KAMPONG PENDAS LUNCH WITH VARAs AND FRIENDS 22 FEB 2009
It was a cooling sunday afternoon, I met up with the VARAs group and friends to Kg Pendas for lunch.
I like this kind of cooling weather after the rain [is it, can't remember is it after rain, LOL]. Singapore is either hot sunny day or wet raining day which makes traveling sux.
As usual, met up in GP Petronas saw YanCurly, David+Mavis, Fuji & Niall all riding Varadero 1k.
I bought 750ml 100plus to quench my thirst. Everytime I reached GP Petronas I would feel thirsty after the ride.
Along the way, the other joined in [not in order] - Don Didi + Mel, James + Nia.
The last to arrive was a HAYA........teh. To be exact, SUZUKI Hayateh, kup chai rode by Joemac + Suzie, hahaahaaa.
Eddie riding alone a Deauville 650 joined our group after some chat with Fuji.
HAYA...teh>>>
The group has some heartily chat and was joking with the 2 fierce kup chai - Sparkz & Haya---teh. Why fierce??? Because both using full face helmets with Don Didi using a high end Schuberth full-face helmets. Chatting
We set off via North-South Highway and turn to Nusajaya and thru the long winding trunk road to Kg Pendas because James STX1300 is too big to squeeze thru the short-cut behind GPPetronas. Reaching Kg Pendas, we park our bikes and leisurely continue to have our lunch. 2 tables with 10+ members. Halfway thru the lunch, Noh called that he was in GP Petronas towards Singapore.
Kg Pendas >>>
Don & David guided him thru the handphone to Kg Pendas. A berrrr-nice looking black-yellow Africian Twin arrives.Noh joined us for the lunch.
Lunch was good with prawns, ikans, squid kichit[is this the spelling for small in malay, LOL].....+ tom yan soup & the nice conversation with laughter. :)
I broke the chair while chatting happily, wondering am I putting on weight lately.LOL.
Sumptuous lunch After lunch, we went for bike wash nearby while Don+Mel get the goreng pisang. Bike wash shop closed but everyone was not affected by it. Who's cares...is the company that we love riding together with.
We rode back to GP Petronas, chat and enjoy the goreng pisang and 'ikan-roll' something like that.
Riding back to GP >>>
I like the goreng pisang, different from Singapore. Is a half banana that look like being 'flatten' and crispy fried. Taste sweet, is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Finished our goreng pisang and chat, we headed home at 5pm to rest and prepare for next day work.....
Nice outing with the guys and galsplus the 2 KUP-CHAI!
Photos courtesy by David & Eddie David & NiallEddie's bike
Saturday, March 21, 2009
MY FIRST SOLO TRIP - MALACCA 21 MARCH 2009 Distance covered 423km
Today I done a solo tour ride to Malacca after the planned Endau Rompin group trip was cancelled. I choose Malacca as the destination because the distance is ideal [not too far or short] for my comfort. Plus it was the birth place of my father.
Before the trip, it was a hard decision should I do it alone because it can be stressful andproblematic if anything happens in a foreign land - bike breakdown, stolen, robbed etc.
I decided to do it, to venture it out, to see what it is like. In life, if we're constantly fear of this and that, we won't be able to achieve much. and not to forget we only lived once....
I began the journey doing some errand from 8am and reached the usual 2nd link GP Petronas at 9am to top up fuel and have a light breakfast, so I can try more Malacca delicacies.
This is what I'd - a 1.5l 100plus [which I always bought to drink during my trip along the way] and a peanut bread.
I reached Pagoh Shell through North-South Highway after 1.5hrs, travelling around 120~130kmh, distance 146km. I love Shell V-power which makes my engine feel smooth. I thought of top-up my fuel at Ayer Keroh to save time as I believe my super-four fuel tank is able to last till Ayer Keroh. But since I'm on my own, I played safe to top-up at Pagoh.
Meet a group of Singapore Yamaha FJR bikers, chat with the lead-man, they are going to Seremban waterfall and asked if I want to tag alone. I replied courteously that I'm doing a solo trip to Malacca and thanks for his offer. I'd like to continue with my solo trip.
We chatted and at the same time resting. I moved off together with them and proceed to Malacca with my MP3. The ride was hot and my ear was 'hurt' with the 'bulky' earpiece but can still tolerate for the only 'companion' I've.
Travelling at 120~130kmh, I can barely hear the music + the sound of the 'hissing' wind which is louder than my music. :(
As I approached the entrance of Malacca thru Bandar Melaka, I slowed down to make sure I do not overshot. I gauged where is Bandar Melaka thru my bike meter. Malacca is est. 204km.
Into Malacca street, I rode at 60 kmh as I'm not familiar with the places I'm going especially Jonker street.
Although Malacca is the 3rd smallest Malaysian state, it is bustling with tourists. Traffic is heavy and can see tour buses with loads and loads of tourists.
Malacca is bursting with life which is the opposite of Ipoh that is slow, serene and gives one a relax feel. The state is divided into 3 districts, that is Central Melaka (Melaka Tengah) (314 km²), Alor Gajah (660 km²), and Jasin (676 km²).
I reached Central Melaka total about 2 or 2.5hrs from GP Petronas. I took some picutres of the places of interest.
I did not go in the World Heritage, the Chirst Church and miss out other attraction as I just want to familiar with the places. And I'll be coming to Malacca again next 2 weeks with 20+ bikes and still counting. The group tour was getting hot and I just can't believe that it was originated with few of our usual kakis and now expanded to 20+ bikers. Is like the Labis waterfall trip which i went with 30 bikers and is so 'grand'. :)
World Heritage with my maps; The Melaka iconic Christ Church; Chinese Temple
Rode into Jonker street and feeling hungry, I went to search for the something to eat and famous chendol. Not going to try the famous chicken rice ball as it is very crowded and the one that is quiet is not the original.
Jonker street, it is a one-way, one lane street with cars park beside it. Saw a chendol 'stall' with lots of patrons and decided this is the one I'm going to try.
I have a hard time to park my bike, saw one small 'lot' and I just squeezed in-between the cars. Told the 'stall' boss that I'd remove my bike if the owner of the car wanted to move out. The owner with a 'expression-less' face told me that that was his car. That's just too good for me as I can comfortably and worry-free to eat my lunch.
I ordered a normal baba-chendol with gula malaka [which Malacca is famous of. I've tried Ayer Hitam chendol, itis indian style and 'saltish' type] and baba laska RM3.50. I like the laska, it kind of like penang-laska. Chendol-wise ok, not too sweet to my liking and feel refreshed under the hot sun that my arms also perspire....
Park my bike; Chendol and laksa stall; Chendol & Laksa; the other plate is others, sharing of table :)
Chicken-rice ball stall
Walk, ride, walk, ride and i bought the Malacca state flag badge as a souvenir of my trip. Decide to head home after around 2 hrs i think in Malacca.
Head back to North South Highway and half-way thru in Machap, it's raining. I was drenched and went home thru 1st link. Reached home around 5pm.
<<< Raining @ Machap
For this trip, I've done some preparation work especially studying the maps which I feel is important. What is theplace famous for - food, place of interest, culture etc
The good point of doing solo is I can travel at the speed I want and comfortable with, stop anytime, go anywhere but the minus point is no one to consult, to ask if anything happens. Can be lonely and that's the reason I'm not staying over. This trip make me feel is much better to travel at least with a companion for morale support as it's a lone journey of total 8hrs, for company, to chat during trip.
Will I do solo trip again, I don't know because is a challenge and 'achievement' to me for doing solo... :D
I bought Malacca state flag here; Stopped by machap to relax my 'tight' right thigh
Insects covered my visor; Feeling hungry and grab 2 curry puff from Pagoh Esso
I'm a Chinese guy from this tiny island called SINGAPORE. Was born and bred here for the past 40 years. Grew up in a 2 storey shophouse where HDB were unheard of. I like my childhood days where i used to catch spiders in the 'bush', guppies in longkang(drain), ladybird(orange with black pokka dot) on fences, pluck jambus, rambutans, mangoes etc from the roadside or other people's landed property...haha those were the days. This picture was taken when I rode up to GERIK with my Super-Four.
I'm just an ordinary guy who loves to tour ride on my super-four with friends.
I love the scenery, the rides, the early morning cool weather and the company and friendship...
This is my passion, my life because we only lived once...