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 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 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.

(The lady bikers)
(Munawar, BMW GS 1200)
(Pok Deng, BMW GS 800)
(Haji Din, BMW GSA 1200)
(Zali, Versys 650)
(Mat Wan, Versys 650)
(Taufik, Versys 650)
(Mat Put, Versys 1000)
(Zaidi, Versys 1000)
(Shawal, GTR 1400)
(Mus, KTM 1190)
(Shawal and his wing man, Taufik)
(Riding out of Surat Thani)
(A bright sunny day)

We arrived Kanchanaburi around 19:00hrs and went straight to the night market in the middle of town for a Nasi Ayam Goreng dinner.

(Pit stop for refueling and a short rest)
(Favorite coffee break at Amazon Cafe)
(Light traffic on Highway 41)
(Dark cloudy sky looming ahead) 
(A must stop for a bunch of petai)
(Slippery road after a heavy downpour)
(Looking out for road signages)
(Riding at a safe distance)
(Riding carefully with traffic flow)
(A welcoming sign board)
(Reaching Kanchanaburi at dusk)

After checking in at Luxury Hotel and a short rest, we walked a short distance to have a 2-hour therapeutic Thai massage to relief tired muscles.