Cycle Malaysia Day 12 - Alor Setar to Sg. Petani

A brief check on the bike for any abnormality at times nuts might be loosened due to long riding and vibration on the road. It's also good to lubricate the chain as and when necessary.

I got excited seeing SMR Nasi Lemak Royale later I realised that there are so many "Royale" around Alor Setar.

My fuel for the day a nasi kandar at Jalan Tunku Ibrahim.

The house where Tun Dr Mahathir was born, it was still too early for visit.

This mamak sign board attracted me with a cargo bike in it. There is really a lot of nasi kandar shop in Alor Setar.

Stopped by at this spot to capture these decorative bikes.

Pondok Polis Simpang Tiga after 26km of riding somewhere in the vincity of Kota Sarang Semut. I find that this old trunk road between Alor Setar (Road 1) is nice to cycle with big matured tree shading the path especially the stretch until Gurun.

Midway of the journey is this small town, Guar Chempedak. One do not have to worry of getting food or drink along this trail as there are many small towns in between.

I actually never thought of Gunung Jerai and I only realised it when I reached the place. And immediately I decided to visit it.

I waited somewhere at the start of the climb trying to hitch a ride but failed after waiting for half an hour and so I decided to cycle up. I only managed 3km and turned back for a hired van.

The van to Gunung Jerai, boy the climb is really steep and I salute to those who are able to cycle up.

Took my bike out from the van for a short spin and photography. That was it a little excitement and adventure in Gunung Jerai.

My tummy has been signalling me for food and Gurun shall be the place for lunch.

Kedai Kopi Dan Makanan New Light for a bowl of yummy Kari Mee & a cup of Kopi "O" kosong at GPS: 5.815543, 100.477862

It was more than 7 years ago I was here with Yong Lim and friends for a game of golf during a Chinese New Year break. Today I came back with my bicycle.

I just could not resist myself for a natural juice on a very hot day at Taman Seroja, Sg. Petani.

It was so nice and comfortable inside Amanjaya Mall especially after a long ride and on a hot day. I did a bit of shopping and had coffee again at Old Town Coffee.

Dinner with Yong Lim & family. Thank you so much and we will see each other again.

The ride of 83km including the hike to Gunung Jerai by a van was about 23km, hence the actual cycling distance was only 60km for Day 12.

Cycle Malaysia Day 11 Kangar - Alor Setar

Perlis is very much Thai, the night before I had some Thai food for dinner at a restaurant nearby Soo Guan Villa and my breakfast was a Thai Kuay Teow noodle soup at a shop across the hotel. Sawadi karp. Today I have to leave Perlis and it was time to head back to Alor Setar.

Arau is about 7km away from Soo Guan Villa where I have to cross a decorated bridge over Perlis River before arriving at Arau.

The Royal town of Perlis, Arau.

In front of the Royal Palace of Perlis at Aarau.

I was attracted by the appearance of old Arau town where later I found out that Arau Heng one of college mates who used to live here in one of the shops. These old shops have cantilevered upper floors with beautiful wall finishes and windows.

After 1km from the border between Perlis and Kedah I arrived at Kodiang which is in the district of Kubang Pasu.

Kerbau Cave of Kodiang standing alone and very distinctive.

Chinese temple along Route 176. The road condition is superb for cycling with a motorbike lane and the traffic is so light and relatively quiet.

I was surprise to see a big Siamese temple at Padang Sera and it is called Wat Boonyaram. Location GPS : 6.357383, 100.338825

Wat Boonyaram is popular among the Thai community locally and and abroad. I am impressed with its existence in Kubang Pasu.

I was pedalling along Jalan Aman Utama in Jitra along a river I saw another big Siamese temple and it is Wat Jitraram looking beautiful by the river side.

I had a good rest at Kong and Liew Kee's house. Thanks for the home cooked food and a tour around Jitra by Liew Kee. Will see both of you again.

With an easy 26km from Jitra I was already in Alor Setar where I took time to visit and see more of Alor Setar city.

The water level of Kedah River was seems high as I was exploring the area at Jalan Tunku Yaakob.

I was back to Zahir Mosque it is one of the oldest and grandest mosques in Malaysia, built in 1912 and located in the heart of Alor Setar.

A replica of the archway of Kota Tengah Palace that was demolished in 1973 to make way for the Wisma Negeri building. This is just next to the Nobat Tower.

One of the several graffiti on the wall of Chinatown in Alor Setar.

Like most major towns in the country the old entertainment joints are all left dilapidated and idle. This one must be of Shaw Brothers' property with the faded sign indicates "Great World 大世界".

I was attracted by this crowded street selling food and so I went over to explore.

I felt that the fish balls are a bit starchy and lack a good typical bounciness. Anyway, business was a brisk and the stall seems popular among the locals.

Day 11 was easy and relaxing.

Cycle Malaysia Day 10 - Alor Setar - Kangar

After a good sleep at Hotel Samila and I was set to move on. It was raining in the morning I had to wait for the rain to stop before I could look for a place to have my breakfast. 

The oldest Tua Pek Kong Temple in Alor Setar located at Jalan Tunku Yaacob.

Zahir Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia.

Trying out Alor Setar's prawn noodle, it tasted good I quite enjoyed it. The sky was still drizzling but not heavy I decided to move on.

Paddy Museum was my next destination where I headed north towards Gunung Keriang direction.

It's time to get closer to the coastline where I cut through Alor Janggus and cycle towards Kuala Perlis. It was mainly padi fields along the way without much of shading trees fortunately it was a cloudy wet day and it was lovely to cycle with the sea breeze freshing your face.

There were many river mouths along this northern trail and at every kuala you will see typically fishing boats at the river side. The scenery is always awesome and a haven for photographers. I followed along the Kuar river for Kuala Kuar.

This coastal access is narrow, long and straight with hardly any cars on it. On the sides are mostly padi fields and a few prawn farms besides the sea view.

The access can be sometime as bad as this but only at a short stretch. The tranquility of such path is lovely to ride on especially along the "tepi laut"

It was low tide when I was riding along this stretch.

The seaside road at Kampung Ayer Hitam is interesting and unique. A house address of this locality.

One of the prawn feeding farms at Ayer Hitam, Kedah.

A small and narrow estuary at Ayer Hitam with some boats tucking at the nipah trees.

Cutting through the padi fields where I got to see harvesting of paddy and the friendly folks of Kedah.

Sometimes I encounter friendly cows blocking the way as I slowly move closer to them and seek permission to pass them.

A good crowd seems to be coming in for lunch at this warong Restoran Seri Tanjung, Kuala Sanglang. For your information this place is quite near to the territory of Perlis.

The surrounding of Restoran Seri Tanjung with lovely scene where you can see fishing boats moving up and down the river.

Drying of fishes for dried salted fish at the neighbourhood.

Immediately after Kuala Sanglang the scenery continues with the rock bund coastline and it is all the way to Kuala Perlis.

The condition of the road R152 gets better as I rode towards Kuala Perlis with cleaner and more landscape along the way.

Arriving at a warong at the border between Kedah and Perlis with both the  two states flag flying high and majestically.

My simple Malay food with curry fish and plain rice.

The rain started come again, this time it was heavier I managed to find a shelter with two guys in it. We chat and they were amazed of what I was doing with a small bicycle. The Malay man shared some tips on East West Highway road as he used to travel frequently when he was working as a lorry driver.

This river mouth at Simpang Ampat is so dense with fishing boats and there are houses built at the edges of the river.

A wet arrival at Kuala Perlis. It has a jetty and it is popular with among tourists visiting Langkawi island.

I took a few photographs of the floating Al Hussian Mosque next the Kuala Perlis Jetty and out into the sea is the Straits of Malacca.

Visiting Abdul Rahim Abdul Kadir was in my visit old friends list in Kangar, I managed to find his house at Kampung Bakong, Kangar after another 16km from Kuala Perlis.

I decided to check into Soo Guan Villa at Jalan Jejawi Permatang for the night and going to Arau on following day would be much easier.

I enjoyed this combination, this fried chicken with lemon grass was so yummy even the fried lemon grass went well with the beer.

I enjoyed the beautiful ride along the seasides of Kedah and Perlis on Day 10.