Last Sunday was not one of my ordinary ones. I was not out riding as I always do. I was originally planning to go out deep sea fishing with a bunch of friends but had to cancel that too. I was back in my hometown, sitting in the Intensive Care Unit, next to my dad’s hospital bed. It was a Sunday afternoon of mixed emotions; watching the man who was once strong and healthy (and most of the time very loud) now lying helplessly, struggling with his every little move.
A lot was rushing through my mind; reminiscing the many years of my life. He had always been the father figure – in his own unique ways. He may not be the perfect parent but so were we as his children. Everything good and all the success I have now would be his success as a parent. While we may not have such a story-book relationship, we do have our fair share of moments together. Here is the man who taught me how to find a good fishing spot, how to hook a bait, and how to unhook a fish. Here is the man whom I shared many motorbike rides together – with me pillion riding him on his 110cc bike and later him pillion riding me as I get older – of course with continuous commentary and annoying instructions along the way…
Probably one of my best recent memories of him was when I once surprised him and turned up in front of his house on my Harley. I was in between assignment locations and managed to squeeze in a one-week leave just enough to help my family prepare for the next move and went riding 450 km back to my hometown. I heard he was not feeling well so I thought I’d cheer him up. I must have told him at some point that I bought myself a Harley but of course many things didn’t quite register in his memory as always. I can still remember his face when he saw me that evening. The next day, the two of us were riding all around the kampung with him pillion riding at the back, visiting families and even attending a kenduri! He was proudly telling everyone even when they did not ask. I don’t think a ride with him like that will ever be possible again but that’s what I like about good memories; they linger around for a long long time. That was definitely one of the greatest rides of my life!
And now; he doesn’t even recognize me anymore. Alzheimer can be so cruel to the patient as much as to the people around him. When I first arrive at the hospital, he just stared blankly at me. I could just be a familiar face to him but would not register as anyone important to him anymore. It was sad but I kept reminding myself that I needed to be there for him regardless. It’s just that I’m not so good at feeling helpless.
As I sat there next to him, I kept wondering what he is thinking about. He kept talking, almost whispering, mentioning names and places but most of them don’t make any collective sense anymore. I believe those were the remnants of his memories and what’s left within pockets of history of his life. All his life he has been a great story teller with a keen sense of adventure but now he couldn’t even remember them anymore. What’s a great story teller without his stories…?
I was also reflecting of life’s many lessons in all these. The fact that everything comes to an end. What you did affect others in ways beyond of what you can imagine. Life is short so live it to the fullest but even when your life comes to an end; life of others that you have affected will continue, hence a portion of you will live forever… During my ride to the Red Centre I know who will be riding with me – it’s those who believed in me and also those who have made me the person I am today. And I can almost feel him smiling and enjoying the ride, minus of course the commentaries and the in-actual-fact-no-so-annoying instructions…
.
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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
An ambitious Sunday morning ride
The weather has been a bit unkind this whole week - it has been raining almost everyday! One evening I was riding home in the rain with my daughter after picking her up from her visit to the Gallery of Modern Arts (GOMA) for a school outing. But funny how winter in Brisbane is; it can be raining and windy in the middle of winter but the temperature is still close to 20ºC!
Finally after what seemed like a long week, the weekend arrives and so did the sun! I was not going to waste my last weekend (yup, last one before the fasting month - next Sunday I'm going deep sea fishing with the guys) so I planned a long ride around the South plains - over 300km! Google Maps says it would take 5½ hours but I think just over 3 hours will be enough.
View Larger Map
Bad start; had a late night last night hence late start this morning. Almost did not make it but kept telling myself, "Last weekend... last weekend...!" Where are all my riding buddies when you need them for morale support, huh? Anyway, finally made it out by 7:00 am. Stopped by the 7-Eleven near my house to fill up (yes, here in Down Under, 7-Eleven sells fuel!). A gentleman in his early 50s approached me after he filled up his 4WD. "That is a very nice bike!", he greeted me. I smiled embarrassingly and thanked him for his kind compliment. We chatted for a while about the bike and he kept praising it. I can almost see my bike blushing! "You must be a biker", I added at one point. "No", he said. "I just admire them..." I was thinking to myself how lucky I am. Off I went with a grin on my face and spirit high up for the long ride...
Look at these scenic view along the Rosewood-Aratula Rd.
Such a lovely winter morning... Notice the perfectly clear blue sky.
Other than slight bumps on the road every now and then (this road is not as good as the Ipswich-Boonah Rd in one of my previous trip - no wonder there are no other bikers on the road that day!) it was a lovely ride. Just when I thought how inland this route was and how far I was from the nearest town; I stumbled upon a group of about twenty cyclist! They must be crazier than I am!!!
I thought it would have been a perfect ride until about 20km after Rosevale I came across this sign. My Blackberry camera couldn't quite catch the writings but it says, "Bridge closed ahead. Take alt route". Now, who would've thought to put a sign so far out? They could have warn me before I passed the last junction, don't you think? Oh well, I can't argue on this because there is no one to argue with - so had to turn back some 30km and head East through the more familiar Boonah-Beaudessert-Nerang Rd.
Stopped at the usual place, my favourite Outpost Cafe and "hang out" with the other bikers. I actually did a total of 330km that day and fatigue starts creeping in on the way back. Another stop along M1 for an energy drink struggles to help. I wonder how the ride to Red Centre would be like... I need to be fit, I need to be fit...
Finally arrived home safely, and dry. And oh, here's the garlic bread served with Pandai's special sautéed garlic herb prawn French style I made for dinner for the family... How I wish the weekend never ends...
Finally after what seemed like a long week, the weekend arrives and so did the sun! I was not going to waste my last weekend (yup, last one before the fasting month - next Sunday I'm going deep sea fishing with the guys) so I planned a long ride around the South plains - over 300km! Google Maps says it would take 5½ hours but I think just over 3 hours will be enough.
View Larger Map
Bad start; had a late night last night hence late start this morning. Almost did not make it but kept telling myself, "Last weekend... last weekend...!" Where are all my riding buddies when you need them for morale support, huh? Anyway, finally made it out by 7:00 am. Stopped by the 7-Eleven near my house to fill up (yes, here in Down Under, 7-Eleven sells fuel!). A gentleman in his early 50s approached me after he filled up his 4WD. "That is a very nice bike!", he greeted me. I smiled embarrassingly and thanked him for his kind compliment. We chatted for a while about the bike and he kept praising it. I can almost see my bike blushing! "You must be a biker", I added at one point. "No", he said. "I just admire them..." I was thinking to myself how lucky I am. Off I went with a grin on my face and spirit high up for the long ride...
Look at these scenic view along the Rosewood-Aratula Rd.
Such a lovely winter morning... Notice the perfectly clear blue sky.
Other than slight bumps on the road every now and then (this road is not as good as the Ipswich-Boonah Rd in one of my previous trip - no wonder there are no other bikers on the road that day!) it was a lovely ride. Just when I thought how inland this route was and how far I was from the nearest town; I stumbled upon a group of about twenty cyclist! They must be crazier than I am!!!
I thought it would have been a perfect ride until about 20km after Rosevale I came across this sign. My Blackberry camera couldn't quite catch the writings but it says, "Bridge closed ahead. Take alt route". Now, who would've thought to put a sign so far out? They could have warn me before I passed the last junction, don't you think? Oh well, I can't argue on this because there is no one to argue with - so had to turn back some 30km and head East through the more familiar Boonah-Beaudessert-Nerang Rd.
Stopped at the usual place, my favourite Outpost Cafe and "hang out" with the other bikers. I actually did a total of 330km that day and fatigue starts creeping in on the way back. Another stop along M1 for an energy drink struggles to help. I wonder how the ride to Red Centre would be like... I need to be fit, I need to be fit...
Finally arrived home safely, and dry. And oh, here's the garlic bread served with Pandai's special sautéed garlic herb prawn French style I made for dinner for the family... How I wish the weekend never ends...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Of Rocket and the winter rain
I got a new riding partner this week! Tony, a friend from the office can't wait to show off his Triumph Rocket III. As far as showing off is concern, this will definitely be the ultimate show-off. It's not a bike; it's a BEAST! With its 2300cc three in-line cylinders engine, this is the biggest capacity on any production bike ever made! If Tony was ever going to name this bike, I think he should name it "The Mid-life Crisis"... haha!
Anyway, made plans to ride on Sunday morning with Tony. We picked my favourite Somerset Dam route with its scenic and gentle twist. I don't think tight uphill roads like Mt. Tamborine would be so kind to the 320kg machine Tony is on today. Besides, the weather forecast predicted early afternoon rain so I'd rather be around familiar territory, just in case.
Tony was at my house by 6:00 am. After a nice cup of Nespresso coffees each (my wife even got up just to see the Rocket III!) we hit the road by 6:30 am. The sky looks a bit cloudy but I'm sure we'll be alright - rain in Brisbane has never been known to be like the rain in KL anyway.
Here's Tony with his baby at our quick stop at The Spit. Suddenly my RT looks tiny in comparison.
We head on to Kilcoy and stopped for pie and coffee (oh, how I wish they have nasi lemak, roti canai and teh tarik!) at my favourite cafe. The sky turned darker so we decided to head back through Mt. Mee and Mt. Pleasant. Just 5 minutes after leaving the cafe, it started to pour. Now, you'll see who's the master of the road - by now Tony is drenched but I'm tucked comfortably, nice and warm behind my windscreen, with my seat and grip heater on.
We had to stop by the roadside for Tony to put on his wet gears. And he also learnt later that putting on his wet gears on top of his already wet clothes was not a good idea after all...
As we continue our journey crossing the top of Mt. Mee and Mt. Pleasant (in which by now, is not that pleasant anymore!), the road was already slippery, the rain on the visor made visibility rather poor and to top it all up it was foggy and very windy. I was thinking to myself; what kind of person would rather be here than being at home lying in bed under a warm blanket or enjoying a hot cup of coffee and breakfast while watching the tv? And I thought, "Naaahhh... I'd rather be here!". Like Fred my instructor said, you'd have to be a bit crazy to be a biker!
One final quick stop at Dayboro for yet another cup of coffee and for Tony to dry up then we went our separate ways heading home. I finish off my Sunday with a nice Malaysian Indian food lunch with some friends later. The weather forecast showing rain for the whole of next week so I guess my bike will be resting in the garage for a while.
Anyway, made plans to ride on Sunday morning with Tony. We picked my favourite Somerset Dam route with its scenic and gentle twist. I don't think tight uphill roads like Mt. Tamborine would be so kind to the 320kg machine Tony is on today. Besides, the weather forecast predicted early afternoon rain so I'd rather be around familiar territory, just in case.
Tony was at my house by 6:00 am. After a nice cup of Nespresso coffees each (my wife even got up just to see the Rocket III!) we hit the road by 6:30 am. The sky looks a bit cloudy but I'm sure we'll be alright - rain in Brisbane has never been known to be like the rain in KL anyway.
We head on to Kilcoy and stopped for pie and coffee (oh, how I wish they have nasi lemak, roti canai and teh tarik!) at my favourite cafe. The sky turned darker so we decided to head back through Mt. Mee and Mt. Pleasant. Just 5 minutes after leaving the cafe, it started to pour. Now, you'll see who's the master of the road - by now Tony is drenched but I'm tucked comfortably, nice and warm behind my windscreen, with my seat and grip heater on.
We had to stop by the roadside for Tony to put on his wet gears. And he also learnt later that putting on his wet gears on top of his already wet clothes was not a good idea after all...
One final quick stop at Dayboro for yet another cup of coffee and for Tony to dry up then we went our separate ways heading home. I finish off my Sunday with a nice Malaysian Indian food lunch with some friends later. The weather forecast showing rain for the whole of next week so I guess my bike will be resting in the garage for a while.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A freezing Sunday morning ride to Mt. Tamborine
The dawn was calm with clear blue sky, promising this to be another bright and sunny Sunday morning. My riding buddy, Eadie is back after his long dissapearance. His Ducati must be screaming with joy to be able to hit the road again. We met up in front of the office (such a good feeling of being so near to the office, yet not having to go to the office!) and headed South on the M1.
View Larger Map
I picked the route that I went with my family last Sunday (Brisbane-Beenleigh-Mt. Tambourine). And oh yes, the road felt totally different on the bike as compared with driving in a car. When you drive; you just drive but when you're on a bike it's like every turn and every curve means something and your view of the road ahead and its surrounding seem totally different. One not very good part though is the temperature and the wind... It was a freezing 3ºC! I had my grip and seat heater on full blast. The new fleece neck warmer and long sleeve thermal helped too... I glanced through my rear side mirror and saw Eadie following close. A few bikes stopped by the road side with the riders basking in the sun trying to warm up as we were climbing the steep mountain road. But hey, we are the tough ones... we ride on...
By the time we reached the top of Mt. Tambourine I decided to stopped at the same lookout point we went to last week. I need to let Eadie thaw himself...
The breathtaking view is worth the freezing climb...
...and that's Eadie thawing slowly... He actually put his hands on his exhaust pipes to defrost them! Haha!
It was a much needed break. Surprisingly, despite the wind and all, it was a nice 12ºC at the peak. Met a guy on an Aprilia and had a brief chat then head downhill again towards Canungra. I never bothered to stop here when I went out riding alone but today just feel like hanging out at "The Outpost" (I think this is what it's called, a biker hangout place for brekkie at Canungra town). It feels like going to a bike show with the rows of bikes of all kinds from Harleys to superbikes, customs and tourers...
A flat white and a pie each then we hit the road again. We headed west towards the Gold Coast, then north bound at Nerang back towards Brissie. As I was cruising on the M1, the sun was already up high but the wind still has that crisp morning feeling. Humming to "Wherever I May Roam" (by Metallica, for those who are not familiar) blaring on my stereo, I was thinking... this is the life.
"And with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To the game you stay a slave
Rover, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will..."
View Larger Map
I picked the route that I went with my family last Sunday (Brisbane-Beenleigh-Mt. Tambourine). And oh yes, the road felt totally different on the bike as compared with driving in a car. When you drive; you just drive but when you're on a bike it's like every turn and every curve means something and your view of the road ahead and its surrounding seem totally different. One not very good part though is the temperature and the wind... It was a freezing 3ºC! I had my grip and seat heater on full blast. The new fleece neck warmer and long sleeve thermal helped too... I glanced through my rear side mirror and saw Eadie following close. A few bikes stopped by the road side with the riders basking in the sun trying to warm up as we were climbing the steep mountain road. But hey, we are the tough ones... we ride on...
By the time we reached the top of Mt. Tambourine I decided to stopped at the same lookout point we went to last week. I need to let Eadie thaw himself...
The breathtaking view is worth the freezing climb...
It was a much needed break. Surprisingly, despite the wind and all, it was a nice 12ºC at the peak. Met a guy on an Aprilia and had a brief chat then head downhill again towards Canungra. I never bothered to stop here when I went out riding alone but today just feel like hanging out at "The Outpost" (I think this is what it's called, a biker hangout place for brekkie at Canungra town). It feels like going to a bike show with the rows of bikes of all kinds from Harleys to superbikes, customs and tourers...
A flat white and a pie each then we hit the road again. We headed west towards the Gold Coast, then north bound at Nerang back towards Brissie. As I was cruising on the M1, the sun was already up high but the wind still has that crisp morning feeling. Humming to "Wherever I May Roam" (by Metallica, for those who are not familiar) blaring on my stereo, I was thinking... this is the life.
"And with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To the game you stay a slave
Rover, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will..."
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Ein schöner Wintermorgen
...which means "A beautiful winter morning"... For those who stayed up late last night to watch the Argentineans get thrashed; would know what this means... Wunderbar! Wunderbar!!!
Anyway, the proper title for today's entry would have been, "Die Fahrt zum Glashaus-Berg", sorry, can't help it... I mean, "The Ride to Glasshouse Mountain"... Yup, the late night last night and the cold winter morning didn't stop me from going out for a ride. Well, at least I would have something to write about and you wouldn't have to hear me blogging about the World Cup anymore.
Imagine this; on a bright and sunny winter morning. The calling of the road and the breathtaking scenery. I think I'm just getting addicted to this place.
The above pic is along the Glasshouse Mountain route (also named the "Steve Irwin Way" a.k.a. The Crocodile Hunter) that stretches for 30 km alongside the east of Bruce Highway (A1). It passes along Beerburrum, Beerwah (I really should check the origin of those names!) and Landsborough and rejoins Bruce Highway at the Caloundra Rd. You'll pass along a few beautiful mountain lookout points and the famous Australia Zoo. There were also many many signs I noticed advertising cheap fresh seafood from a seafood van but when I finally got there, there was a sign that says "Fish Van". But there was no van in sight! I rode back with a strong craving for oysters and sand crabs... sigh...
The look on Afiq's face just made it all worthwile...
(No, he did not have a cramp on his neck; he was pretending to fly like Buzz Lightyear!)
Auf Wiedersehen!
Anyway, the proper title for today's entry would have been, "Die Fahrt zum Glashaus-Berg", sorry, can't help it... I mean, "The Ride to Glasshouse Mountain"... Yup, the late night last night and the cold winter morning didn't stop me from going out for a ride. Well, at least I would have something to write about and you wouldn't have to hear me blogging about the World Cup anymore.
Imagine this; on a bright and sunny winter morning. The calling of the road and the breathtaking scenery. I think I'm just getting addicted to this place.
The above pic is along the Glasshouse Mountain route (also named the "Steve Irwin Way" a.k.a. The Crocodile Hunter) that stretches for 30 km alongside the east of Bruce Highway (A1). It passes along Beerburrum, Beerwah (I really should check the origin of those names!) and Landsborough and rejoins Bruce Highway at the Caloundra Rd. You'll pass along a few beautiful mountain lookout points and the famous Australia Zoo. There were also many many signs I noticed advertising cheap fresh seafood from a seafood van but when I finally got there, there was a sign that says "Fish Van". But there was no van in sight! I rode back with a strong craving for oysters and sand crabs... sigh...
Glasshouse Mountain Lookout Point
There's so much more to explore here e.g. turning west into the Kilcoy-Beerwah Rd that will take you back to the D'Aguilar Highway (not very good road surface though), Lake Baroon to the North West, Mapleton, Montville (the Hinterlands) etc. Anyone keen for an adventure???
In between the World Cup quarter final matches, the ride, the cooking (another successful attempt at a new dish this week - "Masak Daging Merah" - no pic though because everyone was too hungry!) there was still time to catch the latest movie with the kids. Still one of those kiddie movies but "Toy Story 3" was really amazing! This is truly one of the best trilogy and one of the best Pixar production so far.
(No, he did not have a cramp on his neck; he was pretending to fly like Buzz Lightyear!)
Auf Wiedersehen!
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