Journey Along Malaysia’s East Coast: Mersing to Kuantan
We caught a bus from Mersing and hugged the eastern coastline of Malaysia all the way to Kuantan — a scenic ride filled with palm plantations, glimpses of the South China Sea, and roadside surprises. Our accommodation turned out to be in a high-rise apartment right on the shoreline. At first glance, it looked sleek and luxurious… but as they say, looks can be deceiving.
We set out to explore Kuantan on foot, and the city didn’t disappoint. Tucked away in a quiet corner, we stumbled upon a vibrant graffiti art lane — an interactive open-air gallery bursting with colour and creativity. Some of the pieces were incredible, almost leaping off the walls with personality.
Next up was the 818 Tower, where we climbed for a panoramic view over the city. The kids were convinced they spotted a crocodile in the river below — only to realize it was a floating palm frond. Still, it added a little drama to the skyline!
We paid a quick visit to the mosque — it was bustling with people so we just admired the architecture from outside and snapped a photo. Across the road, we finally started to get our heads around the rhythms of Ramadan. As evening approached, an amazing bazaar came to life with stalls piled high with local delicacies, all in anticipation of breaking the day’s fast. The energy and aromas were intoxicating.
Our mall adventures took us into a few shopping centres, but one “mega mall” stood out — not for what it had, but for what it didn’t. It was eerily huge and mostly abandoned, a surreal shell of a once-busy hub with only a handful of shops still clinging on. It felt like stepping into a post-apocalyptic retail dreamscape.
Later, we found a beach Teluk Cempedak what a gem! It was pristine and nearly deserted. We swam in the warm sea, then Hartley and I gave some seaside bouldering a go — though the blistering heat quickly had us tapping out. We retreated to a chilled beach café aptly named Chillax. Much needed!
Back at our apartment, the infinity pool promised glamour but delivered a bit less. The pool itself was fine, but the deck around it was rough — weathered, warped, and in need of some serious TLC. That didn’t stop us from enjoying a splash though. Meanwhile, a dedicated Instagram influencer held a full-blown photo shoot poolside. She posed tirelessly while her poor relative played cameraman for hours — climaxing with a “spontaneous” fall into the pool. Honestly, it was more exhausting to watch than the bouldering.
We wrapped up with a visit to a local park, where the wildlife gave us one of the most memorable moments of the trip. We spotted lizards, water monitors, and — to the kids’ delight — a bunch of monkeys. I ventured alone across a swing bridge, only to be followed by a bold monkey that effectively split our family in two. The rest of the troop took a keen interest in Kat and the kids, chasing them briefly in what turned into a mix of chaos, panic, and uncontrollable laughter. Definitely a moment none of us will forget.
