Balkan Trip Aug-Sept 2017

I was in a few Balkan countries from last Augusts to September 2017. What brings my journey to Balkans more interesting is the fact that I cycle passing each border with my bicycle.

It’s all begin when a good friend of mine, Sara asked me if I want to join her on her very first cross country cycling trip and it is in a few Balkans country. I was hesitated that moment because I never been into a long-distance trip via bicycle and to add my hesitation is because the only bicycle I have is my 5 years old mountain bike that I have it second hand from my boyfriend. It’s obviously not suitable for this trip. Moreover, I'm obviously know nothing about bicycle maintenance. What if there’s a punch on my tyre? What I suddenly I lost my balance because of the brake system or the chain loose? What if I fail to use the right gear during ascending and descending on the hilly route? Yeah this is all the question I keep asking myself and I transform it into a bit clingy words to Sara (just imagine a young girl asked a question to her mom). Sara come back to me with a very simple question; Can you ride a bicycle? and that’s it. Of course, I said I do and she replied as long as I can ride a bicycle the rest I should be able to learn along the journey. I said to Sara that I will think about it before I say yes. We were in Manila when she offers me this lifetime opportunity. And after a few days spent time with Sara in Manila I had to continue my trip to South Korea for 10 days before proceeding to Hong Kong for a 7 days freelance work.

I only decided to say Yes for this Balkan Trip a week before the trip. That time I was in Hong Kong. In Hog Kong I started to purchase the ticket to Balkan. I bought the cheapest flight ticket (KUL-AUH-BEG-TGD) which is one week after Sara and her friend cycle from Bosnia, passing Croatia towards Montenegro. I also bought new bicycle accessories, device and a new bicycle in Hong Kong as it is well known that the price are away cheaper in Hong Kong, China. Once I finish my job in Hong Kong I rush back to Malaysia with my new bicycle and other stuff ready to fly on 17th August to Kuala Lumpur. I landed in KUL in afternoon time and I just leave my bicycle in the storage facilities in KLIA as I will need to catch my flight to Podgorica, Montenegro on the next day with my bicycle.

My flight to Podgorica aren't easy at all. The lady at check in counter KLIA refuse to issue my boarding pass because I don't have my return ticket. They keep mention Abu Dhabi Immigration will fly me back to KL if I don't possess my return ticket. Of course, it's not her fault as she just follows the rules. Anyway, I was lucky that within one hour I manage to buy a new flight from Copenhagen to Kuala Lumpur via Thai Airways just to prove that I have an intention to come back to my beloved country after all this adventurous journey. But, it’s truly drives me crazy that no one care where I'm going the moment I step in for 9hrs layover in Abu Dhabi. So, what's the purpose of stranded in check in counter for nearly an hour just to figure out from which country I'm going to take my plane home and involve another number of people to solve this mess. It’s a bit weird because I notice recently the airline will ask me about my return flight which I found it weird. Perhaps I’m not keeping up with the up-to-date news? I don’t know. It happens to me on my flight to Taipei back in 2015 and on my flight to Manila in last July. Both because I use different airline on my return flight. To my surprise, last month I asked one of my friend whose currently on his backpacker trip in South Korea for 3 months with Air Asia one-way ticket and he pass without anyone asked about return ticket. Anyone know if this is a new thing or just because my name is Rafidah Binti Muhamad??????

This is the rough itinerary given by Sara when we were in Manila. The plan is to meet Sara and her friend on 20th August in Podgorica. We ended up unfollow the plan due to so many reasons. I will elaborate it later.

I buy one way ticket to Podgorica with 2 connections and another one way ticket from Istanbul to Copenhagen. My initial plan is to cycle for 3 weeks with Sara and her friend in Balkan and then fly to Copenhagen to cycle alone in West Europe. Again the plan completely change. Want to know what happen? Sure, Ill share on my next post.

These are some accessories I bought when I was in Hong Kong apart from a new bicycle. basically I can have it in Decathlon shop in Malaysia but I'm running out of time.

This is my new bicycle. I bought it very close to the border between Hong Kong and Mainland China. Its work well for me. I cant believe this bicycle brought me anew perspective in life. With this bicycle I have been to more than 10 countries in Balkan and Western Europe.

I hope to come back with my next post in the next few days. Currently I’m a little occupied with a free online course via MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). Unlike Steemit, I treat MOOC as a way for me to added value to myself. It’s just how I fulfill my time whenever I’m free. With MOOC I found that I’m more organised as in managing my time and priority. Currently I only take 2 course which is Science of Everyday Thinking and Basic Spanish. Do check it if you have time. http://mooc.org/ . It's a free online course unless you want a paper of recognition.

First 40KM ride with my new bicycle in Podgorica City. A capital of Montenegro. I will write further on my next post.

Adios!