Easter Ride : Bike Camping in Cameron Highlands (Malaysia) Because Hotels Are Too Mainstream

This Easter's looking pretty adventurous ;p

First, it was going with a full red head creatively done at Icon Shunji Matsuo Hair Visual.
And next up, camping out in the mountains in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia!

Packing for our Easter Ride

Ever heard of anyone camping in Cameron Highlands? I'm pretty sure some people have done it before, just that I personally don't know anyone who did. Asked some friends and they all gave a "huh? no?" look. So I Googled, and found some info which I'll be sharing with you here!

Now, being as spontaneous as usual, we decided on Easter Day Eve that an Easter road trip was COMPULSORY (truth be told, we'd actually find any reason to ride!)

Plus, can you imagine if you chose to stay home, then over the weekend you scroll through Facebook/Instagram and see all those fun pictures of your friends going on road trips, YOU WILL REGRET for not going on one.
Hurhur.

Living life with no regrets, we decided to escape from Singapore's scorching heat and head up to Cameron Highlands where the air there is cool all year round.

Being so last minute, all the hotels were fully booked. Oh well, what to do, it's Public Holiday on the weekend.

Suddenly, I had this idea to camp!

Packed our bags and off we went! To one of Malaysia's most extensive hill stations, which also happens to be the size of our little Singapore!

There are two ways up to Cameron Highlands; one via Simpang Pulai Route A181, which is the newer and more comfortable route.

The second way is via Tapah Route 59, which is more challenging with tighter corners and rougher roads.

We went by Tapah because as they say, the fun isn't around the corner, it's AT THE CORNERS!
Hahaha.

That waterfall you will surely pass by if you go up/down by Tapah

The road up was pretty bumpy, with pot holes and many uneven patches amidst the tight bends.
Hmm I don't remember the road being that rough the last time I visited.. either that or I've forgotten because that was around 3 years ago.

Though Cameron Highlands was located just approximately 600KM away from Singapore, the ride up was quite exhausting mainly due to heat fatigue. Temperatures were soaring up to 40°C especially through Kuala Lumpur, it felt like riding in a furnace.

Gawwd it was hot.

We arrived in Cameron Highlands just in time to witness a gorgeous sunset, and what better way to enjoy such a beautiful scenery with a loved one, who shares the same passion too for traveling on two wheels.

Two Campsites in Cameron Highlands

It's time to locate our "hotel" in the mountains. Now according to Cameron-Highland-Destination, there are two campsites here:

1. Sungai Pauh Campsite

Location
Located about 1KM behind Smokehouse hotel, in the Forestry Department. This was the one we went to but it wasn't very easy navigating it because it was dark by the time we got there, and there were no clear signs from the main road. Should be easier to find in the day.

Fee
Forest ranger may come and the fee is RM3, but we didn't see them so we didn't pay anything.

Facilities
There are toilets, but no showering facilities or whatsoever. Standards are similar to our public toilets at East Coast Park. No power supply if you camp in the woods, but you can pay RM10 to run your electrical appliances if you camp at the campsite itself.

2. Gunung Brinchang

Location
This is the highest peak in Cameron Highlands, with an altitude of 2,032m and it is accessible by road, so don't worry, you don't have to hike up. Weather conditions may be a little more challenging here since it's higher, so it's important to bring enough warm clothes and a portable stove so you don't turn into a block of ice by the end of your camping adventure.

Fee
No

Facilities
No power supply, no water supply, basically nothing but a superb view.

It was dark, and we didn't have a torch light, but we found a nice spot and pitched our tent anyway in the woods. Too bad it was too dark to take any nice photos. Oh but here's a photo of the toilet, and me washing up.

Dinner's cooking and it smells real good!

This is one thing I look forward to when camping: COOKING MAGGIE MEE!!!

Brought a portable bunsen burner, those army-cooking pots, and my favourite Korean maggie mee! It's damn shiok to eat piping hot maggie mee out in the cold, here in the woods. We should have totally set up a campfire also but we were too lazy to find wood to burn.

SLURP! Unglam picture of me enjoying my delicious pot of Korean cuisine.

Credits to jpuralewskilightingdesign

With our tummies warm and satisfied, we rolled out our sleeping bags, and.. wait.
WHY ONLY GOT ONE SLEEPING BAG??

How to share! I'm just gonna snatch it over in the middle of the night.

Our view from the tent was amazing, gazing at the night sky full of stars, we had the sound of leaves gently rustling that soothed us to sleep.

Next Day

Goooood morningggg sunshine!

Camping may not be as comfortable as sleeping on your own Simmons bed at home, but it's so refreshing waking up to nature all around!

Here's 5 reasons why it's fun camping out here in Cameron Highlands!

1. There's no Check-In or Check-out time

You can snuggle in bed all day long, not having to worry about extending your check out time because there's none! You can stay for as many days as you want with no extra charge!

2. Greenery View Guaranteed 

Woke up to a forest view like that :) Enough of being tricked into hotels with nice view when you book a room online. Over here in the woods, you have 360 degree view of greenery!

View from our tent when we lie down

3. Fresh Air

The air here is so crisp and fresh, my lungs feel so clean! Haha plus because it's cooling here all year around at around 18°C, you won't sweat. It's like natural air-con everywhere.

4. That Kick In Camp-Cooked Food

You don't need a fully equipped kitchen or a Michelin Star chef to whip up delicious meals that'll make your stomach happy. Don't underestimate that warm fuzzy feeling when you're slurping up freshly-cooked maggie mee out in the mountains, in chilly weather, accompanied with a mug of hot chocolate. Never fails to makes me go, "Ah... this is good".

5. Quiet Getaway

Away from all that hustle and bustle from the city and touristy crowd, away from any Internet data and mobile reception that often robs people of enjoying each other's company when they're distracted by using their phone, camping here serves as a quiet getaway where it's just you and your family.

And best part, it's FREE :D

After lazing around in our tent, we got our asses up and went for some HI-TEA time!

Literally, because we're high up here in the mountains, and Cameron Highlands is full of tea plantation and tea cafes!

Because life can get a little boring sticking to tarmacs, we let ourselves (and our bikes) roam freely through the rolling hills of Cameron Highland's endless tea plantations, on some off-road. Besides, my Pirelli Angel G.T. tyres are good for both terrains anyway ;)

There are tea cafes, strawberry farms, bee farms and so on that you could hop around and visit. Many which are normally packed with tourists on the weekends or holiday season.

I'm having a fanTEAStic time just lying down on grass here under the vast blue skies :)

When I'm really enjoying the weather and scenery, I like to lie down and close my eyes.. maybe take a nap. I guess I'm pretty adaptable to environment when it comes to sleeping ;)

Rode through from Tana Rata to Brinchang, the two main towns in Cameron Highlands.

Tana Rata serves more local malay/indian cuisine, around where Starbucks is located at.

Whereas in Brinchang, you'll be spoilt for choice with many local chinese Charcoal steamboat restaurants around. There is also a night market where you can grab fresh/preserved fruits, tea packs and souvenirs.

With the image and experience of Cameron Highlands captured in my heart and mind, it's time to head back home.

Camping in Cameron Highlands is another joyful memory with my baby Ducati!

Where shall we go next? ;)


[Singapore.Malaysia.Cameron Highlands]

[Mileage Clocked: 1,305KM]

[Weather/Temperature: Extremely Hot/38°C /Cool/17°C]

[Terrain: Tarmac/Mountainous Roads]

Ducati : Strutting In Style With The MultiStrada 1200 S, Here At The Golden Triangle

Looks like 2016 is getting me to take baby steps towards big adventure bikes!

Just a month ago back in January, I was bashing through Enduro Park Thailand off road with the almighty BMW GS series here.

Now, all thanks to Ducati Singapore & Thailand, I find myself happily back in The Land of Smiles, facing the husky Ducati MultiStrada 1200 S.

At Changi Airport, waiting to board Thai Airways

Not really a morning person, but for some two wheel fun? I'd be up anytime!

Flew from Singapore - Chiang Rai Airport (transiting through Bangkok), before taking an hour coach ride up to the Award-winning Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort Hotel.

Credits to chiangraibulletin

Perched right on top of a mountain, strategically smack in the middle of The Golden Triangle, the hotel directly overlooks the rolling hills of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. It offers a breathtaking view from the room too, with a sea bed of clouds forming every other morning.

This elephant sanctuary is as luxurious as it can get, and opens a wide window to nature as its best.

See what I mean? Hehe. Huge elephants are seen walking through the hotel premises as I was checking into my room! Maybe I'll take them for a ride before the Multistrada Press Ride tomorrow as a warm up :p

I could go on and on about how enchanting this resort is but THIS is what we're really here for!

The super sophisticated Ducati Multistrada 1200 S, and I can't wait to test ride it over 320KM worth of mountainous roads tomorrow, here in Chiang Rai!

Strutting With The Strada Today

Woke up to such a beautiful view, geared up and all ready to take on the Strada.
It's a chilly 18°C now, but temperatures can soar up to 36°C in the afternoon, close to 20°C difference. But at least the air here is dry, compared to Singapore's humidity.

Ma big bright red ride for the day!

Now, who needs a buffet breakfast when we have a feast going on here? >:D
These majestic beauties all lined up, waiting for their rightful owner of the day to claim.

Adjustable Seat Height: For Tall People & Shorties Like Myself

Thanks to the adjustable seat height (825 - 845mm), I found myself seated comfortably on the Multistrada 1200S and being able to lift its 235KG (wet weight) Tubular steel Trellis frame machine on leveled ground.

Route of the day

Four Different Riding Modes: 4 Bikes In 1

Covering slightly more than 320KM today starting from The Golden Triangle, this gives me enough distance and time to take advantage of all four of the Multistrada 1200S's riding modes.

On the road

They are:

1) Urban
2) Touring
3) Sports
4) Enduro

I love the dashboard

All these modes are equipped with a premium set of advanced technologies that include:

Ride-by-Wire Power Modes
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)
Ducati Traction Control (DTC)
Electronic Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution system

Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)

Oh and did I mention how much I like its 5" dashboard? Full colour TFT screen, displaying so much useful information in such an organized manner. What's more, it has an in-built Ducati Multimedia system that let's me sync all my music, answer calls etc via Bluetooth.

credits to autoevolution

D-Air® system: Air Bags

Now we all know that its a common feature for cars to have air bags in case of an emergency.
But what about bikes?

I don't mean the bikes are installed with airbags (like the 2006 Honda Goldwing) because in a motorcycle accident, the biker almost always separate from the bike upon impact.

Credits to ducati.com

Taking a leap towards motorcycle safety here, Ducati and Dainese have worked together to produce a high technology system whereby the electronics of the Multistrada 1200 S is constantly processing the bike's dynamic situation.

credits to drive2u

Upon impact of an accident, the integrated sensor between both the bike and Ducati's Apparel D-Air® airbag jackets by Dainese will trigger the airbag to significantly reduce the injury of the biker.

Credits to everybestof

Please do not try this feature on any other jacket, even if the jackets look like they have airbags (like above).

The weather is superb, and the mountain roads are calling out to us.
I'm telling you, the roads here in Chiang Rai is smoother than the smoothest bean curd you can find. The curves here are wider which allowed me to glide nicely along the lines.

Electronic Cruise Control

Clear blue skies, flowers are in full bloom, this is therapeutic as I experienced the Multistrada's electronic cruise control for long straight roads to ease wrist fatigue, while switching in between Urban and Touring mode for a gentle gradual torque when passing through small towns.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail II Tyres

Fitted on with Pirelli's dual sport Scorpion Trail II tyres, this allows the bike to carry out mild Enduro terrain activities, yet providing high mileage, performance and efficient water drainage for tourers. 

Brembo Brakes

Clipped with Brembo calipers, bringing this horse to a halt is further enhanced with its trusty Bosch-Brembo ABS 9.1ME Cornering braking system.

The braking effect is pretty strong, so I had to remind myself to apply the brakes gently to avoid unintentionally doing a stoppie :p

After covering about 100KM, I stopped by the road to take a breather, only to end up cuddling with this cutie pie! This is why I love riding - You see and feel a lot more, because you're closer to what's happening on the ground.

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?
A: It was trying to hitch a ride on the keyless Multistrada with me LOL

Ducati Testastretta DVT Engine: Beast Unleashed

It's mid day and under the cloudless sky, the sun is out in full force at 35°C as I experimented on with Sports mode.

Powered by Ducati's new 1198CC Testastretta DVT engine, I could feel the eagerness of 160hp unleashed through its 6 speed gearbox.

I guess this is where the fun kicks in! ;)

And when you know you're in control of all that speed happening because you and the bike are one in sync, you feel like you're on top of the world and you go "YEAHHHH!!!"

Satisfied with all that need-for-speed moment, it's time to slow things down as we approached a short off-road section where I briefly tried out the Enduro mode and observed the suspensions electronically softening in contrast to the previous hyper mode.

Trying not to be fully baked under the scorching sun here, up in the mountains.



After more than 6 hours of riding and making a loop around Chiang Rai, it's time to head back towards The Golden Triangle where all that 1200CC of fun began.

Overall

I started out feeling intimidated by its capacity but wrapped up the ride with a confident smile on my face. The much improved Ducati Multistrada 1200S has indeed earned a place in being one of the cream of the crop in the adventure motorcycle series. Having undergone a major facelift, it exudes much sophistication and it's level of performance and advanced technology stands far from being compromised.

Personally, the Multistrada 1200S felt a little top heavy when stationary but the minute I throttled off, it was a breeze to ride. Its versatile character makes it very adaptable to different riding styles and road conditions which gives itself an edge over other adventure bikes.

Disadvantages I Faced

Weighing 235KG for a 1200CC adventure motorcycle is actually considered pretty light, and I'm able to lift it up on leveled ground. However, when the bike is parked on a slanted ground leaning towards the side stand, I find myself not having enough strength to lift it straight back up.

Thankfully the marshals are always on standby to help.
Maybe I just need to hit the gym more and focus on working my arms. Tsk.

Other than that, the Multistrada 1200S is a great bike and has delivered almost everything it has promised. If you're looking for a good looking ride to wheeze through the city traffic every other day, explore roads less traveled over touring during the holiday season, or even challenge yourself with some hardcore adventure, this is the bike for you.

And ladies, y'all do not need to feel intimidated by it.

Thank you Ducati Singapore and Ducati Thailand for this amazing experience!

P.S. Thailand I love you! :D


[Chiang Rai,Thailand]

[Mileage Clocked: 342KM]

[Weather/Temperature: Cool/18°C/Sunny/35°C]

[Terrain: Tarmac/Mountain Roads]