Most travellers don’t know what to think of Johor. Coming from Kuala Lumpur, they are uninterested at the sprawl and urban decay in Johor Bahru. If approaching from Singapore, they also tend to make comparisons with the city-state’s cleanliness, orderliness and hygiene- making Johor seem much like a backwater.

But cheap shopping at malls and ambitious upcoming waterfront projects like Danga Bay aside, Johor offers respite from the loud and busy cities, not to mention very affordable and delicious seafood.

If one were to take the time to explore the state and head up to Mersing, you might want to try staying a night at commercial Kelongs or wooden houses on stilts in the ocean to fish or just to unwind. One such Kelong is Kelong Acheh- the tranquility and modest living will set your mind in another sort of uncommon paradise- truly Southeast Asian.