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It was a boring 2010 Chinese New Year. Zybisko14 and I decided to do something wild and impromptu, which involved driving all the way to the East Coast on a 2-day trip.

From Klang, I drove to Seremban to pick my friend. Then, we headed towards Perak and had a short rest near the Lake Temenggor Lake. Interestingly, we saw two pillboxes at each end of the bridge. The night sky was filled with stars and pity that we did not bring along a tripod to shoot star trails.

In the morning, we travelled along the East-West Highway to Kelantan.

1. The Titiwangsa mountains or mountain range.

2. An open air tunnel. Not too sure why it’s not fully enclosed.

3. At an open field in Kelantan.

The young jockey was training a young stallion. Notice that he rode the horse without a saddle.

The training was pretty brutal as there were more punishments than rewards, and punishments involve flying kicks!

4. Another jockey-stallion pair.

5. Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kota Bharu

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7. She was having her lunch, and at the same time feeding the cat.

8. Salted fish/dried fish.

9. The steam corn seller on the way to Pantai Cinta Berahi or the “Passionate Love Beach”.

We met 2 years ago, when I stopped by for some corns. She remembered me, and this time I had a picture of her taken. Too bad, she blinked and I was not given a second chance for a retake.

10. At Duyong Island, Terengganu. Reputable for its traditional boat makers, but we could not find any that were active during our visit.

This was my second trip to Perhentian Island as a get away holiday. The first was when I followed a friend for diving, and we stayed at the Long Beach (Pasir Panjang) at Perhentian Kecil.

Took a midnight express bus from Hentian Putra (opposite PWTC), and reached Kuala Besut in the early morning.

Travellers should be warned when travelling on local express buses. In the wee morning, the bus stopped in the middle of nowhere for some time, instead of the supposed final destination at the jetty of Kuala Besut. This caused some unsuspecting sleepy tourists (especially foreigners) to get off the bus. The tourists then had to hire private cabbies or vans that were already in cohorts with some tourist resorts or agents. Typical modus operandi of unscrupulous travel agents.

My advice is to be alert and to ask the bus driver whether is this the right place to alight.

1. Early morning departure from the mainland.

2. On the jetty on the largest island on Perhentian Island.

3. The beach at Tanjung Tukas, Perhentian Besar.

4. This time we stayed at Bubbles Resort at Perhentian Besar.

Although the waters around this resort was quite choppy compared with other parts of the islands, the atmosphere was much quieter, peaceful, and calmer. A perfect place to spend the holiday with minimal disturbances.

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7. At Kuala Besut.

Speedboats that transport tourists to and fro to the island.

8. Fishing boats

Useful links:

1. http://www.perhentian.com.my/