A Taste of Johor VII : Green U Farm (1 July 2017)

At Green U Farm

At Horizon Hills

Coffee break at Chai Huat, Ulu Choh

Coffee break at Chai Huat, Ulu Choh

Spillover to Kedai Makan Sihai

Spillover to Kedai Makan Sihai

Chef preparing lunch dishes

"A place lost in time..." Doddy's words on Ulu Choh

"A place lost in time..." Doddy's words on Ulu Choh

"A place lost in time..." Doddy's words on Ulu Choh

50 m of loose gravels into Green U Farm

Lifestyle Market at Green U

Cheers to Ginger Ale

Cheers to Durian

Cheers to Black Pepper Crab

Cheers to 1970 TT vintage bike!!!

Mimicking the Gettysburg Address by US President Abraham Lincoln, 2 score and 2 was a blatant error in distance as stated on the event page of this ride. Everyone were puzzled by the increasing numbers on their gadgets this morning. While the Singapore team took it in good stride, every slope saw crumpled expressions on some of the Johor team. They had expected a leisure fun ride!

Earlier this morning, we had left Tomo and Wee Chuen at Pan Kobo Cafe after a short, one way dialogue, giving them a better insight on their bike cafe project. By the time we reached the turning to Lebuh Kota Iskandar, VT had to stop to address a slow leak on his tyre. It was only when we reached Ulu Choh that we found out he had to turn back home on foot having brought the wrong tube out!

At Ulu Choh, we had a short break. Those who preferred coffee and tea sat down for a cuppa at Chai Huat coffee shop but some others who only wanted isotonic drinks, spilled over to the next door's Kedai Makanan Sihai which was already busy preparing economy lunch dishes. As usual, the sleepy village folks could not cope with our orders and as Kai puts it, "...it is good only when it finally arrives!"...in reference to the coffee!

It is illegal to take 'pot'

Lionel getting 'high'

It was a short ride from Ulu Choh to Green U Farm at Kangkar Pulai. We rode past a secondary forest, a water catchment area and the remand center for illegal workers. Just before arriving at Green U Farm, we made a short stop to take a group photo with the hills as our backdrop.

Finally rolling into Green U, we were surprised to see Lawrence and some of the Singapore team already at the tables. They had lost their way and relied on google maps to navigate their way. The poor guys had to miss Ulu Choh altogether!

Green U Farm is an organic farm founded by Akata Yang and Alex Kee. Opened only on alternate weekdays, they offer fresh and safe vegetables to the urban folks. Usually closed during the weekends, Philip had timed this visit to the first Saturday of the month, when Green U opens its doors to a Lifestyle Market.

A platform for their organically grown produce, it also showcases alternative living products. While Alex was busy dishing out his famous Ginger Ale and other natural health supplements, we observed a stall promoting enzymes as opposed to harmful cleaning agents. Next to it was a booth with beautifully sewn reusable sanitary pads! This is obviously the place where crafts and artisans come together, showcasing examples of sourdough bread, organic soaps and etc.

We started heading back after a longer than intended stay. By that time, the weather was changing from the mild, cloud covered morning to a humid pre-afternoon heat. Simson, Philip and friend managed to make it back on their own but the rest led by TH had a short tea break at Restoran Al-Falah in Gelang Patah to sit out the heat.

It seems quite a few were badly affected by the sun. TH had a cramp that slowed him down while both Brandon's legs belted on him. He fell and had to call home for rescue just outside SILC.

Being the weakest link was not all that bad after all. Anna and Claudine who were trailing behind the Singapore team were invited to join them for a durian treat. The riders parted ways with a frustrated durian seller after only an 8 kg sale. It could have been more had they not turned out to be unripened ones, one after another! Then there was the mistaken assumption of RM6 per kilo when the actual price was RM16 per kilo!!!

Leaving the Singapore team to their early lunch break of black pepper crab at Gelang Patah, the rest of the Johor team made their way back to base at their own pace, some much earlier than others as in the case of Jolin and SK Wong who skipped Green U altogether!!!

Photo Credits :
1. Lionel
2. Doddy
3. Jolin
4. TH
5. Philip