TRANS BORNEO RIDE...BEEN THERE, DONE THAT...ALHAMDULILLAH

A journey of 19 days, with lots of fun, challenge and events....
I thank You Allah, for all the blessings and opportunities that u had given me...for all the protection when I'm riding on dangerous road, under extreme rain and blazing hot sun...and for meeting me with nice ppl (except for some) through out my ride...thank you...

TRANS BORNEO SOLO RIDE - DAY 18 & 19

24TH NOV 2012; KUCHING – KUL 

While having breakfast, I received a call from MasKargo Kuching, informing me that they have to bring down DREAM’s handle as the wind shield was too high to pass through the fleet’s door. I have no choice but to agree. 

Having breakfast at Beds GH kitchen

Self cook macaroni bolognaise

At 12pm, Adrian send me to the airport. We chatted while on the way. He told me that when DREAM was parked outside the door, passers-by asked him who was the owner of the bike? When Adrian told them that the owner was a lady, and she was touring Borneo alone...they were shocked and started to make assumptions – Is she crazy? Is she having a midlife crisis? Is she running away from her husband? Is she taking a break after a divorce? OMG!!!! I laughed so loud upon hearing this. I am only touring Borneo, not the whole world. Once arrived at the airport, I said goodbye to Adrian. I am sure that I am going to miss u, Imo and the other one. The next time I’m in Kuching, no doubt I will definitely stay at Beds again. 

Honestly, I didnt feel like going home yet....  :(

When I checked in my baggage, to my disappointment, the total weight of all the panniers were only 18kgs. The weigh scale that I used yesterday night must be faulty. Haihh....rugi bayar extra RM80. The flight departed on time and by 4.15pm, I landed at the LCCT. My son, Rudy, fetched me at the airport and we headed to MasKargo complex to pick up DREAM. The picking up process was more troublesome compared to the time I’m shipping him out. Once I got DREAM, I had to fix the handle and side mirrors. Luckily, Zach, Rudy’s friend was with us, so he helped me a lot. When I thought that I am ready to go, DREAM cant be started. Then only I noticed that there was no fuel at all inside the tank. I hv asked the MasKargo Kuching staff to leave some oil, at least enough for me to ride to the nearest petrol pump about 2kms away. However, the tank was totally empty. I hv to exit the complex to buy fuel inside a bottle, and came back to refuel it. It was already 8pm when I finally leave and head to Rudy’s house in Sri Damansara. 

The next day, I rode DREAM back to home sweet home, and once arrived, this marked the end of my Trans Borneo Ride. 

I have had the best time of my life touring Borneo for the past 18 days. I wished to thank all the people who hv been assisting and entertaining me during my ride, especially Bro Azmi, Bro Tan, Bro Salim, Sarjan Rahim (for the sumptous seafood dinner), Farid, Faizal, Jenal, Mustola, Melinda, Sharmila, Sarina and many more. Yr kindness will be cherished in my heart forever n ever. Allah jua yg membalas budi baik kalian semua. 

Some stats for this ride: 

Most spectacular view: Ranau to Tambunan 

Most challenging ride: Overtaking never ending lorries, OTW to Sandakan, under the rain, and on a narrow and damaged road 

Most enjoyful ride: Ranau - Tambunan - Keningau - Crocker Range - Beaufort

Most relaxing ride: Bdr Seri Begawan - Tutong (Brunei) 

Most stressful ride: Entikong – Pontianak 

Most expensive place that I stayed: Probably Laban Rata (Mt Kinabalu)

Cheapest place that I stayed: Telupid Lodge (RM20...LOL) 

Most yummy food: Seafood in Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau...thanks guys 

Best road: Bandar Seri Begawan 

Worst road: Sosok – Tayan (Kalimantan) 

Most tolerable driver: Car drivers in Sabah 

Craziest driver: Pontianak 

Total bike fall: Zero 

Soooo...until next ride pal...and I assure u its not going to be long :) 

TRANS BORNEO SOLO RIDE - DAY 17

23RD NOV 2012: PONTIANAK – KUCHING (460KMS, 8HRS) 

I woke up really early, and after filling my stomach fully with instant noodles, I checked out from the hotel. I hv had DREAM refuel yesterday at a petrol station near the hotel (I rode him without the back plate number), so by 4am today, I started my ride exiting Pontianak, heading to the border. Reason for the early start was to avoid from getting verbal harrassment. I was not worried of riding alone in the dark at such an early hour, as I knew that it will be bright enough by the time I reached the bad damaged road. It was the hate sentiment from the locals which concerned me most. However, there were few times that I cant help screaming when I almost loose control of DREAM when I accidentally ran on a hole. There was no street light, so the only light to lighten the road came solely from my bike. The road was deserted. It was only once in a while that I met a lorry or an express bus. This makes my journey faster and since I didnt stop at all along the way, I managed to reach the border around 9am. I felt so relieved when I finally enter my own country. There were many people at the border, and after the normal procedures, I continued my ride heading to Kuching. 

The ladies selling durian caught my attention

It was about 50kms from Tebedu to Serian, and another 60kms to reach Kuching. The highway into Kuching was a nice dual lane road. I arrived Kuching and checked in at Beds GH. The GH cum hostel was so nice and the staff were so friendly that I began to feel at home in no time at all. The GH had a cosy lobby and a nice fully equipped kitchen. The best thing was they offered self service tea, coffee, bread with spread or jam, instant noodle and even raw eggs for free – 24hrs a day. All u need to do is to help yrself in the kitchen. They also have a communal washing machine with no charge, and all the rooms were air conditioned. The rate for a bed in a 6 bedded dorm is only RM18 (Nov, 2012). Tell me, where on earth can u find a bed with food (bread/ instant noodles/ egg) around the clock for only RM18? Even though its cheap, I opted for a single room which cost me a bit more as I have many baggage with me (once I send DREAM to the airport). 

http://www.bedsguesthouse.com/index.html

After resting for a while, I rode around town for pics at some landmarks. Then, I send DREAM to a car wash as he’s so very dirty. It was the 3rd car wash who was willing to wash him. I really dont understand why the refusal of the other two. 

I love u soooo much!!!

TQ darling for being such a good boy

After 17 days on the road...

 

  

China Town, Kuching

 

After that, I continued to MasKargo Kuching. Just when DREAM was clean and sparkling after the wash, it rained again. URGHHHH!!! Upon arrival at MasKargo Kuching, I settled the shipment process and make the payment. I was asked to remove the panniers as this cargo fleet was small. 

I have to return to Kuching via public transportation. I took the opportunity to ride the perahu tambang and crossed the river to the village, heading to Dayang Salhah layer cake shop. There are many similar shops, but hers was my favourite. However, the price had increased since the last time I’m here. I also purchased the famous Sarawak salted fish to take home. 

Teh C Special, my fav drink in Borneo

 

The night was spent chatting with the GH’s staff - Imo, Adrian and another guy (forgot his name). I was slightly worried about my panniers weight, as I only purchased 20kg checked baggage. Imo handed me a weigh scale. I was surprised to see that the weigh scale measured all 3 panniers to almost 40kgs. The panniers didnt feel very heavy when I carried them. However, to avoid having to pay more at the airport, I upgraded my baggage to 40kgs. I hv to pay additional RM80 for the top-up.

TRANS BORNEO SOLO RIDE - DAY 16

22ND NOV 2012: PONTIANAK 

After subuh prayer, I continued sleeping until 10am. I had my complimentary breakfast and asked the friendly receptionist on how to go to the attractions. They suggested me to take the motorbike-taxi as its cheap, and since the traffic jam in Pontianak was bad. After negotiating the price, I agreed, and off the driver and me go to the 1st attraction – the Equator Monument. It was while riding the bike as a pillion that I noticed how dirty this city was. Rubbish can be seen every where, and it stink terribly. The pot holes were filled with muddy water and it splashed whenever a vehicle ran thorugh it. The driver suggested that I try taking the ferry to cross Kapuas River. 

Waiting for the ferry

It was a mere 5 minutes ferry ride, and after another 10 minutes ride on the road, we arrived at the monument. This monument was one among 14 similar monuments in the whole world. There was a museum with infos about the Equator. I met some Malaysian students from Kelantan, and we chatted for a while. Then I go to the 0 degrees spot which was still under construction. I asked permission to enter the site. It felt kinda cool to be able to step on the Equator line, exactly on the 0 degrees spot. 

Monument inside the museum

Monument outside the museum

 

  

I'm standing on the exact 0 degrees spot

Later, we went to Keraton Qhadriyah which have a Jame Mosque and a palace. Sultan from the old days used to live here. The distance was not far, but it took quite long for us to reach as the traffic was bad. 

Before returning to the hotel, I asked the driver to stop at Bang Yus, the only fixed price souvenir shop in Pontianak, for me to do a little shopping. There was actually another better place with plenty of souvenir shops, named PSP Complex, however I have to bargain the price. I am not so keen to bargain after what had happened yesterday. Infact, I tried to reduce conversation (something which I hate to do, as I like to mix with the locals whenever I travelled), and when they asked me where I’m from, I have to tell them that I am a Singaporean, or from Brunei. 

Notice the sign on the bridge roof? Its FZ, but Indon version

PSP Complex

In the afternoon, I went to Ramayana Mall and after that to Kapuas River again, this time for a private boat ride. 

I have read in the internet, saying that a boat ride here during late afternoon (6pm) is a must as one can witness interesting locals daily lives who lived by the river banks. The river was very big which allowed ships to sail on it. However it was heavily polluted. All sorts of rubbish can be seen floating in the water. I did witness some locals throwing their garbages into the river without feeling a sense of guilt at all. Even though polluted, I saw kids playing and swimming in it. I also saw locals bathing using the water from the river. Their house conditions was bad, and my heart goes for them. Sigh...

  

Port of Pontianak

Locals bathing

Jame Mosque seen from the river

Another Equator Monument at Alun-Alun Kapuas

As I am leaving early tomorrow morning, I had DREAM refuel at Pertamina station.

PERTAMINA

Motorbikes have to cue to have the tank refuel

Rp4500 p/l = RM1.50, cheaper than in Malaysia

I saw DREAM's twin brother