… Historical Georgetown-Penang; Gunung Stong; Cameron Highland…
Crossing the border was a quite easy job. Thailand said “good bye” to us with a heavy rain shower at the borderline and the paperwork in Malaysia was done quickly under a sunny sky – except we had to go back to the ATM at the duty free shop to get Ringgit for the motorbike insurance… and then: Welcome to Malaysia!
Our first destination was Penang. It was not that easy to find a proper accommodation. The places where we could park our motorbike safely were rare and hart to find within all this small lanes. And to be honest we were a bit surprised about the standard which was offered for prizes which seemed high to us in comparison to all the other countries in SEA where we had been so far… In the end we found a nice clean place where we spend two nights in a dorm room and explored Georgetown and wider Penang. It is impressive indeed to see this multicultural place with all kind of temples and shops. We really enjoyed exploring as much as we could even though we had several rain showers in between. As well we met incredible nice people on the road, like one family from South Thailand who went for a weekend trip with their 7 kids aunty uncle… they introduced us to several different fruits which we did not know yet and passed us in the end a big bag of them. One fruit is called “ramputan” – rampu means hair and this is how they look like: a green red ball full of hair ;-) and they taste is just delicious!
After Hat Yai and Georgetown we were a little bit “city sick” and we were happy to go direction north east to the mountain area! At this point we like to mention that the people over here are extremely friendly and open minded – they are welcoming us wherever we stop, always very interested and waving if we pass by. Quite often we get asked if “we could make a picture” and in the beginning we got it wrong: we thought they want to have a picture of them, but no! They always want a picture together with us on even though we meet them while hiking without the bike… this make really smile and feeling “welcome”!
All in all we spent 4 days up the mountain area where we chose mainly the small roads crossing zigzag up and downhill, several times up over 1500 meter enjoying the fresh air. Our first overnight stop we had at the Gunung Stong (National Park) where is the biggest/highest waterfall of SEA. When we asked for accommodation it was clear that it is too expensive for us. But we were allowed to put up our tent next to the reception, using the bathroom facilities and got hot water for our morning coffee all for 5 RM (1.25€) per person. It was the full moon night and we spent the evening watching the moon and listening to the sound of the jungle. In the morning we prepared for a hike up to the top of the waterfall. It was raining the days before and the jungle trail was really muddy and slippery. Additional it was hot already, the humidity extremely high and the trail got steeper and steeper… and suddenly Kerstin recognized a lot of blood in her tracking sandal: To make it short: after one hour sweating like hell we decided to turn back. Perhaps we are not in the best hiking condition anymore ;-) But being back at the bottom of the fall we really enjoyed the bath in the nature pool together with some families who arrived meanwhile!!! Kerstin`s food: nothing to worry, just a scratch and lot of blood which had to be washed off.
Our next destination was Cameron Highlands of which we heard only good things: great motorbike roads and gorgeous views. The ride to go there was lovely but when we reached the Cameron Highlands we were actually shocked. The whole area was looking like a huge greenhouse and the traffic was awful. OK it was weekend but never the less along the streets you see either plantations and greenhouses or hotels, resorts and gift shops. This was definitely not what we expected!!! We continued south and spent the night in Tanah Rata as it was late already.
… Cameron Highlands; Frazer`s hill; Kuala Lumpur
The next part of the track direction south out of the Cameron Highlands was much better, but still touristic. We chose to go back to the more remote mountain area and left direction Frazer`s Hill. THIS was a real GORGEOUS RIDE!!! Shortly after Kuala Kubu Baharu we were nearly alone on the street and the road led uphill more and more into the jungle with more and more turns. Directly before the gate entrance to the Frazer`s Hill we found our „dream house”! Actually we planned to stay there for the night as it was called “Gap Resthouse” and we were hoping to find a cheaper accommodation in there. But the place was empty! We had a stop never the less and started to explore the place. SO INCREDIBLE BEAUTIFUL IT IS!!! Located in the milled of the jungle with a hanging bridge in front where little monkeys were hanging and jumping around. The condition of the house is quite good and it was clear: If we would have money we would immediately start to run this place!!! Perhaps… one day…
Behind the gate a tiny narrow one way road was winding up in turns over turns uphill – breathtaking!!! We were lucky with the weather as well and had beautiful views over the mountains. Reaching the top we were looking for the campground which was supposed to be at the waterfall. The night before there was a big storm and after we passed a big landslide we got stopped by a big tree which was lying across the street. Unfortunately they do not have real “traveller accommodations” up there. It was already 6pm and we decided to stay overnight and checked in the cheapest hotel we could get to enjoy the beauty up there and as well the ride down the next morning without a rush.
At night we received the message from another traveller who is waiting in KL for any crossing opportunity to Indonesia that probably in three days a Ferry is going from Port Klang. So we decided shortly to leave the next day to KL. We arranged an appointment at Sunny Cycle in KL to get maintained our bike for the day after…
And this is actually where I am just sitting and writing the update: In the garage of Sunny. I have time to make some more words as you can recognize. Either you like it or you just “fly” over it – up to you J
Sascha is doing the maintenance with the Sunny`s sun – or better saying; he is having a “learning lesson” while observing ;-) A new tire and new brake pads for the front, a new chain and sprockets, new air filter and some welding for our panel holder to strength it. This will hopefully ensure us a safe ride through Indonesia.
On the way back from Frazer`s Hill to KL we did a loop through the mountains of about 350km and we arrived at about 7pm in our guesthouse. We showered and left directly to the KLCC looking for a map for Indonesia. Beside we had a fast look at the Petronas Towers, went to dinner in a curry street kitchen and checked our E-mails as we are still waiting for some papers for the Indonesian customs. At 1am we were just falling in our bed… Today when we are ready here at the workshop we will go to find new sleeping matts because ours are flat since weeks. And hopefully we will have a bit time to go around KL at the end of the day…
So, if we are lucky we will leave tomorrow to Indonesia. Nothing is clear yet, still awaiting some confirmations. It is all a bit in a rush currently, but the conditions to go over to Indonesia are strange at the moment and we have to take every chance to do so. Cross fingers and knock on wood!!!
