Leaving Tanjung Leman for Kuantan

We had a really good time at Felda Residence and ate loads of scrumptious food.

As we were readying our stuff for departure, the hotel was getting everything perfect for the Sultans arrival in a few days time.

Although we were sad to miss this special visit we were also keen to be on our way and see new places further north.

Mark, having already driven to Mersing, described it with no glory at all and we decided to secure another ride, (this time in a very clapped out old van) all the way to Kuantan, about 300km. This was a very hot and exhausting trip and fortunately the kids slept almost all the way. We ate lots of rumbutan, mango, logan and lychees.

This van has basically fast tracked us out of the plantations (and many hills), north to roads lined by jungle and villages. We are glad not to have attempted dragging our hot kids over that stretch.

Arriving in Kuantan (largest city on the east cost of Malaysia) late, hot and smelling of fumes, we all showered and headed to town for dinner. We enjoyed the best sushi we have ever had (even yummier than we had in Japan!), then went back to the hotel for bedtime stories of Emily's friend the frog, and straight off to sleep.

Kuantan to Cherating.

After a couple of days in Kuantan, a bit of shopping and a visit to the fabulous mosque at the centre of town (where Bella ran off up the stairs and was found with all the women and girls, on her knees praying), it was time for us to hop on our bikes once more.

We enjoyed Kuantan, particularly the hospitality of the staff at the Vistana hotel where we stayed. We also were happy to track down a post office and send home a box of very superfluos cold weather clothing!

With, our panniers packed we headed onto the busy streets around 9:00am.  It was already boiling hot, with not a cloud in the sky, but the roads out of the city were good.  The kids slept for a couple of hours as per their usual riding routine, however once they woke up we were all suffering from the heat. Fortunately the route was full of roadside stalls selling fruit and drinks, though good shade was hard to come by. As we rode under any shade over the road we would stop pedalling for a second just to enjoy the massive temperature difference and both of us discussed the merits of a street tree program for the benefit of cyclists.

This route took us through some beautiful coastal areas as well as a dusty mining site.  After this point the feel of the area really changed, with old wooden houses and tall coconut palms framing the road.  We also came across lots of little goats and some lovely cows too.

It was an interesting ride, but was way too hot for us all and in hindsight we should have left very early in the morning to avoid the midday melt.  The upshot was that the Cherating Legend Resort where we are now staying has lots of great swimming pools and jumping in was all the more rewarding after riding.