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Surprisingly, the same members that signed up for Journey to the East First Edition, signed up for Second Edition too!
Photographed here at Mamu Junction, Eco Botanics, the team barely escaped the morning rain. Thankfully, we managed to remain dry while nursing a hungry stomach, clocking only 8 km mileage. |
This Journey to the East, Second Edition is an extension of the First Edition which commenced from 6-7 June 2020. Back then, Malaysia was under Conditional Movement Control Order stemmed from the Covid pandemic which restricted interstate travel. Starved for travel with few places of choice, we embarked on Journey to the East which began from home with the ultimate destination the East; for sunrise!
This Second Edition came with similar essence. We began from home and our ultimate destination remain the East, for sunrise albeit a change in route.
While we were blessed with cloudy overcast skies the 1st day, the 2nd day was far from desirable. Long story short, the East was not to be conquered this time!
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Day 1
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Brunch at Pontian's Jong Suan Hang. It is not listed on Google Maps but it serves fragrant nasi lemak wrapped in banana leaves. Clearly a Chinese establishment with non halal certification, this place is managed well by muslim employees.
We had taken a longer route with less traffic, riding from home to Eco Botanics, Sunway Medini, Pendas and Sungai Pulai Bridge. At Pontian, we had no choice but to follow Route 5 but were grateful, this stretch comes with motorcycle lanes |
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| Cows grazing at Parit Rambai |
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| Another view of the same bridge |
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| A view of Parit Selangor |
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After Jalan Assam Kumbang, we turned left to J170, crossed Sungai Pinggan and immediately turned right to follow Parit Wagiman.
Photographed here is Route 96's Gerai ABC Tembikai Parit Ismail @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zk2sFbfya5mcGCyEA |
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With 16 km more to Simpang Renggam, we decided to take it easy and scored a great Assam Pedas lunch set for 2 pax @ RM20, dishes as per photo. Moreover, it had started to rain again.
We only reached Simpang Renggam at 3 pm with ample time for washing up, laundry and even sneaked an afternoon nap or tea |
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Regrouped again at 5.30 pm, we scour the streets and walked to our dinner place.
Photographed here is Mui Choy with Pork Belly |
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| Crispy Duck cooked in charcoal fire |
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| Yam basket |
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Day 2
Even though the team was determined, the East was never meant to be conquered today.
Cocooned in our cosy rooms, we did not know it has been raining until we met for breakfast at 6.30 am this morning. Disappointed but determined, we delayed our roll out time to 8 am.
However, when the time came, the weather did not change much. We had little choice but to brave the cold. Off, we set ourselves out to nature's lashings at 8.20 am.
Little did we know, God has other plans for us. The heavy rain turned into a downpour and 10 minutes into the ride, we found ourselves taking shelter by a roadside stall.
When the rain seemed to let off a bit, we took to the road again. And again, 10 minutes later we scurried into another roadside stall! This time, the downpour had turned into a thunderstorm!!!
We thought the worst of the drama was over when the sound of thunder was reduced to a distant sound. Looking East, we pushed on.
Enroute to Mersing, we were shocked to see rivers bursting it's banks. The weather today will definitely be miserable until 2 pm and even though a warm bed awaits in Mersing who is to know tomorrow's weather patterns will not be any worst? |
| While Chooi paddled away to Kluang, we headed to Renggam |
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| A monsoon drain in Renggam turned into an engorged river! |
That was when we decided it was wiser to abandon our mission than to face the fury of mother's nature. Even though home is another 100 km away, it is more comforting than the wild card we were about to be dealt with.
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| Still smiling at Guang Fatt Wantan Mee in Layang Layang |
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| Springy wantan mee drowning in lard |
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| 9 km after Layang Layang, Claudine felt her left pedal coming loose. Search as she must, she could not find the missing nut. She had to stop riding near SK Murni Jaya in Kg Sri Muar. |
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| While waiting for Nancy to come to her rescue from Sedenak, Claudine pushed up and glide down every slope. She managed a distance of 2.5 km before God sent Kim to her rescue! |
It was already in God's best laid plans for us to return home today for 40 km later, Claudine felt her left pedal coming loose. Nancy, her ex boss was just 10.6 km away making her the most ideal person to rescue her from the middle of a palm oil plantation road. She was ever willing to come but before she arrived another well meaning samaritan extended his help. He had a pick up truck which makes it easier to transport a bike!
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| Reunited with the gang at Kedai Makanan Hakka Sawit in Kelapa Sawit at 1.30 pm. Kim had earlier dropped Claudine off around 12.50 pm so she didn't exactly wait too long for them. |
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| The remaining heroes making their final run home! |
So while Kim dropped Claudine at the nearest town, Irene provided the final car support back home. Which makes it perfect as her bike was immediately sent to Khass for repairs thereafter!
...and the rest of the Heroes pedalled safely home.
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| More challenges await the heores... |
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| ...but thankfully everyone arrived safely home by 6 pm. |
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| Komplete Horse Shit 2 received a hip replacement from Khass Bicycles and was back in action by Tuesday! |
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SR Inn, Simpang Renggam
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