Goin' For a Ride...sort of.

[wightman]

Looking like one hell of a trip.....Can't wait for the pics of Georgetown. They've built another bridge across to that island and its apparently a lot livelier than it was 20 years ago. Keep us updated...........

[Cookie]

Hello Digger

Keep up the great commentary and photos, what you are doing is an inspiration for many, look forward to catching up upon your return:)

[Digger]

Oriental Pied Hornbills....as common as crows on Pangkor Island. Their version of a seagull almost. They'll scavenge anything left behind. They don't walk, they hop.



Dutch Fort - Pangkor Island. Circa 1670's. Actually, more of a fortified warehouse where tin was stored. It was a prized commodity back in the day and the Malays attacked the 'Fort' so often in attempts to get the tin that the Dutch abandoned the Fort within 10 years.



No, not Disneyland Pangkor Island but a Chinese (Lin Je Kong) Temple.

[Digger]

The beach out the front of where I am staying. Not a bad beach by SE Asian standards. It's the amount of litter and flotsam jetsam that detracts from their beaches in most cases.



What's that I can sense???? Does this mean that another video is in the making?
I accidentally deleted a number of video files while reviewing some footage so I'll have to get real creative to make this one entertaining.

I return to the mainland tomorrow (Wednesday) and recommence riding the following day.
Distance travelled to date - 924.41 km.

SPOT Link is here:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Robbo]

Hey Steve,
Hope your trips going well, just checked you spot tracker it looks like you've covered a lot of kms in the last few days?

[Digger]

it looks like you've covered a lot of kms in the last few days?

I'm running out of country...although I will kill some time in Georgetown and also stay Langkawi for a while. I expect I'll cross into Thailand in about 10-12 days time.
So much to do; so little time.

[Digger]

I thought the Italians had a monopoly on elaborate headstones but it looks like the Chinese could give them a run for their money. Most graves face East to greet the morning sun and are 'mound like' to represent the mothers womb.


My guess; in preparation of celebrating Chinese New Year, Mon 8 Feb.



Doin' time in Malaysia would be a little more difficult than in Oz (that would be my guess) although Malaysian jails have more hanging space. Just ask Barlow and Chambers.

[Digger]

A time to reflect...I passed a War Cemetry and I usually have a look. More outta respect than anything else. Most of these guys were British with some Australians also there. WWII



Then there are the ones that we'll never know.


Fish farming, Karua River, south of Penang.



If I went in a straight line, my journey would've ended long ago. I've attempted to stay off main arterial roads and sometimes that extends my day a little. Besides, it's all about the journey, not the destination.

Distance to date, 1,156.7km.
Next stop, Penang (Georgetown). I'll fatten up there for a few days and then continue towards the Thai Border.

SPOT link is here.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[jls]

On ya Steve
Google Earth doesn't cut it compared to photos on the ground ,enjoying the updates
Now no monkeying around and enjoy the Chinese New Year
North shore Pennang used to be a lot quieter that Georgetown with easy access into the the hustle and bustle of Georgetown ,but that was a long time ago when I last was there

[wightman]

Nice pictures Steve, the red dragon on the far left looks like it's just discovered the cost of a new Halls Effect electronic ignition "bean can" for an old BMW.

[goodguy]

When in Georgetown, have a few at the HongKong Bar, say gday to Jenny, it got gutted by fire about ten years ago, that unfortunately destroyed most of their old photo's,I've been dropping in there since 82.

[KoosWA]

great trip Steve. Than you for the updates. Travel safe!

discovered the cost of a new Halls Effect electronic ignition "bean can" for an old BMW.

Tell me about it....got a second hand one for the '96 K75, only half an arm!

[Digger]

The skyline of Penang Island as seen from the Ferry terminal on the mainland. There are two causeways linking the island with the mainland...one is 13 km long. Cyclists are banned from both so the Ferry is my only option.


There is a lot of first, second and even third dimensional public art throughout the heritage district of Georgetown....



Some of it tells a story....



Some of it doesn't.

[Digger]

Really slow upload...check back in a day or two.

[Digger]

There are some fine examples of colonial architecture (Maccas, circa 1908)....



Then there are some just begging for renovation (former Chinese school).


I decided to take a rail car to the top of Penang Hill on a public holiday. Everybody must've had the same idea. Long queues and long delays. I was taking some video footage of the crowd behind me and they seemed pretty upbeat. What the hell, go ahead, photo bomb me.


The view from the top...835 metres above sea level. I'm glad I didn't choose to ride up....gettin' too old for them big hills.