Johor Coastal Trip 2 (Tg. Piai)

Tanjung Piai Resort.

The wooden bridge entrance to Tg. Piai Resort.

With Najidah at Tg. Piai Resort for breakfast.

At Tanjung Piai Resort, Johor.

The welcoming bridge outside Tanjung Piai Resort, Johor.

On 18 january 2009, we drove straight to Tanjung Piai Resort in Tanjung Piai about 25 km from Kukup at 4.00 pm for hunger pang has begun to bother us.Before we settled in our room, we ordered simple lunch to fill in our gassy stomachs. Tanjung Piai Resort is a beaut and entirely enchanting, jutting out to the Straits of Malacca, with panoramic view of the sea and the anchored seafreighters at Singapore harbour. The Resort is situated at the southernmost tip of Peninsular Malaysia. It has been my dream to go the southernmost tip of the Asia continent and I did it by visiting the resort and the Tg. Piai National Park. It was just as exciting as I have stood on Cape Point of Cape of Good Hope in South Africa - the sounthernmost tip of the African Continent in 2004. I am totally humbled by the Grace of Allah for allowing me to see his great creation.

We paid RM120.00 for a room with breakfast with spectacular view of the sea. Tired after a long drive, we decided to stay put and explore the resort. Since it was not on weekened, guests have left the resort and it was rather quiet. We slept early. To go to Tg. Piai Resort from KL, you can take the highway and exit at Simpang Renggam and follow the road to Pontian, Benut and then you will find a signboard along the road. You won't miss it. You can also call or fax for enquiries and booking at 07-6969000/07-6960011. You may talk to Pn. Julia or other receptionist on duty. At night the view is glittering with lights from the freighters lining the horizan. You can be fooled into thinking that the light was from a housing estate. We slept early that night.

In the morning of 19 Jan 2009, after breakfast we took a drive towards Tg. Piai National Park which is about 10 minute from the resort. I was excited to see the park, particularly to stand on the point of the southernmost tip of Asia continent. We paid RM 5.00 for adult but for being a senior citizen I paid RM3.00 only - too cheap to maintain the park! We were delighted to see the park which is so well-kept and information was attractively presented. It took quite a long reading to get all the information digested.

Najidah and I were quite disappointed when told that the we couldn't go to the southernmost point, the Globe, because the platform was under repair after being broken by the waves. It was not safe. We were stunt because our main reason was to stand on that particular point and now we were told we couldn't go there. What a waste!!

Anyway we requested to go up to the section where the platform was still OK. The platforms were built leading to different points of interest above the mangrove swamps. The walk enable visitors to enjoy the different mangrove habitats. We walked the platform towards the southernmost point. We came across a group of monkeys and didn't know what to do - to move forward or to retreat. I snapped some photos and while we were debating how to go forward, a male monkey barred his teeth, and hissing, began moving towards us fast. Panicked, we ran for our lives. Those rascals must be laughing looking at the two stupid ladies turned tails.

The platform on the mangrove swamps in Tg. Piai National Park.

I called the office and explained that we were blocked by those hostile monkeys. The officer advised us not to have eye contact and just walked pass pretending not to see them. Noway I was going there again. I didn't have the confidence, so I pleaded to send somebody to accompany us across just for awhile. They were kind (not many visitors at that time) and Abu came to our rescue. Abu Salleh bin Abu Bakar is a delightful young guy who knew the park like the back of his hand. He has been working there for 8 years and helped in research conducted by universities.

Since we were accompanied by a staff, we were able to go to the southernmost point, the Globe, much to our delight. Abu took pains to explain the process, the condition, the habitats and flaura and fauna of the park. I marvelled at his wealth of knowledge and we became novice learners. Thank you Abu and we will not forget your helpfullness. I guess, it is good to have a young pretty girl with me because I suspected, Najidah is the motivation!

Najidah and I at the Globe, the southernmost tip of Asia continent at Tg. Piai.

At 2.00 pm we decided to drive to Kukup which is about 25 km from Tg. Piai. Najidah has found out about Kukup National Park which is on Kukup island. It's similar to Tg. Piai - a wetland mangrove park. We took a boat from Kukup across. Apollo, the boatman charged RM5.00 for a return trip. The entrance fee is the same as in Tg.Piai. This is another national park that delighted us. It is well-maintained, clean and information was plentiful. The park is so beautiful with clean, clear river. We saw 3 otters catching fish and 4 fat wild boars. We paid RM3.00 each for a short boat ride up the river - so peaceful and so serene.

Crusing the river at Kukup National Park, Johor.

Najidah at Kukup National Park.








View of Kukup National Park entry point.

The hanging bridge at Kukup National Park. Johor.

At Kukup National Park hanging bridge.

Before we left Tg. Piai National Park, Abu invited us to see fireflies that night at 8 pm. We agreed. He refused any tips but we insisted. The drive to the park at night was pitch dark, quiet and awfully eerie. I bet if my friend, Sharipah, was with me, she would for sure, freaked out. Unfortunately there weren't many fireflies to see and Abu took us to the jetty to see his friends fishing. The night was cool and silent. For the first time in my life, I saw a fishing rod attached with a bell. Everytime when the bait was caught, the bell would ring indicating a fish is pulling the rod. How interesting. The night view was something else. We didn't feel like going home, it was bliss being there. Abu's friends treated us with fresh boiled crabs. We left with much gratitude for meeting wonderful and honest people around there. Thank you again, Abu. May Allah bless you with a good life. If you need a guide in Tg. Piai National Park, please ask for Abu Salleh. You will not be diappointed.

Abu Salleh Abu Bakar.

We left Kukup Natipnal Park at closing time, 5.00 pm and Apollo took us to see his fish traps with no extra charge

Fishing culture at Kukup - belongs to Apollo.

The Piai fern found in Tg. Piai National Park and Kukup National Park from which Tanjung Piai was named.

It was an enjoyable and rewarding trip. We went back to the resort, tired and happy.