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Time does flies and very soon its already day 4 of our trip, after a good rest at our nice and cozy chalets, we spent the morning dining in the resort to have some laid back time of water polo, swimming and simply just dipping ourselves in the sea. After a relaxing morning, we took our last group photograph as usual before departing to Kuantan for lunch.

Johnson took us to Medan Selera Teluk Sisek (N3 49.029 E103 20.321) in Kuantan town where we ordered some dishes from this place called Hor Chiak and sampling some good bak kut teh from Kim Loong. Dishes at Hor Chiak is reasonable, we had assam steam fishes, some vegetables, eggs and tofu. At the same time we ordered some bak kut teh to share with some yau char guai we bought there too. The dishes are alright but I must say the bak kut teh is very tasty, worth trying.

After lunch, we stopped near Gambang to stocked up on keropok, sea produces like salted fish, etc. as souvenirs before heading home. Before reaching KL, we also made a stop in Karak, recommended by Ah Fei, we went to Yik Kee (N3 24.830 E102 02.080) for their famous durian bomb and kaya swiss roll. The durian is quite a bomb at RM1.60 for a small piece but the filling are rich and very durianish. The swiss roll is fresh and long filled with a generous amount of kaya at RM8.00 each.

Before letting everyone home, we just had to do our final dinner in KL and since our GM, Jason took us on weird roads to shops that closed, we had decided to go for crabs at Tak Fook (N3 12.697 E101 36.927) in Desa Aman, Kepong. Its the usual fare, crabs, noodles, etc.

We officially ended the trip at 8.22:58pm, recording about 1,286 kilometers (for my car) of distance. Each of us spend less than RM340.00 each for the entire trip including our nice blue jersey, all the makan, accommodation plus transports. I really enjoyed myself and I hope the rest had as well, like most of you, I am already looking forward to the Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip part 3 ;).

Photos compliments of Law Tien Soon

Peninsula Makan Trip Part 2 Intro

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 1, Kuala Lipis

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 2, Gua Musang

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 3, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 1, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 2, Merang, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 1, Kuala Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 2, Chukai, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 4, Last Day, Kuantan, Pahang

On the third day of the trip, after departing from Chinatown in Kuala Terengganu it finally rained (drizzled) for the first time during the trip. It was a 2 hours plus coastal road drive down through Merchang, Rantau Abang, Dungun, Kertih before stopping in Chukai for dinner. Along the way its the usual overtaking, tonnes of stalls by the roadside selling keropok, lemang and most interestingly satar. Oh ya, one interesting thing about all these stalls along the main road, each of them have been given a number systematically, these helps identify the stalls and if you do search online, reference to best keropok and satar would refer to their stall’s number, interesting concept.

Satar is a kind of fish with coconut milk marinated with herbs, wrapped with banana leaves then grill over charcoal. We stopped along the way to try satar, which cost RM1 for a pack of 5 pieces. Its fragrant from the banana leaves and taste a little sweet, not bad but won’t be something to die for though. Still its interesting to try some along the way especially since all of us are already screaming hungry.

We ran a little late arriving to our hotel in Cherating, so we have decided to ditched our plans of eating at Pak Su in Kuantan and instead stopped by at Tong Juan Seafood (N4 13.890 E103 25.687) in Chukai which also served the infamous stuff crabs. We arrived at 7.54:00pm and the place is already packed, there are plenty of parking in an open air public car park opposite the road. There are a few other restaurants next to it selling the same thing but Tong Juan seems to be the only one attracting the crowds.

The only problem is the queue for toilet is really long and urgent me had to walked to the Shell station 2 blocks away to use the toilet. Guess what, the guy in the toilet before in Shell, turns out to be sitting on the next table in Tong Juan as well, so next time, pee before you go :P.

We ordered the stuff crab which sells at Rm7.50 per piece, its basically a crab shell, filled with crab meats then covered with eggs white then deep fried. The is supposed to be the infamous stuff which a lot of us have high expectations on, maybe too high that we thought it was just ok when we finally got to tried it. Just quite plain I have to say, you have to add the chili sauce provided which is spicy and sour to make it nice. We also ordered some garlic fried prawns, steam siakap, taufu and a vegetables dish. Total of 5 dishes for 2 tables of 7 each cost about RM350 in total, not cheap but when is seafood cheap anymore nowadays?

Anyhow, right after dinner, Micol and myself sneaked out and made a quick tour around town trying to find a bakery. We finally came across Sg. Wang Bakery near The Store and got our dear friend Wai Pei her birthday cake! Just as we are leaving Chukai I made announced an emergency and made everyone stopped. Then announced that we need to have durian on the stall next to where we stopped :P. Since its not really season for local durians yet, we got 2.5kg of thai durians at RM4 per kg, its not bad and just for fun anyway.

We spent the night in Cherating at Cherating Bayview Resort (N4 07.344 E103 23.347), finding the place was a challenge, firstly the road leading from Chukai to Cherating is dark, minimal street lights, thank god we had GPS. The resort is a bit deep in, we have to turn into a small road, passed a graveyard before arriving at a small turning to find the signboard to the resort. We hurried to check in and just as everyone got their bags out, we found out that we still have to drive further in to our chalets, hehe. But its quite cool, you actually drive in and park next to your chalet unit. That night we celebrated Wai Pei’s birthday as there’s a nice open field in front of our chalets before the beach with a nice little hut that we had lighted with our mini torches with a little bit too much to drink for some of us, opps!

Photos compliments of Law Tien Soon

Peninsula Makan Trip Part 2 Intro

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 1, Kuala Lipis

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 2, Gua Musang

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 3, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 1, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 2, Merang, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 1, Kuala Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 2, Chukai, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 4, Last Day, Kuantan, Pahang

From Merang, it took us within an hour to reach Kuala Terengganu, we first visited Pulau Duyung (N5 20.042 E103 07.352) which was once well known for its world-class hand crafted ship building skills. We did a short tour here and took a group photo by a jetty for the local fishing boat before heading into the city.

In Kuala Terengganu, we headed to Mak Ngah (N5 16.476 E103 10.452) shop for their well known Nasi Dagang as well as Nasi Kerabu. This is just an ordinary malay shop selling food and here we came this bunch of KL folks, grabbing every last packet of nasi dagang and nasi kerabu available. The nasi dagang here is a lot more better than the one I had in Kelantan, the rice are softer, serve with a piece of firm fish meat and light curry gravy. The nasi kerabu is blue in color, served with dried small fishes, quite tasty I must say. Next we helped ourselves to the varieties of local Malay kueh available and the other thing I liked here is their tapai, which is a lot stronger in taste than those in KL. Our friend Micol, got a bit “drunk” in the trip after finishing most of the tapai e.g. knocking herself on my truck’s window, saying things that don’t make sense, etc. :P. Anyhow the food is good and very reasonable, cost about RM3 plus per person for food plus drinks.

Once we got our tummy filled up, we then dropped by the Floating Mosque (N5 17.082 E103 10.226) for some photography opportunity before heading to Chinatown or known as Kampung Cina (N5 19.960 E103 07.958) here. In Chinatown we visited the Loy Tiew’s Well (N5 19.960 E103 07.958) before taking a break with ice cold chinese desserts at the hawker’s center (N5 19.935 E103 08.020) next to it.

Chinatown here preserved some old and still very good condition buildings with rich chinese architecture. As for the well, ermm… well, its just an old well that is not functioning anymore, but its interesting to known its story which Micol gladly broadcasted it to all of us via walkie talkie on the way there. As we were there on Wesak Day, all the Chinese restaurants and food stalls were closed except for one selling mixed rice and another one selling desserts. We got down to enjoyed some drinks on that hot afternoon anyway, do try their taufu fah and ching poh leong, its good, RM1.30 for those in bowl and RM1.20 for those that comes in cup, a simple system and a friendly but busy uncle selling them :).

We almost got fined for not putting enough coins at the parking meters but lucky alert Johnson ran to our rescue by beating the enforcement officer with his 10 cents coin ;), thanks Johnson!

Photos compliments of Law Tien Soon

Peninsula Makan Trip Part 2 Intro

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 1, Kuala Lipis

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 2, Gua Musang

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 3, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 1, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 2, Merang, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 1, Kuala Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 2, Chukai, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 4, Last Day, Kuantan, Pahang

After a good morning and lunch of makan in Kota Bharu we made our way down to Merang, Terengganu from Kota Bharu at 2.39:50pm. Getting out of Kota Bharu took a while, as it was quite congested on the main road out of town plus there were loads of traffic lights to pass.

The drive out was really sleepy as the sky is cloudy but still hot and warm. We went passed Pasir Putih, then Besut and Setiu before reaching our next stop, Kembara Resort (N5 31.945 E102 57.524) in Merang, Terengganu. Kembara is this budget and superbly laid back kampung style chalets by the beach in Merang. The chalets are quite old and indeed budget (plus water problem) but the beach is still nice for photography, game of volleyball and not forgetting throwing unexpected people into the sea :P.

That night, we went out hunting for dinner in this remote part of Terengganu, finding waypoints for food here is fruitless as most of them are closed at night. We ended up at Kampung Gong Dato, which is in between Kuala Terengganu and Merang. Here we dined at Restoran Gong Dato Seafood (N5 24.625 E103 04.530) which is a small local Malay eatery and gosh, did we made a bad choice, but I think all the places here are the same, we should have settled for burger ramlee :(. Firstly the service is slowly and then when the food came, the portions are superbly small, not sure if its because we are from out of town that they decided to sharpen their knife or that is just their style. Anyhow, food here is just so-so, and I think next time if I had to stayed in Merang again, I will bring my own food or do my own bbq, a lot safer!

Anyhow, the next morning, we got some buns going around and the smart ones followed me out for breakfast at the local stalls for some nasi lemak. Since the jetty to Lang Tengah is just nearby, there are tonnes of tour buses stopping their passengers for breakfast here.

We spent the rest of the morning lepaking at the beach, some of them even got up wee morning to catch the sunrise and moved out before noon heading to Kuala Terengganu. Btw, if you happened to be there next time, walk up to the Charcoal factory outside the kampung house next to Kembara, looks interesting and a better alternative is to stay at Aryani Resort (beautiful place) next to it ;).

Photos compliments of Law Tien Soon

Peninsula Makan Trip Part 2 Intro

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 1, Kuala Lipis

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 2, Gua Musang

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 3, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 1, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 2, Merang, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 1, Kuala Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 2, Chukai, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 4, Last Day, Kuantan, Pahang

We started day 2 of our trip by visiting White House Kopitiam (N6 07.890 E102 14.212) in town, its supposed to be famous for their nasi dagang and toasted bread. This place is packed with almost all the tables occupied. Local of all races eat here and this places is operated by an old chinese uncle with the help of local malay ladies. We tried their nasi dagang, nasi lauk, toasted bread and half boiled eggs.

The nasi dagang is basically rice steamed in coconut milk serve with fish curry but I find the rice a bit hard. Nasi lauk are normal rice serve with fish curry too and I find my liking more to nasi lauk here. The toasted breads are just ok but the kaya is not as good as the one we tried in Tong Kok Hotel in Kuala Lipis. Prices, not that cheap, almost normal KL prices I would say. On the way leaving the place, we also stopped by a famous local stall (N6 07.726 E102 14.931) for some fried keropok lekor losong and fried sweet potato, both are excellent, about 5 pieces for RM1. I would have to say, this the thing I miss most about Kota Bharu!

We then visited Wat Pothivihan (N6 07.815 E102 08.252) which have a big reclining Buddha followed by Wat Machimmaram (N6 11.053 E102 06.577) (thanks to correction by Tien Soon!) which have a big sitting Buddha. We took a short break at Wat Pothivihan to have fresh coconut juice and some somtam (Thai papaya salad) which is served by all the 3 local-Thais stalls found in the temple. At Wat Pilkulyai, I got a pre-blessing (for Wesak Day) from a monk who speak very good English, chatting with him after my blessing sessions. He told me to also visit Golok which is nearby and that the next temple is where they will celebrate Wesak Day. The monk took me by surprised a little as he look nothing like someone who can speak fluent English, so there we go again, don’t judge a book by its cover ;).

For lunch, we headed to U-Lang Corner after packing up our bags from Ah Fai siew’s house. Its located at Jalan Wakaf Mek Zainah in Kota Bharu (N6 08.348 E102 14.476). Their specialty here is basically Nasi Kerabu which is also known as khao jam in Thai. The version here is a bit different, its green and its cooked with the many varieties of herbs planted and found around the forest next to the owner’s house. The rice is green in colour, top with a salad like of veges and herbs. The rice mixture is a salty taken with either fried chicken or fish. Its a very nice and not heavy feeling meal, I really like that. The khao jam and by 1 plus, its already sold out, but they also sells Laksa here if you fancy some. The friendly uncle here also told me that his “fei chai” (chubby son) have opened up a branch in Bandar Puteri, Puchong and told me that I can also get it there.

Before heading off, Ah Fai siew, our valuable local guide recommended that we try the local cendol. So I asked what’s the different, he explained that its cendol as it is but served with pulut (glutinous rice) and tapai (pronounced as tar-peh in Kelantan). I wasn’t too keen with pulut at first but tapai did it and I just had to try it since tapai is my favourite ;). Tapai is basically a type of fermented food which tasted sweet or sour alcoholic liked which is basically made from pulut or tapioca.

The cendol stall (N6 08.221 E102 14.721) here is operated by what looks like a Malay family which sells the yummy cendol with pulut and tapai (made from tapioca type) in it. Sounds weird, but taste fantastic and I really enjoy the cendol. RM1.80 for the normal one and RM2.80 for the special one, not sure what is the special one but the normal one already have pulut and tapai in it ;).

After the nice lunch, we had to say goodbye to Ah Fai siew and continue on our journey to Merang in Terengganu as our next stop. So far, impression of Kota Bharu is quite good to me, not as bad as many have thought and the different kind of other goodies like ayam percik, nasi kerabu, etc. that Ah Fai siew told me about makes me wish I had more time to spend here, so maybe next time, it’s a great idea to spend some time in Kota Bharu itself ;). Thanks again for everything Ah Fai siew, hope to see you in KL soon :).

Photos compliments of Law Tien Soon

Peninsula Makan Trip Part 2 Intro

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 1, Kuala Lipis

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 2, Gua Musang

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 1, Update 3, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 1, Kota Bharu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 2, Update 2, Merang, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 1, Kuala Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 3, Update 2, Chukai, Terengganu

Peninsula Malaysia Makan Trip Part 2 - Day 4, Last Day, Kuantan, Pahang