Club trip to Bukit Gambang, Kuantan on 10/3/2012

Port Dickson Toastmasters Club organise trips / outings once a year and this trip is by far the farthest to the east coast of Malaysia, Kuantan. There were 11 of us, 10 members from the Club with Andrew as the tour guide. The journey maybe long but the camaraderie was fantestic, jokes were never in short supply (I got a sore throat just by laughing). Along the journey we discover ourselves, our habits, beautiful sceanery of layback kampung houses, the standstill village that we have left behind when we move into towns and cities.

From left: Irene, Rosa, Kala, Lian Geok and Kay Ku taking a rest while waiting for the rest to show up to proceed for dinner.

From left: Chandran, Andrew and Stephen taking a break while waiting for the rest to show up to go for dinner.

All in the van and off we go to explore Kuantan for their famous nasi dagang for breakfast and beautiful Telok Cempedak beach.

The famous Nasi dagang recommended by Tan Soo Guan, he was borned and grew up in Kuantan before making Seremban his home. The way we were digging into the food and not looking at the camera other than Andrew, says that the food is good and we were all hungrey.

Next stop at the Kampung Api-Api jetty where the fresh fish are brought straight to the market and to the Nasi dagang stall. They are all in the same area, side by side.

The men are taking a stroll near the Kampung Api-Api market, need to digest the Nasi dagang breakfast.

At Telok Cempeda Beach with the Toastmasters Magazine in hand. This picture would be sent to TI magazine under the section "Travelling Toastmasters"

Another post of us on the walk-way to the other side of Telok Cempeda beach. On this side there are monkeys on the trees observing us as well wandering why all the line up for?

The monkeys in Telok Cempeda, aren't they cute. Alas could not get them to do a line up for PD Toastmasters blog.Kuantan river cruise heading towards the South China Sea. Being Toastmaster we are serious to make our presence memorable.

Next stop for the day is Sungei Lembing, the tin mining town during the British Era till the closure of tin mines in the early 1980s. The small town is situated in the valley of mountains with Sungei Lembing flowing out to Kuantan river to South China Sea. This is Sungei Lembing specialty "Sungei Lembing spaghetti" Delicious.

At the entrance of Sungei Lembing Tin Mine Muzium where knowledge and history on tin mining can be acquired. It is a well layout muzium and the entrance is free. Do you know that the attire worn by the tin miners are only in their underwear because of the heat?

There are 6 suspended bridges in Sungei Lembing and this bridge would leads you to Sungei Lembing New Village. Some of the Toastmasters members taking the lead to cross the suspended bridge. It swings a little as you walk and is a test if you have a fear of heights!

Taking a stroll in Sungei lembing New Village towards the next longer suspended bridge. It is memories back in time for those who were raise and grew up in new villages where out-houses are still out side the homes.

Lian Geok and Kala exiting the second bridge.

Toastmaster Irene was the last to exit the bridge as she has fear of heights and with courage she made it.

The last day 12 March we checked out and stopped at Tasik Chini. Its a beautiful lake and would probably include it in our next Club trip.

Our very newly signed up Toastmaster Irene joined us on this trip, with Andrew, her husband who has driven all of us in one van around Kuantan town and discovering the nostalgia era of tin mining in Sungei Lembing. You could imagine the closeness we felt in one van!

There will be more trips to come in the future and to members of PD Toastmasters Club, do join in the trip if you can. You will not be disappointed.