MALAYSIA & THAILAND - PREPARING FOR A 20,000 KM SPARE PARTS DROUGHT

Farewell Indonesia... I will always remember you for your burning rubbish, insane driving, beautiful mountains and friendly people (and a lot more). But it was time to move on!

My bike being unloaded from the onion boat that carried it from Indonesia to Malaysia

Upon arrival in Malaysia I was picked up by two mates, Keith and Rowan. That night was a late one talking bikes, gear and planned routes (Keith being a local rider and Rowan doing a similar route to me also from AUS). Penang was a time for relaxation, motorcycle repairs and spare part sourcing as well as emailing back and forth trying to sort out my faulty camera, yes my new camera now displays an error message! Hangovers, sleeping, biking... Penang had been sweet but my time here was too short.

I went to Guan Cycles to prepare my bike for the next HUGE leg which would have to last until Europe, this meant tires, drive train and anything else needed to make it roughly 20,000 KM before I would be able to get replacements. So here the bike was cleaned (for the first time), oil and filter changed, brake pads replaced with genuine ones (bye bye car pads!), air filter cleaned and lots of cables and joints lubed. I also stocked up on spare brake pads, chain and 2 spare tires... she's a heavy mule now!

Guan Cycles has the best man cave in the world! When every other shop said they couldn't help me... he had everything I needed!

On the 28^th of March I left Malaysia and rediscovered 5^th gear on my bike, beautiful flat, smooth, fast highway... I love you! After enduring the customs officer’s spiel “What are you looking for on this trip?”... “Why are you travelling?”... “You cannot find God at home?” and SWOOSH, I was riding in the Kingdom of Thailand! Roughly 400 KM later I was in Surat Thani. Blue skies, stormy nights... an incredible start in this country!

Crossing the longest bridge in SE Asia, leaving Penang!

Hello Thailand, wonder what happened to the other 2 destinations!

My first impressions felt that Malaysia and Thailand were far cleaner, had less traffic, were less chaotic and leagues ahead of Indonesia in terms of services, road conditions and general infrastructure. Why was I surprised? Also my GPS actually worked here!

Pretzel roads everywhere, GPS I love you!

Over the following days I passed through smaller towns and the Kings palace in Hua Hin but it all fell away in comparison to Bangkok! Seriously this city is so diverse, quirky and interesting... absolutely tremendous. On my way in I stopped at a petrol station, after a few minutes a whole band of Harley’s pulled in... It’s difficult to put the sound of 30 Harleys into words, like a symphony of drums! It was the Thai Bandidos, and they were quite interested in my trip... TBH I was scared shitless and bailed pretty quickly, onwards to my hostel!

*TBH - To be honest.

Entering Bangkok traffic, bad... but nothing like Jakarta!

I kept seeing these signs... no idea what they meant, but I have a feeling bikes aren't allowed?

My holy parking spot in Bangkok, haha...

The abandoned building I climbed had some interesting facts... in 2014 a Swedish backpacker  was allegedly found dead on 43^rd floor... The building is 49 stories high and started getting built in 1990... abandoned in 1997 during the Asian financial crisis. There were no railings and the structure seemed pretty fragile in areas, definitely worth the visit!

Stunning views atop the city of angels!

The same day I visited the world's largest massive gold seated Buddha. Weighing 5.5 tonnes.  In the past, artisans crafted the Buddhas in gold and disguised them from invading armies by covering them in plaster, this one was accidentally discovered whilst trying to move it and it fell... having the solid gold behemoth break free from its plaster casing. In weight alone it is worth more than $275 million US - and priceless as it sits.

Solid gold Buddha!

Before leaving Bangkok I organised my Myanmar visa, success – crossing on the 10^th of April! I also downloaded the GPS maps I needed for the next part and started the bureaucratic process of applying for my Iranian visa, which will continue in New Delhi.

Deciding which blocks I need next for the GPS... not sure what coverage will be like!

The temple of dawn at sunset, stunning!

The same temple at night... just as spectacular. Will be even better once the scaffolding is removed!

The ~750 KM ride to Chiang Mai I split into 2 days which consisted of a brutal dry heat... it felt like home!

This is the quirkiest guesthouse I have stayed in to date, really awesome atmosphere!

Giant statues line the roads and mountains in Thailand, if anyone knows the meaning behind them I'd love to know!

I just got used to Bahasa Indonesian, now I'm back in the deep end ordering food!

As I explored Chiang Mai I was informed via email that the Myanmar government had decided to not let tourists enter on EVEN days anymore, only ODD days (At the land border)... this meant that the date for entering the country has been pushed back to the 11^th of April. Not sure what brought about this change but I guess I’ll just roll with it! Anyway... Chiang Mai is a diverse city filled with temples, extreme sports and a nightlife. I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Forest trails everywhere in the mountains, a riding dream... especially without all the luggage!

A nice secluded area for lunch!

Another dirt road, having some fun!

My GPS thought this was a road... I didn't mind but I'm not sure a car would have fit.

Whilst exploring these mountain trails I all of a sudden popped out in the back of a military base... before I realised I was riding past marching soldiers, shooting practice and general military activities. I put my visor down to hide my face and casually rode out through the front gate hoping no one would notice...

Leaving the military base... act like you belong!

'Sticky' waterfalls, about 150m of waterfalls that you can climb up. One of the coolest experiences I've had!

Another day, another lunch break!

Whilst here I also visited the Tiger Kingdom, a tourist attraction where you get the chance to get very close to tigers... I had heard mixed opinions about their treatment, potential drugging and the whole idea of breeding them and never releasing. As I laid eyes on them I immediately felt sorry for these tigers, majestic animals in small cages... here is what I saw.

Poke it in the eye and it might growl... making for a better tourist photo... shame!

A stream of people coming past for photos, all day, every day!

It wasn't all bad though and I absolutely loved Thailand for many other reasons - you'll just have to visit and make up your own mind!

Back down the road from the falls, loving these relaxing days!

There was controlled burning being conducted whilst I was here, made for some amazing sunset colours in the smog!

It is now day 88 and I’m all packed and prepped, ready to enter Myanmar and then continue on into Eastern India, I have no idea what to expect... but I have a feeling this is where the real adventure begins! Malaysia and Thailand have each been spectacular in their own right, but I’m really looking forward to the unknown!

My track through Malaysia and Thailand over the past few weeks - border crossing at Myawaddy coming in the next few days

The blog says I'm, doing it on 1 wheel right? Here I come Myanmar!!!