Pahang - 4x4 to Banjaran Titiwangsa...

“If you are not living on the edge you are taking up too much room...” Howard Jayne 

(Banjaran Titiwangsa in the background)

The last few weeks, our work schedules were so hectic; we barely have time to even breathe! Hubby's work team was frantic with procurement proposals and mine with contracts and terminations. Our precious time together was limited to hi and goodbyes. We are contented with holding each other close at night and let sleep revived our tired minds.

Yesterday we decided to go for a self-drive adventure crossing the Banjaran Titiwangsa. And we crossed the Main Range twice in a day!

The two of us started from KL in our 4WD around 9.30 a.m. We drove up north and made a few necessity stops at the R&R. Traffic was minimal. It was raining heavily when we exited at Kuala Kangsar interchange.

(Lush greenery of the mountain)

The journey to Grik was smooth and we stopped for lunch at one of the small R&R before we entered the East West Hi-way through forested mountains and deep valleys. We crossed the Temenggor Dam which is now the third largest dam in Peninsula Malaysia. It was once the largest dam and largest hydroelectric generation facility upon its completion in 1979, before being overtaken by the Kenyir Dam.

(The man-made Tasik Banding)

We stopped at Banding to check the facilities. Banding is a man-made island located on the Temenggor Lake. Sitting amidst the aura of the Belum Valley forests, the activities here include fishing, jungle trekking, bird watching, camping, visits to orang asli villages and raffelssia sightings.

(A resort on the Banding island)

If you need to stay the night, there are reasonably cheap chalets overlooking the lake. Or you may want to try the modest floating chalets instead. We thought of renting a boat for island tour but all boats were taken by a group of students on a science expedition trip.

(Chalets with basic amenities on the lake)

We continued our journey to Jeli and on the way passed the Pergau Dam and had a glimpse of the claimed tallest waterfall in South-East Asia, the impressive 300 m Gunung Stong waterfalls. For the adventurous type, the Jelawang jungle offers many treks and there are 4 caves (Gua Ikan, Gua Kris, Gua Pagar, Gua Gelap) to explore. There is also a Hill Resort located at the foot of the Gunung Stong waterfall.

(Overturning a fishing boat)

We decided to take a short cut route from Dabong to Gua Musang and ended up tailgating trailers loaded with lumbers. When we reached Gua Musang it was almost dark.

(Entering Gua Musang area)

After fueling we decided to try the Gua Musang – Cameron Highland highway cutting across the Titiwangsa range again through 3 states, Kelantan, Pahang and Perak. We exited at Simpang Pulai interchange and stopped at Tapah R&R for a late dinner.

After 15 hours of driving across 4 states, we reached our apartment way after midnight.