4NR DMK 2012: 12 Pattaya - Hua Hin, Thailand

"If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome..." - Michael Jordan

(Illegal riding on the elevated highway...)

Day 12: 29/10/2012 - Monday

Route: Pattaya - Hua Hin

Distance: 332 km

Hotel: City Beach Hotel, Hua Hin

(Reached our destination safe and sound...)

By 0800 we rode towards Hua Hin by-passing Bangkok. The bikers gang nearly got caught by the traffic police for mistakenly entering the Bhumipol elevated highway where motorcycles are not allowed. We stopped for lunch at one Cha'am muslim restaurant. We reached Hua Hin at 1400 but went around to look for a Big Bike Service Centre.

(A sumptuous seafood dinner...)

(A mural on the wall at Chatsila night market...)

After we checked in the City Beach Hotel, a few riders went to look for spare parts. At 2000 we had seafood dinner and later took a tuk-tuk to Chatsila night market for some souvenirs.

👈👈 2012 DMK: Hua Hin - Hatyai, Thailand

2012 DMK: Pattaya, Thailand 👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 13 Hua Hin - Hatyai, Thailand

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time..." - Barack Obama

(Breakfast together before we split routes...)

Day 13: 30/10/2012 - Tuesday

Route: Hua Hin - Hatyai

Distance: 746 km

Hotel: Grand Plaza Hotel, Hatyai

At 0830 checked out and the group rode together till Chumphon. 3 bikes rode direct to Krabi and 4 bikes rode towards Hatyai. The group split before Surat Thani. In Surat Thani our group went to look for Kawasaki Service Centre to change sprochet and tyre. Later we performed our prayers at Masjid Surat Thani.

(A Kawasaki Showroom...)

It was dark when we rode out towards Hatyai. It was a tiring 300+ km ride after spending a full day in the hot sun. Reached Grand Plaza Hotel Hatyai around 0100 and straight away had late dinner at the nearby stalls in front of the hotel.

(A Jame Mosque in Surat Thani...)

👈👈 2012 DMK: Hatyai - KL

2012 DMK: Hua Hin, Thailand 👉👉

4NR DMK 2012: 14 Hatyai, Thailand - KL

"When we forgive others we forgive ourselves, which is the first step in the healing process..."

(Colorful processions slowed down traffic...)

Day 14: 31/10/2012 - Wednesday

Route: Hatyai - KL

Distance 521 km

Early morning Zali and Tawfik rode out to Danok first. We checked out around 1200 with Hj Din and Yati. Met Zali, Tawfik and Kitwan at Restaurant Kak Jah in Danok. After border clearance, we rode back in the heavy rain with a few stops for refueling.

(Good-bye for now...)

Reached home sweet home around 2330. Alhamdulillah…

👈👈 2012 - Kembara Dana Madrasah Kemboja

2012 DMK: Hua Hin - Hatyai, Thailand 👉👉

Thailand 2012: Krabi - 3 Nation Welly Charity Ride...

“Somewhere on your journey don’t forget to turn around and enjoy the view...”



(The official logo)

04 Oct 2012 (Thursday)
(KL - Hatyai)

We arrived at Welly's showroom early and straight away went to a nearby mamak restaurant for nasi lemak breakfast. At around 1000 the group of more than 20 bikes gathered for a short briefing by the OTR guide. After the group photo, we were flagged off and rode towards the North-South PLUS highway. There were a few stops for refuelling at Simpang Pulai and Juru and had nasi kandar lunch at Nasmir Restaurant in Auto City.

(A lunch break at Auto City)

Our last stop before crossing the border was in Changloon where we settled motor insurance and money exchange business. By 1800 the group reached Bukit Kayu Hitam for border clearance and rode direct to Hatyai and checked in Hansa JB Hotel around 2030.

(Waiting for room keys...)

The group didn't join the welcoming reception at Nectar Pub. Instead we split into several groups then took a tuk-tuk to Lee Gardens for dinner at one of the Muslim stalls and later bought a few pair of t-shirts at Pink Lady's.

5 October 2012 (Friday)
(Hatyai - Krabi)

At 0700 we had breakfast. By 0800 we were ready to ride and suppose to assemble and start off earlier to skip the speeches and avoid getting stuck in the road blocked during the flag off by the Mayor of Hatyai. Because of some miscommunications on the timing, we departed late from Hatyai to Trang.

On the way, two bikes from our group met with an accident where the bike in front braked suddenly and the one following closely was unable to brake in time. It was made worst when it involved a passing car. None was injured but there were major damages to the bike and the car and a lot of time wasted to settle the matter with the local police.

(A biker inspecting damages...)

The rest continued to convoy to Krabi and around 1600 reached Maritme Park Resort for registration and collection of event packages and door gifts. We later checked in Best Western Ao Nang Bay Resort and went for an hour of body massage at the spa.

(A cozy Resort Hotel and Spa...)

There was supposed to be a welcoming street party at Black Crab View Point but none of us was properly informed of the event activities by the organizer. We later went with the OTR group for dinner at a nearby Thai Restaurant and later had another round of relaxing foot reflexology.

6 October 2012 (Saturday)
Krabi

(Black Crab View Point...)

After early breakfast, the group split into small groups. Some decided to go for islands hopping, the rest wanted to go picnicking or shopping. 5 bikes decided to join the charity ride convoy with thousands other bikes from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand starting from the Black Crab View Point to Thalan Bay where the Mayor of Krabi released some fishes.

(Bikers releasing fishes...)

(Riders resting under the cool shades...)

We later followed the convoy to Noppharat Beach for lunch break. Later we rode back to Ao Nang Beach and had late lunch at Sharifah Restaurant near the mosque..

(Convoy on the country road...)

After a short rest, the bikers gathered in front of McD and convoyed to Black Crab View Point for a nine-course official charity dinner, stage shows and lucky draws. A few of us didn't wait for the show to end but rode back to our hotel for own activities...

(Dinner and stage shows...)

7 October 2012 (Sunday)
(Krabi - KL)

After breakfast, the same 5 bikes break off from the group and rode towards Hatyai where we stopped for lunch and went to Hatyai Bazaar Market for a last minute shopping.

The border clearing at Bukit Kayu Hitam was smooth. The PLUS highway was jammed with heavy traffic and motorbikes coming back from Krabi. We rode back to KL in the rain and reached our apartment almost midnight....

Route taken: KL - Hatyai - Krabi - Hatyai - KL

Total mileage: 1,900 km

👈👈 2012 DMK: Pattalung, Thailand

2012: Koh Lanta, Thailand 👉👉

Thailand 2012: Koh Lanta -All weather ride...

"There's nothing bigger in life than the little things..." - Vanilla Sky

(Absorbing the serenity of Koh Lanta...)

15 Sept 2012 (Saturday)

At midnight, eight of us on six bikes consisting of 3 Versys and 3 non-Versys (GSA, Tenere, Vulcan) gathered at Sg Buluh R&R before we started our long-hauled journey. Although it was in the wee hour, the traffic was unusually heavy. We had our usual refueling and rest stops at Simpang Pulai, Juru and Changloon. After completing insurance and money exchange business we entered Thailand through Bukit Kayu Hitam.


(The 3 non-Versys bikes...)

It was still early in the morning but there were bus-loads of tourists crossing the border. Almost all counters were opened to cater for the large crowd but the immigration clearance was extremely slow. Once cleared, we had roti telor for breakfast at Restaurant Haji in Danok and got ourselves ready for the long ride to Koh Lanta passing through Pathaloong and Trang.

(Hot, delicious grilled chicken for lunch...)

(The ferry for Koh Lanta islands hopping...)

This time of the year the weather was most unpredictable. Scorching hot and dry at some places, windy with heavy showers in other areas. We by-passed Trang town and took the rural road and had ayam golek for lunch before we headed to the ferry terminal.


(A short ride in the scorching heat...)

(Stretching back and legs...)

Koh Lanta is located approximately 70 km from Krabi Town. It consists of two major islands, the larger, more populated Koh Lanta Yai (Commonly known as simply Koh Lanta) and the smaller Koh Lanta Noi, as well as several minor islands. The Koh Lanta Yai has attractive white sandy beaches, splendid scenery; coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under water life. The island is typically mangroves; coral rimmed beaches; and rugged tree covered hills.

(A welcoming signage...)

(Serene, undisturbed sandy beach...)

(A typical fisherman's hut...)

We had to take 2 ferries to cross to Koh Lanta Yai. There was no waiting time to board the ferries as they are always available for people commuting between the mainland to the two islands.


(A nice homely beach resort...)

(A clean and cheap accomodation...)

We checked in Lanta Seafront Resort and had time for a short rest. We later got the owner of the resort to ferry us in his Hi-Lux to a small muslim restaurant for a sumptuous tomyam dinner.

(Hitching a ride at the back of a pick-up...)

16 Sept 2012 (Sunday)

Low-key development and unspoiled nature are Koh Lanta's main attractions. But Its scenic beauty may not quite compete with some other islands such as Phuket or Koh Samui. However, if you're looking for complete peace and quiet away from the bustling tourist areas, with a few home comforts, here is the place to be...


(A group photo in front of the resort...)

(Packing and getting ready to ride...)

By 8:00 am we checked out of the resort and had a heavy nasi kerabu breakfast in a small warong. We then took the ferries out of Koh Lanta and rode towards Hatyai.


(Breakfast at one Muslim restaurant...)

(Riding out of Koh Lanta...)

Unaffected by tourism, the locals still earn their living from, prawn farming and fishing. We stopped along the route to buy the famous Koh Lanta ikan kering and belacan. We also stopped at one of the road-side stalls to taste the sweet Thai pineapples and mangoes at quite a reasonable price.


(Products of the many local cottage industry...)

(Another stop at the Pineapple stall...)

We reached Hatyai early and checked in the Ambassador Hotel and had our lunch at a nearby Muslim restaurant. After a good rest, we walked a short distance to Le Gardens Hotel and had a 2-hour strong Thai massage to relief tired muscles. Later we had pulut durian and teh tarik at one of the night stalls. Before we walked back to our hotel we bought some souvenir t-shirts for the kids and grand-daughters...

(Pulut durian and mangoes for dinner...)

(A therapeutic Thai massage...)

17 Sept 2012 (Monday)

We checked out by 7:00 am and rode direct to Danok for border clearance. It was still early and we managed to beat the crowd. The ride back was smooth although there was quite a massive traffic jam along the way because of the long week-end holiday...

(The Ambassador Hotel, Hatyai...)

Date: 15 - 17 September, 2012 

Route: KL - Bukit Kayu Hitam -Koh Lanta - Hatyai - Bukit Kayu Hitam - KL

Bikers' gang: Mus/Mun, Din/Yati, Chon, Syed, Aji Long and Fifi

Total distance: 1,650 km

👈👈 2012: Krabi, Thailand

2012: Phuket, Thailand 👉👉

Thailand 2012: Phuket Santai Ride...

"Travelling is physically tiring but mentally refreshing..."

June 22, 2012 - Friday
(KL - Krabi)

(Doing some stretching before the long ride...)

Tayar golek from Sg Buluh R&R with Hj Din & Yati, Zali, Lan, Shanaz, and Azim. Refueled at Rawang R&R and met with 8 other bikers.

(Briefing for the big-bikers...)

(Waiting in line for refueling...)

Refueled at Simpang Pulai and Juru where Chon and Hakim joined the convoy to Changloon, At one Chinese coffee shop in Changloon, we bought motor insurance and changed some baht. Had light breakfast of milo and toast before started riding the winding road of Wang Kelian. It was a hot long process of border clearance at Wang Kelian even though the place was deserted.

(A long and humid wait at the border...)

(Lunch stop at Pak Bara Beach...)

(Opportunity to stretch tired back and legs...)

.
The group rode to Pak Bara beach for a sumptuous nasi goreng and tom yam lunch. The initial plan was to ride direct to Phuket but when we reached Krabi, the other group of big bikers decided to stay a night at J Mansion hotel in Krabi and we followed suit. We had Thai food for dinner and later went for a relaxing full body Massage.

June 23, 2012 - Saturday
(Krabi - Phuket)

(Souvenir t-shirts...)

(A morning stroll along the beach...)

We woke up late and had breakfast at a bistro cafe by the beach. Later we strolled along Au Namg beach for some photo shots. We checked out at noon and 10 of us rode out towards Phuket. The rest will ride out a bit later.

(A group shot and a good rest...)

(At Phuket check point before entering the island...)

.
We reached Phuket around at 3pm and had Mihoon soup lunch at a stall by the mosque. We checked in Boomerang Hotel and rested till 8pm. At night we walked to the shops along the beach and had dinner at one Russian Restaurant.

(A night walk along the beach...)

June 24, 2012 - Sunday
(Phuket - KL)

(A group photo before the ride home...)

We checked out at 9.30 am and had breakfast nasi lauk at a restaurant near the mosque. Today we rode direct to the border with several stops for refueling and refreshments. We reached Danok around 6.00 pm and had a very late lunch or early dinner. Border clearance at Bukit Kayu Hitam was fast and efficient. We stopped at R&R Bukit Merah for drinks and solat and had our last refueling at Simpang Pulai. The group split from there and rode in the rain home. We reached our Sri Putramas apartment around 1.30 am.

(Good companions of disciplined riders...)

Alhamdulillah. Today we rode our first 1000 km. And we broke our own record…

Date: 22 -24 June 2012

Route taken: KL - Spg Pulai - Changloon - Wang Klian - Pak Bara - Krabi - Phuket - Danok - Bkt Kayu Hitam - Bkt Merah - Spg Pulai - KL

Total mileage: 2,060 km

Bikers gang: Mus/Mun, Din/Yati, Chon, Zali, Shanaz, Tawfik, Lan, Hakim + 7 other bikers

👈👈 2012: Koh Lanta, Thailand

2012: Betong, Thailand 👉👉