Boy Peacemaker - Kwaam Aun Ae

Just to share another new song from Peacemaker... it is great! Good MV too, I feel thai director always good in these tear jerking scene...

My failure today has caused me to be fearful,
I only ask for some time to overcome this,
let me prepare my heart for this loneliness and solitude,
having to live in isolation,
when I'm ready and willing to let you walk away,
I won't ask for anything more...

2B.GPS Trip - Ipoh to Gerik to Betong (part 2)

Day 2 (21 Feb)

We have chosen to visit Betong because I personally don't like to follow crowd. Most people just go Hatyai all the way tru NSHW but I find the route boring and the city very touristy. We like a little adventure and excitement so here we go - Betong! Also, we can have a little taste of Gerik highway to go to Betong. I don't like those touch-n-go trip when we chiong all the way to a place then take a photo and go back. I want to enjoy my trip slowly.

Betong is located in Yala Province of South Thailand. Speak about Yala it is like damn dangerous liao. Cos this southern-most Muslim-majority province often has news of violence as recent as 2008. So most people will choose to visit Hatyai which is located at Songkhla Province cos seems to be "relatively" safe from widespread violence as in Yala.

But don't worry lah... Betong is still quite safe. Also seen lots of Malaysian bikers there too.

Betong (from wikitravel)

The word Betong (เบตง) is Malay, meaning bamboo. This district is at the southernmost point of Thailand, about 140 kilometres from Yala, on Highway 410. The road between Amphoe Than To and Amphoe Betong winds on the hillside, affording the scenery of the lake, forest, and rubber plantations. The Betong city centre is surrounded by mountains, resulting in cool climate and high rainfall with frequent fog in the morning. It is therefore dubbed The City in the Fog with Beautiful Flowers. Betong is a large developed district. Malaysian tourists often visit the area because of its proximity. The food is outstanding and has a lot of tourists attractions.

We arrived at border in the morning. Then something unique here is, there is no drive tru type of checkpoint here. So, you have to park your bike at car park, then walk to the office one station by station to (1) get your form filled - RM2, (2) stamp passport, (3) import bike with log card, must bring vehicle log card ok - RM2. After you get all the paperwork done, just go to your bike and ride accross border, no one will bother to check you anyway. And for those payment I not sure if these are official or undertable... but as long as they ask then pay lor... we crossed the border with ease because there was not much traffic into Betong.

There we rode for about 10 min and reached the town. This is the only tunnel in Thailand... and koh went holland there too.

As common in all Thai small town, there is one main street along the city town area. You can just walk around here to get all things done. The town is still quite simple and not that touristy. The only thing abudant here are massage palour... all sorts of massage also can find here :P

And in this town it is very easy to communicate. Most people here can either speak in Cantonese or Malay. So if you know either of this u r okay. But english still abit of problem here.

As typical in Thailand, it is very subjective as in whether you like it or not. I could see Bay quite bored here cos he couldn't find the Thai number plate sticker shop here. Well, some people like partying, shopping etc... for me, I am simple guy and I am very happy to just go into any small thai town to soak in atmosphere, drink beer, makan, see chiobu... so, it's all up to how you want to enjoy only.

This fried chicken is power. The coating is abit salty and herbal but the meat is damn juicy. I had 4 pieces of it... one pcs about RM2-3 depends on the part.

The lunch I had... the famous curry mee. The shop that we had our lunch, and breakfast (next day) is just opposite Sri Betong Hotel which we stayed and they served nice and yummy noodle.

We stayed at Sri Betong because it look quite budget and suit us. One night only RM53 so we all taken a room each by our own. I saw there are other hotels such as a nice looking hotel Mandarin but a Malaysian biker told me it cost about RM138 so abit pricey. Sri Betong is more like a Hotel 81 in Singapore so the guys just keep pestering us for girls etc. If you don't want then say no its fine. Just bear in mind not to switch on Channel 1 (special, but free) if you come on family trip haha. At night u may hear alot of moaning, or knocking door sound, just ignore it. Its not ghost. Just some lone soul looking for companion... hoho.

After lunch then we went to some attractions. The first was a hot spring. It is free entrance and quite huge the pond. One thing enjoyable in Betong is there is not much tourist so its so quiet and peaceful here. The climate here is cooling because it is on top of mountain... quite pleasant like cameron highland.

This paikia... took his photo also want to hentam me...

There is one area to cook the eggs. The water is damn hot over there... at the background are two Malaysian GS bikers. That girl is their companion... can be "rented" at Betong town. Quite chio...

Actually also got few girls wave and smile at me... as if I so engtao like that... hmm... duno are they just being friendly or for rental lei... but quite chio.

Then we went to visit the Piyamit Tunnel. It is located at the 1st Friendship Village. Many years ago these mountain area got alot of Malaya Communist fighting against the government army. Then they had peace talk and Thai government granted them asylum and gave them lands to build houses. So they now all settled down around 1,2,3,4,5... friendship villages around Betong.

The road to the village is very very steep. I think some parts are like 70 degree high and you have to full throttle up... if you slow or stop confirm buang. And there is one scary section which is 80 degree up-slope then have to make a U-turn...

Malaya Communist are mostly chinese. So you can see lots of Chinese stuff here. And people here speak in pure Mandarin... very china.

The entrance fee to the tunnel is RM5. Quite ex by Thai standard but worth the visit. Because it is not always that you have the chance to visit a real communist warfare tunnel.

A little history...

Have to climb quite long into the jungle...

You can study, sleep, or get married in the tunnel... bomb? No problem...

The tunnel is suprisingly cooling... like got natural aircon... but its quite dark inside and I don't dare to go so deep if alone. Lucky Koh was with me.

At the exhibition hall, I met one uncle Mr Lin and had nice chat with him. He was also ex-Malaya communist and now taking care of this place. He is very friendly fellow and laugh alot... one really cannot tell by his face that he was the soldier that hid in this jungle and fight against the government army years ago. He speaks in very fluent Mandarin as if he is just from China... well maybe they just live in this small community and seldom go out to thai town.

Its really worth the visit to Betong by coming here. See, seldom you got chance to visit ex-communist place and talk to the real soldier. They really fought the war before and all in peace now...

Thereafter we just rode to a Flower Garden which is quite near to Friendship Village. There is a tarmac road leading up to the garden but there are also plenty of slope and turn. If you skid n buang, you can just roll down to the hill.

Some very nice flowers here... Bay said they look like fake plastic... cos really too perfect looking right? This garden actually has some rooms and you can stay overnight here. Good for family trip or if you like to be with nature.

Coming down from the garden was super heavy rain... all soaked up and cold. Went back to hotel and rest and at night all just OTOT liao :P

Day 3 (22 Feb)

We left Betong at about 8am. The town was heavily misty. It is cloud and very condensed with water vapour. The water was all over my visor and I couldn't really see the road well beyond 10 meter. Very very cold!

We reached Malaysia Gerik town at about 10am, then all the way to Tapah R&R at 12pm. From then it was all the way heavy rain till GP and I reached there at about 7.30pm. The return journey was just wet wet wet. My handphone kena water and haywire... my raincoat torn cos its cheapo one... so total distance traveled was 1550km... total damage handphone+raincoat... total cost - - - PRICELESS!

It was an eventful trip. I had spoilt my phone, Koh went holland, return heavy rain, last journey went holland again, etc etc. But in this trip I also experienced alot of new stuff. I know not only my bike can do it, I myself also can make it to border too. It is easy for bigger cc bike to go that far, but bear in mind we are just 125cc... kudos! I cup corner at Gerik myself and it was totally mesmerising. I visited Betong which was so cooling I really enjoyed it to the max. And many many. I do not know when will be our next long trip together, but I hope we all enjoyed the trip together and let's the friendship go on after the trip.

Farewell my buddies.

2B.GPS Trip - Ipoh to Gerik to Betong (part 1)

Day 1 (20 Feb)

We had our 2B.GPS trip again from 20-22 Feb. At first we planned to just go Melaka and Ipoh, but Bay suggested that why not first night go Ipoh then come back to Melaka. And then again I suggested since we already go Ipoh why not just shoot all the way to Thailand? This cool cruiser (Koh) also siao on with us and ok so we will go Thailand man!

We set off at 9am from GP. We have alot of unknown in front of us... both Bay and Koh first time go so far... especially kudos to Koh cos it is his first time go touring out of Johor... yet he just shoot all the way to Thailand, where most bikers not even go yet.

The journey to Ipoh was quite relax. We just rode at our own pace and rest every 200km for fuel stop. Once a while we also stopped for photo. Anyway the journey was quite hot... it was also quite monotonous because it is just all the way straight in NSHW.


See this meant we near to Ipoh liao...

We exited Gopeng at about 4pm because we wanted to visit Kellies Castle first. From Gopeng exit, just take route 1 then follow the sign towards Batu Gajah can reach. That stretch of the trunk road is the best I ever travel. The road condition is super nice and not much traffic too.


This castle was built by one angmo... then before completion he died. After that got people claimed it is haunted etc and it has since become quite mystery. The entrance fee is RM5.


This castle is very photogenic. So almost every corner is good photo spot. The building art also nice... I dun study art but I also think it is quite special lar...


The haunted corridor... where that angmo ghost walking to n fro... u see anything?


The whole castle actually quite vacant and quiet... no wonder it is also a good "haunt" to have some quickie... hehehe...

Got rooftop somemore... very nice view of Ipoh area from there.

The mystery tree that look like a bear... If in Singapore it sure become a 4D praying altar liao.

After the visit, we went to our hotel. Using GPS I found Hotel Excelsior with ease. By the way the receptionist really chio...

Rest liao then go makan... our choice was this restaurant selling bean sprout chicken. It seems quite famous.

Shiok here is you can just anyhow park at the street.

I ordered this drink called Kam Kat (sour plum) and its damn power and nice... very appetizing and thirst quencing. I had 3 glasses of it... cant stop!

Our food. The chicken is ok. But the bean sprout is really nice. It is very fat type and minus the typical tauge taste. Very crunchy and very fresh. I like it.

Ipoh is really ghost town at night. Almost all the shop closed for business and the street are just total empty. Hello... it was just friday... not even weekend. We just walked around the empty street, went to a shopping mall (lucky still have one), then go back to hotel to koon... for our next day Thailand ride.

Day 2 (21 Feb)

After the super yummy breakfast at hotel, we left for Gerik at 8am. The NSHW after Ipoh is the most scenic stretch in my opinion. The climate there is also very cooling and pleasing. Alot of nice corner to cup too...

After a short ride then we exited at Kuala Kangsar towards Gerik... the road of unknown... the road towards bikers paradise!

Route 76 towards Gerik... aka Gerik Highway, is a very famous trunk road for its nice scenery and pleasant weather... the road condition is superb, mostly straight and with those nice nice corner which you can cup it in full throttle going at 100kmh...

I just feel like I riding into the cloud... very nice very nice... can take off n fly...

So nice we kept stop here and there to take photo...

Then we reached Gerik...

This uncle hor... u see him everytime chincai chincai... but he can be quite siao on... he wanted to climb on top to the sign... trust me it was quite steep and high! We both young man also no gut to climb lor...

From Gerik, we have to go by route 77 to go Pengkalan Hulu in order to go Betong. This stretch of route is the most challenging in our trip because there are lots of hairpin turn. It is esp dangerous if going downslope in high speed then suddenly see the turn... anyway it need lots of concentration to travel there and I am glad we all make it... to... BETONG THAILAND!

(to be continue)

I'm Back!

Back safely from Thailand... although the trip was hot-cold-wet... it's super memorable... stay tuned...

2B.GPS Trip - Kluang Ride (part 2)

Another picture of dragon fruit... and seems like Kluang has quite lots of dragon fruit farm too.

There is one observation tower at uphill. It's quite windy there. Its also quite amazing to see how huge the farm is. I have seen some vege farms in Singapore but they are all quite smallish.

Overall this is a very nice farm to visit. To top it all, it is free entry (unlike Desaru one which must pay). So you can just roam around as you wish. I believe it will be very leisurely to walk around if the weather is not too hot.

ZENXIN ORGANIC PARK - Batu 9, Jalan Batu Pahat ,86000 Kluang, Johor

It was about 12+ so we decided to move off into Kluang town. Actually I found the distance from Ayer Hitam to Kluang is quite short and easy if compared with Batu Pahat. Maybe because Kluang is more quiet town and the traffic is not that heavy.

Our first stop was to go Kluang railway station to try their famous Rail Coffee. But too bad it was closed at that hour. So have to go elsewhere and will come back later.

To kill time I looked at my GPS and located a shopping centre to visit. Cos usually in Malaysian small town, the shopping centre is always the centre of activities which you can find shops, makan, entertainment etc. And from my experience they really love to associate megal mall with "Parade"... so I saw Kluang Parade then go liao...

It is really a busy area around there. There are lots of shophouses surrounding this shopping centre so we just turning around. Somehow we chanced upon a beef noodle shop called Restoran Sup Lembu Tong Jiat. There were so many cars there and people just come and go. This one must be ho liao...

They have lots of noodle variety to choose... the boss just uttered things like bihun mei laifun kuay teow etc... then I just pick the easiest one - Kuay Teow... haha... I too used to order Kuay Teow liao... in Thailand, Kuay Teow is the easiest phrase to communicate, cos if order other mee they wil then ask sen yai sen lek sen... very troublesome...

The noodle come in 3 sizes, small RM4.50, medium RM5.50, and large RM6.50. We ordered a medium one to share as we don't want to eat too full. Only soup variety here... no have dry one.

The noodle came in generous portion of beef meat and parts. The beef is very tender and not rubberish, and the parts like tripe etc is surprising nice... given that I usually don't like it one... but this one really yummy...

What is most power is the soup. It is very light and clear type, very tasty and the flavour is just right. Actually I find this kind of soup based quite similar to Thailand one... very light and sweet flavouring... nice.

It's actually quite easy to locate this shop. It's around the corner from Kluang Parade, and you cant miss their logo. This is the food that make our trip to Kluang really worthwhile! Must try!

Restoran Sup Lembu Tong Jiat - No. 5, Jalan Langsat, 86000 Kluang, Johor

Remember I told you about the Kluang Rail Coffee? Actually I also saw one modern looking shop saying Kluang Rail Coffee near Kluang Parade. Look like its also authentic and they have the deco like Old Town Cafe. But I feel that atmosphere is actually more important, so I went back to the "original" shop at railway station.

It was very very busy business there. But the waiters were all very friendly and hardworking... no problem to place order. I got myself a Roti Keping (toasted bread) with kaya and margerine, coffee, and half boiled eggs.

Actually the coffee is so so. Not really give me the explosive feel. But the roti is good. The slice is quite thin but crispy... and it makes the proportion between the bread and fillings just right.

To my surprise, the best thing is the half boiled eggs. They really controled the timing well and the eggs is like 60% hard. Not too runny, not too hard. As the result, the egg yolk having this bright yellow hue. I also tried their nasi lemak... just simple rice and sambal but its nice.

I sat at outside cos I think its more "feel". But if you like, you can also sit indoor too. Anyway I am glad that this kind of old style kopitiam still exist... I don't like those too commercialise one (and expensive too!).

To avoid traveling at trunk road at dark, we left Kluang about 4pm. The route we planned was to Renggam and Layang Layang by route J25. Then joined the route 1 back to JB by J6.

J25 is what I called the typical oil palm plantation route. Along the way only oil palm tree flanking and its quite close to you too because there is no road shoulder there. It gives me very cosy feeling with the tree and surrounding, peaceful and relaxing. This is very different from NSHW (although also have palm tree) because it will be too far and sterile looking.

Nice J25... just have to aware occasional mud and tractor.

Renggam is a sleepy town. Nothing much, so we proceeded to Layang Layang. First thing I noticed was the very nice tree along the road leading into the town. This tree looks like those along the road at Taiping. Really nice to go pass under them, very shady and cooling.

This is the very enjoyable trip to go some unknown places to find new makan, new scenary, meet new people. And to travel at trunk road at our own pace to really appreciate the simplest pleasure around us. Ride slower and see better... the breeze, the warmth of the sun... it is only through these simple small road trips that we can really discover ourselves while trying to discover new stuff.

To quote my favourite movie, Elizabethtown:

~amazing things happen when you least expect them~

Claire Colburn: You have never taken a solitary road trip across country? I mean everybody's got to take a road trip, at least once in their lives. Just you and some music.

(end)

2B.GPS Trip - Kluang Ride (part 1)

Being the organic buff, Min told me she wanna try some organic food along the trip... no problem lah... I heard there's one organic farm around Ayer Hitam, so I think can also go to Kluang to have my fav railway roti too...

Actually hor our intial plan was to go by route 1 to enjoy morning breeze... and to reach Kluang makan roti then go the organic farm walk walk... but my dear minmin hor... WOKE UP LATE LOR... we departed from 2nd link only about 9am+ ... so the plan changed, we have to blast our way to Kluang by NSHW cos damn hungry liao...

This farm is called Zenxin Organic Farm. It produces alot of organic stuff and actually quite famous in Malaysia. You just have to exit NSHW from Ayer Hitam, then turn right towards Kluang. About 5 min ride u will see the big logo on your left (route 50).

This farm is quite innovative to conbine farming with tourism. There is one restaurant, one mart, and u can also walk ard in the farm, or even rent a bicycle in the farm. Quite friendly and educational.


Come to organic farm lei... so have to be rabbit lah... eat vege lor... actually i only wanna have a light breakfast... but the vege portion quite big... also quite ex the food, RM8 for this vege... but... organic hor...

I also ordered the dragon fruit juice... RM3.50... actually not cheap, cos I had the same juice at roadside for... RM1.70 later. Actually dragon fruit tasteless one lei... duno why all fancy abt it.


There is a guided tour... but we missed the timing, so LL have to explore by our own...


This is the dragon fruit tree... actually most of the stuff in this farm is this tree lor...


then hor wil grow flower then got fruit... very simple nia...


actualy we played cheat la... we never go cycling cos bloody hot... walao u expect us to ride motor here hot sun then again go cycling... mai siao... so we just walked along the covered pathway to action action to tour farm... wakakakakaka


mai laugh hor... at least we got see hows the dragon ball look like okay?

wanna know how's beef look like eh? Stay tuned TML... tata...

(to be continue...)

1DTO trip - Labis

Went to 1DTO Labis trip on 8 Feb. As this is my last min decision to join this trip, I did not actually know who I will meet. But to my surprise I saw familiar faces like Huairen, Koh (cool cruiser), and Oriental. I reached GP Esso at about 8.30am, then minum kopi, kua chiobu, kua nice bike and walking around. Only till 9.30am then I realised that my group was behind at toilet... -_-"""

The Gold Wing belongs to organiser Gr8White. He can control this big bike like a bicycle *salute* ... also saw some 2B bikers like bajaj, SP around... to keep me company sia.


The organiser at the background...

We rode OTOT to Yong Peng using NSHW. When I approached Yong Peng exit I saw no marker, only saw these two guys standing there, they themselves also blur blur... but common sense told me shld exit Yong Peng (S) so I go in anyway.


But I was right lar... this is the right exit so we all just waited under the sun... and take photo... but bloody hot...


Actually I wanna try my new tank bag for this trip... it is strap-on type, Oxford 1st time brand only $65 selling at motoworld. I think quite worth one. And I wanna see how easy to mount n dismount it, and will it scratch my tank not... checked today, got a minor scratch, maybe I too engrossed to lie flat on it in NSHW. Sigh... but overall it is useful esp for short trip cos its easier to mount & dismount if compared to my tail pack...


Then we passed by Yong Peng town and stopped there for fuel. Another wait again... arghhhh weather quite hot today lei.


Cool cruiser at fuel pump. Actually hor... I always think this pattern of fueling not safe, cos I heard that the fuel may sudden splash our for whatever reason and if kena the eye very jialat. So, dun try hor. Hehe...

Then we proceeded to Labis via trunk road. This is where the fun began because I always feel NSHW quite monotonous. It is about 60km from Yong Peng to Labis. Actually on the way to Labis my head suddenly getting very tight feel and pain (maybe due to heat). That's why I din really enjoy that journey and bin cao cao (black face) and hope can reach there sooner... then final leg was more jialat, it was a small road with lots of pothole, gravel, and one bridge... hahaha. I think I was the only one going at super slow speed because I dun wan to be caught in surprise esp at those bends... later got gravel or sand how... sorry for those behind me okay... but I am glad my bike able to make it there... nothing mischap.

You know why the photo so bright not? Cos its like damn hot lor... I really chao ta liao...

There is one waterfall there... but the water seems quite deep for me so I din dip over there... I can swim but cannot stand in water... sigh... alot of kids jumping stunt at that waterfall too... they seems really enjoying themselves.

After I recovered from heat and headache, I found one secluded spot to dip dip... this is further downstream from the waterfall, and the water quite peaceful there.

Oriental also joined me to play water. The water really cooling here.

I was getting really really hungry... lucky still have chicken rice n roti prata. Actually the rice was quite dry but since I was so hungry anything is yummy...

After lunch then we proceeded to hot spring... it is more like a community area and nicely renovated. So its not that "natural"... but water still hot lah... mai hiam still okay.

Everyone just sit around the big pool and dip leg... so people very gungho and could swim inside... but I don't want to have half-boiled ball so better don't try :)

After the hotspring then have to make our way back cos its getting dark and have to give the Batu Pahat chendol a miss. Reached GP exit at about 7pm... then wait for everyone to arrive for dinner.

This blue jean man is very friendly with us 2b bikers. But forget to ask his name... only know he rides Super 4... *wave* one thing about large convoy ride is sometimes we tend to live in our own world because we always split into small group... hahaha...

Lucky I still have some buddies in this trip or else very boring sia... this is Huairen with our trademark pose.

Then again chiong all the way to GP Kg Pendas for dinner. Actually I quite surprise got such place exist... cos I always tot GP just one exit along 2nd link n ulu ulu... oh... still got seafood sia. Not bad... next time can explore GP... hehe... maybe 15 Feb, anyone???

We don't eat helmets, we eat seafood. But too hungry, noone take photo lor!!!

This Koh very lihai... people jump ship jump party, he jump table... hehe...

Dinner done at about 8.30pm, then its dark trunk road out. Instead of going via shortcut we went by expressway... so this soft-spoken CBR guy really no fuel liao... habis... I should have warn him to ask them to bring him via shortcut... then along the 2nd link all OTOT liao... when I reached GP Petronas oredi in my reserve with about 2 litre of fuel... lucky me...

Overall the trip is nice and fun. I feel that for this kind of big convoy trip, most impt is about the road and ride. The place of attraction and food actually secondary because alot of time we actually have to spend in briefing, waiting, waiting, and waiting again. So in these waiting time can be used to talk rubbish, kua chiobu, look bike, day dream, lim kopi etc. But it's very relaxing and safe to travel in convoy, because all have to do is follow n follow... no need to think... haha... suit me well sometimes.

So it is actually a very enjoyable experience. Thank you everyone for making this trip possible!

Camera hate me

I think somehow my camera hate to go touring with me. That time went Desaru, my new camera dropped on the floor, then I bobian had to use my phone to take photos.

Just now while on my way to M2B gathering, I left my helmet bag at house car park. Then when I reached Sg Flyer I realised I lost it, U-turn back and found my bag, just that my old camera gone.

So now I no more both camera liao. Actually I quite like my old camera one cos quite slim though abit old...

Nabeh those car park bugger. Why Took my only camera!!!

Sianz.

Kuantan Joy Ride (part 3)

It was a short distance from Pekan to Kuantan but it took me sometime to reach there due to the heavy traffic and the new road construction. A very long stretch of newly constructed road was of the single lane and to make thing worst they separate the two lane direction with barricade and tape. This make overtaking on the right very risky and I chose to overtake on shoulder.

When I reach Kuantan, my first impression was the city looks very neat and it also feels very similar to Penang... maybe because of the mountain view and the beach?

The State Mosque along the Jln Mahmud on the way to Teluk Chempedak beach. I love the pastel colour theme of its building, very lovely.

I reached Teluk Chempedak at ease with my GPS. It was almost noon liao so I quite hungry and anyhow found a place for lunch there. There is one mamak stall under the tree behind KFC which is popular with local, so I just gave it a try.

This is my order, Ikan Pedas Asam (Spicy Asam Fish). I wanted to try something special in Kuantan and it turns out to be very appetizing as well.

After lunch, time to explore the beach. It is a tourist beach and can see lots of angmo walking around. Things are also quoted in US dollar in some shops. But the place is also vibrant with local families and quite similar to our East Coast Park. But since the beach line is quite long stretch so you wont find it very crowded with people. So actually its nice to spend your weekend with family here.

Have McDonald n KFC and alot of makan shops here.

The beach is very nice cos the sand is white powdery type, even nicer than our Sentosa. This is what I called the Beach... haha...

It is a very leisure walk on the beach and very comfortable on your feet. Although its noon but the sun is not that strong so it is still quite relaxing. But strange enough, beach ball or bikini babe are not popular here. So all I can see are only those family outing, play sand, soak in water only.

The beach is quite long stretch and some spot are quite secluded. I am sure if you want sun bath nakedly is still possible...

I saw on some blogs and seems that this pose is quite popular and swee so I gave it a try too.. nice? (but the malay gal who helped me took photo seems quite frightened and quickly ran away)

Now is monsoon season so the wave is quite strong... but also very windy sia.


This beach got its name because of these rocks which look like chempedak fruit...

Actually there is a broadwalk which can link to the other side of the beach. But I was too shack and lazy so I just hang around the beach to blow wind. I stayed there until 2 plus then decided to go other places.

Plot on my GPS shown some parks and beach such as Belesah. But I guess the beach should look more or less the same so decided to hit for some shopping centres to chill out. Hang around the town centre, went Berjaya Megamall and Kuantan Parade. For the Berjaya Megamall it is actually not mega at all and quite smallish.

Then saw one A&W along the way so went in for dinner. It was about 5pm when I done and it's getting late so better go back home.

And I actually wasted like half hour on the journey back because the GPS kept suggesting me a longer road via route 2 then NSHW to go home, which total will be about 500km+++

So by the time I realised it have to U turn back to route 3... and jam at the construction again.

Anyway passed Pekan about 6+ and towards Rompin. This stretch of the road is coastal and the most scenic in my journey. You really can see the sea at your side and enjoy the wing blowing at you.

You can actually stop at any place and go down to the beach. I found one stretch which is very nice and stopped for rest. It actually has a small dirt road leading to the beach.


This beach is really natural and not maintained. But surprisingly the sand was very fine and good quality. It is very powdery and like a wood dust.

I later found out that this beach is called as Rompin Beach on the map. It is definitely a nice beach to come if you are nearby Mersing cos its actually quite near. But what I don't understand is why the beach at Pahang can be so nice but those at Johor one all muddy type?

It was about 7pm when I left that beach and it is getting dark. A nice trunk road in the morning now has become very tricky and dangerous to navigate due to the dark. Most of the time it was so dark cant even see my own hand and my headlight at most only can shine 20 metre in front of me. And I have to reply heavily on the yellow sign or the taillight of the vehicle in front of me.

And it is very dangerous to travel on trunk road at night. I have to be careful with the road as well as the vehicle overtaking me. The last leg of route out of Mersing was also quite dangerous. Although it is mostly all the way straight, but it has alot of steep slope and due to the poor visibility I could not be sure if the front is bend or straight, so my speed has to be very slow. By the time I reached JB it was already 11pm... it is very stressful. Maybe this will be my last night riding because I find age maybe catch up with me. Now I lack of concentration and the eye sight also not very good with all the glaring headlight. Totally exhausted when reached home.

So trust me, it was not fun to travel on this type of curvy trunk road at the total darkness...

But do I enjoy the trip? YES! Absolutely.

Actually in Mersing, I told my friend that I hope to get out of my usual cave and go explore. That's the reason I got the GPS. I found that most of the time, by human nature we tend to visit places we familiar, eat the food we comfortable about, stay at those places people say good etc etc. So much so it become a habit to do the same thing again and again. Fear of getting lost, get rob, or many factors strengthen our habit to be inside the comfort zone. This habit happens not only to newbie, even to the seasoned tourer... ever wonder why our fellow bikers keep going to the same old restaurants at Bamboo JB, Zai Lai GP etc etc? Those list seems to be just recycling cos the first time try good, then keep going back... habit...

I don't want to be like that. I hope with my GPS, I can just anyhow go any place anytime I like. Be it solo or in group... and be it nice food or bad food it will be a new experience for me in every trip.

(end)

Kuantan Joy Ride (part 2)

Early Sunday morning then I woke up at 7am to have breakfast. The hotel service very good one, gave me a menu and I chose the local set of Mee Goreng. And it's cooked after order type, not those usual hotel mass production. And the taste really superb, I love it. Later I realise why I got this special treatment... hahaha... seems that I am the only guest that day... so jialat meh???

After breakfast, one my way to Air Papan... very nice scenery at kampung there. Look like Thailand right?

And saw this funny car with huge banana leaf... think it is also another group of convoy...


Reached Air Papan around 8am. Maybe too early, noone around, except me and some cats... actually I planned to have breakfast there if the hotel food not nice, but turn out that hotel one quite good.

Hang around there for less than half hour. In fact I don't have any expectation for the beach here cos its those muddy n swampy type. On the beach also got those little hole by little crab its so freeky I am sure you don't wanna walk on it with your bare foot or think of lying down there.

So, this is not a beach to come if you wanna sun bath. Maybe if u pass by Mersing still can come in to blow wind loh...

Can see those tiny holes on the beach not? Maybe u sleep on the beach at night ur body will be covered by those litty crab...

Then I go there for what? Hmm... been here done that fly a kite lah. I saw the wind blow quite strong then ke kiang (act smart) bought a kite at RM7 to play. At first I kiasi, never play b4 mah, fly low low. Then later got some kampung gals came to kepo, so I act haolian to release the string higher... nabeh! The kite suddenly flew away far far... in less than 10 seconds... turn out that the string is not tied to the handle one. Like that wanna cheat me money meh, where got people sell kite with string not tied to the handle one... then I paiseh liao quickly pack my thing n left this Air Papan... sian zibua...

Passed by Pekan... so called the Royalty City of Pahang. Really can see alot of billboard and banner about the Sultan there, look very patriotic and like those Thailand one. I wonder why the people here so love their Sultan? Why cant see the Agong picture in say Johor?

Although Pekan is a small town, the road is quite luan and there are some junctions to take note of. I think it maybe a problem for those biker grp if get lost.

And one thing I notice is Malaysia government maybe not good in other stuff, but quite good in build road. One thing I esp appreciate is the yellow sign. If see the sign, first thing mean corner. If see bigger size mean sharper the corner. If u got chance to see the yellow sign so so huge, even taller than you one, u better guai guai slow down or else u will kiss it face on.

71 km to Kuantan...

(to be continue)

Kuantan Joy Ride (part 1 @ Mersing)

Being too bored at home, and actually wanna try out my newly bought GPS, so decided to go Kuantan on 1 Feb (Sunday) for joy ride. Total distance to n fro about 800km++

This is the Teluk Chempedak beach at Kuantan when I arrived at noon. Very sunny day with nice white sandy beach. But let me tell you my ride story slowly first okay...

I actually left Singapore on 31 Jan (Sat) at about 3pm to Mersing. Took route 3 there and it's very enjoyable ride because the road from JB to Mersing was mostly straight with lots of slope... so u can max your throttle all the way up n down like roller coaster.

But this same road proved to be quite scary at night when I came back to SG... really the Dr Jekyl n Mr Hide personality. On the way to Mersing, saw these funny structure, not sure what are these but think maybe are some bunker?

Went to Mersing first to visit some friends. After that then just hang around there tried to look for a place to stay. I quite enjoyed the small town atmosphere here. It gave me the Thailand feel because it has only one main street and from begin walk till end you can see lots of shops selling everything.

A very cute looking pedestrian crossing. I don't think can find it elsewhere liao... very the antique.

I found one seafood restaurant named Loke Yuan along the main street seems doing very well and crowded and thought of give it a try. Actually I found a table inside liao, but weirdly the lady boss seems don't want my business. When I sat down she told me if I mind to wait long time for food. I said it's okay I can wait. Then after a while she came back and asked again if I mind, then I asked how long it will be and she said maybe half an hour maybe one hour. Nabeh... sound really want to chase me away like that lo... sigh, maybe cos I alone and she think its not worth the business?

Never mind loh. I walked around and found this restaurant seems doing well with local too. It's called Lucky Food & Catering which is a simple coffeeshop zicha. The lady boss seems very nice and I ordered one steamed fish (si ban), fried prawn, and hotplate tofu. The food is so so only, but I got a shocked when I asked for bill cos its... RM55! I personally find this pricing quite steep... even if I order crab n tua tao etc at Sg Renggit or JB normal zicha also wont be that ex. I'm not sure if the high price was due to fish but... you can give it a try if you wan?

Back to where I stayed... actually I planned to find a cheapo place to stay, so along the road I saw a signboard saying Rajja Villa RM66 and using my GPS I found it. But it's so deserted and the building like half done construction and gave me the spooky feeling like those Guai Tan ghost building, and the price not cheap, still need RM120 (explanation being RM66 is old pricing, sux man). So, I U-turn back along the main road back to Mersing and the first hotel I saw was Hotel Havanita. It attracted my attention because of its bright lighting... very appealing at dark dark trunk road there. So went to counter to reccee... the price is ex, superior room is RM180, deluxe room is RM220. The staff also very kind enough to show me the room, and explained to me the differences between the room types etc (like those sale wanna sell me condo hahaha). Deluxe room meant its really large and got bath tub. So I ended up stayed at Deluxe one... just to pamper myself for a night lah cos it work out less than SGD100, quite worth it.

Although this hotel has only 2 floors, it has about 40+ rooms and seems to be in those designer boutique hotel category. The hotel is quite new and it also has some awards like nice design etc.

Inside my hotel room.. swee bor? It's only better if got a beauty beside me... hehe... but like that I may not have energy go Kuantan liao... :P

You will know the hotel clean or not by looking at their bathroom...

View from my window. It's super windy night, don't even need aircon also very cooling liao. This hotel is along the main road out from Mersing towards Air Papan. The hotel just next to Hotel Timotel and opposite the Petronas. Very highly recommended! One of the nicest hotel I been.

Night night...

(to be continue...)