All about bicycle adventures

Jungle trekking Teluk Batik-Teluk Rubiah in Perak Malaysia

2012-01-28T01:25:00.000-08:00

My Pangkor website has dedicated several pages to jungle trekking around Teluk Batik and Teluk Rubiah. When I was first introduced into the jungle here just opposite of Pangkor Island in Malaysia I could not foresee how many times I would hike here, and eventually know the jungle so well, I even started guiding on an occasional base.

It's a beautiful piece of secondary rainforest. For primary rain forest in this part of Malaysia you have to visit south Pangkor (around Teluk Segadas).

I come here once in a while just to watch the monitor lizards go fishing

This piece of jungle is relatively open and was easy accessible until very recent. I love to get in here and find out if I find snakes, wild boar and other animals. I'm lucky, sometimes:)!

Jungle trekking Teluk Batik-Teluk Rubiah in Perak Malaysia

More jungle trekking around Teluk Batik
Jungle Trekking Teluk Rubiah with children
The International Award For Young People group

The canyon which might be transformed into a 4 lane road

Dali Lijiang and Zhongdian (Shangri-La)

2012-01-27T04:20:00.000-08:00

Yunnan has a few principal places to visit, and they're not that far from each other: Dali Lijiang and Zhongdian (Shangri-La). Cycling here requires more from the body as you start in Kunming at 2000 meter and cycle up to Shangri-La at 3300 meter. It's best to do this in summer as in winter the road can be blocked by snow.

Dali Lijiang and Zhongdian (Shangri-La)

Shangri-La monastery

Cycling in Guangxi, China

2012-01-26T00:11:00.000-08:00

Guangxi is mostly ignored by travelers with the exception of Guilin and Yangshuo. True, some travel to Liuzhou even travel to Nanning although the latter is usually visited by travelers to and from Vietnam.

SO is Guangxi reall the boring province that travelers think it is? There are more exciting places in China, true. That said, Guangxi is a pleasant procince, with quite a few things to see if you are willing to do some work.

On the road to Pingxiang and Vietnam

I have crossed Guangxi several times, from Baise at the Yunnan border to Guilin, from Yangshuo to Nanning via different way from Libo in Guizhou to Hechi and further to Liuzhou and from Wuzhou to Nanning. The last I did Yangshuo via the Liuzhou route (but not into Liuzhou) to Nanning in November 2011. It surprised me how much there was to see. So here are some pages to tell you what to do and expect

South West China: Yunnan

2012-01-25T01:40:00.000-08:00

Yunnan province in China is a very popular travel destination. However, most of the travelers visit only the loop Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La (Zhongdian). Considering that the province is roughly the size of France, it may looks strange only the north west of Yunnan is frequently visited.

With that knowledge I started to explore some other areas and found that the second most popular area was Xishuangbanna, which borders with Laos and Mynamar. It's a bit more difficult to reach but if you cycle Kunming to Laos (or vice versa) you will pass this beautiful piece of subtropical China.

Shangri-La - Zhongdian

Another spectacular areas even less visited is the Baoshan region. This is a little weird as Baoshan can easily be reached from Dali and with Tengchong and Ruili at the Burmese border this part of Yunnan deserves more tourists.

Two other areas are hardly visited. The Tonghai - Jianshui sees virtually no foreign tourists although Chinese tourists come here for praying. Going north usually means continuing traveling from Shangri-La to Litang, but there are two more options. One goes from Kunming to Panzhizhua and is not recommended (busy road) while the other goes from Kunming to Sonming and Zhaotong and further into south Sichuan. This is a very nice and seldom visited area,.

South West China: Yunnan

Lijiang

Yunnan, the Stone Forest

2012-01-24T00:59:00.000-08:00

The Stone Forest in Yunnan is according to some sources, one of the natural wonders of the world. Of course others dispute that and see no more than a lot of strange formed stones. I went twice and I found it twice interesting enough. The first time I only saw the park but the second time I was on my way from Kunming to Guilin on the bicycle, and stayed a night in Shilin, right next to the park.

That time I didn't visit the park but instead I strolled around in the vicinity. It was beautiful, very natural, no tourists, in fact few people at all as the land is difficult to work on. So you are on your own, literally on your own. I like that. The next day I continued cycling for another dozen or two kilometers through the rock formations when I finally left Yunnan.

Yunnan, the Stone Forest
Kunming to Guilin

The Cave Tombs of Tana Toraja

2012-01-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

I visited Sulawesi at my first trip to Indonesia, even before I saw anything of Java or Bali. The Cave Tombs of Tana Toraja were on the list to be visited. It became a magical experience. Not only I was guest at a funeral, a huge funeral, but I also visited several cave tombs.

It was to some extend quite surreal with bones and skulls on the caves floor. That said, it was also a life enriching experiencing as this was a culture that seemed to mix their present Christian beliefs with ancient beliefs without seeing a contradiction in it.

Cave tombs of Tana Toraja
More about Tana Toraja

Planning your bicycle adventure

2012-01-23T01:27:00.000-08:00

How do you plan your bicycle adventure? It's a question which is even after 20 years cycling still relevant. Next month I will cycle Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Satun - Langkawi and I need to plan a bit. What better than to fall back on my own website where I recommend several things. You might think after all these years I would know what to do but I always forget things, always. So I read my own recommendations through and found a couple of things I had overlooked. Fortunately I have the time to solve the small problems. And on the 16th February I will fly from Kuala Lumpur, KLIA-LCC to Chiang Mai.

Planning your bicycle adventure

My bicycle in the Iranian desert.

The blue city: Jodhpur

2012-01-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

Compared to Jaipur, Udaipur or even Jaisalmer Jodhpur is lesser visited. "Again more fortresses, I've seen so many, I skip this one", was a regular comment I heard when I traveled across Rajasthan.

Is Jodhpur really "just another city" in Rajasthan? I don't think so. The fortress alone is a masterpiece and the city is worth exploring. I liked it, despite not really being a city man.

The blue city: Jodhpur

Myanmar (Burma) bicycle tours

2012-01-20T23:42:00.000-08:00

Myanmar (Burma, if you like) has been over the years boycotted by many travelers. For good reasons, maybe. Few countries I have visited have had such an impact on me as Myanmar. Yup, Aung San Suu Kyi has always said "don't come" but despite I support her, I do also believe the only way to show what a country really is, is to visit. It is not enough to read paper, which, in most cases talk about politics and economy but seldom the people themselves get frontpage attention. Therefore it's great I can recommend several bicycle tours in Myanmar:

Myanmar (Burma) bicycle tours

Monks in Mandalay

What is the nicest way to cycle from Penang to Pangkor?

2012-01-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Many people believe there is only one way to cycle from Penang southwards. There's more. There are in fact several worthwhile roads to explore, some lead directly to Pangkor, others go via Kuala Kangsar and Ipoh.

If I have to cycle from Pangkor (Sitiawan, where I live) to Penang, I usually take an easy ride to Taiping. After a night in town I follow the directions to Selama and from there to Kulim and Butterworth. The road to Penang this was is slightly longer but much nicer and much more quiet. The following page describes exactly how you have to cycle:

Penang to Pangkor

On the way to Mahang

Organised bicycle tours in Thailand

2012-01-15T20:06:00.000-08:00

Limited time? No family member or friend want to join? No bicycle? But still have the desire to explore Thailand on bicycle? Not a problem! Here are several tours I recommend on bicycle in Thailand. You can combine tours too.

Organised bicycle tours in Thailand

North east Thailand .... the Mekong river at Mukhdahan

Diving At Pangkor, Pulau Sembilan

2012-01-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

After several years without, we are again able to go diving at Pulau Sembilan. The base is Quiver Dive Team at Marina Island. Don't tell me it's not worth, it IS worth. I learned diving here. And the underwater wildlife is quite amazing, with some species you can't even find at the east coast (pygmy seahorse, several nudibraches etc)

You will have the possibility to see turtles, leopard sharks, barracudas and many more.

Diving At Pangkor, Pulau Sembilan
Book your diving holiday or technical diving course at Pangkor

Seahorse as I saw it in 2006

North Bali: Lovina to Gilimanuk

2012-01-10T04:41:00.000-08:00

North Bali sees fewer tourist because "there is not much to do"... Now that is not true. There are dive site, possibilities to swim with dolphins and some awesome beaches. Still most travelers to Bali stay around Kuta and Ubud. Fine... good for me... I like to cycle at places with few or any tourists at all. North Bali is such an area.

North Bali. Lovina to Gilimanuk

North Bali, near Lovina

Ubud to Mount Batur, Singaraya & Lovina

2012-01-09T03:18:00.000-08:00

Everyone makes mistakes, this day was my stupid day. I didn't realize the road from Ubud to Mount Batur would be all the way up and that difficult. I did however make it and was surprised by the thunderstorm ...

Ubud to Mount Batur, Singaraya & Lovina

Mount Batur

Savannakhet to Thakhek

2012-01-08T03:19:00.000-08:00

I've cycled several times the Vientiane-Pakse road. My favorite part is the road from Savannakhet to Thakekh following road 11. This is one of the few parts where you can leave the highway and find ongoing smaller and quiet roads. True, not all of the road was in great condition but it was still fine to cycle. Here is my story from October 2010:

Savannakhet to Thakhek

Apart of the 18 or so km dust road, all of the road is asphalted

and excellent to cycle and ... very quiet!

Hampi Karnataka in India

2012-01-07T23:28:00.000-08:00

Hampi is one of these many legendary temple ruin sites in India. If there is only time to visit one of such sites, it should be Hampi. It's a massive area full of ruins in several stages of destruction. Some are still in perfect condition, others are no more than a pile of rubble. However, what still stand, stands as a symbol of the Indian culture as a whole. The architecture is such quality that there are hardly any of similar level in India, not even worldwide.

Hampi Karnataka in India

The temples of Khajuraho in North India

2012-01-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

The temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are another example of the wonderful legacy of the Indian culture. The temples have similarities with other complexes in India but differ in depiction. Much of the art work is erotic in nature. When I visited some years ago, I saw an Indian guide explaining about the temples and secretly, with smiles, pointing at some of the erotic sculpturing. It seems many Indians today feel embarrassed by the artistic views of their own ancestors.

Regardless, the complex is of a stunning beauty and deserves it's place right next to for example, Angkor, Bagan, Borobudur or Prambanan in respectively Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia.

The temples of Khajuraho

North east Thailand, Mukdahan to Ubon Ratchathani

2012-01-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

Early December I crossed from Laos into Thailand using the Second Friendship bridge (if you intend to cross the border here, use the ferry...far less hassle...) After 20 years I was backin Mukdahan, the city where I got my first view of the Mekong and Laos. It changed my life forever (ask my friend Ivo).

This time I was on bicycle, and I really enjoyed both Mukdahan and the days following, despite having some bike problems. With tailwind I cycled easy... read more here:

North east Thailand, Mukdahan to Ubon Ratchathani

The Golden Buddha of Amnat Charoen in between Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani

Visit Perak State in Malaysia 2012 on bicycle!

2012-01-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

Perak is a state in Malaysia with a long and turbulent history. The history is so turbulent that the origins of the struggle for freedom in Malaysia started here and YOU can visit the original sights. However, you need your own transport for some (for example Pasir Salak).

Teluk Intans heritage is generally overlooked but worth exploring.

Most travelers to Malaysia give most of Perak a miss (except for Pangkor) which is really a shame. You can easily spend a week or two on the bicycle finding gems you wouldn't imagine. I've done all the work for you already (I live here, so big deal). Check it out and enjoy Perak on bicycle.

Visit Perak State in Malaysia 2012 on bicycle!

Pangkor island, tough though short bike ride around the island...

Other pages about cycling in Perak:

Ha Long Bay - limestone paradise in the sea

2011-12-22T00:07:00.000-08:00

If Yangshuo in China is famous for its karst limestone mountains, than Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is just as famous because it's the same karst limestone mountain scenery but in the water!. It's a magnificent area and one of the main tourist hubs in Vietnam. Not for nothing. If you visit Vietnam and do not visit Ha Long Bay, you have not been to Vietnam! It's almost like that:

Ha Long Bay, limestone wonder in Vietnam

Yangshuo area: from Yangshuo to Puyi, an alternative road

2011-12-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

Yangshuo has many beautiful places to visit. The road described on this page is one that few travelers ever try out. Why? Unknown makes unwanted!

It all starts with a visit to Fuli, from ther you travel in the direction of Pingle until you reach Puyi. It's a scenic road. I did the road many years ago and had forgotten about it. During my last visit in Yangshuo in October/November, I was again pointed to this area. And what a pleasure it was. Especailly the lake area, see for yourself:

Yangshuo area: from Yangshuo to Puyi, an alternative road

What is traveling by bicycle?

2011-12-17T00:09:00.000-08:00

Stupid question? Not really. What IS actually traveling by bicycle? Why do you want to do it? What's the purpose?

Recently someone asked me: "why cycling? Get the bus or train, is much faster and you don't get wet!". In reality cycling is seldom about getting to a specific destination but it's all about the experience on the way. Got that? No? Read my article for more ideas why you can use the bicycle...

What is traveling by bicycle?

Traveling by bicycle can be lonely or being alone.

Pingxiang and the Vietnames border

2011-12-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

The bicycle ride from Pingxiang to the Vietnamese border, crossing it and cycling further to Lang Song was considerably easier than the previous days. Still, a few things went wrong. Me stupid. But in the end it worked all out well and I could start a new adventure in Vietnam

Pingxiang and the Vietnames border

At the Chinese part of the Chinese-Vietnamese border in Yougyiuan

Bicycle touring from Yangshuo to Nanning via direction Wuzhou

2011-12-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

There are several ways to cycle from Yangshuo to Nanning. One leads via Lipu south in direction of Wuzhou without reaching Wuzhou.

Bicycle touring from Yangshuo to Nanning via direction Wuzhou

Guilin to Nanning via direction Liuzhou

2011-12-15T21:03:00.000-08:00

Guangxi does not have the name of being the most exciting province in China. That is of course with the exception of Guilin/Yangshuo. Few people realize that the karst limestone mountains of Yangshuo are far more widespread than just around Guilin/Yangshuo.

In fact, you can travel all the way from Guilin to north Vietnam to see karst mountains, admitting, not all are as exciting as Yangshuo but there are exceptions. Ha Long Bay and Ninh Bin are spectacular. But what about Wuxuan and the road to Laibin? Or north of Binjiang? Further south of Nanning there are other areas with spectacular sights. In November I cycled Guilin-Nanning using a less traveled road, first to Toupai and from there south to Xiangzhou, Wuxhuan and Laibin before going to Binjiang and Nanning. It was worth all the effort, trust me, or better, see for yourself.

Guilin to Nanning via direction Liuzhou

On the road from Toupai to Xiangzhou