Hi Guys. This is something different for me. Since I got my MTS...I've never rode further than 200km. So this will be the first long-distance ride for my MTS.
On 13 Sep 2013, me and some mates decided to go on a journey that most of us have never done before. An endurance ride from Betong, Thailand to Songkhla, Thailand. It was a three days and two nights trip.
We were a 6-rider party, a mixture of three MTS's, one BMW GSA1200, BMW RT, and a Ducati Monster 696. Pushed off from Kuala Lumpur at about 0730. Our first stop was at Tapah Rest Area along the PLUS Highway to have quick breakfast.
After breakfast we continued our journey. We did a detour to Bertam, a town in Penang state. There, some of us got their CTC (certified true copy) stamp on their bike grants. It is required by Malaysia Immigration for Malaysian vehicle to cross into Thailand. Sometimes, both Thai and Malaysian Immigration don't really check for the CTC stamp, but since it is required in their standard operating procedure, doing so will just minimize unnecessary hickups.
Soon after we proceeded to Betong, our first destination of the trip. We went on a Federal trunk road going through Baling and Pengkalan Hulu and just slightly above an hour, we arrived at the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong border.
The border was not busy, well at least not as busy at Bukit Kayu Hitam-Danok border. All six of us got everything done within 30 minutes.
In Betong, we stayed at the Sweet Home Hotel. Clean and spacious room with queen-sized bed. Good hospitality, ample parking space. The hotel is located at the town so you can just walk around. Alternatively, one can go on a Tuk Tuk.
We had a rather long day. an eight hours ride from Kuala Lumpur to Betong. By right, time taken should just be slightly over four hours to get to Betong from Kuala Lumpur. But we had quite a few occurrences along the way. Anyhow, we did look for an adventure!
There's a few things you can do in Betong like shopping and they do have some local delicacies and cuisines that are awesome. But I think, Betong is more of an entertainment place. Many clubs, pubs, karaoke joints that you can go to. I'd recommend the Jockey Club (go and surprise yourself!). Here, you don't need Thai Baht, Malaysia Ringgit is widely accepted. The people here can either speak English and/or Malay, although a little but enough to get by.
We didn't do much though. We arrived at our hotel at around 1600, as soon as everybody settled down, we went out to look for our late lunch. Starving! After lunch we went around town, did a little bit of pub hoping, and went for a body massage. It's bloody cheap! MYR30 for a one-hour full body oil massage. After a fulfilling seafood dinner, we retired for the day and get ready for tomorrow's adventure.
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