malaysia 27.05.08 - 22.06.08

Loosing 1 hour through the time difference between Indonesia and Malaysia plus loosing another half our due to belated arrival of our express boat gives us a tight schedule for picking up the motorbike.
The bike was brought to Kuala Linggi cargo pier, some 65km north of Melaka.
It’s 3PM and we’re having a 1,5 hrs taxi ride ahead of us, we only can hope that the Customs are still going to entertain us…

christ church in melaka

indo028.JPGThe taxi driver is doing his best to meet the schedule and races with us up to Kuala Linggi in a record time of 55 Minutes! I’m so happy to see the bike on the pier and even more happy 10 Minutes later after finishing all the paperwork at the Malaysian Customs. Wow, that was another record so far!!
During the next few days we explore the historical Melaka and enjoying the relaxed feeling in Malaysia. We even get to watch a full blown firework show!

fireworks in melaka

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From Melaka we cross to the eastern coast and spend few days in Cherating before we head to Taman Negara National Park.
It might be the oldest jungle in the world but we are not that impressed… following the track along the river up to kuala terengganu, we are followed by the permanent noise of boats and some construction going on across the river.
Nonetheless we’re enjoying the canopy walk and learn to hate the plentiful leeches.
On best motorbike roads we’re travelling from the park to the Cameron Highlands, the fruit and vegetable centre Malaysia’s. The wide, newly paved road is winding up to 1600m, unfolding spectacular mountain scenery and speeding up every rider’s pulse.
We can’t help but try the delicious strawberries in the highlands while visiting the farms.
Here in Brinchang we meet the first motorbike traveller on our trip, Derek is British and travelling with his Africa Twin for more than a year already. We’re enjoying the evening with Derek, having few beers and lots of talks.
From 1600m we ride down to sea level in Ipoh and towards Georgetown on Penang, where we get stuck for a while. Trying all the different kinds of food and sightseeing in the old part of the city keeps us busy for a while. Additional to that, its time for servicing the bike.
Georgetown is the last stop for us in Malaysia before heading off for Thailand, the land of gold.

budget hotel in melaka

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jane in taman negara national park

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at the canopy walk in taman negara national park

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cameron highlands

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NOT A REAL BAVARIAN BEER...

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jane in brinchang, cameron highlands

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butterflies in the cameron highlands

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