Reconnect: Journey To The East Coast

I’d planned to visit Dabong and decided September 2025 would be a good time to do it before the monsoon season. Of course I had to get school hols out of the way first. I bumped into an old colleague at a wedding in early August and when I learnt she was based on KB, asked if she’d been to Dabong. She said no and wanted to join me. I told her I would come on 22 September and we agreed two nights in Dabong would be sufficient. Next I got in touch with a couple of lodgings in Dabong to sort out our accommodation.

I’d also asked another colleague who was sending her son for his diploma in end-September if I could get a ride back with her. Subsequently she informed she’d be leaving a day earlier so I browsed for flight tickets and as luck would have it, Firefly was having a promotion. As I was not going to get a ride after all, I decided to stay in the city instead of in Batu Buruk and paid for a bed for two nights.

The bus from TBS to Kuala Krai was so late (by 90 minutes!!!) that we eventually departed at 00:45 on 22 September instead of 23:15 on 21 September. We arrived at Gua Musang R&R at 04:30 and stopped for 30 minutes. I had initially considered taking the bus to Gua Musang and continuing on to Dabong by train but the R&R is outside town and I would have to find my way into town and the train station. Kuala Krai looked to be doable so I bought my ticket to Kuala Krai instead. After thirty minutes, we continued on.  I’d dozed off and woke up just before we entered Kuala Krai. I was the sole passenger to get off and I quickly made my way to the nearest mosque to perform morning prayers. I stayed at the mosque until 08:00 and a few of the female congregators came up to say hi to me. Very friendly folks! They all seemed surprised that I was travelling alone but I told them I was meeting a mate in Dabong.

I left the mosque and went to find breakfast. The theme over there and indeed in the East Coast is rice, rice and more rice even in the morning. Some people actually eat rice with dishes that early in the morning. I can manage nasi lemak and fried rice but that’s about it although I could make some exception when I’m travelling. I bought nasi lemak and had it at another restaurant where I ordered a hot drink. After breakfast, I walked on and when I came onto the Mini Zoo, decided to stop and have a look.

There were some works at the main entrance and I was told to walk up to the other entrance. After paying RM10 for the ticket, I walked up. There were quite a number of animals there and all looked healthy and thriving. I was the sole visitor there but then again, this was on a Monday morning right after school hols. I spent an enjoyable 70 minutes there before continuing on my way. I would highly recommend the mini zoo. I walked on to the train station, detouring briefly to Tangga Krai and a supermarket and pharmacy to buy some bread and mineral water. The train to Dabong was late by 23 minutes and I dozed off briefly during the journey. We had to pass through a few tunnels before reaching Dabong.

My colleague, N, was already waiting for me and we drove to Rose House where we would stay for two nights. After prayers, we drove to Lata Kertas 20 km away. Apart from three men who pulled up to take some photos before leaving, we were the only visitors there. We spent 20 minutes there before driving on to Gunung Stong viewpoint.

Dinner was had at the local market where an eatery was still operating. I must say it was a delicious and satisfying meal. Alhamdulillah. It rained shortly after we reached the guesthouse and it continued on until early evening.

On Tuesday, we went topping find breakfast. N had nasi ke Rabu and I decided to have the same. We returned to our room before leaving for the Cave Complex. A guide by the name of Midi came at 10:10 and brought us into the caves across from the car park. We started off with Gua Gelap so named because it was dark inside (aren’t most caves supposed to be dark though) where we had to first climb then squeeze ourselves between the narrow crevice before crawling through a small opening. This necessitated getting ourselves a bit wet and I do not like getting myself wet unnecessarily and so soon after starting our trek. But needs must so I pushed on. After some twenty minutes, we emerged from the cave and climbed up a hill and walk through a forest to reach the second cave, Gua Keris, so named because of a keris-like formation in it. Then it was on to the third cave, Gua Pagar, where there were a few intriguing formations in the cave which include the stalactites and stalagmites: sea fossils in the cave, seaweed fossil, a small crocodile-like formation, a being on a throne, gigantic shoes… we were waiting for the sunlight to penetrate through a hole in the cave ceiling which takes place between 11:00 to 11:15.

After that, we made our way out of the cave and down. This was when N’s right shoe sold decided to peel off. She soldiered on until we left the caves. After patching up her shoe and thanking Midi, we went to explore Gua Ikan. You don’t need a guide for this cave and it’s nowhere as dark as the other caves but there are bats in there.

We left and went to look for prawn noodles for lunch but alas, the two stalls selling prawn noodles were closed. So we drove back into town and had mee celik instead. Then we returned to our room to rest. Dinner was had at a restaurant very near to the guesthouse. We both had soup or bone broth as some may call it.

On Wednesday, we checked out at around 10:00 and drove towards Wakaf Bharu, stopping en route at Lata Renyuk. We had the place all to ourselves and what a lovely place it was too. All that nature had me feeling famished, so we drove to a nearby restaurant and had prawn noodles for lunch. While waiting, we shared some laksam. Honestly, no one would go hungry or starve in Malaysia as long as you can pay for your meal. After that early lunch, we drove on to Wakaf Bharu, reaching Halo Rooms Hotel just after 14:00. I checked in (there’s a RM50 deposit) and rested.

I’d managed to track down my good mate whom I’d lost contact since we finished our O-Levels equivalent and she agreed to meet. So I waited for her while reading my book (even finished it!). She messaged saying she was running late ans she had to attend a meeting on behalf of the headmaster. She finally arrived after Maghrib and we went out to find dinner and catch up. It was so great to finally meet her again after all this time. Alas, she couldn’t sleep over as her brother was coming to meet her and family so we had to say goodbye at 22:00.

On Thursday morning, I checked out at 07:05 and walked to the bus stop across from Wakaf Bharu school. I waited about ten minutes before the bus came (I was ready to leave if the bus didn’t turn up by 07:25). The fare was only RM1.30 and change was given. I asked the driver to drop me off after the bridge where I could then walk to the bus terminal. I had some forgettable fried rice for breakfast at the bus terminal food court.

The bus arrived at 08:20 and left at 08:33. I was quite impressed. We reached MBKT Bus Termjnal at 12:05 and I waited for my colleague to come. We then drove to a halal Vietnamese restaurant in Kampung Cina and I had dumpling soup for lunch. After lunch, she dropped me off at the hotel and I sat until it was 14:00 and time to check in. I went out for a walk to nearby Pasar Payang in the late afternoon (after getting some keropok lekor from a shop a few doors away from the hotel) and walked up to Pesisir Payang before turning back. Then I went to check Uptown Pulau Warisan and bought a small plastic container of forgettable coconut shake before returning to the hotel.

On Friday, I walked to find nasi dagang but the restaurant was closed so I turned back to the old Pasar Payang and had nasi air for breakfast. After checking that the water boats were not operating today, I then spent a few hours browsing in the new market and without planning to, bought two long maxi dresses. I returned to the hotel to perform prayers and rest before venturing out for dinner. The rain started then and before long turned torrential so I turned back to the nearest mamak and had a forgettable plate of fried kuay teow.

On Saturday, I went out to have breakfast at the old Pasar Payang and had nasi dagang with some keropok lekor this time. Then I went to the jetty and bought ticket for the water taxi. We left at 09:35. The ride lasted 45 minutes and honestly, I didn’t really find it exciting. So that was a waste of RM30. I walked back to the hotel and read my book.

I checked out at noon and had lunch at the halal Vietnamese restaurant. After lunch, I arranged for Grab to the airport. I had deaf lady driver for a change. We reached the airport at 13:30 and I went to perform prayers.  The 15:10 flight took off at 15:00 and we landed at 15:50. Just like the Firefly flight from Senai, we landed again on the tarmac so yeah that meant having to take a bus to the terminal. At least this time the door didn’t take that long to open. Again, we had to take the bus to the terminal. I managed to catch the 16:22 train.

So that was my week-long trip to the East Coast. I can now tick Dabong off my bucket list. And InsyaAllah, I’ll be back in either KB or KT again though maybe not so soon.

Reconnect: Journey To The South

I’ve decided that September 2025 would be a month of exploring local destinations and reconnecting - with relatives, colleagues and old friends. As it turned out, I received four wedding invitations this month and went to three of them to reconnect with old friends and colleagues.

I’d also decided for some months  to pay my aunt a visit. After looking at the calendar and the wedding invites and taking into account the school holidays, 8 September 2025 looked to be a good date to make my way down south. I didn’t call my aunt beforehand to let her know as I wanted to surprise her.

So I boarded the bus to Larkin Sentral and the bus left at 09:32, only a couple of minutes after schedule! I was quite impressed. We stopped somewhere to use the facilities before continuing on. We reached Larkin Sentral at 13:50 and I was lucky to catch the T10 bus to Pasar Pandan (yes, there’s Pandan in Johor too!) where I changed buses for T20. Must say I was impressed that we could use bank cards to pay fares on the local buses.

It rained along the way to Larkin along some stretches of the highway and it started raining again just as we were approaching Plentong. I stayed at the bus stop waiting out the rain and made my way to my aunt’s when it petered off. I didn’t call her ahead as I wanted to surprise her.

When I arrived, an unfamiliar elderly woman was there and I asked if that was my aunt’s house as I was confused. She said yes, and I entered, giving salam. My aunt just woke up for her afternoon nap and she was a but disoriented until she saw it was me. We hugged each other and she demanded to know why I didn’t call her to inform I was coming before catching herself and remembering that her house phone was actually out of order. Oh and the elderly woman was my cousin’s sister-in-law who’d been staying there for a few months.

She quickly busied herself and it wasn't long before I was at the kitchen table, having a cuppa and eating some cakes. She then served me curry noodles that she happened to have. We caught up as best as we could before I performed prayers. After Asar prayers, an elderly neighbour dropped by. She didn’t stay long though.

Later in the afternoon, I went up a small hill and discovered a path. I followed the path before turning back and going up the other way before returning back to my aunt’s. In my absence, my aunt rang her son and daughter and have them come over at night to meet me.

I had booked a room at a budget guesthouse reasoning that if I felt uncomfortable, I would leave the following day. Well, my cousin’s SIL was starting to bother me. She didn’t help my aunt unless asked, she was glued to the TV, she didn’t chip in with the groceries or pay the utility bills and she even wore my aunt’s clothes! I know it’s not my house but I was bothered by this lazy woman. She acted like a VIP guest, my poor aunt did most things, and she would also do something when asked like boiling water and making drinks.

On Tuesday, the elderly neighbour who came the previous afternoon came. My aunt invited her to have breakfast. After breakfast, she joined the lazybones in the living room and next thing I knew, both were dozing away with the TV blaring and the fan on. She must be so familiar with my aunt, she must’ve done this for some time to be comfortable doing so and yet I found it disgusting and disturbing. It looked like a few people are taking my aunt’s generosity and hospitality for granted. I mentioned this to her and she said she liked it when guests dropped by. Yes, sure, but neighbours who drop by almost daily for free meals? Oh and guess what? The elderly neighbour stayed until lunch! Yes, come for one free meal and get another. What a great deal! And she came empty handed. No sense of shame at all!

I’d told my aunt that I needed to leave around noon so we had lunch at 12:30 before performing prayers. My cousin came to send me off despite my protests. Anyway, the rain that started in mid-morning showed no sign of petering off. We made good time despite the lunchtime traffic and rain and arrived in downtown just before 14:00. I then walked to my guesthouse about 25 minutes away. I didn’t let my cousin drop me at the guesthouse for specific reasons.

I arrived at Memory Guesthouse at 14:40 and checked in. After some brief information, I was shown to my room. I waited out the rain before venturing out. Dinner was had at a newly opened restaurant near Pasar Karat. I had mee bandung served in claypot and it was pretty good. I asked what the operating hours were and was told the restaurant opens at 09:00.  Not being in the mood to shop or browse, I turned and walked back to the guesthouse.

On Wednesday, I went out to have breakfast at Raden Cafe nearby. I checked out of the guesthouse at 11:45 and walked to downtown to meet a colleague. To my annoyance, the restaurant where I had dinner and asked twice if it would open today from breakfast was closed. So we had our lunch at another restaurant which to me cost higher than in KL

After lunch, we parted ways and I went to perform prayers at a nearby prayer room built by the city hall.  After prayers, I hurried to City Square to find shelter as it was starting to rain. And boy, did it rain! The mall was crowded by shoppers, travellers and those seeking shelter from the rain. I crossed over to JB Sentral and waited for my 17:00 bus to Senai Airport. My flight had been retimed from 18:40 to 19:20 and it was either kill time in the city or at the airport.

The bus took 55 minutes to reach Senai Airport. My retimed flight arrived only just before 19:00 so we only landed at KLIA at 20:20. And when it did, it took so dang long before the door was opened and we had to take the bus to the terminal. Which all meant that I missed the 20:52 train.

I reached home well after 23:00 in the rain.