Benta, Jerantut and Temerloh round trip...

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

(Benta is famous for its dodol)

Benta is a major town in Lipis, Pahang. Benta town shared the borders with Raub district and is located near the banks of the Lipis river. The town is used as a rest stop for travelers from Kuala Lumpur to Kelantan if using the old road rather than the highway. Benta is famous for its Dodol Benta made with Gula Kabung.

(Some of the many tourist attractions)

(Clear day for a leisure drive)

(Driving on the trunk road)

(Beware of wild elephants)

(Trying out local dishes)

Jerantut is a town in Pahang, located about 200 km from Kuala Lumpur. Jerantut is the largest district in Pahang and is the gateway to Taman Negara, the first national park in Malaysia. There is a natural park nearby that can be visited by visitors, namely Taman Rimba Kenong. Cave in Kota Gelanggi is located about 25 kilometers east of Jerantut. Most of these caves are archeological sites, but some caves have now been opened to the public. Other tourist attractions are Lata Meraung Waterfall, Orang Asli settlement, Gunung Tahan, Gunung Benom, and Rafflesia Research Center.

(Gateway to the National Park)

Temerloh is a municipality in Central Pahang and has been proved to be the "centre of Peninsular Malaysia" (Malay: Titik Tengah Semenanjung Malaysia), which is situated at Kampung Paya Siput, Lanchang. Temerloh is the second largest town in Pahang after Kuantan, the state capital. It is situated at the junction of the Pahang River and the Semantan River.

It is rich with freshwater fish such as Patin, Jelawat, Baung, Tenggalan, Lampam, Belida, Tilapia and Kerai. Temerloh is famous for its Patin dishes.

(The centre of Peninsular Malaysia)

Restoran Hijau Gambang Pahang

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose...” - Dr. Seuss

(Frog green, true to its name)

After a disappointing trip to Tasik Chini, we trace back our route to Gambang. Our plan to have lunch at Tasik Chini was ruined. The Tasik Chini was closed for major renovation. It was raining quite heavily and we found no restaurant along the trunk road to have our lunch.

It was already passed 3 o'clock in the afternoon when we passed a restaurant that caught our eyes and attracted our attention. It was brightly painted in green and named Hijau. The corner lot restaurant has nice ambiance and cozy. Lucky us, there is still plenty of food available. 

We had nasi and lauk2, tasty enough to fill our hungry tummies.

(Nasi lauk, a very late lunch or early dinner)

A long trip to Tasik Chini via Chenor...

“Get busy living or get busy dying...” -  Stephen King

(Tasik Chini semakin muram - Astro Awani)

Today we went for a long trip to Tasik Chini via Chenor. The weather was a little gloomy when we started the journey. We made a brief stop at Temerloh R&R and another stop in Chenor.

(Jambatan Sungai Pahang, LPT Temerloh)

(A light brunch with kueh ketayap)

On the way to Tasik Chini we detoured to Kampung Chenor. Kampung Chenor, untouched and unspoilt, is one of the many villages which sit along Sungai Pahang and is known for its long history which spans over 200 years. Chenor is divided into Chenor Lama and Chenor Baru. Chenor Baru was a gathering area for villagers when a major flood hit almost the entire country of Pahang and Chenor was no exception in 1971. In 2007, once again flooding has occurred here. But not as bad as in 1971.

(Taking a break in Chenor)

(Resting areas near the old jetty)

(A mosque across the Pahang River)

Chenor in ancient times became a stopover for Sultan Abu Bakar, the Sultan of Pahang at that time. His Majesty Sultan took a boat from Kuala Lipis to Pekan and from Pekan to Kuala Lipis. His Majesty will stop at Chenor every time on the trip and will be greeted by the villagers. Chenor also gave birth to famous heroes against the invaders such as the legend of the Hero of Bukit Segumpal. Following the story of the people of Chenor, in the past, the people of Chenor were also involved in helping Tok Gajah in the Kelang War in Selangor.

So, it's not surprising that in Kampung Raja, Chenor, there are many relatives of the king of Pahang and the graves of Pahang heroes at that time.

(Onward journey to Tasik Chini)

(Cloudy sky over the horizon)

(Heavy rain along the rural road)

It was raining quite heavily when we reached Tasik Chini Resort and it was closed for renovation!

Tasik Chini is a lake in Pekan District in Pahang. The shores are inhabited by the Jakun Orang Asli. Lake Chini is Malaysia's second-largest natural freshwater lake, wetlands comprising a dozen interconnecting series of 12 lakes. Chini River, which drains from the lake, flows into Pahang River. The dammed river maintains the lake's depth during the dry season but has disrupted the natural ecology of the lake due to elevated water level during rainy season.

Tasik Chini is one of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status sites in Peninsular Malaysia. But massive clearing of jungle and land developments around the lake has spoiled it tranquility.

(Years ago, we used to stay here with the kids)

(Need a major upgrade to lure tourists)

(Pusat Penyelidikan Tasik Chini)

The lake used to offer tranquil and peaceful surroundings and was a favorite tourist destination as it is  steeped in myths and legends that have remained unexplained to this day. According to the Jakun legend, the lake is inhabited by a dragon called the Naga Seri Gumum sometimes referred to as Malaysia's Loch Ness Monster.

It is believed to contain an ancient sunken Khmer city at the bottom of the lake which is yet to be explored.

A wet day in Cameron Highland...

“Money and success don’t change people; they merely amplify what is already there...” - Will Smith

(Raining cats and dogs)

Our initial plan is to drive to Cameron Highlands to escape the hot weather.

We ended up arriving in Cameron Highlands in the heavy rain and were caught in a crawling traffic on the slippery road on our way to Brinchang. We had a sumptuous lunch in-door in Copthorne Hotel Cafe. It was too cold and wet to dine outdoor.

As we were already full, we skipped having tea and scones at the Tea House on the terrace of the Tea Plantation.

(Sg Koyan-Ringlet winding road)

(Arriving in Cameron Highlands)

(Cloudy sky ahead)

(Many cards heading to Tanah Rata)

(A few Tea Houses along the way)

(Halal dim-sum in Cameron Highlands)

(Copthorne Hotel in Brinchang)

(A wet day on the highlands)

(Our favorite lodging and dining)

(The cafe is open as usual)

(Heavy lunch for hungry tummies)

(Baked salmon and chicken dishes)

(A wall mural in Simpang Pulai) 

Route 1504 Sungai Koyan...

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

(A pit stop in Sungai Koyan)

On the way to Cameron Highlands, we made a brief rest stop in Sungai Koyan.

Travellers especially bikers love to stop here at Pitstop Route 1504 before continuing their journey to Cameron Highland. During PKP the restaurant was temporarily closed. Recently the restaurant is now back in operation. The opening hours are from 10am to 6.00pm. Among the menus provided are Chicken rice, assorted pizza, Mushroom soup and Garlic bread.

We had a light brunch of Garlic bread and Mushroom soup and a hot mug of coffee to last us till lunch time. 

(A clear bright sky)

(Trying out the new Mempaga highway)

(Stopped to buy nangka madu)

During our previous biking trips, Sungai Koyan had been our favorite rest stop before we tackle the winding Sungai Koyan-Ringlet Highway. This route is bikers favorite route to Cameron Highlands because of the thrill riding on the smooth and wide scenic winding roads.

It is definitely a better route to Camerons compared to the Tapah route.

 

(A newly renovated petrol stations with amenities)

(Bikers favorite pit-stop)

(A brief stop before driving on the winding road)

(Home delivery is available)

(Stickers on the wall)

(A welcoming signage)

(Route 1504 Cafe)

(A light brunch)

A hot day in Teluk Intan...

“The best portion of a good man’s life is his little nameless, unencumbered acts of kindness and of love...” - Wordsworth

(A beautiful sunny day)

It was only a day trip to Teluk Intan, driving leisurely along the coastal road of Kuala Selangor.

In the early days, Teluk Intan town was known as Teluk Mak Intan, after a female Mandailing trader. The area around Teluk Intan was originally populated by refugees from the Malacca Sultanate who were part of the entourage of the Raja Muzaffar Shah, the eldest son of the last Sultan of Melaka, Sultan Mahmud Shah. Upon fleeing the Portuguese conquest of Melaka in 1511, a new kingdom was established on the banks of the Perak River near what is now Teluk Intan, and the court remained there until its relocation to Kuala Kangsar in the 19th century. It was here that the Perak rulers held court from 1528 until Kuala Kangsar became the royal town in 1877.

(Crossing the Selangor/Perak border)

(Colourful signage all over town)

(Another signage)

(Burial site of a wild elephant)

During the British protectorate era, Teluk Intan was changed to Teluk Anson or Anson Bay, in honour of a British officer and last lieutenant-governor of Penang, Major-General Sir Archibald Edward Harbord Anson, who drew the plan of the modern township in 1882.

In 1982 during the centenary of the town's establishment, the name was changed again to Teluk Intan (Diamond Bay) by the Sultan of Perak. Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan is one of the town attractions. The town has a number of colonial buildings and Chinese shophouses together with modern buildings.

(Teluk Intan Street Arts)

(Another Street Art)

(The Leaning Tower)

The Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan is a clock tower in Teluk Intan, Hilir Perak District, Perak, Malaysia. It is the Malaysian equivalent of the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. The tower is slanted leftward, similar to the Tower of Pisa. It is 25.5 metres tall and, from the outside, looks like an 8-storey building, though inside it is actually divided into 3 storeys.

 

(Kampung style dishes for lunch)

(Restoran Udang Galah Teluk Intan)