Cycle Malaysia Day 13 - Sg. Petani to Kulim

I have changed my route for Day 13, I was supposed to cycle to Kupang but I decided to go to Kulim where I can meet my friends there. As I was cycling out of Sg. Petani from Laguna Merbok I met a new friend. Thank you Azni Hassan for your continuous encouragement on Facebook while I was on the road.

The route I took was new to me which was basically going through Kg. Pinang Tunggal. As a young boy when I was staying in Padang Serai I used to hear this name from my late dad. Thank you Yong Lim for helping me out on the route.

Using Jalan Lecongan Barat by passing Sg. Petani town at the south and going through a tunnel underneath the north south highway which Pinang Tunggal is located and the boundary between Kedah and Penang is close by.

At km30 of my ride I have reached at the kampong kampong of Padang Serai and popularly known as Kg. Sidam.

I dropped by my 5th Uncle house in Padang Serai.

Everyone of us is getting old that is a fact of life that can not be deny. All the best to my Go Chek.

Continuing my journey passing by Lunas like I used to pass by this house in the school bus every morning. It is still there but being used as a commercial premises.

The other reason why I decided to come to Kulim was to visit my school, Sultan Badlishah School. I was glad to be allowed to enter the school compound by the guards.

Terima kasih to this man for escorting me in the school.

The padang of Sultan Badlishah School, so nice to be back here though there are some changes with new buildings and also a few missing blocks.

My wife's grandmother used to stay at this corner shop which was a barber shop, she and her sisters used to come here during their school holidays

As I was taking pictures of the mural I saw Simon & Chris on their bikes, they were looking for me.

It was lovely to have friends cycling together again in a familiar town.

Ping Ling & Co has indicated to meet at this place which I told Simon & Chris. Immediately they took me there and they are regular patrons of Anak Kulim.

They really know the place well, we went in from the back as what Simon & Chris normally do when they cycle there.

With all my secondary classmates and it was so wonderful to meet up again.

I was excited that Hamzah could made it for the meeting. We were friends since primary school and so happy to know that he will be retiring soon.

Thank Simon for introducing me Hotel Zin, it was a good recommendation indeed.

In the evening, Yen Ling fetched me to this interesting restaurant called 老爷车饮食休闲馆 Lao Ye Che Restaurant at Sg. Lembu for a sumptuous dinner. Thank you to Ping Ling and Kim Beoy for the dinner. My decision to come to Kulim was definitely a right choice. With me were Gunes, Kim Beoy, Ping Ling, Prema & Yen Ling.

Day 13 was nostalgic. I truly enjoyed the day with my old buddies. 

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 9 Sg. Petani to Alor Setar

A good sleep at Yong Lim's place.

Time to leave Yong Lim's house and head North to Alor Setar. Basically I was taking the coastal route where I had the chance to visit several sites of Lembah Bujang at Sg. Batu as I left Sg. Petani. 

Merbok is now famous for its archaeological findings or rather its historical Bujang Valley.

Somewhere near the junction to the Archaeology Museum at Pekan Merbok I picked this quiet kopitiam for a bowl of Wan Tan mee and a cup of kopi"O" kosong.

I did not expect to see this dragon backs and this was my first encounter of dragon backs in this tour. The last climb was tough I had to dismount and pushed my bike.

I managed to peep out into the sea and the view was spectacular.

Then came the rain I took shelter at a bus stop next to this adik's stall selling la la clams. Selling at RM4 or RM5per kg (small and big). It was nice chatting with this friendly chap. Yan town is only 3km away and I fancied for a cup of hot kopi "O" on a wet morning.

Somehow I did not stop for any hot drink but continued to ride on enjoying the beautiful scenery after the cowboy town.

Passing places like Yan Kechil, Dulang, Sedaka and seems a slow and relax lifestyle of a typical kampong.

I am now approaching a place that I have marked for a visit as introduced by Yong Lim that is Pulau Bunting. The access is narrow which was I never expect such a condition and just can not imagine that there will a prominent bridge to see. I never missed it.

A fellow tourer shouted at me and telling me that I have missed the turning to the bridge at this warong. Photo credit : Zari Zari.

A chance to meet a 65 years old solo tourer, Zari Zari from KL. Thanks for the hot tea and we chatted for a while before I went in for the bridge. Photo credit : Zari Zari.

Just in front of the warong there is a small access covered with thick vegetation you might miss it if you are not observant. The white patch at the end of the access is the bridge.

As I got closer into the access the whole place begins to emerge.

A spectacular arch cable-stayed bridge built by Gamuda Berhad.

A bridge linking to an unpopulated island, I just don't know why. There are construction work in progress to improve the road leading to Pulau Bunting.

The weather was still drizzling as I slowly cycled out towards Kuala Kedah.

I caught up with Zari Zari on the main road of Jalan Pantai Barat Kedah K1 but he went missing after a while.

I then turned into a road leading to Kuala Sala. Kuala Sala is currently popular with their abundant of cockles and mussels (la la clams) so much so some of it is exported to Thailand.

Finally I settled for a simple and late lunch at a warong next to the bridge.

Kuala Sala seems to have affected by tornado before and a bridge seen with a mark "Jambatan Tsunami Kuala Sala". I guess this area is tsunami prone area.

I thought I lost him from the main road somehow he reappeared at the river mouth.

Together we cycled towards Kuala Kedah.

Flooding at Kuala Kedah as I made my way to Alor Setar city.

Passing by at SJK (C) Pei Hwa at Jalan Kuala Kedah.

Nasir is one of the many Malay friends that are still in contact with me, he was my primary classmate in Tunku Abdul Malik in Kulim and today I cycled all the way to his house in Alor Setar. It's great to meet up with him again.

I checked into Hotel Samila one of the old and known hotels in Alor Setar which is located nearby the Menara Telekom.

I managed to contact this college mate of mine and had so much to catch up of what we were doing after we left college. Thank you Siok Ewe for a wonderful dinner at Restoran Lima Utara.

I love this deep fried cat fish how nice if I would have it with a glass of cold beer.

Another favourite dish of la la clams and fresh squids in super sourish but yummy soup.

Siok Ewe then show me around the city of Alor Setar and I really appreciated him for his hospitality. I hope to see him again maybe in one of our class reunion gatherings.

A long but interesting ride for Day 9.