Temerloh to Kuantan (Day 2)

Route : Temerloh(0km) - Maran(54.5km) – Gambang(107.88km) – Kuantan(137.38km)
Distance covered: 137.38km
Total Distance : 236.72km
Time start: 5.15am
Time of arrival: 4.45pm
Expenditure:
1) Breakfast RM$11.00
2) Lunch RM$5.00
3) Drink RM1.80
4) Hotel RM$45.00
5) Dinner RM$4.80
Total : RM$67.60

Over spend by RM$7.60


Yip!! That’s me. All ready to go at 5 am in the morning. My evening walk on the 1st day did help to get my sense of direction right. Getting started early in the morning without any traffic and with the help of the streetlight, I managed to get out town in just a short time. I did accidentally make a wrong turn and I landed on the opposite side of the road. Touring on bike is wonderful. You can just carry your bicycle over the divided and you are on your way again. Try that if you’re driving a vehicle?

My bicycle with my LED light on just before I cycled across the Pahang river.

My next target distance from here is Maran, just 54km away from my yesss!!! breakfast..yum..yum. Will be easy….. well that what I thought!!! First my bottom (my ass) was getting painful. The lining on my under pant was giving me lots of discomfort and cause a lots of pain due to the long hour of sitting on the saddles. Managed to solved that problem. Just wear the short pant without it. I stop and hide behind the bush to have it removed/ done. Thank god it was still quite dark. Yeap! without underwear. You will thank me for this advice.

Rest stop. The road was wet after a heavy early morning rain storm.

At 6am the heaven start signaling with flash and strong wind telling me, it’s going to spill the guts out. The sky open up at 6.30am and it start to rain really heavy. I was prepared for the rain but not this early. Yes! I was soaked to the bone and it was freezing. I had placed all my clothing in the garbage bag before placing it into my pannier so I have no worry of it getting wet. Lucky I took time to stop to place my wallet and camera into a plastic bag before putting in my waist porch. I didn’t stop for shelter even it was raining because today I have to cover quite a distance and I don’t want to reach Kuantan when the sun is down.

Not much traffic but occasionally you get heavy vehicle using this road to exit to the highway at Maran. So occasionally I will have water splashing over me when vehicle run over the puddle. The early ride was not that bad as most of it were flat or moderate hill.

Breakfast at Maran just 16km away. Hurray!!!

As I proceed toward Maran the rain beginning to subside, I notice a slow tortoise was making his way across the road. I took time to stop to give it some assistance. With such speed and heavy vehicle zooming pass; the odd of tortoise pancake on the road is 99 to 1. Anyway it great to appreciate such beauty that you don’t get to see so offend. The reward was much more than expected. As I turn around; right in front of me was this spectacular rainbow arch, painted across the sky.

Tortoise crossing. You want to race????


Spectacular rainbow arch, painted across the sky.

I always tell myself that I would never want to die without trying to see all God’s masterpieces on earth. Besides being the creator, God is also a master artist. Every beauty on earth like this one it a masterpiece by itself and every masterpiece is never the same. It sad to know how many of us take for granted and take no effort at all to protect the beautiful mother nature given to us for free to enjoy.

My first flat.

Just 10 km from my breakfast stop I felt I needed more effort to paddle just to make up my normal cruising speed. Maybe it way up hill! Not so and I realize my front tire was flat. In so many of my short tour, this is the first flat. Why don’t I just fill it up, ride to Maran, have a good breakfast and fix it after that. Maybe have someone fix for me. That will be nice!! Good plan but my front tire was not cooperative at all. Dame it! In just a short distance it went flat again. Of course I came prepared. It took me 20 minutes to have it fixed and off I adjourned my journey to Maran. I got only one spare tube so I better get another one in Maran.

Hit and run. Poor monkey hit by a speeding car while trying to graped a rambutan(fruit) on the road.

I passed a monkey laid on the road which has just been hit by a car. As I stopped, the poor fellow was rolling in pain and slowly inching itself towards the side of the road. As I approach nearer to have a look at the poor monkey, I could hear and see a group of monkeys nearby jumping and screaming. Obviously must be it family members trying desperately to warn him on my present. I felt helpless as I realize there’s little I can do. As I moved over to the front were it was facing to take a shoot, I could see the degree of it injury. Blood was on it mouth and a big cut on the top left hand shoulder. Fearing for it safety, the monkey stood up with all the remaining energy and slowing lip into the bushes to safety. Felt a bit better now as I could see it still a life and mobile.

Breakfast at last. Two roti canai, one nasi lemak and 100plus. My bicycle in front of me for safety.

After four and half hours, I finally I reached Maran at 9.30am; my breakfast destination. The eventful slow 54km really work up my appetite. Entering Maran was much more relaxing as I speed over 2 km downhill all the way. You can see the Highway going to Kuantan running parallel with Route 2. I was hoping to lose some weight by the end of this trip but at the rate I going/eating, well I’m not so sure now. Breakfast was heavy. Two roti canai (Indian bread with curry dip), Nasi lemak (Rice cooked in coconut milk, some chili sambal, egg and some fried peanuts) and 100 plus (Local isotonic drink). Total cost $7.20 and I felt generous that day to paid (RM$3.80-Roticanai with chicken curry) for a blind old “Pakcik” (Malaysian way of addressing an elder) which share the same table with me.

With a total refill and a good rest of 45 minutes, I was off searching for my spare tire. Lucky for me it didn’t take long before I manage to purchase two spares. Asking around do help. Small town like this usually everyone knows what they have in their town.

The ride to Gambang (my next stop) was nice. After an early thunder storm, the weather was much cooler and cloudy. The sun managed to slip through once in a while but the reminding journey to Kuantan was cooling and shady. Niceee!!!.

Beautiful lake along the way.

Lots of green, beautiful lake along the way and good weather make a nice ride to Gambang which is another 54km away. Stopping occasionally to rest and take some nice shots did make the ride more relaxing and enjoyable. Lunch time was 2.30pm at Gambang. By now I had covered 107km. Lots of trucks stopped here for lunch before proceeding to Kuantan or to Pekan after exiting from the highway. Lunch was just a simple chicken rice and drink (RM5.00). The curious shop/restaurant owner and have a chat with me. He was rather surprise when I told him I was doing a solo tour to the east coast from Kuala Lumpur. Why solo he asked? Ya.. hah! why solo? Good question. I suppose I enjoy the flexibility and the freedom of cycling at my own pase. More over I can never catch-up with all the young Tour D’ Langkawi guys if they joint me or if I joint them. Why bicycle? Well on a bicycle speed you get to really see everything along the way whether you like it or not. More over you can feel the real satisfaction of travelling on your effort. Doing solo do have their set back. When you need to go to the toilet to do a biggy, you don’t feel safe even if you bike are locked up. Well I did find some consolation every time from the restaurant owner when I patronize their shop. The trick is to smile and be friendly. Start some small talk and their curiosity will take over and before long Wallah! you are friend. He will be happy to keep an eye on your bicycle during your brief absent. Malaysian are usually a friendly lots and happy to help out especially if you are a foreign traveler traveling in our country.

Two ‘Orang Asli’(Native) selling chopping board and Sampan (Wooden Boat) paddle made from local timber.


Beautiful Chinese Temple. I don’t think I will enjoy walking up. Do you?

Welcome arch just before you enter Kuantan.

Entering Kuantan is a long 10km straight flat road passing the airport on the left. Even though the traffic was heavy, the emergency lane at side was ideal and safe to cycle into town. Only after you crossed the bridge, traffic get a bit havoc. Finally reach Kuantan. Checking my speedometer indicated I had cover 137.38 km. It’s 4.45pm when I check in Sungai Wang Utama Hotel. Below are the rates for your reference should you decided to stay here. Telephone number : 609-513 4233. Owner handphone : Tan Lian Kui, 013-935-2233. Address : No 16, Jalan Penjara, Kuantan. Very clean and right in the center of town.

The RM$35 room was taken up. So I took the RM$45 room which I felt was reasonably cheap and is on the ground floor. Cheap for me but not for an Italian lady backpacker standing beside me. She have been traveling since October ’08 so every cents count. She went to another hotel looking for a better deal. I was too lazy and settle with the ground floor room which I thought was great deal. I don’t have to carry my bike up & it was just two rooms behind the reception counter. A very wrong choice which I regretted later. See these two ladies below. Remember their face. If you decide to stay here and this two are still there, please take the room up stair. You will thank me later. This two will yak and yak (talk) none stop for hours and hours. With a narrow walkway leading to my room; their voice echo will keep you awake, Guarantee. Forget about taking an evening nap or go to bed early. Even the late evening thunderstorm could not beat their voice.

Talkative receptionist. Remember their face!

Bike in my room. Airing my map and personal items. Getting ready for tomorrow.

The room are clean with attached bath room. Hot shower with air-condition and TV throw in. My only complaint (beside the talkative receptionist) was the pillow case. It smelt. Got to wash my hair the next morning to get the smelt off. Dinner is just a 3 or 4 shop lots away from the Hotel. Can order dishes and rice or just fried rice or noodles. I could have try their ‘Chili Lala’ (Clam fried with chili). I notice everyone was ordering it after I had ordered my fried noodle. Another setback if you are doing solo. If you have another partner, you can order more and share out the cost. A big shopping Mall is just a short walking distance away if you choose to do some shopping. I did take a short tour around town but didn’t enjoy it as it was still drizzling and the traffic was a bit heavy. I went back and was busy getting my map dry and laying out all my items for airing before I repack it into my pannier again. Tomorrow will be interesting ride. I will cycle along the coaster road which some of the most beautiful scenery along the way. It’s not that I have not passed this place before, but it has been a while now and I was driving a car then. Off to bed and hope for a shining morning. I miss my sun rise…… Good night for now.

Front view of Hotel Sungai Wang Utama. Highly recommended but from 1st floor onwards.

Cycling route on day 2.

Solo tour to the East Coast (Day1)

I had tour the West coast all the way to Langkawi Island but never on the East coast. Opportunity came when Malaysia & Singapore Scouts were experiencing their Scout of the World Program-Turtle Conservation with World Wildlife Fund called “Project Orion” in Setiu, Terengganu. I got really excited because I can hitch a ride back to Kuala Lumpur at the end of their program. That will save me time and cover my journey back.

Total Budget : RM$300 (RM$60.00-Accommodation & meals a day)
Total distance covered : 520 Km
Date: 1st July– 5th July 2009 (5 days)
Destination: KL- Temerloh - Kuantan - Rantau Abang - Setiu, Terengganu

Day 1
1st July 2009 (Wednesday)
Route : Selesa Hill Resort (Kg. Bukit Tinggi) - Karak - Mantakap -Temerloh
Distance covered: 99.33km
Total Distance : 99.33km
Time start: 6.00am
Time of arrival: 1.30pm
Expenditure :
1) Breakfast (Batu Caves) on the way to Selasa Hillhome : RM$2.60 (2 tosai)
2) Breafast again (Karak) : RM$4.50 (Wanton Noodles)
3) Snack : RM$2.00
4) Hotel : RM$60.00
5) Road Map : RM$11.00
6) Evening Tea : RM4.40
Total : RM$84.50
I over spend, so tighten budget ahead.

Being a working week day, it will be crazy to start my journey from Puchong because of the usual heavy traffic. So at 4.00am I packed my bike into my car and head off to Selesa Hillhome Resort just after the Genting Sempah tunnel. Park my car at my friend apartment and started my journey at 6.00am using the old road towards Bentong which run parallel with the highway. Coming down from Selesa Hillhome was indeed a surprise as I turn towards the dark road, my front LED light shine on a beautiful Civet Cat (Musang) looking for food beside the road. My present doesn’t seem to bother it at all. I always enjoy riding early morning. Time passed fast and the cold air seen to make me feel nice. The real reason is, I’m sucker/crazy about sunrise rise along the way. Ride in the dark always have a negative side even though I have my real caution light and front LED light to help me. So would be wise to choose you route wisely. It was really quite, dark and chilly. I love it and further more mostly doooooown hill. Whoooooo!!!! Nice!

Early morning sunrise along the lonely road to Bentong (Route 68). If you love the green and lonely road try using this way. There is hot spring along the road if you felt you need to have a hot dip. Go for the dip but close your eye on the facilities.

‘Serenity’ that the name of the beautiful bungalow which poop out from the jungle hill top along the way. With lots of trees and a clean river running along this property; it owner surely pick a right name for it. With “Serenity” the owner should add another word to it. “Longevity” Tell me who don’t live longer at this place. I know I would.

At 15km, now I got to turn left toward Route E8 (Express Highway) before cutting to Route 2 which is the old road to the East Coast from KL. Please take note; cycling is not allowed to use E8 after the Karak turn off to Kuantan. You are better off using the Route 2 because of the less traffic and lots more things to see along the way.

King of fruit ‘Durian’. “Smell like Hell but taste like Heaven” Westerner will rather die than to go near it (Smell like Hell) but local (Malaysia) are willing to die for it.

MORE DURIAN Yes! Our famous durian!!(Torny Fruits). It’s the durian session so if you are a durian lover, cycling along this route will be you heavenly route. For the Mat Salleh (that how the local descript the westerner) I believe you will speed like hell every time you see such store along the road. Take the challenge and try having one at least if you are a Westerner visiting Malaysia. You dare to travel so far. What can this harmless fruit do to you? It’s not that bad really. Send me a photo of you eating one if you can. The flesh is sweet and creamy. It tastes…..heavenly for me.

MORE & MORE DURIAN!!!. Two friends with durian in their car boot and back seat. Can you imaging what would happen if the drive hit the emergency break at high speeds???

Sign to the Elephant Rehabilitation Center. It’s out the way so I didn’t turn to visit this place. It’s a very interesting place to visit if you have the time.

Yip! Another 4 km and I reach Temerloh. It’s quite safe cycling in Malaysia. With road nicely tarmac and an emergency lane on most of the road, cycling here is indeed ideal.

Sometimes we refer small town as cowboy town. Look like this supermarket had followed the trend. Maybe the owner should add a cowboy hat on top of the signage and dress their worker with full cowboy attire. Look better and business might even pick-up.

Swiss Hotel located along Jalan Tan Sri Yahya. Telephone number 09-2963700. If you are calling from international, add ‘6’ in front (609-2963700). RM$60.00 per night with TV and air-con. If you are cycling from Kuala Lumpur it will be wise to put up a night here as there no accommodation in Maran which is another 54km up the road.

Yes! You’re allowed to keep your bicycle in your room. However you will have to carry your bicycle one floor up where the reception and the room are located.

How the condition of the room??? Well the picture speak for itself. I called this the “NCA” (No Choice Accommodation). The other hotel looks even scarier. Since I arrived just after lunch (1.30pm) on a very bright sunny day, I pamper myself by having a good afternoon nap with the air-con full blast.

I decided to take a nice walk (too lazy to carry my bike down) towards the evening as it gets a bit cooler. Lots of shops selling shoes. Haaam…! Look familiar. “Happy Fried Chicken” I don’t think Colonel Harland Sanders (KFC) will be happy at all. Look it’s crowded inside anyway.

The Store (Shopping Mall) just round the corner. Should you need to top-up your suppliers, you should find it here.

Aaah! Yes. Refueling. Don’t really feel hungry. Trying out the kopi-thiam toast bread, a cup of tea and some kuih for my late tea. All for just RM$4.40. Only after 10.00pm I was hungry. However all the shops were closed by now and I have to walk about 30 minutes hunting for food. Lucky to find a Malay store that was still open and I have my dose of Mee Goreng for RM3.50 before I call it a day.

Cycling route on day 1

Backyard Cycle Tour

Introduction
Writing essay was never my cup of tea or good at writing interesting story. However the interesting visitation and exploration of ridding on my bicycle changes my mind. So forgive me if you think my write-up is crappy. The idea of this blog is to share information so that if you choose to cycle along this way, this blog could help you plan your ride. Map of my cycling route will be included at the end of the blog (Upload map later. Sorry!). Please take note that my choices of riding are more to touring. Some of you might find the distance, time taken and places is not worth the trouble. You have been warned. If you still wish to continue reading from here on, then thank you for your time and hope you enjoy it.

Date : 1^st June 2008

Taman Putra Prima, Puchong - Carey Island- Jenjarom – Puchong

Total Distance – 103.7km

Journey start - 6.30am

Journey end – 3.30pm

The first time I surfed into ‘Google’ map really got me excited. The world map is on your fingertips. Anywhere you want to go, you could zoom in or out to enlarge or have it print out if you choose too. Better still I could copy and paste (I’m a trained graphic artist) it like a puzzle to make an enlarged detailed map of the location I wish to explode. Would be nice to try the back yard where I am staying now, Taman Puchong Prima, Puchong, Malaysia. Surprisingly to see some interesting villages (Kampong) road that lead to the farm land, seaside, fishing villages and hours on lonely tarmac road to ride (that if you like touring). Not to worry about food and drink. It’s not that isolated, both are easily available along the way. All you need is some Malaysia Ringgit (RM) or currency. The exchange rate is US$ 1.00 to RM3.50.

Morning sunrise along a long, lonely, beautiful tarmac road for ridding.

This might sound silly/childish to you, but like “Ultraman” (the older generation of super hero on TV) once exposed to the sunlight, his power get charge up. With the added power in Ultraman, the giant monster will definitely be defeated. The morning sunrise always give me the strengths (not to fight against the giant monsters along the way) to cycle on. I suppose the morning temperature together with the surrounding beauty add on to the pleasure of cycling that worth every crank on my paddle seem easy. Always like an early start.

The first 9km starting from my front door, will take me pass a tunnel under the highway before coming to a short muddy road running parallel along the Klang River on my right. Turning left then right after a short distance, I turned towards Kampung Lombong were I’m on the tarmac again. This straight road will eventually lead me to Jalan Kebun (‘T’ junction-speedometer 9km).

Ginger harvest ready for the market.

There are some farmland planting ginger and pineapple along Jalan Kebun. The soil must be suitable for such plants. The narrow single lane road causes some uneasiness as I paddle along. Traffic picked up slightly. However most of the drives will slow down on an approaching vehicle before over taking after the opposite vehicles had passed. I had to make a right turn (after a “Paid to Fish Pond”) before the road lead me to Jalan Langat which is a straight road all the way after the turn. From Jalan Langat I will make my way to Carey Island where I would visit the Temuan Native Village. Beware! Heavy traffic on Jalan Langat as this is the main coastal road towards south.

The Temuan Native tribe (Orang Asli Temuan) residing at Carey Island had been feature on various newspaper articles of their beautiful wood carving had interest me to pay them a visit. Before that breakfast at a small stalls after the Carey Island signage. After breakfast I paddled another 2km before coming to Sungai Buaya and crossed a bridge into Carey Island.

Beautiful wood carved signage to Kg. Orang Asli Sungai Bumbun.

The ride (after bridge) would be a straight road with oil palm plantation on both side running through most of my journey until I reach a beautiful wood carved signage to Kg. Orang Asli Sungai Bumbun. Turn left and keep right at the next juntion. This will led you into their village. The road runs parallel to the main road so you can exit at the end, turn right, hit the main road and proceed further to the end of Carey Island.

Beautiful carved mask.

Small little working huts are build along the road were the native would carve and display their master piece. Their craft are beautifully carved but way over prices. Tourism had in a way commercialise their crafts. However purchasing here will directly benefit the community. They are no middle man involved and you will have to bargain with the wood carver himself. The government is building a bigger museum replacing the small one at the time I was there. By the time you read this, I hope it would be ready. The old museum did have some impressive carving. I would do a bit more research in order to add more interesting information in future.

Logs for carving.

Mud flaps. Sorry no sandy beach.

My brief visit to the “Orang Asli” village was interesting but I believe the Carey Island is worth more exploring. Just before reaching the end of the road I turned left on a muddy road that cut through the plantation before I come to gentle slope at the end of the road. The smell of ocean brought about by the breeze indicated it’s just over the slope. Sifting to lower gear, pushing the paddle hard over the sandy path I managed to cycle to the top. The beach was wide and muddy. The beach was endless on both ends. Nothing impressive nor interesting on my standard. Maybe I was expecting a sandy beach. I back track to the main road before cycling further up to the end of the Island.

Small fishes caught by some local to supplement their meals.

A woman with her fishnet and catch.

The sun is up and lucky for me there are small stalls selling drinks at the end of the road. As I set along enjoying my cool drink, I could see a family combing the sea dragging the long net behind them. Husband, wife and children each helped to pull the net at both end. The fish caught were small but for this family, it would be worth a few dishes on the table for their hungry children’s.

Lunch time! The back track from the end of the island to the bridge is a 12km of boring ride. However, Kang Guan Seafood Restaurant which is located on the right just before the bridge was worth the effort. The food is good and the price is reasonable. I had dined here before and had never been disappointed so far. The ‘Chilly Crab’ or ‘Fried Lala’ is a must. The restaurant is located next to the river and the dining area is on stilt, edged out to the river. Don’t be shock if you see the waitresses cleaning the table conveniently throwing plates of empty crap shell or shell fish right into the river. Just order fried rice on this visit. Anything more would be too much or wasteful. The long 1 hour lunch felt good and relax.

Don’t miss this place. Good food and reasonably price.

My ride back along Jalan Langat heading towards Banting was not that interesting. Maybe the sun was up and the traffic was heavy. The only interesting site was this model huts build inside a nursery on display along the road. The hut gave a rusty mood and would be idea for our Malaysian weather. However the roofing would be a problem. The local long grass used (we called it ‘Lalang’) wouldn’t last long compare to those used in Bali. Moreover it’s highly flammable. This is my personal opinion and you don’t have to agree with me.

Nice rusty looking hut. Is it safe????

Finally out of Jalan Langat into Jalan Jenjarom on my left. The traffic thin down on this road. The first land mark is the government clinic on your left. 3 kilometer further up I had to take a right turn to Jalan Rajawali where it will lead back to Jalan Kebun and from there on I will paddle back using the same road back to where I started.