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 4 MAY 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 :-)

May 28^th 2008 Pekan
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: . Overnight Accommodation: $18.00
We remain to explore..

JUST AFTER 3PM Perth time (GMT+8), my TENTH grandchild (Grandaughter) was born, to my Daughter and Son in law, Sharon and Danny. Both are well and Grandad is “over the moon”

May 29^th 2008 Pekan to Gebeng – 28k north of Kuantan
Approx. 85.85k's Average Speed 13.01kph Cycling time 6Hr(s) 33Min. Max speed. 40kph Max temp we recorded 39°C
Terrain: Dead Flat to Hilly, Road Conditions: Poor to Fair (Roadwork's). Overnight Accommodation: $26.00

An early start to what became a much longer day than we intended, We had initially planned a 48/9 k day to Kuantan, however Lee does not like big cities, she wanted to pass through and get a hotel on the outskirts... All accommodation options on the outskirts were outside our preferred budget. So we cycled on... Came upon a fruit shop (there are many) and had Papaya and Banana's for lunch.

Then we hit a HUGE detour, (Hence the high mileage today) something we had not planned... No options left but to soldier on... We eventually found a nice beach hut with Air-Con, TV (Malay), ensuite, all the mod cons, within our budget :-)...

No internet though, but it is VERY good value... The area is beautiful, so we may stay on for a day to explore. The manager and her assistant we taken in by the bikes... We let them sit for their own photos and took some ourselves

Exhausted now so will Catchya Later...

May 30^th 2008 Gebeng – 28k north of Kuantan
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: , Road Conditions: . Overnight Accommodation: $

Repairs to our bikes required... Will need a new “kicker cup” for the Sclumpf as it came loose and dropped off without me noticing. Effectively it prevents me accessing my top 7 (usable) gears... by preventing the switch from 1:1 to 2.5:1 Not a HUGE problem but will slow us down on the flat and increases my cadence. Will need to contact my supplier (Quantum Cycles North Perth) or take up my friend Glen's offer of support, if we need it.... Will email you Glen.

May 31^st 2008 Gebeng – 28k north of Kuantan to
Approx. 86.49k's Average Speed 13.74kph Cycling time 6Hr(s) 17Min. Max speed. 34kph Max temp we recorded 34°C
Terrain: Flat, Road Conditions: Good Overnight Accommodation: $14.50

Rose early for the cool weather, then left for an eventful day.. We were probably photographed more times today than ever before. One guy stopped, took a pic, said nothing except “hello” then left... Some time later the same guy stopped and gave us an “isotonic” drink. He had three of his many children with him and he introduced us to – what he called - his “Special Boy”

The boy cannot talk or walk and is about 3- 5 yrs old. After talking with this man I realised I was talking with a “Special Man”. When one is confronted with a unique situation... There are no words – just a simple thank you and “Good Luck”. We had lunch at what was the nicest food of our Malaysia part of the trip...

Mountains of fresh vegetables and all manner of curries... + coffee and iced water All for less than $7.00 between us The owner and his son tried out the bikes

and we found out he has “about” (His words) 12 children and cannot remember how many grandchildren :-) Our hotel is probably the worst since Morocco – but little choice as we are too tired to do the next 27k's Anyhow avoid this if you can.

Anyhow knackered now so will end May (Mal's Mothers Birthday – now of course deceased)... Catchya Later

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