SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Last Chinese New Year, Mr. Hanif suddenly came out with this idea to visit my auntie at Kuantan, Pahang. Even though we got out early, traffics have already thronged the expressway due to the long holidays.

The Genting Sempah tunnel that divides Selangor and Pahang

Two and half hours later, we arrived at Kuantan via the Gambang exit. Kuantan, the capital city and main administrative center of the state of Pahang Darul Makmur, lies on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 170 miles east of Kuala Lumpur.

We stopped at my uncle's house in Taman Cenderawasih for some rest and refreshment before coming to this place, the farmer's market (read: Pasar Tani). Kuantanrians with their morning shopping. This market is held in the vicinity of the Stadium Darul Makmur Pahang every Sunday morning. You could find variety of goods for sale from farm produce, sea and river catches as well as local delicacies, local handcrafts and the usual daily needs. These products are fresh from the farms and sold directly by the farmers themselves with the help of FAMA (Federal Agriculture and Marketing Agency), the government agency responsible for marketing the farming products in the country.

At a stall selling some local-made munchies

Patin, the well known fresh water breed that is synonym with Pahang. This type of catfish is commonly found here, and when cooked with 'tempoyak' (fermented durian) is a local delicacy highly sought after in the country.

Since it is still early, we made a stop at Kompleks Yayasan Pahang only to be transported back to the Jurassic Period. DinoTrek, the interactive dinasour exhibition organized by Petrosains Discovery Centre, is coincidentally in town. Their first exhibition was first open to public at KLCC in 2002 and is a major success.

cute baby dino

the vicious T-Rex

Young paleontologists at work

Ahnaf admiring one of the species that used to roam the earth during the prehistoric period

Enough with the beasts, we went to the nearby Teluk Cempedak (Jackfruit Bay?) for some time out before heading back to my uncle's house for our delayed lunch.

Later that afternoon, me and hubby went out again for some more photo hunting. The first spot we visited is underneath the bridge of Tanjung Lumpur. I immediately saw these two, abandoned mates resting fornlonly on the river banks.

To the owner it might no longer be useful, but it could be a nice resting place for others, these vessels.

While at the other side of the river, somebody is waiting patiently with the bait.

The view of the Kuantan jetty.

Another fisherman with the fishing gear. Silhouetted at the back is the Kuantan town.

Guided with only mobile Google maps, we leaved the crime scene to visit another spot.

It brought us to this spot, some 15km northeast of Kuantan town.

Pantai Balok, is a paradise for avid wind-surfers. It has in fact, been nominated as one of the ten best beaches in the world by the international wing surfing and kite-surfing sportsmen. This beach host the International Windsurfing Regatta, the Kuantan Challenge every year. I could not spot any wind surfers anyway. Perhaps it is not the time of the year.

my shadow on the white, fine sand

We spotted this viewing tower and decided to hopped on.

Our national flag bravely stand the gusty, South China Sea wind.

We caught sight of this biker being trapped by the sudden rise in tide

We waited for the sunset, but unfortunately, it came down on the opposite direction.

Frustrated, we made our way back to my uncle's humble abode. End of day one.