Back again with new discoveries : )

It's back to the land of oil palms and rubber plantations, not to mention rolling hills and never-ending roads; Malaysia. Today we head back to the eastern side of West Malaysia towards Desaru for a leisurely tour.

From Singapore we depart for Tana Merah Ferry Terminal to catch the 7.50am ferry. Be there at 7.00am for check in. We had to wait almost half an hour to board the ferry. The ferry was a different one from what we took last time and it was much faster. Chilly winds on the top deck of the ferry forced me to break out my wind-breaker halfway into the journey. I was freezing! The journey took about 40mins before we arrived at Sebana Cove and disembarked. Greeting us was warm, fuzzy sunshine that promised to turn into a furnace later in the day. Thus, we began our trip.

Lalang swaying in the rolling winds of the plains

Fallen oil palms that were old, litter the scenery

Taking a shot at the junction to Tg. Belungkor. (28km of rolling hills from here)

The journey ahead...... gulp....

Michelle fully loaded... Lama...

Trying to beat the heat, we did not stop to take any pictures but rode all the way to Desaru where we checked into the Damai. It cost RM120 for a twin single room big enough to house 4. We too the RM140 room as the standard room was fully booked. While waiting for Ben to shower, I fell asleep on the sofa and only woke up at 6.00pm feeling like an abyss appeared in my belly. Nasi Goreng Kampung, fried chicken and cold chin chow managed to satisfy my hunger before we headed for a chill out session before going to sleep as we were both sleep deprived from the previous night of not sleeping.

Awaking the next morning, breakfast was a disappointment as there was only nasi lemak rice but nothing else to accompany it. No eggs, no ikan bilis, only cucumber. There used to be curry puffs and semosas the last time we came, but this time I think they really scrimped on the breakfast budget. The prata was oil soaked and soggy too. Well, that is why it's called a budget hotel. Anyway, I had a double portion of breakfast as I knew we had a ride back to the ferry terminal and food was scarce along the way.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we headed down to the hotel beach where we took some picture.

Michelle Re-Loaded...

Hotel view from beach

Beach rock formations

2 unsuspecting tourists dressed in skimpy swim suits...
I wonder what the Malaysian authorities would say about their dress code???

Play Time....

Final check before the climb

Gravity Climb

You'll see many of such interesting trees along the way...

Time to fire up the N.O.S ....

Made it!

Beach at Batu Layar

My mini made it so far....

Curious kids looking at the holes made by beach crabs

Taking notes

What used to be a beautiful and natural rock formation is now covered with trash that is washed up to the coast and littered by the visitors to the rock formations. In Yosemite National Park this would be a protected area, but as we all know.... Malaysia Boleh!

Rock formation studded beach.

Low tide pleasures...

Rock formation studded beach

Crashing waves

Never-ending view of the beach curving into the background...

Couple strolling and enjoying the breeze...

Crashing waves pound the rock formations. Soon they will all disappear...

Lone girl...

Layered sedimentary rocks

Terracotta Warrior?

The peak! with trash at the foot...

Can you make out what this is?

Bullfrog? Roadkill?

Our bikes basking int he sun!

Colourful beach hut... Wonder what it is used for?

Highlighting the eastern side after Batu Layar Beach where you would find a gigantic Lalang field that leads to a bridge that turns out into a melon field that connects to Seaview Resort.

Beautiful lalang fields...

Picturesque...

Posing for a shot!

Moi... Picture courtesy of Ben

Travelling along this lalang trail, we reached a sunken road that has now become a river that meanders into the sea. Pee and picture time!

Flying High...

Wings outstretched and floating in the air...

Melon Patch... Wonder if the makcik would sell us one???

Upon reaching Sebana Cove, we decided to explore the left turn instead of going into the terminal. This was a good turn as it goes 12km into oil palm plantations and ends up in the town of Penggerang which is only 2km from the bum boat terminal!!! This means that there are now 2 roads that we can take to Desaru coming from Tg. Pengilih. We can take the coastal road or the plantation road that leads to Sebana Cove.

You'll be coming from this way if you come from Tg. Pengilih.

This is what you will see after the polis station.

Make a left after the drink stall!

Traffic-less road to Sebana Cove!!! Through oil palm plantations.

A curious kampung fella peering out at 2 spandex wearing cyclist taking weird pictures around his neighborhood!

Taking the same road back, we pass the marina and marvel at the huge bungalows with their private docks...

See what I mean.....

Gateway to paradise.... too bad it's not mine...

Friendly chat eh....

Heaven's grace....

Divine rays...

On our way back home to concrete urban Singapore....

Upon reaching Singapore, its straight to our usual beef noodle stall for a double portion or tasty beef noodles and winter melon tea. Sun-burns and crisp tan lines were evident the next day... All in all, the ride was a very fun and fruitful one as there were many things to see and do and also the discovery of the plantation road that leads to Sebana Cove. According to the auntie who lives in Penggarang, she said that many other cyclist use that road to get to Sebana... Guess we are not the first to discover this hidden trail. Next time, we will try this path and hopefully discover new paths that we can take. Till then...

Ride safe....!!!

Ride Details:
Avg speed: 20.6km/h
Max speed: 58.2km/h
Ride Time: 8hr 20min
Distance: 171.94km