After three weeks in Australia, we set off on an overland journey through Southeast Asia. Our plan was to slowly make our way back to France, avoiding the Northern winter by spending three months traveling from Singapore to Bangkok before flying home to Europe.

We booked tickets on a Jetstar flight — a decision I was initially nervous about. An eight-hour flight on a budget airline felt risky, but to my pleasant surprise, it turned out to be one of the most comfortable flights we’ve had in a long time. The seats offered more legroom than many long-haul carriers, the crew was excellent, and they generously provided free water, tea, and coffee throughout the journey.

We landed in Singapore around 6 p.m. and took a Grab straight to our hotel. This was my third visit to the Lion City, and unfortunately, my feelings toward it remained unchanged.

A Word on Singapore
What was advertised as a hotel turned out to be more of a hostel — quite possibly the worst accommodation we have ever stayed in. The bathroom was filthy, the beds uncomfortable, and a harsh spotlight from outside shone through the curtainless window all night. Exhausted from the long day of travel, we quickly ate a simple bowl of noodles nearby and tried to get some rest.

Jetlag woke us at 4 a.m. By 8 a.m. we were out exploring and found a delicious breakfast in nearby Chinatown — steaming bao buns and strong local coffee. We returned to the dreadful hotel only long enough to collect our bags before heading to the bus station for our journey to Melaka, Malaysia.

The so-called “international” bus station was little more than a tin shack in a car park. We managed to catch an earlier bus, reducing our waiting time to just 15 minutes. The bus was surprisingly clean and comfortable, and the border crossings between Singapore and Malaysia were quick and efficient.

However, what should have been a four-hour journey turned into an exhausting eight-hour ordeal due to a major accident on the highway. The landscape along the entire route was an endless sea of palm oil plantations stretching to the horizon — a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the environmental cost of progress. What was once vibrant rainforest is now a monoculture of palm trees.

Finally arriving in Melaka, we were relieved to discover our apartment was just a five-minute walk from the bus stop. After two long days of travel, it was the perfect sanctuary — a clean, comfortable high-rise apartment with two enormous pools and stunning 180-degree views over the Melaka Straits.

That evening we enjoyed a comforting bowl of pho nearby. After the challenges of the journey, it felt like the real adventure was finally beginning.