Yesterday's visit to the local motorcycle shop have my bike checked out and according to the chief mechanic there everything A-OK and I was ready.
Terry and I met up at the Sungai Buloh rest stop at 6.00 am as promised and both of us made it punctually. It may sounds funny but for me, that was a good sign as both of us did not stood each other up and it was the first important step of our journey for a long ride ahead.
We had some breakfast and off we went. As it was the first time we rode together, we have already discussed details before hand of our riding "ground rules". Basically, we do not leave each other behind, we will not ride behind any big trucks, we will stop for taking photo if we want to, if we get lost we could wait at the next petrol station, etc. My bike is a 250 and his bike also not meant to go speedy fast so we are quite in sync.
The first stop on the highway to refuel at Petronas. We are still happy with the cheaper gas prices in our home country.
Eventually we stop to take a break. It was already 10 am in the morning when we need to chill as the heat was catching up on us.
It was around noon when we arrive Penang mainland. Terry decide let me have the head on to choose which restaurant to do lunch. I took him to a nearby chicken rice joint which I was quite sure that it was still there.
The place serves chicken rice together with asam fish and other dishes as displayed here.
The chef was busy preparing our lunch.
Soon our meal arrives. Some vegetables, chicken, spicy asam soup and some white rice.
Maybe a bit to hot for the ride.
The bike started and off we went to hit the highway again. Within another 2 hours we arrived our destination. Need to note here that if you are leaving Butterworth towards the north via the NSE, it is good to fuel up as I do not see any gas station along the highway for the next hour from Butterworth.
We parked out bikes here and head towards the coffee shop to process our document for border cross. Some coffee was consumed, border forms were electronically filled up, insurance policies were issued and then we were off once again. The documents and insurance did not cost more than RM 20 per rider if I am not mistaken.
If you are planning to ride to Thailand from Malaysia, you would need to prepare a copy of your registration card (photocopy will do). Best if the vehicle is registered under your name and purchase an insurance policy.
From here the border was a 5 minutes ride away. We crossed the border after getting our passport stamped and our vehicle documents acknowledged. After crossing the border, we follow the road passing the cowboy town Dan Nok and we headed towards Hat Yai town. It took us around an hour to reach Hat Yai and once we reach, we started hotel hunting and found this old one called Daiichi hotel for 990 bath per night.
It has motorcycle park just at the entrance so I wouldn't complain so much.
Terry and I took our much needed showers and then off we went to hunt for food and massage.
We walked our way around and checked out the local railway station.
It's really a nice little town and has a friendly feeling about it.
This was were we had a few drinks, a massage and then we head back to our room and discuss our next day's destination. It was a first good day of riding without getting wet and I await what tomorrow have for me.
All pictures taken with my Nikon D7000 & my Samsung Galaxy S II.
