Indochina(Thailand) - Post No 2: Bangkok

20 November 2010

There's no riding today, phew as i slept at 3 last nite. We just need to get our asses to the the airport for the 2pm flight to Bangkok. The bikes were expected to arrive at 4pm, which is just nice as we'd be arriving at 3pm. Just a little bit anxious as it's a good 24hrs that i am parted from the bike, but  a quick call before we boarded confirmed that the lorry is en-route. 

Tons of gear going on the flight

AirAsia sure knows how to pick em

Hadyai airport - definitely modern.

We checked in Chaba hotel near the airport and not even half an hour later the bikes arrived. Now I had stuffed my wet jacket and pants in the panniers, so the thought did occur as how bad it might smell after 24hours being cooped up in there, well....we'll soon find out.

Before that, I'd have to reserve my respects for the transporter, the same guys loaded the bikes, which took about 3 hours to finish, drove 1000km, yes, in case you thought I got wrong, i'll spell it for you, one thousand km from Hadyai to Bangkok and 24 hours later seems to be still fresh and strong to unload the bikes. I wouldn't be surprised if these people pissed napalm.

The hotel

Unloading

The courtyard filled up quickly

Back to the jacket, after taking out from the panniers glad to find that it doesn't smell so bad, then again I could have lost all my senses, and in these kind of circumstances, that's just fine by me.

Over dinner, we went into a discussion on how we're getting out of here to make our way to Cambodia. We had 7 Garmins at the dining table and I kid you not almost all had different routes going to the same place, so we're just going to use 1 instead of confusing ourselves.

Behind the hotel 

Tomorrow bright and early we'd be shooting off to Cambodia to spend a night in Phnom Penh and thus the adventure continues....

Indochina(M'sia/Thailand) - Post No 1: KL to Hadyai (500km)

19 November 2010

Finally....the day arrived. Thank god, coz the way I've been spending on the bike, I damn well sure better go somewhere. The day started well, with 8 riders gathering at Rawang R&R at 6.30am, i'm guessing everyone was too excited to even sleep the night before.

Ready to "terrorise" the streets near you....Ninja style!!

We picked up 3 more bikers in Simpang Pulai, enroute to the border. Today is pretty much all about highway miles, occasionally I imagined I'm PacMan eating the white lines in the middle of the road just to relieve the boredom. 

This was already in Sg. Pulai, let's see the final mileage once I'm done with this trip

I havent really decided how the updates is going to be with the report and pictures so i'll just hammer it. If anything I can make the changes later. For now all the pics are from my camera or cameras once i got the gopro hooked up.

Changlun...coffee break/Thai insurance/Change money

Passport control

The border crossing was a breeze, especially on the Malaysia side as with my full face and balaclava there's no way for immigration to know that I'm actually the guy on the passport, but he just stamps my it and wave me through....haha brilliant!

A bit longer on Thai side as you have to step off the bike take your gear off, go to immigration then queue again at customs to get the bike through, where i got shouted at for signing at the wrong place, but he still lets me though. I just gritted my teeth and said a quick thank you, and added a bastard under my breath...hehe juve!

So made it across and we're now in Thailand! all of a sudden I can't read the signboards, so yes, we're definitely in a different country. Onwards to Hadyai! We checked in Diamond Plaza Hotel for a quick rest before we load the bikes into the truck that'll take it to Bangkok.

We'll see you in Bangkok

BTW, Hadyai is still reeling from the massive floods that they experienced 2 weeks ago, so you get that distinct muddy smell in the air. Though I must say, they did a very good cleanup job as if you didnt know about it would definitely go unnoticed.

This was Hadyai 2 weeks ago

In the pic above, notice the black line at the reception, well, that's where the water was, and let me tell you this, the lobby is about 7 feet above the road outside.

As i've said, i'll update as and when able....so stay tuned for more!

* Fuel Consumption

1. KL - Simpang Pulai: 224km 11.43liters RM21.15 (i used the bike in KL a bit before heading off)

2. - Juru: 140km 7.59 liters RM16.32 (wrongly put in 97)

3. - Changloon: 132km 5.4liters RM10 (last of cheap fuel)

Indochina - Last bit of prep

Plonked in a new set of tires specifically for this trip, as there's already 7k on the Bridgestones. I went with the Metzeler Tourance EXP on recommendation of friends and from my initial impression I would have to say I'm not disappointed. The bike just turns in faster and with less effort, and seem to hold to corner very well. Considering where I'm going will be littered with twisties, should translate to lower fatigue levels (in theory anyways.)

The Metz knows I'm heading off to Thailand

1 more day to go.....woohoo!!

The other kind of shot

As i geared up for the trip i thot it'd be best if i got my shots done. I already have Hepatitis and H1N1 sorted, so after consulting the Dr added tetanus and typhoid shots.

Part of the job she enjoys the most?

Got the jab(s) in each shoulder and was warned that it's gonna sore, and with a wry smile she added, try not to get slapped on the shoulders. Man....was she claivoryant or what cause I kid you not, later that day I bumped into somebody I have not seen for 8 years and of course the first thing he does is to give that healthy slap on the arm that accompanies the "hey, long time no see". @##%%^^!!!

So Amir (from the now defunct Intrakota), if you're reading this, do thank your lucky stars that you're still alive.

Trip - Teaser

I think by now those who have read my blog would realise there seems to be an unending stream of farkling. Where the fook is this guy going to la. Trust me, with all these farkling, I am going on a trip that's a bit further than Devi's Taman Tun.

OoOOoo Yea!

We're leaving on the 19th of Nov and there's still a couple of things to sort out as I'm putting in new tires and servicing the brakes, setting up the GoPro, packing my gear, putting on stickers.....hmm looks like a bit more than a coupe of stuff.....then after that we're good to go.

So do follow me on this trip as i bring you along thru my blog with my pics and report.

Farkle - Bar Riser

Mustakimrides brings you farkle of the day....Touratech 20mm bar riser. In view of the long trip coming up, i thot i add something that would help with the ergo. You're out in the hot sun and rain and you're talking about comfort? Haha , well....every little bit helps.

It's got the effect of bringing the bar closer to me....i got short hands mah...so that i'm in a more upright position. This should (in theory) translate to a less back breaking venture as i eat the miles.

New Chain

Just picked up the bike from BMW Motorrad after they changed the chains and sprockets, which is part of a worldwide recall affecting some F650s and 800s. Glad to have got this sorted out before next week.

Cleaner than when i first picked up the bike.

New CZ chain