JJCM in KT #17 - The Wide Sandy Beach Of Kemasik.

Kemasik beach is the last beach we visited on our way back. It is named after the Kemasik river and is between Kijal in the north and Kerteh town in the south. There is a fishing village at the mouth of Kemasik river and looked so rustic and appealing in the distance. I would have loved to drive there to have a look but time is pressing so we gave it a miss. Another reason to return some day.

The beach is very wide and long with fine light brown sand and the water is crystal clear.

It would have been lovely to walk along it when the sun has gone down. The view is also not monotonous with island in the background. The beach itself is undulating landing contrast and character to it. It is one of my favorite beaches in the East Coast.

This rocky outcrop somewhere in the middle of the beach stopped the sea and created a band of sandy beach behind it. On both sides which are not protected by it, the sea encroaches further inland.

The rocks are higher than they appeared. Note the trees as a gauge of its height.

On the other end of the beach, are rocky hills with cactus like plants. Hills on both sides framing a valley reminded me of cowboy movie and I just know I’ll be ambushed if I ride into the valley.

Along this stretch, rocks protected the beach and broke the waves as they came rushing in. Because of these rocks, you can see how powerful these waves are.

These two boys were enjoying themselves in a more sheltered spot between several rock outcrops. They laughed happily as departing waves threatened to pull them away from the shore.

One of their brothers climbed on these high rocks threading carefully over the hard and sharp surface.

My heart raced as I saw him perched on the edge. One wrong step could very well be fatal. He could so easily hurt himself. But I told myself in my younger days, I had done exactly the same thing. But now I only saw the danger.

I was glad that he decided not to take any more chances and settled down to enjoy the breeze and view, king of the hill. That last image stayed with me as we made our way back to the car…

To be continued...

JJCM in KT #14 - Pantai Chendering

Further down the road, about 6 km away from Kuala Terengganu is Chendering – the site of the Malaysian Handicraft Centre. This centre offers a wide variety of Malaysian handicraft and also a chance to see how these handicrafts are made. Cendering is also the site of a national deep sea fishing project with a long jetty that is excellent for fishing. These we heard about but knew we did not have the time to make a stop. There are just too many things to see and the days are too short.

So we stop instead at Pantai Chendering which is about 10 km away from kuala Terengganu town. It is a bay with a very wide sandy beach. There is a fishing village at one end. We would love to check it out but again time did not permit. The wide sandy beach and the gentle slope made this stretch looked very inviting but it is also quite treacherous as the undercurrent is very strong.

At one end of the beach, it ended in rocks and that is where I will find them. I loved these few very tall coconut trees swaying under the strong breeze. I had been here before and I always looked forward to seeing those coconut trees again. But I sadly noted that one of the trees has lost its crown and only its trunk is left standing. It will stand there much longer and I fear the other trees will also die out not too far into the future. That is a real pity for the trees added so much to the empty beach. I was shocked when I came across an older photograph recently that showed nine coconut trees where now only three still stands. If the tourism officers are doing their job, they ought to be planting some new trees here.

I loved them so much that I shot them from different angles to remember them in case they are gone by the time I got there again. If you go to Kuala Terengganu, do stop by Pantai Chendering and see those trees before they are gone. How many decades they must have stood there facing the South China Sea. I will miss them. I wonder if I am the only one who will?

Everywhere you went, you can see huge Pas flags. Some with one moon like this one, some with two, four and more. I am not political and they don’t bother me. However, I think planting them on rocks and islands everywhere spoilt the natural beauty. There ought to be some places where politics do not intrude. There are better ways to make a statement.

The sun was blazing hot that afternoon and there were no shades on the beach. But among these rocks are trapped colorful stones, sea shells and broken shells of crustaceans. If not for the hot sun, looking for stones or shells among the rocks can be a lot of fun. I took back a number of these small rocks for souvenirs. Free gifts from nature. I once even took back sand from Pulau Redang.

As we left, we saw this recently expired colorful crab among the white broken shells and grey rocks. Its sad end is an ominous sign. Somehow I don’t think I will see those swaying coconut trees again.

JJCM in KT #6 – Onward To Kuala Terengganu.

The car felt heavier with all those food we consumed. The road we were traveling on hugged the coastline and at certain stretches there were unobstructed views of the sea. Coconut trees lining the road gave a rustic feel but we noted dying coconut trees losing their crowns. The East Coast without ample coconut trees would look like a sad lady shorn of her hair.

Life is carefree but sometimes you don’t know whether to be envious or horrified. Like this underage boy on the motorbike with only slippers and no helmet. He grinned at me, eyes hidden by huge sun glasses. I have seen up to five on a motorbike, a parent with 3 small kids sandwiched together. While we are alarmed at the danger, would we have done the same in their situation?

By 2.00 pm, we reached Teluk Ibai, just 4 km away from our destination – Kuala Terengganu. We stopped there to visit the famous Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque also known as the “floating mosque” (Masjid Terapung). The architect is relatively simple and clean cut but beautiful. The white building under a blue sky and fluffy clouds reflecting on the calm water of the surrounding lake evoke a pleasing serenity. This was further enhanced by the sea breeze of the South China Sea at the backdrop. Time slowed down to match the feel.

We reached Phua’s house by 3.30 pm and his niece took an interest in us. We chatted with his parents who showed us very interesting old sepia photographs of their school days. Well mannered girls in black and white uniform, teachers with their bouffant hair style and 60s clothing lining up under fern trees in front of their wooden school building standing on concrete legs. We were treated to home brewed tea prepared from wild sugarcane. A delicious curry chicken and rice was served with “Acar” (a spicy, sweet and slightly tangy vegetable salad). More food but how could we refuse?

We reached out hotel – Gem Beach Resort (RM160.00 per night) in Batu Rakit by late afternoon and of course the first thing we noticed is the lazy chairs under the coconut trees facing the sea. It is inviting but we decided to take a rest first and wait for the sun to go down a bit.

Our rooms have balconies where we relaxed, chatted and ate the snacks we brought along. I know, still eating.

There are plenty of luxuriant plants especially bougainvillea giving it a hanging garden feel.

What is this lonely boat doing out there in the open sea?

Towards evening, we headed for the beach. The oppressive heat has by now given way to cool evening breeze and it was very pleasant walking along the beach.

As the evening deepened with the sinking sun, the sky gave a wonderful display of color. We are pleased with the fact that the beach is so deserted. The Malay New Year celebration must have something to do with it. After many years of traveling, I often treasure quiet moment more than hectic ones rushing around to take in more of everything.

A tender moment shared between father and son.

The waves and undercurrent are very strong on the East Coast and many inexperienced swimmers have got into difficulties here. As I stood on the sand, I could feel the waves pulled them away from under my feet.

The lights came out.

Enough time has passed by now for us to be hungry again so we drove out to Kuala Terengganu’s Chinatown.

In the restaurant named Golden Dragon, we ordered (from top clockwise) steamed Garuba fish, 5 spices meat rolls, Xing Jiang bean curd, bitter gourd fried with roasted pork. Unfortunately, they ran out of all the soups that night so we did not get our lotus root soup.

It had been a long day. After the heavy meal, we were ready for bed thus ending the first day of our road trip to Kuala Terengganu. We have seen and savored much during the 500 km journey. It had been lovely so far. Tomorrow promises more.

To be continued...

"Jalan Jalan Cari Makan In Kuala Terengganu" (JJCM in KT) - Teluk Cempedak.

What can I show you about Teluk Cempedak (TC) beach that you’ve not already seen?

Practically, everyone who had been to the East Coast had been there. I gathered it would be the most visited beach maybe in the whole of Malaysia. Ah, but are you looking at things through the eyes of another? You may yet discover delights among familiar sights.

A gentle morning TC beach that has just shaken off the night welcomed us. The blues of the sea and sky soothed our tired eyes and the South China Sea lapping the sand sang us a soothing lullaby. The beach offered a great respite under the coconut and Casuarina trees for weary travelers from the West before their onward journey.

What is a beach without lovers holding hand?

That man with a cigarette stuck in his mouth was holding up a horseshoe crab by its spine with another crab attached to it. Hey! Leave them alone. How would you like it if a Giant held you and your partner up by your Achilles heel when you were making love for all to see. The blue blood of the horseshoe crab had saved many human lives and is very valuable in our search for remedies for drug-resistant diseases. Periodic blood extractions (without killing the horseshoe) make them the greatest blood donors for humankind. We should love and protect the horseshoe crab who were here on Earth before we were apes.

The beach is also popular with the locals from surrounding areas especially from Kuantan which is only 5 km away. Five members of a family sharing the morning papers, a sight seldom encountered in the city. Treasures such moments, don’t take them for granted. If your reaction is – “what is the big deal?” then I envy you. I for one had never experience such a moment in my entire life.

A young family with their children enjoying the swing. “Fly, little girl, fly. Take to the sky. You may be an astronaut one day.”

Dark boulders reflected on still waters trapped behind, contrasted with the free rippling water of the sea. A serene scene inviting inner reflection.

Boulder, sand and sea. I loved this part of the beach as it promise solitude far away from the crowd.

This rock giant holds more secret than Mona Lisa.

A father’s love, as vast as South China Sea.

All of us may look at the same scene but we see different things. I made no excuses for looking at life through the lenses of a romantic. I hoped you can see some of the beauty through the same lens.

My angle of beauty may seem strange to some like the back shot of my traveling companions. Four friends setting out on the walkway to where, they do not yet know. That is beautiful. They may not agree that is their best views though.

Follow us on this walkway to Teluk Tongkang where Japanese troops landed during the Second World War which will be coming up next.

To Be Continued...