As
I am writing this, I am about few hours before checking out from the hotel that
I stayed last night, and will be heading to the Thailand-Malaysian border, and
ride back home. There are still about 400kms more to go. I have experienced so
many new things for the past three weeks that I never imagine in my whole life.
Traveling overland on a motorbike is definitely a lot tougher and challenging
than backpacking. There are plenty plenty more to learn before I can overland by
myself. A million thanks to Hadi for giving me this chance to do something
rarely done by a Malay woman, and for all the knowledge that he had been giving
to me all this while, for all the guidance and for everything. I am truly sorry
for all the stupid mistakes that I had done, and for not being up to his
expectation. Quoting Hadi, it’s a learning process. I agree, and its a tough
one as well.
The
last ride back to home sweet home was smooth except for some incident in the
morning (again I would not discuss it here). Border crossing was easy as well.
After being through so much for the past 3 weeks, god knows how glad I was to
be back to motherland. Nothing is better than being in my own beloved country –
Malaysia. After lunch and fueling up at Changlun, Hadi and I rode separately according
to our own pace as we have set to meet at Simpang Pulai R n R. I was ahead of
him. I can’t wait to be back home as I missed my family so much. However, at
one time, I was forced to take the Penang Bridge exit since I was riding on the
motorbike lane. Its too late and dangerous for me to change to middle lane as
lots of fast speeding cars taking the exit. I had to turn back and lost
20minutes due to this. The highway was jammed packed with vehicles until Bukit
Merah. After that, I rode full throttle almost all the way as I thought that
Hadi must have been waiting for me. It took me 3 hours to ride from Changlun to
Simpang Pulai (plus the turning back at Penang Bridge). However, I arrived
Simpang Pulai first and after a long talk with my sifu, we bided good bye and I
rode back to my mom’s house. How I have hugged my mom!!! There were countless of times I thought that my family will only receive my body in a plastic bag. After what I have gone
through, it was unbelievable that not only I made it this far, but I came back
alive, safe and sound. Don't forget that my riding experience was only 43 days when I first started the ride 22 days ago.
Some
stats for this ride:
Most challenging ride: In and out of Bangkok (Samut Prakan)
Most
enjoyful ride: The moment we entered Laos
Most
relaxing ride: Riding alone from Hua Hin to Kanchanaburi
Most
stressful ride: Riding on the winding Laos
Total bike drop: 6 (1 serious drop, 5 stupid drops due to critical fatigue)
Total bike drop: 6 (1 serious drop, 5 stupid drops due to critical fatigue)
Most spectacular view: Laos mountains
Most expensive place that we stayed: Danok and Hatyai (Thailand
Most expensive place that we stayed: Danok and Hatyai (
Cheapest
place that we stayed: Chiang Khong (Thailand
Most
yummy food: Tomyam kung in Maesot and seafood fried noodle in Chiang Khong
Best
road: Huay Xai – intersection to Boten (Laos
Worst
road: Laos Phnom
Penh Cambodia
Most
tolerable driver: Laotian (they reserved a wide space and honked when
overtaking)
Craziest
driver: Cambodians
If
you asked me how I feel?
Do
I feel great after completing this ride? NO.
Do
I feel good about myself? NO.
So
what exactly are my feelings now?
I
felt small, yet grateful and happy. After three weeks of riding, my knowledge
about over landing is comparable to a drop of indigo in an ocean. I felt grateful that Allah had permitted me to
do this ride safely, and to let me witness how great His creations were….It is
a blessing from Him that I am able to do and complete this ride, and I am happy
that finally, I united with the people who loved and cared for me.
Alhamdulillah….
Thank
you very much for reading my blog. Do drop me a few lines and if you have
questions in mind, I will be more than happy to answer. So, until next ride
friends, babye…
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