03-Feb-2013 -- This confluence visit is the first one out of a series of 15 visits in Malaysia and Thailand. It is in turn part of a 4-month bicycle trip starting in Tasmania at 43°S 147°E and continues from 15°S 167°E.
On the eve of confluence day, I landed at Singapore airport, unpacked my bicycle and rode into Malaysia, staying in the coastal tourist town Pontian. The following day it was raining cats and dogs - but since it was warm rain, I just put on my Chinese raincoat that goes over the handle bars and kept on cycling northwards. This confluence was located perfectly on my route. However, it is located in a labyrinth of little roads within an oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantation. These plantations are huge and cover the whole area (and also a couple other confluences on the Malaysian peninsular). The oil can be extracted from both the pulp of the fruit and the kernel. In between these plantations, there are villages and access roads for the plantation. No wonder that is was possible to get within 100 m on a road. From there, it was a stroll to the precise location.
After the confluence visit I cycled just 500 m further and then bumped into a wedding. The whole village was invited for the ceremony. When I came along, many people waved me to join in. With such a hearty invitation and an empty stomach, I could not resist and agreed. The next two hours would be wonderful with great food, colorful dresses, traditional music and at least one English speaker who was able to explain the details of the ceremony. With a satisfied mind and stomach, I continued my trip and stayed in the town Labis for the night.
CP Visit Details:
- Distance to an asphalt road: 100 m
- Distance to a footpath: 10 m
- Distance of bicycle parking: 100 m
- Time to reach CP from bicycle parking: 5 minutes
- Time at CP: 1:44 PM
- Measured height: 10 m
- Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
- Position accuracy: 6 m
- Topography: flat
- Vegetation: oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and ferns at the trees
- Weather: rain, 23° C (felt temperature)
- Given Name: The Village Wedding Confluence
More pictures of the trip can found at mautz.net.
The story continues at confluence 3N 103E.
Here is an overview of the all visits on this tour in table form: