Tour of Pahang - Kuantan

Our drive to Kuantan on 24.10.2013 was sparked by the curiosity of my wife, her mom and her SIL - they were eager to explore the local seafood products outlets the town is known for. It was a minor detour in our overall travel plan, but one made with high hopes.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite as planned. We discovered upon arrival that the main outlet we had intended to visit was closed, as it was a public holiday in Pahang - the Sultan of Pahang's Birthday. It was a bit of a letdown.

Thankfully, a quick internet search led us to a smaller outlet in town called Hoi Hen Seafood Products. While it didn’t quite meet the ladies' expectations - the selection was modest and less varied than they had hoped - I found myself pleasantly surprised. I was genuinely impressed by what they did offer: quality over quantity, it seemed to me.

In the end, even though the outing didn’t go exactly according to plan, the detour offered a glimpse into Kuantan’s local charm - and a reminder that sometimes, it’s the unexpected discoveries that stay with you the longest.

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Since we were already in Kuantan, we had hoped to try the much-talked-about Cendol Air Putih, a local favourite often promoted online as a must-try dessert spot. The promise of cool, creamy cendol on a warm day was certainly appealing.

Unfortunately, just like the seafood outlet earlier, Cendol Air Putih was also closed - another casualty of the public holiday. With the shutters down and no cendol in sight, my craving had to be put on hold.

It was a small disappointment, but I reminded myself: sometimes, the anticipation makes the next opportunity even sweeter.