Pahang - Titik Tengah Semenanjung Malaysia

"Everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation..." - Stephen C. Paul

All the while I thought that KM 0 in Kuala Lipis was the central point of Peninsular Malaysia, but I was wrong. The 0 km Kuala Lipis was actually a reference point of the British government in the past.

 

(Looking for the right junction)

(The GPS is available for direction)

The actual location is in Temerloh District, Pahang. Temerloh is not only famous for its Ikan Patin, but also the Central Point of Peninsular Malaysia and has become a new attraction for tourists. It is located in Kampung Paya Siput, Lancang between the old road that connects Karak and Temerloh.

(The attraction is closed early)

(The sun is setting soon)

More interestingly, the midpoint calculated by JUPEM is actually located right under a hut in Madrasah Darul Ulum. Because of this, the center point has been slightly moved about 120m away. A monument was built tilting towards the Qiblat with 5 bamboo poles representing the pillars of Islam. Madrasah Darul Ulum Complex is complete with amenities such as a canteen, a surau and rest rooms. There is a playground for kids and many interesting photo spots by the lake.

Visitors to the monument have to pay a minimal entrance fee and the complex closes at 4.00 pm.

Pahang - The famous Temerloh Patin Tempoyak

"Live in the present moment and find your interest and happiness in the things of today..." - Emmett Fox

(Ikan Patin metal sculpture at Dataran Sungai Pahang)

I am not really an Ikan Patin fan.

But when the craving for Ikan Patin comes, we would drive to Medan Selera MPS in Bandar Baru Selayang and indulged in freshly fried crispy Patin slices eaten with either kuah tempoyak or kuah asam pedas which I normally prefer.

This morning, after a 3 km brisk walk around Taman Bidara we decided to go for a day trip to Temerloh, Pahang and look for a good Patin Restaurant to have our lunch.

(Traffic congestion in Temerloh)

(Pahang River is rising fast)

(The Esplanade is at higher ground)

(The Temerloh sign is still above water)

Temerloh is none other the favorite town for visitors to come for the famous Patin Tempoyak. There are many good restaurants in town that have become viral as the best catfish eating port in Malaysia. Some famous restaurants are Gobang Maju Patin Tempoyak, Selera Patin Bangau, Restoran Claypot Patin Tempoyak, Gerai Makan Pak Usop and Kancil Raja Patin.

(Temerloh is famous for its patin)

(The bloating river is flooding the riverbank)

(No river cruise at this time of the year)

(Temerloh Pekan Sehari is quite popular)

(Entrance to the town area)

After spending some time around Temerloh town to recce Patin restaurants, we finally decided to try Restoran Gobang Maju Patin Tempoyak. Located by the Pahang River along Jalan Triang, it is easily spotted by the main road and has ample parking area at the back. This restaurant has been around for a long time and is famous for its Patin Tempoyak, Udang galah and variety of other mouth-watering dishes. It is also quite popular with celebrities.

The restaurant is spacious and the ambience is relaxing. The food is delicious and reasonably priced!

(The viral Restoran Gobang Maju)

(Udang galah Lubuk Buaya)

(Patin Tempoyak is the specialty)

(Our dishes for lunch)

Perak - Bagan Datuk Colorful Wall Murals...

"Each moment of the year has its own beauty..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Bagan Datuk, a small town by the river)

After spending almost an hour sweating buckets in the Sunflower Farm, we drove towards Bagan Datuk town to cool down and look for a place to have lunch. This is our first time here and we were quite surprised when we arrived at this small colorful township. Because of the movement control order, the shophouses look deserted and lonely. We managed to locate a restaurant in front of the Bagan Datuk Al-Quro' Mosque. Lunch was simple but delicious.

(Parking at Al-Quro' Mosque)

(Simple delicious lunch in Bagan Datuk)

(The famous Bagan Datuk putu piring)

After lunch we drove around town to hunt for murals on the wall. Besides the impressive colorful shophouses and the Promenade, myriad of street arts became popular backdrops for taking photos. There are a collection of interesting and spectacular street arts in this tiny town, some of which depicts the modest living of its community.

(Colorfully painted shophouses)

(A small vibrant quiet town)

(Dataran Bagan Datuk at the river front)

Today we did not visit Pulau Sembilan with its ‘sky mirror’ and the ‘blue tears’. We will plan for the trip some other time when it is safer to travel.

(A beautiful local girl)

(A playful peeping tomcat)

(Local scenes on the walls)

(Harvesting coconuts)

(A flower and buzzing bees)

(A catfish out of the water)

Undoubtedly, Bagan Datuk truly possesses many undiscovered unique charms not to be missed.

Perak - Sunshine and sweat at the Sunflower Farm...

“A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden...”

(Enjoying the sunshine and fresh air)

At the jetty of Bagan Sungai Burung, we asked the locals for the direction to the Sunflower Farm. It was only a short distance away and there is ample parking space for visitors. It was almost noon when we arrived at the farm. The sky was clear and bright and a perfect time to stroll in between the sunflower beds, making sure to avoid the crowd. 

(Parking area for visitors)

(Sunflower Garden tickets)

(Sunflower farms and fish ponds)

(The entrance to the Sunflower Garden)

(Japanese bamboo gazebo)

(Blooming bright sunflowers)

The farm is newly opened and has been planted with more than 2,000 sunflowers with scientific name Helianthus Annuus. Visitors came to the farm to take pictures with the giant sunflower plants and enjoy other activities such as feeding fish and ducks or having a picnic under the gazebos by the man-made lake.

(The sunflowers bloom in stages)

(The flowers is facing the sun)

(Morning facing east and evening facing west

(Like a sky with a thousand suns)

(Lazy stroll among the flower beds)

(A flower as big as my face)

The farm is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm. There is an entrance fee of RM13 for adults and RM10 for kids. The sunflower plants only live for a short period of time, so the farm has three lots to ensure that the farm would not run out of sunflowers and disappoint visitors who come from far.

(Stairways to the sky)

(A glass swing by the fish pond)

(Complimentary fish food)

Perak - Bagan Sungai Burung Fishing Village...

“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after..." - Henry David Thoreau

This morning we drove for almost three hours on the Westcoast Expressway to visit the many attractions in Bagan Datuk. It was a nice sunny day for a leisure drive. The road condition is better with some stretches still under ongoing roadworks. Because of the PKP, most restaurants and eateries along the Kuala Selangor road are temporarily closed.

(Arriving at Bagan Datuk district)

(Bagan Sungai Burung, a fisherman Village)

Bagan Sungai Burung is situated on the southwestern part of Perak, bordered by the Perak River. This small fishing town is often overlooked and underrated by travellers but is home to a wealth of mesmerizing attractions including Perak’s very own ‘Sky Mirror’ and the fantasy-like ‘Blue Tears’ bio-luminescent planktons phenomenon in Pulau Sembilan. It is an ideal spot to spend some quality time on the beach of the island and watch the sunset. Firefly cruises are also available for tourists.

(A quiet small town)

(The many attractions around the village)

(Famous for its seafood restaurants)

As it was only a day trip, we managed to visit a few attractions around the area. Our first stop was at Bagan Sungai Burong, a small quaint fishing village only 11 km from Bagan Datuk town. It has a population of about 300 people, mostly of Chaozhou Chinese descent. We spent some time at the jetty and immersed ourselves in the peaceful lifestyle of the fishing village and observe their interesting trade. There are many fresh seafood restaurants at the jetty and could be quite happening at night. Bagan Sungai Burong was one of the fishing villages hit by the 2004 tsunami, which saw the destruction of many fishing ships as a result of large waves. However, there were no human casualties.

(Fishing trawlers taking a rest)

(The jetty is busy with fish vendors in the morning)

(Many seafood restaurants, busy in the evening)

(The village recovered well from the Tsunani)

(The jetty at low tide)

(The end of the jetty)

(Dried Blow fishes on display)

(A day-tour to Pulau Sembilan)