CNY SOLO RECEE DRIVE

By Colonel Elias

Taking advantage of the CNY holidays and the minimum traffic on the road, I decided to take a drive along the proposed routes of the East West Drive.  While I was enjoying my drive I thought I might as well reconnoiter the routes that we are taking to make the drive more successful.

 I shall put in a few tulips and photo shots wherever possible to help all members aware of the route just in case we get separated.  First let me explain the nomenclature of a tulip.  A tulip is a symbol that gives information to as close as possible to the route it symbolizes. 

The distances in km indicated are cumulative distances for a particular leg of the route.  The margin of accuracy is about 98% based on my trip meter.

Time shown are real clock time.

I shall present the report in a chronological order as I travel.

Cumulative Distance (CD) 0.0 

Time 0705hrs

Start Point: Projet UIA

Projet Station UIA is the Start Point for the KL Group.  Check Points shall be at Karak Police Station, Mentakab Army Camp & Temerloh Bridge.

CD  114.0

Time:  0820

Loc: Temerloh Bridge

Past the bridge and head for Kuantan.

CD  162.7

Time:  0905

Loc:  Maran Town

RV compulsory stop for regrouping. Breakfast at Zaharah Restaurant, sandwiched by Bank Nasional and Bank Bumi.  Good roti canai here.  To get to the restaurant see tulip and picture below:

Discussion.  This is about the best place to take a break for the KL group, after driving for 2 hours and 162.7 km.  Parking space is ample.  As this place is only 50 km from the junction where the S’pore will take coming from Segamat.  Estb contact with S’pore Gp so that we can pace our move.

CD 212.0

Time 1000                  

Loc:  Cross Rd KL/Segamat/Kuantan/MEC City

 This is the common X junction to be taken by both group.

 From here   proceed to Shell Station at Kuantan Bypass.  Tulip to get to Kuantan Bypass to be given later.

 Special Instruction:  Both groups please reset your trip meter to 0.0 at the junction so that we have a common reading from here onwards.

CD:  18.1

Time: 1017

Loc:  Shell Kuantan By Pass   

 It will be good if both groups can marry up at this point.

 Pixie of Shell Station.  Sorry contrast is not too good.

 CD:  62.1

Time: 1059

Loc: Holiday Villa Hotel         

 The restaurant I was talking to KJ is called Restaurant Peninsular.  It is sandwiched by Legend and Holiday Villa.  Food is quite good but rather expensive.  After all it is too early for lunch.  Just a contingency plan if we run late.

 CD:  80.0

Time: 1130

Loc: Chukai Town   

 We may as well take a break here for an early lunch.  The good restaurant here is Restoran Tong Juan, famous for its stuffed crab.  It is next to RHB Bank (See pixie below).  Sorry the shop is closed today for CNY.  Will be opened on 6 Feb.

 After lunch we will proceed straight to Pantai Primula in KT using Route 3.  The checkpoints along the route shall be Masjid Sultan Mahmoodiah in Chukai, Awana Kijal, Petronas Industrial Complex, Hospital Dungun and the Marang Bridge & police station.  As 6 Feb is a Friday the route to Pantai Primula will be closed for the night market. I shall lead the convoy into Primula.

 CD:  223.5

Time: 1415

Loc:  Pantai Primula

End of day’s drive for the actual drive (but not for me on the recce).  In the lobby area the hotel still looks OK.  Don’t know about the room as it is fully occupies.  The duty manager then was Rosman.  The security manager is Zainudin.  He advised that sports cars attract a lot of attention here and you will plenty of finger prints on your cars.  He shall blocked off 20 car parks for us next to the security office.  After a quick cup of tea I am off again.

Please reset your trip meter to 0.0 before leaving the hotel.

CD 0.0

Time 1605

Loc: Pantai Primula

 Depart Primula heading for Kertih / Kota Bahru along Route 3

CD 119.2

Time 1755

Loc: Jertih

Look for this sign board and take left heading for Machang, Jeli and Gerik.

CD 181.1

Time:1840

Loc:  Bukit Bunga

 This is about the last big town, 2 km from the Thai border town of Bukit Tar, before hitting the East West Highway.  I would suggest a break here for a hearty meal.  Plenty of hawker food.  Do not forget to top up at the Petronas Station here.  From here we have a 100 km run to Banding.

CD:  280.6

Time 2030

Loc: Banding Resort

The 100km drive from Bt Bunga to Banding is super fantastic.

Banding Resort has 26 rooms of which 20 has been taken up by us and 1 by a foreign guest.  Erfan, a real nice and talkative bloke is the ED of the resort.  You can do hiking here, fish or visit an orang asli settlement.  Parking is ample. Word of caution though.  At times wild elephant will encroach the resort.  So far only one car has been damaged.

CD:  315.6

Time 2139

Loc: Gerik / Sg Rui Junction

Turn right toward Gerik.  For the next 5 km the road is under construction.  Drive with care.

CD:  382.3

Time 2235

Loc:  Tasik Raban

A nice place to have a meal.  Famous for its ikan bakar. 

 CD:  416.3

Time: 2320

Loc: Kuala Kangsar Toll House

We are now back on the North South PLUS H’way.  Head for Ipoh and KL.

CD:  651.9

Time:  0135

Jejantas Sg Buloh

Dispersal area for KL group

The total journey is about 1087 km. I did it in about 18 hours inclusive of rest and meal stops.  I can assure you that it is going to be one damn nice trip.  So prepare yourself.  In the meanwhile I shall prepare a more detail tulip for the drive.