Kuala Lumper (Malaysia) We made it

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We arrived in KL on Sunday 17th May 2009. We had good intentions of updating the blogg straight away, to let everyone know we had made it, but neither of us wanted to admit that our trip of a lifetime was now over. As we parked the bikes up for the last time at Freddy and Lorna's house (Joy's brother and sister-in-law) memories of the last 12 months came flooding back. We remembered some of the highs points of the trip such as the sense of achievement we felt on reaching the Mediterranean Sea, cycling through the chaos of India and meeting so many kind and interesting people along the way. We also reflected on some of the low points, in particular receiving the devastating news of my father's illness. Our plan, from the beginning, was always flexible and therefore when a state of emergency was called in Thailand we changed it and stayed in Malaysia. Although we missed out on Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, they can wait for another day and besides it gives us an excuse to plan another trip in the future.

Our final day of cycling was a nightmare. I thought Istanbul was bad but trying to get into KL was far worse. The city is ringed and crisscrossed by express roads (motorways) and it's very difficult to navigate through it without accidentally straying onto one of these arteries. In the end finding Freddy and Lorna's house was, I'm afraid to say, down to good luck more than good map reading. After miles of 'flyovers' and 'under passes' and for a short period of time being off the map completely, I was 'temporary disorientated' or in plain English - lost. I thought we still had miles to go when Joy spotted a sign and said 'I know where we are'. After nearly 9000km of following me half way around the world, she suddenly raced past me and shouted 'follow me'. Ten minutes later we arrived at our journeys end.

What next? Well next month we are going to Sabah (East Malaysia) and whilst there we will climb Mt Kinabalu - the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. I would normally say 'attempt' to climb it but I'm trying to get Joy to be more positive!!! At 4095m the mountain is not that high compared with other peaks around the world but it still takes 2 days to reach the summit - stopping at the end of the first day in a mountain lodge before getting up at 0200hrs and heading up to the top to see the sun rise. Training for the climb is going well and Joy is actually starting to enjoy running again - I did however catch her taking a short cut the other morning so I'm now revising a new route.

We have also been invited to Joy's niece's wedding which we will attend towards the end of July before heading back to the UK at the beginning of August. In the meantime we will be taking things easy, visiting family and friends and doing a bit of sight seeing.

A friend once said to me, 'remember, life is not a rehearsal therefore you should live your dreams'. I would like to think that both of us have done that over the last 11 months. The trouble is that lately we've been dreaming about doing another trip - this time around India on a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle - anyone want to join us? However, before we embark on that trip we would like to thank you all for following our blogg 'UK2KL-by-bike', and for your kind messages of support throughout. We can honestly say that those messages provided the motivation we disparately needed at times to keep on cycling. However, now the wheels have come to rest we are looking forward to coming home and catching up with you all again - see you soon.

Steve & Joy

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Photos

Batu Caves
View from the bottom

Batu Caves
Good training for Mt Kinabalu

Batu Caves
View inside the caves

Comments

[Pete Curtis]

Congratulations
Hi Steve - Hi Joy MANY CONGRATULATIONS on reaching the chequered flag!! It's been quite a journey eh, both in terms of actual distance/mileage but also emotionally. I have always been jealous of your freedom and your ability and desire to adventure and to feel the joy through your blog now you've achieved your aim doubles those feelings. I love the fact that you're already looking forward and planning your next project - and find it very funny that an engine will be going with you next time!!!! Pushbikes are good but the combustion engine is a marvellous thing eh???? I recognise and love the "life is not a rehearsal" line you mentioned and you've certainly both taken that on board and given all of your blog readers proof of that saying if proof were ever needed. Glad to hear about the wedding you've been invited to - a reason for you to get shaved and have a haircut must be embraced and welcomed!!!! We're now looking forward to your return to the UK and hope to catch up with you once you've settled back in. Have a great time between now and then - it'll be lovely not having a saddle stuck to your rear end for the next 2 months I'm sure - and get back safely. Regards and much respect to you both. Pete, Rach and Mosella x x x

[denidax]

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[Phill and Pat]

Well done both of you
Hi Joy and Steve , We knew that you would do it . Exmouth to K.L. sounded impossible when you were talking about it and if I may say so , slightly mad . But we have loved following your adventures and look forward to seeing you on your return . Good luck with your Mount Kinabalu climb. Will send a personal e-mail soon . Enjoy the rest of your trip and above all take care . Love Phill and Pat . x x

[karen rix]

Well done!
Great to see you made it to KL, and had a fantastic time along the way. Well done to both of you, and a big hug for Joy!! xxx Karen

[Moira and Les]

catch up
Gosh it seems ages since we last looked at your blog - what with holidays and working full time and being knackered (and old!!!) So glad you made it safely and great to see all the lovely pictures of Joy's family and the beautiful scenery. Enjoy the rest of your time in Malaysia and we really look forward to seeing you when you get back. Big hugs and kisses from us two xxxx