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The trip to Malayasia was on the cards since a long time now. As a part of the MegaFam ( mega familiarity program ) motorcycle journalists were being called to participate and experience Malaysia.
A couple of years ago it was just 4 odd moto journalists, last year it was 4 and this year I believe, the number of moto journalists will be almost 10. For a country's government to support an recognize motorcycling as an activity which can generate tourism, is commendable. Being an avid motorcyclist and a little bit of a patriot I can't help but cite similarities and differences between India and the countries I visit, but I wi try and make it as enjoyable as possible for you all. Apparently I am the only Indian journalist called for the megafam program for motorcycling.
The flight just five odd hours from Delhi to Kuala Lumpur. That's just the double of flying time from my trip to Delhi from Chennai in South India. Starting at 2300 hours IST I arrived in KL at 7am approx local time. Got very less sleep As most of the time was consumed in the in flight briefing from the staff, dinner and the couple odd very loud tea breaks. We were entertained to a 2 hour plus Hindi movie starring Nana Patekar as a school principal with the soundtrack of the movie constantly whispering in your years despite the crew providing headphones to one and all. I wondered why.
It was an OK 27 degrees when i landed. The first comparison was between the airports. The new new Delhi international airport was quite a delight to experience!
The highways in Malaysia were a shock! They were superb, lane driving no horns, to be honest I didn't expect this amount of development. My hotel ( seri pacific ) was bang in the middle of kuala lumpur. On the highways they have a two wheeler lane where under powered bikes ( less than 150 cc) are supposed to be running, break this law and you will get a summon from the police. I saw a couple of big bikes on the highway as well. Fast forward to this very moment, I am attending the ducati Asia week 2010 dinner with the moto gp stars and Paulo, the guy who suing interviewed last week! More updates on the way!
This is supposed to be the schedule for us:
Mega Familiarisation Programme
Malaysia Brotherhood Ride 2010
Day 1 Friday, 8 October 2010
AM Arrive in KLIA
Transfer to hotel (Seri Pacific Hotel)
1900 hrs Dinner at the Ducati Asia Week 2010 Press Conference
2030 hrs Programme ends
Overnight at respective hotel
Day 2 Saturday, 9 October 2010
0800 hrs Breakfast in hotel
0900 hrs Round KL (Coach)
KL City Ride Dataran Merdeka, Muzium, Central Market
Lunch
Visit Penzoil Factory
KLCC/Twin Tower/Bukit Bintang
Batu Caves/Istana Negara
1700hrs Putrajaya
1900hrs Dinner at Putrajaya
2100 hrs Transfer back to hotel
Overnight in respective hotel
Day 3 Sunday, 10 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast in Hotel
1000hrs Ride to Sepang Circuit with 20 bike under Penzoil
1600hrs Ride Back back to respective hotel
Overnight in respective hotel
1900hrs Dinner
2100hrs Asia Ducati Week Street Party
Day 4 Monday, 11 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at Hotel
0900hrs Transfer to SIC for Ducati Asia Week2010
Ducati Riding Experience
1500hrs Transfer back to Hotel
1900hrs Dinner
Day 5 Tuesday, 12 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at Hotel
0900hrs Flag off to Pangkor Island
ALL ‘B’ ROAD
KL- BUKIT MALAWATI – SEKINCHAN(PADI FIELD) – KAMPUNG SIMPANG 4, NAKHODA OMAR (MEE UDANG) SABAK BERNAM - TELUK INTAN (LEANING TOWER0 – PASIR SALAK (JWW BIRCH HISTORICAL COMPLEX) - MANJUNG - SETIAWAN – LUMUT- PANGKOR
(We shall be taking a boat to Pulau Pangkor which takes about 45 mins)
1700hrs Check in Hotel (Pangkor Island Beach Resort)
2000hrs Dinner
Day 6 Wednesday 13 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at hotel
0900hrs Games/ Water Activities
1300hrs Lunch
1400hrs Visit Pangkor Town
1600hrs Back to hotel (own activities)
2000hrs Dinner
Day 7 Thursday, 14 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at hotel
0900hrs Check out
Boat ride from Pangkor Island (45 mins)
B-Road
PANGKOR – LUMUT – TELUK BATIK – BOTA- TRONOH –
SIMPANG PULAI – IPOH- GURUN
1300hrs Lunch in Modenas factory
1400hrs Visit Factory
Test ride Modenas bike
1630hrs Ride to Jerai Mountain on Modenas electric bike
1700hrs Check in
2000hrs Bbq dinner
Day 8 Friday, 15 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at Hotel
0900hrs Check out
930hrs Ride to Cameron Highland
B-Road
GURUN- IPOH – SIMPANG PULAI – CAMERON HIGHLAND
1300hrs Check in lunch at Strawberry Park Hotel/ Equatorial Hotel
1500hrs Visit Boh Plantation
Time Tunnel
Orang asli village
1700hrs Rest/own activities
2000hrs Dinner
Day 9 Saturday, 16 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at hotel
0900hrs Flag off
B Road
Cameron – Ringlet-Bentong- Kuala Kubu Bahru – Fraser’s Hill
Noon Lunch
1300hrs Ride back to KL
1430hrs Check in Impiana / Darby Park
1830hrs Presentation – Slide show
1930hrs Dinner Saloma Restaurant
Day 10 Sunday, 17 October 2010
Thank you and Good bye
A couple of years ago it was just 4 odd moto journalists, last year it was 4 and this year I believe, the number of moto journalists will be almost 10. For a country's government to support an recognize motorcycling as an activity which can generate tourism, is commendable. Being an avid motorcyclist and a little bit of a patriot I can't help but cite similarities and differences between India and the countries I visit, but I wi try and make it as enjoyable as possible for you all. Apparently I am the only Indian journalist called for the megafam program for motorcycling.
The flight just five odd hours from Delhi to Kuala Lumpur. That's just the double of flying time from my trip to Delhi from Chennai in South India. Starting at 2300 hours IST I arrived in KL at 7am approx local time. Got very less sleep As most of the time was consumed in the in flight briefing from the staff, dinner and the couple odd very loud tea breaks. We were entertained to a 2 hour plus Hindi movie starring Nana Patekar as a school principal with the soundtrack of the movie constantly whispering in your years despite the crew providing headphones to one and all. I wondered why.
It was an OK 27 degrees when i landed. The first comparison was between the airports. The new new Delhi international airport was quite a delight to experience!
The highways in Malaysia were a shock! They were superb, lane driving no horns, to be honest I didn't expect this amount of development. My hotel ( seri pacific ) was bang in the middle of kuala lumpur. On the highways they have a two wheeler lane where under powered bikes ( less than 150 cc) are supposed to be running, break this law and you will get a summon from the police. I saw a couple of big bikes on the highway as well. Fast forward to this very moment, I am attending the ducati Asia week 2010 dinner with the moto gp stars and Paulo, the guy who suing interviewed last week! More updates on the way!
This is supposed to be the schedule for us:
Mega Familiarisation Programme
Malaysia Brotherhood Ride 2010
Day 1 Friday, 8 October 2010
AM Arrive in KLIA
Transfer to hotel (Seri Pacific Hotel)
1900 hrs Dinner at the Ducati Asia Week 2010 Press Conference
2030 hrs Programme ends
Overnight at respective hotel
Day 2 Saturday, 9 October 2010
0800 hrs Breakfast in hotel
0900 hrs Round KL (Coach)
KL City Ride Dataran Merdeka, Muzium, Central Market
Lunch
Visit Penzoil Factory
KLCC/Twin Tower/Bukit Bintang
Batu Caves/Istana Negara
1700hrs Putrajaya
1900hrs Dinner at Putrajaya
2100 hrs Transfer back to hotel
Overnight in respective hotel
Day 3 Sunday, 10 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast in Hotel
1000hrs Ride to Sepang Circuit with 20 bike under Penzoil
1600hrs Ride Back back to respective hotel
Overnight in respective hotel
1900hrs Dinner
2100hrs Asia Ducati Week Street Party
Day 4 Monday, 11 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at Hotel
0900hrs Transfer to SIC for Ducati Asia Week2010
Ducati Riding Experience
1500hrs Transfer back to Hotel
1900hrs Dinner
Day 5 Tuesday, 12 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at Hotel
0900hrs Flag off to Pangkor Island
ALL ‘B’ ROAD
KL- BUKIT MALAWATI – SEKINCHAN(PADI FIELD) – KAMPUNG SIMPANG 4, NAKHODA OMAR (MEE UDANG) SABAK BERNAM - TELUK INTAN (LEANING TOWER0 – PASIR SALAK (JWW BIRCH HISTORICAL COMPLEX) - MANJUNG - SETIAWAN – LUMUT- PANGKOR
(We shall be taking a boat to Pulau Pangkor which takes about 45 mins)
1700hrs Check in Hotel (Pangkor Island Beach Resort)
2000hrs Dinner
Day 6 Wednesday 13 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at hotel
0900hrs Games/ Water Activities
1300hrs Lunch
1400hrs Visit Pangkor Town
1600hrs Back to hotel (own activities)
2000hrs Dinner
Day 7 Thursday, 14 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at hotel
0900hrs Check out
Boat ride from Pangkor Island (45 mins)
B-Road
PANGKOR – LUMUT – TELUK BATIK – BOTA- TRONOH –
SIMPANG PULAI – IPOH- GURUN
1300hrs Lunch in Modenas factory
1400hrs Visit Factory
Test ride Modenas bike
1630hrs Ride to Jerai Mountain on Modenas electric bike
1700hrs Check in
2000hrs Bbq dinner
Day 8 Friday, 15 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at Hotel
0900hrs Check out
930hrs Ride to Cameron Highland
B-Road
GURUN- IPOH – SIMPANG PULAI – CAMERON HIGHLAND
1300hrs Check in lunch at Strawberry Park Hotel/ Equatorial Hotel
1500hrs Visit Boh Plantation
Time Tunnel
Orang asli village
1700hrs Rest/own activities
2000hrs Dinner
Day 9 Saturday, 16 October 2010
0800hrs Breakfast at hotel
0900hrs Flag off
B Road
Cameron – Ringlet-Bentong- Kuala Kubu Bahru – Fraser’s Hill
Noon Lunch
1300hrs Ride back to KL
1430hrs Check in Impiana / Darby Park
1830hrs Presentation – Slide show
1930hrs Dinner Saloma Restaurant
Day 10 Sunday, 17 October 2010
Thank you and Good bye
..
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