Viewpoint to Jeli: and a bit of a detour to find a hotel

Sunday January 28, 2018, 43 miles (70 km) - Total so far: 3,369 miles

(5,422 km)

Nice to only have 10K of climbing this morning thanks to yesterday's extension. Still no elephants, but great views! The climbs tops out at a restaurant where we stocked up on water and used the loos. The descent was fun but a little treacherous thanks to the dreadful road surface. There are also plenty of undulations, so it isn't as easy as it might appear from the profile!

The last 10 or 15K were also a bit of a slog due to incessant undulations, and increasing heat. We should have stopped for lunch at one of the many restaurants, but really just wanted to get to Jeli. When we finally made it, Jeli was something of a disappointment in the accommodation stakes. I now understand why I can't find accounts of people actually staying there....there are tons of homestays above cafes and shops but the ones we checked out were unappealing to say the least, and 80RM. It was too depressing to consider.

We gathered ourselves over an excellent lunch of mee / nasi goreng and decided to dig deep and cycle 7km further along highway 4 to the more recognisable hotels. This proved to be a great move. We are happily installed at the D'Jeli hotel, in a lovely (if rather pink) aircon and ensuite room for 70RM. The people are kind and the bikes are in reception. We noticed later that they have an AWOL (Asian Way of Life - a Dutch cycling guide) sticker on the door, so presumably are used to cyclists sweating all over their clean floor.

As a bonus, a small market set up over the road and provided us with a very satisfying dinner. Failing that, there's a restaurant right by the hotel, and another at the Jeli Inn. AND we have a kettle!

Aside: after much agonising we have decided not to go to the Cameron highlands after all. as the riding looks so travelling with the additional tasks of carrying lots of water and needing to wild camp. So we are now heading south south south to Gemas via Kuala Lipis, Jerantut and Temerloh.