Kuantan City

Many cities were developed around the coast or near river banks. For Kuantan, the early chinese immigrants had settled near river banks and possibly conducted trades from there. The photograph shows a building dated 1929, located at Jalan Mahkota, Kuantan. Makes me wonder why nowadays, why building does not indicate the date of completion as part of its facade. Is this due to a shorter lifespan of buildings?

Kuantan ~ St. Thomas Church

It was a simple church, probably with long and rich history. The bench was still made from timber and very well weathered. The philosophy of simple religious life hold strongly in this church. There was prominent statute of Mary facing the road.

Kuantan ~ Berjaya Mega Mall

The mall was probably the biggest in town, though many shops were close. Shops include Parkson, Giant, Popular bookstore, MacDonald, KFC, some Japanese sushi restaurants, Kenny Rogers Roasters and many small shops selling video, games, clothes, shoes etc....

It was located next to MS Garden Hotel. After settling my gifts and lunch, I walked from Berjaya Mega Mall to Shahzhan Inn and passed by St Thomas (Roman Catholic) Church. I have asked direction from a Cantonese speaking petrol pump attendant. Generally, I found that local Chinese are quite helpful.

DOW JONES

The Dow Jones finally went back up to 10,015.86 on 14 Oct 09. We are out of the Recession Woods! Hoo Hooo...

Kuantan ~ Restoran Chilli

I had a high time finding a chinese restaurant. Fortunately, there were several chinese shops that remained open. Among them was a shop selling drinks and snacks. I bought a can of drink and casually asked the old lady for direction for a chinese restaurant. She had recommended a Restoran (malay for restaurant) Chilli that was opened around noon and from evening.

The restaurant was not difficult to find from the direction given. It was air-conditioned and I proceeded to ask for good food to be recommended by the lady owner. Her reply was every dish in her restaurant was good as she had been around for 12 years. I ordered rice with beef & ginger and a cup of chinese tea that cost me RM6. A cheap and good restaurant comparing to RM42 spent the day earlier and RM9.50 for MacDonald quarter pounder meal for lunch. It was also halal certified, so there was no pork. There was malay family breaking fast and had their dinner. Something which I think make business sense given the population ratio.

Throughout the evening, I was worried about getting taxi for the next day given that the town was having festival mood and there wasn't many taxi seen around the hotel which I stayed. If I had stayed near Berjaya Megal Mall (eg MS Garden Hotel), there would be better chance. Couple with the fact that I could not speak proper Malayu would mean that I would be a lamp to be slaughtered if I tried to ask from the hotel. I casaully asked Aunty Chilli whether it was difficult to find a taxi on Hari Raya Puasa, she said yes. I proceeded to ask her to help, she replied that she had a frined (a boyfriend of her employee) who was a taxi driver. She called and using her fluent Malayu, she tried to ask whether I could book a taxi for the whole morning. Unfortunately, he was relutant as many Malay would need to visit the mosque in the morning. But he was willing to give a lift for RM30 to the airport from the hotel. I immediately agreed as I did not wish to miss my flight back Singapore and stayed another night. For travellers who are in trouble, you could always buy a simple lunch or dinner from her restoran and seek her help. She was conversant in mandarin, cantonese, malay and possibly English (never tried). She was always willing to help, but give her some time to settle her busy orders from customer.

Restoran Chilli is located on Jalan Besar, Kuantan City (Approx GPS location is Latitude 3.807021, Longitude 103.329388).

Kuantan ~ Astronomy

Canon 14mm / f4.5 / ISO 1600 / 30 sec exposure

I was finally able to get a clear sky at night on Swiss Garden Resort & Spa. I did not however, bring a tripod for the trip and had to make good with whatever was available. Fortunately, I was able to find a mini football goal post and used that as my temporary support for camera. Camera noise was substantial due to the high ISO.

Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque Part II B&W

Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque, Kuantan

Night View - ISO 400 / f5 / Exposure 1/3 seconds / 50 mm f1.8

Day View - Canon 50mm f1.8

Spectacular View of Kuantan City

View of Government Office

Dawn on Hari Raya - Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque (The row of white tents were festive stores). The field was wet because of rain fall on previous night.

Kuantan River

Another View of Kuantan River