The Quest for Margarita 2 (February 8 to 11, 2020), Day 2 : Taiping to Penang

At Taiping's Lake Gardens

At Louis Hotel

The great escape after breakfast!!!

Flowering rain tree

At the Industrial Estate

At the Industrial Estate, circling the perimeters of the factory

6 concrete slabs for 6 of us!

The Giants should always walk last! Where is Mr Lim???

Back on track!

At the fringes of Kampung Ayer Puteh. Note the kekabu tree aka cotton tree

...Oops! Another U-Turn

Back on track...........again!!!

Enroute to Kuala Kurau

Enroute to Kuala Kurau

Farming machine

Taking a break midway to Kuala Kurau

The busy few instructing May and Karen to go ahead to Penang without waiting for the rest

The waterways just before Tanjung Piandang

Waiting for our ferry

On board !

On board !

On board !

Butterworth

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Penang

So honoured that Berenda and Mike could come and join us but KC preferred a rest, requesting a take away instead.

The Quest for Margarita....The thirst is finally quenched!!!

Fun night out

Our day began with breakfast at Kwan Seong restaurant. This place is popular with wantan mee lovers and locals who have traveled far and wide swear this is the best wanton mee in the world. Claudine is never a fan of wanton mee but over the years have grown only to enjoy this stall's noodles.

Before we get onto Kwan Seong's wanton noodles, one must understand that each and every wanton mee stall in Taiping is different in terms of noodle textures, elasticity and width. This is because they make their own noodles or used to! On top of that, every stall will come up with their own version of sauces hence each will have it's own individuality.

As there was only one stall at Kwan Seong, May graciously bought Tai Chien's popiah and char kueh tiau to expand everyone's palate. Poor Mr Lim was a bit late to enjoy the food as he rode past the shop despite KC waving at him; with him, nodding in response. Luckily he managed to find his way when our location was sent to him.

Riding out after the Lake Gardens

After breakfast, we went to the Taiping's Lake Gardens for a short photo shoot. Lucky for us, the rain trees were flowering in full bloom when we were there! Thus, our ride began on a positive note...

On the viaduct across the railway tracks near the Taiping Railway Station

Heading north finally, we went via Aulong, passing by it's industrial estates. On a Sunday, the whole place was virtually deserted. Making our way through the many past mining ponds, some with flowering lotus; we circled the perimeters of a factory hesitantly unsure where VT was leading us.
Riding up to a small brook with 5 concrete slabs as bridges, he even joked that we can take a race across, with each taking a slab!!!

However, before the race could begin, he realized too soon that we had gone the wrong way! But that did not stop us from posing for photos!!

It would seem the route is popular with locals as we saw motorcycles and 4WD passing by in the short time we were there. Returning to the factory's premise, we took the other dirt track which led us through lush palm oil estates and a charming Kampung Ayer Puteh. This charming single lane road runs parallel to Route 1's Taman Palong.

We were somewhat disappointed when our little adventure ended at the T-junction to Route A2. Turning left, we were surprised to see the North Taiping toll plaza just 700 m ahead!

Not able to use the highway for Penang, we then turned right onto Route 1 stopping at Simpang Empat, Semanggol some 8 km later. In totality, we had not rode more than 20 km since we left Taiping Lake Gardens! To our defence, Route 1 was a boring 4 lane trunk road with no tree canopies. Only a canal meant to irrigate the endless golden rice fields, occasional signboards and scattered kampung houses kept us entertained !!!

Right after our coffee break in Simpang Empat, Semanggol

Taking our morning tea break at Simpang Empat's coffee shop, this destination became our deciding point to detour to Kuala Kurau. Embarking on Route A 100's Jalan Gula,, the journey was initially fun. We detoured onto golden rice fields and were amazed by fresh water oysters in the nearby canal. Riding along the inner, single lane road, shaded by the occasional banana trees was a tranquil experience.

Where the road ends, we were forced to rejoin Jalan Gula, This long endless road which runs past acres of palm oil estates with no shades made Claudine cowered at the idea of even suggesting a further detour to Kuala Gula. Hence, the junction to the well known bird sanctuary was passed without a squeak and everyone had to be happy with the few cranes and lotus flower spotted along the canals.

Kuala Kurau's bridge was daunting from far. But the climb was manageable and the view absolutely rewarding.

We stopped for lunch in the Chinese village before making our way to Tanjung Piandang. Avoiding Route A190, VT wisely took us on Parit Mat Ali, a single track road, not wider than 4 feet, stripped bare of tarmac on certain stretches. It was a beautiful experience riding alongside canals with the occasional wooden bridges, kampung houses and mosques.

Parit Mat Ali ended on Sungai Baru Tengah and from there we reroute to Pasir Gedabu. Again a small single track road in slightly better condition than Parit Mat Ali, we were surprised to see a huge modern temple in the middle of rice fields.

Tg Piandang jetties

Right after Tg Piandang

Right after Tg Piandang

We did not stop long in Tanjung Piandang. Mindy's suggestion of visiting Datuk Kong temple was brushed aside as we were more keen to see the natural village life. Taking in the inner village roads, we were literally riding past the door steps of village homes before coming to the jetties. Hereon, we rode alongside Sungai Kota, all the way to Kuala Bagan Tiang.

Kuala Bagan Tiang brought us out of paddy fields, into village life. Within minutes, we were at the state borders, determined by Route A 22's Jalan Sungai Bakau ! Relieved to finally see some shops, we decided to stop for drinks at Perak's side of Sungai Bakau.

It was already close to 3 pm. Meanwhile, May and Karen who had boarded the KTM Commuter train in Taiping were due to arrive at Butterworth in another half hour. They were directed to proceed on their own without waiting for the rest.

On Penang soil

Dark clouds looming

After our drink stop, we rolled on Perak's soil for another 1 km before defecting into Penang for more adventures circumventing the paddy fields. This time, the temperatures dropped tremendously as strong winds brought along grey clouds offering a cooling respite.

Our play time ended at Parit Buntar but with Nibong Tebal comes the spectacular viaduct that ran above the railway tracks.

Our plans to rush for Butterworth was foiled when rain caught up with us just 5 km out of the paddy fields. Taking it in good stride, we stopped for tea at a nearby mamak shop in Nibong Tebal.

The rain was a blessing in disguise as it left us with cooling weather. However, as the journey progresses nearer to Butterworth, the volume of cars on the road increases as well and so did Uncle KC's muscle aches and cramps!

Ferry fare

On the way to the terminal

2 km short of the ferry terminal, we made a break at Shell's Jalan Chain Ferry. It was already 6.30 pm and VT thought it was better to take a toilet stop before the ferry journey. It turned out to be a wise decision as many of us took a fall when the ferry was berthing at Penang's terminal. The vessel hit it's side and the impact threw Mindy, Claudine and Mr Lim off balance!

Campbell Street Market 

In the evening, Mike Khor came over to Reunion Carnarvon and took us on a walking food tour. Past 9 pm, what was left on the streets were just mediocre fare but we were delighted that Berenda had come out of her way to join us and that we finally had our Margarita; a Quest that took us from Klang all the way to Penang!!!

Sia Boey Urban Archeological Park by midnight, after VT and Claudine's supper 

Photo courtesy :

Mindy
KC

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Reunion Carnavon