Road trip to Ipoh

I think I know the reason why Jason doesn't want to take up the Red passport. I got it figured out after making a trip up north to his hometown in Ipoh.

I waited for their arrival. The arrangement was for the 4 of them to rent a car from JB, pick me up from Melaka, then head up north to Ipoh. Once they got here, I became the driver for the next 2-3hours.

First thing when I got into the car is to find the line-in jack so that I can play my songs from my phone. But there is none though an option to play cassette is available. I wonder if anyone of us still have cassette at home? I throw all of them away. They get moldy after awhile.

At 230am, I started to feel abit hungry. And so I turn out to a rest stop. It was so packed. I didn't know that so many ppl like to drive at night. Since it was so crowded, I grab a hotdog and go. Jason took over the wheels. I fall asleep until Jason turn out from the NS highway. Slept at 0400hrs.

Now that it's daytime, I notice that Ipoh is surrounded by hills and I love it. I think they are mostly limestone. Mornings were filled with birds chirping instead of cars on the road and MRT running on tracks. Adjacent to us is a church, you can hear the band singing on Sunday starting as early at 0800hrs all the way till noon.

Jason brought us to the old town. We popped in a regular coffee shop. I was surprise by the food. It's so tasty!! I like the Ipoh Chee Cheong Fun, reminds me of hor fun in sweet sauce. Both the fried and normal version of Popiah are delicious too. I also order a bowl of Shredded Chicken Hor Fun.

Jason drove us around Ipoh. We saw the nice railway station and went to take a look. Direct train to Singapore takes 16hours. Not sure if that's a good option, considering driving takes 7hrs non stop driving. Of course it sounds insane to drive non-stop. So factor in 1-2hrs for pee break and meals. You'll love the train station.

We went to Jason's primary and secondary school and we found out he's from ACS. A true blue ACS boys who hardly speaks mandarin. I know of at least 2 ACS boys who are Jiak Kentang one (eat potatoes).

Indulgence is another restaurant you wouldn't want to miss. Nice ambiance but slightly steep in price. But if you are someone who loves afternoon tea and splurge on expensive Tirumisu and brownie. This is where you can escape the afternoon heat and while the hours away.

We made a trip to Jusco to check out the movies. It was so crowded on Sat. After Jason let us alight at the main door, he spend the next 10mins circling ground floor carpark. Eventually he drove up to the rooftop level where lots are available. Unfortunately, there is nothing that we want to watch. Alice in Wonderland is full house. Hot Summer Days is showing at 9pm and too rush for us. From Paris With Love is too late at 1120pm.

When the car exits the building, we went down on a ramp that goes direct to ground floor. I like the view from there, can see all the limestone hills surrounding the town.

I wanted to go for a jog. So Jason and I jogged to the Polo. It's a nice park. A lot of locals are jogging too. Kids are playing at the playground. We try out a nice route thru the cemetary. It turns out to be a short trail before turning out to the park again.

3 weeks ago, I got a new touch screen phone that comes with GPS function. Besides navigating, I realise I can use it for a lagi more noble function; I can store the location of all the nice food. And so I did. Jason's parent brought us to a Chinese restaurant adjacent to Tesco. It's called 1919. I like everything, especially the Thai sauce fish. And the fried sotong with mayonnaise (or is it some other sauce).

More driving around after dinner. Jason's parents and sisters went back home, I can see why. There is not more to do anyway, yes, there are some pubs. I wanted to go Karaoke but the rest are not interested. Then I suggested foot reflexology but Fang wouldn't dare to. After awhile, I resign. I think it's better to head home for DVD.

Morning breakfast at the Ipoh-famous Foh San was delightful. I was told that it's going to be crowded. We have to wait for a table. We spread out to find, in less than 5mins we got a prime table that is 2m away from the self-service counter.

We left at noon. After thanking Jason's parents for having us here. I was quite eager to get on the highway. Maybe the weekly drive from Melaka to Singapore has developed in me a new love for highway driving. Trust me, parts of the NS highway is gorgeous. Oh, did I update you on the new gadget I found in the car, it has CD player!!! I loaded my Jacky Chung new Jazz album before I drive off.

We did not stop over at Tapah for Wanton Mee, nor did we drive to old town for the Nga Chio Gai (Bean Sprout Chicken). By 3pm, our dim sum has already been digested. FJ was craving for KFC, me sort of also. So Jason help me to navigate, we almost turn out to Putrajaya to find our KFC and to show them Malaysia's Administrative capital. I don't think many people have been here before. I like Putrajaya for the many bridges. Crossing bridges is fun. I also like the place for the lack of people. It's really quiet here. You'll wonder where are the people from the government's office. Even the mall Alamanda is quiet.

After a few failed attempts, we decided to stop at the next available rest stop. Seremban came along, to our surprise, there is a KFC!!! I have 1 piece chicken only. Need to save some space for dinner at Melaka.

We had Peranakan dinner at downtown. Then I drove myself back to MFA. Jason took over the wheels from MFA and headed south to return the rental car before heading home in Singapore.

Ipoh is a nice place. I would like to visit Ipoh again and explore the town. Around Ipoh has some trails which I'll like to explore and to discovery new running routes.

Tin Tin goes to Manali

On 18th May, me and my 2 travel mate depart Leh in a 4WD for our new destination-Manali.

During my 3 days of rest in Leh, I was introduced to Tin Tin. I enjoyed my first episode of Tin Tin in Tibet.

Actually, prior to reading my first Tin Tin. I read on the papers that 2 mega movie director-Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg will collaborate to produce movie on Tin Tin. Supposedly they had already selected the series. I hope the Tibet series will be made into a film. Mountains, adventure, loyalty to friend. Sounds appealing to me.

Yah, we also had quite a bit of adventure on our 4WD journey.

First, besides the driver and the 3 of us, we have other passengers. They are from the Indian Army. So at 0130hrs, we made our way to their army camp to pick them up. At the gate, the driver was denial entry. After like 20mins of talking, explaining and phonecalls, he return to us with one other moustache guy. This time, we were allowed to drive into the camp to pick up the rest from their living quarter.

There are so many of them, we really wonder how many are just onlookers and how many will be our fellow passengers. Also, their luggage was enormous. Later on, as I found out, they have received now posting. And hence the size of their luggage.

As I was in the semi-unconscious state, I couldn't fully recalled all the details. Next thing I know, there was an empty jeep parked next to ours and the 2 drivers are transferring the luggage from the top of our jeep to the young drivers. I get the message now: our vehicle has broken down, we're getting on another jeep.

While they're doing the loading, 2 other jeep appears. These jeeps are almost vacant.

When the moving is done, we were split into 3 jeeps unevenly. With me was Fang and Suat. Suat, not wanting to squeeze in the front row with Fang, moved to the back row. Due to the design of most jeep, the last row tends to be the bumpiest. I suppose she preferred a bumpy but spacious seat. And we journey on.

I've yet to speak a word to our Indian friends but I've already acquainted myself with them, physically literally.

As I dived deeper into sleep, my body starts to curl sideways, with my head planted on the shoulder of my Indian friend.

I realised that but the position was so comfortable that i just couldn't summon the energy to adjust my head away from him. Honestly, I've never rested my head on a shoulder as solid and as comfortable like his. Not once did he fidget or wake me up to move away.






Mountains...roads...blackout...snow...mountains...blackout...roads....
This is what I remember for the next few hours until we stopped for breakfast at Pang.

The locals cleverly make use of unused cargo parachutes to recycle them into makeshift tents. There were about 8-10 tents in total. Each tent is a kitchen cum dining area. Further inside is what seems like a room with bed and blankets. I suppose that would be the owners living quarter.

When the road closes every year in Aug/Sep, I think the tents would be packed and the owners returned to their home or some other placed for business or trading.

We arrived in Manali at 2000hrs, that makes the total journey 18 hrs.

We were full of anxiety. Manali is a new place and a busy one. This is the trekking season, many Indians made their way to this popular mountainous state. With all our bearing still in a state of uncertainty, we spot a restaurant, went in and decide to take dinner before hunting for accommodation. The streets were busy, we wonder if there's available accommodation.

We checked into Hotel Seagull for the first night. For 900rs/night, we find the condition of our room unjustifiable. SO the next morning, we moved to Johnson Hotel, slightly up-market but value for money. The hotel resembles Changi Chalets. On the ground floor with balcony overlooking a field.

I spent 1 hour or so checking out the trekking options available . Most of the office are not very enthusiastic to answer queries. Some are open but not manned. A few companies quoted USD50 per pax per day for a 5 days trek. I was about to give up asking when we arrived at the office of Mountain Expedition. I was shocked when they asked for 100rp (USD 25) per day per pax.

Mountain Expedition
Every year during the trekking season, the company set up temporary campsite that lasted thru the trekking season. Campsites are complete with sleeping tents and sleeping bags, Kitchen (fully equipped with cooking pots, stoves etc.)

With such a clever arrangement, all we need is a guide to show us the way. There's no need to carry tents and food nor do we need to hire horseman(and their horses) or porters to help us.,

We bargain further, out trekking cost us 800rp (20USD) per pax per day. What a steal.

Nameste...Now in Kathmandu

This is new for me again. I was on 4WD for a total of 24hrs. We start at 5pm. This was the route.

Lhasa-Shigetse-Lhatse-Shegar-Tingri-Zhangmu-Chinese custom

After crossing the Chinese custom, we waited 1 hour for the Nepalese border to open. (2hrs and 15mins behind Beijing time)

Then

Nepalese custom-Kodari-Kathmandu.

pss, tell you a secret. I enter China without a visa as it is permissible for 15 days. I actually overstayed by 3 days. The Chinese custom officer never said anything about that. He was friendly to me. For some reason, Chinese (citizen of China, can be tibetan or Han) seems to show interest in Singaporean. 1 guy from Dalian I met told me that Chinese regard Singapore as close. Like 自己人 (Kah Khee Lang).

Don't tell anyone hor...

成都 Chengdu to 丽江 Lijiang

I am taking a bus from 成都 Chengdu to 丽江 Lijiang. Bus departing today at 1230hrs. I'll reach there in 22hrs. Hopefully it's a good choice over flight.

Nature's call-the natural way.

Sichuan, originally uploaded by Jerry Tok.

On the road trip, one of my favourite activities is peeing in the open by the road side. Even if there's a toilet, trust me you wouldn't want to use it. Everyone pee and even do big business in the open. I am referring to men. There is hardly woman on the road. The first time I saw someone bombing in the open is our driver. We pulled over by the road side to take photos. Just when we turn around, we saw him squatting, exposing his buttocks! I've bombed in the wild but not in full view of everybody. I am curious what he use to clean up himself. As far as I remember, I only saw him putting on his pants.

Road trip around Kending

Road trip around Kending, originally uploaded by Jerry Tok.

Enchanting Taiwan.. Touch your heart.

Taiwan is so beautiful, it is really hard to not be moved by her beautiful nature and the re qing (warm) people. Photo was taken at Long Pan along east coast highway.