Ride of the Champions (August 7 to 11, 2023), Day 3 - Penang to Taiping

There are no Championships today. Just an ordinary journey from Penang to Taiping 

Nibong Tebal's iconic iron bridge. This bridge is part of Federal Route 1 and traverse the railway line below

7.20 am sunrise view from Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal

We were early at the ferry terminal as we wanted to make sure we were able to catch the 9.10 am commuter train from Butterworth to Nibong Tebal. The next train at 12.10 pm will be too late for us

At 7.30 am and a working day, there were not many passengers heading to Butterworth. 

Bye-bye, Penang!

Note the clock tower towering above the buildings on the right. Part of the Malayan Railway Building, built in 1907, it is now taken over by Malaysian Customs. Strange for the British to place a railway head office in Penang when the nearest railway line is across the waters in Butterworth

Penang Skyline with Menara Komtar towering above the rests.

One of the new ferries heading towards Penang

Penang Port, located in Butterworth

Ecstatic we were finally on board the 9.10 am train

Bikes stored at the luggage area which earlier received the approval of the KTM staff. They even took a photo of our bikes to be used as a sample for come 16 September, the northern route will stretch on to Ipoh. Previously, it is only between Padang Besar to Padang Rengas only 

We dropped off at Nibong Tebal leaving May to continue her travels to Taiping on her own. Meanwhile, Kenny was already waiting for us at the Nibong Tebal station

Beef noodles at Ah Teh Kopitiam @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/NFt3kNKMRXt77JAWA

Jalan Teluk Ipil's footbridge decked with political party flags, with state elections approaching on 12 August 2023

Crossing the Kerian River

Crossing the Kerian River

View from the footbridge

Green paddy fields.

We had just crossed the border from Penang into Perak

More green fields

Route A22's Jalan Sempadan decked with Barisan Nasional flags, photo taken from the narrow concrete bridge @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/tQtcWnNY3QaXPCXt6 

Sempadan means border and this straight road which stretches slightly more than 7.5 km forms the border between the 2 states

Route KPG 4, after the narrow concrete bridge

Still on Route KPG4

Jeti Nelayan Sungai Bakau @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/JrBJoQzSNSmtRRR69

Off Route A22 which runs parallel to Sungai Kota @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/ihCjN7bEuTquL2tZ6

Off Route A22 which runs parallel to Sungai Kota @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/ihCjN7bEuTquL2tZ6

View of paddy fields and Sungai Kota from Route A22 @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/NMjJXTRUjPj7ZT8U8

Sungai Kota irrigates the paddy fields in this area

Route A22 runs parallel to Sungai Kota 

It is fun to watch the egrets as they fly closely behind the tractor. The tractor pulls the plough through the soil which turns up burrowed insects and worms. What a feast they make for the egrets!

View of Sungai Tanjung Piandang @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/nDjmhz931Nj3dcjZ9

Fishing village on stilts across the river

On a rickety jetty

Note the fishing nets hung by the tree branch

@ https://maps.app.goo.gl/amzeE7z9CYd1pLma6

As it was too early for lunch, we bought some fried snacks @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/2VP2xVZDg1w1d3or9 and had it over tea and coffee at Teik Kee @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/UKsrEe8F6CqvV58S8

After Tanjung Piandang, on our way to Ban Pecah @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/Th27RALHn6QXNDjX8

Thrilled with a beautifully tarred road

Seawall built to protect the coasts

The jutting concrete beams are meant to break the waves

The seawall runs all along the coasts

There are some shady areas

There are actually dwellings beyond the trees. Note the gravel exit by the tree @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/6cZPbPRXvFo4hv7W9

Note the irrigation canal by the left. Beyond are vast paddy fields

At Pelantar Ikan Batu 10 @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/gASnqGVqYbJy8pbP7

View from Pelantar Batu 10

View from Pelantar Batu 10

Spot the little island out in the sea. The locals told us the coastline used to be 4 km out from where we were seated. Over the years, sea erosion had caused the whole area to be eroded and what is left is the little speck of an island we see here.

According to our new friends, some of the village folks still hold land grants to what was once paddy fields by the sea! 

This whole area with sea walls is called Ban Pecah which aptly reflects the broken coastline. It is now reinforced with a bund to break the sea waves

Pantai Ban Pecah

Leaving Ban Pecah, on the way to Kuala Kurau

Drying salted fish in the sun at Kuala Kurau @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/a7qeGxuV8zc4PmUA6

Jejantas Kuala Kurau is a footbridge connecting both the embankments of Sungai Kurau

On the way to the footbridge @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/dZ2U3JGArzVxMDmp7

Approaching the footbridge, there's a taoist temple @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/xhA7ofHaCVrjukW4A

It's a steep climb

Taoist temple by the footbridge

View from the footbridge

Another view from the footbridge

Lunch break after we crossed the river

Kedai Kopi Kean Seng Lee @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/wjsDTUBfZMVBpAkw6

View of Route A100's Jalan Gula and Kuala Kurau Bridge from our lunch stop @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/KwEU4fcWCN225Kuo9 

After lunch, we were almost floored by strong winds and hot sun which called for several water breaks. Closing in on Simpang Empat Semanggol, we were fortunate to come across a pisang goreng stall which helped to refuel us.

Surprisingly, it started to rain as we were leaving the stall but we did not get the full deluge. It had rained earlier in Taiping and as we rode towards the town, the clouds were being blown towards Semanggol. Thus we enjoyed the last lap to Taiping in cool weather!