Time for another Epic Road Trip. This trip almost didn't happened. There were so many amendments to the date, location and some last minute cancellation, but in the end, we did it!
It was all concluded over a meal of satay with a couple of friends, we finally decided on a location and time.
This is the first time I organized a ride with three (3) groups from KL. One already arrived at the border the day before, the second was me riding solo because I rode Sal's bike and we can only cruise at 120-140km/h. The third group consisted of the remaining riders for this ride. We were scheduled to meet somewhere before Changloon.
My journey started at around 2:30am on the 3rd November 2013. It was raining a few hours ago and was still raining from time to time. I decided to put on my raincoat and just ride.
When I passed R&R Damansara along NKVE, I saw the third group was still there. I soldiered on in the middle of the night in the rain as I already filled my fuel back home. That should last me around 160km. The next stop is R&R Tanjung Malim and around 4:50am I reached R&R Sg Perak which is around which is about 250km away from Kuala Lumpur.
I continued my journey and stopped at R&R Gurun for my Fajr prayer around 6:30am. I then rode to Plaza Tol Hutan Kampung and waited for the third group. They were around an hour behind me.
The third group arrived about 50 minutes after, at 7:55am, we made our way to the insurance shop somewhere in Changloon where the first group was waiting for us.
Around 8:45am or so we rode to the border but we were greeted with a very busy border. This was due to the holiday and about 45 bikes who came together trying to make their way Songkhla. It took us over TWO HOURS to clear the border! :(
At around 11:30am, we were about 3hours behind our schedule we finally made it across. We continued along highway 4 and stopped at the Amazon Cafe near Phatthalung for fuel and some coffee.
We left Phatthalung around 1:00pm and headed straight for Trang where I met my old friend and we all stopped for lunch at the best muslim restaurant in Trang called Koh Li Bong. I sampled their food before with my wife when we stayed in Trang.
Since we were around 3hours behind schedule, we left Trang at around 4pm and proceed through Route 4046 and then highway 4 until we arrived at the intersection to Koh Lanta. We stopped for fuel because we have another 30km before the first jetty.
Along the 30km travel to the first jetty, it suddenly occurred to me, "WHEN IS THE LAST FERRY OUT OF THE FIRST JETTY?". I remembered it was around 6pm but is it 6pm local time? Or Malaysian time?
When we arrived at the ticketing counter, I jumped from my bike and asked, "when is the last ferry?"
The ticket lady replied "That is the last ferry"
I'm like, "WHAT????". I screamed at the rest to quickly wait at the gate while I buy the ticket.
Luckily, we made it on to the last ferry. That was quite a scare!!!!
DAY 2: FROM KO LANTA TO KO PHI PHI
We got ready as early as 7:00am local time because our transport to the Saladan Pier arrived at 7:30am. We are going to Ko Phi Phi today! :)
Once we reached the jetty, we had to transfer to a longboat which took us for our snorkeling and island hopping.
Our first destination was Maya Bay. It was awesome! :)
After a little swim, we went snorkeling. However, this time it was not as nice as the one at Pak Meng.
After the snorkeling trip, we had about two hours to spend in Ko Phi Phi, so we did a lot of things like sight seeing, we went on a 6D ride and in a haunted house, we went shopping, etc etc.
Now, since the title of this Epic Road Trip is "The Last Ferry", so, of course there must be another incident, just like the first day :)
We were scheduled to leave at 3:30pm local time (4:30pm Malaysian) on the LAST FERRY from Phi Phi to Lanta. So, I told everyone that we must go to the jetty at 4:00pm Malaysian time. By 4:00pm, everyone was on the ferry except a few of us. We were so worried and panic, we had to slow talked with the organizer and Captain. Finally, after about 15minutes pass the boat schedule, everybody was there. The reason? They didn't realize their phone was on Thai time. so when they saw 3:30pm, it was actually 4:30pm Malaysian and everybody was really worried.
But nevertheless, nobody was left behind and we had a good laugh over the incident :)
DAY 3: LETS GO HOME :)
Our stay in Ko Lanta felt too quick and we had to leave home so soon :(. Before we leave, we had some photo session with the owner herself. Thank you for such a wonderful place to stay :)
We rode all the way to Dannok where we had our last meal before the journey back to Kuala Lumpur
After the late lunch, everybody rode straight home. I stayed behind because I wanted to take it easy and guess what, the border was jammed up until 11:30 pm.
I started my journey the next day and arrived safely home. Another EPIC ROAD TRIP successfully completed! :)
DISABILITY IS JUST A WORD!
