Dec 25, 2001 is Christmas Day and the day that Wan and Mou plan to across Sadao Border to Malaysia. (The Malaysia call this border "Jang Loan". When we were in Hat Yai, Loy Chai Cycling Team had ask Le Run Cycling Shop in Hat Yai to corporate with Malaysian Cyclist Team, it is clear. While ago, we met the manager of Le Run shop and he would wait for us at the Malaysian border. The Malaysian Cyclists arrive on time and are waiting. Wan and Mou fill up the form and then across the border.

We enter Malaysia… everything has changed…we could see that the clock is one hour ahead of Thailand. The money unit is different including the food, the culture differences.. We wish to see and feel it. This is the first country that we bike to and there will be many more.

Our Malaysian friends are waiting for us at the border. Le Run Manager introduces each of the cyclists to us. The Chinese-Malay speaks Chinese. In the north 4 states of Malaysia, 70 percent of people is Chinese-Malay and there are Thai-Malay as well. After we take a group photo, we bike on the highway. We see the beautiful view at both sides of the road and feel safe. We pass Jitra and enter the minor road to see the countryside and lifes. Mou feel good that there is a Thai-Malay so he could speak Thai with him. He advise is to exchange money (1 RM = 11.55 Baht) at one counter. We bike at 30 KM and arrive Alor Setar, Kedah State (Saiburi State in Thai). We visit Soo Beng Cycling Shop. Mr. Yeoh Soo Beng, the manager, had welcomed us at the border and lead the team until here. We bring our touring bikes to keep in his shop and then have lunch all together. We had Chinese food and it is so delicious.

In the evening, we meet Mr. Fat, a Thai-Malay and he drives us around town. He takes us to visit Mahathir Mohamad's hometown (The Prime Minister of Malaysia) in Kampong (a village) and see the way of living. All roads in Kampong are good road that the Malaysian is so proud of. When we come back to Soo Beng Shop, we got an invitation to the wedding ceremony of one friend who is a cyclist. Mr. Junior who is a sales manager of insurance company gives us a hospitality to stay overnight in his home and he is so kind to give us the internet access to check our email.

Dec 26, 2001

In the morning…we packed…and continue our trip.. Mr. Jai , a Thai-Malay, he bike to Junior's house and lead us to Soo Beng Cycling Shop. We have breakfast all together. Mr. Yeoh Soo Beng put the Malaysian flags on our bikes. Thank you to all our cyclist friends in Alor Setar for your kind support. Today, we will bike to Sg. Petani with 2 young cyclists friends namely Tan Choon Keat and Lao. It is quite safe to bike on the road. The speed limit for cars is at 60 KM./Hour. There are big trucks, they drive slowly to give the cycling team pass them. The 2 young cyclist friend has very good cycling skills and wellknown in Sg. Petani. We arrive Sg. Petani in the evening.

There are lots of old Chinese Buildings around town, they have preserve them well and still live in these houses. Tan Choon Keat ask his monther for the permission to let Wan and Mou stay overnight in his home ( He owns a restaurant with 15 stores selling varieties of food). His mother gives us a warm welcome and pay for the food for us. She cry because she fell good that her son has Wan and Mou as a friend. Wan and Mou also feel happy to have a good friend and get a chance to know them. Tan Choon Keat's cousin even help us wash clothes in his home.