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| Bot Penambang Seberang Takir |
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| KT's river promenade |
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| Happy to be onboard |
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| Happy to be onboard |
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| Untying the ropes |
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| Low tide means more steps to climb to the jetty |
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| Leaving the jetty |
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| A short detour... |
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| ...to check out the breakwater |
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| Weaving our way through Kampung Seberang Takir |
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| Jalan Ketapang Pantai : Note the mounds of sand for roadworks |
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| Cows grazing |
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| Ouch! |
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| Watermelon stops just before Pantai Penarik |
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| Pantai Penarik |
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| Pantai Penarik |
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| One happy shot before they leave Mr Lim and Claudine behind!!! |
Waking up in Chinatown, in the capital city of Terengganu, we felt totally at home with the food choices on the street. No doubt roti canai and nasi lemak are delicious staples but sometimes the Chinese in us pine for a taste that is deeply rooted in us. Settling down for Hakka noodles and the sorts, we bumped into “Auntie” from last night’s restaurant.
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| Turns out Auntie in white is Captain of Restaurant Golden Dragon while the lady in green is the lady boss |
Right behind Chinatown, at the waterfront, we found our jetty for Bot Penambang Seberang Takir. Our 10 minutes boat ride saved us at least 5 km of leg work, riding across the river delta, not to mention the traffic woes along Jalan Tengku Mizan. A traditional mode of transport, it is fast losing its significance to the many bridges built across the river; the latest being the draw bridge, located at the river mouth and due for completion this year.
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| The draw bridge at the river mouth |
Once on land again, we weaved our way through Kampung Seberang Takir, then made our way to the coastal road of Jalan Ketapang Pantai. At the moment, still a narrow kampung road with views of the South China Sea; running parallel and closer to the sea were massive roadworks! When ready, this new road will lead to the draw bridge, connecting both sides of the riverbank.
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| Caught on camera! |
Meanwhile, our little sister on a Brompton had been grinning from ear to ear since the boat ride. Setting foot on firm ground once again, she was sometimes seen standing on her pedals gleefully and peering into other people’s houses!
We weren’t making any turns then, and there were absolutely no cars on the road! Probably hypnotized by the views of sand and sea, coupled by the steam rollers on the move, she crashed!
Just a few cuts on her hand, arm and wrists, they were shrugged off as light injury but started dripping blood a short distance after the ride resumed. As first aids were brought out for the second time, Mr Lim whisked out his magic potion instead. The yellow solution got her writhing in pain but with the sting, Mr Lim promised quick healing.
Moving on, we continued to follow the coast, this time, circling the airfields that makes up Sultan Mahmud airport. A small domestic airport, we caught no landing or take off activities at the time we were passing through.
Thereafter, all peace and tranquility were shattered by the throng of buses plying the road along University Malaysia Terengganu. Evading traffic, we took the right fork, returning to the coastal road to enjoy a more relaxing pace before stopping at Kedai Makan Sukaramai.
A big stopover banking on various types of Lekor, they also offered different types of cendol which can cost as much as RM5-6! Philip’s durian cendol was topped with a whole seed while some had jack fruits, corn and the sorts!
Close to 12 pm, we pulled up at Pantai Penarik. Planning for a brief water stop, we ended up taking a longer than expected stopover when swings were spotted around the area. First to run towards them was York Fuan followed by Jenny and KC. But there was no need to fight over them as these swings were scattered all along the beachfront!
As it was coming to lunchtime and VT have a nose for food, the helm was passed on to him. Regrettably, it wasn’t a good idea! Too eager for lunch, he led the group on a high speed chase, turning right to Route 3684 without stopping or leaving a marker. Riding behind the group, Claudine and Mr Lim missed the turn and ended up all the way in the town of Permaisuri!!!
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| Where the rest had gone! |
What a betrayal!!! Especially so, when they had stopped midway to check on the phone twice to see if anyone had contacted them. When no texts came, they had trod ahead, wondering all the time where the rest of the crew were!
Arriving at the T junction for Route 3, their heart dropped when they spotted no one at KFC nor the major food court by the roadside. It was a horrible knowledge, made worse by the lovely smell of ayam goreng berempah which was a great contender for KFC’s hot and spicy. Both smell teased and tantalized their senses, peaking to optimum levels when text messages finally streamed in…..they were OUT!!!
As both of them were confirmed separated from the team, Claudine initially suggested lunch before meeting the rest of the team. However they were denied this luxury but made to push for regrouping instead.
Traffic on Route 3 at that time was noisy. The sun at midday was glaring. The idea that they were screwed did not help....Claudine could not think straight.
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| The route suggested by google maps... |
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| The route Claudine decided to take!!! |
As google maps offered 3 possible routes to the team’s location, it was only natural to choose the shortest distance. Unwittingly, they chose the route that ran through paddy fields and swamps. Lands were being cleared turning the area into a muddy muck.
While a narrow canal with clear running water runs parallel to the road, it did little to cool down the fumes that was building up in her. Claudine was MAD!
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| Bumpy trail with canal on the right |
Very soon, she found herself madly reciting prayers as well! The path they trod on were laden with potholes so huge, they sometimes encompassed the whole width of the road. They had no choice but to roll over the craters!
Bumping into a motorcyclist just a few hundred meters into their ordeal, the Pak Cik forewarned the trail was long. He suggested for them to turnaround but Mr Lim was adamant to go through with their chosen path as they had committed too much, riding in all the way from the main road. Alternatively, Pak Cik suggested turning right somewhere ahead but the right turn appeared to be a muddy mess much worse in appearance than the one they were already traveling on!
Later, almost at wits end, Claudine had hailed a single pick up truck that was passing through. Pretending to make enquiries, she was actually hoping to get a lift. Thankfully, true to the driver’s words, civil road was just a few hundred meters away! Hurrah!!!
In actual fact, it took them an hour to reconnect with the rest of the team. Out of the 12 km distance, their off-road ordeal lasted a whole 4 km!
Arriving at Kampung Saujana, Claudine’s iced milk tea had been standing in wait for sometime. The ice had totally melted, depicting a lapsed passage of time.
Fueled by a need to validate her feelings, Claudine began dumping fully loaded lectures on VT. Embarrassed, the rest of the group smiled meekly. While some tried to make light of the situation, York Fuan, was spotted hiding behind a book either avoiding a confrontation or lost in her own world!
Too worked up to eat, Mr Lim and Claudine only had drinks and short bread biscuits before pushing off with the group. Their respite came about 3.5 km later, when Claudine spotted a roadside stall selling freshly fried banana fritters and lekor; a perfect timing for tea!
After that, the rest of the way to Kuala Besut was insignificant. However, as we were closing in on Iz Budget 2, our stay for the night, a small traffic jam piqued everyone’s attention. Right in the middle of the road, meters away from Ibnu Abbas Mosque was an old macaque with collar and chains. It was either confused or suicidal refusing to budge from the road despite the heavy traffic.
Arriving at Iz Budget2, we were pleasantly pleased with their chalets that opens up to a big, fenced up garden. Tucked away from the main road, in the middle of a village, it was the perfect getaway but not too perfect for our party of 7! With only 3 rooms, Philip was the odd one out without a place to crash!
Not wishing hardship upon our teammate, we checked out their sister accommodations, located about 1 km away. The room concepts were the same albeit slightly smaller and noisier as it faces the main road, but we made the change all the same!
That night, upon Wati’s recommendations, we took the short walk to Chef for dinner. Arriving at the venue, we were taken aback to find it in pitch darkness! Having no choice, we walked further down the road to a stretch of food court facing the Ibnu Abbas Mosque. Many outlets were closed and the few that was opened claimed they were not serving as there was a water supply disruption.
Choosing the best out of 2 kitchens that was busy, we had a simple and bearable dinner. As if this was not enough, we ordered two additional burgers from the street vendor to share which may have attracted the old macaque. The poor animal came over, looking stressed and lost before it was quickly chased to the mosque by other customers!
That night, we took the long walk back to our chalet, stopping by a convenience shop just for the sake of air conditioning and to while away the time. We were all in a good mood for there was no more riding for the next 2 days. When tomorrow comes, we will be hitting the beach of Pulau Perhentian!!!
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