When East Meets West (Dec 24 2020 - Jan 2 2021); Day 8 : Kupang to Penang

Victory as we completed our tour!

It was still dark when we left Bunga Raya Guesthouse

Sunrise at Nasi Kandar D'Cenerai

Riding through the paddy fields at Kubang Semang

Scorching Hot at 1 pm @ Kubang Semang

In Penang waters with Butterworth in the background

So honoured to have Ram and Rajen drive all the way from Kulim to celebrate New Year's Eve with us! 

Singing all the way to New Year 2021 !!!

We rode out from Bunga Raya Guesthouse while it was still pitched dark. The masterplan to catch our big breakfast at Nasi Kandar D’Cenerai, went slightly askew when we arrived only to see them setting up. It was close to 7 am and despite their stated operating time of 7 am, we had to wait a good 20 minutes before food was finally served.

 

In the midst of all the waiting, we had the privilege to greet the sunrise and with light, revealed the menacing hill ahead! It was a bit demoralizing to see hills after Titiwangsa’s check point and on the last day of our epic journey. More so, after a full meal of Nasi Kandar!

 

At the crossroads to Route 67's Kampung Tawar. A short detour from the noisy Route 4

Uncle Meng arriving at the pitstop

While Route 4’s bored truck drivers extended their show of support by honking at us, Claudine grimaced every time a heavy vehicle came too close for comfort on that narrow road with little to zero road shoulders. Again, Claudine found herself closer to God as she repeatedly prayed to Him for a safe journey!

After riding close to 30 km, we made our first drink stop at the corner Malay shop next to BH Petrol in Desa Aman. Opposite is Kulim’s Disneyland aka MBI Desaku.  Close by are all the major convention halls, exhibition centers, etc; all banking in on the nearby industrial parks. 

As it was 10 am and Tan Kee Roast Duck in Lunas was only 13 km away, we decided to rush over for an early lunch. Chooi who grew up playing with the shop owner’s children was roped in to make the call, reserving some good cuts of meat for our group. Excited, we pedaled happily away…

 

Knowing we had to turn off from BKE at Lunas, just before the toll plaza, we made the right turn at Taman Saujana. It was scorching hot and traffic was thick on the 6 lane busy road. When the lights turned green, the front riders made the turn, scurrying for shelters from the sun.

 

Meanwhile, VT returned to the junction to wait for the back riders. When they finally arrived, they rode straight on, passing him without a notice! The noise of the traffic drowned everyone’s shouts. Panicked, each waiting rider was assigned to call either Henry, Amy or Mr Lim. None of our warning calls were picked up by any of them! They only noticed our missed calls when they saw the toll plaza looming ahead!!! By then, they had rode 2 km ahead and had to back track to the waiting group.

 

Tan Kee Roast Duck is actually quite mild tasting. Those who enjoys duck without a strong duck smell will enjoy their roasted duck. 

We left Tan Kee with grins on our faces, knowing Butterworth is just a stone’s throw away. Some others’ grin were wider; not because of the heavy meal consumed but more likely, beer induced high’s!

On Penang soil. Riding through the palm oil estate is a welcoming treat 

Thankfully it was just a short 2 km of gravel road

Right after lunch, we rode on the back roads of Lunas, passing by Buddhist Hermitage Lunas. Within minutes, we have left Kedah! Penang greeted us with dirt soil!! 

While everyone were enjoying the dirt play, Uncle Meng on recumbent, had his eyebrows furrowed with worry. His bike was clearly not suitable for off road terrain. Thankfully, he handled the bumpy path well and within 2 kms, we had returned to tarmac on P119.

While Permatang Pasir’s golden fields of paddy greeted us, heavy traffic met us at Permatang Pauh. Butterworth came next and with it, the long line of cars waiting to board the last ferry to Penang! It is New Year’s eve and December 31 2020 marks the last regular service for Penang’s iconic ferries. Come 2021, only Pulau Angsa will be plying the waters ferrying on foot passengers, motorcycles and bicycles between the mainland and The Pearl of the Orient. The new waterbuses and vehicle transporter are expected to arrive in the next 18 months.

Ferry Terminal right ahead

Long Queue of cars waiting for their historic rides on the ferry

Tickets counter

Waiting to board

One of the iconic ferries which will be decommissioned by 2021 due to high cost of maintenance

All smiles as we join the historic day

A very loaded ferry

After the hydraulic bridge is lifted, the ferry began to sail away from the harbour

Goodbye Butterworth!

Goodbye Butterworth!

RM1.40 for a ride

We were very lucky for soon after we arrived at the terminal, a ferry was docking. Within minutes, we had boarded and were crossing the Straits of Malacca. 

Tea break at OO White Coffee Cafe

We arrived at Armenian Street Heritage Hotel close to 3 pm. Once checked in, our feasting began and so did our bike shopping exploits! Mr Lim went home with a brand new MKS pedal while Henry's bike sported a new back rack!!!

Roof top view from Armenian Hotel

Roof top view from Armenian Hotel

Roof top view from Armenian Hotel

We had the whole roof top to ourselves to usher in 2021. Some hotel guests dropped in briefly but left due to our bad singing!!!