TRANS BORNEO SOLO RIDE - DAY 3

9^th NOV 2012 : KOTA KINABALU – TANJUNG SIMPANG MENGAYAU – KINABALU PARK (434KM)

I started my ride around 8pm. It was already bright as here in Sabah, sunrise was around 5.30am. It was easy to find my way out of KK, heading to the north. I was informed yesterday that the road condition from KK to Kota Belud is nice – for Sabah standard, but definitely not for Peninsular standard. The supposedly highway was only a one lane road which was slightly uneven and without reserved lane . There were certain areas where the road was seen oily which was caused by the timber lorries, so I nd to be careful – I hv been warned about this yesterday. The road was going uphill and downhill and the view was nice. At one point, someone waved at me by the road side. He happened to be Cikgu Azlan, a member from the KK group. We chatted for a while and later I continued on to Kota Belud. The road condition from here to Kota Marudu worsened as construction were going on. I hv to ride on gravels for about 10kms on and off. From Kota Marudu to Kudat, I had to ride on a narrow and damaged road, so speeding here was not a wise thing to do. 

Finally, after riding for 188kms, I arrived Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, the place where the Tip of Borneo was located – a must go for bikers. A beautiful white sandy beach waiting to be explored, but unfortunately I dont hv much time. I made a mind note that the nx time I go to Sabah, I will stay here for at least one night. 

I rode on until I reached a no entry sign. The road was blocked by a piece of rope, meaning that I hv to park my bike. I was told that I can take DREAM up to the globe, but it seems that, that was no longer allowed. No choice, I hv to walk. 

The view was very nice and beautiful. Blue ocean and huge waves crashing to the rocks was indeed a nice sight to watch. I walked down to the very edge of the rock to hv my pic taken. Only a second after that, a huge wave came from behind and almost swept me off. It was scary but funny too. 

I met a Malay family and hv a nice chat with them, only to know that we hv so much in common – We are from Ipoh, Meru to be exact, first timer in Sabah, I rode my bike here and they drove their car, and the wife was also a lecturer. I asked the husband to help me to fix my loosened GPS holder. Thank you bro (sorry I forgot yr name). I spend about 40 minutes here and after that I rode back the same road until Kota Belud.

The rain started to fall heavily and I am feeling hungry. I had my lunch at a restaurant in Kota Belud. My presence alerted the locals. I just smiled at them. I waited for the rain to lessen and chatted with the restaurant staff about direction to Kinabalu Park. The guy told me that there were 2 options – either I rode back the same way to KK but turn left after Tuaran, or I can take a bypass road which is nearer but not recommended since according to him, the road was steep, narrow, winding, deserted, it was raining and I am riding alone. I took his advise and started to ride back the same way to KK, but after passing another kampong road which was not marked in my map (there are actually several road to get to Kinabalu Park), I decided that I want to give it a try. After all, this is my ride. A ride without challenges is just like eating a tasteless food. I took the kampong road which was not that steep after all (may be to the guy it was steep), but narrow, deserted and the rain started to pour again heavily....sigh...Well, the decision was mine and no one is to be blamed, so....enjoy the ride. This is the best that I can do at the moment. To add more to the challenge, fog started to appear and limited my vision. I had to ride slowly and carefully as at certain places, visibility was as low as 50 meters only. 

I finally reached the intersection to the highway to Ranau, so the riding gets a bit easier but the rain still didnt want to stop. There were many lorries to overtake but I didnt find it very difficult to do except that I am feeling very cold bcos of the altitude and since I am totally wet. As a matter of fact, I was shivering while riding!!! I finally arrived Kinabalu Park after riding for 246kms fr Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. I was met by Abang Tan and Rusdi, members from KPSES Elegant. I was not told about their presence and was quite surprised to know that they were expecting me. Thank you bro Azmi for instructing your ppl to assist me and thanks to Abg Tan and Rusdi for helping me out. I want to stay at D’villa Rina, so since they were locals, they knew the place and helped me to to check in. After that we had a drink at Kundasang. That night was spent resting in my room since I have a big task tomorrow – to climb up Mount Kinabalu.

Mt Kinabalu seen fr the town of Kundasang

The small town of Kundasang

With Abang Tan & Rusdi from KPSES Elegan group
- Ranau branch

TRANS BORNEO SOLO RIDE - DAY 1 & DAY 2

7^th NOV 2012 : KUL – KOTA KINABALU

When the day arrived, I flew to Kota Kinabalu via Airasia. My university friend, Shikin fetched me at the airport and took me to Tune Hotel where I am going to stay for 2 nights.

8^th NOV 2012 : KOTA KINABALU

Early morning, I received a phone call from MasKargo Kota Kinabalu informing me that I can get my bike from their office. So I took a bus to Terminal Wawasan, and then changed to another bus heading to Putatan, asking the bus driver to drop me at the airport.

Mini buses at Terminal Wawasan

It was quite a walk to get to the MasKargo building and I was lucky that a guy whom I stopped to ask for direction actually worked there and he gave me a lift. I was surprised to see how bad the road conditionwas from the airport to the MasKargo building. It was about 1km offroad with lots of pot holes here and there. 

When I reached the building, again I hv to face lots of procedures to get my bike. I cant help thinking – this is only a domestic shipping and the procedures were this complicated. How if I shipped my bike to an international destination? LOL...worry about that when the time comes. As at MasKargo KL, the same thing happened here too, where everyone from the guard to the officers to the counter ppl, all of them interviewed me and asked all sorts of questions – Why am I shipping my bike here? Do I work in KK @ Sabah, and when I said “No”, they thought I’m shipping the bike for someone else, and I said “No, I am actually touring Borneo”, and they asked how many in the group, I said “just me”....They were very surprised and thought I was joking. Hey, do I look like I’m joking? Do u see anyone else with me? No, isnt it. Its just me. I am going to ride in Borneo for 18 days, and I am going to do it solo :)

Once everything was settled and again, customs payment to be made, I rode DREAM out of the building. It was a nice feeling to ride him on a new road unfamiliar to me. First, I went to Tg Aru beach which I hv admired for a long time before. The beach was deserted since it was a week day. I spend some time there to enjoy the beautiful beach and the breeze. 

Then I continued riding to Signal Hill Observatory to view the city from the view point tower. It was beautiful. I circled the hill and checked out the KK Wetland Center. Upon reaching the foot of the hill, I visited Atkinson Clock Tower, which was said as the oldest standing structure in KK. 

View from Observatory Hill Tower

Feeling hungry, I headed to the famous Gaya Street and fed my hungry stomach with yummy bakso. Then I took some time to check on backpackers hostels on this street and found a nice one just next door to Azliena Sulawesi Restaurant, the meeting place for me and KK scooter bikers tonite. It was raining, so I waited for a while and when the rain lessened, I hurriedly go to the Craft Center, also known as the Filipino Market, and checked out stuffs sold there. I bought some crystal + pearl bracelets for myself, my mom and some extras as souvenirs. I also bought some magnets and brooches. I let out a heavy sigh as I cant shop much when travelling on a motorbike. 

China Town KK

Next, I went to the wet market by the sea and just stroll around slowly as I hv nothing to do. It was interesting to see things sold at the market, and visiting wet markets were among my favourite things to do whenever I travel. Then I proceeded to Anjung Senja, a nice place to chill out while watching the sunset. However, it was a cloudy evening as the rain had just stopped, so the sunset was not very spectacular. 

Later, I checked out Waterfront Esplanade. Nothing much there, and since it was already time for the meeting, I headed to the restaurant and the guys from KPSES Elegant were already there waiting for me. I was given a nice welcome by the President of the club, bro Azmi and his friends. Everyone was eager to ask me questions about my ride – the 5w’s questions – What, Why, Where, When, and How, and not forgetting, the cepu emas question – Husband tak kisah ke? LOL...Next, one of the bikers, Sarjan Berahim entertained all of us with a splendid seafood dinner at a food court not far from the Central Market. The buttered prawn served there was to die for. Soooo delicious. Thank you Sarjan, may Allah pay yr generousity with His blessings.   

With bro Azmi (left) and members of KPSES Elegan, KK