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| The Team at Mersing |
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| Fook, a kind hearted dim sum stall owner who always give away free dim sum to weary tourers |
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| First regrouping point at Kampung Tanjung Genting |
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| First regrouping point at Kampung Tanjung Genting |
Pink ladies with Pulau Setindan in the background
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| The final arrivals at Kampung Tanjung Genting |
Most
of us travelling from JB had an early morning start. Committed to meet for
breakfast at 8 am with a 2 hours long drive for Mersing, we sacrificed sleep
but instead were rewarded with a changing skyline. Not often do we get to witness the
day breaking!
Our planned
meet up at Restaurant Thai Zheng for dim sum was rather chaotic. The google
location was pinned to the wrong spot! Furthermore, the place had assumed a new
name!! Thank goodness our tall, lanky stall owner was behind the counter,
giving credence to his trademarked pau and simple offerings of lo mai kai and
dumplings that were quickly sold out on Hari Hol, the death anniversary of the
late Sultan of Johor and a state holiday. As such, even though Claudine showed
him photos taken with him during her March 2017, East Coast Tour, we did not
come away with any complimentary pau as before. Perhaps we would have struck lucky if we had wheeled in our bikes !
There
are ample parking spaces around Mersing’s jetty. Those of us who opted for
secured parking, made a beeline for Rawa Island Resort’s office and parking
area but came out RM60 poorer. Rates are calculated at RM15 per day
irrespective of number of hours or nights. Andrew and Sherrine though, chose to park at the
common areas whilst Kelvin and Jasmine masterminded a return stay at Hotel Seri
Malaysia, hence enjoyed free parking for the whole duration.
Riding
out of Mersing town was messy. Cars were plenty and unforgiving. But once we
scaled the bridge and turned right towards Kampung Air Lalang, we were in for
a good time. Riding along Jalan Makam with the coasts to our right spelt
SERENITY!
Once
we crossed Sungai Tenglu Besar and turned right onto Jalan Air Papan,
landscapes began to change. Riding past fields of paddy, it was unfortunate to find them already harvested. All that was left were ugly brown stalks.
As it
was not very scenic, we cut short our ride along the paddy fields and made our
way to Pantai Teluk Buih instead. Located on a small cove, the seaside was very
windy when we were there. Several bikes were blown to the ground!
After
Pantai Teluk Buih, we proceeded to Air Papan. The waterfront area has since
been given a new facelift, making it a comfortable place to hang out. We could
not resist stopping for coconuts despite the hefty price of RM5 per nut but how
often do city folks get to them sip under a coconut tree?
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| Pantai Rekreasi Mersing |
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| Taman Rekreasi Mersing |
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| Tanjung Resang |
With
the coastlines dotted with beautiful beaches, we made another few more stops
before we finally made it to lunch. By then, we have scaled the long slope
along J78, dropping by Pantai Rekreasi Mersing and Tanjung Resang.
Past 1
pm, our little stall along Jalan Penyabong had nothing much to offer. The
remaining assam fish, cabbage and few dishes were quickly wiped out by our lot.
The last few had to content themselves with fried noodles and Jessica's dumplings.
After lunch,
we rode the last 10 km to Pasir Lanun Camp and Chalet. Revived from her dizzy
spells, Lily was gunning ahead; a total transformation from the distressed
damsel who had sat by a pile of cow dungs at J78 and laid under a coconut tree
at Tanjung Resang!
Penyabong was quite unexpected. A brand new waterfront equipped with jetty, food
court and clean toilets awaits. Our camp and chalet was equally unexpected as
well. We had to ride through 700 m of gravel road which runs through a forest
before reaching our stay for the night. Amidst a crowded beach, the run down
chalets with termite infested doors were fully booked….and not cheap too!!!
Already pre-arranged, our van arrived at 3 pm to take us to Pulau Mawar. Unfortunately,
it started to rain a few kms into the journey. It was still raining when we
arrived at the start of the trail and while we were reluctant to leave the
comforts of the van, our silly driver was trying give us the boot! It was difficult trying to talk sense into him and remain cordial all the time. He finally
got rid of us when the rain teetered to a light drizzle.
Pulau Mawar
is a tidal isle subjected to the tides. During high tide, the strip of land
connecting the mainland and the isle is submerged in waters. Before visiting, we had
carefully read the tide schedules and consulted Jazper and Shonny, both divers
at Pulau Tioman.
As the lowest tide on the day of our visit was 9 pm, the
waters were slowly receding when we arrived. By the time we left, the tide had gone out so much, the place almost looked like a dessert. Had it been a sunny day, the famed sky mirror
effects would have been possible for avid photographers!
While
we had enjoyed a cool, after the rain walk towards the island, it began to rain
heavily when we were about to make the
climb to the Heaven’s Gate. Coincidentally, it was also a time when the
crowd thinned as most decided to make a hasty visit. Irene though, was
intimidated by the heavy rain which pelted down, hard on her eyes that had just
gone through surgeries a month ago. In fact it was raining so hard the waters
collected quickly, forming a steady stream as it flowed downhill!!!
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| Ropes for support |
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| Slippery slope after the rain |
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| You can literally see the rain coming down in streaks! |
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8 feet drop, including the ladder
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The actual trail through the forest is merely 50 m with a short 10 m climb. Ropes are fixed to the side, to
help assist climbers. For a non hiker, the situation may get tricky at the top
when one has to haul oneself up and over to the other side while mesmerized by
the magnificent arch all the time. Luckily, the drop on the other side is
merely 8 feet. Equipped with a sturdy ladder, one’s dream of going to Heaven
may just have to wait !!!
It was
raining sooooo hard when we finally arrived at the arch. Chooi cleverly found
shelter at the base of the arch which formed a natural roof. The rest of us
were sooooo wet we couldn’t care less!
Blown
in by the wind, the rain came in batches. Those of us who patiently endured the downpour were rewarded with a
second dry spell. This allowed us to venture to the other side of the portal
which opens up to the sea and a pirate’s cave. Unfortunately, whatever loot we
hope to find has been pillaged by others. The only remnants are bat dungs and
rocks !
As
dusk was setting in, we returned to Pasir Lanun and made a beeline to the
waterfront for dinner. What good luck to find East Coasts’ famous delicacies
like Ikan Goreng Tepung and nasi dagang sold in the food court! The place was a
success with most stalls offering delicious fares, a large hand wash area, clean
toilets which comes with soaps and toilet paper, prayer room and ample car
park.
Unfortunately, we
were not in luck. It began to pour again as night fell. Just as we were drenched in the afternoon, we were drenched
once more when we made our way back to our chalet / campsite. Illuminated only
by the lights from our handphones, our 700 m walk on gravel road was a
difficult one.
Once
back, the party goers were quick to whisk out the beer and hard liquor that
have been jostling in Mr Tan’s car the whole day. So while everyone drank and
waited their turns to shower in the shared family chalet, some others had the
luxury to clean up in the comfort of their own personal rooms. Claudine and VT though, had the whole public toilet to themselves.
Chief KC Tay, who had camped here a few months back was correct when he made
the statement that the place is clean. The public toilet, located about 250 m from the campsite is indeed very clean. Unfortunately, the rooms are really less than
desirable!
Every one turned in for the night when the last song was played. There were supposed to be 6 tents that night but only 3 were set up because of the rain. So while Mr Lim and Henry, set up camp right outside the adjoining superior chalets that became the unofficial "headquarters", Claudine and VT had to move their tent twice. They found out too late that the open dining area where they had first set up tent was rented by a family who were about to start cooking their dinner... at 9 pm!!!
Now, who would have thought that Claudine will be awaken by an acute stomach ache at 3 am in the morning??? Harbouring cramps which she thought was only gas, her numerous passing of wind must have been so loud it woke VT up. Admitting her urgency to use the toilet, she was escorted to the faraway toilet which seemed even farther when desperate. Yes, she was wayyyyy ahead leaving him to walk on his own as she rushed to relief herself not once but twice!!! Dear me, once she was back in her tent, she had to go......again!!! ...and That explains why VT and Claudine had decided to wash up at 4.30 am in the morning!
Photo credits : Amy, Jeannie, Irene, Sherrine, Henry, Andrew, Mindy, Kelvin
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Pasir Lanun Camp and Chalet / Penyabong
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| Jeti Penyabong JDT |
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| There were a few tourist boats but no operators visible |
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| Isle opposite the Jeti |
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| Warong at the edge of the gravel trail |
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| Entrance to Pasir Lanun |
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| Pasir Lanun |
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| Chalets at Pasir Lanun |
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| Makeshift tables and benches were aplenty by the beachfront |
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| Gravel path all the way to the office |
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| Family chalet, the only unit with air conditioning |
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| The adjoining superior chalet or "Headquarters" |
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| View of Jeti Penyabong JDT |
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| The new waterfront |
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| Fishery and Marine Department |
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| Beautiful Landscaping |
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| The waterfront is less than a year and the skinny trees are proof! |
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| Toilets per entry is RM0.50 and opened from 7 am until 9 pm. You are free to shower with the bidets provided in every cubicle. Past 9 pm, the OKU toilet is the only one opened with a chained up money box beside it for you to drop your coins. |
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| Long walkway |
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