East Coast Ride (19-31 March 2018), Day 12 : Sg Golok to Johor via Koto Bahru

One for the road before parting ways near the roundabout to Wakaf Baru

Stuffing our faces with yu tiao

Goodbye, Thailand

Hello, Malaysia!

We are going home!

This morning, we spent a leisurely time in Sg Golok. As it was less than 50 km to Kota Bahru, we were in no hurry to leave this little town by the Thai border. Besides, with a night bus to catch, we had lots of time in our hands.

Morning street view of from restaurant

Flowers and gifts sold for children graduation

Kids in their graduation robes

First restaurant in front of the school @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/271CYsbRUaTRyMPd7

First breakfast

Khao Tum @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/kCEK5wPFdVDi7LKX8

Khao Tum

Yu Tiao

Meeting the gang for a second breakfast, VT found a nice shop selling khao tum, yu tiao and soy bean not more than 200m from Greenview Hotel. Before that, he had gone out with Claudine, landing themselves at a coffee shop right opposite a primary school. Dining over hot bowls of pho served with roasted pork and khao tum, they had watched the school’s graduation in process. The roads leading to the entrance were blocked with securities on alert whilst vendors ply bouquets of flowers and soft toys on the streets.

When we were done with breakfast, we started our journey home only to be alarmed by Mr Lim. He could not find his passport! The search party which extended back to the hotel turned up empty as well. Thankfully, we did not have to leave him in Thailand for after the umpteenth search, his little red book turned up, tucked away in a different compartment of his bag!!!

Still adamant to check out some bike shops in Sg Golok, we followed the instructions given by the hotel reception, landing ourselves at a local bike shop not more than 400m away from Greenview. Striking up a conversation with a friendly local bike tourer we found out he has a brother living in Kota Bahru. As there was a grey line on border crossings back in the olden days, families were not compelled to choose sides. Choice of stays weighed heavily on economic viability until they found themselves separated by lines set by governments!

Sg Golok’s close proximity to Malaysia sees some cultural blending. With a good presence of Malay ethnicity, Bahasa Malaysia is widely spoken as in the case of the bike shop owner; not forgetting Mandarin as our medium of command with our local bike tourer.

As our new friend had suggested another bike shop near a 7 Eleven not far away, we went in search but what we found were more of the latter store! Along the way, we lost ourselves in the pub districts which were surprisingly quiet in the morning. Coming to a dead end, we made a U Turn before making our way back to the main road and the CIQ.

Back on Malaysian soil, we rode rapidly along Route 3, focusing on an early arrival in Kota Bahru. Right after the Kelantan River, we took the left fork for Route 130’s Jalan Salor -  Pasir Mas, which runs parallel to Route 207’s highway. A treat indeed as the route took us on a quiet road, passing kampung houses and a school.

Just before the major roundabout, we had a tea break before splitting up. York Fuan, KC and Jenny left for Wakaf Bahru, hoping to catch the train home whilst the remaining team with pre-purchased bus tickets headed for Kota Bahru.

In Kota Bahru, VT, Mr Lim and Claudine checked out a few budget hotels near the local bus station before settling down at Suria hotel. At RM 50 per room shared amongst 3, they were grateful for the hot shower before boarding the night bus home. Besides, it provided a safe place to keep their luggage while they went on to explore more of Kota Bahru.

That afternoon, while Mr Lim met an old friend for tea, VT and Claudine explored Siti Khadijah’s market. Other than the conventional wet market on the ground floor, the second level comes with a huge eatery with stalls after stalls offering amazing Kelantanese delights. Almost every stall have a good following which explains the mountains of food offered. When lunch was done, the duo lost themselves in the abyss of the dimly lit dry market, buying bags of keropok ikan.

Keeping in touch with the rests on whatsapp, they found out Jenny and KC did not make the train journey as bikes are not allowed on trains. York Fuan though managed to win a plea bargain with a smile and a promise to keep her tiny Brompton in a bag.

Offering their rooms for Jenny and KC to take a shower, it was politely declined. No, they prefer to wait out the time at Aeon rather than come over….

Duhhhhhhh………

Then…..it dawned on them that the intercity bus station was not the same as the local bus station!!! Oops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Luckily, the journey to the “other” bus station was not far. Arriving in the new part of town, they managed an early dinner at a malay restaurant before proceeding to the “correct” bus station, bumping into KC and Jenny who had bought tickets with another bus company. Goodbyes were made with promises to keep in touch.

As they boarded their respective buses, VT, Mr Lim and Claudine soon learnt that not all bus drivers allow bikes on board, even when “coffee money” is offered. They prefer to earn a second income as couriers, transporting keropok ikan and the likes!!!

Photo courtesy :
KC