April 28, 2018
Day 85: Kangar - Alor Setar
Routing: #7 , R100, R152, 7
With only less than 60 km to go my focus was on the weather forecast, trying to stay dry if possible as my wounded crotch certainly doesn´t need any extra stress over those last few days. Meteoblue forecasted some heavy overnight rain passing away in the earlier morning hours followed by some new wet clouds around 2 pm. So that´s 5 hours of cycling in the dry and no need to race down Hway 7 but time to retrack my 2012 route right along the coast until Sanglang.
It was a bit cooler than it had been before yesterdays front moved in but the sun was out and the wind in full support again. Ideal conditions and despite the wound related pain I thoroughly enjoyed my ride today. Even the last few km on Hay 7 were fine as there is adecent shoulder and attractive flora. Both will not be found further down along that Malaysian west coast. Certainly the best part of it.
The Sentosa Regency Hotel (92 Ringgit/19 € on agoda) is right next to the CB Motel where I stayed in 2012 but I was keen to have a bit more luxury in my current condition. Coleen and Chris had spent a lazy morning in their Kangar hotel and we met for dinner in the Nasi Kandar right next to my accommodation followed by some late sightseeing. Good day!
As I was too tired last night here is some first information regarding Malaysia:
Money: When I was in Cambodia the Malaysian Maybank was the only one that didn´t charge the 5 USD withdrawal fee on visa cards. So I walked straight towards one of their ATMs assuming it would be the same in their home country. This assumption was correct but I cannot tell you whether other banks would charge or Malaysia is generally free of any additional fees.
Tourism tax: The most annoying change since I visited the country last! Since September 2017 the hotels will collect 10 MYR (2.50 €) tourist tax per room per night on top of the normal 6% included in your room charge.
SIM Card: Right opposite the History Hotel in Kangar is the "Tatcom" phone shop where a very friendly young man with excellent English advised me to get a 10 Ringgit Hotlink RED sim card and add an extra 5 MYR which would buy me 7 days / 1.5 gb 4G internet. I actually bought 3 gb (total: 25 MYR) as I learned in 2012 the hotel wifi connections are often very, very slow.
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Today's ride: 57 km (35 miles)
Total: 6,266 km (3,891 miles)
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