My Last Ride of 2014 | Cool & Calm Betong, Thailand

The official ‘Canon Rider Was Here!’ photo spot. Of course I had to snap one.

Hello, my lovely adventure friends.

Do you still remember the year 2014?

For me, it was a rollercoaster of a year. There were happy ups and scary downs, plenty of learning, plenty of trying, and a few oopsie-daisy moments too. It tested how strong I was on the inside. And Alhamdulillah, I made it through.

Right at the tail end of that year, just one month after a big trip through three countries with my little ones, a message came from an old friend.

“Mawar, want to ride to Betong, Thailand?”

My heart went thump-thump-yes before my brain could even finish reading. Thailand, on my own bike? You know me. Just ask, and I will pack my bag.

I have a little secret mission, you see. I want to fill my red passport with stamps from faraway places, learn how other people live, and taste every new food I can find. Betong was one more stamp waiting to happen.

Getting Ready for the Ride

For two weeks before the trip, I turned into a little detective. Every night I “walked” around Betong using Google Earth, peeking at its streets and hills. I also read stories from other bikers who had been there before me.

My favourite place for that is TayarGolek.com. It is like my secret map book before any big ride.

Being a biker girl means your heart beats a little differently. It is never about the shopping. It is about the journey, the wind on your face, and that feeling of being free.

The ride was about 416 kilometres, which is not short. So I prepared my mind too, and kept telling myself, “Be strong, Mawar. Stay focused.”

In my bag went my little energy drink, my phone for music, earphones, and a power bank. My biggest worry? Falling asleep on the bike. Now that would be scary.

Let the Adventure Begin

Saturday morning came early. The sky was still dark and sleepy at 5:30 AM, but six bikes were wide awake: a Versys, an XJ6, a TNT600, a Z800, and more. We zipped up our riding suits, and the engines rumbled to life.

We set off from Rawang and headed north, towards Kuala Kangsar, then Gerik, and finally Betong.

A quick pit stop at Simpang Pulai.

Lots of LCs, all heading to Batu Kawan, Penang.

We rode and rode while the sun slowly woke up. Around 7:30 AM we stopped at a Shell petrol station for breakfast. I have forgotten the name of the place, but I have not forgotten the nasi lemak from the little roadside ‘warung’ beside it. It cost only 50 sen.

To be honest, I could hardly eat. My heart was already in Betong.

A quick stop at Shell before the border.

Food first. Let us fill our tummies.

After breakfast, the road started to twist and turn, and the scenery near Gerik got more beautiful with every bend. We made sure to stop at Tasik Raban (Lake Raban), and it was worth every minute. The water was calm, the view was wide, and my camera could not stop clicking.

Tasik Raban.

Hello, Betong

And then, finally, we crossed the border. Hello, Thailand. Sawasdee ka!

We found a simple little hotel for the night. Nothing fancy, but cosy and cheap, which is exactly what tired bikers need.

Our cosy biker hotel. Cheap, and just perfect.

Then it was time to explore. The first thing I noticed was the air. It smelled sweet, almost flowery, like a gentle welcome hug. The town felt calm, quiet and wonderfully cool, even cooler than Cameron Highlands. Everything looked so clean, and my lungs seemed to whisper, “Thank you, Allah.”

Why is it so fresh? One of my riding friends explained that Betong is the southernmost town in Thailand, tucked into Yala province and surrounded by green hills and forests. It is a little mountain hideaway, right next to our border.

Exploring the Town

Our time was short, but we still found a few treasures.

The Chicken Statue

A big chicken statue stands proudly in town, because Betong is famous for its chicken.

The chicken statue.

The Betong Tunnel

We rode through the famous Betong Tunnel too. Going through it felt like a mini adventure all on its own.

The Betong Tunnel entrance.

Masjid Betong

We also stopped to admire the pretty Betong Mosque.

Masjid Betong.

The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower sits right in the middle of town, like its belly button. No matter which road we took, we always ended up back at the Clock Tower. Round and round we went, laughing all the way.

The Clock Tower.

The Giant Post Box

And this one made me smile the most: the biggest post box I have ever seen, standing tall like a giant red robot. I could not help wondering if the letters inside were giant too.

The giant post box.

Then the rain came. Pitter-patter on the roofs, cool air on our faces, and that soft sleepy feeling that only rain in a quiet town can give. It was perfect napping weather.

Rainy in Betong.

Yummy Food and Cute Things

We found a funny one in a shop: instant noodles, much like Maggi Mee, with a girl’s face printed on the packet.

The noodles.

Then there were the little traditional ‘kendi’ water jugs. Aww, so lovely.

The kendi.

And of course, we ate. One Thai rice dish was so delicious that I still smile when I think of it, even though I can never remember its name.

The delicious Thai rice dish.

How Betong Felt in My Heart

So that was my short trip to Betong. We did not see everything, but what we saw stayed with me.

What did I love most? The peacefulness. The town moved slowly, and nobody seemed to be in a rush. The air was cool and fresh, a lovely break from the Malaysian heat. And the people were friendly, with smiles everywhere I looked.

Shopping was cheap too, maybe cheaper than Hat Yai, though with fewer choices. I could not find my favourite drink in the 7-Eleven there. A tiny sad moment, hehehe.

What I Remember Most

A calm little town, good friends beside me, and the gentle hum of our bikes on quiet roads.

Betong was a perfect little adventure to end a very big year. Betong memang besh!

And you know what happens when a biker’s heart is happy? It starts dreaming of the next big adventure.

Right now, my mind keeps drifting to the huge Pattaya Bike Week party in Thailand. But how do I get there? Should I fly, drive, or be super brave and ride? That is a whole new puzzle to solve.