West-East Road Trip

Federal Route 4 or the East-West Highway was built between 1970-1982, cutting across the Titiwangsa Main Range, and connecting Grik in Perak to Jeli in Kelantan via Banding Island in Temenggor Lake. It was built then as a defence related highway and during the Communist Insurgency (1968-1989), there was military presence every kilometer.

There was no more military presence in 1991 but be sure to
make way for the elephants! Pic taken on our return journey
(AW 1991)

In May 1991, we made a road trip from Pulau Pinang to the East Coast of Malaysia through this highway to Kota Baru (to witness the wedding of our youngest sibling to a Kelantan lass in Kg Pek, Machang). My brother AW drove us from the island to Kulim, Baling in Kedah, then Grik, Perak; via the East-West Highway to Jeli, Tanah Merah and Kota Baru, Kelantan. 

We stop for a bio-break in a little town along the way (BB 1991)

Along the way we crossed the bridge over Lake Temenggor (a hydroelectric dam) and Pulau Banding, an artificial island created because it is the highest peak in the Temenggor Basin when it was flooded for the dam. This East-West route is very scenic due to the hilly terrain and sunken valley. Dead trees protruding in the waters also gave the place an eerie feeling.

We stayed a few days in Kelantan for the wedding and some sightseeing; then we went on to Trengganu for another few days to complete our East Coast sojourn.

The groom & the wedding party from PP (AW 1991)

The newly wedded couple - Bro MM & Zaleha (CNB 1991)

May-June 1991