On a motorcycle, the journey is always better than the destination. But if the people and the food at the destination are great, it can equal the joy of the ride.
This best describes my recent ride to the east coast city of Kuantan, Pahang, to meet my friend Dr V. Ganesh Raj. He is a respected obstetrics and gynaecology, and urology specialist, but more importantly, he loves motorcycles and rides the BMW 1250 GSA.
All it took was a WhatsApp message from Dr Ganesh early Saturday morning, enquiring when we planned to meet. That message sparked ad hoc plans and invites.
Only one other rider was free to join. The two of us started our journey at 3.30am, as we headed east with the best of S.P. Balasubramaniam’s songs playing in my ears. Traversing the Kuala Lumpur-Karak highway provided the same euphoric high as always – with its sweeping curves and tight turns.
I have been riding solo for many years, often stopping for breaks after travelling 300km. But when you ride with another, you have to be mindful of his or her comfort. Thus, we stopped for a 10-minute coffee break midway.
Our planned meet-up was to be at a noodle shop, which opens early for business at 6.30am. The shop is run by a hard-working lady called Jessy, who makes really delicious curry broth. We were the first customers of the day. The broth was potent, spicy, and tantalisingly delicious. Satiated with the food and company, next on the agenda was the need to attend to my professional commitments.
We left Kuantan at 7.30am for a 300km ride back to my workplace. It was smooth and uneventful, as the other rider and I went our separate ways at Shah Alam, Selangor.
Hospital visits are always more relaxed during the holiday period, allowing me the time to interact with the security personnel and porters over coffee. They are our unheralded heroes, who augment my patient care.
I was also lucky to run into our cardiologist, Dr G. Shathiskumar, a man who tunes the heart to a good rhythm and beat. The next stop was to another medical centre to visit my good friend, whose daughter was admitted for an acute condition. He called me a day earlier, sounding very distressed, requesting assistance.
I can say that I am very fortunate to have cultivated an extensive network of good and reliable friends in various fields, whom I could call for help at any time. The acute medical care required was delivered with great efficiency.
The attending doctor told my friend that he was lucky to have good doctor connections. To that, my friend replied, “More than doctors, he is connected with great friends, whom he can rely on without any second thoughts or doubt when help is required.” Being a parent myself, I can understand the physical and emotional toll when a child is ill.
I have learnt that friendships come in three forms – situational, seasonal, and soulful – each playing a unique role in shaping our lives and experiences.
My friendships over the years transcend the above three, and more. I always feel we should be able to help when we can, be there when we can, and encourage when we can.
It gives me a true sense of satisfaction, and I feel enveloped with a spiritually uplifting aura. This can be quite a potent rejuvenating elixir.
I reached home by 2pm. It was now time with the family.
The freedom on the open road, the ease of traversing great distances, being energised and filled with a sense of purpose, is priceless. Time with family, friends, and with oneself are commodities that become more valuable the older you get.
Good friends care for each other. Close friends understand each other. True friends stay forever – beyond words, beyond distance, and beyond time.
