If you have a bike with more gears, you should be able to climb better. Just takes practice. I'm 50+, not a jock, and I bike frequently 10k or more, no big deal. You're in Indonesia? Malaysia? How many gears did your bike have.

Sounds like a good addition to your life. Bravo!

Edit: curiosity got the better of me -- Singapore? Did you go to the Jurong Bird Park?