Greater Batu Pahat Exploration Ride (24 September 2022) - Pantai Minyak Beku, Kampung Segenting, Bukit Segenting, Sungai Ayam

 

At the foothills of Bukit Segenting

Bukit Segenting Lighthouse

Early morning drama on the highway. First a lorry flashed at us from the opposite direction. Then a few hundred meters later, we saw white smoke billowing from the side of the road. 

By the time we reached the car, fire had caught on to the engine and black smoke began to emit into the atmosphere. The beautiful Volvo was driven by 3 young Malay men in their 20's. They could only watch in desperation.

A must stop at Nasi Beriani Mohd Shah in Batu Pahat

The food court has been given a new facelift and the bushes by the river cleared for a riverside dining experience

The bridge connecting the town to the coveted nasi beriani

Pantai Minyak Beku's new campsite by the municipal council. There's a small army post next to this campsite.

Sadly, the signboard says it is still closed! 

Nice walking path by the waterfront

The last pergola by the waterfront

Beyond the pergola is a rocky seafront

The last pergola is dominated by anglers

Gorgeous view at high tide

Note the hiking trail next to the last pergola. Hikers said it is an easy walk of 20 minutes to a plateau. I don't think you can reach Bukit Segenting's lighthouse from this trail.

The climb to the lighthouse is pretty steep. 

Unlike 2020, this time we managed to gain entry into the lighthouse, thanks to maintenance works

View of the sea from the compound

Another view from the compound

Friskie

A bit of exploration...we took the first right turn on Jalan Kampung Segenting. This narrow road passes by Malay kampung houses. Deeper in, a few houses are already abandoned and the dirt road replaces tarmac. This traditional Malay home is behind locked gates and stands alone at the foothills of Bukit Segenting. The seafront which we tried to access is all blocked by vegetation.

At Chong Long Gong Temple, the Arapaimas behave like dogs and cats, coming to you to be petted. 

They seemed docile but is known for their ferocious nature

Upon our return, I wonder if the "No Feeding" sign actually means do not feed your fingers to the fish !!! 

Bukit Segenting lighthouse and the radar tower on the right. On the left is a smaller lighthouse on Pulau Sialu

Pulau Sialu lighthouse

We were told a tree fell at Jalan Sungai Suloh around 5.30 am this morning due to strong winds that brought along rain. Guess it took awhile for the incident to be reported for civil defence team appeared to have just started work when we got there at 12.30 pm. They took a further 40 minutes to clear the tree. Note that the tree fell on the power lines so TNB officers had to come as well.

The work was further delayed as the chain on the chainsaw dropped out of the bar.

Tiny chainsaw

Somewhere in the internal roads of Kampung Patah Pedang enroute to Sungai Ayam Laut

At the junction to Asam Pedas Kak Nolik

Asam Pedas Kak Nolik is popular amongst Malays and Chinese

Seriously good asam pedas cooked with Ikan Unga. 9 of us paid RM147 for 2 portions of fish tail, egg omelette and fried sotong

Killing time by a pondok next to the river, right opposite Kak Nolik

Sungai Ayam

The gushing river flow is controlled by a watergate

Up on the watergate

View from the watergate

Backview from the watergate and J198's Jalan Sungai Ayam

View of the watergate from the jetty

Salted fish drying under the sun enroute to Parit Sabari

Friskie getting a good sun!

Road to Sungai Ayam Laut

The end of the road

Low tide

The mouth of the river

Taoist shrine at Sungai Ayam Laut. The place is predominantly Chinese

On our way out. Note another asam pedas restaurant on the right, Warisan Anak Melaka

Patriotism

Fishery is the main source of income here

Washed out cooler boxes waiting to store the catch of the day

Most of the homes comes with a verandah 

Houses on stilts

Chinese temple next to the Chinese school

Many areas are flooded due to several days of downpour. Note the engorged canal

Attempting a new route next to Leyo Manufacturing

Only 400m but soft sand made it hard to ride

Pushing is easier

Then, there were deep ruts

Gorgeous road on Jalan Lombong

Lots of durian trees

Rolling hills

Checking out Capital O 90088, MBP Leisure Resort. In the photo are family chalets.

Well kept gardens in a durian orchard

The family lives at the top of the hill

Standard rooms facing a small area suitable for camping

Another view from the standard rooms

On the way to the duck farm

Duck farm

Vegetable farm

After VT and Claudine left, the rest of the team proceed to Skyrim Campsite

Gorgeous view of The Straits of Melaka

Beautiful sunset

The morning after !!! A thunderstorm hit the campsite at 3.30 am