My time in Malaysia proved to be so much more than I was expecting prior to cycling through the country. I had visited Malaysia many times before both on holiday and to compete in triathlons. On each of these occasions I had for various reasons not fallen in ‘love’ with Malaysia.
Cycling through the country had shown me a completely different face to the country and the bike had broken through many of the ‘unseen’ barriers which can exist between different cultures.
The Highlands of Malaysia were simply stunning and the east coast beaches a ‘hidden’ gem. There is very little tourism along this coastline and the few tourists that visit are often ‘transiting’ overnight on their way to one of the paradise islands that lie off its coast such as Tioman or Perhentian.
The video below will show you exactly how untapped the east coast is and there really is not much here except beautiful beach after beautiful beach. If you fancy getting away from the tourist trail then these are the beaches for you. Bring a tent though as there are not many hotels along this stretch of the coastline.
My only reservation about cycling through the country again would be the onward march of Palm tree plantations and I have put the following video together which shows the process from the initial deforestation/logging process right the way through to Palm Oil production:
My final farewell has to go to the people of Malaysia who I take my hat off to for opening their homes to me and showing me acts of kindness on a daily basis which ranged from paying for hotel rooms, to not charging me for food in restaurants, to stopping to give me food and drinks whilst cycling. An amazingly generous people which is often underscored by their faith in Islam.
The majority of the people who showed me such kindness often remained nameless to me but here are just a few of the people that I have thanked in earlier posts but their generosity really made my cycle through Malaysia special.
Ramzul, Diana and the kids (my puppet master)
WJ Lee (my route planner)
Omar Zaini (my good samaritan)
Bob Bahari
Airulamri Amran
and the last mention must go to the Prescott family for all of their assistance during my 6 hour ‘transit’ of Singapore.
Fay, John and Clayton
Thank you Malaysia (and Singapore) for such an enjoyable yet humbling experience.
Cheers
Stewart
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