Lane markings: These suggest a possible division of the road into lanes. For example, a single line in the centre of the road suggests that the drivers form 2 lanes. This suggestion is rarely taken as it appears to be a waste of space. Hence a suggestion of 2 lanes usually results in 3 or 4 lanes forming, depending on whether the cars are able to drive on the footpath. In clear open roads, drivers sometimes take the lane markings as guidance tracks, and driver centred above a lane marking.

Traffic lights: These suggest an order motion at an intersection. The red light suggests that drivers on that road should not proceed, unless the other cars are moving too slow, or the driver is late to lunch.

Speed limits: These are suggestions for a standardised speed that all cars should move at on the road. In reality, your speed limit depends on your car’s capability and your own braveness in the face of death.

One-way road: This sign suggests that the traffic along a narrow road only goes in one direction. This is only applicable when there are cars on that road, and can be ignored if the road is empty.

Vehicle indicator lights: If one indicator is blinking, the driver may or may not turn in that direction. If both are blinking, the driver wishes to inform you that he exists and his vehicle does in fact have indicator lights.

There’s many more similar suggestions, but in short, its up to the driver to decide what parts of the traffic code they have the patience to follow.

Our stop over in Malaysia was about 8 hours, so they put us up at the Concorde Inn, which was good enough as a transit hotel. The breakfast there was great, with a choice of continental or local breakfast options. We jumped on a train and went to see the twin towers quickly before our connecting flight. It’s a pretty impressive sight, but if you have a short transit time, I wouldn’t recommend rushing to see it. It’s not worth the chaotic transport systems and risk of delays. There isn’t anything spectacular to do once you get there, just look at the towers (unless you want to shop, in which case there’s a shopping mall in there).

At the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, my cousin and aunt picked us up, and gave us our first road experience in India. Suffice it to say, I wasn’t sure I would make it home to write this post. The chaos is unlike anything I’ve ever seen anywhere. There were cars going perpendicular to the road to get to the rightmost lanes. Everyone was in a rush to get ahead of everyone else. And if the vehicles were not enough confusion, people walk haphazardly onto the road, weaving between the cars in a desperate race to the other side of the road. There was barely 20 cm of gap between cars sometimes.

Despite all that, we made it to Gurgaon in one piece, and had a good night’s sleep.