Have you ever encounter a place so beautiful you feel reluctant to leave and compelled to return at the soonest available opportunity? Well we have.. this is the case between our group and this campsite – Durian Belanja, along pristine Sungai Kelemin in Pasir Raja, Dungun about 215km northeast of Kuala Lumpur. We have ridden there once in February this year and when there is a window for 3 days trip, the majority has unanimously chosen to ride there again, this time to spend 2 nights at the campsite and explore what the area has to offer that we have missed in the last visit.
It was a warm Saturday morning around 26⁰C when I started riding from Rawang with clear sky and very little traffic on the road. Shahriman asked for me to start without him and we will be reunited at the first RV point – BHP Karak. Alvin and Pidot were already there when I arrived around 7.35am and Pidot mentioned about seeing Zadiq passing the station around 6.30am. Zadiq, Saidi & Ikhwan started earlier and will be waiting for us at the third RV point while Cikgu Joe and Suhail will ride from Seri Iskandar through Gua Musang and Kuala Berang to the 4th rendezvous point.
RV1 members - 7.45am
It was a foggy ride through LPT and in some areas such as Lanchang and Maran, the fog was so thick with visibility reduced to 150m. However I am surprised, despite it was a long weekend, traffic was smooth all the way to R&R Gambang, where we stopped for fuel around 9.45am.
Rendezvous with Kert at RV2 - Tol Kuantan - 10.30am
Kert, an IIU alumnus whom was riding from Gambang was already on-site when we arrived at the 2nd RV point – Tol Kuantan, waiting under a shade. He have recently acquired a Versys X250 and has agreed to join us to ride to Sungai Kelemin this weekend. It was hot and humid with ambient temperature was around 37⁰C when we passed Felda Bukit Goh through Route 1487 and made a left turn towards Felda Bukit Sagu.
Route 1581 Jalan Bukit Sagu – Cerul surface condition was excellent when we were approaching a security checkpoint and main junction to the main Felda Bukit Sagu settlements. However it deteriorate as we passed Terengganu state border, with many deep potholes, unfinished repair work and muddy sections from Bukit Cerul to Ceneh. We ride slowly through this section while taking some time to appreciate the scenery of the surrounding and to avoid any untoward incidents as many lorry-trailers passed us here.
We then took another left turn on Route 14 toward Bandar Al-Muktafi-billah Shah to meet the other three riders, whom departed earlier. We’ve also met with 2 riders from Dungun and Kerteh – Jo and Syaril whom were riding Honda CRF250, first time joining our group ride.
At RV3 - Petronas - 12.30pm
Photo Credit to Alvin
We’ve arrived at Petronas station around 12.20pm and refilled our tanks and having some cold drinks, to ease off some heat from the system. Saidi, Ikhwan and Zadiq arrived shortly and we made a move towards Mat Zaki’s house after some chuckles.
As our previous ride here, lunch were ordered from Zaki’s homestay and it was local kampong dishes consists of masak lemak daging bakar, ayam kampong sambal, ikan tilapia bakar, sayur pucuk paku with sambal belacan, air asam & budu. While waiting for cikgu Joe & Suhail, we were served with duku, a local fruit on season at the moment in this area, other than rambutan.
Dishes were snatched very fast. This is all I can capture for the record
Mat Zaki's place - Kg Pasir Raja
Photo Credit to Ikhwan
Cikgu Joe and Suhail arrived around 2.45pm after riding from Seri Iskandar, Perak. We made a move shortly after and by this time weather started to change.
It started with a light rain after about 200m from Zaki’s place and it got heavier as we were passing Kampung Syukur and the main junction to the trailhead. Visibility was very poor and in the confusion I have missed the main junction and have to double back to get to the right direction.
We’ve stopped at the trailhead to reduce our tires pressures and re-tighten our equipment strap. The rain has eased with intermittent drizzle.
The first section into the trail, it was a relatively slippery surface, from the rain water and Alvin dropped his bike after losing traction, during a small climb. He is on road tires and had very little grip on this surface. The rest continued without any issue towards a wooden bridge across Sungai Loh.
Ikhwan was riding Yamaha Y15 on this ride as his Versys is still in workshop for repair work. This is an exemplary member of the team - keep on participating although his main choice of ride is unavailable. Bravo Ikhwan!
The number of riders on BMW GS310 has increased since its launch a couple years ago but at the moment - to my knowledge - Man is the only rider that has brought this beast offroading - on a monthly basis.
Sungai Loh’s river level was noticeably higher than our ride in February and it was also the case when we arrived at the second river crossings. The water was about 4 feet deep with strong current due to the rain. All of us crossed without any issue although Alvin and Kert looked very nervous to cross as it was their first river crossing.
The brit is going under!
The last hurdle to the campsite was a sandbank, which saw a lot of drama during our last ride. Surprisingly, this time the sand on the bank was much more compact and scattered big pebbles were flattened, making the ride a lot easier. Alvin is the only rider fall in this section. The group managed to reach the campsite under 2 hours despite the rain, rising water level and slippery surface. Note to other riders contemplating to ride to the same campsite, use suitable type of tires or be on the right pressure to ensure adequate traction available for your ride.
Photo Credit to Zadiq
Sungai Kelemin water quality was expected to be murky from the rain but it wasn’t yellowish in color but rather darker than our last visit during sunny days. The rain has completely subsided when we arrived so I decided not to prepare the big flysheet. We finished setting camp around 5.30pm and I’ve wondered around looking for wood for the night. By 6pm, most of us were in the river bathing and were chatting among ourselves.
Photo Credit to Alvin
That night we sat on the riverbank along with a campfire eating dinner over coffee & tea. The sky was bright from the moon and the river water, which was has started to clear reflect the moonlight. Saidi shared stories of his rides and camping while Syaril – a new starter with the group from Kerteh told stories about bicycles.
Although some of us haven’t met prior to this ride, the bond started naturally and by end of the night we have exchanged chuckles like old buddies. In this modern day, nights like these are rare, where people’s attention normally were glued to screens around them.
Picture Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Picture Credit to Cikgu Joe
I retrieved to my tent around 11pm, with night chimes from the surrounding jungles and occasional sleep talking among snores of nearby tents. The ambient temperature started to drop past midnight and I wondered how Syaril – whom decided to sleep open-air was doing. Nonetheless the comfort of 4 inch air mattress and a blanket prevented me from stepping outside the tent.
I woke up around 6am and quickly grab my phone to snap pictures of the surrounding after my morning prayer and a glass of warm water. It was a cloudy morning so no pink light on the horizon today. The river water recedes overnight and it was crystal clear again.
By 7am, we sat by the river having breakfast of instant noodles and fried fritters. Saidi said his stomach felt pain and looked pale. We’ve urged him to go to a nearby clinic for treatment and Jo has agreed to escort him to a nearest hospital. They will return at the soonest opportunity. We suspected he ate too much duku during lunch yesterday, as it could upset your stomach.
Photo Credit to Alvin
Photo Credit to Zadiq
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Zadiq
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
We spent about 4 hours in the water and returned to campsite just before lunchtime. Syaril and Kert packed their stuffs and departed, leaving Ikhwan that wanted to wait for Saidi to return before going back.
Photo Credit to Zadiq
Photo Credit to Zadiq
After lunch, we rode across the river to scout the area and found two more campsites across the river, about 300m upstream of Durian Belanja. We rode to almost the end of the trail and stopped when we realized it was going away from the river towards Felda Mengkawang.
On the way back, Cikgu Joe slipped his front wheel and dropped in the river. However both rider and his Versys suffered no major damages.
When we were returning, it started to drizzle. Saidi has returned after receiving two injections and now looked more energized. He soon left with Ikhwan in the rain.
The rain eased but it was still cloudy so we took time to rest and laid down on the ground. Soon the rain started to pour again waking us up.
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
Photo Credit to Zadiq
Despite the rain, water quality was crystal clear.. perhaps it wasn’t raining as heavy as the day we arrived but since it was cold, I was in the water for 15 minutes before I made a run to the fire to warm up.
Our last night on campsite dinner was posh with Zadiq and Shahriman tagging up preparing white rice with ikan masin & bilis goreng, sardine masak asam, jeruk petai, sambal udang, omelette and tomatoes. Alvin prepared instant pasta while Pidot was cooking lamb curry with fried noodles. Who said we can’t have proper food in the jungle?
Photo Credit to Cikgu Joe
We continued chatting under sheet, although the night was clear with moon appearing among tree branches above our campsite. Suhail - our entertainer for this trip blasting songs from Blackpink on Bluetooth speakers but remain seated for the entire length. That should keep away the elephants, which droppings were scattered on the campsite, I presumed. I retreated to my tent around 10.30pm followed by others after a day full of activities.The last morning on the campsite was majestic with pink sky around sunrise and the entire length of the river was engulfed in mist. Perhaps a colder previous night has triggered the mist concentration along this stretch. Alvin commented that some views of the river were straight from drawings or art pieces.
After breakfast we took some time dipping in the river for the last time hoping that the condition will be preserved for as long as human live on the planet.
We packed our gears afterward including our garbage and food containers so we can leave the site cleaner than what we found on our arrival. By 10am we’ve gathered for a group photo and started to ride back to civilization.
(From right) Cikgu Joe, Jo Dungun, Pidot, Man, Alvin, Suhail, Zadiq & myself
Our first breakpoint was at Petronas Al-Muktafi Billah where Cikgu Joe with Suhail will ride to Seri Iskandar and Jo will ride to Dungun. The rest will ride to Geliga, Kemaman to have satar on the way back to LPT and Klang valley. Other than keropok lekor & its seafood, Kemaman is well-known for its satar, if you know where to look.
After saying goodbye, we rode through Kampung Ibok T131 towards Kemaman and the route was clear with very little traffic. It increases as we approached the town but still smooth until we passed several long-waiting traffic lights to get to Geliga. The restaurant has just opened when we arrived.
Warung Kak Nab Geliga
GPS N4.20897° E103.43666°
Photo credit to Zadiq
After lunch we continued through Cherating and ECE-FT3 link to get into LPT heading to KL. The weather was hot with clear sky and excellent traffic flow.
I am glad that the river and campsite durian belanja is still preserved, since our last ride. The ride was successful although we have to endure rain during the ride in and on every afternoon while we were there. River crossings also went well despite rising water level and slippery sandy riverbank. Alvin Saw has returned for more adventurous ride after Pos Titom while Kert made the crossing into dual-purpose realm. We have left the campsite cleaner than we first came and brought back our garbage on our bikes. I hope everyone enjoyed as much as I have and let’s take care of our environment for our future generations.
Note:
For coordinates of the trailhead & campsite, please refer here
Ride snippets:
Riders:
1. Rashidin Kawasaki Versys 650
2. Ikhwan Yamaha Y15R
3. Shahriman BMW GS310
4. C.Joe Kawasaki Versys 250X
5. Park Suhail Keeway TX200G
6. Saidi Honda CRF250
7. Izadique Triumph Scrambler
8. Pidot Kawasaki Versys 650
9. Kert Hafiz Kawasaki Versys X250
10. Johan Honda CRF250
11. Syaril Honda CRF250
12. Alvin Saw Kawasaki Versys 650
Distance: 898 km
Date: 7, 8 & 9 September 2019
Average moving speed: 88.2km/h
Lowest temperature: 19°C (Campsite Durian Belanja)
Highest temperature: 37°C (Gambang)
Expenditures: Lunch RM15
Petrol: RM120
