www.motobiking.com Lake Kenyir - Taman Negara Nature Ride
page 2
5 - 7 July 2007
The
weather got hotter by the minute and the extra humidity probably fueled by
South China Sea was making us reeling with sweat in our jackets. We nodded
back to the half completed East Coast Expressway to Chukai. When fully
commissioned, the new highway would cut the driving time to almost half of
what it would take to reach Kuala Terengganu from Kuantan.
We reached Kemaman slightly at noon for a break at the famous Kedai Kopi Hai Peng. The key landmark to the kedai kopi is finding the way to the local shopping centre, The Store. This joint is famous for serving up secret home mixed Kemaman coffee and richly-filled kaya-butter toasts. Hai Peng’s iconic founder was as usual sitting at the corner of the restaurant in his signature white ‘cap helang’ t-shirt and beige trousers watching the time passes by. After the long hot ride, gulping iced Kemaman coffee in a very cosy and nostalgic environment was extremely satisfying.
Riding along the sea-side road sprinkled with tropical coconut trees is always invigorating. The air smells always an unmistakable blend of fresh air with a hint of salty sea water scent. The distance clear blue sea acts as a refreshing tonic to weary eyes. We made an emergency stop at Kemasik as Ben was feeling nausea. Maybe, the sweltering hot weather and too much Kemaman coffee earlier did not go well with him.
We continued our journey to Kertih, synonymous with Petronas. Giant refineries with vents spilling burning gas are awesome scenes. The area is even more eye-catching at night when thousands of flood lights light up the place.
