Great morning along the coast, mediocre afternoon along Hway 7, fantastic evening in Alor Setar. That´s how I would summarize this overall outstanding day. From the cycling point of view I did exactly the same route as in April. Never change an enjoyable ride! From Kangar straight down to Kuala Perlis, the ferryport for Langkawi. Then always along the coast until I eventually had no other choice then going back to Hway 7 and stay on it - or next to it -right into Alor Setar.
In April I had stayed in the fancy Sentosa Regency Hotel as I wasn´t feeling very well that day. I didn´t think it was worth the extra money though and I don´t need a room the size of a football pitch when I am staying just one night. So I went back to the very basic Chinese CB Motel right next door. Decent room for 60 MYR (50 plus 10 tourist tax) but it really is more about their great little restaurant on the ground floor. I would say with that late lunch one of the very best days while travelling on my own for a long, long time started and continued through the whole evening. Why? Well, the combination of great food and overwhelmingly hospitable locals paired with colourful impressions while out for some sightseeing is the magic triumvirate of travelling. Let the photos speak! The dozens of photos...
No need to spend megabucks. Just fill some empty PET bottles with tinted liquid.
Along the #R152. If you look closely you will spot the huge amount of flying insects at the size of dragon flies. There were hundred thousands of them making permanent contact but fortunately they didn´t sting
... the frontage road on the other side of the canal was far more enoyable despite the rather poor condition. They have these small roads basically along any canal.
The CB Restaurant on the ground floor dishes out this simple but extremely delicious combination of mini-clams in a chili sauce (Lala) and morning glory with dried shrimp. Y-U-M-M-Y!
The Zahir Mosque at its best: under illumination. The young muslim addresses me as I was outside the compound taking some photos and enjoying the busy proceeding for the prayer time. He asked me to come in and showed me all through the mosque while the prayer was on. Wonderful experience and another act of this amazing Malaysian hospitality
...while it was never a question where I would be having dinner. Right next to my motel is the Nasi Kandar Salam, one of my all time favourites. Nasi Kandar are the Indian-Muslim buffet restaurants......
...where you pick exactly what you feel like. In my case: roti canai (on the left, flatbread with a lentil curry), biryani rice with whole squids, beef and some curried cabbage. The main dish may come across almost a bit "messy" but believe me, the mixture of the various curry flavours is part of the indulgence. Poppadums are mandatory, as is the tea with sweet milk. It is called teh tarik, pulled tea as the milky liquid is fluffed up by pouring it between two glasses. An art by itself and you will notice the different textures of those who are brillant and those who are not
