Melaka and beyond! Cameron too! (8 to 10 Nov 2008)

This is not just a usual touring trip for me. It's a trip for me to complete my unfinished 1st tour and beyond. If you have followed my blog, you would have known that I fell on my way back from Melaka to Singapore along the Pagoh stretch on the NSH. Click here to find out what happened.

8th Nov 2008 (Saturday)
This trip to Melaka was unplanned. It was a last-minute decision. The original plan was only going up to Cameron Highlands and that I would only set off on the 9th of Nov 2008 (Sunday) morning.

But... during the HOV session, Zhehong asked me whether I'm interested to leave Singapore early and travel up to Melaka right after HOV.

That was really spontaneous! I agreed to it and quickly rushed home to pack up my stuff!

Zhehong and I reached GP Petronas at about 7+pm after clearing customs at 2nd Link.


We did night riding up to Melaka and reached there only at about 9+pm. It was quite challenging for me as I never did night riding for such a long stretch before. So, I was quite stressed out. But, it was a good learning experience for me.

9th Nov 2008 (Sunday)
We visited the famous Christ Church Melaka at about 9+am. The church is an icon in Melaka. The church is open on most days but closed to tourists on Sundays. So... those of you who want to visit the church, do take note and don't go there on Sunday!

Melaka can be quite a lazy town if you visit the place early in the morning as you can see...

Off we go to Cameron Highlands after Melaka!


Me on the NSH!
We took the Simpang Pulai route up to Cameron...


It was raining quite heavily on our way up to Cameron Highlands... nevertheless, I still managed to pose! :)


The view of Cameron Highlands up the Simpang Pulai route can be quite breathtaking despite the rain...


With the cooling weather in Cameron Highlands, what better way to enjoy a piping hot steamboat than this? It's so good with the tom yam soup and the chicken soup base and the multitude of ingredients! It was a satisfying dinner!


10th Nov 2008 (Monday)
The wanton mee breakfast was really nice! Yum yum!

After the breakfast, we went to the Big Red Strawberry Farm. And of course, we ate strawberries!
Strawberry sundae!



After the strawberry farm, it's time to head back to S'pore! Since I travelled up Cameron using the Simpang Pulai route, might as well I try the Tapah route down... Gosh, I found it challenging! It's the first time I'm travelling on a mountainous route.


And of course, not forgetting the beautiful waterfall along the Tapah route!


Me and my warrior! :)


Since we are heading back to S'pore... of course, I will pass by that stretch of road along Pagoh on the NSH. And yes, I did slow down and went pass that route safely! It was a defining moment for me because it meant that I have overcome that obstacle in my heart. I managed to travel beyond Melaka!

Best of all, this time... I'm able to complete my tour in one piece! Me and my bike!

I thank God for keeping Zhehong and I safe throughout this trip!

Like I said, I hope to be able to touch the Thai border with this warrior of mine someday!

But nevertheless, this trip marks a milestone in my riding career - completing my unfinished Melaka trip (1st tour) and travelling to a new place in M'sia! And of course, covering a good 1260 km during these 3 days! Yes, I'm looking forward to joining MotoV group trips!!!

Hazard Oriented Vision (HOV) Safety Ride - 8 Nov 2008

Ah! At last, I attended the HOV session. I missed the 2 previous sessions due to work commitments.

The session started at 9am at Ulu Pandan Community Club. Wah, this was actually the first time that HOV is being conducted at a CC. Nice environment though...

It started with Endlessloop answering our queries we have on safety checks and things like proper lane changing, tyres, etc.

All of us listening to the master earnestly...


What was really helpful for me was the part when Endlessloop shared about the art of lane changing on expressways - looking for pockets of space and leaving a safety cocoon for myself. In the past, I felt that I was constantly tailgated on the expressways. But after I adopted Endlessloop's method, I find myself relaxing and enjoying my ride even more!

This is what he drew on the board... Kudos for that!


We can't be just listening to the theory only, right? And you are right! We proceeded to the public roads to put into practice what we have listened during the theoretical session.

The start of the practical session... This is me at the front! :)


And Endlessloop leading the way on the public roads...




Overall, I found the session very helpful and it has certainly made me more aware about my surroundings as I ride on the roads. I hope that the HOV will be organized on a larger scale so that more people can benefit from the session! I hope that I can contribute to this as I gain more riding experience.



All photos courtesy of our Goldwing rider, Victor Tan!

Sometimes... time to wonder...

Sometimes things can just take a turn overnight. It baffles me.

Sometimes things are not what it seems to appear. It troubles me.

Sometimes things that happen are not within my control. It disappoints me.

Sometimes things happen for a reason. It makes me wonder why.

Sometimes moving on to something else can mean that I can discover greener pastures.

Sometimes I should see how fate plays out and let it amaze me.

Life is about choices and I've realized that. I will never forget the moments shared together. But, I just wonder why some just let go of things that have limitless potential to be nurtured.

Just wondering why...

Anyway, now I really need to open another box of chocolate...

Like what Forrest Gump said in the movie, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."


Time to open that box of chocolate! :)

No “天来", can always “明天再来”!

After two months of recovery, I just got back to riding again! I wanted to have a hearty meal and give my bike a well-deserved wash at Gelang Petah!

Zhehong, my boyfriend, suggested that we have our lunch at “天来" (tian lai) restaurant at Gelang Petah. But, they are not opened for business today.

So, we decided to “明天再来” (ming tian zai lai)... and I don't mean by going to “天来" (tian lai) restaurant tomorrow again.

I'm referring to the restaurant just next to “天来" (tian lai) restaurant. It's called “明天再来海鲜楼” ("Restoran Come Again").

We decided to try the food and judge whether the restaurant is worth another visit or not. And that is... can "come again" or not???

Your food critics...


We settled on 3 dishes.

1. Spicy Steamed Garoupa. We were a little apprehensive about ordering the fish as it normally comes in big helpings. It's just the two of us. However, the waitress said... "Don't need to worry... two person can finish..."


It's a total fallacy!!! The fish is huge!! Anyway, two hungry people still managed to finish most of the fish!

Umm... the fish was not overdone but I wished that the fish was a little fresher. But, I feel that the saving grace for this dish is the spicy sauce! The spicy sauce has just the right amount of spiciness and it gives the fish the much needed punch!

Rating: ***1/2 out of 5

2. Hotplate Tofu

Wow! Just the look of this dish speaks volume of what I would expect when I put this piping hot savoury in my mouth. The looks of it wasn't deceiving. Having tried the same dish at “天来" (tian lai), “明天再来” certainly gives “天来" some serious competition!

It's a must try!

Rating: **** out of 5


3. Kailan with roasted pork

The mix of roasted pork and kailan could have been better if the roasted pork is a little more crispy. Also... the amount of kailan was too little. Other than that, the kailan was not too overcooked. It had the right amount of crunch!

I give it a ***1/2 out of 5!

So... the question is... is the restaurant worth a “明天再来” (tomorrow come again) status?


“明天再来海鲜楼” is definitely worth a second visit! You should go and check their other dishes! I believe it should give “天来海鲜楼” a run for its money!

So, “明天再来" eat!!!

My Sky is back, but...

My gallant Sky is finally back from servicing! I didn't straddle my iron horse back home. Alas, it was towed back to my place instead.

Yippie! My Sky is still looking as handsome as ever after its "cosmetic surgery" and hopefully it will become tougher after the "battle"!

However, the rider (me!) has not fully recovered from injuries yet. The wound on my left knee has not closed up completely. My right wrist is also hurting too... can't twist throttle... So, I'm still undergoing TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) treatment: acupuncture. Therefore, I've got to put riding on hold for at least 1-2 weeks more.

The accident has caused quite a deep impact on me, both physically and psychologically. This being my 1st accident and it occurred on my very 1st trip to Malaysia... It has certainly dampen my spirit quite a bit.

I really do have the burning desire to do touring on my bike. I hope to travel to more places in Malaysia. And one day, I really hope I can hit the borders of Thailand with this bike. I really hope that I'll still be able to accomplish what I set out to achieve.

For now, all I can do is to concentrate on my recovery and take care of this warrior!

My warrior... time to move on!

Room 9... I never want to remember it!

Heart pounding. Teeth gritting. Queue number flashing. It's my turn now. I'm standing in front of Room 9.

Room 9??? What is it??? It's actually the room at Bukit Batok Polyclinic that I have to go daily to do my dressing.

I've been going there for my dressing daily for a week now. At least for now, the bandage on the right leg has been removed. However, the left leg might take some time before the bandage can be removed.

Every morning, the nurse will remove my bandages and gauze. After that, she will put sodium chloride on the wounds to clean (it's so painful, but not as painful as putting "kaltostat"... you will see why...).

For my very deep wound on my left knee area, she puts "Kaltostat" on it. It's very painful because Kaltostat consists of an absorbent fibrous fleece composed of the sodium and calcium salts of alginic acid in the ratio of 80:20. In short, it's like rubbing salt into your wound! Now I know why the nurse asked me to think before I agree to this. Most people will not opt for this. It's expensive and more painful. Oh well, in my eagerness to recover, I agreed reluctantly! So... my daily visits to the polyclinic has been a soap opera affair...

I guess the suffering has paid off... just in a week, the recovery has been quite promising although I'm still unable to run or walk quite normally. This is something that I haven't got used to. I've been the active sort of lady who exercises regularly. To ask me to just walk around, sit around... this is something I still find it hard to get used to.

And the most important thing i miss... I really miss riding! I miss riding my handsome Sky! I miss the carefree feeling when I'm riding my bike. For now... I'm stuck with taking the MRT and bus. Having to try my utmost best daily to protect my knees in a jam-packed MRT or bus!!

I really hope it'll soon end and that I'll be able to get back to riding again and finish the trip that was uncompleted!

SBF Melaka - A Famosa Trip (16 August 2008)

THE BRIEFING
The game plan for the trip was to go to A Fomosa's Microlight & Sports Centre to play a paintball war, visit the Animal World or Water World and also to eat the can't-get-in-Singapore A&W!

We kick started the tour with a morning briefing by Zamani & Racingter (Richard). We used GP Petronas as the briefing point.


PAINTBALL
After about 2 1/2 hours of riding, we arrived at A Famosa's Microlight & Sports Centre. Ah... let the paintball games begin! Eh... wait a minute... Most of us haven't tried paintball before, so we were briefed by a paintball instructor and of course our coordinators, Zamani and Racingter!


At last, the battle is on! And I'm geared for the kill!!! (looking like a terrorist... Aiyoh...)


I'm aiming at my target! Shoot!


It was a really fun experience! But, quite a painful one... I've gotten 2 blue-black bruises from it!

Everyone was feeling very delightful playing the game!


After that, everyone was given a choice of going to either the Animal World or the Water World. Oh well, for me... the choice was easy. I chose the Animal World because I didn't bring any clothes that will prepare for water splashes!

ANIMAL WORLD
There was nothing much. Just the regular animals you can see at the Singapore Zoo... So I had nothing to take with... A camel is better than nothing...


A&W
We ended the trip with a hearty meal at Ayer Keroh A&W and everyone parted from there.

THE LAST LEG OF THE JOURNEY - THE FALL
This was a trip to be remembered - be it good or bad. The good part was all the fun and jamboree with the rest of the convoy.

The bad part was the unexpected fall on North-South Highway along Pagoh. I was travelling at a normal speed of 130km/h. The road that I was travelling was flat, straight and clean, yet my bike tank slap suddenly. It was beyond control. I tried to balance the bike for about 5 seconds before I decided to jump off the bike and let the bike row to a halt.

During that moment, all I focused was to roll my body as tightly as possible to minimize the chance of a fracture. It was only after i was around the road shoulder, a lot of things flooded through my mind. I was afraid that I'll not see my family and my special one again. I prayed to God and gave thanks that He protected my life.

I was very impressed and thankful that I was travelling with a wonderful convoy. They were so ready to help me out, be it the bike or me.

I am very thankful to David for helping to escort Zhehong and I to NUH & opening up roads for Zhehong to change lane safely.

I am very thankful for all the riders who had endured the arduous distances in riding my bike from Pagoh to S'pore. If not for you guys, my bike would have been stranded in Pagoh.

I am very thankful for Wai Kiong for having a part in riding my bike back to S'pore & visiting me at the NUH A&E department. Also, for coming all the way to HKL this afternoon to pass me my keys!

I am very thankful for Simon Soh & Richard for coordinating the 'damage control'.

Last but not lest, thanks to Zamani and Richard for organizing this wonderful trip!

I went to NUH A&E department to seek medical help. I am very thankful that I was wearing a full face helmet, armoured jacket and gloves. The full face helmet protected my chin, the armoured jacket protected my elbows and the gloves protected my hands.

It's just that I didn't have an armoured pants. Otherwise, I would have walked out of the incident unscathed. Alas, it wasn't so...

Now, I ended up with a very deep cut in my left knee which will require some time before it's completely healed. Fortunately, there wasn't any broken bones or torn ligaments... although my ligaments were showing... It freaked out some of them in the convoy. It was a sight to behold (not in a good way, you know...).

From this experience, I learnt the true value in investing in good riding gears especially armoured touring pants! And also... I've learnt how to anticipate wind directions when travelling on M'sia roads. Most importantly, I finally understood the true biker spirit - always there to help other biker! I've matured as a rider and have gained another feather to my hat!

Now, my wounds are kind of settled. It's time to settle my Sky... I think he needs plastic surgery!