Posts Tagged ‘Kuala Lumpur’

Day 302. 82km. Kuala Lumpur – Bagan Lalang

Posted: January 30, 2016 in Cycling, Malaysia
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Sitting in the warm water as the last light fades to black, we look at the two bikes, silhouetted, standing side by side on the exposed sand bar. This is brilliant. And then Clement’s bike tips over. The tide is rising! We sprint across the shin-deep water to rescue the bikes from the salt. Back on the ocean in Malaysia.

The bikes on the beach

The bikes on the beach

Back on the road again, this time with Clement. We met in Dubrovnik in Croatia in 2014 at the start of our trips. Since then he has crossed India, and I have crossed China. We have both covered about 27000km. So many stories to tell. Clement, my inspiration to try dumpster diving in Adelaide, lives on almost no money each day. I am going to try to follow along. When all is quiet, Clement will set up his tent, and I will put up my brand new hammock – directly on the beach. It will be amazing!

I had a nice break in Kuala Lumpur, meeting some lovely new cycling people, sharing lots of stories. And my bike got the most thorough cleaning and check-over for ages. Thanks Akmal for your help!

Leaving the hostel in Kuala Lumpur

Leaving the hostel in Kuala Lumpur

Bike maintenance

Bike maintenance

The Petronas Towers

The Petronas Towers

Day 301. 81km. Bentong – Kuala Lumpur

Posted: January 26, 2016 in Cycling, Malaysia
Tags: , , ,
11

‘Bike. No!’
Taking in the moment of having arrived in Kuala Lumpur, with the Petronas towers behind me was difficult with the guard talking into his walkie-talkie to get backup to remove this non-compliant cyclist. I guess this is what it is like living in the age of terror.

Made it - Petronas towers, Kuala Lumpur

Made it – Petronas towers, Kuala Lumpur

Thanks SK Lah for the great route suggestion. Cycling right up to a megacity has never been this quiet and beautiful. Cycling over a little 600m pass, I was in the dense forest up until 17km before Kuala Lumpur. I was a bit edgy eating my bananas with the hungry looking monkeys pacing around in the background.

Dense jungle near Kuala Lumpur

Dense jungle near Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur itself is a maze of freeways that are not crossable, and lots of one-way major roads. As the temperature was not so high today, I was not hot and bothered – just bothered – being forced to turn down streets I didn’t want to. I finally arrived at my destination – Akmal’s bicycle hostel. Looking forward to meet Akmal and the other cyclists staying here.

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

BTW: there were some people reading my blog that said they would like to meet for a drink when I’m in KL. I have written to two, but, I think there were others, and I can’t find their coordinates.. Let me know if you are still interested in catching up.. ☺