Road to Kuantan

Few weeks back, I was thinking of making this trip, but detoured to Mines wonderland instead. The thought came back to me, and I decided that this time would be a go. East of Malaysia, farthest up at that time I had been to was Mersing, Penyabong. Kuantan would be another about 200 km away, passing through all the fishing wonderlands that anglers love, like Rompin, Nenasi, Pekan etc.

So thurday morning, I planned to wake up 5am early for the long drive. But lazy bones me, shut off the alarm and snoozed for another hour, before dragging up my tired bones. We were out of the house by 6.30am, and merrily past the smooth sailing custom, starting off the 4-5 hours journey to Kuantan. Which was about midway to the end of East Malaysia. Double that distance, you would hit Terengganu, Kota Baru. For that, another time.

Mersing Tackle Shop


Along the way, I didn't stop until Mersing for breakfast. The children were hungry, but there wasn't anywhere for food until Mersing town itself. Arriving at Mersing around 8+am, we ate at the usual Jetty foodcourt, where they all sold the same thing. Food wasn't too great, but it was refreshing to last until we arrive at Kuantan, which was about another 3 hours or so journey. I filled up my tank just in case there wasn't any kiosk in sight. Since the tackle shop that we visited the last time was opened, I couldn't resist popping in for a quite look. But at 9am, we resume the journey up north.

The road was rather straight forward, the direction to Kuantan was just to simply follow the road marker. But driving was a challenge, being on a single lane, hogged by slow moving lorries and what nots. Overtaking those vehicles required a certain amount of skill and daring. Any mistake in judgement would result in the car running headlong into the oncoming traffic. It wouldn't be a pretty sight. I tried to maintain at least around 80-90km/h. But there were times when it slowed to 40-50km/h due to an impassable truck in front.

Rompin! I will be back


While driving through Rompin, it was obvious that this was Marlin haven. All along the road, there were signs of Marlin fishing, and boat contacts. Someday..someday.

Chrysanthemum drink break (near Pekan)


The coffee shop (near Pekan)



Halfway, we stopped another time around Pekan as the children needed to go. We took a rest stop at an indian coffee shop and ordered some drinks. There were a few small provision shops selling assortment of daily necessities. It even sold fish, perhaps for the households around. A friendly indian lady spoke to us, asking where we were from. Nice lady, and when we drove off, we waved and bid her goodbye.


Grand City Hotel


Where we stayed


We reached Kuantan at around 12.30pm. I hadn't quite prepared where to stay and I drove around looking for a suitable place. Luck was with me, and I chanced upon this quite nice and clean motel/hotel called Hotel Grand City, that was only RM123 per night. It was quite new, and clean and the neighbourhood felt fairly safe. I took a room and we went up to have a look. Pleasant and livable. The children were excited at the chance to stay in a hotel again. But we didn't need to leave anything there, as most of it was already in the car. So, we closed up the door, and went off.

Next step was to find lunch. My GPS had been a great help, and I keyed in the Berjaya Megamall and plotted a route. But after a few turns, it was just like a few bus stops away from our hotel. How convenient! We had to go round this round about ramp to the 4th floor for the carpark. That took like 2 minutes just to reach the top. The carpark looked a little dim, but luckily, I found out that most people would just park near the lift, where it was brighter, and looked safer.

At Berjaya Mall, Deli Country


Since we were all famished, we settled quickly with a small outdoor type of snack house. The food was so so, mostly prepared stuff. But it would do. After that, we walked a little. But my plan was to hit the most attractions, and do the shopping at the mall at night. From my readings, few places of interest were 1) Teluk Chempedak Beach, 2) Cherating Beach and 3) Besarah Fishing village. I was hoping to do all 3 that afternoon, but it was already quite late.

24 hr Mac at Teluk Chempedak


Teluk Chempedak (Teluk means Bay)


The plastic custom name tag stall


Historical info


Teluk Chempedak, at the start of the boardwalk


Kite flying competition


Blowing bubbles at the playground


First spot was TC Beach. I plotted the path with GPS, and was soon driving there. It was fairly near, about 5km away. Reaching there, it looked like a nice clean place. It even had a MAC there, 24 hours somemore. Weather today was burning hot and we kept to the shade most of the time. Sand on the beach was very fine. There were quite a few people in various activities like kite flying. This beach is known as Chempedak beach due to the rocks that were shaped like one. An interesting sight. There was a small stall selling customised plastic cut outs. A made some for D and Era.

Boardwalk


Ladder leading down. But the rocks were powdery (and slippery)


TongKang Beach


At the left end, there was a newly built boardwalk leading to the other TongKang Beach. We took a very pleasant stroll over, and it was just as nice on the other end. The waves looked quite strong and some area here was suited for wind surfing. Fishing wouldn't look productive so I didn't try.

Beserah Beach


Making a rope




Happy rope makers


My GPS indicated that there was this Beserah Beach. Not knowing what to see there, I went there anyhow. Maybe, it could be the place where you could see the bullock cart with fresh fishes? But turned out it wasn't. Just a nice stretch of beach. There was some resort around, as there were some beach scooters and huts at the far end.

Outside the beach resort at Cherating Beach


Walking the beach


See what I caught


Someone left their clothes here


Footprints


Sandflies!


Dead Jellyfish. Looked poisonious


My feet


Wide expense of nature


Sand Castle


Next spot was quite far away, although I didn't know at that time. I drove up to cherating beach, where the famous Club Med was. The distance was about 20 odd km, but it took quite a long time due to the busy road. Reaching there, it was already around 5pm. Sun was losing its strength, so it was quite nice to be walking on the beach. The area reminded me of Tioman, with all the A frames hut and small village feel to it. There were many caucasian around. I parked my car somewhere in front of a stall, and cut through a resort to get to the beach. The resort looked deserted. Maybe it had ran out of business.

Splish Splash!


Good friends


Horse prints


Buying mineral water for bathing. Toilet out of service


No toilet?


The beach was very nice, and clean. The children took the chance to plunge into the clear water and had a great time. However, there were some sandflies around, and A and I got bitten. But strangely, not the children. After the swim, we went looking around for toilet. There was a kopi sort of stall at the right end of the beach. But reaching there, the toilet was out of service. No choice, we bought some mineral water and bathed the children with that.

From there, we headed back to the hotel, thinking to shower and grab food at Berjaya mall later. But the road back was quite long, and we reached the hotel around 8pm. We cleaned up and headed out of the hotel at 8.30pm. At first, I had thought maybe we could walk there. But the hotel location was quite deserted, and dark. Didn't look safe. So, we drove there and went up the dizzy carpark again. Parking was cheap cheap, at RM1.50.



We grabbed dinner at a local Rasa Ayam or something restaurant. Food was ok, compared with the Japanese food fare next door, which we had wanted to try. But at RM20 per set, quite ex, and we moved away to this. After dinner, we were just in time for Ratatouille. Good entertaining show. Something out of the ordinary. Show ended around 11.30pm. By then, the mall was deserted, except for the top level with all the KaraOke folks. A wanted water and we moved about in the mall looking to buy drinks. But I didn't think it was safe and got the group back to the car and quickly drove off. Driving around, we accidentally ended up on this dirt road into a construction kind of canteen. But it was lighted and got people. However, no drinks. We headed back to the hotel and got drinks from a nearby cafe.

From there, back to the hotel and time for a good night sleep. I had a good rest and although wanted to wake up at 6am, I let the rest sleep till around 7.30pm. All rested and charge, we moved out of the hotel at about 8am, looking for the famous fishing village. However, the hotel staff couldn't pinpoint to me where it was. On my gps, also no POI was available for this. Taking my chances, I aimed for beserah beach. Perphaps it would be around there.

This traffic light. Stop for more than 99 secs, and on for 15 secs.


Beserah Fish Market


Only a few stalls


Group pic


Someone's washing


And luck was with me. While driving along the road, I spotted the sign that said fresh seafood here. Spot on! Turning in, it was just a small market kind of place. But there were fresh seafood alright, although at this time of the day, like not much.

Pantai Pelindung




We made another turn to check out another beach from the signs that we saw along the road. Actually, the whole stretch, was this and that beach. Neverending.

Muar E


Nice kopitiam


Where I parked. Opposite is PCK restaurant


Kuantan Coffee


Having completed the necessary tour, I headed back to the hotel. Children by now were all hungry. Along the way, I was scanning for a good and decent place to stop for breakfast. There was this interesting looking cafe, called Muar-E. I almost missed it but luckily, there was another turning up ahead. Parked the car just right in front, and we settled down near the entrance. The establishment was very nice, for Malaysian standard. All very clean and nicely decor. Food was yummy and the service top notch. I thought it must be a popular local spot, as during that time, there were streams of people coming in and out. Although, it didn't get too packed, but very brisk business. If I ever were to come here again, I would definitely pay it another visit.

Checking out


Kuantan Parade




The store


My ice cream


We were definitely in Kuantan


At the hotel, we rested a little, and showered and everything. Then, it was time to check out and perhaps head for the mall for lunch and some shopping. A wanted to go back to berjaya megamall, but I said why not try somewhere else. From GPS, I created route for Kuantan Parade, and within 15 mins, we were there. This mall, was a notch down in terms of classy establishments, but it was definitely busier with the locals. Comparativily more traffic and buzz. The anchor tenant was "The store".

A bought a dress here, and the children had fun with the local food. We didn't quite do lunch as we were still quite full from the breakfast at Muar Ee. Around 2pm, I said we needed to make our way back to Mersing. I wanted to avoid having to drive at night on Malaysian highways ie too dark.

Gateway to Casaurina Beach resort


Brackish water












Driving down, I let A took over the wheels at stretch where the traffic was quite clear. We happened to stop right outside this sign that said Casuarina Beach resort. It sounded interesting and I turned it to check it out. Weather was super hot. However, it indeed was a very nice place, perfect for a company getaway. Nice beach, nice amenities. I pretended that I was checking out the price and asked the recept for a quote. :P.

A behind the wheels


Sleepy child


Engrossed in her comics


A then drove down all the way until a Petrol Kiosk near Pekan. From there, we thought why not visit the Air Papan place. The last time we were there about 4 years back, we enjoyed the food and place. This time, the place was a little changed, with some new roads paved nearer to the beach. Perfect for parking under shade. The food stall that we had our fried rice was not opened, but the place further up was. We ordered fried rice and mee (in fact, only these choices). The food took a long time to come, but when it did arrive, it was surprisingly good. Only gripe that there were lots of flies around, making eating quite troublesome.

To Air Papan


Air Papan carpark beside the beach


Where I bought my T-Shirt


Our makan place


Kampung chicken


Swimmers


Handsome cat


Geese


Fierce fellows


This looks fun?


Yippee!


The rope


Why the chicken cross the road?


Children chasing the goat


Loads of coconuts here


The children had fun with the animals there. There were chickens, goats and fierce geeses. I cautioned the children going too near the geeses as they looked very territorial. I saw some very nice T-shirts about fishing. I got myself one for RM30. Since I didnt bargain, the man was nice to let me use his toilet for free :P. Toilets here cost RM0.50 to enter.

From Air Papan, I set off around 6pm to try reach Jusco around 8pm. But light was dimming and soon the driving got quite difficult, due to the glaring lights and dark roads. Some places, we crawled to 40km/h due to logging trucks blocking the traffic behind. But we made it to Jusco around 8.15pm without much incident. From there, we got GNH and our regular sushi. The plan was to wait till late for the checkpoint jam to clear. We went for a 9.30pm show, "Invasion" by Nicole Kidman and that new James Bond. It was quite a crab show, considering the big names.

After the show, we headed back to brave the traffic. But it was indeed clear, and there wasn't any jam. With the smooth traffic, we reached home at a good time of 12.30am, completing our 800km journey in 2 days.