BERPETUALANG KE ACEH

Johor river from Kota Tinggi jetty

2012-02-12T18:17:00.002+08:00

Peace be upon you all. It has been almost a month since I've updated this blogspot. So let me present its 900th article. You could say this is the continuation of The scenic rivers at Hulu Riau.

The southern trip of December 10-18 then brought us to the town of Kota Tinggi, Johor. It was Friday the 16th and after doing the compulsory congregational weekly prayer at a nearby mosque I stopped by this jetty.

It faces the Johor river. Here, the river is about 100 metres wide, much smaller than the parts shown in these articles made 2 years ago...

The immensely wide Johor river - Views from the jetty at Johor Lama...

The immensely wide Johor river - Views from Kampung Johor Lama...

The immensely wide Johor river - Views from Teluk Sengat...

Anyway here's a look upriver. The Kota Tinggi town centre lies about 2 km from here.

A look ahead.

A look downriver. About 10 km or so from here the river expands up to 2-3 km wide!

The scenic rivers at Hulu Riau

2012-01-17T16:10:00.003+08:00

Back to the southern trip of November 10-18.

Wednesday 14th November 2011, we went to an inland part of Pulau (island of Bentan) where lies this jetty.

The area and its surrounding is generally called Hulu Riau.

Hulu means upriver and this is the upriver part of the main river called Riau, a name which is also used to refer to the whole archipelago of islands within 100 km or so of the island of Bentan.

The Riau river has many tributaries and this is one of them.

In general the tributaries are short and one such as this practically looks like a bay, albeit an elongated one if viewed from high up.

The scenic feel here reminds me of a part of Brunei river near a place called Luba. Do have a look at the old article The beauty of Luba.

A look to the right which is downriver.

A look across.

A look to the left or upriver.

Boat ride to Pulau Kampai

2012-01-13T17:01:00.002+08:00

Alternating back to the Medan-Banda Aceh trip of November 2-13, 2011. Continuing from The river Babalan at Pengkalan Brandan.

From Pengkalan Brandan we moved to Pengkalan Susu, a small town situated besides the bay called Teluk Haru.

From here we took a boat to get to Pulau (island of) Kampai.

The island could be seen here lying ahead at the centre very close to the mainland left. But that part of mainland is not so accesible. I understand it is mostly marshland or maingrove swamp so taking a boat from Pengkalan Susu is still the best option to get Pulau Kampai.

Soon the boat started to move.

The calm waters of Teluk (bay of) Haru is surely a refeshing sight.

Oh. It is common for boats here to be overflowing with goods and passengers such that the roof becomes a refuge.

The boat soon passed another island called Pulau Sembilan to the right.

A view from inside. For the record this is the 898th article in this blogspot.

The Pompong ride from Tanjung Pinang to Pulau Penyengat

2012-01-10T11:45:00.005+08:00

Peace be upon you all. It's the turn for the December 10-18th southern trip storytelling. Continuing from Boat trip to Riau from Johor.

So we have arrived at Tanjung Pinang, the main town of Pulau (island of) Bentan and the Riau archipelago, Indonesia. The following day Tuesday 13th December 2011 we decided to go for another boat ride.

Seen here is the jetty where we embarked at after arriving from Johor the previous day.

For this ride however there is another jetty.

For we were about to take the small local boat called the Pompong.

A view of Tanjung Pinang from the middle part of the jetty.

Time to take the Pompong.

A look from inside.

For a wider vista I have to stand on the deck. Here's a look back at the jetty in Tanjung Pinang as the boat left.

Slowly turning anti-clockwise I took in different shots.

There. That's our destination, the island called Pulau Penyengat.

A look again at Tanjung Pinang.

A few minutes later Pulau Penyengat conquered the view.

This island used to be the administrative centre for the Riau archipelago.

For here rest a number of rulers called the Yang dipertuan Muda Riau, the second most powerful persons in the Johor-Riau-Lingga empire...

The river Babalan at Pengkalan Brandan

2012-01-05T10:35:00.005+08:00

Continued from Walking at the market area of Pengkalan Brandan.

From the market area we approached a water front.

For the record Pengkalan Brandan is situated close to a river called Babalan.

Here's a look downriver.

A look across.

A look to the left or upriver.

But I actually wanted to have a look from a particular jetty which I've visited more than 7 years ago.

I soon found it located 100-200 metres upriver from the water front previously seen.

But the jetty itself has been dismantled. For a better view I have to pass through someone's hut and hop onto this boat.

Now I could see better. A look to the right or downriver.

A look across.

A look upriver...

Walking at the market area of Pengkalan Brandan

2012-01-05T09:13:00.002+08:00

Returning to the Medan-Banda Aceh trip of November 2-13th, 2011. Continuing from Aidil Adha eve at the famed Al-Mashun mosque of Medan.

The trip then took us to Pengkalan Brandan, a town 75 km away north-west of Medan.

After having a good rest at the local rest house we decided to take a walk around town.

It was Wednesday 9th November 2011.

I wanted to show the wife the route I've taken once in this town more than 7 years ago as I walked following my heart without knowing where I was headed to. A look to the right as I crossed a small bridge.

A look ahead.

A look to the left. Pengkalan Brandan is predominantly a Muslim town but here you can still see two churces in the background.

Making a right turn further ahead we soon came into the market area.

Not far from here is an area which I consider as among the most interesting in town.

What area is that? I would continue in the next article. Meanwhile just have a look at this less busy part of the market area ya... :]

Boat trip to Riau from Johor

2012-01-01T02:35:00.006+08:00

OK. For the past few days I've started a new series at my main blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU. It is based on my latest long trip, one that covered most of the state of Johor and included forays into the island republic of Singapura or Singapore on to the Riau archipelago in Indonesia made December 10-18. The main stories are posted in-between another series which is currently running, the one on the Medan to Banda Aceh trip of November 2-13. As usual supporting stories are made in my other blogspots and here is the first for this one.

The trip started when we left home for Melaka early Saturday morning 10th December 2011. Then we spent the night in Muar and left for Pontian in the afternoon entering Singapura in the evening. After spending a night in the island we reentered Malaysia via Woodlands to Johor Bahru. At 5 pm we took a boat or ferry to Riau and here's where this story starts.

A look to the east from the jetty at Stulang Laut.

That's the wife and our 2-year-old son inside the boat.

After a time I went up the rooftop.

By then we were passing the port of Pasir Gudang.

These are pictures taken as I turned around anti-clockwise.

To the left of the boat is what looks like an uninhabited part of Singapura, I don't know which.

Further on we passed Singapura's smaller island of Pulau Ubin.

I know this for sure after having studied the route taken by the boat in maps. And Pulau (island of) Ubin could be recognised by the presence of security fences all along its visible coast.

Here we were approaching what could be Pulau Tekong, another of Singapura's smaller island... much bigger than Pulau Ubin.

Oh. Forgot to tell you the waters between Singapura and Johor is called Selat (straits of) Tebrau. To our right is still part of Johor.

As I understand it at this juncture we were veering southeast to head south of Pulau Tekong, a part of water inside the borders of Singapura flanked by the main island. I could say for sure that to our right as seen here is the mouth of very wide Johor river. And the hills seen lie at a place called Belungkor.

Here we were already south of Pulau Tekong.

To the left could be seen the tower of Changi airport, on furthest east of Singapura's main island.

As we left the waters of Pulau Tekong we could see a hill which I know to be located at Tanjung Pengelih, within the Kota Tinggi district of Johor.

There seemed to be thriving port facilities off its coast.

Much later we were passing through the waters off the Indonesian island of Pulau Batam. See the sun about to set? That should clearly tell this picture to the left of the boat is taken facing the west.

Batam is one of the islands of the Riau archipelago.

But our target is the bigger Riau island called Pulau Bentan. And here we could see it to our left. But the port we would embark at was still more than an hour away...

Aidil Adha eve at the famed Al-Mashun mosque of Medan

2011-12-29T11:37:00.004+08:00

Peace be upon you all. It's been over 3 weeks since I've updated this blogspot and almost a month since I made any story on my Medan-Banda Aceh trip November 2-13. So let me continue from where we left off in the last article on the subject, The Saturday market at Parapat.

What happened was we left Parapat after 2 in the afternoon to head for Medan. While we did made a few stops here and there it was the busy road condition which lead us to reach the biggest city in Sumatera after dark. Thank God we got a nice hotel situated very close to famous Al-Mashun mosque, one of the still standing proud landmark from the days of the greatness of the Malay kingdom of Deli. So after refreshing ourselves we immediately headed for the mosque.

For the record it was the eve of the Muslim festive day of Aidil Adha, a major celebration made every year on the Muslim calendar date of 10th of Zulhijjah (the 12th month).

We came a bit late at night when most people have left the mosque as to have some quiet and privacy.

OK. While this blogspot is used to support the main storytelling in my main blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU, the truth is there has been a disparity.

The storytelling there has reached a point where we were about to leave Medan after staying three nights while this article is set on our first night in the city. So this is actually 3 days behind...

Muar river near the FELDA of Jelai

2011-12-07T21:04:00.002+08:00

Just an excursion from the storytelling on places visited in Sumatera such as Samosir Island and the town of Parapat...

Just over 2 weeks ago I brought the wife, son and two stepkids to places in Melaka and Muar. Then we slept over at my sister-in-law's place at the FELDA (federal settlement scheme) of Jelai, Negeri Sembilan and not far from it lies this wooden suspension bridge.

It crosses over the local portion of the Muar river. Here's a look downriver.

The bridge lies off the rural road connecting the FELDA of Jelai to the small town of Pasir Besar which in turn lies on the road to the much bigger town of Bahau.

A look upriver. Further up lies a very interesting place just 2-3 km from Bahau. Look at the old article Where Muar river meets Jempol in Negeri Sembilan....

The Saturday market at Parapat

2011-12-03T09:43:00.002+08:00

Continued from The boat ride from Tuk-tuk to Prapat.

Arriving at Parapat we were greeted by this sight.

Then we were told this is the Parapat Saturday market.

Well, we're not here to shop. But what's the harm in looking around.

By then we have booked a hired car to Medan. It would leave at 2, after getting a number of passengers and we had time to explore also the nearby permanent market.

The boat ride from Tuk-tuk to Parapat

2011-12-03T08:17:00.007+08:00

Greetings earthlings. In the previous article on this blogspot, The place where Samosir island meets the mainland I've said this : "God willing I will show some really nice pictures in my next round of postings, pictures taken as we left Samosir by boat to get to Parapat Saturday afternoon." Well. Now comes that next round. So feast your eyes...

Saturday 5th November 2011. Came the time for us to leave Tuk-tuk and the island of Samosir.

It's a fine beautiful day as we looked around waiting for our boat.

There, that's the boat.

Soon we're on board.

OK. When we entered the island 2 days before, it was already dark. So we didn't get to see the scenery.

Saturday was different. We came out at noon and the day was nice albeit a bit cloudy. The vista was really open... wide open and certainly eye-opening.

There. Just look at the mountains of Samosir island as we left.

But the boat was not ready to fully leave the island yet. Instead it stopped at a different part of Tuk-tuk to pick up passengers.

Now we're leaving.

After some time we could clearly see the town of Parapat on the mainland.

The place where Samosir island meets the mainland

2011-11-30T22:22:00.002+08:00

At the end of the article First appreciation of the beauty of Samosir island at Tuk-tuk made 4 hours ago I said watch for the next article. I was then thinking of showing some really beautiful pictures to be shared of Samosir island and Danau (lake Toba). Then I went through my picture files again and find out that the best pictures were actually taken the following day, Saturday. But at this moment I'm still taking about activities done on Friday when the best sceneries were caught on videocam in HD (high definition).

Sorry to say I can't share what's on the videocam here as it is meant for a different project. But I did snap other pictures with the camera (yes, I brought a camera and a videocam although both devices can fairly do the job of the other). Well it may not be the best but it should do...

After making a semi-cricle round of northern part of Samosir we arrived at Pangururan, the island's administrative centre. At its fringe lies a bridge which connect the island to the mainland.

Here, only a small body of water which looks like a river or maybe a canal divide both lands.

Crossing the bridge we took a road up a slope.

From here we could have a good look at the northern part of Samosir.

Turning anti-clockwise one could see a part of Danau Toba opening wide.

And here's a look at a part of the mainland. God willing I will show some really nice pictures in my next round of postings, pictures taken as we left Samosir by boat to get to Parapat Saturday afternoon. :]

First appreciation of the beauty of Samosir island at Tuk-tuk

2011-11-30T18:35:00.004+08:00

On to the 888th article of this blogspot. Continuing from The waterfall of Sipiso Piso.

In the last article I have shown how a high waterfall called Sipiso Piso is connected to the northern part of the vast lake called the Danau Toba. Now let me add, the surface of the lake lies 900 metres above sea level. At dusk we arrived at the shoreline town of Parapat and immediately got a ferry to cross the lake on to a big island called Samosir. Here are pictures taken the following day, Friday 4th November 2011.

Thank God we got a nice and affordable room at a resort in Tuk-tuk, the island's main town. Mind you, Samosir is about the same size as the island of Singapore! From the room we walked about 100 metres to get this view. And what breathtaking view it is... the vast freshwater lake, the mountains in the middle of the island which rose to more than 1,600 metres above sea level...

I've mentioned in the previous article that Danau Toba is formed from a crater created after a big volcano explosion said to have happened 74,000 years ago. The mountains surrounding the lake is the mouth of the crater while those situated on the island is the heap formed after the explosion. Look to the middle right of the picture. Notice the gap? To the right is the southern part of Samosir, to the left is the mountains on the mainland.

Turning back towards the resort it's time for us to explore the island. At first I just wanted to stay one night here. But the beauty of the scenery made me decide to stay one more night. And for the day we rented a motorbike to go around. Watch for the next article... :]

The waterfall of Sipiso Piso

2011-11-26T23:10:00.004+08:00

Continued from Bukit Gundaling, the "Good bye darling" hill.

After having enough of Berastagi we took a hired car which brought us to certain place down south.

There is something special to be seen here. Notice it?

A close-up look.

Closer and there's no mistaking the fall of water. Welcome to the Sipiso Piso waterfall!

Situated at 1,000 metres above sea level it is complemented by an amazing surrounding.

You see, the waterfall goes down a deep valley forming a stream.

And the stream flows into an immense lake.

Walking down to a vantage point closer to the lake I could see better how the Sipiso Piso waterfall is connected to the lake.

While it's hard to have a good look at the stream as it is so far down the valley you could surmise it from here.

Ah. What a great view of the lake.

For the record this is the northern part of the great highland lake called Danau (lake) Toba, a giant lake said to be created from the crater left of a super volcano which exploded some 74,000 years ago!

Bukit Gundaling, the "Good bye darling" hill

2011-11-26T22:03:00.004+08:00

Peace be upon you all. It's been more than 3 weeks since I made any update in this blogspot. Did I tell you that from November 2nd to 13th me and family was on a trip covering Medan, Danau (Lake) Toba and a number of places up to Banda Aceh? Then from November 18th to 22th I brought along my stepkids to places in Melaka, Muar and Negeri Sembilan. For the Nov 2-13 trip I've started a series in my main blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU... well, with only one article so far. Tonight I want to write the second article and with that I shall be making a number of supporting articles at my other blogspots starting with this. Come... :]

The trip was started by taking a plane from Sepang to Medan, the biggest city in the Indonesian island of Sumatera. For the record Sumatera is one of the largest island in the world with a size almost twice that of Peninsular Malaysia. From Medan we took a hired car to the highland resort town of Berastagi. The next day, Thursday 3rd November we started exploring a bit of Berastagi by going up a hill with some vantage views of the surrounding.

Mind you, Berastagi is situated at 1,400 metres above sea level. The top of the hill is about 75 metres higher, just 50 metres lower than the summit of Fraser's Hill in Malaysia but with a climate that feels the same.

Its name is Bukit (hill of Gundaling).

Interestingly the story goes that the name Gundaling is derived from the words "Good bye darling!". It is said that a Dutch officer once married a local and lived here. Something happened driving the wife to commit suicide. As as she jumped off the the top of the hill she cried out loud : "Good bye darling"... but in a dialect that sounds more like Gundaling!

Anyway Bukit Gundaling is a pride of the locals. For the record the town of Berastagi is located on a vast highland populated by the Batak Karo race. Here'a statue of their legendary medicine man ( I don't know from what era) called Pawang Ternalem.

Views of the surrounding...

And the town of Berastagi seen from the hill.

Kuala Kubu Baru from the Telekom building

2011-11-01T16:51:00.002+08:00

Continued from Bota Kanan from the tower of its mosque.

From Bota Kanan we went to a certain place near Teluk Intan before leaving the state of Perak. Then we spent the night at the small quaint town of Kuala Kubu Bahru. Here's a view of the town from the Telekom building the following day.

Except for the telecommunication tower right in front the building is the tallest structure around.

So I just can't help but went up to catch vantages views around...

Bota Kanan from the tower of its mosque

2011-11-01T16:35:00.002+08:00

Continued from The island called Chempaka Sari in Parit.

Next we went to the small town of Bota Kanan where I made a climb up the tower of its main mosque.

Except for telecommunication towers the town has no tall structure. So this is perhaps the best place to get vantage views of the surrounding.

Turning anti-clockwise for different angles.

The main street...

There's not much here but to me it is a comfortable quite town.

There's plenty of greens around.

One more picture to complete a round.

The island called Chempaka Sari in Parit

2011-11-01T15:00:00.003+08:00

Continued from Perak river from the Alor Kangsar town jetty.

The following day, Saturday, after going around to a number of places in Kuala Kangsar we went south the small town of Parit. Lying besides the Perak river you could see an island called Chempaka Sari... or rather Pulau (island of) Chempaka Sari.

Parit used to be a regular stop when I was actively travelling to many places by public transport and hitchiking, 2001-2008. Then, I used to sit around the banks here wishing I would walk on the island someday as there was no bridge.

If I remember correctly they only started building this bridge early 2008. If I remember correctly again I did pass here end of that year when the bridge was completed. But I was in a rush to get somewhere else. Since then I've vowed to take this bridge someday.

It was built to allow the locals to get to the villages on the other side. Otherwise they have to get to the main bridge 7 km or so to the north meaning to get from the villages to Parit they have to travel no less than 14 km, that is 7 km up north to get to bridge, 7 km down south to get to town. And that's just one way. A return trip would take around 30 km of travel!

A look to the north or rather upriver as I walked across. The land you see on the left is actually the island of Chempaka Sari, narrow but long.

A look downriver.

Going down the staircase to get to the island.

There. A look to the banks on the opposite side.

I started taking pictures while turning anti-clockwise.

Looking down south.

The banks at Parit.

And that's the part of bridge we crossed to get here.

Perak river from the Alor Kangsar town jetty

2011-10-31T00:00:00.003+08:00

Peace be upon you all. About a week ago I made a trip to the state of Perak and visited a number of places. So its time to present a few stories starting with this.

The trip was started Friday afternoon by taking the old trunk road to the north with a foray at the small but long and winding road connecting Chenderiang off Tapah to Kuala Dipang off Kampar on to Ipoh. After spending the night at Sungai Siput we went to the royal town of Kuala Kangsar. That's when we went to this jetty besides the Perak river.

Here's a view to the right or downriver as I stepped onto the jetty.

A view to the left or upriver.

As I reached the furthest end I looked again to the right.

A look ahead to a part called Sayong.

A look to the left.

Zooming on to the bridge...

Remembering the heydays of the quaint town of Batu Arang

2011-10-16T20:05:00.004+08:00

Greeting everyone. I have written a number of articles featuring the quaint town of Batu Arang which is situated just about 3 km from my house at Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang. Over the weekend 15-16 October, a carnival was held to commemorate 100 years of the town's existence. For the record it was famous for coal mining, Batu Arang being the Malay word for coal and some pictures were exhibited showing activities around during its heydays. So let it be shown here without further comment ya. You can open the pictures in new windows for a better look.. :]

Views from the summit of Gunung Ledang

2011-10-11T16:09:00.005+08:00

OK. In the article A quick look around Jasin made about 15 hours ago I did mentioned that we (me, wife and son) climbed up Gunung (mount) Ledang before going to Jasin. Now let's show pictures from the summit...

That's the wife and going to be 2-year-old Al-Rasyid looking at a lower peak.

For the record me managed to climb up to the summit or the highest peak which stood at 1,276 metres of 4,187 feet above sea level.
A picture together. Mind you, the wife is 5 months pregnant. Oh, before that I took a video recording of the surroundings. Look below...

I wanted to pose alone at the summit marker but Rasyid just couldn't leave me alone. Notice how the background has been obscured by the mist/fog/cloud. In a previous picture you could see telecommunication towers behind.

Rasyid giving a cool pose... hehe... :]

Suddenly the mist/fog/cloud dispersed.

Knowing the nature and weather I know it is a window that wouldn't last long and started snapping pictures moving anti clockwise for different angles...

Ah! The fog started coming up again from one part.

We barely had enough time to catch this pose.

Then suddenly it cleared up again.

I understand there's a possibility of rain coming after this. So enough of enjoying the views... :]

A quaint look of Alor Gajah

2011-10-11T14:14:00.002+08:00

Continued from A quick look around Jasin.

Next we went to the town of Alor Gajah where I stopped the car near its main roundabout (or was it its only roundabout?)...

Alor Gajah is a small town which holds quite a number of fond childhood memories for me. Here's a look across from where the car was parked at.

Turning 30 degress or so clockwise. I still remember, before the PLUS or North-South Highway was opened to replace the importances of the north-south trunk road one must pass Alor Gajah along the way. The park seen above did not exist when my dad used to take the whole family pass this way.

Turning further anti clockwise. The shophouses seen here however is part of classic old Alor Gajah.

The town used to be quite famous for its satay or skewered meat and we used to have our regular fill. On to the park which if I remember correctly was opened just over a decade ago.

There's a giant replica of the kris or keris, a Malay traditional weapon.

Besides it lies a museum on local culture...

A quick look around Jasin

2011-10-11T01:47:00.003+08:00

Continued from A morning look of Shah Alam.

After Shah Alam we attended a function in Putrajaya and then returned to my parents' place in Muar. The next day we climbed up Gunung (mount) Ledang and afterwards went to the town of Jasin in Melaka.

It is a town I've only passed through a few times as it is located out of the main north-south routes I usually take when returning to the parents'.

Still I found it a cute town worth mentioning to anyone.

If not for the fact that it is located on a convenient route from Tangkak, the nearest town to Gunung Ledang heading towards Alor Gajah which I intended to visit next I would have probably not stop at Jasin.

Anyway we were hungry then and there is a food court besides a river in the middle of town. That's where I saw these guys looking for something.

A morning look of Shah Alam

2011-10-10T22:33:00.002+08:00

Last weekend me, wife and baby spent the night at an auntie's apartment in Shah Alam. From there one could get a superb look at the town of Shah Alam.

As we were about the leave Sunday morning a wide vista greeted us. As usual I stated taking pictures from different angles.

Iconic of Shah Alam is the state mosque which I believe still holds the world record for having the biggest dome for any existing place of worship. The minaret is also among the tallest if not the tallest. Whatever it is a landmark not to be missed.

Another iconic building is the main tower for the higher learning institute called ITM (Institut Teknologi Mara), now a university. The town of Shah Alam practically started around the institute and the building is a sight that practically marks the town.

The seven level waterfalls of Templer's Park... or rather the Kanching recreational forest

2011-10-05T10:43:00.008+08:00

On to something I did recently.

Yesterday Tuesday 4 October 2011, after not visiting the area popularly known as Templer's Park for decades I decided to spend some time there.

Actually last week I made a short stop here walking only at the lawns.

This time I decided to go far in. For the record there are 7 levels of waterfall inside.

First, one have to walk past the lawns.

But it is only after this gate that one is officially inside the recreational forest. Notice the name Hutan Lipur (recreational forest of) Kanching? That's the official name of this place.

But yet many know it as Templer's Park. For an explanation read the article A visit to Templer's Park made 3 years ago.

Seen here is the stream down the first level. In the old article there's pictures taken as I walked from here upstream until the 1st level waterfall could be seen.

But that's all to it in the visit made 3 years ago. This time I must go up all the way.

Two decades ago going up and down the 7 levels of waterfalls here was almost a weekly affair. As far as I could remember yesterday was the first time since then that I walked up past the 1st level. Seen here behind the growth is the 2nd level.

A zoom picture.

Going up further I could see the 3rd level waterfall.

There is a path that reach directly to this level but I chose another which leads higher...

The path leads to this bridge.

Then you could see the 4th level.

For most people this is the place to stop and take a dip at as it provides the largest pool around.

But the more adventurous just couldn't ignore the fact that there's still other waterfalls further up.

So there I was climbing more staircase.

At the age of 41 I could feel myself strained to continue the climb. But upon seeing the 5th level waterfall my exhaustion simply evaporated.

And so I pressed on.

Till there's no more staircase of concrete path...

Another bridge beckons.

Cross it first.

And walk on before you can see another waterfall.

Yes. This is the 6th level...

Yet one could still climb further albeit harder.

Cross this small cascade.

Walk further up the jungle.

And there, the majestic 7th level waterfall, a place I used to practically run up all the way to during my younger days and still have the stamina, strength and balance to quickly step up the stones till the top part which could be seen in this picture.

Klang train station

2011-09-29T12:27:00.002+08:00

Continued from Langat river from a point before it splits downriver.

Next we went to a shopping centre before entering the town of Klang. There we visited two historical places before making a stop here, the town's railway station.

As it turns out the station also has some historical value.

Some information.

It is now used for commuter trains travelling to an fro the port of Klang and the city of Kuala Lumpur with its fringes.

Outside at one part could be seen an old carriage.

Nice. It has been turned into a flower shop. :]

Langat river from a point before it splits downriver

2011-09-29T03:54:00.002+08:00

Continued from The place where the Langat river splits towards two estuaries.

As I turned back to get out of the peninsular then only I noticed this part of the river.

It is situated at the eastern or rather, south-east part of the peninsular.

A look downriver. Follow the stream and it will reach the end of the peninsular where the Langat river splits towards two estuaries.

A look across.

A look downriver and you could some ships moored.

The place where the Langat river splits towards two estuaries

2011-09-29T03:39:00.004+08:00

Continued from Langat river at a northern part of Carey island.

I moved on to the end of the said peninsular where the Langat river starts to split into two directions downriver. What you see ahead here is actually the southern split while the northern one is obscured by the growth.

Turning slightly anti-clockwise a hill came into sight.

I recognise it. It is the Jugra hill and the orange coloured thing seen in the center is the call to prayer tower of the Alaeddin mosque.

A look upriver. Again the growth restrict view...

So I walked slightly upriver. Here's a look downriver from a vantage spot.

A look across.

And a better look upriver.

Langat river at a northern part of Carey island

2011-09-29T03:31:00.002+08:00

Continued from Langat river from Sungai Buaya.

Next we went north and entered into some sort of peninsular with its western side facing an island called Carey island. This place is located on a downriver part of Langat river and here'a view.

Ahead is part of Carey island, a rather large island.

A look upriver.

Langat river from Sungai Buaya

2011-09-29T03:23:00.004+08:00

Moving on to a little trip made around the districts of Kuala Langat and Klang last weekend.

After spending the night at a sister-in-laws place in Jenjarom I took the wife and baby to the Sungai Buaya road until its very end just to see the river Langat fron around here.

A look to the downriver.

A look across.

A look upriver.

A look at Rawang town from the TM office

2011-09-29T01:43:00.002+08:00

A week ago I went to the TM (Telekom Malaysia) office at Rawang town.

Situated at one of the highest parts around here one could catch nice views of the surrounding.

Turning anti-clockwise...

Yesterday I went to the office again and decided to check the views from the 4th floor.

Ah. My wife is right. The view is indeed superb.

Muar river besides the Bukit Kepong old police station

2011-09-26T13:56:00.002+08:00

Continued from The old police station of Bukit Kepong.

Besides the police station I could see a jetty.

As it is the police station cum museum is situated besides the river. The jetty should offer nice views.

A look upriver and you could see the only bridge crossing the Muar river within a radius of 17 km.

A look across.

A look downriver. The only bridge in that direction is near Gresik, 20 km away on a straight line. Follow the curves and bends of the river and the distance is multiplied to 50 km.

The old police station of Bukit Kepong

2011-09-26T12:55:00.004+08:00

Continued from Al-Rasyid's visit to the tomb of Tok Tenang.

Next we went to Labis before heading for Bukit Kepong in the district of Muar where lies this old police station.

For reason that would be told later the station has been turned into a museum. Among the displays on the lawn is this boat.

Then there is this armoured car.

And another along with a cut-out of an older police station which used to lie here.

You see the area has a certain historical significance. I won't repeat what has been said here so just read it yourself.

Suffice to say the concrete station you see now was built to replace the wooden one which got burned after an attack. And because of the historical value the newer station is then turned into a museum.

Going inside.

While the station/museum should already be closed as we arrived well after 5 pm the policeman in charge was kind enough to let visitors come in.

This place is practically a fortress.

There is also an exhibition room. Let's have a quick look. For the record this is the 868th article in this blogspot.

Al-Rasyid's visit to the tomb of Tok Tenang

2011-09-26T11:56:00.002+08:00

Going to Johor. You could say this is the continuation to the article Muar river at Kuala Pilah.

After Kuala Pilah we went to Bahau then the Felda settlement of Jelai to spend the night. The following day Saturday 17th September 2011 we attended a function in Segamat and afterwards decided to go to Kampung Tenang in Labis where lies the tomb of a prominent person called Tok Tenang.

For the record Tok Tenang opened the surrounding village in 1806 AD or so. He is said to be a master scholar of saintly status, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad SAW and a royalty. It is the first time I brought the wife and our 23 month old boy Al-Rasyid here.

A friend Azuan or Engku Azuan, a native of Segamat first showed me this tomb early 2008.

Rasyid seemed to enjoy his foray here as he went around the graves of Tok Tenang's family and descendants.

Muar river at Kuala Pilah

2011-09-23T21:23:00.002+08:00

Continued from Royal museum of Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan revisited.

After Seri Menanti we went to Tanjung Ipoh and Talang before heading for Kuala Pilah where lies this bridge crossing the Muar river.

As far as I could remember I've only passed this bridge or any bridge in Kuala Pilah at night.

So this is the first time I got to properly see the Muar river around here. Here's a view towards downriver.

And here's one upriver.

Royal museum of Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan revisited

2011-09-23T19:57:00.004+08:00

OK. Just now I have spent quite some time cooking a new article on the royal museum of Seri Menanti for the blogspot SENI LAMA MELAYU (MALAY OLDEN ART) only to find later I have already did one on it 3 years ago. So let me just transfer the contents which is bilingual here ya...

---------------

Bersambung dari Masjid lama (Old mosque of) Kampung Parit Istana, Terachi.
Continued from Masjid lama (Old mosque of) Kampung Parit Istana, Terachi.

Selepas solat Jumaat kami pergi ke muzium diraja.
After the Friday (compulsory congregational) prayers we went to the royal museum.

Ia asalnya adalah istana utama bagi kerabat diraja Negeri Sembilan.
It was originally the main palace for the Negeri Sembilan royalty.

Pada halaman tepi ada replika batu.
At the side lawn there are stone replicas.

Maklumat tentang replika.
Information on the replicas.

Sekarang baru kita masuk ke dalam.
Now only do we enter.

Naik tangga utama terus kelihatan ruang ini.
Going up the main staircase and immediately this space came to view.

Saya lebih tertarik pada singgahsana lama yang terdapat di satu sayap.
I was more attracted to the old throne available at one wing.

Sebenarnya tidak dibenarkan mengambil gambar di sini apalagi kebanyakan barangan yang ditunjukkan adalah milik kerabat diraja. Maka terus sahaja naik tangga ke atas.
Actually it is not allowed to take pictures here what more most of the things on display belong to the royal family. Thus let us just go up the stairs.

Kemudian naik tangga yang lebih curam.
Then go up a steeper staircase.

Di tingkat 4 iaitu yang teratas ada sebuah bilik kosong. Untuk pemandangan ke luar lihat artikel The small town of Seri Menanti from the royal museum di blogspot BERPETUALANG KE ACEH.
On the 4th floor which is the highest is an empty room. For views towards outside look at the article The small town of Seri Menanti from the royal museum in the blogspot BERPETUALANG KE ACEH.

The small town of Seri Menanti from the royal museum

2011-09-23T19:03:00.005+08:00

Continued from From Kajang to Seri Menanti by LEKAS highway.

After conducting the Jumaat (compulsory congregational) prayers at the main mosque of Seri Menanti me and family went to the royal museum which was once a palace.

OK. I don't remember where I exactly I was when this picture was taken but this should be a view from the first floor. For the record, except for certain parts like the roof (obviously) the museum is made totally from wood without having to hammer a single nail at any of its four floors above ground.

This should be from the 3rd floor.

Moving on to the 4th or top floor, a view to the right...

A view ahead...
And a view to the left.

From Kajang to Seri Menanti by LEKAS highway

2011-09-23T16:19:00.004+08:00

Peace be upon you all. On to some travelling did last weekend starting Friday 16th September 2011.

Noon, after spending the night at a family house in Kajang, me, wife and our 23-month old son Al-Rasyid took the LEKAS highway accesible just behind the house or so.

While we have taken this highway many times to move to the south and back, most of the time it was at night.

And as far as I could remember I've never went further than Seremban (on the southward or rather south then eastern route) in bright day light.

So this journey made on Friday is a first as I could see how the highway rise and cuts through some highland area towards Seremban before veering east towards Peninsular Malaysia's main mountain range, the Banjaran Titiwangsa.

By the way the highway extends to a route towards Kuala Pilah. I wanted to get to Seri Menanti first and it is on the same route. As I reached the junction that separates the sub-urbs of Seremban from the part of the highway to Kuala Pilah it started to rain.

Now, this is a part which I really really wanted to see in daylight as it cuts through the main mountain range.

See the pointed hill in the picture? Before, everyone must take the twisting and winding road climbing up the hill before going down to get to the eastern parts of the state of Negeri Sembilan from its capital Seremban.

Now with the highway present the road is much straighter although still veering at parts as it cuts through the heights of the range. Shown here is where the highway rejoins the old part of the eastward route, a small distance after going down the hill mentioned on the previous paragraph.

Views from Kuala Lumpur's Batu high-rise flats

2011-09-15T02:04:00.006+08:00

On to something done the recent Monday.

After having breakfast at the wet market of Batu, Kuala Lumpur I returned to the car parked at the nearby high-rise flats when a thought occured...

Why not go up to the top floor and snap pictures of the views?

So there I was at the 17th floor looking out this opening.

I believe this is headed west.

Going to what I surmise must be the southern part of the flats this is the view available.

Turning slightly to the left I could see the KL centre in the background amidst the haze plaguing parts of the Peninsular the last few days.

Then it's time to go to the northern part where you could see the limestone hill of Batu Caves.

Looking down to the right I could see the market where I had breakfast at.

A look to the left.

And further left. Enough...

Tomb of Panglima Pidi revisited

2011-09-15T00:25:00.003+08:00

Continued from The new look of Sultan Alauddin of Melaka's tomb.

Next we went to the city of Melaka aiming straight for the hill called Bukit Cina.

Bukit is the Malay word for hill and Bukit Cina means hill of the Chinese. So it is only natural if it's full of Chinese cemeteries.

But yet at one peak (I understand the hill has 2 peaks) you can find Malay Muslim cemeteries.

The most prominent are this two outstandingly long tombs.

It is understood that one of the long tombs belong to a person known as Panglima Pidi, a general who came from the region of Pidi in Aceh. He was one of the commanders in the 1629 AD Acehness attack against the Portuguese forces occupying the city of Melaka and became a casualty.

The new look of Sultan Alauddin of Melaka's tomb

2011-09-14T22:43:00.005+08:00

Continued from Views from the mosque tower of Simpang Baba.

Next we went to Kampung Raja, Pagoh where lies the tomb of ruler of Melaka known as Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah (ruled 1477-1488 AD).

The last time we paid visit was about half a year ago.

This time we noticed a very good change.

The inscriptions on the tombs made in the Arabic language and writing have been coloured gold making it easier to read and recognise.

Please refer and compare with the pictures shown in the article Batu-batu nesan di makam Sultan Alauddin Melaka (Tombstones at the tomb of Sultan Alauddin of Melaka) made in the blogspot SENI LAMA MELAYU (MALAY OLDEN ART) 5 months ago.

The 4 tombstone and each 2 faces and 2 sides of every tombstone are presented here exactly in the same order as in the old article for easy reference.

Note: 3 am 19 September 2011. I've just noticed I've only put pictures from 3 tombstones instead of 4 as it should be. So below are the pictures from the 4th tombstone ya. Cheers! :]

Views from the mosque tower of Simpang Baba

2011-09-14T22:08:00.002+08:00

On to last weekend when I returned to the place I grew up at, Muar to attend a function. The following day Sunday I started a small trip by heading towards Pagoh.

As I passed by Simpang Baba not far from my mum's native village, Kampung Temiang I felt like visiting its mosque and climbing up its tower.

As there is no tall building within miles around here the tower offers a vantage look at things. The tower has five sides so I started taking pictures counter clockwise.

And finally before I went down. A look showing the tower's actual function. For calling people to come and pray...

Looking for a certain valley besides the LATAR highway

2011-09-14T18:06:00.004+08:00

Almost 2 months ago I did a piece called A look at the newly-opened LATAR highway and showed pictures of a valley where lies what looked like a fishing pond. Last week I finally decided to look for the access road to the said valley. So here's the small story.

Looking at the Google Earth map and from my wife's understanding of Rawang town geography the access road to the said valley should be near an urban area on the southen outskirts of town.

By trial and error I decided to take a small village road and started to see a pond.

And the road leads to an underpass under the LATAR highway. But the area didn't fit the bill of the valley we're looking for.

As it turned out we've missed a turn which should have been easier to find as it has a signboard pointing to a fishing pond.

It leads to a gravel strewn road...

Ah. The fishing pond.

Yes. This one fits the bill.

We even took the underpass here.

Now I felt satisfied having checked out the area as far as I could. For the record this is the 858th posting in this blogspot.

Durian Tunggal lake from Machap

2011-09-13T02:27:00.002+08:00

Continued from Gunung Ledang from Asahan.

From Asahan we went to the small town of Machap where a small road leads to a certain lake.

As we entered the road we could see a part of lake running parallel to the road.

But we wanted to see the part that lies at the end of the road.

Welcome to the lake created by a dam in Durian Tunggal.

Parts of the surface are covered by this plant.

Gunung Ledang from Asahan

2011-09-13T02:00:00.003+08:00

Continued from Muar river at its mouth.

The following day, Sunday I went to Asahan, Melaka to catch views of Gunung (mount) Ledang from that side.

I am more familiar with the views from the southern and eastern side. From Asahan it is views from the west.

So I snapped pictures whenever I could see nice angles as I approached the foot of the mountain.

The road leads to a laterite path going inside the mountain jungle. So this should be close enough because as we climb on up closer to the mountain face the view tends to be obscured by growth and hills.

Muar river at its mouth

2011-09-13T00:09:00.002+08:00

Continued from Muar river from nearby the main mosque.

Walking towards the Muar river mouth you could see a wide and long jetty.

It was built for a yatch club. However I could hardly remember seeing any yatch moored since it was opened a number of years ago.

Then again I don't visit Muar that often any more. I do however remember walking up to the very end of the jetty situated close to the middle of the river 2 or 3 times. But this time I couldn't walk in as I can't leave my less than 2 year old baby who was with me. The notice says only those who came to fish could come in and none below 12 year old is allowed.

A view upriver.

A view of the river mouth.

Going slightly further upriver you could see a different view of the river mouth.

This is where it open up to the Straits of Melaka and it is a favourite place for me to spend time at while growing up.

Muar river from nearby the main mosque

2011-09-12T22:07:00.004+08:00

OK. More casual stories around the festive raya season...

Friday 2nd September, 4th day of the raya month. While many were visiting relatives and friends in line with the festive mood I just can't help going to place which opens up childhood memories such as here, the banks nearby the Muar main mosque. For the record I grew up in this town and here's an upriver view of the Muar river.

A view across and you could see another mosque, one that is almost an exact replica of the Muar main mosque.

A look downriver and you could see the river mouth. Somehow I always feel proud seeing the wideness of the Muar river around here.

A night at Kim Leng

2011-09-08T02:16:00.004+08:00

Going for a slightly festive mood. Continued from The jetty at Pulau Penarik.

At night we joined a number of family members going to a cafe called Kim Leng in the southern part of Muar town.

It is a popular cafe best known for its ice cream cocktails and cakes.

That's baby Al-Rasyid at the cakes counter.

My mum and a number of her siblings were also around as they grew up enjoying what Kim Leng has to offer.

However despite the fact that this cafe has been opened for years it is quite new.

The original Kim Leng, the one remembered as I myself grew up decades ago was situated in the middle of town. Never mind that. It seems my family as a whole still enjoy the once in a while foray here. Despite the fact that they are now spread all over Peninsular Malaysia, whenever there's opportunity to converge in our native Muar such as during the raya festive season, this cafe is always on the list for an outing...

The jetty at Pulau Penarik

2011-09-07T23:29:00.003+08:00

Still on the festive raya season. After all it lasts a month until 30th September or so. However now I'm diverting out of celebration to some sort of exploration... allegedly I guess... :]

Thursday 1 st of September, that is about a week ago, the third day of raya. While many were still in the thick of celebration, on the spur of the moment I brought the wife and baby to a part of Muar which I have never ever been to before.

This part is called Pulau (island of) Penarik, an inland big island formed by the changing course of the Muar river.

Anyway this part of Muar is now officially part of a new district called Ledang formed by dividing Muar district into two... the part to the left towards the upriver stays on as Muar, the opposite part becomes Ledang.

What you see here is a part of Muar river which has become stalled after the river changed its course creating a shortcut leaving a long curve forming a loop. The land between the loop and the shortcut becomes the inland island called Pulau Penarik and this jetty is located near the shortcut which becomes part of the present course of the Muar river.

Continuing the family tradition

2011-09-06T22:27:00.003+08:00

Continued from Raya family function at grandma's place.

Soon its time for the main course.

The family started to gather at the living room while some prefer to sit outside at the verandah.

Guess what's up?

Karaoke? That's just part of it.

Welcome to our family Muar raya tradition.

On a fixed time and date everyone have to come up with some sort of performance be it a theatrical sketch or a stand up comedy.

Still it is much easier to sing with a karaoke set.

Anyway everybody had a good time and that's what it's all about.

Raya family function at grandma's place

2011-09-06T21:56:00.004+08:00

Time for raya (Muslim festive Eid celebration) stories. Come.

The 2nd day of raya 31 st August 2011 which also happened to be the Malaysian independence day. Me, wife and baby headed to a certain place in Kampung Temiang, Muar.

It is a place which has not bee used for years.

Now it is being revived especially for a family tradition.

Welcome to my late grandma's house.

Guests included closest family members only, my mum's siblings and their respective spouses, children, spouses of children and their grandchildren.

While not everybody managed to turn up we have enough to make a fair family function.

There... everybody's enjoying their meal.

And this was just the starter...

Too bad one family had to return to the Klang valley quickly. They barely had enough time for a family photo.

Never mind. It's been a while since most of us stepped foot at this house anyway.

Additions to "Fascination on rivers"

2011-09-06T12:50:00.004+08:00

Referring to the East Coast trip of which the stories have been compiled in the article Compilation of the East Coast articles made over the last 4 months made 8 days ago. Among the stories are those that show rivers from a number of angles. This would make a fine addition to the section called "Fascination on rivers" on this blogspot's middle sidebar. Thus I've decided to add 3 more rivers to the list of 30 already present there making a total of 33 rivers.

With that I have to make changes to the map and order of rivers (sungai in Malay). Anyway here is listed the stories or articles on rivers from the concluded East Coast series listed according to numbers in the new map ya, ordered upriver to downriver.

23. Sungai Pahang - The sidebar already has 7 articles. Six more are added.

Pahang river near the Temerloh bridge

Pahang river at Bera

Pahang river somewhere near Kampung Pejing

Pahang river just outside Pekan

Pahang river at Kuala Pahang

Pahang river from Tanjung Agas

24. Sungai Kuantan - Two new articles added to the present only one.

Kuantan river from the town's riverside

The views at Tanjung Lumpur

25. Sungai Kemaman - No addition as I passed these parts at night, so no pictures.

26. Sungai Dungun - Still no article on this one. Had to forgo a visit as had to rush elsewhere.

27. Sungai Marang - A new river added to the list but without articles yet for reason similar to the above.

28. Sungai Terengganu - One article added

Terengganu river from Kampung Pulau Manis

29. Sungai Besut - One addition

Besut river near Jerteh

30. Sungai Tok Bali - Two additions.

Morning walk at Tok Bali river estuary

The kids' turn to enjoy the embankment at Tok Bali

31. Sungai Pengkalan Datu - A new river added to the list with 3 articles.

Sungai Pengkalan Datu from Pulau Melaka

Sungai Pengkalan Datu about 2 km downriver from Pulau Melaka

A look at Sungai Pengkalan Datu

32. Sungai Kelantan - Additions made to include Sungai Galas which is actually the upriver part of Sungai Kelantan along with Sungai Pergau which flows into Sungai Galas and Sungai Balah which flows into Sungai Pergau.

The river Galas at Gua Madu

Sungai (river of) Galas from the Jelawang to Dabong town bridge

Bridge over Sungai Pergau

Bridge over Sungai Balah

A quick look of the Kelantan river from the Kota Bahru bridge

The Kelantan river near the royal jetty at Kota Bahru

Kelantan river at the Kampung Laut jetty

Kelantan river from the Kedai Buluh food court

Kelantan river from Kok Majid

Going around the Kelantan river delta

Revisiting Kuala Besar

The sand hill and peninsular at Kelantan river mouth

33. Sungai Golok - Another new river added ready with 6 articles.

Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang town centre

Sungai Golok at 'Point 5'

Sungai Golok at 'Point 4'

Sungai Golok at 'Point 3'

Sungai Golok at 'Point 2'

Sungai (river of) Golok at Pengkalan Kubor

Compilation of the East Coast articles made over the last 4 months

2011-08-29T00:40:00.004+08:00

All thanks to Allah. After taking a time of more than 4 months the series "Menjejak kegemilangan Pantai Timur" in the blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU is finally completed early this morning. As it is a number of articles have been made in this blogspot to support the storytelling. So let the links for articles from both blogspots be listed for easy reading and reference. For the record this compilation forms the 848th article in this blogspot. Let me also take this opportunity to wish all my Muslim readers a very happy Eid Mubarak or happy Hari Raya... :]

1. The road from Simpang Pulai to Cameron Highlands

2. The highland stop at Kampung Raja

3. Passing through the tip of Cameron Highlands

4. Downhill Kelantan from Banjaran Titiwangsa

5. On to Gua Musang

6. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Laluan Cameron Highlands ke Gua Musang

7. A quick look at the town of Gua Musang

8. The caves of Gua Madu

9. The river Galas at Gua Madu

10. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Pusing-pusing di Gua Musang sebelum ke Dabong

11. A foggy morning at Jelawang, Dabong

12. Sungai (river of) Galas from the Jelawang to Dabong town bridge

13. The cave called Gua Ikan

14. The Jelawang waterfall at Gunung (mount) Stong from many angles

15. The waters at Lata Kertas

16. Bridge over Sungai Balah

17. Bridge over Sungai Pergau

18. A quick look at the small town of Jeli

19. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Pusing sekitar Dabong sebelum ke Jeli

20. Al-Rasyid's first visit to Masjid (Mosque of) Kampung Laut

21. Rushing through Kota Bahru

22. The Kelantan river near the royal jetty at Kota Bahru

23. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Berkejar ke Kota Bahru

24. Kelantan river at the Kampung Laut jetty

25. Al-Rasyid dan abang serta kakaknya pusing-pusing di sekitar delta Sungai Kelantan

26. Kelantan river from Kok Majid

27. Going around the Kelantan river delta

28. Tomb of Tok Selehor revisited

29. 'Facing' death at Tok Selehor's special meditation hole

30. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Makam Tok Janggut, Kampung Laut dan masuk lubang kubur di makam Tok Selehor

31. A quick look at the town of Tumpat

32. Tumpat train station in daylight

33. The waters near Tumpat

34. Enjoying the breeze at Pantai Sri Tujuh

35. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Sekitar Tumpat ke Pengkalan Kubor

36. Sungai (river of) Golok at Pengkalan Kubor

37. Sungai Golok at 'Point 2'

38. Sungai Golok at 'Point 3'

39. Sungai Golok at 'Point 4'

40. Sungai Golok at 'Point 5'

41. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Menyusuri Sungai Golok hingga ke Rantau Panjang

42. An early look at Rantau Panjang town centre

43. Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang town centre

44. Views from the tower of Masjid Beijing

45. Walking in the southern Thailand town of Golok

46. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Sekitar Rantau Panjang, Masjid Beijing dan Golok di selatan Thailand

47. The shopping stop at Bukit Bunga

48. A quick look of Machang town in the rain

49. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Bukit Bunga dan Machang terus ke selatan...

50. Besut river near Jerteh

51. A quick look at the town of Jerteh

52. Ombak mengganas dan gua-gua tepi pantai di Bukit Keluang

53. The beach at Bukit Keluang

54. The caves of Bukit Keluang

55. Views from the top platform at Bukit Keluang

56. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Jerteh dan keindahan Bukit Keluang

57. Morning walk at Tok Bali river estuary

58. The kids' turn to enjoy the embankment at Tok Bali

59. A brief look at Pantai Irama

60. A look at Sungai Pengkalan Datu

61. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Laluan pantai Tok Bali ke Bachok dan terus...

62. Tuan Guru Nik Aziz's humble house and Maahad Darul Anwar

63. Sungai Pengkalan Datu from Pulau Melaka

64. Sungai Pengkalan Datu about 2 km downriver from Pulau Melaka

65. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Menyusuri jejak Raja-raja Jembal dengan lebih teliti

66. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Malam di Saba dan Kubang Kerian

67. Tomb of Tok Kenali revisited

68. The place called Taman Serendah Sekebun Bunga

69. Revisiting the tomb of Kelantan's Raja Abdullah

70. The hill called Bukit Marak

71. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Dari Tanah Serendah Sekebun Bunga ke Bukit Marak

72. A quick look at the town of Pasir Mas

73. Pasir Mas train station

74. Masjid Brunei, Danau Tok Uban dan 1 Rejab

75. Masjid Brunei and Danau Tok Uban in the rain...

76. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Meredah hujan lebat dan banjir ke Masjid Brunei dan Danau Tok Uban

77. A quick look of the Kelantan river from the Kota Bahru bridge

78. A more relaxed look at Kota Bahru

79. Friday prayers at the Muhammadi mosque

80. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Antara Long Sulaiman dan Long Deraman

81. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Chik Siti Wan Kembang dan Tuan Tabal

82. Revisiting Kuala Besar

83. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Bermalam Tahun Baru di Kuala Besar

84. Waking up to the new year at the Pantai Che Latiff mosque

85. Semenanjung kuala Sungai Kelantan

86. The sand hill and peninsular at Kelantan river mouth

87. A bay of sorts

88. Kelantan river from the Kedai Buluh food court

89. The Batik cottage industry at village of Tok Panjang

90. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Tahun Baru di sekitar kuala Sungai Kelantan

91. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Legasi Long Yunus

92. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Dari Limbat ke Salor... sedikit tentang Long Ghaffar

93. A better look of the mosque of Tokku Paloh

94. A quick look at the city of Kuala Terengganu

95. The new mosque in Chendering, Kuala Terengganu

96. A look around the beach called Pantai Pandak

97. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Mencari tamadun awal Terengganu?

99. Terengganu river from Kampung Pulau Manis

100. Bringing the baby to the tomb of Tok Pulau Manis

101. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Jejak keluarga Tok Pulau Manis

102. The beach called Teluk Chempedak

103. The walkway to Teluk Tongkang

104. The black sand of Teluk Tongkang

105. A quick look at the town of Kuantan

106. Kuantan river from the town's riverside

107. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Santai di sekitar Kuantan

108. The views at Tanjung Lumpur

109. Pahang river at Kuala Pahang

110. Revisiting the royal mausoleum at Kampung Marhum

111. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Dari Tanjung Lumpur ke Kuala Pahang

112. Pahang river just outside Pekan

113. Pahang river from Tanjung Agas

114. Pekan at dusk

115. Rasyid's first visit to Makam Chondong

116. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Kesan-kesan sejarah di Pekan

117. Lake Chini from the resort

118. Lake Chini from Kampung Gumum

119. Pahang river somewhere near Kampung Pejing

120. Pahang river at Bera

121. Pahang river near the Temerloh bridge

122. A quaint look at Karak town

123. Menjejak kegemilangan lama Pantai Timur : Lagenda Tasik Chini

A quaint look at Karak town

2011-08-28T02:13:00.003+08:00

Continued from Pahang river near the Temerloh bridge.

My next stop was the town of Karak.

Avoiding the town of Temerloh altogether I immediately took the trunk road towards Kuala Lumpur and Karak is a popular stop along the way.

For me the town has its own allure as my late grandfather, my father's father used to work here.

While it is just a small town its name is immortalised on a major highway. Malaysians would surely know Karak highway as the main route to pass through from the Klang Valley to the east.

It also offers an alternatively route to cut through to the state of Negeri Sembilan. So here's one to Karak, a town that always evoke quaint memories to me...

Pahang river near the Temerloh bridge

2011-08-28T02:02:00.002+08:00

Continued from Pahang river at Bera.

Once again I can't help stopping to take pictures when the river Pahang appeared very close to the road. Seen here is a look downriver.

A look across. Here we were getting close to more urbanised areas.

A look downriver. For this place is beside the bridge of Temerloh. The bridge lies on the main trunk road connecting the city of Kuala Lumpur to the Pahang capital, Kuantan. And it's less than 2 km from here to the town of Temerloh.

Pahang river at Bera

2011-08-28T01:29:00.003+08:00

Continued from Pahang river somewhere near Kampung Pejing.

Another place which offers good views of the Pahang river is Bera.

Here the Pahang river which overally runs east to west from Pekan starts to veer up north, that is if seen from downriver to upriver. Here's a look downriver.

A look across.

A look upriver.

Pahang river somewhere near Kampung Pejing

2011-08-28T01:12:00.002+08:00

Continued from Lake Chini from Kampung Gumum.

From Lake Chini we took the trunk road leading west. At many parts the road practically follows the twists, turns and straights of the Pahang river and at times it is very close.

Having made this trip 7 months ago it is hard for me to remember where exactly these pictures were taken if not for a fact that a previous picture shows we stopped to eat at a place called Kampung (village of) Pejing which I understand is within the district of Maran.

A check with Google Earth also confirmed this. The river goes straight for a distance with the road very close to it just after an area marked as Kampung Pejing.

While I did catch views of the Pahang river from a number of places along this route I think this part offers the best and closest view.

A look to the left or downriver.

A look across.

A look upriver.

Lake Chini from Kampung Gumum

2011-08-28T00:15:00.008+08:00

Continued from Lake Chini from the resort.

We then went to another part of Lake Chini where lies this wooden walkway.

The place is called Kampung (village of) Gumum and the walkway leads to a jetty.

A look to the left.

Turning anti clockwise to look ahead...

A look to the left shows there's a bridge connecting to some sort of island.

So we went looking for it.

Apparently it is called the Sunset Bridge.

There it is. The path leading to it was submerged.

But we still went on.

A look towards the jetty.
Now, let's just enjoy the views.

Lake Chini from the resort

2011-08-27T23:41:00.003+08:00

OK. Moving on to the 11th day of the trip to the East Coast made 7 months ago.

Next on the list is the resort at Tasik or Lake Chini, the famous legendary lake in Pahang.

Compared to hut type camps and such I understand this is the only proper resort around.

Situated right besides a part of the lake it offers interesting perspectives.

By the way the name is Lake Chini Resort.

Here's the views from the jetty. So let me just show it without further comments ya...

Muar river near Pantai Layang

2011-08-25T23:20:00.002+08:00

Continued from Muar river from the second bridge.

Next I went to an upriver part called Pantai Layang. Going around the interior I found a part close to the Muar river.

I am not sure if this is still part of Pantai Layang or another area. Here's a look downriver.

A look across. A check with Google Earth shows this faces a place called Kampung Temiang, my mum's native village.

A look upriver. Enough...

Muar river from the second bridge

2011-08-25T23:07:00.002+08:00

Continued from Kesang river from the rest area off the old trunk road.

The following day I felt like taking pictures of the Muar river from Muar town's second bridge. Here's a look downriver. The town is obscured in the background.

This bridge follows a similar design as that of Penang bridge... at its middle part that is.

A look upriver.

For a better look I have to cross to the other side.

Ah. Taking pictures from on top the divider is already enough it seems...

Kesang river from the rest area off the old trunk road

2011-08-25T20:27:00.003+08:00

Continued from Early morning at the Stadthuys.

From Melaka we took the old trunk road to enter the state of Johor. Upon crossing the border one could see a giant replica of a trishaw.

It lies inside a rest area.

At one part lies this pavillion.

The pavillion oversees the Kesang river. A look upriver.

A look across and that's the state of Melaka seen from Johor. For the record the Kesang river is the natural border between the two states...

A look downriver.

Early morning at the Stadthuys

2011-08-25T19:23:00.004+08:00

Continued from Melaka river from a part of Bandar Hilir.

Next we stopped at this part of Bandar Hilir.

Called the Stadthuys it is famous for its red-coloured buildings built during the Dutch occupation of Melaka almost 400 years ago.

Then there's this beautiful fountain.

Let's look at the place from different angles.

This place is a popular convergence point for the colourful Melaka beca or trishaws. But it was only 7 o'clock in the morning so there's only this one. For the record this is the 838th posting in this blogspot.

Melaka river from a part of Bandar Hilir

2011-08-25T18:52:00.002+08:00

Peace be upon you all. The article Rasyid's first visit to Makam Chondong made 2 days ago marks the end of storytelling for the 10th day of the East Coast trip made 7 months ago. So its time for excursions starting with this.

OK. Nineteen days ago I went to Muar and stopped by at the city of Melaka. At one part of the area called Bandar Hilir I decided to snap pictures of the Melaka river. Here's a look upriver.

A look across. The riverside is a pleasant place to relax at.

A look downriver. The river mouth is not so far away from here.

Rasyid's first visit to Makam Chondong

2011-08-23T23:58:00.002+08:00

Continued from Pekan at dusk.

Taking a small road not far from the palace we arrived at this place.

Welcome to Makam Chondong, a royal burial ground where lies a number of Pahang royalties from 400 years ago.

For information the said royalties are descended from the Sultans or kings of Melaka while the current royalties which came from a later dynasty are descended from the Bendaharas of Melaka, equivalent to the Prime Minister.

This is the first time I brought the wife and baby Al-Rasyid here, in fact this is the first time they've ever stepped foot anywhere near Pekan. It seems Rasyid was enjoying himself despite the fact that it was very dark then, a fact concealed by pictures which were lighted by first the car's headlight, then the camera's flashlight.

Pekan at dusk

2011-08-23T23:46:00.002+08:00

Continued from Pahang river from Tanjung Agas.

After enjoying the views of Pahang river at Tanjung Agas we stopped by at a nearby mosque before heading back to Pekan town.

By then it was already dusk. So here's a quick look around town.

We went on to a fringe part where lies a certain landmark.

There. The gates to the palace of the current Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah. Next is a visit to a place of much significance... a place where rest of a number of the state's much much older royalties...

Pahang river from Tanjung Agas

2011-08-23T22:29:00.002+08:00

Continued from Pahang river just outside Pekan.

Next we went to a place called Tanjung Agas situated at the southern part of the Pahang river mouth.

While the Pahang river is very wide around here its full width is obscured by the existence of and island, the same one seen in the article Pahang river at Kuala Pahang.

Anyway here's the river mouth.

Again, a look across towards the said island.

A look upriver...