updates from Taiping to Changlun

Alor Star

Left Taiping after speeches by Dato' Ong and me in the presence of St John Taiping members and Boys and Girls and the media. Indeed memorable considering that Taiping is where I spent my holidays (I was studying In Clifford school) K. Kangsar.

After the ceremonial flag off at 9.20 we left Taiping by way of Kemunting and the old trunk road passing Kg Dew, Simpang Empat, Bagan Serai before reaching the ferry terminal at Butterworth. Bagan Serai was also a town in which I grew up from age 7-11. The railway look deserted though trains still use this line, also made a stop at Kampong Kedah mosque. My family's graves are all here- my father, mother, uncle ,cousins and other members of the family.

The ferry ride was also nostalgic the same sound & smells after all these years. in Penang i was met by St John staff, Mr Koay, Mr Iee and 3 Senior Angels & others. Dinner was at 8.00 pm hosted by state Commander Dato' Dr Yee Thiam Sun.

Left Penang the next morning in front of SJAM Penang HQ, flagged off by state comm. Dato' Dr Yee Thiam Sun. Escorted by ambulance driven by Mr Koay, Took the ferry across to Butterworth, had breakfast in B'worth then rode to Alor Star. Except for a few bends the route is almost a straight line but it was hot all the way. Reached Alor Star around 5pm. Met by Mr Chow of SJAM AStar. Put up at Hotel 3 km from town. Dinner at a shopping Mall.

Left Hotel at 8.30 After breakfast left with DR. Ch'ng Kok Heong Commander for Kedah, riding to the old mosque in town. Left with 6 riders from ST John . 2 gave up at Jitra. I stopped at the Jitra Police station where my brother in law served as OCPD in the early 70s. His name together with the others are displayed on a board hung at the stairway. The days ride continued towards Changlun, but 2 km from town I had a puncture. The tube was quickly replaced and finally we reached Changlun at12.30. The St John riders and the ambulance ended their duty here. As it was a little late to proceed to Hatyai I decided to stay the night in Changlun. I also had to buy another spare tube in case of more punctures. It is also here that Mazlan and I parted ways.
With the help of a local man, Mat Noor Osman i managed to sort out all problems. I had dinner with Mat Noor and his superior Tuan Syed Hasnan from TNB, before we part ways.