By JASON LIOH

MALACCA, MALAYSIA: For 40-year-old German national Annemarie Klein, bicycling round the world is the best way of experiencing different cultures and enjoying nature up close.

Starting her journey on her 34th birthday on May 12, 2002, from Baden Wurttemberg, Germany, Klein still has a long way to go as she has completed only three quarters of her planned tour.

"Malaysia is a generally hot and humid country made up of diverse cultures with lots of friendly people," said Klein when met here.

"Although I miss western food, I make it a point to taste whatever food I can. I stop at any eatery and just eat away," she said.

Arriving in Malaysia on January 26, Klein, a nurse by profession, bicycled her way through Alor Star, Penang, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Perhentian, Kota Baru, Cameron Highlands and Kuala Lumpur before making here way to Malacca.

"It is a very cheap and a pollution-free way of travel. Besides this, it is a good way to get close to locals.

"Moreover, I love the outdoors and this allows me to get close to nature," she added.

She said that cycling provided flexibility in planning her schedule and she had more time to see a particular place of interest.

She travelled for 2,221 days across Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Greece and Turkey before flying to India. From India, she rode through Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh before flying to Thailand.

She then continued her tour in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar before reaching Malaysia.

While in Penang, she boarded a ferry to Indonesia and returned to Malaysia on March 23.

On her trusted bicycle, she has traversed snowy mountains, hot deserts, warm beaches, lush forests, big cities and small towns.

"I hardly had problems with immigration and customs on my bicycle," she said.

Her most memorable place, she said, was the ceiling of the world.

"I love the Himalayas. I remember I was at 5,800m above sea level and it was snowing at the top of the mountain. I had to push my bicycle and walk most of the time," she said.

Klein took a year to plan her tour, and she did not have any bicycle then. She bought it and started intensive training to build her stamina and strength.

"I carry some equipment to do minor repairs on my own, but I just visit a bicycle shop for bigger problems.

"I think I have covered 35,000km so far," said Klein, who plans to visit Singapore next and end her world tour in New Zealand.