Journey to Kenyir

The much anticipated weekend is finally here. It is the weekend of Kenyir Triathlon in Terengganu. I am excited but at the same time nervous. My first attempt in triathlon. My concern? Having to swim in the man-made lake which I remembered from my previous visit, has dark green water that is popular with angler for huge Toman fish. Other than that, I am also worried about the hills, I heard the bike and run course is hilly. And I am pretty bad at it.

We have 4 cars from Penang, traveling together. Gathering at Bin's house at 4am in the morning, we load our bike and bags into the car. All 4 cars are big car, they are either MPV or 4x4, so cool. Love that Suzuki Grand Vitara the most :)

Hard at work loading bikes

After a quick McD breakfast at Greenlane, we are ready to conquer the 8hr journey to Kenyir.

I was traveling in a CRV, with Ben, Eddie, Tuan and Miow. The 3 of us girls at the backseat and the 2 guys take the front seat, who also take turn on the wheel. Tuan and I are both first timers. I was fortunate to have them as car pool kaki, they are a bunch of funny cheerful people. We had a lot of laugh in the car. But then again, most runners/bikers/triathletes are fun fun people to be with (that is not a typo, they are so FUN i need to repeat the word twice). And they are very kind and helpful people too. Always willing to lend a helping hand.

Taken during one of our petrol/toilet break. Our bikes hanging on the bike rack

After 6 plus hours of traveling, we finally reach Jerteh. We stop here for lunch.

Crossing the road to the other side in search of food

After some walking about, in the end, we manage to find a Chinese chapfan kopitiam, which charge us very expensive. Ben had his at the price of RM8, and my rice come up to RM5. It is just normal 2 vege + 1 meat dish :(

Half way eating, it started to rain heavily. And this is where my Kenyir raining experience begins. The rain did not stop even after we're done eating. Ben sacrificed himself to cross the road, get the car and come fetch the rest of us. He only have a banner to cover his head.

Another 1.5hrs later, we reach Kenyir Lake resort from Jerteh. The Kenyir Lake Resort & Spa has a designated carpark, and they will have buggy service to drive you into the resort. You can either take buggy or walk to move around the resort area.

Because of the rain, it was very hard for us to get around. The buggy service was slow and the fact that we have a bike and all the gears, the unloading and the process of getting to our room was tough. I was surprise I didn't catch a cold from this trip being exposed to so much rain.

My faithful Vitus, has been with me for almost 1.5 years now

Went through the check-in, then bib collection and then we get things ready for tomorrow's big day. i.e. pin bib, pack up stuff that needs to be at transition area and etc, while we wait for the rain to subside so that we can go 'test water' in the lake.

Men's and Women's design of this year's Kenyir Tri drifit shirt. Tuan holding the men's on the left, me holding the women's

We even go out to the jetty anticipating the rain to stop. It turns out to be a long wait and in the end, decided not to swim because it was really cold~. We only took some photos at the jetty place then go back hotel room to shower and be ready for dinner + briefing.

Clear shot despite the rain

These people makes the trip so much more fun.

From left: Lynn, me, Chin and Miow

In the evening, it was still raining and we couldn't walk to the hotel lobby area for dinner coz no umbrella. I would have to say that Kenyir Lake Resort and Spa that has a 4-star rating is pretty crappy. Being an individual chalet resort with no covered walk way around, they don't even have umbrellas in the room. We waited quite a while for buggy but there's still none. Coincidentally, there's a mini 2-seater buggy meant for technician to go around the area parked in front of our chalet. The 3 of us sat in the buggy to shield ourselves from the rain until the 2 technician came back and chase us off. There's always advantages being a girl, and this time we utilize it ;)

We try to get the technician to tumpang us to the lobby area but how to sit 5 people in a 2-seater buggy? After some persuasion, one technician offer to stay back while his colleague fetch the 3 of us to the lobby...hehe **wink wink

Food was quite bad for a hotel standard food. Batu Maung chap fan also look tastier than what they have. Choice of dishes were also very limited. I like the potato soup the most. Had it with bun and butter. Nothing else worth mentioning.

Briefing was quite short. Just Uncle Chan explaining to us how the swim-bike-run course is like, where's the hill, where to turn, how many loop to go and etc.

By the time we head back to chalet, it was still raining. Hmphhh, 'long life rain'. SIEN nia. It had been a long day traveling to Kenyir, I slept like baby.

Have to thanked the tiring journey, if not I may be too worried and can't get to sleep.

Next up, the race. The big day :)

Stay tune for update.