Restoran Kancil Raja Patin Temerloh, Pahang

“If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine...” - Morris West

(Route 98 Patin Hunter)

GPS: 3.472292, 102.385400

03°28′20.25″N 102°23′07.44″E

It was already late in the afternoon when we completed our search of the Mat Kilau trail. We were exhausted and famished.

 

(Freshly cooked gulai patin tempoyak dish)

We were around Temerloh and Patin Tempoyak dish came to mind. Temerloh has a lot of Patin Tempoyak eateries. They can be found at every corner of the town. Our first choice was Restoran Gobang Maju but the branch in Kampung Raja was closed. Not far from there was Restoran Kancil Raja Patin. It was near 5 pm and the restaurant was still quite full and there were a few choices of dishes left. There was a long queue for take-away too. Restoran Kancil Raja Patin's expertise is in tempoyak-based cuisine, especially Pais Patin Tempoyak, Gulai Patin Tempoyak and grilled Patin sambal tempoyak.

The gulai patin tempoyak tasted delicious. Either we were very hungry or the patin dish was really good.

(A brightly painted building)

(A corner lot restaurant with ample parking space)

(A blue combi in front of the restaurant)

(A banner with pantun seloka)

Masjid Lama Kg Charuk Tualang, Pahang – 1935

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

(Masjid Lama Kg Charuk Tualang)

GPS: 3.482441,102.556999
03°28′56.79″N 102°33′25.20″E

When visiting old mosques or historical buildings there will be some  haunting stories related to gosts or jins or certain unexplainable phenomena with only a number of people bear witness to the strange happenings.

We had our share of eerie experiences too. We will narrate these stories to our grandchildren, one of these days.

(The 3-way junction)

(Masjid Lama Kg CharukTualang)

(Perch on top of a small hill)

Masjid Kampung Charuk Tualang is located in Kampung Charuk Tualang, Mukim Bukit Segumpal, Maran Pahang. The location is at a 3-way junction Jalan Temerloh - Maran. The distance to Bandar Maran is 30 KM and to Temerloh is 15 KM.

(Hidden by tall bushes and palm trees)

(The steps of the mosque are missing)

(A peek at the main prayer hall)

(The four main pillars look sturdy)

This mosque was built around 1935 and completed in 1936. The original name was Kampung Dalam Mosque. This mosque was built by the villagers using kayu Resak for the foundation. The 4 'tiang seri' are still sturdy. The wood carving on the roof framework is still preserved. The 'Awan Larat' motif portrays the clouds moving with the winds. 

(Bamboo walls had been replaced with wooden planks)

(The main awning will fall soon)

(The creepers are making their way to the roof)

(Windows are still intact)

(An old unused well - perigi buta)

(This brick kolah is quite new)

The dome was built with a very beautiful carving around it. In the early years, the walls were made of bamboo, it was later replaced with tree bark then planks as can be seen now. This mosque was built with the best and most beautiful architectural construction in Mukim Bukit Segumpal at that time.

(A handsome mosque fallen into such a disrepair)

(An old historical mosque in a bad state)

(Old and forgotten)

The mosque stopped operating in 1983 when a new larger mosque was built adjacent to the old mosque.

(The minaret of the new mosque can be seen behind the old mosque)

Kompleks Galeri Mat Kilau, Pahang

“When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life or the life of another...” - Helen Keller

(Kompleks Galeri Mat Kilau)

GPS: 3.903161,102.453158
03°54′11.38″N 102°27′11.35″E

Kompleks Galeri Mat Kilau is situated in kampung Bukit Rang Pulau Tawar along the Jerantut – Maran trunk road, about 5 minutes’ drive from Kompleks Gua Kota Gelanggi. We were a little disappointed when we visited the gallery. It looked like it has not been operating for quite a while.

 

(We passed the complex a few times before)

(The Gallery looks deserted)

Before the Covid 19 pandemic, it is one of the tourist attractions in Pahang. This gallery showcases the history of Malay warriors such as Mat Kilau, Pawang Noh, Tok Gajah and many more. The gallery houses artifacts, pictures and old relics such as weapons used by Pahang warriors in the past. The exhibition displays are in various forms such as sculptures, pictures, visuals, and audio to attract tourists.

It was opened to the public on 30 September 2015. The operating hours daily are supposed to be from 9 am to 6 pm and there is a small entrance fees charged.

(The replica of Mat Kilau's kris)

(Will come again when it is opened)

Taman Warisan Gua Kota Gelanggi, Pahang

“Life is never easy. There is work to be done and obligations to be met – obligations to truth, to justice, and to liberty...” - John F. Kennedy

(An archway through Gua Tongkat)

GPS: 3.88689,102.476917
03°53′19.30″N 102°28′36.90″E

If you're a cave enthusiast, Gua Kota Gelanggi should be one of the places you should visit. There are a total of 11 caves located at the area and open for public.

Without a torch light or a headlamp, and equipped only with trekking shoes, today we were prepared to explore the easier part of Gua Kota Gelanggi.

(Another interesting attraction)

(A cave complex within the limestone hills)

(A good road into the cave complex)

Taman Warisan Gua Gelanggi is a 15-minutes’ drive from Kampung Pulau Tawar. Mat Kilau is said to have gone to meditate and sharpen his skills in martial arts and mysticism in Gua Kota Gelanggi which is located not far from his village.

(A ranger guarding the ticket counter)

(Paying a small entrance fee)

(The caves unravel various mysteries)

Taman Warisan Gua Gelanggi is an interesting place to visit. There are many caves, among them are Gua Tongkat, Gua Terang Bulan, Gua Angin, Gua Batu Sanding, Gua Kota Balai, Gua Penyu dan Gua Kelawar. The origin of the name Gelanggi comes from the Siamese word Klang Kio or Gelang Gio. The legend tells that this area was ruled by Raja Gelanggi who had a beautiful princess.  

(The first cave on the trail)

(A unique archway leading to other caves) 

(One for the album)

(The benches look like graves. Eery...) 

(Stores a variety of weird and mysterious stories)

(Various shapes of stalactites and stalagmites)

(Myth associated with supernatural beings)

(A natural entrance and exit)

(Exiting to the other side of the cave)

The entrance fee is RM5 per person. We were fortunate to be allowed to drive on the 2 km tarmacked road. We visited three of the main caves as they are easily accessible. There are washrooms and gazebos around the area where the road ends near Gua Kota Balai.

(Another cave to visit)

(Parking by the gazebo)

(A steep climb to the top)

(Half-way up the steps)

(Bring a strong torch-light if you decide to explore)

The caves complex is mentioned in the Buku Sejarah Melayu as Kota Kelangkio. It is said that the princess Onangkio from Siam stopped here on the way to Pahang. There is a tributary near this area called Sungai Siam. There are allegations that this cave can be connected to the East Coast states of Terengganu or Kelantan or Siam to strengthen the story on how the legendary Mat Kilau managed to escape from the British to Siam.

(Gua Kota Balai at the end of the path)

(Plenty of resting places)

(A gentle climb at first)

(A steep climb to the top)

(A few more steps to the entrance)

(I am too tired to climb up)

(Taking a rest before we exit the cave complex)

(Simple amenities for public use)