Johor Coastal Trip 7 (Pekan & Kuantan)

Map of peninsular Malaysia. The routes I have taken to travel around Malaysia so far (Dark line, red line and dotted green line)

The tranquil lake just outside Endau-Rompin State Park.

On leaving Endau-Rompin National Park, we stopped a while at the natural lakes just outside the park to take photos. We headed towards Rompin to stop at Somerset Villa Resort. I was curious to see the place. I read comments from visitors from its website in 2005 that the hotel was deserted like a ghost town. Because of that we decided not to stay there but I was really keen to find out. I bought Ika, my daughter, a piece of land there hoping the place would develop but until today there was no news and no improvement. I didn't even know whether the management of Somerset still exists. That was a bad investement! I hope the documents in my hand will prove useful in case the project fell through in future.



Anyway we stopped there and was amazed at the activities and the high occupancy of the resort. The hotel complex is so huge and I don't wonder, maybe some rooms were unoccupied. It is a very pretty place with old British architechture (?) and the buildings are built around existing trees and mangrove. I guess the report on the website was too old and maybe the manegement has upgraded the facilities. We were pleased and then took a walk to the beach. Part of the hotel was too near the beach and we could see the mark of the high tide almost touched the hotel steps. That was quite frightening. So, if you plan to stay there, just request for a room in the building which is not too near the beach. I hope the surrounding area will be developed soon.


Driving towards Pekan was a pleasure - beautiful beaches and quint little Malay villages. Pekan, the Royal Town, my first visit. I like the town - quiet and unassuming. The Rest House is old, built in 1929 and still known as the Chef's Rest House and very attractive. Unfortunately they don't have restaurant.

One of the most beautiful old buildings there was Istana Mangga Tunggal, an old istana which seemed unoccupied. What a pity, it's painted bright blue which looks so very fresh and pretty but left unattended. How nice if it could be turned into an activity house or a shelter managed by NGO.

It was Sunday. Muzeum Sultan Abu Bakar was under renovation and Galeri Pangangkutan Air, uniquely architectured, was closed - a pity we missed this but maybe we will come back again some day. We just drove around Pekan, stopped at the front gate of the istana to take photos and then headed to Kuantan to visit and stay a night at my friend, Sharipah's house there. After resting, we visited my nephew, Saiful and his family who live near Sharipah's house.

Visiting the silk weaving workshop in Pekan.

The next day, 28th Jan 2009, after breakfast with an old friend, Normah Alias, at Sharipah's house, Najidah and I concluded out fascinating journey by driving back to KL for overnight stay with our respective family members and returned home the next day - Najidah to Tg. Malim and I to Port Dickson, tired but fulfilled. Thank you Najidah for the lovely company and for an enjoyable trip in our own beautiful country, Malaysia.