Recently we learnt that a member of our riding group has a freshwater fish farming at his hometown in Terengganu breeding species like Patin (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), Baung (Mystus) and Red Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). His farm is supplying fish to restaurants around Kuala Terengganu, Temerloh and Kuantan even as far as Kuala Lumpur. We have received an invitation to visit his hometown to see it ourselves and get the taste of these species.
Jezz, Kasko and Sani will join me from Klang valley, Cikgu Jasni will ride alone from Bota and there are five other riders coming from Singapore which are Ross, Razzie, Khai, Jalil and Sani Boy. These lion riders will spend a night in Kuantan before joining us at the campsite while Tom will wait for us at his village. Cikgu Ibrahim, a boarding secondary school teacher from Bertam, Penang will ride late in the Saturday afternoon and will join us on Sunday morning.
The selected campsite is a popular checkpoint for water sports enthusiast in the area, which has a nice gigantic bridge that connect to LPT2 as roof and flat terrain covered in grass. It is on the riverbank of Terengganu River situated about 24 km north east of Kenyir Dam and 19km from Kuala Terengganu river estuary.
It was a clear Saturday morning around 7am when I departed from Rawang towards our first rendezvous point in Kuala Kubu Bahru. Jezz arrived around 7.50am and followed by Sani moments later. This is the first time Sani, whom is riding F800GS will ride with us he is really excited about it. The weather was misty from the overnight rain with ambient temperature around 23°C when we departed towards Fraser Hill through Rasa.
The winding road FT55 towards Tranum was already bustling with joggers, cyclists and fellow riders heading the same way. The road condition was immaculate and we had good times taking corners. It is most enjoyed by Jezz, whom sped like speedy Gonzales leaving us heavier bikes behind.
As we passed Tranum, durian orchard near Tras was bustling with durian harvest, traders on truckload of the King fruit were seen loading and collecting their harvest.
Traffic condition at Raub wasn’t too bad and we passed the town swiftly towards Kuala Lipis on FT8. The sun was shining brightly when we entered the new Central Spine Road (CSR) after Sungai Jelai near Padang Tengku.
Rain was forecasted at Gua Musang around noon but it was only cloudy when we arrived at Petronas Gua Musang. Cikgu Jasni was at other Petronas station in town so I have asked him to meet us at restaurant around 12.30pm. Instead of having lunch there, we packed our food and continued towards Tasik Kenyir. Just before we left, Kasko said he’ll be joining us at Tasik Kenyir.
The road towards Tasik Kenyir is still not finished so traffic is diverted to use inner road of Felda Aring cluster. It was in bad condition, not wide enough and poorly designed, unfit for high traffic usage. There are many potholes making riding quite dangerous especially at night. I wouldn't suggest any rider to ride after dark. Road shoulders were deep from depression of heavy vehicle’s wheels making compensation of the small road around tight corners.
After crossing a state border between Terengganu and Kelantan, we stopped by the 'border tree' to snap some photos.
Photo Credit to Jezz
We continued riding towards Kenyir Lake, searching for a spot to have lunch.
We found a nice spot by the lake after a few scouting rounds so we opened our chairs and Jezz's table under a shade. The layby trail surface is made of small pebbles and soft ground, filled with rain water in some spots so we rode carefully passing a raft chalet on the lake. Cikgu Jasni earlier mentioned about taking a swim but was hindered by a rumour about flesh eating fish – Toman although the rumour wasn’t backed by any factual data. The view nonetheless was breath taking and this could also be our next campsite.
Port lunch Tasik Kenyir GPS 5.201500, 102.669444
We continued towards Pengkalan Gawi to meet Kasko whom was already waiting at a roadside shed. He is riding a Yamaha Y15R and said his rear absorber was busted in one of the potholes. So for the remaining distance he is riding only on spring without shock absorber.
Just before Kuala Berang, we turned right to a shortcut cutting through Kampung Alur Lek and Kampung Bukit Aman, the small road is circumnavigating Hulu Nerus Forest Reserve but it was fully on tarmac.
We reached the campsite around 4.25pm and taken shelter under the bridge. Tom arrived moments later and quickly ordered cold drinks from a nearby restaurant for us. He also bought keropok and satar for us.
Campsite Kg Pasir Tinggi GPS 5.215444, 103.032417
Team lion’s riders arrived around 5.30pm and finally I have met the other half of the twin riders – Razzie. It has been a while since his twin Ross, joined us but all I have heard are stories but never had a chance to meet the person himself.
Photo Credit to Razzie
Sani boy have all the space for himself, no need to share!
Photo Credit to Razzie
Around 6pm when I have finished setting up tent, it started to drizzle. Tom took most of us on a truck to his fish farm, which is about 1.5km away from campsite, joined by his younger brother and father.
Photo Credit to Razzie
Photo Credit to Ross
Photo Credit to Jezz
Photo Credit to Jezz
Photo Credit to Abang Jalil
Photo Credit to Jezz
Photo Credit to Abang Jalil
Photo Credit to Jezz
By sunset, the rain eased and we started to swim in the river. Abg Jalil, despite being the most senior in the group, swam across the river, which is about 150m wide. The river bottom was muddy and started to drop deep right after bridge’s piling. Its current gets stronger in the middle so we stayed close to the pillar. Khai and Razzie contemplated to swim across but double back less than halfway through since the current was too strong to resist.
Photo Credit to Jezz
Tom came to our campsite with dinner prepared by his mother, which are made of hot tea, white rice, Ikan Patin masak tempoyak, deep fried Tilapia and nangka masak lemak with sambal belacan. The dishes taste so good it were fully consumed by us within minutes. The same dishes normally served as special delicacies in restaurants across the country at relatively higher price than normal dishes but tonight we were served by Tom and his family on the riverbank of the very same river that breed these fishes.
Photo Credit to Ross
Photo Credit to Razzie
Photo Credit to Razzie
We continued chatting through the night listening to life stories across the two nation riders, with combined lifetime more than five centuries over hot coffee. The drizzle continues through the night with a slight breeze making the night relatively cold. Around 11pm, I retreated to my tent. It was a cold night and I was awakened a few times looking for warm escape underneath my blanket.
Around 6am the next morning I was awake and ready to take pictures of our campsites after some refreshment and morning prayer. The sun rises from the downstream of the river and the view was quite magnificent.
Tom has returned to the campsite, this time for breakfast which was Nasi Dagang with hot tea. Cikgu Ibrahim arrived from his family home nearby and joined us for breakfast. All of us were really grateful to this hospitality and enjoyed our breakfast with a magnificent view of the river.
Right after breakfast, we jumped into the river which was on high tide. This time Cikgu Jasni & Sani joined for some acrobatic jumps.
Photo Credit to Jezz
Photo Credit to Jezz
Photo Credit to Jezz
We have finished packing around 10am and the sun has shone brightly over the area. We have regrouped one last time for a group photo before riding back home. Cikgu Jasni will head to Kuala Terengganu town while the rest of us will ride through Bukit Payung heading to the coastal road. Kasko rode first to a workshop in Bukit Payung to fix his rear absorber and will join later in Kuala Abang.
(From left) Abang Jalil, Cikgu Jas, Sani Boy, Ross, Jezz, Khai, Razzie, Myself, Sani, Kasko, Tom and Cikgu Ibrahim
We continued riding through Kampung Pulau Musang FT14 and Bukit Payung T26 heading to Marang. After a quick refill at a petrol station, Tom took us to Kekabu Beach, another potential campsite on the beach with trees and public toilet.
Kekabu Beach Campsite GPS 5.211500, 103.208056
Photo Credit to Sani Boy
We continued riding on the coastal road FT3 and made a stop at viewpoint for picture sessions.
Batu Pelanduk Beach GPS 4.826889, 103.416972
We went for lunch at a nearby restaurant serving fried rice with fresh squid fritters on the plate, as recommended in a group.
Kedai Sotong Pok Teh GPS 4.826083, 103.417194
Phone Number: +60 19-946 1133
Photo Credit to Sani Boy
Photo Credit to Jezz
We said goodbye to each other after lunch as the lion’s riders will ride through Kuantan, Pekan and Cikgu Ibrahim planned to visit a relative in Dungun while the rest will ride back to KL. Jezz and Kasko rode first and I have lost touch with them soon after. We rode through LPT from Kuala Dungun and the weather turned after Paka. The rain subsided just after Kuantan and at this point Sani said he wanted to ride straight until Karak. Tom and I exited the highway after Gambang and we went through FT2, the route less sleepy than the straight highway road.
The road surface is good and there were relatively less traffic. We made it back safely in Gombak around 6.50pm and I said goodbye to Tom just after the Gombak toll.
A visit to our member’s hometown really worth the distance and heat we have to endure as we were greeted with delicious and fresh food by our host. Great hospitality and warm welcome shown by Tom’s family while we were at their village was really great. I hope all the best to Tom and his freshwater fish enterprise. May Allah bless you and your family with good health and abundance sustenance.
Ride snippets:
Riders:
1. Rashidin Kawasaki Versys 650
2. Jasni Kawasaki Versys 650
3. Tom Kawasaki Versys 650
4. Sani BMW F800GS
5. Jalil Honda ST1300
6. Ross Suzuki Vstrom 1000
7. Sani boy Suzuki Vstrom 1000
8. Razzie Yamaha Fazer 1000
9. Khai BMW GS1200LC
10. Kasko Yamaha Y150R
11. Jezz Yamaha FZ150
12. Ibrahim Triumph Tiger 800
Distance: 953km (from central)
Date: 13th – 14th July 2019
Average moving speed: 81.8km/h
Lowest temperature: 22°C (Campsite)
Highest temperature: 36°C (Marang)
Expenditures: Lunch RM12
Petrol: RM120
