www.streetcoyotes.com: November 2009

20-23 Nov 2009

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Friday morning 4am - meet up @ Newton Circus

The early morning sleepiness dissipates with the anxiety of this trip. This journey taken by us is the very same route that innumerable bikers do annually to Phuket Bike Week. Some of the us met up at Newton Circus before we quickly rode across the border to meet up with the rest at GP ESSO.

Gas Stop @ GP ESSO

It was 5am when we reached our first gas stop / rendezvous, Gelah Patah. Top up our tanks and a safety briefing was given by Flash. Odometers have been reset; the 8 of us pushed off and marked the start of our endurance ride along the North-South Expressway.

The North-South Expressway is the longest expressway in Malaysia with the total length of 966 km running from Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah near the Malaysian-Thai border. The expressway links many major cities and towns in western Peninsular Malaysia, acting as the 'backbone' of the west coast of the peninsula. This expressway passes through 7 states on the peninsula: Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Penang and Kedah. It takes a wild stretch of the imagination to conceive how hours were taken to complete a highway of such great lengths.

Gas Stop @ Pagoh

The climate was pretty good with slight overcast in the morning sunshine, however, make no mistake, when the sun comes out it can be HOT and humidity can reach in high 90s especially we are now in wet seasons.
The plan was to have breakfast at S.Buloh, some 320km from Gelah Patah but one big bike boy couldn’t wait no more @ Pagoh

Breakfast

There are a vast number of stalls along the R&R canteen but pretty much selling the same nasi padang food. Nothing special but I was playing safe and had the nasi lemak instead of risking my tummy with curry. After some RRR (Really Relax Riding), we finally met up with Lone Wolf @ Simpang Pulai and increase our head count to 9.

Near Ipoh, Perak photo stop

It would be a dull story full of repetition where I to try to describe the palm oil trees, countless road markers, the continental cars flying pass us @ 160km/h and the constant wind blowing upon our heads and bodies. When we were near Ipoh, the scenic view of this trip has given me the reason to ride on. A winding road climbs higher to a panorama of dramatic lush green forested mountains until a breathtaking view appears. A curvy road splits the mountains became clear and limestone cliffs are showing its weathered face. Even the so-called road got monotonous, we made slow progress, but we lived in wonderland.

Welcome to Thailand

We are really excited when the traffic got slower, a tell tale sign of us inching closer to the Thailand border. Yes we made it! For many of us this is our first time into the country so we weren't sure of the immigration process. Thanks to Lone Wolf, we got our passport stamped, bike details entered into their database and also purchased insurance for $220 Baht.

Someone said "If you don't ride in the rain, you don't ride". The weather in Malaysia was too good to be true for this monsoon season. The myth is confirmed and we couldn't escape nature. It was pouring as soon as we left for Hat Yai down town. Sun has set and visibility was made worse by the heavy down pour. Travelling at 60kmh is prolly the max speed on these uneven roads and heavy traffic.

Everyone is drenched and it became clear the true meaning of this AlpineStar Pants, "Dry Star My Ass".

Hotel – Sakura

After getting a little lost in Hat Yai down town and with a bit of help from the locals, we found where we have arranged to stay over in Hat Yai, the Sakura Hotel. A steep slope leads our bike down to the basement car park where 3-4 security guards were guiding us with their whistles. Beep Beep Beep

Not sure if it's practice throughout Thailand, it is cheaper to buy hotel room vouchers from the travel agency instead of booking over the check in counter for 820baht or 1030baht respectively. I couldn't believe the agency is only a tennis ball throw away, just across the street!

Though the parking area looks dodgy with unpainted cement walls and web filled florescent lamps, I am surprised by the hotel lobby and clean spacious rooms.

Dinner – Zhi Char

It's not everyday you get to be soaked in rain, body aches and hungry at the same time. Bikers to Hat Yai will be feeling just that, wondering around in the quiet town in search for food. Se7en was quickly called upon to carry out his duties as the activities officer. A few turns around the blocks, we find ourselves in a thai chinese shop house restaurant. I had come to Thailand expecting to find a modern air-conditioned shopping centre on every street corner. Instead I found this place as varied and intriguing as its gastronomy - which ranges from my traditional tom yam gong and pineapple rice to deep fried pig intestines and spicy wild boar meat.

Massage @ level 2

I had been learning about Thai massage techniques, equipped with certain degree of knowledge. It's inevitable that we had to try out the massage in our hotel. Having heard from other bikers (not just men either), and noting the smart uniforms that the girls/aunties wear, I decided that this would be the place for us to relieve some of the considerable stress that I'd built up during this trip.

It didn't take long for the aunties to crowd our shared rooms, where beauty has not much effect on our tired minds. Aside from the fact that we might have stank like a football changing room, I'd summarised this massage experience as magical! What I found most astonishing about the massage is it only cost $200 baht / S$8 for 2 hrs! I would be ashamed of myself if I didn't give any tips.

Saturday Day 2 – Breakfast

Lone Wolf was up early and brought us to a store-front restaurant across the street, some sort different from the slightly professionally run dinner restaurant we had last night. The store-front (coffee shop style), probably family-run, has some sort of food display out front so we can see how fresh things are and select food to be cooked. There is a noodle stall where the noodles are displayed along with the type of meat that goes in the noodle. The pig throttle and bak kut teh are exceptionally delicious.

Shopping and food

Hat Yai may be small, but there's no shortage of attractions. Weather doesn't look good but we continue to explore this city on foot. Street food is alive and flourishing near the malls in Hat Yai. Fresh mango with glutinous rice tipped with coconut milk, yummmmmm.

Pity we didn't take any photos of the chaotic t-shirt bargain. The cross sell, up sell and anyhow skills of lady boss are one of the many reasons we bought more.

Hair Salon

While we waited for the rest to meet at the hotel lobby for dinner, Bear and I dashed across the street for a quick hair cut and wash. Everything is just "across the street".

Club Dinner

Dinner is also across the street from the barber shop, diagonally across our hotel. Zhi Char one more time!

Sunday Day 3 – First Class direct flight to SG

Flash, Se7en and BlackBullet took a "first class direct flight" on Sunday and rode straight to SG. Thank god I took another day of leave as I won't be able to catch up with these boys on the fast lanes.

Sunday Day 3 – Budget Air to KL

Bear, Gambit, Cooper, DrRipper and myself chose to "fly budget" and transited in Kuala Lumpur for a night. Lone wolf rode with us till we parted in Ipoh. The journey thereafter was long, wet and mentally stressful. Visibility became poor from darkness as well as the glare from oncoming head lights reflecting off tiny drops of rain coated on our visors. I am thankful for arriving in KL safe!

Arrived in KL

Gambit lead the way into KL sentral and where we checked in Crown Regency Kuala Lumpur Serviced Suites. This "Home in the Heart of the City" delivers convenience for where we wanted dining and shopping, laying down all the necessities to conjure for us a more comfortable and relaxing stay. The service apartment decor is fashioned out of a modern show flat like home with 3 bed rooms and 2 baths.

We took a cab to Jalan Raja Laut where I had the best fried egg with oyster ever! Pork ribs, Pig Spares with vegetables, Chicken friend with bitter gourd and freshly squeeze sugar cane juice, the latest formula to a perfect "back lorong" dinner.

Foot Reflexology

Dinner ends at around 11 and we head up to Bukit Bintang for foot reflexology, something that I've not tried before. I was glad that my masseuse is an old man as I heard age does matter. It started off with a little itch but the relaxation starts as soon as I stop thinking about it. Though it is not as cheap as it could have cost in Hat Yai, $25RM for 30 mins is still worth it.

As the foot massage was coming to an end, I was tempted to go for another round. Intrigued by the cupping massage, I was again cross sold, up sold and anyhow sold. The back massage that comes with it was great but I am not sure what effects have those cups had on my body other than leaving marks on my back.

Jalan Alor Dessert

Kuala Lumpur is all about eating, and I guess as much that the best eating places aren't in the air-conditioned restaurants. Right behind the massage parlour is Jalan Alor and both sides of this street are lined by endless rows outdoor restaurants, interspersed with hawker stands selling fruits, char kuay teow, desserts, and so on.

Monday Day 4 – Breakfast near @ hotel crown regency

"Budget flight #2" - Bear and Gambit spent the night up Genting casino and decided to stay over for another night in KL. "Budget flight #1" took off not long after lunch. The return leg is beautiful with little traffic!

This trip is certainly a success. We have travelled 1,750 km up down the NSE, stretching a little into Thailand. Let's plan for PBW, you will never know how much I love this trip till you ride beside me.