I had a nice Nasi Lemak and coffee at a hawker stall only 100m after leaving my hotel. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Nasi Lemak here, but this one was probably my last, as my destination today was Thailand.
Malaysia didn’t let me go easily though. The first 20kms today wound between stunning karst outcrops, rice paddies and plantations of bananas, rubber and Oil Palms while the clouds hid the hills that were inevitable. There were also the now usual hellos, waves, thumbs-up and toots along the way. The sole hill today was the last act in Malaysia. It was probably the steepest 10kms I’ve ever ridden – rarely below 10% with steep switchbacks but thankfully very little traffic. I dismounted to go and look from the viewpoint at the top. Wow, what a view, and what a way to farewell Malaysia.
Even then there were Malaysians stopping to talk and wish me luck. It’s a really welcoming country and has been a wonderful way to start this part of the trip.
Over the border, the roads were immediately wider with a good shoulder to ride on. I stopped at the first Lotus supermarket and got a Sim card, had lunch and grabbed a very nice coffee (unsweetened too – ahhhh) before continuing on and looking for some accommodation.I intended to do about another 10kms but ended up going for nearly another 30kms before I called it a day.
It was overcast with flat roads and no wind and it doesn’t get better than that.