Driving up north to the state of Kelantan is no joke. The beautiful scenery is the only consolation to flatten bumps and tired hands. Holding the wheel for more than 10 hours is no laughing matter.
First stopover for makan was a town call Kuala Pilah. The satay we bought was a unusual type. First experience of char siew satay. Yummy.
Continuing the journey to Kota Baru passing by Gua Musang. Decided to push on at around 6.30pm when we don't get a sight of a good hotel. Regretfully, this was the most dangerous night driving with no street lamp. Almost driving blind with numerous bents. Some part of the drive was through heavy rain condition which makes it even more challenging.
Dinner after check into hotel was at around 11pm. Fortunately the eating joint across the street was still open. Tandoori chicken and nan dinner.
20 Feb 2007
Dinner after check into hotel was at around 11pm. Fortunately the eating joint across the street was still open. Tandoori chicken and nan dinner.
20 Feb 2007
Wake up early to look for some local delights. Stop by this florist shop and bought some Orchid. Not too sure what is the name of the species but it had a unique aerial root system. The boss of the shop brought us to a friend house in the kampong to look for wild betta. Unfortunately, no wild betta but this malay family have 10kids! Gave the rasbora collected along the longkang and was given a betta in exchange. Nice gesture. Some of the kampong chicken reared for competition by this family
Along the way to Trengganu, stop by some roadside longkang (drain) to look for betta. No luck only rasboras. Found this gigantic leaf that is littered all over the longkang.
First betta habitat stop was near a forested area in Trengganu near some place of interest. Forgotten what the place was called but here a kampung guy says the stream nearby have Ikan Pelaga. The local name for Fighting fish. Caught betta near a fast flowing stream with pH 5.5. The biotope where the betta was caught was in a very small puddle measuring 2ft on the width and about 10ft long. Found 2 snakehead and 4 betta (possibly waseri or Pi)
21 Feb 2007
Start early to see some famous place in Chukai for the famous Hai Peng Coffee. Shop located at entrance of Chukai. Nice thick rich coffee costing $3.60 for a small cup!
Continue journey towards Kuantan to home. On the way stop by an old place with a tea coloured flowing stream. Here found the 2 betta waseri and 2 tussyae. Rasbora, climbing perch are some of those in the biotope. The tussyae was found in stagnant pool hardly a foot size and maybe around 3cm depth.
