Kuantan to Sungai Lembing

Some pictures courtesy of other riders!

All looking fresh and eager!

A month ago, me and Chris had made a recce ride to Sungai Lembing from the toll plaza in Bukit Goh which the exit to Kuantan. Although we did manage to came out intact after wandering aimlessly in the palm oil plantation and emerged only in the evening into civilization, we still liked Sungai Lembing.

So, from what we found out, we maintained with our accommodations and certain food, do away with some food and also most importantly, do away with the harsh conditions of the off road. So, the date choosen was 6th July and to make the trip more joyful, a local resident and fellow rider, Lai Wai Keat joined us.

In fact it was Wai Keat's advise that we should avoid parking our cars at the toll plaza overnight and he offered us to park at his home in Kuantan. On the morning of the said day, I started my journey at 2.30am. I also found out that all of the particiapating riders are already in Kuantan except me. I started off early as I can't sleep, must be the clash in my biological clock. Thanks to Peugeot fantastic backup service (it's already 2 1/2 months now) I am driving with no air conditioner. I reached the Kuantan exit at 5.00am and it was still early, I decided to drive to Sungai Lembing first to drop off my backpacks. This will make my ride very much easier, hihihihi!

I was hunting down the owner of the homestay when I was there and there was already a huge crowd at the marketplace at 5.45am. They are on the way up the Panorama Hill. I still can't wake up the homestay owner and finally at 6.30am he replied my call and I explained that I just want to drop something off at the homestay.

Breakfast time!

That done, I rushed back ASAP to Kuantan as Wai Keat called me already. When I met with Wai Keat who guided me back to his place, everyone was there already. In total there are 13 riders, Me and Lilian, Chris, Wai Keat, Fenn, Susanna, Irene, Pohnee, Robert, Anne, Kimmiesakie and finally Winson and Sherine who drove all the way from Penang to join this ride. This makes the ride doubly tiring for them. We had a breakfast prepared by Wai Keat's family and off we went.

We hit the dirt at the instant as the road out of the housing estate was a long.....long.....gradua climb. Although I did not rush a few riders were already doing the 2Ts ( turun dan tolak ). As we rode onto the highway to the toll station (where we were supposed to start), we have climbed 3 slopes of the same elevation and it was already 14.8 km recorded.

All raring to go.

A few were beginning to simmer and starting to go into a boil.....hahaha! We slowed down the pace and decided to have a cold Coca Cola or 100 Plus break in Pancing. But that was another 8 km away so we have to work hard to get the bounty! Beside the local 'coffee shoppe' our 'durian King' spotted some next door. Without notice, he and 2 more riders were more interested in durians than a cold drink. While we were enjoying our cold drinks, he was chomping on durians.

Durians everywhere now! And someone cannot resist.

After the long deserved rest we were on our way to Gua Charas. It was almost noon when we arrive there so we might be able to view the magical ray of light shining onto the 'sleeping Buddha'. The road into the cave temple was full of landmines laid by a few herds of cow. We reached the foothill of the limestone hill which housed the temple which was halfway on the cliff of the limestone outcrop and it was only accessible via some cemented stairs and a rickety iron stairs. I did not climb this time as I have already done so a month before. Most of us just rested at the foothills while a few ventured into the caves.

The karst outcrop of Gua Charas.

When everyone was accounted for, we moved on and this was the toughest part of the ride. Not because of the terrain but more of the harsh scorching high temperature of the midday sun. The whole route was open and we were all subjected to the high temperature ride. Luckily I have advised most of them to refill their water bottles. In fact a long before we reach, most of our bottles were empty. Wai Keat was leading the ride  and he did a good job of keeping every rider in a tight group. We also rested a lot between the ride. Kilometer by kilometer we trudge on and we finally came to a small 'kampong' sundry shop and that looks like a good place to regroup. Winson must have been on 'sports' mode as he didn't stop there and zoomed past. We actually rested quite long here because of the cold drinks and the shade.

The simmering heat over slopes is taking it's toll.

When everyone was there, without Winson off course, he's passed us, we rode the last leg of the route. I knew the road here and I also know that it won't be far. Finally we saw Winson standing at the arch into Sungai Lembing. He asked," Where's my wife? " Only now did he asked, hahaha. Off course she was in good hands. "Quite unfair isn't it", Winson? You are riding a 24 speed bike while your wife struggles on a 7 speed bike. Hahaha!

Finally here.

We regrouped under the arch and had a photo sessions there. We were finally there already with many of us already sun burned! Then we had a small discussion on what we want to do next? Most of us were hungry and we all agreed to have lunch first, albeit a very late one. Wai Keat and me decided for the market place to check if there are still any stalls open. We saw one and it was quite packed but still we joined 4 tables and sat around it. Our orders were the unique speciality of Sungai Lembing, "the tomato noodle ". Apart from that the 'dried chilly noodle' and also fried rice. Needless to say, we consume a lot of cold drinks. 

This is weird! Local tomato noodle.

A cheeky local went somewhere and came back with a packet of pineapple juice. Immediately, I saw it and asked, " Where did you get it? " Everyone then saw it too and demanded that after this meal, we are going there for the pineapple water!

Doesn't this looks refreshing after a hot ride?

For part 2, click here.

Kuantan Sungai Lembing Part 2

Some pixs are from other riders album.

The durian party!

The folks in Sungai Lembing is so trusting or maybe I have been there before that he is so trusting. While the rest went to their respective lodgings, the 6 of us rode to the homestay. It was over the other side of the river and we have to ride past the local graveyard. When we reached there, nobody was around but the doors were not locked. I opened the door and the air conditioner was on. Mr. Yap (the owner) has already switched it on for us. It was really a relief to get out of the heat and into a comfortable room.

The homestay.

We sat around the huge table, enjoying the cool breeze from the air conditioner and still reluctant to have our bath. Finally, the smell and sweat on our bodies made us withdrew into our rooms and the others were going out again to explore the rivers and the town. Me and Lilian decided to take a deserving afternoon nap as we did not had a wink at all for the past 36 hours.

I woke up at 5.00pm and suggested that we ride out to look for them. Just as we were opening the gates, we heard them coming back. We chatted for a while and then by 7.00pm we were out riding again with our headlights for dinner at Hoover Restaurant. Wai Keat and Chris has pre-ordered our dinner and it was set for 7.30pm but the place was full and we just lingered outside the restaurant waiting for our table. The dinner was so-so only but we were really hungry.

After dinner, there was a debate to where we should go, to their place or ours. I was ready to go back to enjoy a little tipple as I brought a bottle of vodka. We went hunting around town for ice but it was not available, not from sundry shops or restaurants. We rode back, making do without the ice. As soon as we were back at the 'homestay', I checked the fridge and .....voila! there was a pack of ice inside the freezer. we got out the glasses and with the leftover 'siew yoke' we chatted over vodka. Slowly our conversation got a bit louder and the laughter getting thunderous!

Vodka orange!

We were almost finishing the bottle when Su went for a pee and I took this chance to slip into my room. Wai Keat and Su was given the task to finish the bottle!

The next morning, I heard Chris's voice outside and me and Lilian too woke up. After cleaning, I called up the 'homestay' owner as we were leaving. He came over and I paid him for the 'homestay' rates. We chatted for a while with him and he took a photo of us, the crazy gang of cyclist from KL. After saying goodbye, we left for breakfast.

San sui towfoo! Nice and silky.

We met the others at the market where most of the 'san sui' towfoo was. Like the last time, the place was packed with tourist. I ordered 8 pieces (2 belongs to Chris) and an assortment of other 'yong tow foo' and two bowls of noodles. As usual, we bantered around and by this time, the 4WD from Kuantan arrived. Ah! yes, I forgot to mention. After yesterday's hot sun burning ride, Irene and a few others decided not to ride back and was contemplating to take the bus out. We discussed over it and decided we all will take the bus and to ensure we can get onto the bus (the last trip, the bus driver disallowed it), a 4WD will ferry all our bikes while we hop onto the bus back to Kuantan.

All aboard to be ferried back!

Never seen commuters so happy about taking the bus!

Chris left for KL first as he had a prior engagement. We then in 2 cars went to Kemaman for lunch. The famed 'coffee and bread' was under renovations  so we opted for the 'curry noodle and steamed fish' here, also a famous eatery. We went near the riverside and had this unique styled curry noodle and then we visited the turtle sanctuary along the way home. The turtles were cute and it was really nice. Lilian bought a few souvenir and finally left for home passing by the Cherating beachside.

Cute turtles.

That we did! Even the public bus ride was fun! Hahaha. It cost RM2.00 per person to the bus stop near Wai Keat's home. After arriving, we hopped out and waited for vehicles to ferry us to Wai Keat's place. We reacched Wai Keat's place a while later and we find durians. Loads of them and they were all high quality D24s and 'Musang King' from Bentong/Raub district. Wai Keat's dad gave us this durian party and it was really delicious! Me and Lililan and even Anne said it, " I never had so much durian in one eating." I was full an really full on durians.

Musang King.

After having the durians, we have to move on as we have to drive back to KL. I feel kind of guilty for not repaying Wai Keat's kind hospitality on this trip. I will make up for it, later. Thanks to Peugeot's after sales service, I was driving back to KL without the air conditioner. It's been two month's now. It was sweaty and sleepy! We made it to KL without incident though but if any insect were to run into me, they won't be able to get off my face!