Sunday 11 October 2020

Triple S's (Sun, Sea, Shiok - 24 to 27 September 2020) : Day 1 - Mersing to Penyabong via Pulau Mawar

 

The Team at Mersing

Fook, a kind hearted dim sum stall owner who always give away free dim sum to weary tourers

First regrouping point at Kampung Tanjung Genting

First regrouping point at Kampung Tanjung Genting

Pink ladies with Pulau Setindan in the background

The final arrivals at Kampung Tanjung Genting

Kampung road that runs parallel to Jalan Air Papan

Jalan Teluk Buih

Teluk Buih's rustic jetty

Fishing boats docked at Teluk Buih

Teluk Buih with a view of Pulau Setindan

Right outside Fishing Bay Resort

Air Papan waterfront

Coming down the slope after the long climb on J78


Coming down the slope after the long climb on J78


On the bridge overlooking Pulau Mawar


The old bridge


Pulau Mawar

Pulau Mawar

Heaven's Gate

View from the other side 

Seaview 

Pirate's Cave





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?

 

Pantai Rekreasi Mersing


Taman Rekreasi Mersing



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!!!

Ropes for support

 
Slippery slope after the rain

You can literally see the rain coming down in streaks!


8 feet drop, including the ladder


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

Jeti Penyabong JDT

There were a few tourist boats but no operators visible

Isle opposite the Jeti

Warong at the edge of the gravel trail 

Entrance to Pasir Lanun

Pasir Lanun


Chalets at Pasir Lanun

Makeshift tables and benches were aplenty by the beachfront

Gravel path all the way to the office

Family chalet, the only unit with air conditioning

The adjoining superior chalet or "Headquarters" 

View of Jeti Penyabong JDT

The new waterfront 

Fishery and Marine Department

Beautiful Landscaping

The waterfront is less than a year and the skinny trees are proof!


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.

Long walkway 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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