Crossing the border into Singapore....

I decided to take the train from KL to Singapore as it was recommended on Trip Advisor, journey time approximately 7.5 hours. In true Asia style, we arrived over 9 hours later but as I was in first class - for the grand price of 12 quid - and the seats were huge and a good curry was available in board, I didn't mind. We crossed not without a bit of drama. I got talking to a Malaysian gentleman who had been educated in England and he explained what would happen at border control as I didn't know what to expect. When we got to the first stage of border control at Johur Bahru, custom officials entered the train to check passports. My friend received a frown when his passport was examined and he was asked to leave the train. Forty five minutes later, he came back flanked by two armed guards. Mind racing as to whether this charming man was in fact a well known drug smuggler, he turned to me as he collected his suitcase and said " I forgot to renew my passport". He was then escorted off the train by the armed guards and that's the last I saw of him. A bit of a harsh and public humilation, I thought!

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/PocketGem/MalayScenary