Day 2 Starts from Kuala Sepetang.

Our rooms.

After the dinner and chat sessions where I slept through half way, I just plonked away and when I was conscious, the time glared 6.30am on my phone.Stealthily without waking up Chris, I went to the bathroom and switching on the lights only when the doors are almost fully closed. Cleaned up myself, brushed my teeth and ..............errrr, empty the bowels. By the time I am done, Lilian climbed down from the loft bed and it was her turn to use the bathroom. After we were done, I saw Chris was awake but I will leave the room to himself now taking all our bikes and stuffs out.

I have to carry the 2 bikes down 3 flights of stairs and I left it near the lobby while I took a seat near the balcony and ordered breakfast. Fenn was already there and we were joined later by Winson and family, Cikgu and Cikgu, Irene and a few others. When we have finished, we were instructed to set up our bikes outside and when we carried our bikes out, almost everyone was already there. We checked out and I was introduced to Mr. Ho who resides in Taiping nearby and will be our guide for the rest of the ride. I was glad that someone will take the helm today!

Our breakfast which was inclusive.

We started off and we went up the bridge that connects Sepetang to a village on the other side named Kuala Seberang. We did not cross it but just stayed at the apex of the bridge to enjoy the view of the rivermouth, watching boats sailing to and fro. En Khairul was there too, he was guiding a whole troop of students around. From there on, we rode to the mangrove forest reserve. I knew the rangers won't allow bicycles on the boardwalks which was a pity because the boardwalk was extensive. For that, I wasn't really interested in the place so I just hung around and finally after a group photo we left the place. The next stop is an interesting one, the charcoal factory and this will be my second time visiting it.

The picturesque view of the Sepetang river.

The charcoal factory's supervisor now charges RM3 per person for guided tour around which I think is fair. Since I have been here before, I strolled around the factory compound hunting for subjects to feed my camera.

The charcoal factory.

We spent quite some time at the charcoal factory and some had ice cream from a vendor there. After that Mr. Ho leaded the pack to Taiping using the former railway route. Sadly the 14 kilometers railway track was dismantled in 1987 which I felt was much better if left alone as a heritage site. It was the first railway line in Malaysia. It's kind of sad that , older generations have to learn of our history through surviving pictures. The whole route is now a paved road, going through villages and palm oil plantations. It also weaves under the North South Highway. Halfway past the NS highway, I felt the pedaling getting harder and I was swaying. I knew it was another flat tire.

Puncture break!

So, the whole group stopped and while I replaced the tube, the rest was happily chatting away and Jotaro even took photo with a local villager on a motorcycle. The puncture was caused by a tiny little sharp pebble and it was still lodged in the tires. I have to get a pin from Sherine to dislodge it out. I think the tire is a bit soft and thin already, time to change. After huffing and pumping and off we go again.

Taiping is actually very near using this route. Before we know it, we were already in Aulong, a small village on the outskirts of Taiping. It is here that we also recorded a GPS point of interest from the internet. The famous "Au-long Heong Peang". Mr. Ho was surprised that we knew about this place as he has no idea about it. Lilian and a few others rushed in and bought some while others went in just to have a "look see, look see". The only reason Lilian bought the rack and panniers was in anticipation of buying the biscuits. Then again, after tasting it at home later, she found out the Gunong Rapat ones in Ipoh was better. Hahaha. 

The An Tong coffee mill.

Aulong Biscuit Factory.

We proceeded to town and our next destination was the AnTong coffee powder mill. Reaching there, I was suprised that they were very welcoming and we were asked to taste any kinds of coffee available. There were local ones, white ones, expresso, lemon tea and even Durian Coffee ! I went to the older part of the factory to see some old machineries used in the olden days. It was quite interesting and Chris bought a whole combo of coffee making utensils. His T.bag is getting heavier by the minute.

It was then decided that we will now have some refreshing 'cendol' and where else in Taiping? Ansari in Barrack Road. Where else?

Cendol time!

When we rode, the group was split into 2 to 3 groups because of a fast changing traffic lights. When we regrouped, we were guided to the right stall by Mr. Ho as there was a few stalls under the same name. They were offshoots of the original one. When we were enjoying the 'cendol' , Irene called and they were lost! After a few direction advises and complicating directives, I decided to ride out to look for them. Mr. Ho was already moving and he came back without spotting them. I back tracked further and Chris spotted me. He rushed to call me and I guided the 3 lost sheep back into the flock. Although late, Chris was adamant on having his share of the 'cendol'. Hahaha! So, we just have to wait a little longer. So, after the last satisfied their thirst, we will now hunt for food and what else, Taiping poppiah!

Mr. Ho again lead us to the shop and he also showed us his company where he owned. A pawn shop passed down from 3 generations. The poppiah was closed as today is Sunday and was sold out. The next option was Yut Sun Hainanese Restaurant but that was also closed on Sundays. This is the second time I failed to try the Hainanese chicken chop there. We then rode to the Larut Matang food court and once there, we splintered into many groups as the palce was also busy with Sunday patrons. I had a Hainanese chicken rice and it was good too, while others had wanton noodle, local cakes,char koay teow etc.

The must take picture of Taiping Lake Gardens.

We headed to the Taiping Lake Gardens after the meal and after the customary shots of the rain trees, we were taken around the lake. Time was running out as we have scheduled the bus trip back to 3.00 pm as Kimmie and Seng Yeap needs to be in Ipoh by 6.00 pm for the earlier ETS  back to KL. 

On the bus to Ipoh.

The bus is scheduled to wait for us at the Zoo car park and while they were riding along the scenic gardens, I rushed off to meet the bus and a few riders followed me. We rode directly to the zoo car park and the bus was already parked there and was already greeting us. It was already 2.45 pm and we need to load 19 bikes onto the bus and this will take time. The larger group was still not in sight and I called Irene who was among the group to hasten up the rest. We then loaded our bikes first and after a short wait, the rest of the group appeared. We quickly loaded the rest and many bikes were sitting on the seats of the bus, hahaha. We managed to load all and off we go now to Ipoh after a big thanking was given to our gracious guide Mr.Ho. 

Ipoh also has murals.

Once in Ipoh, after unloading both bikes and passengers, we said goodbye to Kimmie and Seng Yeap. The rest of us rode slowly into town or city now, and can't decide what to eat or drink. Funny mountain soya milk is closed and I suggested 'thong sui kai' or dessert street. while some of them were busy buying some biscuits, I sped there to check if there are stalls opened. There were a few that was opened and that was good enough. I rode back and leaded them to the stalls and we all sat down and there was an ordering frenzy. We rested and took our time enjoying the sweet desserts and I must say, desserts like this, Ipoh is still the best. After satisfying ourselves we then rode past the mural back lanes. It seems every town now wants to imitate Penang. We did stop for some photos and after that we rode to the riverside and slowly strolled along the river. We stopped at a majestically looking rain tree and took pictures there. 

The group photo with me standing at the highest point. Pic. taken by Siew Yung.

The grandfather raintree on the Ipoh riverside.

We headed for dinner and KK guided us to an old part of town to a place called 'Sun Yoon Wah'. We choose a table at the rear of the shop where there was a big car park. We sat on 2 tables and ordered the food. The food was not really good but we were famished so, we still finished it. The service was a bit haywire with the restaurant operating 4 outlets in the same area and with the number of tables served, you really need a battalion of workers which the restaurant sorely lacked! When we were almost finishing, it started to rain and the workers were hastily carrying sheds over our table. We were finishing anyway and the rain slowed down a bit and this was our window to rush to the railway station. We managed to get to the railway station, still DRY!

Packing to leave.

Here we found out that there was a major rail derailment in KKB and our train will be delayed. We are still able to board the train and we might have to scramble for buses again for the shuttle back to KL Sentral in Tanjong Malim. Later, we were told that we won't need to take the bus and the biggest surprised was yet to come. We did board the train, we did managed to load our bikes, and the train did leave on schedule. Once we were on the way, we were hoping that the derailment will be cleared. We finally reached Tanjong Malim and the train stopped! Will it proceed? Hopefully we were crossing our fingers.

Alas! the train did not move and we were not allowed to disembark. Then Fenn and Jotaro called a taxi and headed out of the train telling the conductor that their tickets are to Tanjong Malim. The rest of us, we were left guessing when the train will be able to continue. Passing one hour, two hour then came news that the station master has mistakenly called all the buses to leave. Now they refused to come back.  So, we will have to wait till the track is cleared and news was, the track was OK but the electricity supply to the train was still not ready.

Finally, at 2.30 am or somewhere there, the train started rolling and we rolled into KL Sentral at 3.30 am.

And the stinker!

I said my goodbyes and went straight to the car park. I paid a whopping RM116 for the parking fee and a part of it was KTM's fault. Anyway, I was just glad that we arrived safely and headed back for a good rest. The wait in the train was more tiring than the whole ride from Parit Buntar to Taiping.

Well, that's the end of another exciting ride and it going to be hard to plan another ride that can cram so much into 2 days! We actually had train rides, boat rides and bus rides. Visited, Parit Buntar, Bagan Tiang, Tanjong Piandang, Kuala Kurau , Kuala Gula, Kuala Sangga, Kuala Sepetang, Taiping and Ipoh. We also ate many kind of food and probably drank too much! And when added up, we were not tired as the route is flat and spread over many hours with hot showers comfortable beds to rest. We were also never in a rush and that helps. Till another ride................Ciao!

A 5 Fishing Village Ride + another 1

The picturesque view of the river in Bagan Tiang.

The plan to ride this far north was mooted a long time ago, in fact even before the Taman Negara Ride. The response was fast and within 2 days, the group was already hatched and to avoid further queries , I moved the event page to a closed group. As this is an expense intensive ride, I asked Siew Yung to be in charge of collection and payment for tickets, hotels, dinner etc.

On the night of departure which was in Sentral KL, a total of 21 riders turned up and there was two who can't make it. Sebastian from Germany who was supposed to be in another coach can now join us in the same coach. Most of us know the coach is cold for night services and so does Sebastian. Sebastian was using Xinme's folding bike and it was not actually his size but it have to do for now.

Journey starts this moment!

The train may be wide but having 21 passengers with 21 folding bikes in the same coach is a bit tough but I have planned to have 4 in every end of each coach but our KTM only has one , yes ONE! coach for the whole night service. The train was punctual though and we arrived in Parit Buntar a little over 4.00am. We disembarked and set up our bikes in no time. I went scouted for a place to have breakfast  and as guided by an attendant there, I found it in no time. When I was returning the security guard asked me about our group and I explained.

We had a simple roti meal and according to my plans, we were to hang around till daylight but most have finished and were on their bikes eagerly waiting for the ride to commence. It was still dark but all of us had lights so, we started off anyway. The route was already mapped onto my GPS and KK's too. So, we all started off in the dark and just about 5 kilometers later, I felt a cold rush of wind hitting my face and I knew we were going to face a heavy shower! At this moment my yes were fixing on the side for shelter. I passed by a few but not really suitable and just when it started raining, I saw a twin detached house with a large varendah like space in front and it was possible to ride straight in. I zoomed in just in the nick of time and everyone followed and I hushed them up so as to not awaken the occupants. It started to rain cats and dogs just as we were getting comfortable. The local did woke up and opened his door to check out. We asked for permission and was granted . He even passed out all his chairs from inside his house to gave us seats.

Sheltering from the rain in a stranger's home.

As we were sheltering here, another splintered group was also sheltering under another village home a few hundred meters back. Just as the rain was reduced to a drizzle, we can see the other pack riding on and we quickly wished the kind village folks goodbye and thanked them and joined the other group. We were all riding in rain attires and I leaded them straight onto the coastal route to Bagan Tiang. The tarmac became smaller and smaller and after a while we can see the coast.

We stopped at a fishing village where colorful fishing boats were moored and had a cam whoring session there. As we were doing that, I noticed Irene's rear tire was deflated. Quickly, we spotted a fishermen shed and we all went under just as the rain was starting to get a bit heavy again. We asked for permission from a fisherman there and started to repair the puncture.

First puncture of the ride!

We moved on after the inner tube was replaced and we rode on a sandy but firm trail. According to the route mapped onto Google map, it was the right route. We passed by many cow sheds and we can see the sea intermittently. Then dwellings became more concentrated and we know we are near Tanjong Piandang already. We rode into the main dwellings of the local fisher folks and rode past their front gates and after a while into the small town. I saw a coffee shop on the way but I was heading to a dim sum place that was mentioned in the internet. It was not hard to locate as it was just beside the bank and we quickly parked our bikes and divided ourselves into two tables. The food here was simple but tasty and it was cheap too! Most famous here was their dumplings and we had lots of them. After settling the bill we rode on and I was still riding on coastal road which as actually a bund beside the sea.

Making a U-turn

Initially, the trail from Tg. Piandang to Kuala Kurau was a sandy trail like before and it was easy to ride. Then we saw a crane lifting a car that swerved into the ditch. The workmen there told the front riders that the trail was impassable as it will be muddy and all of us turned back. We back tracked to the junction and followed the only other route and turn the first right that we meet and that route took us to the famed 'bun pecah' literally traslated as the broken bund. Locals used to stroll here in the evenings to catch the view of the sea. It was in the midst of development as I can see the local municipality was paving the seafront into a real esplanade. It was muddy and many braved the mud not caring about the bikes or shoes. The aim was to get past the hurdle. It was not really that hard actually, just getting dirty but another group splintered and refuse to use the dirty route. I was trapped in the middle as the front pack was too far a head and another pack refusing to get their bikes dirty!

The muddy bund!

I had to proceed and since the trail was not a hard one, I had to leave the rear pack to find their own way to Kuala Kurau leaded by Jotaro. I rushed to catch up with the front pack where many had already crossed the muddy patch. A local fisher folk told us to wash our bikes at the local 'surau' and that we did. One by one, we hosed off the mud from our bikes and shoes. We then carried on and easily, we found the main road to Kuala Kurau which was just a mere 8 km away. We rode leisurely hoping that the rear pack will catch up but we have reach the fringes of Kuala Kurau and they were still not in sight. Kimmie gave them a call and they were another 5 km away. I told the rest to stay put until we regroup again.

Bike washing session!

When we regrouped, I leaded them into the fishing village and Irene needs her 100plus break. Why she never carries a few can really puzzles me. So, we stopped at the first waterhole we see and again the group broke into two groups. I on the other hand was looking for other type of watering hole and seeing that I did not patronize the shop, I went looking for a public toilet. When I returned I saw Lilian chatting with a local and I joined in the conversation. Seems the local was also a cyclist and I forego my meal and chatted up. The locals were actually part of the Kuala Kurau Cycling Club and insistently offered to take us around. They told us not to eat there and will take us to better food eatery but too late! Most of them were already digging in.

Group photo at the salted egg factory with the lady boss.

Later, we went to the salted egg factory as planned but with 2 locals bringing us there, it was different. The lady boss was more eager to show us around and even had a group photo together. After that we pass the famous pedestrian bridge and to the other side where locals dwell. The good food is about to come. Yan, the local cyclist boast of the best coffee and that I want to try. He took us deep into the village and sat us at a coffeeshop  beside the river. 

Suprisingly good coffee and even
 better prawn fritters.

The "HOKASAI " as he called it was served and the coffee was really GOOD! It had a hint of mocha in it and it was less than RM2 a pop. Many had doubles and we also tried the famed prawn fritters of Kuala Kurau. The GPS location from the internet pointed to the other side of the river and I thought it was closed. Only then I realized that it was on this side. The prawn fritters lived up to it's reputation and Yan showed us the local way of eating it. They wrapped the fritter with yellow noodles and dip it into the chilly sauce. It was really good but rolling the fritter with noodles using a gloved hand is a bit tedious. It was good enough without the noodle anyway. By this time, we were all mingling with the locals here and laughter was heard here and there. More suprisingly, the meal was insistently paid for although we adamantly insisted that we pay ourselves. After an exchange of phone number and FB contacts, they leaded us out to the road to Kuala Gula, our next destination.

Full speed ahead to Kuala Gula boat jetty.

I called the boat man to inform of our time and we rode quite feverishly to Kuala Gula as we have spent more time that we have allocated in Kuala Kurau. I decided to skip Kuala Gula fishing village and leaded them straight to the boat jetty which was on the outskirts of Kuala Gula. Making sure none of them were left out and keeping them in a  tight group, I guided them to the jetty where 4 boats were waiting for us. Many made a 'pee stop' and also to get cold drinks before the boat journey starts. Next, will be the Kuala Sangga fishing village which got prominence from an article in a local daily recently when a group of youths were sponsored by the daily to visit there. The place is not a frequently visited place and it's charm is still untouched! The place don't even have electricity and water suppply which is quite suprising in this era of time. The only access to this village is by boat.

We were actually supposed to follow the riverine waterways to our next destination, K. Sangga. Lying beside the Melaka Straits on an island isolated without road system leading to it, it is only aaccessible by boat. The boatman requested permission to use the open sea and I allowed it as the seas are usually calm after a heavy shower.

Riding the waves for about 40 minutes, we reached Kuala Sangga. We hop ashore and I was a bit sad that nothing was done to maintain the charm here. The local fisherfolks were living in poverty to actually maintain it and my guess is, they don't get much help either from the local municipality or the local MP. Many charming houses were left dilapidated and were almost falling into the sea. We strolled from one end to the other and En. Khairul was here already. He was the man that arranged our boat and bus rides. A quick intoduction and we were chatting like buddies. On the way to Kuala Sepetang, he gave me some nature info about the mangroves and birds. He is quite a naturalist for this part of the eco system.

4 boats were chartered to ferry us to Kuala Sangga and then to Kuala Sepetang.

The Happy 8 Resort which also house the
Riverside Restaurant.

We arrived in Kuala Sepetang jetty and while this boats were from Kuala Gula, a local boat seems reluctant to move away so that we can get ashore. Still, he did move away and all 4 boats unloaded the passengers and bikes , one by one. My pad for the night is just next door but me and Siew Yung have to arrange some other lodgings and first, we have to hunt where the place is! En. Khairul gave us a landmark and me and Siew Yung leaded a few to the homestay and hotel while those staying In Happy 8 Resort next to the jettychecked in. Once eveyone is settled in, me and Siew Yung rode back to our hotel to get a good rest after the day's ride.

Dinner is booked for 8.00pm. I make sure everyone was informed. I went to the room, took a long shower and changed a new set of  clothes. Feeling refreshed already, Gan and Fenn invited me for a beer session before dinner. We sat at the balcony of the hotel overlooking the river and with mangroves as the view and had beer, never had beer tasted so nice! We even carried the rest of the beer to the restaurant to continue while having dinner. Here, My favourite was the prawn curry wrapped in bread and I ordered 2 for each table along with many other dishes. We were noisy at dinner time, as usual but it's common for drinkers here, BUT we were not really drinking either, just plain noisy with laughter.

After dinner, we adjourned to our rooms and chatted till we slept..............till the next day where the ride to Taiping begins!

Day 2 of ride., click here.