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 6 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 7^th 2008 Setu (Peladang Resort) to Gerteh
Approx. 33.41k's Average Speed 12.21kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 44Min. Max speed. 39kph Max temp we recorded 37°C
Terrain: Hilly Road Conditions: Good. Overnight Accommodation: $21.50

The resort, whilst beautiful was marginally outside our budget's “self imposed” limit. We fronted for breakfast (poor) then packed and left...

We cycled only a short way today, as our plans are to swing west on route 4, the “separatist” troubles in the south of Thailand have caused this decision. The problem is old and complex, I cannot quantify it here as it is outside the the scope of our diary. I am “somewhat” aware of the key issues and their history, having studied it, on line, over the years. I have visited the area during a time in the 90's when the situation was not as “explosive” as it is now. I hope sincerely that a resolution is found between the key players that will bring peace.

Today we are staying in a rather nice chalet, beside a small river... less than half the price of last night and much nicer accommodation.

A short “heads up” on accommodation in general. It may appear to some reading these diaries that we simply cycle up to a place and “Walla”, there is where we will stay............ absolutely nothing could be further from reality. Malaysia is the first time we have relied on “hotels”, guest houses, etc.. as places to stay. When we enter a town we search the available accommodation, often we find places are full, too expensive, dirty, or cannot accept our bikes.. There are many times that it takes literally hours to find somewhere suitable. It is not too different finding a camping spot. We have accepted it as part of our life and don't worry too much any more... Catchya Later

June 8^th 2008 Jerteh to Machang

Approx. 31.36k's Average Speed 12.27kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 33Min. Max speed. 22kph Max temp we recorded 34°C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Good. Overnight Accommodation: $16.50

Cycled a very short distance, the first place we tried for accommodation we accepted... Along the way we stopped to drink Coconut Water, the guy chopped the nut with skill and did not lose a drop of water

Saw some HUGE Papaya's hanging from a tree near our accommodation.....

How the small tree supported this weight is astonishing..... Our accommodation turned out to be fairly good value, a small two room apartment at just $16.50 per night Nor much time left today so Catchya Later.
June 9^th 2008 Machang
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Good. Overnight Accommodation: $16.50
REST DAY for washing and repair's
June 10^th 2008 Machang to Bunga
Approx. 49.09k's Average Speed 12.81kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 50Min. Max speed. 42kph Max temp we recorded 35°C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Very Good. Overnight Accommodation: $16.00

Awoke to an insect plague INSIDE our room, tens of thousands of discarded wings.... Where the bugs went that shed them, is anyone's guess, but they were not in the room???

We continue to be met with kindness, and I hope it continues as the alternative is unthinkable. This guy called us over and wanted us to stop and eat, we are asked often and cannot accept too often as we would be unable to move. We explained this to him and he accepted it. He gave us a bottle of cool water to help our journey..

Where we are now is just 1 kilometre from the Thai border, there are no official crossings here, however, many Thai/Malay cross the border for whatever reasons :-) We of course will follow the rules in our host country – to the letter!!! Our accommodation is nice and cheap at only $16.00, however, we cannot stay too long due to the “separatist” troubles – we are “warming the bell” (Remember that saying shipmates?) staying the night... that's our bikes behind the chair.

That's a sun tan on my face, sculptured by my sunglasses – not war paint!

As we cycle tomorrow we move further away from the Thai/Malay border, hence deeper into Malaysia.... We are not certain which border crossing we will use, when we get closer to the other side of the country, we'll check our options. We face a steep climb tomorrow of approx 3550 feet (1080 metres)... So are unsure of what distance we are able to make... Our accommodation options thin out a bit on our journey towards the west coast, however, we are equipped with our “junk” Vango tent and mosquito netting if stuck.... Oh!! and there is a significant wild Elephant population that we pass through... Life's never dull is it? Catchya Later...

June 12^th 2008 Bunga to R & R Jeli
Approx. 12.03k's Average Speed 11.97kph Cycling time 1Hr(s) 02Min. Max speed. 22kph Max temp we recorded 39°C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Very Good. Overnight Accommodation: $19.50

Had a nice cheap breakfast with two nice and friendly ladies, helping with the selection....

Made a tactical error today. We relied on local advise for our forward planning... Turns out it was totally incorrect. So we stayed at the only hotel available with the next one being about 80 k's ahead, up and over the mountain. This guy helped us re plan.

So we will start real early tomorrow and see if we can make the distance. If not we camp in the jungle. Jo, our host in “Warm Showers” Singapore, told us this route was “pretty”... It is glorious and a real pleasure to cycle (So far). Catchya Later.....

June 13^th 2008 R & R Jeli
Mal's Stats Approx. 57.34k's Average Speed 7.5kph Cycling time 7Hr(s) 39Min. Max speed. 52kph Max temp we recorded 33°C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Good. Overnight Accommodation: $Free Camping

June 13^th 2008 R & R Jeli
Lee's Stat's Approx. 56.23k's Average Speed 5.89kph Cycling time 9Hr(s) 32Min. Max speed. 51kph Max temp we recorded 33°C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Good. Overnight Accommodation: $Free Camping

I will explain the above “Double” stat's. Whilst we both rode together, I did a side trip to a shop, therefore, the slight difference in mileage. Lee is MUCH slower than me, hence, I cycle for 3-500 metres and stop until she catches up – I do not like to lose sight of her. Of course when she reaches me I ask, if she too needs a break. The mountain we climbed was a big one. We commenced our day about 6:15am and reached the top just after 10pm . We only had two “off the bike” stop's the entire 15+ hours. Other cyclists, with light loads would probably conquer this mountain in about 3-5hrs. Our heavy loads are what's creating the slow ride. The mountain itself is approx 37 kilometres UP, UP, UP, with one small 500 metre downhill on the way. The view from the top is breathtaking and we awoke to this sunrise...

This too is a “following morning” shot...

Above the clouds, breathtaking views throughout both day and night... We were stopped often after dark and warned of Elephants on the road, we did not see any, however, we saw a lot of fresh “scat” the following morning. In the jungles here there are Tiger, Rhinoceros, Elephant plus of course thousands of other animals... We have not been fortunate enough to see any of the three mentioned. Catchya on Page seven

BACK | Forward to Page 7