After our lunch Marcus join me to the ferry terminal and from here our paths diverge.

Mersing ferry harbor terminal

Fishermans harbor in Mersing

The ferry leaves 5 pm so little more than an hour to by a ticket and a cup of coffe. There are quite a lot of people waiting for the ferry.60 RM (130 SEK) coast the ferry ticket for Bluewater Ferry and the journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the weather and tide conditions.

Bluewater ferry

Bluewater ferry

Ferry Route Mersing – Tekek, Pulau Tioman

Vädret är mulet but warm and it also blows from the sea, the waves have white backs and the ferry has good speed, about 17 knots.

Just before half past eight, after four stops on the island, I get off at the seaside resort of Tekek, which is also something of a capital on the island.

After about half an hour of searching, I find a cheap hotel complex, Coral Reef, which consists of small cottages instead of hotel rooms and the beach is only about ten meters away.

My room at Corral Reef cottage. It was cheap in many way

After a shower in semi–cold but refreshed shower water, I head to the only street there is and enter a Chinese restaurant.

I was hungry like a wolf and order fried rice and a meat dish called Sizzling Iron Plate according to the menu and it tastes delicious.

Before I head back to my little cottage I bought a large Coke with me because what the camping has to offer they have tripled up the price a little too much.

Good Night
// P-G, The Global Cyclist

The biggest market in Pekan. Here you can find something to eat, buy some clothes,
repair your shoes and trousers, fix your hairstyle, makeup stores, and you name it!

I sleppt until 10 a.m, eat some breakfast and then packing my backpack with my shimano shoes and head to the shoemaker I found yesterday inside a large market building, Bazar Muhibbah.
At the front of the toe cap there is an incipient small opening that could collect dirt, sand and gravel and then there is a risk that the shoes will not last long.
An old man with big smile took a short look at my shoes and said….
– I´ll fix it, come back after lunch.

I walked back into the city center and drop in at a cafe, checked tomorrow’s bike route south. Before I turned back to the shoemaker I also bought bread, yoghurt and sausages in a supermarket.

When I get back to the cobbler, my shoes are ready on the counter. For his job he wants 15 ringgit (MYR), about 32-33 SEK.

While the shoes were at the shoemaker’s, the seamstress in the store next door had fixed my cycling pants. At the left leg the seam had released around the reinforcement band so now it is also fixed.

– How much for your help I asked her?
– Free for You she replied with a great smile

Rest of the day I just walk about in the city and did nothing…

Through Pekan floats Pahang River

In Malaysia they have roules where is´t OK to smoke. In this public park it´s forbidden. If you are caught
with smoking, a fine for 10 000 MYR or imprionsment for two years

Muzium Masjid Sultan Abdullah. Beautiful and huge mosque which has been renovated into a museum. 

…and on my way back to my hotel I stopped at a Take Away bar for a Roti Tellur.

Roti is a type of Indian flatbread made using different flours. It is a staple food in many parts of South Asian countries.
Taste lovely

At 11 pm I thought it was time to go to bed. Fifty-six miles (90 km) on the bike tomorrow requires being a bit rested!. I put the earbuds in my ear and listen to SR.
Fell into sleep quite fast. Tomorrow a bike trip by the coastline to Kula Rompin

See Yeah Later
// P-G, The Global Cyclist

January 22

I wake up when the alarm sounds and get ready for today’s climb, which I already know is mostly uphill among crooked but divinely beautiful roads.
It was a problem to take the bike back on the road, the slope of the ditch was higher on this side and I had to invoke all the forces that existed.

Then get on the bike and pedal on, slowly, slowly and have to steer the bike between the worst hills.

About 6–7 km here Kampung Raja, the sign shows that I should turn right towards Cameron Highland. Now I get terrible downhill slopes instead, some are on the verge of dangerous.The area I am now in consists instead of rainforest of hundreds of gigantic tents that in some cases occupy an entire valley. There are nurseries for all kinds of plants, vegetables and fruits.
It actually looks a bit grotesque with all these tents. The places are called for example Lavender valley, Rose valley etc.

All the way up to Tanah Rata plant nurseries galore

After a few good downhill runs, I get to climb again and the communities appear at regular intervals and I reach Brinchang, Cameron Highland’s second largest city after a tiring climb.

I seriously consider staying here but decide to continue up to Tanah Rata, the largest town in Cameron Highland. After a tiring climb of about 3 km, I arrive at Tanah Rata which means, flat ground in Malay.

Now I’m at the top of Cameron Highland, and if you stay after the main road and it feels liberating then I know that down to Pekan on the east coast it’s mostly downhill or completely flat.

When I arrive, the sun is shining and the thoroughfare is jam–packed with cars. The hotels are standing like rods on the hill and I walk into Plamters Hotel which is located by the thoroughfare and booked three nights.

I’ve planned to visit the surroundings which are more beautiful than all the beautiful things I’ve seen in a long time, that’s three nights.

I also have time to perceive that there are plenty of tourists here but never show up at anyone who speaks Swedish.

If I’m tired?… Completely exhausted, I feel like an empty, damp bag that is crumpled up and even though the heat today has been like a Swedish high summer day only.

Two days tough cycling

Tanah Rata ”will settle”

See Yeah Later 
// P–G,  The Global Cyclist 1719

Yesterday I did nothing, just walking about and visit the market. I also fixed my wristwatch, the chain link had broken and it cost me nothing.

The local markets are often popular and important for farmers

This day started well, good breakfast and easy cycling. The road is winding and the surroundings are full of plantations.

Just before Batu Gajah I meet a happy Malaysian gang on a bike. As usual, they want to take some selfies and I don’t say no. Most have some kind of mountain bike, hybrid bike and one of them has a Fatbike, they are all going to Batu Gajah.

A gang of malaysian cyclist stopped for selfies

The road continues fairly flat but the plantations of oil palms and bananas remain. I also see started oil palm plantations and it doesn’t look nice.

Eventually after 35 km I arrive at Simpang Pulaj and there I stop just after the exit at a street bar. It seems very popular because it is almost full and the staff runs shuttles between the tables, the kitchen and the dishes.

I was´nt  hungry but coffee and two ice–filled glasses of Cameron Highland tea, which tasted lovely in the heat.

Then off and now the heat has come to some kind of peak, because it feels like you’re sitting in front of a fireplace and also the climb begins and it becomes both to work uphill with the pedals and to steer the bike uphill when it’s steepest.

I had planned to fill up with water in the next village, Pos Slim but for some reason I miss the turn–off.

 

It will be to continue to fight uphill and my thoughst and hope is that there will be some small stall along the road where I can fill up or buy water. Unfortunately I am disappointed, not a single village or shop and I do not have much water left, barely half a liter.

After 50 km I arrive at a waterfall, Sinju Fall, river Raya and I park the bike at the guardrail and walk down towards the waterfall. I sit down at the edge of the stream on some rocks and take off everything except my shorts and T–shirt and crawl into the water which despite the current was quite warm.

After 50 km I stopped when I saw a waterfall , Sinju Fall, beside the road…Oh my god, I love waterfalls. 

Here I sit for probably half an hour and enjoy the surroundings and the cooling off before I get on my Long Haul Trucker for more climbing upwards!

Half past three the rain comes, not much but a little more than drizzle and it feels liberating. The heat drops drastically The heat drops drastically which I do not oppose.

The road continue upwards km after km, not very steep but still upwards. The heat and humidity force me to do some small stops.
At one of these I get a tip from to guys, roadworkes to fill water from a pipe that water flows from the rock. First I was suspicious but the water looks very clean, tastes good and I was in dire need of refilling my bottles so I’m taking a chance.

After replenishing, I just have to continue the diabolical climb uphill and unfortunately there are also few places where I can camp.

An opportunity arises after one of many slopes, an electric power station that is open and has paved surfaces. This place will fit my needs I thought.

I steered the bike in and was just about to lock the bike to one of the masts stanchion when I discover that the place is a giant haunt for spiders.
No small spiders either, some are dm big, and many they are also, maybe a hundred of them.

This electric power station was a home for hundreds of spiders

I left the place quickly to find a less spider–popular spot. The surroundings especially on my left side just get more and more powerful and the mists from the rain rising up towards the mountain tops make it a bit dramatic views.

 

Dramatic views over Cameron Highland rain forset

Next attempt at a large green area above the road where there are also a number of small houses, mostly similar to barracks, but with some nice green areas around but two old ladies and an elderly gentleman just waving their hands in the negative and I understand that they do not want any tented Scandinavians.

It is now just after half past six and it is hurrying to find a suitable place before darkness falls, but it does not look good.

On the right side of the road only slopes upwards and dense rainforest, on the left it plunges straight down hundreds of meters. The small green area that exists is occupied by the road barriers.

Just before 6 pm I saw two distance signs, one on the left side and the other on the opposite side and here there is room for my tent and the sign pole will be perfect to lock up for my bike.

After almost 70 km cycling I found this green spot to pitch up my tent

The problem was to take the bike from the road down into the ditch and up the other side, it will be difficult but it is possible.

At 7 pm my tent was pitched up, a half–cold beer and two loaves of bread with sausages. Then I plug in the earbuds as usual and listen to one of many downloaded SR programs.

My program of choice tonightis about a gang, the Blekingegade gang in Denmark that belongs to KAK, Kommunistisk Arbejdskreds that carries out lots of mail robberies to send the money to the PFLP, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Outside, the trucks thunder past and I could hear that it’s hard for them too. I’ve set the alarm for 07:15 because tomorrow will also be pretty hard. Have about 40 km left to Cameron Highland and to the top of the mountain.

 

I wake up just before 8, the traffic has kept me half asleep since maybe half past six. Before I leaft the hotel, I asked for hot water for coffee, it will be my breakfast today in the morning.

Then carry all the stuff down, pack the bike and pull away around 10 past nine. Getting out of Kamunting is no problem. Just follow the thoroughfare for three or four km and then turn left and keep an eye out for signs that show Ipoh.

When I arrive in Taiping, I hade two choices, take the right road towards Kuala Kangsar or straight ahead along road 60 towards Beruas.

It will be the last option, although I don’t really know why, it just turned out that way.

The road is crooked and surrounded by oil palm and banana plantations. The traffic is sparse and the road is good but I can’t get rid of the heat!

There will be a few stops for water and ice refills. In George Town at Abu Garcia I bought a new waterproof bag to keep food and drinks in, have also thought about begging or buying crushed ice in plastic bags as cooling. Almost every roadside vendor always has a box of ice bags. Works pretty well, keeps the water reasonably cold almost a whole bike day. I’m thinking of covering the bag inside with aluminum foil, but that will have to be a later operation.

The further into the day I get, the heat increases and when it also stops blowing completely, it sometimes becomes almost unbearable.At half past two I cycle into Beruas and stop at a lunch restaurant along the thoroughfare with the Chinese–sounding name Kong Heng.

Lunch in Beruas

The restauran was almost full booked. I order the simplest from the menu, fried rice, chicken pieces and tomatoes.

Continuing after 40 minutes of lunch, follow road number 73 and later along the Sungai Perak River towards Parit.

Sungai Perak River

A few small stops to shade yourself from the sun and some water refill. The road is still curvy and the plantations never end.

Typical road between Beruas and Parit

But it’s a fun road to ride on, always exciting to see what shows up after the next corner. In front of me I also see the mountains that I have to cross or through to get to Cameron Highland.

It will be a challenge that is good enough. Graphhopper Maps, another map app I have on my phone, has drawn up that it will be climbing for just over 70 km! 

The area is awesome green and beautiful and known for its tea plantations so I just have to experience this. It will take as long as it takes.

There will be a last stop and a wet cold towel over your head about 10 km here from Parit. Stop at a large tree that provides some shade. The ice in the bag comes in handy now, wet the towel as best I can and put it over my head.

Necessary rest from heat

I arrive at Parit just before half past six  pm and feel worn out much like the day before yesterday. Staying at the city’s only hotel, which is located on the Sungai Perak River.

My hotel in Parit, Lanai Cempaka Sari @ Parit. Newly built and fresh

Later in the evening I took a round in the neighbourhood.

Today’s distance: 83.0 km            Travel time: 05.02 a.m.                 Total time: 07.25 t.m

Maximum speed: 44.4 km/h       Average speed: 16.5 km/h

Max temp: 43 0 °C                              Medium temp: 37 0 °C                  Min temp: 27 0 °C

See Yeah Later
// P-G, The Global Cyclist

The first day after 7 weeks in George Town could be felt in my legs, before I reached my destination for the evening my legs cramped several times. Additionally, the heat and humidity were brutal.

I was also accompanied by the traffic police, who pointed out that I was cycling where I shouldn’t. They safely guided me for the remaining 6 km to a turn-off.

Late afternoon I cycled into Kamunting and choose a cheap two star hotel for two nights.

Today’s distance: 119.0 km               Travel time: 06.53 h.m           Total time: 09.13 h.m.

Maximum speed: 38.2 km/h            Average speed: 17.3 km/h

Max temp: 43 °C                                    Medium temp: 35 0 °C           Min temp: 23,0 °C

See Yeah Later
//P-G, The Global Cyclist