Koh Samui, Thailand - 2012

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Bless not only the roads but the bumps, they are all part of the journey...

(Waiting for the ferry to Koh Samui...)

3 February 2012 - Friday

The bikers gang, consisting of 10 bikes, gathered at R&R Sg Buluh and started our ride towards north at 6.30 am with a few pit stops for refueling. At Seberang Prai we had to make a detour to Mega Fortune workshop to patch a punctured tyre. We spent almost 1 1/2 hours there and finally reached Changloon at 1.30 pm. After refueling and settling border checks at Bkt Kayu Hitam Immigration, we went for a late lunch at one muslim restaurant in Danok, a town just after the Thai/Malaysia border.

(Motobikes waiting in line...)

Danok is a small cowboy town with only a few streets which are packed with massage parlors and karaoke bars. Many are attached to the plentiful number of budget hotels. Beside its seedy night-life, Danok is also a food and shopping haven for tourists.

From Danok we rode to the beautiful Samila Beach in Songkhla for a short rest and had a taste of the famous coconut ice-cream. Later, some of us got a chance to have photo shots with the famous golden mermaid statue by the beach.

(Golden mermaid statue @ Samila Beach)

Samila Beach is the most popular beach along the coast of Songkhla. Similar to Copenhagen, Samila Beach is characterized by a Golden Mermaid Statue with the view of islets of Koh Noo and Koh Maew in the background. According to Thai folklore, in the old days a mermaid appeared and sat on the rocky beach and combed her hair with a golden comb.

(Paddy field with windmills in the background...)

From Samila Beach we took the barge across Songkhla Lake (B20/bike). The barge could ferry about 15 cars, plus assorted motorcycles and pedestrians. We rode direct to Nakhon Si Thammarat and reached town only to realize that the hotel was over-booked and the group had to be split. We managed to get a few more rooms from another nearby hotel at a rate of B340/night. And once everyone settled down, we went to have a very late roti telor dinner at one of the night stalls.

4 February 2012 - Saturday

Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the most ancient cities of Thailand and was once surrounded by the city wall. The wall spread from East to West, and North to South, enclosing an area of about one square kilometre. There were many gates and the gates to the east connected the town with the sea. Today only the northern gate still exists, together with a short stretch of the northern city wall.

(The ancient city wall...)

The gang checked out of the hotel at 10 am and went for the famous pulut ayam breakfast at a muslim restaurant somewhere near Mesjid Sallahuddin. After refueling, we rode towards Surat Thani and reached Seatran Ferry Pier in time to board the 1 pm ferry to Koh Samui (B250/rider and bike, B150/passenger). It took almost 1 1/2 hrs to reach the island.

(On the ferry to Koh Samui...)

Once we reached Koh Samui, while some of us went to look for accommodations, the rest went straight to a muslim restaurant and had delicious nasi goreng for lunch. After checking-in Mercure Hotel at Chaweng beach (B1800/night) we managed to have a much needed nap before we walked to a nearby Indian restaurant for a tandoori dinner. Later, we split ways when some of us wanted to indulge in an hour of soothing foot massage (B30/hour). Some went shopping at the street markets and the rest just lazed around listening to live music.

5 February 2012 - Sunday

(Koh Samui Ferry terminal...)

Koh Samui is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's third largest island after Ko Chang and Phuket. It is rich with natural resources, white sandy coconut tree fringed beaches, coral reefs, tropical jungles and famous for its vibrant nightlife. It is surrounded by about sixty other islands,

(Fishermen's boats along the prestine beach...)

To allow our bikes a good rest, we agreed to rent a scooter each to ride around the island and visit popular tourist attractions. We started our ride early morning and stopped at a few attractions and waterfalls.

(Beautiful view from Chaweng beach...)

On the way back, we stopped to have an hour of thrilling ATV ride (B500 per person) and later went for a dip in the hotel swimming pool.


(Bumpy ATV ride...)

 Dinner was a sumptuous spread of seafood dishes at Malayu Seafood Restaurant, situated quite a distance away from Chaweng beach. We had another round of foot reflexology (Baht30) before retiring for a good night sleep.

(Spending 2 nights @ Mercure Hotel...)

6 February 2012 - Monday

(Group photo @ Mercure Hotel...)

We checked out at 8 am, had nasi lauk breakfast then headed to the Jetty to board the 11 am ferry. We rode direct to Hatyai through the Songkhla route and checked in Grand Plaza Hotel at 6.30 pm. Dinner was nasi goreng at Hamid restaurant then after went for a 2 hour relaxing body massage at the hotel spa to relieve tired muscles. Late at night, we went shopping for t-shirts and had teh tarik at one of the night stalls.

(Last minute shopping..)

7 February 2012 - Tuesday

We had corn pie and coffee at McD for breakfast. The gang checked out at 10 am and rode direct to Danok for border clearance. After refueling we had lunch at Joe Cendol pulut restaurant before everyone rode off free and easy home.

There was quite a heavy traffic along the North-South highway but the ride was quite smooth. We reached home just before dusk, tired but happy.




Route taken: KL – Danok – Nakhon Si Thammarat – Koh Samui – Hatyai – KL

Total mileage: 1,800 km

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Kanchanaburi, Thailand - 2011

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Wet Monsoon Ride

(24 - 29 Nov 2011)

(Seven bikes lined up...)

Thursday - 24 November 2011

The bikers gang met at Sungai Buluh R&R and started our ride just after subuh prayer. We rode free and easy on the North-South Highway towards north. The weather was sunny, we had a few stops along the way for refueling and rest.

(The bikers gang)

In Changloon, we settled our motor insurance, filled up border passes and changed money for some Bahts. At Bukit Kayu Hitam, the border entry was simple and easy. The Thai immigration, which is officially called the Sadao Immigration Checkpoint, used to be conducted at Sadao town but has since moved to Dannok just before the border gate of Malaysia/Thailand. We had Tomyam lunch at one of the muslim restaurants in the border town.

We rode on Thailand's National Highway 4 towards Surat Thani. The weather changed suddenly from sunny to heavy rain with some parts of the highway covered with flood water. The highway was a straight road which runs all the way to Bangkok via Hat Yai but the rain had made the road wet and slippery.

(Riding in the rain)

It was already dark when we reached Surat Thani. After checking in at The Grand Thara Hotel, we went for a hearty Sup ekor dinner at one muslim restaurant by the river side.

(City Pillar Shrine)

Friday - 25 November 2011

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(Group photo by the river bank)

Surat Thani is the capital of the province Surat Thani. It is situated near the mouth of the river Tapi on the Gulf of Thailand. The city offers no major tourist attractions, thus mainly known to tourists as a transfer to the nearby popular islands. The name Surat Thani mean "City of the Good People" but Surat Thani is also known as “the province of a thousand islands” -- many of which lay off the coast in the Gulf of Thailand, including the archipelago that contains Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and the Mu Koh Ang Thong Marine National Park.

(Roti telur breakfast...)

We had late breakfast of roti telur before we started riding towards Kanchanaburi. As it was difficult to look for muslim restaurant on the highway, we had light lunch of bread and tuna at one of the rest areas to fill hungry stomachs.

(Deep in discussion, checking the route...)

We took the main highway via Hua Hin, a famous beautiful beach resort town. Hua Hin Beach extends some five kilometers southwards from a rocky headland until Kao Takiap, a southern headland where a Buddhist temple clings to the cliffs.

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(Road junctions...)

We reached Kanchanaburi late night. After checking-in The Luxury Hotel, we took a van to have nasi briani dinner at one of the muslim night stalls. After dinner we had a leisure walk back to the hotel to rest. Some detoured to enjoy Kanchanaburi night life, or spend a few hours of therapeutic thai massage or just laze around and listen to live bands at a nearby joint.

Saturday – 26 November 2011

On the second day in Kanchanaburi, despite an early-morning wake up, everyone seemed bright-eyed and energetic. We had breakfast of toasts and eggs in the hotel restaurant and later decided to rent a van for a personalized tour to some of the major attractions.

Kanchanaburi, is located where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers converge into the Mae Klong river and is a popular spot for travelers. Located at the edge of a mountain range makes it much cooler than the other provinces of central Thailand. Kanchanaburi boasts a beautiful natural landscape of dense tropical jungles, crisscrossing rivers and streams, and spell-binding waterfalls with emerald-coloured pools.

Hellfire Pass

Hellfire Pass is the name of a railway cutting on the former "Death Railway" which was built with forced labor during the WWII, in part by Allied prisoners of war.

(POW laborers hard at work...)

The pass is noted for the harsh conditions and heavy loss of life suffered by its laborers during construction. Hellfire Pass is so called because the sight of emaciated prisoners laboring was said to resemble a scene from Hell.

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(Wooden railroad...)

(Pancakes for lunch)

Death railway

In 1942 Kanchanaburi was under Japanese control. It was here that Asian forced laborers and Allied POWs, building the infamous Burma Railway, constructed a bridge; an event immortalized in the film Bridge on the River Kwai. Almost half of the prisoners working on the project died from diseases, maltreatment and accidents.

(Death railway...)

Krasae Cave

This cave, which houses sacred Buddha images, is located approximately 55 km from Kanchanaburi, beside the surviving remnants of the Death Railway overlooking Khwae Noi River near Wang Pho Railway Station. The cave is within walking distance from the railway tracks of Wang Pho Railway Station, the most beautiful view point along travelling by train Kanchanaburi - Namtok Train Station.

(Railway by the River Kwai...)

(Bridge over the River Kwai)

Bridge over the River Kwai

The infamous Bridge over the River Kwai is probably the most visited attraction in Kanchanaburi. Once a year a carnival comes to town and is set up in the area next to the bridge. At night there is a small pyrotechnics display that re-enacts the wartime bombing of the bridge. The Death Railway is, today, one of the most scenic rail routes in the country.

(Floating restaurants)

JEATH War Museum

(Art Gallery and War Museum)

In Kanchanaburi there is a memorial and two museums to commemorate the dead. The Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and the JEATH War Museum dedicated to the bridge and the Death Railway. The city is also home to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

Sunday – 27 November 2011

(Petronas Petrol Station, Kanchanaburi)

We started riding early morning from Kanchanaburi and headed towards Krabi. On the way we detoured and had lunch at one muslim restaurant and performed our solat at a nearby madrasah.

(Solat break...)

Using the Garmin to navigate, we thought of taking a short cut but we were met with a dusty rough road and we had to turn back and took the highway instead.

(Off-roading for a short distance...)

We reached Ao Nang beach, Krabi late night in the rain and checked-in Ben’s House, a cosy boutique resort. Later we took a tuk-tuk for a hearty tomyam dinner.

(Taking the right junction...)

Due to its central location in the Andaman Sea and to its fabulous topography and sporting opportunities, Ao Nang is arguably Thailand’s best all-round beach destination. It is predominately a family and sports destination. Whilst it lacks wild nightlife, it does have a few relaxed bars and nightclubs.

(Abundance of muslim restaurants...)

Monday – 28 November 2011

(One of the Ao Nang beaches...)

We checked-out early and before we headed to Hat Yai, we stopped for a hearty nasi kerabu breakfast and stopped at the beach front for photo shots of the pristine sandy beach and later went shopping at the many souvenir shops along the beach.

(Beautiful pristine beach...)

Ao Nang itself has two idyllic, unspoilt beaches, which are lapped by clear, warm water. Other beaches are located on a number of outlying islands which can be accessed cheaply and quickly from Ao Nang by local long-tail boats. Thai and muslim food is abundant in Ao Nang and is available 24 hours a day.

We reached Hat Yai late afternoon. The Versys riders rode off to spend the night at Dannok. We stayed back with another couple and spent the night at The Lee Gardens Hotel.

(City skyline from the 27th floor...)

Hat Yai, a city in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border is the largest city of Songkhla Province, the largest metropolitan area in Southern, and third largest metropolitan area of the country. It is often mistaken as being the capital of the province, but Songkhla is the capital and the center of administration and culture, while Hat Yai is the business center. Hat Yai is well-known as a shopping destination for both Thais and foreigners. There are numbers of department stores and markets around the city.

Tuesday – 29 November 2011

(Ready to ride back...)

We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant and went for a last minute shopping for t-shirts and gloves. We checked-out at noon and rode towards the Thailand/Malaysian border. We had lunch at Dannok and headed direct to KL in the heavy rain with a few pit stops for refueling...

Route taken: KL – Bkt Kayu Hitam – Dannok – Surat Thani

– Kanchanaburi – Krabi – Hat Yai – Dannok

– Bkt Kayu Hitam – KL

Total mileage: 3,300 km

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Betong (II), Thailand - 2011

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Riding across the border just the two of us...
(July 17 - 19, 2011)
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(At the Immigration Centre for border check)

(Butterfly Princess Hotel)

(The Post Office and biggest mail box)

(Riding around following the road signs)

(Cooking eggs in the boiling water @ The Hot Spring)

(Jungle trekking to the communist tunnel)

(Exploring the Piyamit Tunnel)

(Taking a rest @ Winter Flower Garden)

(Resting area along the winding road)

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Makkah Al-Mukarramah - 2011

Monday - 18 April 2011
Madinah - Makkah

(Painting on the hotel wall)

After solat Zohor, we performed the Ziarah Wida' to bade good-bye to Rasullullah SAW with a promise to come again to this holy land. We started the 5-hour journey to Makkah in our ihram attire. The bus stopped at Bir Ali Mosque for miqat and we performed our solat sunat ihram and niat for our first Umrah. All along the journey we recited the doa and talbiah before we entered the holy city of Makkah.

(Miqat at Masjid Bir Ali)

We checked-in Al-Mohdar Diamond Hotel, situated just behind Hilton Makkah, a 10 minute walk to Masjidil-Harram. After a short rest, led by Ustaz Halim, we performed the Tawaf dan Sa'ei and completed our 1st Umrah by midnight.

(Performing the tawaf at night)

(Clean shaven after 1st Umrah)

Tuesday - 19 April 2011
Makkah - Tannaim

After breakfast we took a taxi to Tannaim for miqat and performed our 2nd Umrah. The rest of the day was spent in the room resting and performed the solats in Masjidil-Haram.

(Air-conditioned praying area)

Wednesday - 20 April 2011
Makkah - Tannaim

We went to Tannaim again today to miqat for our 3rd Umrah.

(One of the historical pillars in Masjidil-Haram)

Thursday - 21 April 2011
Makkah – Ja’ranah

(Saying prayers on Jabbal Rahmah at Padang Arafah)

We started early morning and the bus headed for Ja'ranah, which is 20 km away from Makkah to miqat. On the way we stopped at Jabal Thur, Jabal Nur, Jabal Rahmah at Padang Arafah, Mina and Mudzalifah.

(The 5-storey Jamrat and tents for Haj season)

We were amazed by the new developments especially the five storey Jamrah stone throwing (melontar) location.

(Miqat at Masjid Ja'aranah)

We completed our 4th Umrah before the Zuhur solat.

Friday - 22 April 2011
Makkah - Tannaim

(Building under construction on fire)

Today we took a taxi to Tannaim to miqat for our 5th Umrah. Since Friday was the weekend holiday in Saudi Arabia, Masjidil Haram was packed with worshippers hours before the noon Friday prayers. We elected to remain in Masjidil Haram till the completion of the Friday prayers.

Saturday - 23 April 2011
Makkah – Hudaibiah

(At the camel farm)

The whole group headed to Hudaibiah by bus after breakfast. Ustaz Halim narrated the history about the Treaty of Hudaibiah, between Muslims and the enemies. On the way we stopped at a camel farm to drink camel milk and bought a bottle to bring back to the hotel. We did not have the opportunity to meet the Melaka born imam of the Hudaibiah mosque.

(The ruins of old Masjid Hudaibiah)

After buying some trinkets, we went back to Makkah to complete our 6th Umrah before the Zuhur solat.

Sunday - 24 April 2011
Makkah – Jeddah

(Masjid Kisas in Jeddah)

Today is our last day in Makkah. We took a taxi to Tannaim to miqat for our 7th Umrah. After resting a while in the hotel room we went back to Masjidil-Haram to performed our Tawaf Wida' and recited our doa at the Multazam. We checked out after lunch and departed Makkah for Jeddah around 2.30 pm. We had a short city tour of Jeddah, passing maqam Siti Hawa, Masjid Qisas and Masjid Terapung (Masjid Siti Rahmah) at the Red Sea.

(Floating Masjid Siti Rahmah by the Red Sea)

By 5.00 pm we checked-in Jeddah International Airport and had packed dinner at the boarding lounge. The flight from Jeddah to Ammam was a little delayed so we had time to perform the solat jama’ Maghrib and Isyak.

Monday – 25 April 2011
Amman – Kuala Lumpur

The 2-hour flight reached Amman around 10.00 pm. We transited for 4 hours in Amman Airport before we boarded the flight back to Kuala Lumpur. We had some coffee to unsuccessfully help keep us awake while waiting for the flight.

The flight safely reached KLIA 7.30 pm after an hour stoppage in Bangkok. Alhamdulillah…

We are already planning for the next trip…..

(Fly away...)