Thailand 2018: A free and easy year-end couple ride...

“Traveling puts things into perspective. It allows us to realize that there are far bigger things than our problems…” 

(The four gentlemen)

Date: 7 – 15 December 2018
Route: KL – Phatthalung – Kui Buri – Phetchabun –Chainat – Samut Songkhram - Chumphon – Krabi – Pak Bara - KL
Total Distance: 4,640km

A few weeks before our planned year-end ride we shared our routing with the gang. Yami/Zue and Fauzilan/CT decided to join us in this trip. Another couple, Ajilong/Sha would be joining us along the way as they started riding a day later.

The first two days we will be riding together with five TCB riders, Mat Put, Zali, Akbar, Pok Deng and Sir Taufik until Kui Buri where we will split ways. The TCB riders will be riding into Cambodia through the Had Lek border and later into Laos through the Stung Treng border.

Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating for many people. One can experience a sense of freedom and adrenaline release while admiring the beautiful scenery along the way. As usual, to make long rides less boring, we visited some attractions along the way to break the monotony and made the journey more interesting. Attractions visited during our trips:

(Route 41, Phatthalung)

(Phu Tubberk Highlands, Phetchabun)

(Route 12, Khao Kho)

(Fantasy Resort, Chai Nat)

(Mae Khlong Train Market, Samut Songkhram)

(Rajabakhti Park, Hua Hin)

(Dan Singkhon Myanmar Border, Prachuap Khiri Khan)

(Rest & Recreation Area, Thap Sakae)

(Isthmus of Kra, Kra Buri Ranong)

(Myanmar is just across the river)

(Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, Phang Nga Bay)

(Khao Tanan and Sunflower Field, Thung Bu Lang)

(Pak Bara Beach, Satun)

Fb Album: 2018 Year-end Couple Ride

Next trip: 2019 Umrah Trip

 2018 Couple Ride: 01 KL - Phatthalung👉 

Thailand/Myanmar/Cambodia 2018: 4-Nation 4x4 Solo Trip

"If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving..." - Martin Luther King Jr.

(The Bigfoot crossing the Thailand/Cambodia border)

For some, overland border crossing from Thailand to Cambodia could be a painful experience.

We had crossed the Thailand/Cambodia border with our motorbike a few times either at Aranyaprathet/Poi Pet border or Hat Lek/Cham Yeam border and without much hassle.

This year we decided to go for our annual 4-Nation Kembara a little early. Instead of riding our motorbike, we will be driving our Hi-Lux 4x4. We planned to drive north and pass through a few towns in Thailand then enter Cambodia through Hat Lek/Cham Yeam border and stay in Kong Kong for a few days and visit the attractions there. We may detour along the way and visit the border towns of Myanmar.

First two days of the road trip, we will stay in Phuket and spend time with our grandchildren who will be on a cruise trip with their parents. 

(Singkhorn Pass at Thailand/Myanmar border)

(Koh Kong Bridge in Cambodia)

Q7 4-Nation 4x4 Trip

Malaysia - Thailand - Myanmar border - Cambodia

Date: 11 - 19 September 2018

Total Distance: 4,706 km

Next trip: 2018 Year-end Couple Ride

      2018 Q7 4ND: 01 Changloon - Phuket👉

03 Solo 4ND: Phuket - Chaam

"Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations..." - Oliver Goldsmith

(A township at Singkhorn Pass Myanmar border)

Date: 13 Sep 2018 (Thursday)

Route: Phuket - Singkhon Pass - Chaam
Hotel: Chaam Villa Hotel

We had breakfast of Nasi Goreng at Pakcik stall near the masjid. We drove on route 415 and route 401 towards Surat Thani then on route 4 heading towards Chumphon. We stopped to buy a few boxes of salted eggs at Ban Nai Huai. They are from Surat Thani’s Chaiya district where they are famed for their distinctly red yolks and having the right balance of saltiness. Later we stopped for lunch and prayers at Khun Sarai R&R.

(Buying salted eggs from a Muslim stall)

(The colorful millineal eggs)

(As usual, egg rice, soup, ulam and sambal for lunch)

(Khun Sarai R&R near Chumphon)

Before we reached Prachuap Khiri Khan we detoured towards Singkhorn Pass at Thailand /Myanmar border. The Singkhorn Pass is only open for Myanmar and Thai residents travelling either way for up to two days. It connects Mueang Prachap Khiri Khan with a very remote part of Myanmar.

(Making a detour to Singkhorn Pass, Myanmar border)

(A pass across Tenasserim Hill)

(The signage leading to Thailand/Myanmar Border)

This pass is on road 1039, about 14 km from the junction of Route 41. The road on the Burmese side leads to Myeik via Mawdaung and Tanintharyi, and has been recently been repaired. Singkhon Pass has been upgraded in infrastructure, public utilities, urban planning and landscaping.

(Arriving at the border in late afternoon)

(Motorcycle taxis available to transport those with border passes)

(The clock tower at Singkhorn Pass)

From the border we drove direct to Chaam and stayed overnight at Chaam Villa Hotel for Baht500 inclusive breakfast. Tonight we had banana pancake dinner from a Bangla stall near the hotel. It was raining very heavily throughout the night.

👈2018 Q7 4ND: 02 Phuket

 2018 Q7 4ND: 04 Cha’am - Trat👉

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: 05 Mae Sai – Tachileik - Phu Chi Fa

"Do not pray for an easy life; pray for a strength to endure a difficult one..."

(1st Myanmar Bike Week)

Date: 15 December 2014 (Monday)
Route: Mae Sai – Tachileik - Phu Chi Fa
Mileage: 186 km
Hotel: Phu Chi Fa Inn Resort

This year Myanmar is organizing their 1st Myanmar Tachileik Bike Week festival organized by the Eastern Eagle MC. Bikers all over are gathering here as this is the first bikers’ event in Myanmar history. As part of our 4-Nation Ride we had planned to enter Myanmar and visit the Bike Week site.

(The group getting ready to cross the border)

(The map of Mae Sai and Tachileik)

(The river dividing the two border towns)

(Signage at the entrance to Tachileik)

(Feeling elated in the morning)

(With a few Singaporean bikers)

(With two Myanmar girls at the border)

This morning we decided to enter Tachileik on foot instead of on bike to make the border entry process simpler. Earlier we met with a few Malaysian bikers who were also joining The Myanmar Bike Week in Tachileik and had the opportunity to listen to their unfortunate stories at the border. They were in a large group and were detained for almost 3 hours at the border and had their boxes opened and thoroughly checked before they were allowed to enter the border. After hearing about their biker friends’ horror stories and the hardship of border crossing, a few among us were having cold feet and reluctant to cross the border.

(Yeay... we made it to the Bike Week's site)

(Colorful Red Indian Teepees)

(A few ape-hanger choppers on display)

(We had done 3 Nations, next to Laos)

(Awesome air brush design)

We, on the other hand, would want to try our luck as we had good experience in 2013 while crossing Thailand/Myanmar border from Ranong with no hassle. When we entered the border with ease, we called the rest to join us. The Immigration Officer asked a few questions and the reason for entering Myanmar, we informed that we are going shopping in Tachiliek and will depart Myanmar the same day. We had our passports stamped and allowed to keep them after paying USD10 for a day entry permit. Tachiliek border is closed after 17:00hrs every day.

From the border we chartered a few tuk-tuks to ferry fourteen of us to and from the Bike Week site for B100 per person. The Bike Week site was not yet opened early in the morning but we managed to buy a few bike week t-shirts for B400 each from the organizers. After spending over an hour at the site we crossed back to Mae Sai.

(Riding out of Mae Sai)

(Taking a new routing)

(A winding hilly road to Phu Chi Fa)

(Riding the mountainous road)

(Not so good road at some stretches)

We checked out from the hotel around noon after collecting our laundry. We started riding towards Phu Chi Fa, a mountain and a national forest park at the northeastern end of the Phi Pan Nam Range bordering Thailand and Laos. It is not one of the largest peaks but its remote location, winding roads and final spectacular view makes it a journey worth making.

(Stopping at a panoramic look-out point)

(A photo shot high above the clouds)

(The junction to the summit)

(Riding uphill, steep and winding road)

(Proud and happy to be here with the KTM)

(A group photo with our official banner)

(A photo shot with a local girl)

(A short ride to the parking area) 

The road is good and starts winding when we crossed the mountainous ridges. A kilometer from the summit we parked our motorbikes and started to climb to the view point with views of the elegant peaks, arrays of rolling hills and verdant valleys.

(A row of shops selling local souvenirs)

(Hill tribe girls in colorful costumes)

(Taking a rest, more hiking to go)

(Beautiful scenery from the top)

(The Thailand/Laos border at the peak)

(Three ladies made it to the top)

(A proud moment for the group)

(A pose before the steep hike downhill)

(A friendly 'Bob Marley' with his girlfriend)

(Visitors waiting for sunset at the peak)

(Monks hiking to the summit to watch the sunset)

The day was bright with a pleasantly cool weather. From the parking place, it was a steep climb uphill and made difficult as we were not dressed for the climb. With our riding pants and heavy boots, we climbed slowly but surely. We were encouraged by hill-tribe children wearing colorful tribal costumes, chanting songs and prayers for our safe climb while collecting donations from the hikers. And of course we took longer time than the other younger energetic riders. All except two, managed to climb up to the summit. We had a good view of the Mekong River and Laos from the summit. Tourists visit the mountain especially at dawn to catch a glimpse of the ‘sea mist’ of fog-surrounded hills.

(Riding downhill to look for lodging)

(Staying the night at Phu Chi Fa Hill Resort)

(A view of beautiful sunset from our chalet)

After the climb, we checked in at one of the hill resorts. Our small cozy chalet was perched up the hill. As our chalet was the top most, we had a fantastic view of the sunset.

We had seafood dinner cooked by the owner of the chalet. It was 10'c at night, the chilly windy weather was teeth-chattering but we had a free flow of steaming hot coffee and Milo to warm our bodies.

 2014 Q3 4NR: Phu Chi Fa - Chiang Khong, Thailand👉

👈2014 Q3 4NR: Chiangmai - Mae Sai, Thailand