Road Trip to Muar 14 June 2009 (Sunday)
Last Sunday, JH and I (together with my ILs) drove up to Muar together with some Avante Club (Club Hyundai Singapore) members. We were part of a 19 vehicle (and approx 60 pax) convoy.
We met up with the convoy at the Science Centre carpark. After a briefing and taking a group photo, we set off. After passing through immigration at the 2nd Link (Tuas), we went to the Gelang Patah reststop to regroup, and to top-up petrol. We then left in 3 smaller convoys for the Machap rest-stop for a late breakfast/morning tea. Partly because we were behind schedule, and partly because everyone else likes to drive real fast, we dropped back from the first convoy to the last - 3rd last vehicle.
The convoy at the Science Centre carpark.
Making new friends:
We're the 2nd white Avante in the picture:
Briefing #1, Asrin, the safey marshall in the middle, Kenji, one of the organisers on his left (in specs)
Bro Pain flagging us off:
At Machap, we had a light bite because we all had breakfast, had food in the car if we were to feel peckish, and were expected at our next stop for lunch within 2 hours.
Next stop, Giant hypermart at Muar. Once again, we were one of the slowest cars. The convoy marshall kept pushing us along as he did not want the convoy to break up too much. Fortunately for us, we were no longer on the North-South Highway, but on the older Federal Expressway, and there were pockets of heavy traffic, so we did not have to drive at such breakneck speeds all the way. Near the destination (Giant), the route was a little confusing, because the road sometimes became a one-way road, so we had to make several turns and so on. Fortunately, we were able to borrow a walkie-talkie from one of the other drivers (we had bought a set, but it was not compatible with the rest and was thus useless). Also, the organisers had done a recce and had come up with very detailed instructions and held another briefing at Machap.
Our time at Giant was cut short because we were behind schedule. We managed to look around Giant nonetheless and buy some things not found in Singapore.
Then, we re-grouped at the open air carpark, where there was yet another briefing, this time by the durian plantation uncle. So he led the way and we followed behind in a huge convoy.
All ready to set off from Giant:
Briefing #3
Finally, we arrived at the durian plantation where my FIL chose 4 durians. We ate 3, and bought another 4 to bring back home. As we had not intended to buy any durians back, we kept them whole. We also shared 2 coconuts. They were *really* yummy. Most of the rest bought a whole lot to bring back to Sg.
At the plantation
Kinda dark, but spot the durians:
Hmm durians
The durians that Dad chose
Some of the approx 60 pax there.
The yellow flesh of the IOI durians
The aftermath
All the cars in the convoy
After we were all done, one of the plantation folks led us to the highway. Due to traffic at the t-junction, the convoy was split into 2 groups. Unknown to us, the first group went to the Pagoh reststop to wait for us, but because we were out of range, we did not get the message, and drove to Machap instead. After a toilet break, we broke convoy and I drove us back to Sg (I refused to drive while we were in convoy because of the speeds involved. I was still not so familiar with the car and thus not confident of driving it at such speeds).
On the way back, we met with 2 traffic jams due to the peak hour.
We stopped one last time at Gelang Patah for fuel top up. After paying for our petrol, I went back to the car and who should be behind us but our safety marshall. And we left way before he did because he took a break to do his evening prayers. This is an indication of the speed they are accustomed to.
Due to the massive jam at immigration, we arrived at my ILs at 8+/9pm. Had a late dinner, packed two of the durians into separate boxes, one for my dad, one for WL, delivered them and finally went home.
It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience. Learnt a lot about driving in a convoy and organisation. Fun bunch of people, and it was excellently organised.
Top speed 160km/h. Most common speeds 120km/h and 140km/h.
When I drove (after breaking convoy), my speed ranged from 80km/h to 120km/h (not counting the jams or the 2nd Link where I was on half-clutch most of the time). Generally at 100/110km/h, unless overtaking. And that was in the left (slow) lane. Spent RM55 for 8 durians and 2 coconuts.
We met up with the convoy at the Science Centre carpark. After a briefing and taking a group photo, we set off. After passing through immigration at the 2nd Link (Tuas), we went to the Gelang Patah reststop to regroup, and to top-up petrol. We then left in 3 smaller convoys for the Machap rest-stop for a late breakfast/morning tea. Partly because we were behind schedule, and partly because everyone else likes to drive real fast, we dropped back from the first convoy to the last - 3rd last vehicle.
The convoy at the Science Centre carpark.
Making new friends:
We're the 2nd white Avante in the picture:
Briefing #1, Asrin, the safey marshall in the middle, Kenji, one of the organisers on his left (in specs)
Bro Pain flagging us off:
At Machap, we had a light bite because we all had breakfast, had food in the car if we were to feel peckish, and were expected at our next stop for lunch within 2 hours.
Next stop, Giant hypermart at Muar. Once again, we were one of the slowest cars. The convoy marshall kept pushing us along as he did not want the convoy to break up too much. Fortunately for us, we were no longer on the North-South Highway, but on the older Federal Expressway, and there were pockets of heavy traffic, so we did not have to drive at such breakneck speeds all the way. Near the destination (Giant), the route was a little confusing, because the road sometimes became a one-way road, so we had to make several turns and so on. Fortunately, we were able to borrow a walkie-talkie from one of the other drivers (we had bought a set, but it was not compatible with the rest and was thus useless). Also, the organisers had done a recce and had come up with very detailed instructions and held another briefing at Machap.
Our time at Giant was cut short because we were behind schedule. We managed to look around Giant nonetheless and buy some things not found in Singapore.
Then, we re-grouped at the open air carpark, where there was yet another briefing, this time by the durian plantation uncle. So he led the way and we followed behind in a huge convoy.
All ready to set off from Giant:
Briefing #3
Finally, we arrived at the durian plantation where my FIL chose 4 durians. We ate 3, and bought another 4 to bring back home. As we had not intended to buy any durians back, we kept them whole. We also shared 2 coconuts. They were *really* yummy. Most of the rest bought a whole lot to bring back to Sg.
At the plantation
Kinda dark, but spot the durians:
Hmm durians
The durians that Dad chose
Some of the approx 60 pax there.
The yellow flesh of the IOI durians
The aftermath
All the cars in the convoy
After we were all done, one of the plantation folks led us to the highway. Due to traffic at the t-junction, the convoy was split into 2 groups. Unknown to us, the first group went to the Pagoh reststop to wait for us, but because we were out of range, we did not get the message, and drove to Machap instead. After a toilet break, we broke convoy and I drove us back to Sg (I refused to drive while we were in convoy because of the speeds involved. I was still not so familiar with the car and thus not confident of driving it at such speeds).
On the way back, we met with 2 traffic jams due to the peak hour.
We stopped one last time at Gelang Patah for fuel top up. After paying for our petrol, I went back to the car and who should be behind us but our safety marshall. And we left way before he did because he took a break to do his evening prayers. This is an indication of the speed they are accustomed to.
Due to the massive jam at immigration, we arrived at my ILs at 8+/9pm. Had a late dinner, packed two of the durians into separate boxes, one for my dad, one for WL, delivered them and finally went home.
It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience. Learnt a lot about driving in a convoy and organisation. Fun bunch of people, and it was excellently organised.
Top speed 160km/h. Most common speeds 120km/h and 140km/h.
When I drove (after breaking convoy), my speed ranged from 80km/h to 120km/h (not counting the jams or the 2nd Link where I was on half-clutch most of the time). Generally at 100/110km/h, unless overtaking. And that was in the left (slow) lane. Spent RM55 for 8 durians and 2 coconuts.