A traveller's reflection: December 2014

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Thursday, 25 December 2014

2014 4-Nation Ride Routing

“So, I would breathe in the dust, and keep the memories alive…”

(On top of the mountain in Laos)

Date: 11 – 26 December 2014

Route: Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos

Total distance: 5,756 km

Time on bike: 74 hours

Average Speed: 85 km/hr

I just got back from a mission trip and I have the memories of many foreign adventures, but to forget them would be foolish. Having glimpses of their ways of life, I realize how blessed we are here in this country.

Day 1: KL – Surat Thani

Princess Park Hotel (Gps: 9.1034844,99.304483)

Muslim Restaurant (Gps: 9.080893,99.362892)

Day 2: Surat Thani – Kanchanaburi

Luxury Hotel (Gps: 14.030021,99.528559)

Muslim Stall (Gps: 14.021059,99.532813)

Day 3: Kanchanaburi – Chiangmai

Diamond Hotel (Gps: 18.784579,99.000636)

Restoran Sophia (Gps: 18.786117,99.001249)

Day 4: Chiangmai – Golden Triangle - Mae Sai

Mae Sai Complex Hotel (Gps: 20.443690,99.881205)

Muslim Restaurant (Gps: 20.427168,99.883644)

Day 5: Mae Sai – Phu Chi Fa

Phu Chi Fa Hill Resort (Gps: 19.846266,100.443823)

Day 6: Phu Chi Fa – Chiang Khong

Sophaphan Guesthouse (Gps: 20.264579,100.406272)

Day 7: Chiang Khong – Boten - Oudomxay

Charming Lao Hotel (Gps: 20.692369,101.982495)

Day 8: Oudomxay – Luang Praphang

Sala Prabhang Hotel (Gps: 19.894240,102.137130)

Nisha Restaurant (Gps: 19.88614,102.13618)

Day 9: Luang Prabhang – Vang Vieng

Elephant Crossing Hotel (Gps: 18.922910,102.445562)

Nazim Restaurant (Gps: 18.926030,102.449485)

Day 10: Vang Vieng – Udon Thani

Pruksasin Hotel (Gps: 17.412704,102.789656)

Muslim Restaurant (Gps: 17.402188,102.786897)

Day 11: Udon Thani – Bangkok

Astera Sathorn Hotel (Gps: 13.717668,100.516471)

Sophea Restaurant Asiatique (Gps: 13.703774,100.504629)

Day 13: Bangkok – Chumphon

Thung Wua Laen Resort (Gps: 10.561765,99.272791)

Day 14: Chumphon – Hatyai

Golden Crown Plaza Hotel (Gps: 7.008165,100.473141)

Khaled Restaurant (Gps: 7.008165,100.473141)

Note: All the GPS coordinates are verified during our recent trip. They may vary by 10-20 meters, the most. I will update them if there are discrepancies.

2014 Q3 4NR: 01 KL - Surat Thani, Thailand👉

2014 4-Nation Ride: 01 KL - Surat Thani

"The result you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply..." - Denis Waitley

(The back of our official t-shirts)

Date: 11 December 2014 (Thursday)
Route: KL - Surat Thani
Distance: 856 km
Hotel: Princess Park Hotel

Today is the start of our 15-day Kembara. The 4-Nation Ride will cover Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. And once we enter Laos we will ride to Boten, the border of China, insya-Allah...

At 07:30hrs ten motorbikes started riding from Sg. Buluh R&R heading towards north. First refueling was at R&R Simpang Pulai then we rode direct to Changlun for our second refueling.

(Motorbikes ready to roll)

(With Ct and Sha for the flag off)

(Taufik, Zaidi, Zali and Shawal)

(Haji Din and Yati)

(Pok Deng and Aizan)

(Rose and Munawar)

(Aji Long and Fauzilan for the flag-off)

(Mat Put, Taufik and Pok Deng)

(Tuan Shawal, the leader of the Kembara)

(Final briefing and reciting of prayers)

(A group photo before the flag-off)

Tuan Shawal, the leader of the group had to detour at Juru to settle some urgent work-related issues. While waiting for the chief, the rest settled insurance and money exchange matters at our favorite Kedai Kopi.

We had lunch at Warong Kambing Bakar then performed our prayers at Masjid Ihya' Ulumuddin Changlun. It was already late when we crossed the Malaysia Thailand border at Bukit Kayu Hitam.

We reached Surat Thani, also known as ‘City of Good People’ around 21:30hrs and had our dinner at a Muslim Restaurant.

We checked in Princess Park Hotel for the night.

2014 Q3 4NR: 02 Surat Thani - Chiangmai, Thailand👉

👈2014: Q3 4-Nation Ride Routing

2014 4-Nation Ride: 02 Surat Thani - Kanchanaburi

"The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about..."

(Our choice hotel in Surat Thani)

Date: 12 December 2014 (Friday)
Route: Surat Thani - Kanchanaburi
Distance: 662 km
Hotel: Luxury Hotel

Breakfast of toasts and fried eggs was served at the hotel cafe.

We started the journey with a short briefing and reciting of prayers. It was warm and sunny today with intermittent showers on the way. The journey was uneventful with a few stops for refueling. We even had time to buy some Petai from one of the roadside stalls on the way.