Goin' For a Ride...sort of.

[Digger]

Went to the Penang National Park. While there I saw another one of these huge goannas. This one was the size of a small car.


...also a family of monkeys on a suspension bridge along the trail. I don't trust these things...look at those eyes. If looks could kill I would've been dead on the spot.

Distance to date. 1,310km.
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[Colin Della]

My wife has a cat that looks at me like that.

[goodguy]

A wife with a mean pussy...You just tuff it out there Col.

[Digger]

Still headin NNW toward Thailand...


Damn...closed road. Turnaround and go back.



Strong cross wind. Good for flags...not so good for cyclists. If it wasn't a cross wind, it was a head wind



I stayed in a seaside town overnight to catch a ferry the following morning. Was riding into town in the evening and this guy and his mate were gorging themselves on a dead dog....they must enjoy the entrails. It must be their favourite part. Anyway, I stopped, turned around to get some footage and this one sauntered off as if I had just inconvenienced him. In the morning, the dog was gone (and I don't think it walked away).

[Digger]

Langkawi (island)...this is actually an international border crossing for those who choose to enter/ depart Malaysia by sea. The 12 metre Eagle is what every visitor to the island sees when they arrive.



Chenang (or Cenang) Beach...the tourist strip on Langkawi. The tide was out when I arrived and the sand was hard enough to ride along the beach even with the trailer. The beach is about a km long, clean, not overly congested and I was pleasantly surprised. They aren't all this well kept sometimes. This is similar to a mini 'Kuta' but with less touts and scammers.



I went on their 'Cab Car' today...20 minute round trip, steepest in the world (at 42 degrees), over 2 km long and takes you to the top of the second highest mountain on the island at about 800 metres ASL. Not a bad view from the top looking south west.

[Digger]

I've covered some ground...been on the road for a month. Probably be away for another month.


I was going to catch a ferry to thailands mainland but I've changed my mind. The blue dot is where I am (Langkawi) which is in Malaysian waters. The red pointer is a small island (Ko Lipe) which is Thai waters. I'll cross into Thailand tomorrow (Tuesday) at Lipe Island and spend a day or two there.

So, from tomorrow, a new country, new language, new currency, new culture. So much to do; so little time.
Distance to date -1,549.2 km.
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[Digger]

On Lipe Island, other then a tent, this is the most basic of accomodation. No hot water, a fan to keep you cool and a mozzie net for protection. The island gets busy and so it was best to book accn online to ensure supply. I stayed here for a total of three nights.



Not surprisingly, you can get by with very little and still be comfortable.



There are no jetty facilities on the island. Everything and every passenger has to be cross loaded onto 'long tail' boats and brought to the beach. They use motorbikes with modified sidecars as taxis. This is 'Walking Street'. Closed to traffic after 6pm. Only wide enough for a 'taxi' and a fat arsed western tourist. The street is about 800 metres long. The island is only small.

[Digger]

There are some very pleasant, relaxing surroundings...this is 'sunset beach'. It was about 100 metres from my bungalow to this spot.



I took a day trip to see other islands which form part of a Marine National Park. This was the lunch stop.


I think a combination of too much saltwater in the eyes and the constant glare from the sand almost made me snow blind. Although you'd expect the beach to be cramped, it wasn't.

I am now back on mainland Thailand and although I have done a lot in the last few days, I haven't covered a lot of ground. Time to get back in the saddle. From here, I will make my way to the eastern side of the country and follow the coastline northwards.
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[wightman]

Hey Steve

Do you notice any difference in riding position/comfort riding on the RHS of the road? What about tyre wear on the lhs because of the opposite camber? What's the puncture count so far? Front/middle/little one at the back

[Digger]

Hey Steve

Do you notice any difference in riding position/comfort riding on the RHS of the road? What about tyre wear on the lhs because of the opposite camber? What's the puncture count so far? Front/middle/little one at the back

Singapore, Malaysia and now Thailand all drive/ride on the left. Hard to imagine I know, but I have been guilty of rotating tyres just to even out the wear...naturally, the rear wears quicker than the front. I had to swap out the rear after that self tapper destroyed that tyre in Malaysia. I've had two punctures in the rear but nothing since I swapped it out with something a little more practical. The front is still a slick road tyre.

The trailer tyre is the original that came with it. I bought that trailer in 2003 and it must have covered about 8,000km to date. I did have to replace the tube the morning I left Singapore cause of a dicky valve stem but nothing since.

I've had trouble free motoring for the last 4 weeks...I've been on the road for 5. I worry when the gear is loaded on ferries or buses...I suffer separation anxiety when it's outta my sight.

I did roll an ankle jumping off a boat a couple of days ago. The ankle is quite swollen and hurts to walk....it's ok to ride. Other then that, my body is holding up ok. I figure I have another 1,000km to travel before I return to Australia.

So much to do...

[Digger]

And I've just noticed another rear broken spoke..the same one that was replaced in the early stages in Malaysia. My guess is it was replaced with a steel one and not stainless. I won't be able to get that repaired for about a week where I am.

[Digger]

I'm now on mainland Thailand and will cross the country from west to east, travel northward along the east coast and then plan to do some island hopping starting with Koh Samui (another Bali)...


An immature rubber plantation...I always think of those poor bastards from D Coy 6RAR and the Battle of Long Tan from Aug 1966 in Vietnam. They lost 14 that day with a further 25 wounded. RIP fellas.



Roadside shrine....even the Gods must get thirsty. I guess this is the equivalent of me leaving out biscuits and milk for Santa...cause we all know that Santa is real; isn't he????

[Digger]

I was taking a back road heading north along the coast. There was a boat parked on the road. I manoeuvred passed it and then saw the whole fleet parked up. I guess it must be their off season and they thought the road made a good dry dock.



This is a common early morning sight throughout SEAsia. Buddhist monks offering blessings in exchange for gifts (usually food). I was told many years ago that if I ever struggled to find a place to stay one night then I should go to a monestary and these guys would put me up for the night. The only disadvantage....they do not eat after 12.00pm noon and I don't know whether I'd last without food that long.



Did I mention that I was travelling along the coast....any closer and I'd be getting my feet wet. I guess their sea wall failed over time and it all got too hard. There were a number of abandoned buildings along this stretch because of the risk of falling into the ocean.

[Digger]

I was doing some local exploring earlier today...I never expected to see a HR Holden in downtown Nahkon Si Thammarat. It looked like it needed some TLC. I doubt it will find it here.

I had the broken spoke replaced yesterday. After the repair, the guy held up 5 fingers so I thought he meant 500 Baht (about $20). I thought it was a bit pricey cause the guy in Malaysia charged me about $7 but I thought it was still a cheap repair. I handed over the money and he starts shaking his head 'no, no, no'. Works out he was only charging me $2AUD.

Distance travelled to date - 1,992.72km.
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[goodguy]

HR..nearly 50..Wow...