Continuing Our Johor Weekend Rendezvous

Early Sunday morning, we got up to a nice breakfast of bihun and tea at Iman's, after which we made quite a thorough inspection of the five-room bungalow and its grounds. We met Sukma the daily help, and teased the two playful pet kittens. A & B also enjoyed reminiscing with their favourite cousin (Iman, of course); about their childhood days and growing up years in the kampung in Teluk Kumbar, Pulau Pinang in the 80s and 90s.

Iman & Pigeon orchids in the grounds of his home (CNB 2013)

Iman played gracious host and planned a full day for us. First he drove us past (and through) acres of oil palm plantations to a beautiful and rather secluded beach in the Tanjung Sedili area to preview it only, because none of us were prepared for a dip in the sea then. Another time, maybe. We also had glimpses of the Sedili wetlands, the rocks along the so-called dinosaur trail and the site of the demolished controversial surau in Tanjung Sutera resort.

On the beach (NJ 2013)

At Sedili Besar we stood by Kuala Sedili (remember the classic eponymous song?) where the river flows into the South China Sea. We took pictures of the rather neglected facades of shops and dwellings and also of some friendly children playing in a park nearby (One little boy politely quipped, Buat apa tuuu...? ... to ensure we wait for him to be included in the photo-shoot!). For some mid-morning snacks, we stopped at the food stalls by the jetty in Tanjung Sedili for cempedak goreng, pisang goreng, and keropok lekor.

Boats near the jetty at Tanjung Sedili (CNB 2013)

We buy fried snacks from Ina (CNB 2013)

After Tanjung Sedili, Iman drove us towards Desaru, on a long route he'd not gone before. Along the way there were signs of the badak cipan (tapir) in areas where wildlife thrive. Seeing the acres upon acres of oil palm plantations that abound in our country, we thought of the poor displaced animals that have to make way for 'development'.

Watch out for wildlife crossing the road! (BB 2013)

For lunch, as promised, Iman took us to his favourite laksa Johor place, a small but very popular eatery by a plantation. When in Johor, one must indulge in a laksa Johor. We also had otak-otak, pepes, mee rebus and fresh coconut water. Dessert was a most delicious cendol kampung. (Do we have cendol bandar?)

Our lunch stop (CNB 2013)

After food for the body, then it was history for the soul. We went to Kampung Makam to see the Mausoleum of 'Sultan Mahmud mangkat dijulang' and other royals of the old Johor Sultanate (a revisit for me). We also (re)visited the grave of the man who killed him - his Admiral/Laksamana Bentan, in Kampung Kelantan. (More on the history/mausoleums in another posting). Back in the town, we found the Kota Tinggi Museum closed for renovations, so another time perhaps.

Kota Tinggi waterfalls from under our umbrella (CNB 2013)

We headed to Lombong for the famous Kota Tinggi waterfalls, now 'managed' by Wet World so you have to pay the entrance fee of RM7.50 pax and another RM3.00 for the car. Like yesterday, the heavy rains poured down again in the late afternoon when we arrived there, so it was indeed a very wet, wet world.

All for one ... (CNB 2013)

The waterfalls quickly became a gushing torrent and even before 6.00 pm, people were already leaving the area. We did the same, going back to a delicious dinner prepared by Sukma.

Although we were supposed to go back to Shah Alam then, we postponed it to early the next day. So on a very misty Monday morning, we said goodbye to Iman, Shila, Kota Tinggi and Johor, to head back home.