Kulim-Taiping Weekly Travel: Now I save 50 km (Part 2)

In my previous entry [ From My Desk: Kulim-Taiping Weekly Travel: Now I save 40 km ] I showed how Kulim-Serdang-Bandar Baharu-Taiping route can be used as an alternative route connecting Kulim and Taiping. Yes, I can save a 43 km traveling distance and RM7.30 highway tolls, but truly not on the traveling time, which I found was rather disadvantage.

Now I'm testing another alternative route, i.e. Kulim-Kampung Batu Sepuluh-Selama-Pondok Tanjung-Taiping, in which in my opinion is more quiet and lower-traffic than the earlier alternative. Interestingly, although unpopular, this countryside route is clearly visible in the Google map.

 Kulim-Batu Sepuluh-Padang Terap Village-Selama-Pondok Tanjung-Taiping is marked in Green

After three weeks of route testing, considering the driving comfortability and beautiful countryside, I'm very sure now that Kulim-Kampung Batu Sepuluh-Selama-Pondok Tanjung-Taiping route is a better route than the earlier alternative. Besides, many connecting roads have been upgraded and straightened, resulting in reduced traveling time by 20-30 minutes.

Let me summarize my findings:

Distance from my rental house (Kulim) to my house (Taiping)

… via Taiping Utara-Juru PLUS Highway + BKE = 137 km

| 0 km reference | Traveling time = 90 minutes | Toll fares = RM11.70 |

… via Kulim-Serdang-Bandar Baharu-Taiping = 94 km

| Save 43 km | Traveling time = 90-100 minutes | Toll fares = RM4.40 |

… via Kulim-Batu Sepuluh-Padang Terap-Selama-Pondok Tanjung-Taiping = 87 km

| Save 50 km | Traveling time = 70-85 minutes | NO toll fares |

The best time to travel is around 6.30 pm where you can appreciate the beauty of the countryside of Selama-Pondok Tanjung. You'll pass by MIDA Boer-goat breeding farm upon approaching Pondok Tanjung (nice view too). InshaAllah, if I got time, I'll upload some pictures of the countryside.

I hope my friend Badrul will be happy with this entry since he has been using the later route for quite sometime. Thanks Badrul for your inspiring story. I myself try to experience night time driving in this quiet route and of my greatest concern is the safety but I just did last Friday night, alhamdulellah. 

Secure From Flash Flood

Considering frequent flash floods hit Serdang-Bandar Baharu especially after heavy rain, Kampung Batu Sepuluh-Selama-Pondok Tanjung will definitely be the best alternative for Kulim-Taiping travelers, inshaAllah.

"HERE I AM AGAIN… I'M JUST A WEEKLY TRAVELER"

Kulim-Taiping weekly travel: now I save 40 km

There are at least three common routes connecting Taiping and Kulim. Since I am a weekly traveler, such distance above 100 km will be considered long distance. Thus shorter traveling time is preferred, even though I have to pay more for tolls.

I use the most popular 'faster route' Taiping Utara-Juru PLUS Highway and Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE) for my weekly Taiping-Kulim routing. It is convenient, clean, non-snakey and almost clear from potholes.

I never thought of trying other routes until my friend Asri convinced me of the Kulim-Serdang-Bandar Baharu-Taiping Utara route as shorter and passable.

Road map clearly shows that Kulim-Serdang-Bandar Baharu-Taiping Utara is a shorter route compared to the popular highway route

I tried the route last two weeks. To be honest, it was fun. I love the countryside, it's beautiful. It was far from snakey and the traveling time was comparable with the so-called 'faster route', i.e. 1.5 hours. So, not bad at all. The most important, I save 43 km petrol consumption and RM7.30 of highway tolls.

Summary:
Distance from my rental house (Kulim) to my house (Taiping)
...via Taiping Utara-Juru PLUS Highway + BKE = 137 km
...via Kulim-Serdang-Bdr Baharu-Taiping = 94 km
(save 43 km)

Toll fares
...via Taiping Utara-Juru PLUS Highway + BKE = RM8.50 + RM3.20 = RM11.70
...via Kulim-Serdang-Bdr Baharu-Taiping Utara = RM4.40
(save RM7.30 (USD2.15))

Route selection is not a simple equation. Some prefer shorter distance, some prefer faster traveling time. The choice is yours... To me I accept any alternative routes as long as it is passable, shorter and non-boring drive..

"I'M JUST A WEEKLY TRAVELER"

I found another shorter route! You should read this too:
From My Desk: Kulim-Taiping Weekly Travel (Part 2)

Tariq - My first Mandarin-proficient Arab friend...

Tariq

Tariq As-Sabbah (طارق الصباح) is my close friend and brother of Palestinian origin. He finished his Master's Degree in IT from USM in 2005. I met his parents in September last year when they came to Malaysia for a week vacation.

Tariq, who is now proficient in spoken and written Chinese (Mandarin), will be leaving Malaysia today to pursue his business dream in China.

Tariq picked up his Chinese language skills when he came back to Malaysia somewhere middle last year. I never thought he's that serious, but he was. What impressed me was he's a native Arab speaker, and I couldn't find any connection between Arabic and Mandarin, as far as these two languages are concern. I myself am not able to speak Mandarin or other Chinese dialects, even though I have Chinese blood in me and live in surrounding Chinese community.

Tariq, thanks for driving my Kancil back to Taiping. Driving in heavy rain with dysfunctional aircond probably one of your worse experiences, but you passed the test. So i do believe you will sail through the upcoming challenges. InshaAllah.

You know Tariq, I'm really proud of you. What I can see is that you have a clear vision and optimistic. I pray for your success. Do keep in touch...