archive of June, 2009
I felt that I was king of the hill after I hiked up Penang Hill/Bukit Bendera again in 57 minutes, because I’d never seen anyone else going as fast as me. As far as I knew, everyone else walks slowly up, even backward, or four-abreast. Many people wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants and towels around their necks, and some hold umbrellas aloft. So I’d thought that I was the fastest, as no one passes me, and I pass everyone. »→
A well-maintained vehicle keeps you safer on the roads and preserves the investment that you’ve made in your vehicle.
These are several things that you can easily do to keep your car, truck or van running smoothly and conserve money in the long run: »→
My little motorbike’s front tire was deflating after I rode to Air Itam Dam in Penang and back. So I rode the bike to KH Tyre and Auto, where one of the three teenage sons of the proprietor replaced the innertube for only 14 ringgit ($3.97). What a deal! As when I had the rear tire’s inner tube replaced months ago, the shop owner asked whether I wanted a standard inner tube, which requires reinflation almost weekly, or the best, which will maintain air pressure for at least a month. Again I opted for the better-quality inner tube. I wonder what the cheaper inner tube costs (installed). Motorcycle maintenance is so affordable in Malaysia. †
Today I hiked up to the fountain and police station on Bukit Bendera (Flagstaff Hill) in 57 minutes. That’s three minutes faster than the last time. I didn’t march uphill faster, but I jogged further. I didn’t amble; I strode quickly on the inclines. I just didn’t hike faster than the last time. But jogging on more sections, and farther on the obvious ones, made the difference. In April and May, whenever I reached the mostly-level portions of the road after climbing a steep grade, I wanted to rest my legs by just walking. It’s only natural. And last time, when I hiked purposefully, nonstop, up the steep portions, I certainly wanted to ‘rest’ by ambling when reaching some of the easy segments. But I jogged according to my legs’ ability. »→
I hiked and jogged up the north side of Bukit Bendera (Flagstaff Hill) in exactly one hour. I’d intended to ascend non-stop as fast as I reasonably could. In previous hikes and descents I’d stopped one-to-three times to rest or to watch monkeys. One time I carried a camera. So I spent about an hour and a half -or more- each trip, if I stopped once for ten minutes and again for five minutes — or twice for five minutes — or once for ten minutes. I never timed my ascents. »→
Business trip? Family vacation?
Long trips are actually easier on your car than day-to-day driving — but a breakdown far from home can ruin your day -and a vacation or business trip. Extra phone calls, delay of plans, towing charges, rental car cost and a repair bill may be avoided by inspection and preparation of your vehicle, by you or a qualified automotive technician. »→
