Back in Malaysia - 2015

A few years ago, I brought my own bike into Malaysia via Singapore to do some driving around this beautiful and friendly country. Since then, I met my wife from the Philippines and we got married in her country, but that marriage is not recognised in Australia, so we are jumping through the visa hurdles. Recently, we found out she is pregnant, which is wonderful news, but has complicated some of those visa hurdles.

Last week, we got notified that a decision on her Prospective Marriage Visa was about to be made and she would need to leave the country immediately (if not, sooner) before that decision could be made. I have a full time job, and my poor wife is suffering through mid-term pregnancy, so she can feel very ill and have bad headaches, and sometimes be very vague and say and do strange things. It is not just her, many women during pregnancy have these types of symptoms.

As this would be the last time (for a while) we would both get to do a motorcycle tour, and she had always wanted to see Peninsular Malaysia, we thought it might be fun to hire a motorcycle in Singapore or Malaysia and do some sight-seeing.

Easier said than done!

Firstly, a big shout out to the friendly and professional chaps at Big Loud Rides in Singapore. When I contacted them, they came back immediately with a good price on a very nice Harley Davidson. If this is your thing, then you should really give them a go and have a chat. I am not really into Harley's - they are heavy bikes and I am a small guy. The bike they offered me was more than double the wet weight of my BMW GS 650, and that scared the hell out of me with a pregnant wife on the back. But if you are into Harley's and want someone who is really knowledgeable about the area, routes, and challenges, then I highly recommend them.

Also, in planning the trip, the cheapest flights were to Kuala Lumpur, so we took them. Strangely, the flights to KL via Singapore were cheaper than the flights to Singapore. I wasn't sure if I bailed at the Singapore stop over, if I would be branded a terrorist, so we decided the best plan was to follow the plan.

I found out that the MotoGP is being held at Sepang International Circuit the weekend we were going to be in Malaysia. I spoke to a few friends about rental options in Malaysia. These were the options I was given:

1. Ride Adventure- Kuala Lumpur
2. Ride Malaysia
3. KL EZ Harley Davidson Bikes

When I got into contact with KL EZ and Ride Malaysia, they came back within 24 hours to let me know they had all their fleet booked out due to the MotoGP. This was quite understandable... and how I found out the MotoGP was on.

I know, I know... I am an avid motorcyclist and I didn't realise it was on. I didn't even realise it was on in Australia! I am more of a solo motorcyclist. I ride by myself, not in groups. I don't care about the new bikes racing, or who won, or what models performed well. I ride for the experience and the exploration and the fun. But I also understand that a lot of people DO care, so I got a little worried that I might have to resort to public transport.

From a personal perspective, I don't like public transport in foreign countries. I don't like trains; I don't like buses; I don't like taxis; I don't like rickshaws, tricycles, or jeepneys. I am sure my readers will understand. I like motorcycles - preferably my own. It's like other peoples kids. No they are not cute and they are not adorable... but my own are.

Using Facebook, I spoke to a chap called Mig from Ride Adventure - Kuala Lumpur and he told me immediately that his fleet was fully booked in this time period, but that he might be able to figure something out. He has offered me about half a dozen bikes that didn't quite meet my requirements. Most were bigger bikes than I wanted (FJR 1300); others were without any panier supports (FZ1, KTM 850SM), so I would have to choose the backpack or the wife and I am probably going to get in trouble for even suggesting that was a choice.

So, here I sit, in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, waiting on a call back from Mig about access to a Versys 650. It has a rear top case, but I have asked for the case to be removed so I can use the strut for the backpack. These guys are all very busy organising for the MotoGP this weekend, so I understand I am a little fish in a big f#@%ing pond.

More to come.

This is my first post in a while, and I apologise for that. I have heaps of posts drafted but none posted. If you want more, hit me up in the comments.

Route Planning - Malaysia

I head across the border into Malaysia on Thursday, February 14. I plan to leave at about 10am in the morning and am expecting about 2 hours to get through customs and continue on my merry way. This means I need to start planning where I am going and what I am doing, especially so I can book accommodation or plan where I will be camping.

Here is the plan as it sits before I have even entered the country:

1. Day One - Cross the border. If I have time, visit the Muzium Diraja Sultan Abu Bakar, otherwise I may have to do it when (if) I come back (although according to Google Maps, it will take me 37 minutes to get to the museum). I plan to spend the night of the 14th in Mersing at the Fishing Bay Resort (booked) on the East Coast of West Malaysia (directions).
2. Day Two (and Three) - Start out at 10am from the Fishing Bay Resort in Mersing. Stop for lunch in Kluang, then continue to Muar where I follow the coast along the Malacca Strait into Melaka and stay at the Mari Mari Guesthouse (booked) for two nights (directions).
3. Day Four - Start out at 10am from the Mari Mari Guesthouse and cross inland over the Segamat District, across Rompin and Pekan and into Kuantan for the evening of the 17th (directions).
4. Day Five (and Six) - Start out at 10am from Kuantan and head to Kuala Tahan (directions) to camp in Taman Negara for the 18th and 19th. This will involve getting myself to some of the wilderness hides and seeing if I can spot any local wildlife while not getting eaten alive by leeches.
5. Day Seven - Start out at 10am from Kuala Tahan and head to Kuala Lumpur for the evening of the 20th (directions). I am hoping to find a good spot to stay so I can scrub off the grime from my camping at Taman Negara.
6. Day Eight (and Nine) - Start out at 10am from Kuala Lumpur and head to Tanah Rata Pahang for the evening of the 21st and 22nd (directions) to climb trails and drive the Cameron Highlands for two days. I had hoped to climb some of the local mountains, but we shall see - if I twist an ankle it will really screw my plans up.
7. Day Ten - Start out at 10am from Tanah Rata Pahang and travel to Kota Bharu for the evening of the 23rd (directions).
8. Day Eleven (and Twelve) - Start out at 10am from Kota Bharu and travel to George Town (Penang) for the evening of the 24th and 25th (directions).
9. Day Thirteen - Start out at 8am on the 26th from George Town and travel to the Malaysian/Thailand border, into Sandao and staying at Hat Yai (directions). This then links to my route planning for Southern Thailand which will be determined, soon.

This is the plan so far, but we all know how brilliant plans can go to shit very quickly once they actually meet the road and since I am meeting the road intimately (although hopefully not hard) and the weather could also really screw up my plans, or at least delay me, then I suspect these plans will turn out very differently.

Reality Bites - Stage One Planned Route

Stage one has been redefined in light of reality and because I would really like to take some time in the countries to learn more about it and find all the good stories. The first stage is 120 nights between a Singapore arrival on January 28 and a Singapore departure on May 27. If things in my personal situation change, then I will reconsider.

The primary reason to stay in Singapore is to sort out the motorcycle and I may need to return to get the bike fixed or for any required servicing. If we assume the bike will be a sturdy companion, then I intend to follow this itinerary:

• 1 week in Singapore
• 2 weeks in West Malaysia
• 2 weeks in South Thailand
• 2 weeks in Cambodia
• 2 weeks in Vietnam
• 2 weeks in Laos
• 1 week in Thailand
• 2 weeks in Myanmar
• 1 week in Thailand
• 1 week in Malaysia
• 1 week in Singapore

If I am able to secure a source of income, I will extend the tour west, but I would need to extend or modify a variety of my implemented plans, including insurance, motorcycle carnet, and visas. My ultimate goal of getting to Glasgow is still there, but as I sit here cooling my heels, reality seems to settle like a fog.

Given that I have been waiting in Singapore now for the motorcycle to arrive for almost a week, I am pretty sure these timings will change. However, I am really hoping that I will be able to get across the border before Chinese New Year celebrations start on February 9.

QANTAS have given me an arrival date for the motorcycle of Tuesday afternoon and I am hoping to get myself sorted for a departure on Thursday across the border.

Stage 1 Route - First concept

This is the first concept for Stage 1 of the trip. There are some assumptions made about the motorcycle and the route, as well as the red-tape I shall be shredding in my wake. However, the plan is to follow this route as closely as possible, while allowing myself some time to get the lay of the land and talk to some people. I am going over there to see the countries as well, so the route needs to be flexible.

The idea is to land in Singapore on January 28, 2013. Get my motorcycle sorted out through customs on January 29, 2013 and then ride around the city for a few days, crossing into Malaysia on January 31 or February 1. From there I plan to spend at least 2 weeks in Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, back to Thailand, then into Myanmar before returning to Singapore and a flight home.

I will determine whether to progress to Stage 2 when I see how things are with Myanmar. Additionally, if my funding gets a boost before the May 27 return ticket, I might try to get into India and Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and then Turkey. If I have the time, money, and capability, Stage 2 will be initiated. I might be able to make it to ANZAC Day in Gallipoli, Turkey for April 25, but that would be just mad.

The routes will be entirely dictated by visa availability and use of the motorcycle. There have been instances when the roads must be specified for the trip to be approved with surface transport vehicles entering countries with visas. The further west you proceed, the more serious the requirement for visa and travel permits.

I will admit here and now, that if it is all really nasty, I may just extend my tour of Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia, or finalise a Chinese visa and head that direction. Flexibility will be the key.

I'll post maps of the intended route soon.

Planning

I started a mindmap titled "Escape". It grew into two mindmaps, with the extracted information coming under the title of Australia.

As an aside, I always cringe when I have to tell someone I am Australian. I automatically start thinking of this Monty Python sketch. "Awstraya! Awstraya! Awstraya!"

In the Australia mindmap, shown below, I had to consider all the things that needed to be organised or planned prior to leaving, as well as anything that needed to be maintained or managed while I was away for Australian activities, such as storage of my gear while I am away and financial management.

Things related to Australia and pre-departure

The Explore mindmap, shown below, starts to create an itinerary as well as required kit, transport, accommodation, and telecommunication requirements. It defines personal protective equipment, like first aid kits, and phases of the exploration, providing for a return to Singapore if there is no passage West from Pakistan.
 

Things related to the trip (escape) itself

I won't bore you with too many of the details. I can always write a book to do that.

The decision made to progress with the plan for a motorcycle tour of South East Asia and beyond made in the early days of the 2013 New Year looks to be quite an effort of planning and management. I upgraded my motorcycle skills and completed an entry-level English as a Foreign Language course. I have been completing dental work to ensure nothing comes loose during the expedition as well as enduring a punishing immunisation regime.

My 132 tabs of Malaria medication arrived today, which I picked up with my Typhoid pills. While I wasn't looking I was jabbed for innoculations of Japanese Encephelitis and Hepatitis A and B. Still to come are the Rabies, Polio, and more. It all makes sense that I need a passport for my body, my bike, and my immune system.

Me riding back from Big Day Out 2011 (Honda CBR 250RR 1996)

I have been investigating different motorcycle options currently with a default position that I will take my Honda CBR 250RR 1996. The TeamMoto Enoggera guys have a really nice motorcycle there that looks like it will do exactly what I need it to do, a BMW GS650 G with some additional modifications. A friend suggested I should investigate sponsorship opportunities before I leave. Perhaps they will be interested.

I have my trip to the Foreign Missions on Monday to secure land border entry visas (with motorcycle) for a number of countries. More updates then.