SOMETHINGS ARE BEST TO REMAIN UNCHANGE

Kuantan is a coastal township about 300kms east from Kuala Lumpur. It's the capital of Pahang, the largest state in West Malaysia. We started our ride early in the morning with 3 'pit' stops for breaks. When we stopped at a rest area (Petronas petrol station) somewhere along the highway to Kuantan, I noticed that some things remains unchanged.
I noticed a family next to our table enjoying early lunch/brunch. Nothing unusual, you might say but mind you, it was home-cooked meals not the one ordered from the cafe!! Some 20 years ago, we used to sight similar happenings when we used to ply the southern region. Back then, they used to stop along the trunk roads, place their mats/ big cloth on the grounds near shady areas, now there's tables and chairs for comfort. The end result is the same but the mechanics has changed somewhat, nostalgic.
Another sight that I've not seen in a long time was teenagers or adults riding motorbikes without a care in the world. I witnessed this when we were cruising along the coastal stretch from Kuantan to Cherating. I saw children and adults alike, riding on their bikes without helmets or having 2-3 pillion riders! I used to do that some 3 decades ago when there were fewer vehicles and safety helmets laws were not implemented. Despite safety laws and being a developing country, I'm glad I still get to see things like these still happening before it totally goes into oblivion. Though it is dangerous and risky but when one is living in a kampung (village), well, life is simple and free from laws because the police officer is your neighbor/uncle/friend's father/relative/or someone somewhere is related!! A friendly warning and one is let off the hook!

Another sight to behold is the swimming pool at Swiss Garden resort where rocker57 and I had our afternoon tea. Scores of families were seen frolicking in and around the pool. In spite of rules that swimsuits/swimwears are a must, we see people going in with long pants, long T's, sweatpants, etc. Credit must be given to those who wore swimsuits and to the Muslim ladies that bought swimming attires that befit their religion, albeit all wrapped up but it Lycra material! Kudos to the swim wear company that put deep thoughts for our Muslim population so that they can still enjoy swimming in public without exposing themselves.
Ah...I went back in time during my 3D/2N stay at Kuantan...Priceless!

Games People Play - RuBBerBands

Back in the good old days, rubber bands came in multiple colors. With no telephone, TV nor computer, our childhood free time was spent playing with the neighborhood kids. We were innovative and full of zest, team spirit and enthusiasm. As long as there were games to play, everyone is a friend. We may argue and push or shove around and sometimes even throw a few punches but come tomorrow, we are friends again. Unfortunately, as we age, we become more competitive, sensitive and personal. Why couldn't we continue the carefree attitude as we become 'wiser'???

Back to the bands. We would collect as many as possible and play several types of games :

• Blowing game - we would place the rubber bands on the table. Each with their own choice of color. Then, each takes turn to blow the rubber band towards their competitor. To win over competition, your rubber band has to lie on top of your competitor(s). It could be single or multiple but the winning technique is the same. Winner takes loser's rubber band. At times, there are side bets of 5 extra rubber bands with a person they deem weak in the game. Many times when there are many players, to differentiate the colors (some have same colors), we would draw stripes on the bands or polka dots just so it look different from the other, clever isn't it   :)
• Shooting game - each player contributes same amount of rubber bands as pre-determined. Then, these rubber bands are collected, placed & balanced on top of 2 stretched rubber bands which is wrapped around two small poles about 6 inches apart. A line is drawn some 10-15 feet away. Players stand in turn behind the line. We take turns to shoot the entire block of rubber bands off the two stretched bands. Winner takes the lot or whatever that has fallen from the block. 
• Puzzle game - using the bands to create puzzles from easy to difficult. Loser has to pay winner certain amount of bands pre agreed before games begin. This is only a two player game.
• skipping rope - we would tie ends of rubber bands together to make a long rope so that we can use it for skipping. Skipping is always played in a group. The team with the highest number of skips wins. No prizes for this game.
• Number game - we will have a pool of rubber bands in center-pool. On the count of 3, all players will take their share from the pool with a single hand. The player that has the highest number of bands will take the lot off the person with the least number of rubber band. The loser is out of the game and the game continues until there is a single winner.
• Hair tying - The team that has the highest number of rubber bands tied to the partner's hair wins from the group.

Ohhh...those were good days, loads of screaming, shouting, challenging and laughter. Sometimes we play in the field and at other times in someone's home. Kampong  (or village) homes are huge and spacious, so playground is never an issue. Anyone care to challenge me on any of the games above???

Games People Play - Tin Can Hide & Seek

Reminiscing my childhood buddies set me thinking of games we used to play. One of those games was the tin can game. Basically, it is a hide and seek game but with a twist. In order to save the entire "clan", one needs to run and kick the tin can out of the middle of a huge circle from where it originally sits. And then, shake the tin can as hard as possible. So, how would the rest of 'clan' know they are saved? Well, prior to the game, we've inserted small pebbles and stones into the tin can and then crush the lid so that the stones & pebbles will make noise once shaken. And that's how the clan knows they have been saved.

To save one's 'life', one has to run from one's hiding place and quickly squat within the huge circle before the seeker can touch you. Once you are touched by the seeker, you have lost a 'life'.That way, one's 'life' is saved. Once a seeker finds someone, both will run towards the circle. The person hiding will try his/her best to squat within the circle while the seeker will rush to shake the tin can and shout out the name of the person(s) the seeker has found. When all players have been accounted for, then the first to be found would be the next seeker.

However, if someone manages to save the clan, then all player' 'lives' are saved! There's a catch for the seeker! Each time a seeker finds someone, the seeker will have to name out all the players he/she has found again. If the seeker misses a name, the player has a chance to kick the tin can out of the circle, squat within the circle and is considered saved!!! Therefore, remembering all players name is a must!

We usually set ourselves a radius of where we can hide. Most times, it would be the around the basketball & badminton court. This included few trees, bushes and a house within the vicinity (the cinema gatekeeper & his family stays there). The house is accessible as it's never locked, hence we get to hide in the open air bathroom & kitchen as well as the storage room. As the courts are built on a slight slope, many times we hide along the slope amongst the bushes. Of course, we get rashes & scratches and sometimes it can scar us but we were 'blinded' by the intensity of the game.

We communicated in various dialects - Hokkien, Cantonese, Malay & Mandarin. Sign language was also common as we had malay and indian friends playing alongside. We needn't be reminded of 1 Malaysia or unity...we just wanted to play and play we did. The game can last for hours and we had so much fun! Aww...I missed those happy carefree days.

PHASES OF LIFE - Childhood friendS

I've been thinking about my childhood friends recently. I had a wonderful time growing up in my mother's kampong (village) in Pedas about 15km away from Seremban. I spent most of my vacations and a lot of weekends there as my parents had to work during school vacations to make ends meet. I practically grew up there under the care and watchful eyes of my maternal grandmother. I know almost everyone in the kampong and they, me. My maternal grandfather was a well to do man and was highly respected in Pedas, I was always known as "cucu Lam Pong" i.e. Lam Pong's grandchild.

I had a group of friends I used to play with until mid secondary. There was Randy and Alex, both my uncles but of the same age with me. Back then, I despise & refuse calling them uncles as we were born practically a week apart. I was ever challenging my grandaunts and aunts why I should call them uncles!! Simply because my grandaunts gave birth the same time as my mom! No way! Ah...I was obstinate then, guess I still am; on certain issues.

Then, there was Jimmy whose parents ran a grocery shop across the road, very good looking guy & a great badminton player. And Donny whose parents ran the wet market shop. And there was Paul (a guy of few words), Richard and Hor Chim whose dad is the proprietor of a sundry shop . And a few others the names I've forgotten.

Rina, my aunt who was a year my senior, again I refuse to call her auntie! Ah Luan, whose dad runs half an apparel shop and half a rubber trading shop as is my grandfather. And then, there's Doris who's my other aunt who is same age as Rina. Also a few others I've forgotten their names.

We used to play from dawn to dusk until their parents or siblings have to search for us with canes in order for us really want to go home for dinner!! We could be anywhere, in the padi fields, some one's garden stealing their fruits, cycling/riding motorbikes around the neighborhood, swimming in the river or dam or playing games in the field or badminton court.

Later on, I will share more of the games we used to play back then. It was fun, interactive and very communicative. Ahem, that's how and where I picked up my smattering Mandarin. Thank you uncles, aunts and friends for teaching me Mandarin! Back then, I was the only one who was English educated. The older folks used to nickname me "an moh teat" or direct translation from Hokkien to English "English Straight", literally meaning " caucasians are forthright and direct! Admittedly, I am!

For now, I only know that Randy's married with two girls but living away from home to earn a living overseas. Alex's married but living a low profile life in Pedas still after his stint in the USA. Both of whom I've not meet in over 2 decades! Doris and Rina are both married but no idea number of kids and haven't seen them since Rina's mom passed on about 2 decades ago!

I sit here pondering what has become of all my childhood friends....... I have no way of getting in touch with them after all these years...hope to chance upon them in Facebook...if not, I wish all my childhood buddies all the best in their lives and hope that someday I can reconnect with them to laugh and reminiscence of our childhood days gone by.

CAMERONS/ IPOH

After a "chilling" trip to Cameron Highlands, it was time to bid goodbye and continue our journey to Ipoh. We've decided to use a separate route as the journey up to Cameron was a painful experience...to my buttocks that is! What with the endless corners and curves to maneuver, my cute butts had to adjust frequently to the change, I think I lost a few millimeters off my butts with the exercise...hmmm, think it is now tighter too ;)
The journey to Ipoh via Blue Valley was scenic and breath-taking. The journey was pleasant and my butts well rested all the way down. The air was fresh, the breeze was cool. There were lots of vegetation farms and villages as were rode downhill, the road was much wider and better to ride on.

In Ipoh, nothing eventful except for the fact that I stayed in the hotel waiting for rocker57 to finish his day's work. When he called it a day at work, we wanted to go for a ride around Ipoh but was "cheated" by the dark & cloudy skies. After 3 failed attempts and given up totally, the sky brightened up and was "inviting" us to take a ride. BAH!! The mood was gone, so we stayed in and watch TV while waiting to be picked up for dinner.
Dinner at Overseas restaurant was average but I specifically want to highlight the restaurant signature dish - veal served with fried "mantau" (buns) was an experience. The veal was tougher than plastic! But the special gravy was delightful and tastes well when eaten with the "mantau". We lodged a complaint with the captain, she gladly took the balance (1 piece) to inform the chef and told us that it would be replaced. We were in laughters when she returned many minutes later with a single piece as replacement!!! Awww, com'on would an extra piece or two make any difference??? It does to the patrons but not the restaurant...so be more generous-lah!!!
The following day, we had to rush back to Subang, so we couldn't allocate time to savour the famous dim sum at Ming Kok or Foh San....perhaps next time....

Still at Cameron Highlands

We took a ride around Tanah Rata( literally flat land translated from Bahasa Malaysia) & Brinchang. We stopped along the roadside stalls, bought some steamed "jagung" ( corn maize) bits bathed in a slap of margarine and lightly salted  served in a cup plus a box of locally harvested strawberries. The jagung bits were sweet and juicy but the strawberries was bearable, not sweet, more towards sourish and small in size. Wish I had the ones I ate in New Zealand....those were juicy, big and sweet. Ah...but to get local strawberry is a treat indeed.

With nothing else much to do, we went for tea at this place :  Great Taste. It is situated  between Equatorial Hotel and Brinchang. Along the right hand side if you are coming from Brinchang. For exact directions, please call number published. They serve the best tart pastries rocker57 and I have ever tasted. We didn't expect it to taste sooooo good.

Though we were both quite full, we went ahead to order 3 types of tarts, namely strawberry, pineapple and cheese tarts. All three flavours were simply mouth watering and delicious right to the last bite. Had we traveled by car, I would have certainly pack a few boxes.

The caffe latte and cappucino went well with the tarts. Wished I could tucked in more but I was afraid that the tyres would puncture what with my "extra" load. Rocker57 ever mentioned that I'm about the only woman he has encountered that can match him in food intake!!! Incidentally, the outlet opens from 9am-9pm daily.

After the sumptious tea, we took a walk along EQ hotel vicinity. It was cooling and pleasant to walk about. As we were on our way back to the hotel, it started to get misty and colder. We hastily retreated to the comfort of warmth in the hotel lobby. We hung around for a while before returning to our room to shower for our dinner at the hotel.

We were served local malay food, malay kuih-muih (deserts) but oddly it came with mushroom soup! an odd combo, i.e. to me and rocker57. As it was near Hari Raya Aidil Fitri or Eid Mubarak to the middle east, for starters, we were served dates with malay kuih and to wash it down, they also served super duper sweet air bandung which most patrons took a sip and stopped consuming it totally!!! This was followed with mushroom soup & 7 types of vegy, meats & malay salad served with white rice. Subsequently, we had fruits and coffee to complete entire course. We were bursting to our seams after the lavish spread, however, the older Chinese couple next to our table happily tucked in every single bit of food served!!! Truly admire their capacity....just like a mini cooper, small yet compact and powerful!! WOWZA!!

As we tucked in our wide array of food, we were kept amused with our neighboring table. A young Caucasian couple who were experimenting with our food. It was amazing how they apportioned their food and segregated the food that isn't to their liking. It was kinda cute the manner they smell each item before trying it.

We called it a night after watching TV till almost midnight so that our food is at least digested somewhat before we sleep...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...

CAMERON HIGHLANDS

The ride to Cameron Highlands was memorable. How so? Firstly, it's been over a decade since I last went. Secondly, maiden trip by bike and lastly, for the first time in my life I did not feel nausea nor did I vomit !!! I've always vomited whenever I visit Cameron Highlands, with this achievement, I must now conquer Fraser's Hill by bike!!!Hey, rocker57, are you ready to ride again???

We had a wet start to the day. 40km from Subang, it started to rain. We took shelter under the fly over. Rocker57 was happy enough to snap a pix for my blog..also time to wrap our luggage in water resistance covers. (the pix proves that he ain't no photographer...well at least I still had my head on...those days, we used to get our heads sliced off!!!)

We took a short break at Slim River to refuel as well as to have a brekkie. The food was appalling, obviously we didn't finish our roti canai telor nor coffee. It took us just 3hrs from Subang inclusive of brekkie to reach Brinchang. The weather was just nice approx 23 degrees Celsius. Though it was only 11.30am, we decided to have lunch. I ordered Tom Yam seafood meehoon soup while rocker57 requested for garlic Naan and Tandoori. The Soup was good but the ingredients were negligible, mostly frozen stuff and 4 pieces of prawns. But the Naan and Tandoori was very good. if you want to savour the Naan, check out Restoran Sri Brinchang, located next to Starbucks.

Restoran Sri Brinchang

With nothing else to do, we while away sipping blended juice & double espresso at Starbucks. We watched a few 'kapcai" (Honda cubs) convoy zipping around the main road showing their patriotism with 'jalur gemilang' strapped behind their bikes. It was afterall Hari Merdeka.....Happy Merdeka Malaysia!!!

Later, we checked into Equatorial Hotel and was pleasantly surprised to have our room upgraded to deluxe due to low occupancy rate amidst pre Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. We were given the highest floor and what a sight to behold. The weather was great and the scenery just splendid. What would one ask for.....open the balcony sliding doors and let the fresh air in!

                             

(view from EQ hotel, 13th floor 1600+ ft abv sea level)

Apology for the lack of technicality with uploading of pix....just can't seem to place them side by side. But I simply adore these Tudor apartments surrounding the 13 storey EQ hotel. Stayed there the last time we were there, it comes fully furnished with 2-3 rooms, can't remember much....age showing prominently...hehehe...

Well, catch me next time for more blogs on my trip to Cameron Highlands and Ipoh...coming up next. Cheers and have a pleasant week ahead!

       

Things I love about riding

Here are the things I love about riding:

• THE WIND & FRESH EARLY MORNING BREEZE - Simply AWESOME!!
• BONDING - The bonding I have with rocker57 is stronger and the love for each other has blossomed again and again. Loads of "kopi breaks" and "pee breaks" or rehydration breaks.
• THE SPEED - The power of the machine is fantastic, the pick-up is so great I often get thrown back at traffic lights, stops and start of each journey...apart from fear of whiplash...it's just great hearing the roar of the engine and how fast the mean machine can go.
• OVER TAKING - It never cease to amaze me how fast one can overtake a 4 wheeler on the highway...zoom...and bye bye car....
• WEIGHT LOST - The mobile "sauna" & art of balancing has toned me up. Despite the frequent coffee breaks, I've yet to gain any weight....hmmm...must ride more.
• CHEAP TRAVEL - Low fuel cost and toll free travel is splendid!
• CAMARADERIE - I now know that superbikers somehow do acknowledge people on superbikes or big bikes...I don't see BMW drivers honking BMW drivers...I like that friendly spirit. Even a simple "hi" with the hand gesture makes my day.
• SELF TIME - Time to yourself to think, dwelve or ponder on life....quiet time with the rush of wind....unexplanable.

One disappointment though...

Having to get shelter in the rain...but if the pros and better off than the cons....what the heck! ENJOY THE RIDE.

Biking dislikes

Here's my fair share of dislikes on biking:

1. HOT & SWEATY : When I first started riding, just putting on the protective jacket, gloves and helmet made me loose easily half a kilo of perspiration! Now that I'm semi-pro, I think I loose about 250gm.
2. RESTRICTIVE MOVEMENTS : due to space constrains, can't move about much. Most extravagant reflexes I can afford is stretching my short legs at traffic lights / when I have to get down for rocker57 to pump fuel / tea break or arrival at destination.
3. LACK OF FRONTAL VIEW : most times, I see the back of rocker57's helmet or side view. At the speed he is going, I need to give him aerodynamic speed, so have to be considerate....meaning no view!!
4. NO MUSIC : ah...that I know can be resolved if I want to spend some extra $$$$. My Nolan helmet can be installed with bluetooth and MP4!!! Can you beat that!!!  Notice the n.com thingy...that's where I can add my MP4 and bluetooth, cool eh?
5. LUGGING HELMET EVERYWHERE : with the pricey helmet, its like carrying a Gucci, goes without saying...don't leave bike without it. Cumbersome but what the heck...
6. LUGGAGE SPACE : the lack of it, makes one a smarter traveller but not necessary a pretty traveller. Loads of restrain, bare minimum hence no make-up only sunblock!
7. BAD HAIR DAY : After each trip, my hair get tangled up so bad, I end up losing most of my beautiful natural curly locks!!! And ouch...it hurts!!! The trick? Place tied hair inside jacket!! And....wear a bandanna. Viola, hip & rocking! No bad hair day.
8. NO SUNNIES : Full face helmets and good helmets comes fitted. Hence they didn't allocate space for sunnies/shades or sun glasses whichever you are familiar with. So advisable to buy a helmet with shades, like "mua"
9. REEKING ODOR / AROMA : If I were to be blind, I would know when I'm about to reach KLIA junction. Why, you may ask? Well, it reeks of the stench from the pig farms surrounding the area, duh!!! Freaking strong too. Ah...but the joy of smelling the smell of freshly brewed coffee from the temple that I just passed or the freshly baked cakes from the bakery...priceless! 
10. DRENCHED FROM RAIN : catch 22 situation, I love the rain but I hate to be drenched...C.O.L.D!!! Plus if travelling, need a spare set of clothes.

If you are a biker or reader, what would be your dislikes apart from what I've mentioned? Come, share your thoughts.

Passion

Kawa-babe has been left idle lately since rocker57's key-holes surgery to remove his gall bladder. (posing in the nude minus its clothes....i.e. bike cover..hehehe...)

Passion is something unexplainable. 4 hours out from surgery guess what rocker57 asked the doctor? "Dr, when I can ride my bike?" instead of asking the surgeon when the wounds would heal or when he would totally recover. (shaking my head in disbelief when I heard that!)The doctor cautioned him not to lift heavy things and advised him to lay low for at least 3 weeks.

Men, do they listen? Oh No! 11 days later, he sneaked off for a hour's spin on the new SKVE highway that I mentioned to him I found out the day before when I was showing someone a property in Putrajaya. Can't chain him down, right? Well, just have to support but caution him on implications should he over exert himself, sigh. He almost went for another spin later the same evening but both my daughter and I stopped him, lest he outdid himself. Glad he cared to listen.

Even while he was on medical leave, he was busy planning where to go for the upcoming holidays right up till end of 2010!! Can you believe it? I can! Boy, can he talk insistently on bikes for hours on end. He is so passionate about his bike, new bikes in the international scene (info from mags he bought & googling), biking trips, upgrading his bike, etc....I'm dead sure I saw sparkle in his eyes when he spoke of what he has in mind moving forward. Haven't seen those sparkle since our courting days....ah, rocker57 is in love, again. Fret not, I'll always be his first love. The rest of it, I can live with it...ignorance is bliss, they say.

So, do you have a passion to share? Come share it with me.

Pot holes, bumps & signages

It never bothered me much on potholes, road bumps and signages, but since I started riding with rocker57, my senses has become more acute. I realised that even small holes the size of 3 by 3 inch wide and an inch deep, impacts the biker; more so the pillion rider. The roads I used to travel when I was driving doesn't provide the same pleasure when I ride. The journey has become more bumpy and rough, alas. 

I can now truly empathize with bikers who complains of bad road conditions and at other unfortunate times, the potholes even cause death. Having said that, I'm proud to say that Malaysian road conditions are still pretty well maintained except that the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) needs to be more vigilant to ensure roads are void of potholes as they are both risky and dangerous. Bikers too pay their road taxes, albeit in smaller sums, so MHA, hear ye hear ye!

Having traveled South (Seremban & Melaka), Central (Klang valley & Putrajaya), and part of East Coast ( Karak Highway, Janda Baik and Bukit Tinggi), I must praised the highway concessionaires for maintaining the motorbike lanes. The grass are trimmed and in some parts they even plant beautiful flowers along the stretch, thank you for having bikers in mind. However, the roads are kinda small as bigger bikes will find it a tad difficult to overtake another motorbike due to space constrain. Imagine having to tail a kapchai or small bikes over a 10-20 km stretch...phew...

Signage is another area of concern. Rocker57 and I were made to go round and round in Putrajaya. When I travel by car to Putrajaya for real estate purposes, I'm also made to drive certain kilometers before I find my destination but since I'm there often, I now managed to find the properties I need to sell/rent relatively easier. But I will not ride in the motorbike lanes as they lead me to somewhere but not where I aim to be...so, no way, Jose...I'll ask Rocker57 to use the mainstream, anytime every time should we ride to Putrajaya. The signboards are misleading and provided limited directions. Please do something about it, whoever you are.

Going to South or towards Klang and east coast highway was a breeze because signages gave good directions. The only odd thing I observed is that at the motorbike lane in Puchong toll to USJ / Shah Alam, there is a huge bump. That bump made me jumped / "fly off" 6 inches or more from my seat the first time we went through it...hello planners...do something about it, can you? i.e. before something untoward happens? Thank god I was heavy enough to drop back to earth gravity, if I not...perhaps, I would be writing to you from Venus or below ground.

Also, at the exit motorbike lane from Seremban to PLUS highway, there are two road bumps put in on purpose. Why in the world do you need to place two bumps there? Are you planning to collect toll charges too? Please, learn from your other counterparts, give the bikers a smooth ride okay...pluzzzz...Balancing a bike on two wheels is tough enough and yet you add hurdles to it, why??? It still puzzles me...

Alien Sighted

Rocker57, an early riser himself was considerate enough to allow me to sleep till almost 8am, thank you kind sir! After packing, we had complimentary breakfast in Avillion Legacy, Melaka. At breakfast, we decided to return via the old trunk road. It was an uneventful trip from Melaka to Alor Gajah except for loads of traffic lights (pretty annoying if I must say so).

Turning into a small town aptly named KOTA, I saw that it hasn't changed much in 4 decades. Moving along, we reached Chengkau, birth place of my granny (maternal) and a place where my grandpa used to go hunting a couple of kilometers from there. Thereafter, we arrived at Rembau. From Kota to Rembau, I was delighted to reminiscence the old trunk roads. The locals still sell their produce (eggs, petai, rambutans, durians & dokong, etc) along the main road under shaded "pondoks'. I remember the good old days when my grandpa used to stop and buy their produce in bulks as he has a large brood, 9 kids in all and mom was the eldest.

We took a short tour of Rembau, not much has changed since. They happened to have "pasar pagi" i.e. morning market, oh...my senses went hare-wired. The scent was intoxicating yet refreshing. Intoxicating because they were cooking so many different local dishes and oh...the aroma ROCKS! (salivating as I write). Unfortunately, we didn't stop as it was getting hotter plus the road was conjested with free for all parking.

It was in Pedas, a small "kampong" that we sighted an alien, see picture (right). Don't you think I look like an alien (from Mork and Mindy)...NANOO, NANOO.
This is the kampong that I grew up, mostly during school holidays. I have many fond memories of this place. Will share more about my childhood in subsequent postings.

We stopped by Seremban to visit my mom-in-law. Now, I must take my hats off for her. At 87years of age, she was doing her own stitching and refused to get help!!! Amazing lady. She still cooks and does her own washing. I tell you, people from her era are so strong, determine and simple. More surprising is, she has not commented on her weird daughter-in-law wearing bandanna!! It is not so nice for chinese to wear bandanna as it resembles a person in mourning during a funeral wake. Didn't I tell you my mom-in-law is adorable? I did? Yeah...I did.

Journey to Melaka

It was a cool Friday morning (23rd July). We tried & sped upto 141km/hr for a short distance...it was no sweat at all, Kawa-babe just cruise along as if the "baby hippo" pillion rider didn't exist! It was exhilarating to ride against the wind at such speed...AWESOMELY COOL!! You can try that too in your car.

How? Simply wind down the windows, break your wind screen & doors, travel at 141km and feel the breeze!!! Yah...I know...I'm nuts!

First stop, Seremban. Rocker57's  sis-in-law joined us for breakfast then we proceeded to her house for a few friendly games of mahjong as well as to catch up on family affairs. It was great to spend quality time together, had an enjoyable time.

Left for Historical city Melaka after late lunch. We were surprised that our favourite beef noodle stall in Seremban market has a so-called branch in Kepayang Square called Quinn, as if on purpose, a nemesis to King's, the other branch near MCA office & The Store. Anyway, both rocker57 and I find that King's is much better in taste but lost out on ambience and decor to Quinn.

Second stop was to check-in to Avillion Legacy in Melaka town. Psst...(see below) this is actually rocker57 first captured picture in full gear. CHILL or not???

After the long ride, it was hot, so we chucked our stuff before going out to savour my favourite delicacy...Durian (aka king of fruits) Cendol at Tan Kim Hock. This outlet used to retail Melaka delicacies such as dodol, dodol durian, cincalok and shrimp paste or better known as belacan. Subsequently, over the decades they have changed to sell what-nots and what-have-you. I guess, borderless trading has impacted even local market, sigh.

Notice the blue backpack on the study table? (see picture on the right, below) Yeah...clothings for 2 inclusive of 2 pair of jeans, extra T-shirts & facials stuff. Ain't I a neat and compact packer?? Due to our tropical weather and unpredictable weather conditions, I had to double protect the clothings, camera & misc with plastic bags. You know...come to think of it, I kinda looked like "Ninja Turtle" / Baby Hippo with a blue backpack. Hmmm....

At Tan Kim Hock, I had the durian cendol with red beans, my usual. While rocker57 settled for cendol and coconut. (picture below). Mine costed RM5 while his was RM3.50. And you know what? It was disappointing to know that they have lost "that loving feeling"....the taste was way OFF!!! I vouched not to return in future because they are too commercialized now and have not retained their original recipe. The cendol was frozen, the durian was sourish...all in all, it sucked, i.e. for me. FYI, mine is on the left and rocker57's is on the right.

I was eager to watch the sunset. So, off we went to Klebang/Tg Kling. Alas, another disappointment. The state of Melaka has reclaimed the land!! All we could see was sand, sand and more sand. The sea was so far off that we were put off by the sight of the reclaimed land. Awww...another disappointment.

It's okay, my final consolation...to eat at Papa Joe's located at the Portugese Settlement. The place was busy with loads of tourists and locals alike seeking portugese seafood. A few people approached us to offer their services and to describe how authentic their food is. Since we have made up our minds, I said we have decided to dine at Papa Joe. Sadly, it was not to be. We weren't able to taste Papa Joe's cooking (again, sigh) as he has just served a group of tourist and was out of food.

Well, 3 disappointments in a few hours was suffice to make us head back to our hotel to call it a night. Oh, incidentally, we did eat dinner prior to retiring for the night. We ate at City Famous in Melaka Raya. This outlet serves great Muar food like Otak-otak (steam fish paste with spices), prawn/sotong/petai sambal, fish head assam curry..etc. The food as Chris Ng from a previous foodshow would say....Its to die for....well, one man's meat is another man's poison, so, you be the judge.

Bike Mags

Since we've decided to purchase a superbike, am glad rocker57 is taking an interest in reading. Never a reader, he is enthusiastically reading now. Reading what??? Reading bike magazines, of course.

It was so adorable to see him intensely reading a mag while waiting for my daughter and I to shop at 1 Utama recently. A sight to behold...rocker57 reading? Seriously... the image of him reading is permanently etched in my brain. Priceless! Sorry, no pix to show, at that moment in time, did not think I would start a blog until early this month, i.e after our trip to Bukit Tinggi and Janda Baik. More on the trip in coming postings...keep a look out for it, yeah?

It was from these mags that we found the shops that sell superbikes. Just to name drop a few good shops to visit :

1) Chear Motor (apparently the largest and most branches in Malaysia). You can't miss the shop painted in dark green. The HQ is in Klang (near Centro)
2) Welly World Cycle. This is located in Sg Buloh but there is a branch in Batu Caves. The latter owned by the brother, using same name but different management. The owner of the former is a keen biker and frequently take his bikes overseas for touring. When we visited his outlet, he just left for his China tour.
3) Sunvay Cycle. As the name suggests, it is in Sunway PJS7. And yes, confirmed no spelling mistake on name of bike shop. (i.e. if you are checking my spelling, just in case...hehehe..caught you there, huh?)
4) NAZA situated along federal highway. This outlet sells high end & premium bikes like DUCATI, HONDA, YAMAHA, BMW (think so), etc
5) HARLEY DAVIDSON is located along Federal Highway too. Same row with NAZA. They obviously sell HD bikes, apparels, etc.

All first 3 outlets do bike servicing and accepts trade-ins, not sure about the latter. Each time we visited NAZA or HD over several weekends, there was no one to serve us, so I don't have much info. Chear Motor (Klang outlet) has a wide range of apparels and accessories. Incidentally, Sunvay Cycle claimed to be the FIRST in Malaysia with electronic tuning and have been accredited as tuning specialist, how's that.

Potentially, we may join some clubs to network and get to know more bikers. For now, we need to get to know "kawa-babe" first. Clubs information are also published in the mags.Check them out. Psst...to check out the clubs, you gotta buy the mags, obviously!!! Duh! Alternatively, google for it :)

It's from these magazines and the people at the various shops we visited that I learn the difference between streetbike, easy rider, cruiser and what nots. An eager apprentice...I'm still soaking in...bring in on, baby!!!

MAIDEN TRIP TO SEREMBAN

Up and about at the break of dawn, yawn, yawn...to get ready for our maiden journey on our "Kawa-babe". Why so early you asked...one word - cooling!

And off we went at 7am!! Yes..7AM!! Great start but as with all new cars/bikes, we were advised not to speed until the bike is broken in at approximately 1,500 km (i.e to be on the safe side). Hence, rocker57 had to intermittently change speed. Know what? I could have died of whipped lash from the many jerks from the changing of gears!! Consolation...soon, it will be a smooth ride when we hit the highways.

Oh, I so enjoy the cool morning breeze, refreshing change indeed. The ride wasn't smooth but who cares...I was riding..free, easy & relax. Shortly, rocker57 motioned that he needed to stop at the next R&R (rest and relax) area in Dengkil, approximately 15mins after we started the journey. When we did stop, he told me his right hand was NUMBed!!! Can you believe it??? Yeah, numbed!! I had a good laugh, poor rocker57...perhaps too old to ride, huh? He did gripping exercises for a couple of minutes and off we went again with frequent gripping exercise between both hands until our destination.

Ah...Seremban, our hometown. We decided to eat "yau yee mai fun" (thinly sliced squid, vegy, light starchy gravy with stewed sirloin pork poured over wok-fried vermicelli)in Jalan Tok Ungku, previously named Loop Road. The quaint hawker stall is situated just next to a petrol station, i.e. if you are interested to savour the delicious signature dish that has been passed on from generation to generation. Yummy.

Now,now...new bike must be parked within sight, right? So we parked as closed as possible to where we were seated. When a car left, rocker57 decided to move the bike nearer to us.Lo and behold!! Where's the key???

OMG...it was on the asphalt! Under a car that was parked next to the car that had just reversed out!! Hmmm...great expedition indeed!

Rocker57 asked me to place order while he re-park "Kawa-babe". When he came back, I was still seated and have not moved an inch. He was not too happy about it. Psst...I asked him to come closer and whispered " both my legs are NUMBED!!!"

Lesson learnt : Don't laugh at others, you could be next!!

Helmet hunting

Just a few days before we took the bike, we went hunting for helmets. Hmmm..what to buy, which is safe, which is cheaper, what design to choose? Decisions, decisions, tough!

Arai? Shoei? Nolan? SOL?...some of the brand names of helmet that I've just made "acquaintance" over the past few months since we've decided to purchase a superbike. Full face helmets or ??? In the end, we both chose full face helmets from Nolan..Nolan Xlite X802 for rocker57 and Nolan N403 luminous orange for me! The day of the purchase, I learnt that Nolan's made in Italy, just like our superbike hero Valentino Rossi. Aww..he's so cute with his curls. Unfortunately, we could not find the one he wore so we settled for something more affordable and sleek (to me, i.e.).

Boy, do these helmets weigh a ton! Actually, its just over a kilo in weight...still, it is heavy particularly when it is your first after decades of not wearing one!! I love mine because of the 'loud' color and I simply adore the tinted shade (see pix). That way, I don't have to wear sunnies, cool eh? And guess what, I have options to bring the shades down or keep it hidden....oh, so practical.

I also learned that we need to have a thoroughly fit helmet for one's headsize, safety purposes. Or else, at high speed, your helmets will be swinging behind your neck!! Ok, kind of over exaggerating a teeny bit, but, it does makes sense to have a fitting helmet. Full face helmets make hearing kinda difficult but for safety reasons, it's acceptable. And, to my surprise...both rocker57 and my headsize are the SAME...gosh...I'd always thought his was bigger!!! Now, I know better.

The price of these helmets are shocking!!! Rocker57's helmet costs as much as a Gucci's lady wallet!!! Hmm...now I know why men's expenses can also sky rocket and burse their credit cards!! WOW, what a discovery, for me i.e.!!

With main safety and compulsory gadget in place...we are set for our maiden journey. Read more about it in the next posting..

A New Chapter.

Back in 1997, hubby (rocker57) and I were travelling in Europe, we chanced upon a group of aged bikers with their spouses/partners somewhere in Germany. Geared in leather jackets, jeans, bandannas and shades....and their big bikes, obviously.. they seem so cool and enjoying life. Rocker57 said to me that he would want to do just that when the time is right.

Fast forward 13 years...The time is RIGHT!!!

Firstly, rocker57 had to pass a B full license to enable him to ride bikes above 250cc. So, he registered, went for lessons and passed. Haven't ridden for over 3 decades, we scouted around for a bike that would meet our needs & requirements. After learning more on superbikes from various visits to motorbike shops, we finally settled for Kawasaki ER-6F, it met our expectations and budget.

First day - rocker57 was elated to ride on his new love affair, whille I patiently waited in the car (tailing him as I had to drop him earlier)...er..something wasn't right...he got on the bike and then, got off. Ran after the boss that sold him the bike, after some demo and chat, rocker 57 gladly rode to the nearest petrol station to fuel up.

Later on, I found out that rocker57 didn't even know how to put into gear!! OMG!!!

Now, this is the beginning of a new chapter in our semi-retired lives.