Day 46: Winding Roads to Petaling Jaya. A 101 for German Drivers in Malaysia

Today, we made the journey from the freezing heights of the Cameron Highlands to the warm embrace of Petaling Jaya (PJ), a city close to Kuala Lumpur (KL). The first 50km were straightforward because there are only two roads to enter or leave the highlands: one heading North, and the other South. We took the Southbound route toward KL until we reached the first major intersection.  

Since the navigation was simple and the drive uneventful, I decided to use this time to blog about driving and traffic in Malaysia—or Southeast Asia in general. 

Driving in Malaysia is an adventure, a cultural experience, and sometimes a test of patience—all rolled into one. For German drivers used to precision and Ordnung, here’s a quick guide to navigating the unique traffic landscape of Malaysia:

Speed Bumps Galore  

Source: The Star

Speed bumps—or "traffic calming devices"—are everywhere, often unmarked, and come with varying levels of annoyance and potential for vehicle damage. Some can jolt you awake if you hit them at the wrong speed. Here’s an incomplete list of the types I’ve encountered:  

  • Bumple Bee: The standard speed bump, gentle but noticeable.  
  • Mini Bumple Bee: A smaller version, often deceptively sharp.  
  • Rubber Bump: Flexible yet surprisingly sturdy.  
  • Royal Rumble: A series of aggressive, closely packed bumps designed to test your patience.  
  • Unregulated ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’: A DIY creation by locals, often a surprise addition to your route.  
  • Inverse Speed Bump (Pothole): Technically not a bump, but it serves the same purpose—forcing you to slow down. I hear these are gaining popularity in Germany, too!  

The Motorbike Swarms  

Single motorbikes—or entire swarms—seem to appear out of nowhere, darting left, right, in front, and behind. Predicting their movements feels like watching wasps swarming a plum cake on a summer coffee table. The sheer capacity of these bikes is astounding. In Germany, you’d rarely see more than two people on a bike. Here, in the countryside, it’s not uncommon to see a family of four—and sometimes even a chicken—balanced precariously on one.  

Source: iStock

Left-Side Logic  

Since cars drive on the left lane here, pedestrians also stick to the left side on walkways and in shopping malls. It took me a while to figure out why I kept awkwardly bumping into people—I was the only one walking on the right side!  

Freestyle Driving  

Driving in Malaysia is more "freeform" compared to Germany’s rigid adherence to rules. The concept of "lane discipline", which Singaporeans are proud of, is more of a suggestion here. Drivers are creative and hands-on, finding innovative ways to advance when traffic gets heavy. I recommend watching closely what’s happening on either side of your car—adaptability is key.  

The Journey Itself  

Though navigation was straightforward, the drive was exhausting. Imagine 50km of narrow, winding alpine roads, with curve after curve and just one lane in each direction. We had the misfortune of being stuck behind an ancient lorry chugging along at 40 km/h. But no complaints—despite the challenges, we arrived safely in PJ.  

***

Photo section

The highlight of the old English hotel is undoubtedly its meticulously maintained garden, lovingly cared for by the hotel’s dedicated gardeners. It brought us immense joy throughout our stay. Words can hardly do it justice—let the photos speak for themselves.

Garden behind the main building.


You might have this flower at home in a pot.

This is the local version. Probably on steroids.

This is not a palm tree. It is a fern tree.

Good use of a telephone booth: 
In case of rain make the call from inside.

Unusual color for a leaf: black

The common Green Water Snake
often found at water taps. Not poisonous.

Orchid lovers in Germany often struggle to grow a small plant ...

Today's journey




Location: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

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