Cycle Malaysia Day 21 Pulau Redang

We were lucky to find a warong selling Nasi Kerabu very near the place where we staying and the nasi kerabu was delicious and satisfying. Well today there wouldn't be any long haul cycling but a break at the paradise island.

After our breakfast we cycled to Merang Jetty, the weather was prefect and we are ready for Redang Island.

Payment of RM5.00 for the marine conservation fund which is meant for preservation work of the marine park found around the island.

Jason was a happy man it was his first time to Pulau Redang and he love the detour.

The boat ride took us in less than an hour to reach together with a group of visitors from Kuala Lumpur.

Finally we have landed at the shore of Redang Pelangi Resort with our bicycles.

It's good news again a chance to cycle in a kampong in Pulau Redang. I was so happy to meet my old friends the Foo's brothers and Dr. Khoo in the island. After a short rest at the resort, we followed Dr.Khoo on a boat ride to Kampong Baru Pulau Redang

Dr. Khoo and the rest went to a job site and while we went for a bicycle exploration instead.

Though I have visited Pulau Redang several times but I have never been to this part of the island. What a lovely day in a tranquil country side with our bicycles.

Basically we were just cutting across the island from Pulau Redang Jetty to the other end where The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort is situated. The distance is about 10km to and fro.

Taaras Beach and Spa Resort by the Berjaya Group pricing at US$130 per night.

We braved in further after the resort on a off road trail which lead us to a seaside.

What a beautiful scene on a white beach with blue sky and sea in the shade of blue. And what more sitting on the Brompton with a refreshing coconut drink.

The happy toddler at the drink stall while his mother was selling her drinks.

One for the album on this beautiful beach. I love seeing the crystal clear water.

We stopped by at a stall in the kampong for apom balik and rojak for lunch.

The monitor lizard at the island is huge and calm, not like those you see in the city where they always panicky whenever they see people.

Time to take a dip in the crystal clear water and even up my tan.

Jason surrounded by these friendly fishes and there are so many of them in the water.

With a piece of bread you could experience the fishes nipping at your hand.

In the evening we just relax at the bar had a few beers and relax chatting with my old friends. Today it was a kind of holiday for me where I took off from my touring plan and indeed a wonderful time in Pulau Redang.

Cycle Malaysia Day 20 Kota Bharu - Merang

It had been a good visit to Kota Bharu and my appreciation to my old buddy, Jack Lim for being a good host. He was with us to lead us out of the city.

Before saying goodbye to Kota Bharu, Jack brought us to this popular kopitiam called Kopitiam Kita at Jalan Sri Cermelang GPS : 6.129413, 102.249410.

It was crowded as usual being the most popular coffeshop for breakfast.

A variety of packed food to pick such "Nasi Lauk Air Dingin" (rice with fish curry from the town of Air Dingin) and various "Nasi Lauk" (literally 'rice with dishes') from Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, and other towns in Kelantan.

Our bicycles at the side of the entrance while we ventured into the food haven. 

An interesting French toast toast with half boiled egg, and  kaya jam at the corners.

Hi-5 to these kids on their bicycles as we rode out of Kota Bharu.

Somewhere in Bachok as we were cycling on the inner roads we saw a huge Buhdda statue sticking out from nowhere and we rode towards it.

What a surprise to see such an elaborate Siamese temple at this quiet country side called Kampong Balai and the name of this temple is Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham 双龙寺.

The local called it Wat Balai.

It was also known as the Twin Dragon Temple as seen at the main entrance. That was a surprise discovery and has never heard of this place before.

Hi-5 again to these boys as we continue to see lovely Malaysia.

We got ourselves closer to the shore and found a beautiful seaside scenery with lots of coconut trees with lovely sea breeze. It is definitely a great place to relax and chill.

I love this typical scene of the fishing village.

After 27km of cycling we reached Pantai Irama Bachok, it was a Saturday and it was crowded with people. Kelantan has beautiful beaches like this which it is facilitated with public amenities such toilets, restaurant motels and places for water activities.

Bridge at Jalan Melawi - Semarak after Tok Bali. There are a few resorts seen at this surrounding of Tok Bali which is a fishing port and an alternative gateway to to the islands of Perhentian and also Redang.

At the boundary of Kelantan and Terengganu.

We have arrived at Kuala Besut for a lunch break

Wow today we have been meeting so many of these young bikers and I always teased them to follow us "Jom ikut dik"

During our lunch at Restoran Seafood Lucky, Kuala Besut we made an impromptu decision to go to Pulau Redang after finding out that my friends were in the island. So we made arrangement for a boat ride to Pulau Redang, it seems too expensive to ferry from Kuala Besut and had to embark from Merang for a reasonable fare.

We were misled by the taximan that we were able to catch a boat to Pulau Redang on time but we were disappointed to know that the boat have left and had to wait until the next day.

Fortunately we found a homestay at Merang and  stayed there for the night. Don't be confuse by the name Marang and Merang, Merang has a public jetty that can take you to the many beautiful islands of Terengganu.

Meanwhile we went roaming at the surrounding of Merang and checking the route to the public jetty as we will be take a boat from there to the island.

Day 20 we cycled 64km to Kuala Besut from Kota Bharu but ended up at Merang.

Cycle Malaysia Day 19 - Kota Bharu to Sg. Golok

Good morning KB. KBCC is a good place to stay in Kota Bharu was ready for a tall order and I was requested to follow a group of roadies to Golok something that I wasn't sure of doing.

I felt out of place seeing these road bikers in their attires and worried whether I could cope up with them. Jack took out my T-bag and left it at Timothy's house, he said that I don't need the unnecessary weight on the bike. 

And off we went, crossing the bridge of Sultan Yahya Petra out of the city.

At Mukim Al-Ismaili Mosque upon negotiating a round-a-bout of Pasir Pekan.

Some of the riders were waiting here to join at Caltex, Wakaf Bharu

I was surprised to see piglets with an old folded skin pig running around in a kampung. A scene that I never imagine I could see it in Kelantan.

I was glad to meet these Red Riders from Kota Bharu and thank you for your superb company.

So nice to see Jack has taken up this sport so passionately for the last couple of years. Keep it up and ride on.

Regrouping at Caltex Rantau Panjang and I was told to stay close to the group as we cycle through the border.

The Immigration, Customs, Quarantine Station Complex at Rantau Panjang. It was a smooth crossing as I just follow what the locals do and that will be fine.

Sawadi karp I am in the land of Thailand which made it as the second nation that I have visited in this tour. I absolutely love the idea.

Thank so much Jack for a great suggestion to visit Golok and this was my first time being in Golok.

All these while I thought Golok is a small village but I was surprise to see that it is a big town and very vibrant indeed.

The Red Riders used to cycle to Golok just to have their breakfast and cycle back to Kota Bharu taking a distance of nearly 90km to and fro. The shop that we stopped for our breakfast is located at Amphoe Sungai Kolok GPS : 6.020638, 101.957719 .

Checking my tyre air pressure which seem to be low.

Yes what a way to have a great Sunday morning breakfast with a good friend in Sg. Golok. 

I ordered this Kuay Chop while some chose to have porridge.

A plate of roasted pork to be shared and it was simply delicious I like the crispy skin.

Going around Golok town and a brief shopping for one or two Thai products.

Regrouping while others still shopping around the neighbourhood.

Time to head back to Kota Bharu and goodbye Golok.

What a lovely Sunday experience to Golok this shall be a memorable day for me. Sawadi karp.

Once again my sincere appreciation to the Red Riders for a wonderful company. A group picture at Wat Photivihan (Reclining Budhha) and also my stop for a support car back to Kota Bharu.

We stopped at Soon Yue Kopitiam, Kota Bharu for a drink while waiting for the rest to come back on their bikes.

One more for the album at Soon Yue Kopitiam

Before I went up to the apartment I tried the beef noodle opposite the road at Lim Siong Kee Beef Noodle. Another yummy food of Kota Bharu found at GPS : 6.116392, 102.239647 .

My friend Jason flew in from Kuala Lumpur to join me for the next 4 days. Welcome to Chinatown of Kota Bharu.

We went back to Chinatown again in the evening hunting for food.

This is the "Irish Pub" of Kota Bharu.

Dinner at Kota Bharu Chinatown.

Amazing Day 18, the highlight was my adventure to Sg. Golok with a group of roadies and I stopped my ride at Wat Photivihan marking a distance of 72km.