My Beautiful Malaysia

My Beautiful Malaysia
 
  Riding along the lower plain towards the upland area of Malaysia one experienced a change in perception;  on the upland you asked whether you are in any temperate countries.  However, you are surrounded with green environment regardless of altitude level. This is something I loved most of this beautiful country. The myriads insect, plants, trees and vegetation amazed me. How blessed this country is.

Typical lower plain river

Green padi estate at Central Perak State

Upland road and surrounding - cool

Sometimes mist develop but clear soon enough

Colonial building turned into reasonable rate hotel

   On the lower plain on the country it is hot and humid temperature dominate the environment but still there are many green. On the upland its temperature drops slightly and give a bright and cool surrounding; very comfortable environment. The green gets greener here on the higher land.
 If travelled on four wheels you would not enjoyed the most. Try on two and you know what I mean. Take your time and stop at the very instance you sight something that attract you. Regardless whether you are local or foreigner dont take  thing for granted just because you see them often. Believed me you will be fascinated.
    Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

June 24, 2012. 

  What is the best time-out activity you chose from your adventure ride? Mine is definitely stay and watch nature at works in the farm. No stress, no noise, no nothing just the green and nature surround you.

 

Past Time Favourite in the Kebun

No stress, just the kebun by the lake 

             Life like that.....                            

Summary of My South America Adventure Ride 2012

14 June 2012 

  This summary of my South America ride covers:

1.   Preparation             -    I put forth total duration, budget, places of interests and route selection.

2.   The Route               -    Basically I intend to ride in a round trip of  selected countries in South America.

3.   Budget                    -    All inclusive of flight, tours, bike purchase, daily budget, fuel and contingency

4.   Day to day report     -   From 10 Jan till 21 May 2012

5.   Conclusion               -   Observations and recommendations.


Preparation

Basic maps and diary to start preparation 

I bought the South America maps from a local store in Kuala Lumpur to give me a general view of the places to go. Of course my dairy, a must, to scribble and document every small details I find necessary. My first entry of the preparation stage was on 22 Aug 2011, about 5 months plus before my start date 10 Jan 2012. Meanwhile, I started to read about ride reports of other travellers in the internet and some adventure ride books. The list is long so I wont bother to include them here. Oh! One more thing, I started to dream of the would be adventure that I am going to have. Also, I keep broadcasting this trip to families, friends and  my 'working' partners.
  Since I have decided to buy a KLR 650 somewhere in Colombia, I might as well get to know more about this bike while I am in Malaysia. Yes, I have a 2008 KLR 650 in Malaysia and with it I mount for drill bags in front and bag on the top rack. I also, went for ride few days to get the feel of weight and handling. Technically, I think I have a basic knowledge how this machine works so would not be a big problem if minor repair occurs during the ride. I think I am OK that.
 Physically I think I am fit to ride this trip. I often did long rides on my KLR 650 or my Honda Fireblade 929 sportbike. Riding is mostly sit down effort and do not need physical, however one must remain focus on the road for hours. This required full attention and alertness which directly proportionate to your mental fitness. Mentally, I leave behind my other administrative things to my family especially to my beloved wife. Thank you dear for keeping an eye on things while I am away. Fear is always there in mind but common sense prevails. Make sure my common sense is common all the time.
 Money. What is enough for me may not be enough for someone else. So, how much is enough is very subjective. Please read the Budget section later. But I will go shoe-string budget. Camping where possible but would be happy to have a decent private toilet with toilet papers. If I have warm water, it is a bonus otherwise I can live with cold water for washing.
 The route basically is covering the Pacific coast from Colombia down to Ushuaia, Argentina and the Atlantic coast upward return to Colombia. In between I will cross the Andes range, Atacama desert, the Patagonian plain and lake districts of Chile and Argentina.
 Simple and keep it that way. The more details you add for any riding plan the more you get confuse. So, keep it simple stupid (KISS).  Thats the preparation.

KLR 650

1 June 2012  
                       Two of its kind - KLR 650. Not fast but can do all bike and will take you anywhere in this world! These bikes never fail me. This is not a KLR promote but from my own experience and observations.

The Blue Camel

Always ready for the next adventure ride

Somewhere in South East Asia

The Red Rojos

Getting ready for the ride

In full action rig somewhere in South America

  More KLR rides to follows...

Day 105 to 115

 After sorting out all administrative stuffs, its time to bid farewell to Cali, Colombia. My next destination - Europe, visit my family members there. But there are some familiar faces and places in Cali where I have used as my base camp for the entire trip. To all of them, big Thank You and see you again.

Casa Blanca Hostel, Cali, Colombia as Base Camp 

Bike's parking under watchful guard of a pitbull 'Bruce' 

Casa Blanca front desk girl who helps me all administrative 

My favourite breakfast stall behind Casa Blanca hostel

Single man band at Cali Square, who will be there every Sunday

Avianca flight to Europe

In Netherland, the too familiar sight welcome me - My family members there.

My family in Harderwijk, the Netherland

And my adventure ride continues thereafter...

Day 97 to 104 

 The Route 25N towards Medellin is actually fast but beware of speed traps! The Aremenia - Medellin road is very winding and heavy traffic.

Armenia Square

  Two things I observed most, very chaotic traffic and noisy. Yes, Medellin is noisy. Best keep out of town. Go somewhere say the nearest town of Evingado. I recommend this place.

Coffee plantation, Armenia

Beware animals crossing 

Straight to Medellin

Manizales Square 

Medellin

Medellin market

With fellow bikers in Evingado

   Armenia and Manizales are both important towns between Medellin and Bogota. These coffee rich towns I considered best place for retreat.

Colombian Coffee plantation

Armenia

Arriving Cali again! 

After 104 days, I return back to Cali!

Me and my trusted bike (Rojos)

   I make a final round about from Medellin to Cali and this point I know my bike service in this adventure ride in South America is nearing end. Finally as the last lashing was undone, I sent the bike for final wash and bid farewell to my trusted Rojos whom I have full confident from the very beginning that this bike will take me home to Cali safely. Thank you Rojos, you are relinquish from your adventure duties with me. I am going to miss this faithful bike always. For me, my adventure continues.

Day 86 to 96

Once I left behind Nasca towards Ecuador along the PanAm Highway, I am entering desert regions (the Atacama and the Sechura). Atacama desert is the driest desert in the world. Sechura desert named after a town swallowed by a huge tsunami in the early 18th Century.

Quick stop at Nasca Lines, Peru

  These deserts except for some areas, are just empty, hot, dry, hazy visibility, fine sand and closer to the Pacific the hazy visibility gets worse as the ocean spray enveloped great distance inland.This stretch takes longer than I expected.

Lonely Atacama desert 

Fine sand and hazy visibility of the Atacama Desert

 After border cross into Ecuador at La Tina, Peru and Macara, Ecuador check points, I headed towards Quito passing through Machala (the popular South American banana plantation town), Guayaquil (Ecuador important port), and Quevedo. Quito is thought to be very rich city where the Inca treasure still hidden somewhere. No wonder the Spanish made their last stand here.

Port of Guayaquil, Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador

The Angel at the Rounded Mountain, Quito

Quito, a street view

Ipiales check point, Colombia

Welcome to Colombia

Otavalo market town, Ecuador

Road side repair clutch cable

Pit-stop at Cali, Colombia

  Leaving Quito, I rode into Colombia at the Rumichacha, Ecuador/Ipiales, Colombia. At this border cross I was almost refused entry into Colombia because my passport only allowed me to enter Colombia through airport! Funny policy that is but the friendly official there help me out reenter Colombia at this land border. Thank you very much Amigos!

     I made a quick pit stop at Cali, discharging some of my loads before continue towards Medellin (pronounced as Medejin).

South America Adventure Ride

Day 65 to Day 85 – Bolivia and Peru

This part of the route I very much looked forward, not that others are less interesting, just many riders often talk about Bolivia and Peru, countries that you must not miss when you travel in South America. I cannot agree more.

  During this time frame of my ride, I covered the Andes range of Bolivia (Potosi, Sucre, Potosi, Oruro, La Paz, Coroico, ) and Peru (Puno,  Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Pichu, Abancay, Nasca, Pisco, Lima, Huarmey, Trujillo, Chiclayo and Piura). On average I traveled at height of 4000 metres above sea level where man and machine could suffer high altitude effect.

 April Fool! - Episode at Potosi's fuel station

  On 1^st April 2012, in Potosi, due to my own careless and that stupid pump girl, my bike took in diesel! Full tank! I almost wanted to slap that idiot girl but I came to my sense and composure quickly. Laugh at that episode and lost a day ride. Was it an April Fool? You may think so.

   La Paz - The highest city in the world

La Paz is recorded to be the highest city in the world. From a distance of about 100 km I can see the mountain ranges bordering La Paz. The high clouds and cold temperature with regular frost and icy road towards this city denote the high altitude that I am in.

 Fuel is a control item in Bolivia. Fuel stations near the borders are closely guarded by armed security forces. For foreigners, getting fuel can be difficult but not impossible. The rate is 3 times higher than the local. But I was lucky to paid the international price only twice; the trick was fuel at some outskirt stations and never at big towns or near borders.

  Yungus valley in Bolivia is another interesting and breathtaking route to take. I cannot express enough how hair rising experience when two vehicles pass each other at a narrow bend. 

   The town of Desaguadero is split into half; Desaguadero, Bolivia and Desaguadero, Peru. The dividing line is marked by a small river running across the town flows into the Lake Titicaca. I took 2 hours to cross from Bolivia into Peru at this Border Cross. Not it was difficult, just that there are always many traders crossing with their goods. I would imagine there are alots of smuggling activities too. This important town is very dusty and small traders and market places are everywhere. Bustling with trading.

Next town – Desaguadero Bolivia/ Desaguadero Peru

 This way to the Immigration 

 Welcome to Peru, Good bye Bolivia

  Isla Urus, Lake Titicaca, Peru side is a man-made floating island made of jute type plant (dry pulp). A sailing ride on one of the Titicaca pulp boat was an experience.

Lake Titicaca, Peru side

 Isla Urus, Lake Titicaca, Peru 

   Machu Pichu is one of my place to go list. I am so glad to see it myself. There are many tales and stories about this Inca City. What remain to be true is that the stone ruins are still standing strong battling the weather all these years. I agree with one opinion that Machu Pichu was not discovered by the American Professor rather it was make known as the Inca City was there all the time and one of the guide actually led the Professor to the site. Don’t be mistaken with history.

One of the 7 Wonders of the world 

  The ride Cusco – Abancay – Nasca some 500km route I considered as another bikers paradise route. It is long, winding, up and down mountain, mix tarmac and gravel, magnificient view and natural beauty of the Andes only to be experienced by two wheels. The sight, smell, touch and hear the Andes are just worthwhile hard long ride. This is what they called “Four wheels drive body, two wheels drive soul”

 The long and winding road   

Restricted visibility as altitude catches up   

Raging water cross your road   

Continuous climbing and winding   

That’s the way it is along Cusco – Nazca, Peru route (The Inca route)

   Peru and Bolivia are the most historic countries in South Americas. The fight for their Independence was last fought in places like Pisco, Chiclayo and Guayaquil. Their heroes like Simon Bolivar, Sucre and San Martin are remembered, noticeable by streets and major roads bear their names.

 More ride report follows.