Monday, 19 December 2016

2016 Q5 4-Nation Ride with the Truecolour Bikerz...

"Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets..."

(Our reliable KTM)

Date: 27 November - 18 December 2016
Route: Malaysia - Thailand - Cambodia - Laos
Total Distance: 7,650 km

(4-Nation Ride Loop)
(On top of Kasi Plateau, Laos)

Earlier, we made plans for our 4-nation solo ride and plotted the detail routing covering Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos and coming back through different route. For the first 10 days we rode solo, just the two of us, crossing the Malaysia/Thailand border at Bukit Kayu Hitam, the Thailand/Cambodia border at Hat Lek and the Cambodia/Laos border at Dom Kralor thus completing our mission of our solo 4-nation ride for 2016.     

On day 10 in Thakhek, Laos we met up with the Truecolour Bikerz who crossed the Thailand/Laos border in Chong Mek. From then on we rode together doing the loop through Laos and Thailand back to Malaysia.

This ride was a relaxing journey covering a total distance of more than 7,650 km in 22 days. We enjoyed the freedom of riding the open road, absorbing the beautiful awesome scenery and exploring new places.

Every experience, good or bad, is priceless...

Day 01: K Lumpur - Hatyai
Day 02: Hatyai - Chumphon
Day 03: Chumphon - Chanthaburi
Day 04: Chanthaburi - Koh Kong
Day 05: Koh Kong - Phnom Penh
Day 06: Phnom Penh
Day 07: Phnom Penh - Stung Treng
Day 08: Stung Treng - Pakse
Day 09: Pakse - Thakhek
Day 10: Thakhek
Day 11: Thakhek - Vientiane
Day 12: Vientiane - Vang Vieng
Day 13: Vang Vieng - Luang Prabhang
Day 14: Luang Prabhang - Boten - Luang Namtha
Day 15: Luang Namtha - Golden Triangle - Mae Sai
Day 16: Mae Sai - Pai
Day 17: Pai - Mae Hong Son
Day 18: Mae Hong Son - Mae Sot
Day 19: Mae Sot - Kanchanaburi
Day 20: Kanchanaburi - Chumphon
Day 21: Chumphon - Danok
Day 22: Danok - K Lumpur

(The narrowest part of Thailand in Trat)
(Mekong River Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
(The bikers gang at Baan Aew Pai, Thailand)
(The Malaysian Embassy in Vientiane, Laos)

The Truecolour Bikerz gang:
Mat Put, Nizam/Faiza, Mad Wan/Effa, Mus/Mun
Pok Deng/Aizan and their 3 kids (4x4)



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2016 Q5 4NR Day 01: K Lumpur - Hatyai

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places…” - Ernest Hemingway

(KTM showroom in Hatyai)

Day 01: Sunday, 27 Nov 2016
Route: Kuala Lumpur - Hatyai
Distance: 534 km
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel

It was raining like mad this morning.

At 9.30 we started riding from our Bidara house in the rain and made a few stops at Simpang Pulai, Gurun and Changlun for refueling and rest. By 2:30 pm we completed border clearance at Bukit Kayu Hitam. We arrived in Hatyai and had lunch at Khaled Restaurant before we checked in the Golden Crown Hotel for Baht850/night.

After a hot shower and prayers, we took a short power nap till dark. We had Nasi Lemak dinner by the Lee Gardens Night Market and took a lazy stroll.

Later we had an hour of relaxing foot massage to while away our free time.

(Fried rice for hungry tummies)


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2016 Q5 4NR Day 02 : Hatyai - Chumphon

“There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up...” - Booker T Washington 

(The Musician at Nana Buri Hotel, Chumphon)

Day 02: Monday, 28 Nov 2016
Route: Hatyai - Chumphon
Distance: 483 km
Hotel: Nana Buri Hotel

This morning we started a little late as we planned to stop at the KTM showroom to purchase a bottle of engine oil. By 11:00 am we rode on Route 4 towards Chumphon and stopped at Thung Son PTT Muslim food court for lunch and prayers.

After lunch we rode direct to Chumphon with another brief stop at the Amazon Cafe for a tall glass of iced cappuccino. Around 5:00 pm we checked in Nana Buri Hotel for Baht800/night with complimentary breakfast. We rested for a while then walked to Fareda Restaurant for an early dinner.

(Cool ride on a quiet highway)
(Having dinner next to the mosque)
(A choice of street foods too)
(Hotel Nana Buri, Chumphon)


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2016 Q5 4NR Day 03 : Chumphon - Chanthaburi

“A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep…” - Vernon Howard

(Riding in Southern Bangkok)

Day 03: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2016
Route: Chumphon - Chanthaburi
Distance: 699 km
Hotel: The Huey Saton Resort

It was raining heavily in the morning. The rest of the journey towards the north was sunny but cool. We stopped in Cha-am for lunch and prayers at Husna Muslim Restaurant. We packed fried rice for tonight's dinner as we might be arriving at our destination very late.

We rode through quite a traffic jam in south Bangkok avoiding the Super-highway. Motorbikes are not permitted to use the motorway all along the route to Chon Buri.

When we arrived in Chon Buri, it was nearly dusk. The Chon Buri Resort was not in operational so we decided to ride on towards Chantaburi. We stayed a night at Huey Saton Resort for Baht490/night.

The resort is 20 km before the Chantaburi town center.

(Contra-traffic on a wet slippery road)
(Beware of a large group of cyclists)
(The big bird, a prominent landmark)

(Motorbikes are prohibited on the highway)
(Riding on the Bhumibol Highway)


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2016 Q5 4NR Day 04 : Chanthaburi - Koh Kong

“I like criticism. It makes me strong…” - LeBron James

(The narrowest part of Thailand)

Day 04: Wednesday, 30 Nov 2016
Route: Chanthaburi - Koh Kong
Distance: 339 km
Hotel: Koh Kong City Hotel

By 8:15 am we rode on Route 3 or AH123 direct towards the Thailand/Cambodia border. On the way we stopped at the Golden Cliff Beach Resort for some photo shots. Next stop was at the narrowest part of Thailand. 

At the border we sought the help of a Thai and a Cambodian who assisted us with all the documentations. At the Hat Lek Thailand border we stamped our passports and returned the custom declaration form. No fee was paid at the Thailand border. 

At the Cham Yeam Cambodia border we paid Baht200 for conveyance and Baht200 for passport stamp each. As a token, we gave baht200 each to the Thai and the Cambodian for the smooth border clearance.

After crossing the bridge over the Koh Kong River, we had iced sugar cane juice at the stall by the bridge. 

We checked in Koh Kong City Hotel for USD20/night for a room facing the river. After a hot shower and prayers we walked a short distance to send our dirty laundry for washing. We had lunch of seafood fried rice at the Muslim stall at foodcourt of the Dong Tung Port.

Back in the hotel we took a resting afternoon nap. Later we watched the beautiful sunset by the Koh Kong River. We fetched our laundry for USD2/kg and had mihun soup at the Muslim stall.

(The Golden Cliff Beach Resort)
(The narrowest part of Thailand)
(Cambodia Immigration border)
(Taking a rest after crossing the Koh Kong Bridge)
(Floating restaurants next to the Koh Kong City Hotel)
(Watching the beautiful sunset)


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2016 Q5 4NR Day 05 : Koh Kong - Phnom Penh

“He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions...” - Louisa May Alcott

(Watching people by the Mekong River)

Day 05: Thursday, 01 Dec 2016
Route: Koh Kong - Phnom Penh
Distance: 295 km
Hotel: Khmeroyal Hotel

After refuelling, by 8:45 am we rode towards Phnom Penh on highway 48 passing through the lonely winding road in the National Park and Cambodia’s unspoiled Cardamom Mountains Range. The road is in good condition and the ride was smooth. 

By 11:30 am we reached the main junction. One road leads to the beach town of Sihanoukville. The other road, Route 4, lead to Phnom Penh. We arrived in Phnom Penh early noon. The road leading to the centre of town was busy with traffic. 

We checked in Khmeroyal Hotel for USD25/night. After our showers and prayers, we walked a short distance to Warung Bali but it was closed in the afternoon. We went to a nearby Classical Halal Indian Restaurant for garlic nan and spicy fish curry. Their Manggo lassi was superb.

Later we strolled along the Mekong River for some photo shots and walked around the Royal Palace. As we were already full, we skipped dinner and slept early.

(A long and lonely road to Phnom Penh)
(The busy suburb of Phnom Penh)
(Taking a leisure walk along the water front)
(The pigeons over the Royal Palace)
(A golden bird at the park next to the palace)


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2016 Q5 4NR Day 06 : Phnom Penh Killing Fields

“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle…” - Napoleon Hill

(Victims of the Pot Pot Khmer Rouge Regime)

Day 06: Friday, 02 Dec 2016
Route: Phnom Penh Killing Fields Tour
Hotel: Khmeroyal Hotel

We shared a plate of prawn fried rice for breakfast at Warung Bali. 

Today we rented a tuk-tuk for USD20 for a day-tour to some of the attractions in Phnom Penh. Our first visit was to the Cambodian Killing Fields. There are a number of sites where more than a million people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime. 

We visited the famous site at the Choeung Ek Genocide Center, a former orchard and mass grave of the Khmer Rouge victims. We spent an hour in this memorial site. Next we visited the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum, a former high school which was used as the notorious security prison during the Pol Pot Khmer Rouge regime. 

We went to two markets, the Russian Market and the Thom Thmey Grand Market where we bought t-shirts and shawls for souvenirs.

The tuk-tuk sent us back to Warung Bali where we had a late lunch before we walked back to the hotel to rest.

(The monument at Choeung Ek)
(Skulls and bones of Khmer Rogue victims)
(The high school used as prisons)
(The Thom Thmey Grand Market)
(Buying t-shirts for souvenirs)


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2016 Q5 4NR Day 07 : Phnom Penh - Stung Treng

“Tough times never last, but tough people do...” - Robert H. Schuller

(A small town along the route to Stung Treng)

Day 07: Saturday, 03 Dec 2016
Route: Phnom Penh - Stung Treng
Distance: 398 km
Hotel: Sok San Hotel

We rode out of Phnom Penh by 8:30 am. The traffic leading out of the city was not that busy during this time of the day. 

The ride was smooth and the weather was cool. We took Route 7 or AH 11 to Stung Treng and stayed on the major motorway which is 60 km further but will give us faster time. 

On the way we made a few stops for refueling and rest. By 4:00 pm we arrived in Stung Treng and checked-in Sok San Hotel for USD12/night. The owner of the hotel Mr. Abdullah is a Khmer Muslim. He took us in his car to a Muslim stall for a very late lunch of chicken rice.

Mr Abdullah invited us to have dinner at his house but we refused his invitation politely. We packed a bowl of beef soup to be eaten with bread for dinner later.

(Riding through Kampung Cham town)
(Criss-crossing the Mekong River)
(Riding on stretches of unpaved road)
(passing the Cambodia/Vietnam border)
(Bush fires on a hot windy afternoon)
(Cambodia/Laos border on Route 7)


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