Pahang: Riding to Cameron Highlands on Merdeka Day…

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us…”

(A rider taking a rest...)

Today Malaysia celebrates its 55th Independence Day…

We decided to celebrate with the whole nation by going for a Merdeka Ride to Cameron Highlands via Sg Koyan-Ringlet highway. The 80km route connects the inner Pahang to the Cameron Highlands and there is no R&R stop or petrol station along the way. The riding was fun with gradual climb for the first 45km. The scenery is beautiful with matured tropical jungle of the Taman Negara and scattered Orang Asli settlements along the highway. The road is generally good but riders need to be careful of sink holes due to landslide.

(A long and winding road...)

(Orang Asli settlement...)

We started from our Putramas Apartment early and reached Cameron Highlands just in time for western lunch at Equatorial Hotel’s Coffee House. We indulged in an hour of therapeutic, soothing foot reflexology at one of the many spas at Tanah Rata. Later we bought a few boxes of CH tea and freshly picked strawberries.
 

(Pick your own strawberries...)

We rode back via the same Ringlet–Sg Koyan route to avoid traffic on the PLUS highway because of the long weekend holidays. We stopped for dinner at Genting Sempah and took our leisure ride home to avoid the traffic jam, possibly made by those who are joining the gathering at Dataran Merdeka. Despite being declared illegal, thousands of yellow-clad supporters for "Janji Demokrasi" gathered at Dataran Merdeka for the Merdeka countdown at midnight.

Happy 55th Independence

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!...

Total mileage: 520 km

Route taken: KL - Sg. Koyan - Cameron Highlands - Sg. Koyan - KL