A Road Trip To Kuantan - Day 1

It was about a month ago that we decided to take a road trip to Kuantan, the state capital of the largest state in this country and is on the east coast of the peninsular. We are staying in the west coast.
We planned the road trip as such we go and return in two different routes to make interesting. Most of the places I had been before but it was a long long time ago and it would be interesting to see how these places had changed over time. Another is the delicious food that I used to enjoy at each of this small town which would be a real bonus if they were still around.


The route ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

Day 1 - September 28
Our first destination was Bahau and my main aim was to look for the very delicious beef noodles that was located by the bus station and market. The last time I had it was more than 25 years ago.

The drive was scenic and the view of the Durian Tunggal Reservoir was beautiful. This is where we get our drinking water from.


Durian Tunggal Reservoir Malacca ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

Soon after that we arrived in Batang Melaka, a border town and it has a railway station. There are two towns in Malacca that has a railway station and both of them are border towns.


Batang Melaka Main Road ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

The railway station was being upgraded to accommodate the upgrade of the tracks to twin tracks to reduce travelling time to Singapore. It is sad to say we were not able to capture a photo of it but we managed to get a photo of the tracks.


Twin Tracks ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

We are now in Negeri Sembilan state and the first town is Rompin which we thought it was the famous Rompin of Endau-Rompin National Park and we got confused why this place which is supposed to be in Johor is now in Negeri Sembilan. Googled it and we feel stupid!!! Too many same name places in this country.


Rompin of NEGERI SEMBILAN ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

Too many traffic lights in this country, there was hardly any moving vehicles in this town.


Cross road with TRAFFIC LIGHTS ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

Next is Bahau a place that I look forward to eating the very delicious beef noodles. All I can remember is that it was located in the bus station along a row of shed that looks like it might just collapsed at any moment but I guess it was worth the risk.


The Main Range ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

A long the way we were able to see the tail end of the
Main Range which was renamed Titiwangsa Mountains. The Main Range mountains that runs along the central part of the peninsula starting from southern Thailand and end somewhere here.


( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

Just round this corner is Bahau, once a one road town and I am eager to see how it is today.


A cross road ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

Nope it is no longer a single main road town, it had grown to a few roads since about 50 years ago.


The Bus Station ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

Yes we found the bus station all big and ... where is the beef noodle store? Looks like it is gone as expected and since it was way too early for lunch we decided to go on. Our plan was to stop at Triang the next town for some snacks. To me this is a interesting town as I know it. Timber trucks heading to the south would stop here for a meal before getting on their journey. They would bring along with them jungle produce barter traded with the aborigines and sell them to the eateries here. A river separates the main road and my first experience crossing this river was by man pulled ferry. If the river were to be dangerous to cross due to heavy rain, it would mean a detour of a few hundred kilometers to reach ones destination on the other side.

The GPS refused to connect with the satellite and so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I am heading in the right direction. After driving for about 30 to 40 km, I started to doubt myself that I might be heading in the wrong direction because the milestones and sign board did not show Triang on it. Then out of nowhere at a road junction adjacent to the road we were on had a sign showing the direction of Triang which is straight ahead. I was glad and relieved. Not long after that we pass a bridge and the river is Triang river but no Triang. I wondered did my memory failed me, hmmm..........

Bera? The only Bera I know is Bera Lake, strange no Triang and now Bera. Once again google helped us out. Because we were on a new road Triang was bypassed and lead us straight into Bera, a township that came into existence in 1992.

The rest of the journey was uneventful with some familiar spots that were still in existence, some coffee shops by the river. When I thought I arrived at our destination and it was not, yes the GPS is till sleeping. Ask around a bit, got our bearings right and head to where we want to go, got lunch nothing interesting just something to fill our tummies.

After lunch and a cup of coffee, the GPS decided to get connected to the satellite and I was relived. Set the GPS to avoid all toll roads and freeways, the country road is always much more interesting. The rest of the journey was uneventful but nice passing by a couple of small town and soon we were in Kuantan.


( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

We noticed some street art on the way into Kuantan and took a picture of the one we like.


Street Art ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

No this is not painted by the Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic but someone that was inspired by him I think.

Soon we arrived at our hotel and it was already very late afternoon and I immediately made a beeline for the beach after checking in. It was like ages ago when I last saw the ocean and it feels good to have sand between my toes.


Balok Beach ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )


Relaxed ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

The beach was a little quiet just the way I like it. After having a nice relaxed moment on the beach, it was time to go look for food. I did a little research before we came and this takes the guessing game away. It was a seafood restaurant and we were looking forward to having some nice prawns/shrimps.

When we arrived, there were quite a lot of people already there and we quickly got ourselves seated. We thought we had to wait quite awhile for some service but the service was excellent and the food was good.


Hotplate Tou Fu with minced pork and salted fish ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )


Quick Fried Chinese Romaine with Garlic. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )


Spicy Prawns ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )


Fried Hokkien Noodles ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )

The dinner was excellent and having filled our tummies we decided to explore the town a little before heading back to the hotel to call it a day.

 

I love to see and read about your adventures. The food is wonderful looking.

 

Thanks for taking us along on another journey.

 

Thanks KK for another vacation. I needed it.

 

Thank you all for joining us on our road trip. Part 2 is the main objective of the trip and I hope you'll enjoy it just as much.