Here's more info... or here for even more info and order
Friday, November 20, 2009
Sitesell Thanksgiving Special
Want to build your own business like my bicycle-adventures website... now's the moment to start:
Here's more info... or here for even more info and order
Here's more info... or here for even more info and order
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock is a kind of hidden English treasure in the rock & roll world. With a career started with the influencial Soft Boys boys Hithcock has released around 25 solo albums. That includes his work with the Egyptians.
It's hard to imagine an artist who's work is of so constant high quality. Were there no flaws in his work? Sure there were. Robyn Sings is not one of them. Hitchcock was never shy to explore his favorites. Over the years he has been weaving covers of his favorites in his shows. And with a voice that hangs in between Syd Barrett and John Lennon it is not surprising those two are big heroes for the 50 years old alternative rock star. But Hitchcock has always been fascinated by Bob Dylan. And not surprisingly he decided to dedicate a full album to Dylan.
It's an interesting project focusing primarily on Dylans mid 60's work but with exception versions of Not Dark Yet, Tangled Up In Blue and Dignity from later periods. The second part of the set follows the legendary Royal Albert Hall (which turned out to be Manchester) show from Dylan.
Although this album might not be the best of Hitchcocks albums, it is certainly worth a listen for both Hitchcock and Dylan fans.
Other cover projects were live performances. They too are certainly worth a listen, if it was only to hear "John Lennon" doing Lovely Rita or "Syd Barrett" doing a whole concert.
Beatles cover project, re-working Sgt Peppers Lonely hearts Club Band
http://www.archive.org/details/rh2007-07-01
Syd Barrett/Pink Floyd cover project:
http://www.archive.org/details/robynhitchcock2007-05-26
http://www.archive.org/details/robynhitchcock2006-12-17
Robyn Sings (Dylan)
http://rapidshare.com/files/309681973/Robyn_Sings.rar
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Band - Academy of Outtakes - 1971/12/28-31
The Band is one of the most influential bands in rock history. While everyone in the late 1960's was busy with being psychedelic, using all kinds of chemicals and other stimulating stuff, The Band went back in history to find inspiration.
That inspiration was found in the 19th century (in lyrics) and in the roots of rock music. Their first lp, Music From Big Pink was a mix of rock, country, folk, gospel, blues and even jazz. Some songs were co-written with Bob Dylan, who, at the time was living near Big Pink, a little studio in Woodstock.
Was the first lp a knock out and made it Eric Clapton leaving supergroup Cream wanting to join The Band, it was the second untitled lp The Band that really showed the amazing talent of all band members. It seemed the 5 members played all instruments. Even though the base of the Band was Robbie Robertson (guitar), Rock Danko (bass), Levon Helm (drums), Garth Hudson (organ) and Richard Manual (piano), when necessary, Manual would play drums if Helm needed to play mandolin. Or switched to organ if Hudson had to play sax.
The prime of the The Band were their first 4 records: Music From Big Pink, The Band, Cahoots and Stage Fright.
The Band played at Woodstock but were not included in the movie or soundtrack as Robertson's voice was too loud to hear through his microphone! Later most of their set was made available through re-releases and it is worth to hear.
The Academy of Outtake is a collection of live recordings of the Band of their New Years Eve shows in 1971. Some of the shows was released on the double lp (and later double CD) set Rock of Ages. The original lp was already a killer, the later addition of live tracks made it even more worth to have it. But as there were several shows taped for potential release, there were more reels. Some of those reels have surfaced and put on CD. The Academy Of Outtakes is the ultimate (kind of Holy Grail) of live material of The Band in their prime, the fact that Crash on the Levee is with Bob Dylan is merely a nice addition.
Disc 1: Academy of Music:
1. Cripple Creek
2. The Shape I'm In
3. The Rumor
4. Time to Kill
5. Strawberry Wine
6. Rockin' Chair
7. This Wheel's On Fire
8. Get Up Jake
9. Smoke Signal
10. I Shall Be Released
11. The Weight
12. Stage Fright
13. Life Is A Carnival
14. King Harvest
15. Caledonia Mission
16. WS Walcott Medicine Show
17. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
18. Across the Great Divide
Disc 2:
1. Unfaithful Servant
2. Baby Don't Do it
3. Genetic Method
4. Chest Fever
5. Rag Mama Rag
6. R&R Shoes
7. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
UltraSonic Rehearsal:
8. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
9. Across the Great Divide
10. WS Walcott Medicine Show
11. WS Walcott Medicine Show
12. Life Is A Carnival
13. Across the Great Divide
14. Unfaithful Servant
15. Chest Fever
"Hidden" track:
16. Crash on the Levee (w/Bob Dylan)
Disc 1: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=S263RIWZ
Disc 2: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QWCO7PFS
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Cycling with children - there are more doing it in Malaysia
There are more people in Malaysia who understand you can have a lot of fun riding a bicycle with children. Many seem to think it is life threatening to put a child on a bicycle. It's in fact good fun and healthy.
I found a nice blog, in Malay, about cycling with children. The example should be followed by more people.
That said, the idea is to do another bicycle journey with Johan. When he was 8 years old we cycled Pangkor to Penang. See my report here. The next journey planned is for December. If all goes well, we will cycle from Sitiawan to Penang but following a very different route. Here's the plan:
Day 1: Sitiawan - Bruas - Kuala Kangsar - 95km
Day 2: Kuala Kangsar - Lenggong - 45km
Day 3: Lenggong - Gerik - 70km
Day 4: Gerik - Pengkalan Hulu - 45km
Day 5: Pengkalan Hulu - Baling - 20km
Day 6: Baling - Kulim - 70km (but I am considering the alternative to cycle to Sungai Petani, as that road is probably safer, especially the last 25 km to Kulim are quite dangerous)
Day 7: SP/Kulim - Penang - 30km
Let's see how it works out:)
I found a nice blog, in Malay, about cycling with children. The example should be followed by more people.
That said, the idea is to do another bicycle journey with Johan. When he was 8 years old we cycled Pangkor to Penang. See my report here. The next journey planned is for December. If all goes well, we will cycle from Sitiawan to Penang but following a very different route. Here's the plan:
Day 1: Sitiawan - Bruas - Kuala Kangsar - 95km
Day 2: Kuala Kangsar - Lenggong - 45km
Day 3: Lenggong - Gerik - 70km
Day 4: Gerik - Pengkalan Hulu - 45km
Day 5: Pengkalan Hulu - Baling - 20km
Day 6: Baling - Kulim - 70km (but I am considering the alternative to cycle to Sungai Petani, as that road is probably safer, especially the last 25 km to Kulim are quite dangerous)
Day 7: SP/Kulim - Penang - 30km
Let's see how it works out:)
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Betong - Baling - Penang
Betong - Baling
The irony of the story was that at my arrival in Betong the rain stopped and a bleak sun came through. It was a sign that the next day the weather would be nicer. And it turned out to be a lot nicer.
In the morning I had a breakfast of rice porridge with pork, veggie and raw eggs with pepper and a coffee. The way the Thais do this I really enjoy although the best porridge I ever had was at a tiny market in downtown Bangkok. This porridge was made by two old people who had probably done that since the beginning of times. However, the last time I was in Bangkok, I learned the old couple had died and the porridge was now sold by their both daughters. Unfortunately, it was not as good as their parents made it.
In Betong, a lady does a good porridge too though not the level of the old couple in Bangkok. After the breakfast, I cycled the 7 km up to the border. This climb is easy at the beginning of the day but would be a killer at the end of the day. For that reason I always recommend people who cycle from Yala to Betong with intentions to cross the border here, to stay a night in Betong. The last 35km or so to Betong (from Yala) are a series of shorter and longer climbs and the total distance from Yala is about 145 km.
Back at the border, the customs officer stamped my passport and I went on the road to Baling. The first kilometers go straightforward down, not steep but continuous. I usually skip the Pengkalan Hulu town as there is a small road around the town center. Back on the main road there is a few kilometers to climb to the Sunset View Point at 380m altitude. Even though I have been here at least a dozen times, I have never been able to make a nice photo of the scenery here.
It's not surprising because the hills are far away and there's really not a lot to see. After the view point it's 7km straight down. At the longer straight parts, I can easily make a speed of over 65km per hour. Some parts the road is going up again but with the speed generated, those short climbs can be done on the speed generated.
Just before Baling the last short but quite steep hill leads into the town center. The whole area is worth cycling. And Baling town is one of those towns where you wonder why it exists. But having a little closer look, you find easily the hot water springs, some caves and scenic walks. It is a pleasant and very relaxed.
Baling - Kulim - Butterworth - Penang
Cycling out of Baling is not a problem. The road is slightly rolling but the main problem is the traffic itself. It's slightly busier as from Baling to the connecting main ongoing road to Butterworth there are several kampongs along the road.
After 12 km the Baling road ends at a T-junction, here you go right. The road is slowly going up for about 500 meter and then turns left and goes straight up for another 500 meter.
From this point on to the 22 km point Kulim it is mostly a green land of jungle and plantations. It's slightly hilly and although you never have beautiful far sights, it is a very pleasant piece to cycle.
If you want to avoid the busier part to Kulim, you can take the much more pleasant road to Sungai Petani which leads through Kuala Ketil.
That changes at the 22km point. The two lane road gets a bit smaller and the traffic slowly increases until Kulim, where the two lane road transforms into a 4 lane motorway, with a separate motorbike lane. These 22 km are unpleasant, partly because of the few longer hill slopes and partly because the traffic is increasing.
The alternative, as said, the road (#67) to Sungai Petani through Kuala Ketil is a good alternative. Less difficult to cycle, and more quiet. If you do not want to Sungai Petani, then take the next junction after Kuala Ketil (K21) and follow directions to Lunas. From here you can cross either to Kulim and take the old (and busy) road to Bukit Mertajam. A better option is to follow the motorway (motorbike lane), directly to Butterworth. If however, you prefer to stay away from either Kulim and the motorway, you can follow directions from Padang Serai to Sungai Dua. You might cycle a few kilometer more but it is a more nicer and more quiet road though the mainland Penang countryside.
The irony of the story was that at my arrival in Betong the rain stopped and a bleak sun came through. It was a sign that the next day the weather would be nicer. And it turned out to be a lot nicer.
One of the Buddha heads in the open Museum in Betong which I have visited during previous visits
In the morning I had a breakfast of rice porridge with pork, veggie and raw eggs with pepper and a coffee. The way the Thais do this I really enjoy although the best porridge I ever had was at a tiny market in downtown Bangkok. This porridge was made by two old people who had probably done that since the beginning of times. However, the last time I was in Bangkok, I learned the old couple had died and the porridge was now sold by their both daughters. Unfortunately, it was not as good as their parents made it.
In Betong, a lady does a good porridge too though not the level of the old couple in Bangkok. After the breakfast, I cycled the 7 km up to the border. This climb is easy at the beginning of the day but would be a killer at the end of the day. For that reason I always recommend people who cycle from Yala to Betong with intentions to cross the border here, to stay a night in Betong. The last 35km or so to Betong (from Yala) are a series of shorter and longer climbs and the total distance from Yala is about 145 km.
Back at the border, the customs officer stamped my passport and I went on the road to Baling. The first kilometers go straightforward down, not steep but continuous. I usually skip the Pengkalan Hulu town as there is a small road around the town center. Back on the main road there is a few kilometers to climb to the Sunset View Point at 380m altitude. Even though I have been here at least a dozen times, I have never been able to make a nice photo of the scenery here.
Cycling into Baling
It's not surprising because the hills are far away and there's really not a lot to see. After the view point it's 7km straight down. At the longer straight parts, I can easily make a speed of over 65km per hour. Some parts the road is going up again but with the speed generated, those short climbs can be done on the speed generated.
Just before Baling the last short but quite steep hill leads into the town center. The whole area is worth cycling. And Baling town is one of those towns where you wonder why it exists. But having a little closer look, you find easily the hot water springs, some caves and scenic walks. It is a pleasant and very relaxed.
Baling - Kulim - Butterworth - Penang
Cycling out of Baling is not a problem. The road is slightly rolling but the main problem is the traffic itself. It's slightly busier as from Baling to the connecting main ongoing road to Butterworth there are several kampongs along the road.
After 12 km the Baling road ends at a T-junction, here you go right. The road is slowly going up for about 500 meter and then turns left and goes straight up for another 500 meter.
Cycling outside Baling on the mainroad to Butterworth
From this point on to the 22 km point Kulim it is mostly a green land of jungle and plantations. It's slightly hilly and although you never have beautiful far sights, it is a very pleasant piece to cycle.
If you want to avoid the busier part to Kulim, you can take the much more pleasant road to Sungai Petani which leads through Kuala Ketil.
One of the hills about 15 km from Baling on the way to Kulim
That changes at the 22km point. The two lane road gets a bit smaller and the traffic slowly increases until Kulim, where the two lane road transforms into a 4 lane motorway, with a separate motorbike lane. These 22 km are unpleasant, partly because of the few longer hill slopes and partly because the traffic is increasing.
The alternative, as said, the road (#67) to Sungai Petani through Kuala Ketil is a good alternative. Less difficult to cycle, and more quiet. If you do not want to Sungai Petani, then take the next junction after Kuala Ketil (K21) and follow directions to Lunas. From here you can cross either to Kulim and take the old (and busy) road to Bukit Mertajam. A better option is to follow the motorway (motorbike lane), directly to Butterworth. If however, you prefer to stay away from either Kulim and the motorway, you can follow directions from Padang Serai to Sungai Dua. You might cycle a few kilometer more but it is a more nicer and more quiet road though the mainland Penang countryside.
Junction to Sik, a road I still have to explore
Tasek Raban Resort - Betong - Penang
Tasek Raban Resort
Tasek Raban Resort is a small resort at the lake side. During the weekend, locals come here to fish. I was here on a Monday night. I checked in and found I was the only visitor in the resort that has about 25 chalets. The location is great, and I guess if you like fishing, it's even better. However, I came here to stay a night.
The lady at the check-in counter wanted to see my passport and I wanted to know how much I had to pay. On the phone, I was told chalets were RM 100 but the lady told: 800. Then everyone was laughing about the error. Her English was limited. The price was RM 80. Phew... I saw myself already climbing on the bicycle to search for another hotel, but that was not necessary.
The chalet was very nice, with a limited view on the lake and a balcony. It was clean and comfortable, nothing special (and certainly not worth the RM 800!). But RM 80 was fine. The problem was the restaurant. It was at the other side of the lake. Either you could take a ferry, or get your own transport. Depite the rain, I decided to cycle to the "restaurant". It turned out to be a couple of small food stalls and, lucky me, it was also pasar malam, night market.
I had a laksa and bought some food at the pasar malam, had some fun, despite the rain and went back to my chalet to listen to Lucero when writing this.
Tasek Raban Resort - Gerik - Betong
The started with a lot of rain. In fact, the rain started a day earlier after arrival at the resort. And it didn't stopped overnight. In the morning it was still raining. But what alternative did I have? So I left the resort and took the road to Lenggong to have a breakfast (the resort has no restaurant).
Lenggong is one of those typical little towns where there is little to keep you longer then a meal. However, there is a small museum with some interesting archeological finds of the valley and for that reason it's worth a visit. There's some fine walks in the area too.
This time I had no interest in either of the two as 1. the museum was still not open and 2. walking in the rain is even less attractive then cycling in the rain. I continued after a good bowl of noodles.
The road to Gerik is nowadays a big 4 lane road, different then the first time I had cycled on this road, then going south. But although the road suggest different, there is seldom a lot of traffic. The wide open road goes up and down but seldom hurts your legs. Within 3 hours I was in Gerik.
Gerik is one of those towns only seem to exist because it is at a junction. Going east leads to Banding and the East-West Highway to Kota Bahru. Going north is less traveled but leads eventually through Pengkalan Hulu and Baling to Butterworth and Penang.
It is 45 km to Pengkalan Hulu. My goal was Betong and there's two ways to travel. Somewhere halfway there is a junction that leads closer to the border. The direct road to Pengkalan Hulu is somewhat more difficult with a few shorter and steeper climbs. But in reality both roads have their difficulty although never really painful. I have done both and both both ways too. This time I choose to use the alternative road and skip Pengkalan Hulu. It's a small and hardly used road that swindles up and down and bit until the last kilometer where there is a climb that does hurt, especially after cycling 100 km already.
But at the junction it's only 3 more kilometers to Thailand and although that is also going up, it's no problem anymore. After the border, the road goes down, 7 kilometers which is done in about 15 minutes.
In Betong I use the Sri Betong Hotel. For B500 (RM 50) you get a very decent room. Betong itself has nothing much to offer. There's a nice Thai Buddhist temple and the surrounding hills are nice but they are not that special that requires a specific visit. It is however an easy and usually quiet border crossing (and only 2 days cycling from home.
Tasek Raban Resort is a small resort at the lake side. During the weekend, locals come here to fish. I was here on a Monday night. I checked in and found I was the only visitor in the resort that has about 25 chalets. The location is great, and I guess if you like fishing, it's even better. However, I came here to stay a night.
The lady at the check-in counter wanted to see my passport and I wanted to know how much I had to pay. On the phone, I was told chalets were RM 100 but the lady told: 800. Then everyone was laughing about the error. Her English was limited. The price was RM 80. Phew... I saw myself already climbing on the bicycle to search for another hotel, but that was not necessary.
The road to Gerik, photo made during a previous trip when it was less raining
The chalet was very nice, with a limited view on the lake and a balcony. It was clean and comfortable, nothing special (and certainly not worth the RM 800!). But RM 80 was fine. The problem was the restaurant. It was at the other side of the lake. Either you could take a ferry, or get your own transport. Depite the rain, I decided to cycle to the "restaurant". It turned out to be a couple of small food stalls and, lucky me, it was also pasar malam, night market.
I had a laksa and bought some food at the pasar malam, had some fun, despite the rain and went back to my chalet to listen to Lucero when writing this.
Tasek Raban Resort - Gerik - Betong
The started with a lot of rain. In fact, the rain started a day earlier after arrival at the resort. And it didn't stopped overnight. In the morning it was still raining. But what alternative did I have? So I left the resort and took the road to Lenggong to have a breakfast (the resort has no restaurant).
Lenggong is one of those typical little towns where there is little to keep you longer then a meal. However, there is a small museum with some interesting archeological finds of the valley and for that reason it's worth a visit. There's some fine walks in the area too.
A small open air museum in Betong with some very nice relics
This time I had no interest in either of the two as 1. the museum was still not open and 2. walking in the rain is even less attractive then cycling in the rain. I continued after a good bowl of noodles.
The road to Gerik is nowadays a big 4 lane road, different then the first time I had cycled on this road, then going south. But although the road suggest different, there is seldom a lot of traffic. The wide open road goes up and down but seldom hurts your legs. Within 3 hours I was in Gerik.
Gerik is one of those towns only seem to exist because it is at a junction. Going east leads to Banding and the East-West Highway to Kota Bahru. Going north is less traveled but leads eventually through Pengkalan Hulu and Baling to Butterworth and Penang.
View from the Thai temple in Betong over the town and surrounding hills
It is 45 km to Pengkalan Hulu. My goal was Betong and there's two ways to travel. Somewhere halfway there is a junction that leads closer to the border. The direct road to Pengkalan Hulu is somewhat more difficult with a few shorter and steeper climbs. But in reality both roads have their difficulty although never really painful. I have done both and both both ways too. This time I choose to use the alternative road and skip Pengkalan Hulu. It's a small and hardly used road that swindles up and down and bit until the last kilometer where there is a climb that does hurt, especially after cycling 100 km already.
The bicycle shop in Betong
But at the junction it's only 3 more kilometers to Thailand and although that is also going up, it's no problem anymore. After the border, the road goes down, 7 kilometers which is done in about 15 minutes.
In Betong I use the Sri Betong Hotel. For B500 (RM 50) you get a very decent room. Betong itself has nothing much to offer. There's a nice Thai Buddhist temple and the surrounding hills are nice but they are not that special that requires a specific visit. It is however an easy and usually quiet border crossing (and only 2 days cycling from home.
Attractions of Betong
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Sitiawan - Kuala Kangsar - Lenggong
It was time for my visa renewal. The previous months I had been to China, without the bicycle: Jim. Jim was not too amused with it as I had not taken him with me. In fact I was not too happy to travel without my old friend. We had been through so many things together.
Jim and I left in the early morning. I had a nasi lemak breakfast in the Home Curry House where the owner asked me where I was going to. I told him. "Eew.. that is very far", he said. In fact, 120 km is not too far but if you haven't been cycling for a while any distance is far. And I had not been cycling a lot in the previous week due to a foot injury.
The problem was that I had been stung by probably a hornet. The poison of the insect had made my foot doubled in size. The worst was the pain in the first days. Later I had been able to clean it but the wound was quite sizable: half by half centimeter and a centimeter deep. I was a bit afraid of infection so I had not been doing much until the last few days before I was supposed to go. But the wound was kind of closed now, in fact it did look like a lunar crater.
The first two days training were horrible. I was down and out after 15 (first) and 35 km (second) day. But I left anyway, with the knowledge I should be able to do the job anyway. After almost 100.000 km I do know what is possible.
So I left in the morning, took the road to Ayer Tawar, nowadays a 4 lane road and usually quite busy. Although I don't like this road, I also know that just after Ayer Tawar, I can use the road to Bruas. This is always a quiet and scenic road. On the road you can see in the distance the hills that separate the southern areas of Perak from the northern areas.
In the west you can pass the hills through Trong to Changat Jering, and reach Taiping, one of my more favorite cities in Malaysia because it has such a mellow feeling and the Lake Gardens are always beautiful.
The eastern pass way leads through Manong to Kuala Kangsar. Both Manong and Kuala Kangsar are not very attractive, despite the palace of the Sultan of Perak and, admittingly, a very beautiful Mosque in KK. But apart of these, there's little to keep you here. In the past years I had explored the area and had found very little that inspired me to stay longer then absolute necessary.
Therefore, this time, I had decided to skip Kuala Kangsar and cycle immediately to Lenggong. Not that Lenggong is such an attractive town although it does have a very interesting little museum), and it is closer to Betong. The problem had always been that the only "hotel" in Lenggong had been a dump. For no real reason, I had never explored the possibility to stay in one of the resorts in the lake area, just south of Lenggong.
This time I cycled without any problem to Bruas, 37km from Sitiawan. I usually have an icecoffee in a little coffee shop. Not that the coffee is so wonderful here, but I know the place, and the cakes coming with the (ice)coffee are usually fresh.
After Bruas, the road is slightly hilly, nothing serious, but if you're not in good shape, these short climbs, never more then 100 meter, can hurt. This time they started hurting after Manong, around 24km from Kuala Kangsar. In fact, it was so difficult, I doubted I could continue after Kuala Kangsar.
In KK I had a few more ice coffee's and an ice lemon tea plus a char kow chow soup but I was too tired to eat. However within an hour I felt much better. In fact, I felt so much better, I wanted to continue to Lenggong.
There are two ways. You can take follow the direction to Taiping for about 10 km and then take road #76, a few years old 4 lane road to Gerik. The alternative is much nicer. I usually take the road north out Kuala Kangsar, the road to Ipoh. After about 8 km, there's a junction to Kati and Gerik. This road is much more quiet and local. You pass small kampongs and the scenery is nice, nothing spectacular, but a nice road to cycle.
In Kati, you can follow the trunk road for a few more kilometers before you come back on road #76. Interestingly, this 4 lane road that connects Kuala Kangsar with Gerik and Pengkanan Hulu and lead further to Baling and Penang is usually very quiet.
After a few kilometers I left the new road to follow the old road, a road I had cycled years ago when the new KK-Gerik road didn't existed.
To my surprise I was really flying. I was easy, very easy. Within an hour and a half, I was at the Tasek Raban Resort, 12 km north of Lenggong. It went so easy, it was tempting to continue to Gerik, 65 km further north. However, just as I was passing the bride over the lake, the rain started and I felt it was wiser to have a good night sleep in Tasek Raban Resort.
Tasek Raban Resort
Tasek Raban Resort is a small resort at the lake side. During the weekend, locals come here to fish. I was here on a Monday night. I checked in and found I was the only visitor in the resort that has about 25 chalets. The location is great, and I guess if you like fishing, it's even better. However, I came here to stay a night.
The lady at the check-in counter wanted to see my passport and I wanted to know how much I had to pay. On the phone, I was told chalets were RM 100 but the lady told: 800. Then everyone was laughing about the error. Her English was limited. The price was RM 80. Phew... I saw myself already climbing on the bicycle to search for another hotel, but that was not necessary.
The chalet was very nice, with a limited view on the lake and a balcony. It was clean and comfortable, nothing special (and certainly not worth the RM 800!). But RM 80 was fine. The problem was the restaurant. It was at the other side of the lake. Either you could take a ferry, or get your own transport. Depite the rain, I decided to cycle to the "restaurant". It turned out to be a couple of small food stalls and, lucky me, it was also pasar malam, night market.
I had a laksa and bought some food at the pasar malam, had some fun, despite the rain and went back to my chalet to listen to Lucero when writing this.
More about the road from Betong to Sitiawan (and Pangkor) at the following pages:
Cycling to Pangkor
Hat Yai Thailand to Malaysia.html
Cycling to Pangkor using alternative roads
and more about cycling in Malaysia in general:
Jim and I left in the early morning. I had a nasi lemak breakfast in the Home Curry House where the owner asked me where I was going to. I told him. "Eew.. that is very far", he said. In fact, 120 km is not too far but if you haven't been cycling for a while any distance is far. And I had not been cycling a lot in the previous week due to a foot injury.
On the way to Bruas
The problem was that I had been stung by probably a hornet. The poison of the insect had made my foot doubled in size. The worst was the pain in the first days. Later I had been able to clean it but the wound was quite sizable: half by half centimeter and a centimeter deep. I was a bit afraid of infection so I had not been doing much until the last few days before I was supposed to go. But the wound was kind of closed now, in fact it did look like a lunar crater.
The first two days training were horrible. I was down and out after 15 (first) and 35 km (second) day. But I left anyway, with the knowledge I should be able to do the job anyway. After almost 100.000 km I do know what is possible.
So I left in the morning, took the road to Ayer Tawar, nowadays a 4 lane road and usually quite busy. Although I don't like this road, I also know that just after Ayer Tawar, I can use the road to Bruas. This is always a quiet and scenic road. On the road you can see in the distance the hills that separate the southern areas of Perak from the northern areas.
In the west you can pass the hills through Trong to Changat Jering, and reach Taiping, one of my more favorite cities in Malaysia because it has such a mellow feeling and the Lake Gardens are always beautiful.
The rustic road that leads to Kuala Kangsar
The eastern pass way leads through Manong to Kuala Kangsar. Both Manong and Kuala Kangsar are not very attractive, despite the palace of the Sultan of Perak and, admittingly, a very beautiful Mosque in KK. But apart of these, there's little to keep you here. In the past years I had explored the area and had found very little that inspired me to stay longer then absolute necessary.
Therefore, this time, I had decided to skip Kuala Kangsar and cycle immediately to Lenggong. Not that Lenggong is such an attractive town although it does have a very interesting little museum), and it is closer to Betong. The problem had always been that the only "hotel" in Lenggong had been a dump. For no real reason, I had never explored the possibility to stay in one of the resorts in the lake area, just south of Lenggong.
Kuala Kangsar Clock Tower at night
This time I cycled without any problem to Bruas, 37km from Sitiawan. I usually have an icecoffee in a little coffee shop. Not that the coffee is so wonderful here, but I know the place, and the cakes coming with the (ice)coffee are usually fresh.
After Bruas, the road is slightly hilly, nothing serious, but if you're not in good shape, these short climbs, never more then 100 meter, can hurt. This time they started hurting after Manong, around 24km from Kuala Kangsar. In fact, it was so difficult, I doubted I could continue after Kuala Kangsar.
In KK I had a few more ice coffee's and an ice lemon tea plus a char kow chow soup but I was too tired to eat. However within an hour I felt much better. In fact, I felt so much better, I wanted to continue to Lenggong.
There are two ways. You can take follow the direction to Taiping for about 10 km and then take road #76, a few years old 4 lane road to Gerik. The alternative is much nicer. I usually take the road north out Kuala Kangsar, the road to Ipoh. After about 8 km, there's a junction to Kati and Gerik. This road is much more quiet and local. You pass small kampongs and the scenery is nice, nothing spectacular, but a nice road to cycle.
In Kati, you can follow the trunk road for a few more kilometers before you come back on road #76. Interestingly, this 4 lane road that connects Kuala Kangsar with Gerik and Pengkanan Hulu and lead further to Baling and Penang is usually very quiet.
After a few kilometers I left the new road to follow the old road, a road I had cycled years ago when the new KK-Gerik road didn't existed.
Tasek Raban Resort seen from the bridge
To my surprise I was really flying. I was easy, very easy. Within an hour and a half, I was at the Tasek Raban Resort, 12 km north of Lenggong. It went so easy, it was tempting to continue to Gerik, 65 km further north. However, just as I was passing the bride over the lake, the rain started and I felt it was wiser to have a good night sleep in Tasek Raban Resort.
Tasek Raban Resort
Tasek Raban Resort is a small resort at the lake side. During the weekend, locals come here to fish. I was here on a Monday night. I checked in and found I was the only visitor in the resort that has about 25 chalets. The location is great, and I guess if you like fishing, it's even better. However, I came here to stay a night.
The lady at the check-in counter wanted to see my passport and I wanted to know how much I had to pay. On the phone, I was told chalets were RM 100 but the lady told: 800. Then everyone was laughing about the error. Her English was limited. The price was RM 80. Phew... I saw myself already climbing on the bicycle to search for another hotel, but that was not necessary.
View from the balcony of my room in Tasek Raban Resort
The chalet was very nice, with a limited view on the lake and a balcony. It was clean and comfortable, nothing special (and certainly not worth the RM 800!). But RM 80 was fine. The problem was the restaurant. It was at the other side of the lake. Either you could take a ferry, or get your own transport. Depite the rain, I decided to cycle to the "restaurant". It turned out to be a couple of small food stalls and, lucky me, it was also pasar malam, night market.
I had a laksa and bought some food at the pasar malam, had some fun, despite the rain and went back to my chalet to listen to Lucero when writing this.
View from the resort jetti to the restaurant and pasar malam, it was pissing rain.
More about the road from Betong to Sitiawan (and Pangkor) at the following pages:
Cycling to Pangkor
Hat Yai Thailand to Malaysia.html
Cycling to Pangkor using alternative roads
and more about cycling in Malaysia in general:
Monday, September 07, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Cooking class in Penang
Few places in Penang can be better the home of the Penang Cooking Class of Nazlina Hussin then the Tropical Spice Garden. It's almost a mystery why no one has done this earlier. The Tropical Spice Garden, located on the way to Teluk Bahang from the legendary Batu Ferringhi beach is an 8 acres piece of jungle.
It's transformed in a beautiful jungle park with more then 500 plants, herbs and spices with excellent info about all the plants. The cafe houses Nazlina's cooking class, and trust me, you really want to learn to cook here.
I was in the lucky circumstance to join two meals including one with curry chicken. Having traveled for a year in India and living almost 5 years in Malaysia, I thought I had a good idea what a good curry should tast like. I was wrong. Nazlina has a recipe that kicks all other curry chicken out. If learning to cook is one your "things to do in Malaysia", you should do it here, at the Tropical Spice Garden with Nazlina Hussin.
Cooking Class in the Tropical Spice Garden near Teluk Bahang in Penang
Tropical Spice Garden near Teluk Bahang
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