Amoi rides in the kampungs: Journey to the East (June 6-7, 2020) : Day 1

On J89, Jalan Sedili bridge

Jalan Kempas Lama's aeroplane carcasses evokes a spooky feeling

Beautiful bike lanes along Taman Seri Austin

Wat Traimitr Withayaram

1 km dirt tracks connecting Bandar Jaya Putra's Jalan Putra 7 to Pelangi Indah's Pesiaran Pelangi Indah

Sedili Besar, enroute to Sea Horizon Resort

Dinner at Sea Horizon Resort

Assam Fish at Sea Horizon is great!

"That's the way to the East!!!" Sunset at Sedili Besar after the rain

The day began with a “meet and greet”. The first persons VT and Claudine met and greeted were Mr Lim and Malcolm, at the Gateway entrance. Malcolm, who was on his usual routine, sent the trio off before continuing on with his ride.

Waiting for Henry

Rolling downhill to Nusa Idaman, Henry was no where in sight despite greeting the group chat as early as 5.30 am. He had assumed the rendezvous was set at 7.30 am, half an hour off the targeted time ! As he hurried to meet the group, Zoe who lives in Bukit Indah was next to be picked up.

When Henry finally made contact, we proceeded to Restoran Ankee at Taman Ungku Tun Aminah. Lapping up the yong tau foo, some took extra care to avoid the curry, chillies and oily foods which may aggravate the stomach! As for Claudine who had taken Zellox in the morning, she continued to relish her curry noodles and fried tau kee despite her gastric attacks for the last 3 days.

Fired up with food combusting in our bellies, we risked Jalan Skudai for a short distance before taking on Jalan Selatan Utama; passing by Southern College and Taman Impian Emas. While the climb had begun at Jalan Selatan Utama, the punishing hills continued on to Jalan Kempas Lama, Taman Seri Austin, Pelangi Indah and Puteri Wangsa.

1 km dirt tracks connecting Bandar Jaya Putra's Jalan Putra 7 to Pelangi Indah's Pesiaran Pelangi Indah

Heading out from the 1 km dirt tracks

At Petronas Ulu Tiram, we took a short toilet break, allowing time to wash off the mud we had carried along since the short 1 km dirt tracks. At this juncture, we had ran out of streets and roads to ply on. Left with no choice, we had to endure the busy state road of Route 3.

As we made our way to Pulada, Mr Liew who had left his home in Larkin was already there, waiting for us! Taking refuge at the bus stop, he was entertained by the police road block, set up nearby. Meant to control interstate travel during the Covid 19 pandemic, it was days before the travel ban was lifted. In fact, PM Muhyiddin Yassin will make the announcement the very same afternoon, allowing interstate travel effective from June 10 onwards !

With Mr Liew on board, our team was finally complete. Rolling out, what motivated us next was Kiang Kee’s Bak Kut Teh, famous for their thick gravy!

Route 3

Junction to Kota Tinggi

Petronas, Kota Tinggi

Motivated, yes but our flesh were weak. We cheered when Kota Tinggi’s Petronas came into sight, rendering another opportunity for rest and regrouping.

Surprisingly, the petrol station saw brisk business! No doubt, traffic on the road was less than usual on a Sunday and CMCO period but they do make a significant presence! Judging by the cars that veered into the station, many were holiday makers like us!!!

Planning for our next move, right opposite Kiang Kee's Bak Kut Teh

Beggars can't be choosers @ Restoran Syed Ali

When we finally arrived at Kiang Kee's, we were deeply disappointed. It was opened but the queue and wait time was too long! We had no choice but to seek other alternatives.

Thankfully, the turning to Route 212’s Jalan Tanjung Sedili was less than 2 km away and we soon found sustenance at Restoran Syed Ali which offered hot food but badly brewed tea, so bad we had to reject them twice. Funnily, this became our favourite stop, for we will soon find ourselves, returning to the same place the next day; this time for better tea and again, deliciously crispy pisang goreng from the opposite stall! TWICE !!!

Henry arriving at the Kedai Runcit with no name, 11 km to Tanjung Sedili

Petrol sold from a pump!

The next 10 km floored us! It was past mid-afternoon and the route, hilly. After every climb, an attempt to stop at a shady spot brought swarms of mosquitoes on us! Stopping at a kedai runcit with no name, they only had 1 bottle of 1.5 liter cold water in the fridge. The rest of the fridge’s space was filled with carbonated drinks!

After the stop, there were 2 more slopes to climb before the road flattened out. We found Mr Liew waiting for us by the roadside, near the river promenade, where the river meets the sea. He had rode ahead on his own and must have been wondering what is taking us so long!!!

Our next planned rendezvous was Kar Pin coffee shop, located 2 km away from the river promenade. Arriving to a single, opened screen door with the rest of the folding doors shut tight, we were surprised it was filled with patrons inside. Apparently, this is the new modus operandi, allowing time for “social distancing” when the whistle is blown!

As there were no empty tables inside the stuffy coffee shop, we were only too happy to have our drinks and toasts by the five foot way which was shady and breezy...We were having a good time... The coffee was good, the tea and toasts mediocre... The conversations flowed...

Tanjung Sedili

View of J89, Jalan Sedili bridge from Tanjung Sedili

When the last crumb of toast was dusted off our laps and the last drop of beverage had trickled down our throats, it took surmountable efforts to pull ourselves together for the last 7 km to Sea Horizon. We were reluctant but we knew we had to make a move and we did!

Just a few hundred meters to the bridge, we met Chooi, who had rode out to give us moral support. Signing up for the easier holiday package, she had driven to Sedili instead!

After dinner get together at the resort's traditional Anjung

That evening, after a passing shower, we gathered to watch the sunset before a sumptuous dinner at the hotel. Thereafter, a merry get together over drinks and tidbits to marvel over the full moon. By the time we turned in, Mr Liew’s clean jersey which was accidentally soaked together with the soiled ones had dried off completely; hung over his body instead of the clothes line and dried by the moon beams instead of sunlight!!!