Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum

MALAYSIA PAGE 5 JUNE 2008.

The picture above is Mr Anwar Ibrahim, I have come to admire this man as I have learned of his courage and his humanity. His story can be seen Here, To me it epitomises a dark period in the “judicial” history of this beautiful country. I was in the “Transit Villa Guesthouse when this terrible injustice began to unfold. He is STILL (2008) being “dogged” by the “powers that be”, attempting new charges – to silence him.

The song “to know Malaysia is to love Malaysia” made famous by Sudirman Arshad, Sudirman has received standing ovations in my home country Australia, due to his beautiful voice. It was one song I heard a long time ago, having been here over 20 times. Its beautiful warm hearted people, means for a caring society. I (Mal) truly love this country. It is so “alive” and vibrant. Both of us look forward to cycling and seeing the people from the ground up.

I have a “Long Shot” request of any reader out there, I have lost touch with a dear friend, Rosie Lim, Rosie owned the Transit Villa Guesthouse in Jalan Chow Kit. During the 1980's - 90's and beyond. The place is now closed and despite asking lots of locals, no one seems to know where she is now. ANY information is most welcome.

We'll let you know how we find this country – good and bad :-)

June 1^st 2008 Paka to Dungun.
Approx. 22.43k's Average Speed 11.76kph Cycling time 1Hr(s) 54Min. Max speed. 29kph Max temp we recorded 34°C
Terrain: Hilly Road Conditions: Excellent – wide sealed shoulder. Overnight Accommodation: $26.00 (Inc. Breakfast)

We never intended cycling far today, we awoke to rain and thunderstorms. Setting off in the cool morning the rain soon cleared to an overcast sky. We normally stop for breakfast at any one of the small family run roadside restaurants and today was no exception, however finding one not full of people, was new to us.

Two coffee's and two rice dishes cost us $1.90 - for the two of us. Moving on we looked for any suitable accommodation – in a nice spot to rest up for a day or so. We found a resort at $26.00 per night including breakfast for two.

These are 4brm Villas – Most bedrooms have their own access and are let individually. Each has an Ensuit, TV, Fridge and beds for two. They are spacious and comfortable. You can see them for yourself here http://www.mayang-sari.com. The Villas owner, Abd Baith and his Manageress Rosnah, shouted us a cool drink.....

A cool drink for a cyclist is always welcome :-) Catchya Later.......

June 2^nd 2008 Dungun to Tanjung Jara
Approx. 12.95k's Average Speed 13.16kph Cycling time 0Hr(s) 59Min. Max speed. 35kph Max temp we recorded 39°C
Terrain: Hilly Road Conditions: Excellent – wide sealed shoulder. Overnight Accommodation: $39.00 (Inc. Breakfast)

We plan remaining, to attempt repairs and rest in this beautiful part of Malaysia. - I wrote the preceding sentence last night, when we went for breakfast this morning we asked them to extend our stay one more day, we had discussed the possibility the day before. However it was not to be, we were told that the room was booked and had been booked for many weeks??? We were disappointed but life's like that :-) We cycled on hoping to find similar accommodation, however, it was not to be. The place we have found is very nice inside but near our limit for self imposed accommodation price – the fact it includes breakfast was in it's favour :-) It has lovely gardens..

The rooms are nice too, and are equipped with everything....

Next door there is a resort, called the “Tanjong Jara Resort” with four classes of rooms starting at $US350 – 900 per night... It has a HUGE imposing reception and HUGE accommodation houses... But we think our place is cosy and has EVERYTHING we need except internet.

An average of $US30.00 or so for a small meal and $US8.00 for a fruit juice put us off booking in for a month :-) - Oh!! and so did the room price :-) That's about it for today... Catchya Later...

June 3^rd 2008 Remain Tanjung Jara
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: . Overnight Accommodation: $39.00 (Inc. Breakfast)

We remain to effect as much optimisation on the bikes as we can. I have changed my rear cog from 17 to 15, which gives a 6 GI (Gear Inches) increase over my previous top gear. Of course it does affect my bottom gear, but only by 1.17 GI - if it is the wrong choice I can always change back. Also I have emailed “Schlumpf” for advise.... Catchya Later.

June 4^th 2008 Tanjung Jara to Kuala Terengganu
Approx. 87.89k's Average Speed 13.50kph Cycling time 6Hr(s) 31Min. Max speed. 70kph Max temp we recorded 44°C
Terrain: Very Hilly Road Conditions: Excellent – wide sealed shoulder. Overnight Accommodation: $42.50 (Inc. Breakfast)

Very strong sun today, another set of big detours bumped up our mileage somewhat, we had planned a 70k day with a 56K option both were smashed by roadwork's and detours... Despite 30+ sunscreen on somewhat “conditioned” skin we are both hot tonight... Not severely burned but can both feel the warmth. Met some great people – as usual those with the least to give, offer the most..

This elderly man with a young man's body had a great time with his great grandson.... The boy was terrified :-) The roads truly are just great for a recumbent cyclist... (Our bikes are generally wider).... We have had this all day....

Well knackered after a LONG day so Catchya Later......

June 5^th 2008 Remain Kuala Terengganu
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: . Overnight Accommodation: $42.50 (Inc. Breakfast)

Second biggest city on the east coast – we stopped to explore, walking mostly in the cool of the evening

June 6^th 2008 Kuala Terengganu to Setu (Peladang Resort)
Approx. 84.25k's Average Speed 12.74kph Cycling time 6Hr(s) 37Min. Max speed. 49kph Max temp we recorded 41°C
Terrain: Very Hilly Road Conditions: Good – mostly a wide sealed shoulder. Accommodation: $45.00 (Inc. Breakfast)

We have learned that Lee's “maternal” Grandmother's health is slowly deteriorating. She has spent some days in ICU, but has now returned home... I have asked Lee if we should “Train” it to Bangkok and go to see her. She has phoned her family to quantify the situation (as best anyone can).

She is quite old; in her time Thais rarely celebrated birthdays and her DOB was not recorded. Best guess is that she is in her nineties.... She is not sick or in pain and eating OK... Most of us must face this at some time in our lives, it is a natural progression. Lee has decided, for the moment, to cycle to her birthplace and the village of her family's origins.

Lee's Grandmother raised her and to Lee she is “Mother”. Her Grandmother still has many of her faculties, apart from being a little forgetful recently she is well aware of her “family”. Lee knows how proud her Grandmother will be, to see her remarkable achievement. I am immensely proud of Lee, for her incredible courage and tenacity. We will alter our plans in a heartbeat, should she deteriorate at an accelerated pace.

We rose at 06:15 and ready for the start of breakfast – which was from 07:00-10:30 then set of at about a quarter to eight. Some lovely architecture in this city... See this on the river...

Met this lovely family, when we stopped for a cool drink. The lady in the picture has an ambition to travel, we both sincerely hope she finds a way to do it one day...

She spoke good English and we had a nice conversation... We plodded on to our eventual destination and settled in for the night.. The location remind's me of the Karri Valley in WA....

Our cabin sits in the lake...

The setting is VERY beautiful... You may just see in the above picture (2^nd one above), a net on our balcony? A bird got entangled in the net.

We successfully released it without harming it...

Different story for the net :-).... Catchya Later

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