trip). Return arrangements by taxi can be made at the chalet. 45-minute bumboat ride back to Singapore (Ringgit$7 per person, one-way).
Alternatively, there are direct coaches to Kota Tinggi town (S$12 per person, one way). 30-minute transfer by taxi. Return coaches have to be arranged separately (RM$12).
Departure Times   Do check at the coach terminal located at Lavender Street, opposite Singapore Casket, and again at the Malaysian coach terminal.
Town Area   A medium-sized town. Fairly well-equipped.
Sky Rating 6/10 Unobstructed skies from Northwest to Southeast sides on the beach front. Low levels of light pollution from the resort and seafaring ships. No military personnel.
Overall Rating 5/10 Very limited day time activities. The beach is slightly polluted by what looks like oil.
Length of Stay   Suitable for extended sessions.
Other notes   Cows and biting insects applicable.

TELUK GODEK / TELUK SARI, MERSING

Location   East Peninsula Malaysia, facing the South China Sea. TELUK GODEK is 15 minutes from Mersing town. Transport can be arranged via resort or taxi at RM$15 per trip from town. TELUK SARI is 25 minutes from Mersing town. Transport via taxi at RM$35 per trip from town.
Accomodation   TELUK GODEK BEACH RESORT
Resort Manager : Cik Lani (H/P : 019-7792569)
Resort Address : No. 01-050, Pusat Peranginan Air Papan Laut, 86800 Mersing, Johor. Tel (from Singapore): 02-07-7994469.
Air-conditioned chalets from RM$140 (Deluxe), RM$180 (Superior), RM$230 (Deluxe Suite), to RM$250 (Superior Suite) per chalet per night 5 to 7 pax (with TV and hot shower). Holiday charges apply. There are packaged deals and dormitories too.
Food   There is an open restaurant. Food prices from RM$3. Also, a semi-convenience store located at the resort.
From Singapore  
From Lavender Street, opposite Singapore Casket, 3 to 4 hours by coach via Woodlands checkpoint (S$15 per person, one-way). Continue 30 minutes by van or taxi to resort from Mersing town (Ringgit$15 per trip). Alternative transport arrangements can be made through Cik Lani. Return coaches have to be arranged separately at the bus terminal (RM$15).
Departure Times   Do check at the coach terminal located at Lavendar Street, opposite Singapore Casket, and again at the Malaysian coach terminal.
Town Area   A medium-sized town. Fairly well-equipped. There's a KFC outlet too.
Sky Rating 7/10
[At TELUK SARI] Unobstructed skies from North, South, East and West in an open area the size of eight football fields. Almost zero light pollution. There are construction plans underway nearby so this piece of darkness may last for maybe another two years. Patrolling police.
[At TELUK GODEK] Unobstructed skies from Northwest to Southeast sides on the beach front. Very low levels of light pollution from the resort and seafaring ships. You may even request for the resort's lights to be turned off.
Overall Rating 8/10 Excellent hosts and services. Abundant day time activities, especially during the non-monsoon season. Island tours, snorkelling, fishing are just some of the resort's offerings. The beach is clean and waters blue.
Length of Stay   Very suitable for extended sessions.
Other notes   Chickens and biting insects applicable. Mersing is the tourist gateway to some of Malaysia's coastal islands like Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tioman.
Retour EarthStar Continuum
   
Mailto Lin

TRAVELING TIPS

We may not be doing anything illegal but that won't stop the customs officials from tackling you. Above all else: BE FIRM BUT NICE. Remember: They have the authority to put you in jail for whatever suspicion they come up with.
Not advisable to carry more than RM$1,000 and more than 1,000 in other foreign currencies when crossing over to Malaysia. This is a sticky issue especially when declaring at customs. If you have to, split up the amount between friends that you are travelling with or declare that you are NOT carrying more than 1,000 in any currency over. A friend once got detained for bringing RM$1,500 (which was to pay for food and accommodations for a couple of days.) He was detained at the Malaysian customs, questioned and made to "promise" he was going to spend it all in Malaysia.
Telescopes and other equipment. Another sticky issue. These can qualify as camera lenses and equipment which are duty-free. They do understand if you say it is for watching stars (or photographing birds) but they may try and get you to pay some "tax" money, or retain your stuff. It would be wise to bring some proof that you have paid for the items. ALWAYS assure them that you are bringing your equipment back. Personalized your items with stickers or something; anything to make them look less for sale. It helps to wear a camera vest or carry something with "Canon" or "Pentax" emblazoned on it. Those they know are camera brands; Takahashi or Astrophysics just don't cut it.
For school groups, an official school letter (complete with school logo and chop, etc) from your teacher-in-charge will help. Make sure it states a full list of the equipment that you are bringing over. Smaller items like batteries, covers, or accessory plate NOT necessary. Camera equipment are duty-free so there is no need to list any photographic equipment.
For those few who are made to pay a deposit equivalent to the worth of your equipment, you will get a FULL refund  when you return to Singapore WITH your stuff that you got charged for. In which case, I hope you do carry sufficient cash for this emergency. 
PASSPORTS & CUSTOMS PLEASE make sure that you have gotten an immigration stamp from the Woodlands / Tuas customs, or if you are crossing the border by boat from the port customs, least you get thrown in jail for illegal entry. At this point in time (April 2001) - only passage by rail through Tanjong Pagar train station are scanned through WITHOUT immigration stamps. Should I fail to update this section in the next six months, just post me an e-mail to check.
MONSOON SEASON for Singapore and Malaysia : late October to early February.