Sunday, November 16, 2008

High adventure in Pahang

High adventure in Pahang
Sunday November 16, 2008

From the sandy white beaches to the highest peak in the peninsula, Pahang offers more than just a holiday. It gives an opportunity to be one with nature and to learn about the environment besides appreciating the natural heritage.

Cherating



Long stretches of white sandy beaches on which one can just laze around and do nothing but enjoy and drink in the beauty of the sea. With turquoise blue waters and nice green hills across the horizons, it is a beautiful place to be to enjoy peace or alternatively to ride the rolling waves.

Pulau Keladi, Pekan



This is the Royal Silk Weaving Centre in Pahang. Famous for their woven silk materials, the centre makes them specially for the royal house, dignitaries and also for sale to patrons who visit. Called kain tenun Pahang or Pahang woven material, it is also sold by the National Craft Centre around the country and in the state capital Kuantan at Kompleks Teruntum.

Gunung Senyum, Temerloh



Launched as a “recreational forest” on July 14, 1989, Gunung Senyum offers attractive and unique landscapes such as the mysterious caves to explore, as well as jungle trails to trek. Though called Gunung Senyum, it is actually a limestone hill with another hill called Gunung Jebak Puyoh next to it. It is an interesting place to visit and if you are lucky, you may get a glimpse of the albino snakes that are found here.

Endau-Rompin State Park, Rompin



This ancient tropical rainforest which stretches between Pahang and Johor and is one of the last remaining lowland forests left in the country with many interesting enclaves to visit, namely, Padang Tujuh – an area of bonsai trees; Gunung Tahan, the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia; some of the best fishing spots in the country in Sungai Kinchin and Sungai Kemapan; Mahkota Waterfalls, which is a cascading 50m fall and a perfect picnic spot; Kelapa Gading Cave – 25m high and situated in the midst of a waterfall.

Genting Highlands, Bentong

This highland wonder needs no introduction as it is the only casino-cum-theme park in the country and has been one of the most visited landmarks in the country, both by domestic and foreign tourists on a daily basis. If the casino is not your cup of tea, then look out for the numerous games and rides available at the outdoor and indoor theme park and make it a point to try a few of the 90-odd food outlets on this cool site!

Cameron Highlands



Pahang has the biggest number of highlands and Cameron Highlands is one of the best. From beautiful flowers to strawberries, green vegetables, gigantic cacti and the wonder of quaint town that has been fashioned after lovely English towns in England. The English tea here is a must-try.

Fraser’s Hill, Raub

Another “English-weather” retreat, where the practice of scheduled movements up and down the hill are still in force as the route to this highland is still a one-lane road. Check out the clock tower that also acts as a roundabout in the little quaint township. Good accommodation can be found on the hilltop with many bungalows for lease.

Tioman Island, Rompin



This is where the film South Pacific was filmed and it is still touted to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Check out the corals underwater if you are a diver as they can enthral you for hours and for as long as your oxygen tank allows you to.

Food



The staple of the East Coast can be found here with its traditional foods like Laksa Pahang, opor daging, dodol telur and of course the King of all desserts – the Puding Raja which comprises bananas grown only in the royal town of Pekan, with prunes, cherries, cashew nuts and jala mas, an egg delicacy that is of Kelantanese origin with a generous flow of rich custard cream. For breakfast, the curry mee at Hoi Yin, which is located at Teluk Chempedak in Kuantan, is a must.

Taman Negara, Jerantut



It will be no ordinary holiday if one is to plan a vacation here. To know Mother Nature, this is the best place as one will be afforded a chance to see the tropical rainforest as untouched as possible with the pleasure of having wild animals come right up to the doorstep of your chalet or camp tent. --- The Sunday Metro

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