Southwest of Johor

Our tour along the southwest coast of Johor with my in-laws commenced from Batu Pahat and ended at the southern most tip of west Johor, Tanjung Piai.

***********************************

Our first stop was Pantai Minyak Beku to see the Batu Pahat Well. This Well was acknowledged to be dug by the invading Siamese solders in search of fresh water during the attack of the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century. The invaders were led by Admiral Awi Di Chu. However, the invaders were defeated by Tun Perak of the Sultanate of Malacca.

The name of the town "Batu Pahat" in English, "Chiselled stone" is said to be derived from this incident.

******************************************

Pontian Kecil

 

We ate the much publicized Pontian Wanton Mee at Kadai Heng Heng. Two versions are offered: spicy and sweetish. The sweetish taste is in fact simply by adding tomato sauce!

 

**************************************

Kukup

 

The kereta boy in this town was a nuisance. We just stopped at a parking lot for less than 30 seconds and he demanded RM7 for the parking fee! We just ignored him and drove away. We believe he is probably a drug addict using such tactic to support his drug habit.

 

There is really nothing much to do in Kukup. The local people who used to be fishermen have now abandoned their former trade and opted for tourism-related business. Many "resorts" and rest houses or "rumah tumpangan" have sprung up within the once mangrove-swamp area. A normal room is charged RM1,200 per day irrespective of the number of people. Each room is packed with 3 bunk beds catering for 10 people. Hence, it is most economical for a group of 8-10 people. The one-day tour package is basically a makan (eating) excursion with a boat trip thrown in for visitors to tour the kelong to look at fishes.

****************************************

Tangjung Piai

 

Tanjung Piai is part of the Johor National Park. It is situated at the southern-most tip of mainland Asia and is acknowledged as one of the largest coastal mangrove swamps in the world. Tourists are told that many mangrove habitats and species can be spotted here such as mudskipper, cockles, crabs, horseshoe crabs, macaque, monkeys and monitor lizards.

 

Initially, it was not our intention to go to the tip of the southern-most of mainland Asia when we were told by the park warden that  we have to walk a distance of more than one Km to reach the spot. But then since we have gone so far, we might as well walk and sweat for a Km or two. In the end, it turned out that we only needed to do a boardwalk of 1.2 Km. That's really no sweat! That's Sup Sup Sui!

 

At the tip, one could see Singapore just across the not-so-far horizon and the long lines of ships queuing up to berth the port.