Kenyir Lake - Pengkalan Gawi

Pengkalan Gawi

Completed in 1991,Pengkalan Gawi or the Gawi Jetty serves as the main gateway to Tasik Kenyir. Here, transfers by boats can be made available to the resorts, chalets and lodges located at various parts of the lake. Although there is another gateway (the nearby Pengkalan Utama or Main Jetty), the present growing influx of visitors/tourists to Kenyir Lake had caused the government to further ensure that the jetties will be equipped with bigger and better facilities and which may upgrade the Main Jetty into the main gateway later on.

Gawi Jetty

But, if compared with the Main Jetty, Gawi Jetty is also the nearest access point to the National Park. This fact alone ensures the popularity of Gawi Jetty will prevail. Should you decide to head for the park, please remember to obtain a permit from the Wildlife Department Office at Kuala Berang or at the entrance point to the National Park at Tanjung Mentong, Tasik Kenyir.

Nearest access to National Park from Kenyir Lake

If you seek for waterfall near Gawi Jetty, there is one waterfall called Air Terjun Sungai Buweh which is located within the Park of Gawi Jetty itself. This place is among the popular destination among local visitors during holidays or weekends. Here, ample parking lots for cars and buses are provided to the public by the government.

Sungai Buweh waterfall

the path leading to Sungai Buweh fall

If you are driving a car, try to exit the Park and head to the border of Trengganu and Kelantan. There are plenty of splendid views of the lake which can be seen just from the road side.

Bukit Keluang - Kuala Besut - Part 2

The Beach

road to Parking Lots of the beach

The beach of Bukit Keluang is beautiful.

small estuary of the stream facing South China Sea

Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed here due to strong wave and dangerous underwater whirlpool. So far, the beach has recorded numerous of loss of lives of visitors. To avoid any disaster or loss of lives again, the government has constructed a watch tower and placed coast guards there. Any potential act of visitors seem inviting danger will be warned immediately with a siren and follow up with loudspeaker.   

watch tower in the far background

Another potential danger to the visitors is the wooden bridge constructed and attached to the hill facing the open sea. The bridge is beautiful, but some part of the floor had broken, leaving holes which were dangerously concealed danger to the public. One pole/pillar of the bridge leading to the highest point of the bridge was missing making the steps are very dangerous to climb. Still, there was no warning or cautions placed by the responsible authority at the bridge, or at least a blocking woods to stop visitors from climbing up to the top of the bridge. I think they should have engaged an expert to advise them about how to construct a stronger and safer bridge to enable it to face the strong waves of the open sea.

wooden bridge, danger at the top

picture taken from the top of the bridge

There are some caves beside the bridge which could be used as a shelter for cave camping activity. The  is a small clean beach under the bridge leading straight away to the cave mouth.

first cave

second cave

The beach also has recreational park.

small stream for canoeing activity

Splendid view facing the open sea.

Lang Tengah Island in the far background

There are hawkers selling local refreshments for visitors.

And stairways for jungle trekkers too.

a stairway to heaven?

Oh, I wish to come here again and stay overnights at Bukit Keluang Beach Resort, so that I can enjoy jungle trekking and canoeing activities here.......

Bukit Keluang - Kuala Besut - Part 1

Bukit Keluang Recreational Park

After exit Pantai Ayer Tawar Recreational Park, you will take left of the main road heading towards town of Jerteh, Just about 3 km next, you will find a junction with traffic lights. Take left then. You will drive on a straight road with Malay villages on the left and right of the road. Be careful when driving because sometimes there were some group of cows and goats crossing the road without warning. If you have encountered this problem, please stop the car immediately and let the stupid VIPs cross the road before resuming your trip.

You will notice some signboards beside the road telling that you are heading towards Bukit Keluang. Just follow that signboards. Within less than 10 minutes (speed at 60km/hour), you will arrive at the destination. You will find some buildings in Moorish design on the right of the road before you reach the Bukit Keluang Park. That buildings are the Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia (ILIM) or Malaysian Institute of Islamic Study, East Coast Territory.

the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Study, East Coast Territory

On the left hand side of the road is Bukit Keluang Beach Resort, the only resort available in the Park. The Resort is a 4 star rated hotel and equipped with a convention room, a restaurant and a swimming pool in addition to rooms for guests. Room rates are reasonable for budget travelers. But, be sure to book the room at the earliest because the Resort is in full house during the school holidays.

the entrance of the Resort

 the swimming pool

rooms are beautifully facing each other with walking pavement in the middle

inside Bukit Keluang Resort

check the contact numbers of the resort if you want to stay there

the Resort is beside the stream and suitable for canoeing activities

the Resort is within the walking distance from the beach.

Kuala Besut - Pantai Ayer Tawar

Pantai Ayer Tawar


When I was first visited this place 10 years ago the so called Pantai Ayer Tawar of Kuala Besut looked much better than today. Some part of the Park were left unrepairable and looked dangerous to visitors.

the fence of the lake and the bridge of Ayer  Tawar Recreational Park were broken, inviting danger for careless visitors

I took some opportunity to drive around the park and took some photographs.

After all I think this place is good for picnicking or camping with family in the weekends.

Kuala Besut

A Revisited To Kuala Besut

Sunday, 13th March, 2011 was perhaps another black mark in the calendar of tourism in Kuala Besut, espescially for Perhentian Islands. On that day a boat carrying passengers from Kuala Besut heading towards Perhentian Islands was sank after its engine caught by fire. Fortunately all passengers were safe and were hospitalized for treatment of small injuries, shock and trauma suffered as a result of the incident.

At first I thought the tourism business in Kuala Besut - Perhentian Islands might have been badly affected due to the incident above. So, I went to survey Kuala Besut by myself on the next day (14th March). No doubt, the numbers of visitors were reduced dramatically. Taxi stand near the Big Tree also looked deserted and quiet.

the big tree in Kuala Besut next to taxi and bus stand

I went to the boat jetty of Kuala Besut which was always crowded during school holidays. During my visit and stay here for about 2 hours, only one group from South Korea boarded a boat to Perhentian Islands. 

There were many boats waiting for the guests/passengers at the jetty.

The jetty which was busy with people even on normal days, suddenly left deserted with empty boats.

I left the jetty and headed to a nearby coffee shop for some refreshments. The shop also deserted with me as the sole customer of the evening, perhaps.

 

Getting bored with the surrounding at the jetty, I drove back to the Big Tree location with intention of going home. From there I have to drive through the only main road of the small town whereby I have to pass the Tourist Information Center of Kuala Besut. Unlike normal days, the Center which is located at the entrance road to NAN Hotel was empty and quiet.

There was nothing more to see here in Kuala Besut, unless if I want to rest at another popular destination called Pantai Rekreasi Air Tawar.

Kenyir Lake - Part 3

the main pool of Lasir Fall

 Lasir and Saok Falls - Kenyir Lake

The two pictures above are the beautiful Lasir Fall in Kenyir Lake. The Fall is clean, quiet and preserved by the nature itself. There are sites reserved for camping or picnicking just beside the Fall. There are some pools created by the Fall, some are dangerous for swimming and some are OK for recreational activities other than swimming.

The Fall also has beautiful sub-waterfalls.























The main Fall has a wooden bridge across the Fall, where visitors can watch the water falling wildly underneath where deep water and hard rock is awaiting for you. So, do not make any silly joke here even though you are a good swimmer.

The main fall is big and dangerous for human recreational activities.

The Fall has many stages or cascades, making it the biggest waterfall in Kenyir Lake. 

Saok Waterfalls is another waterfall that is about 15 minutes boat ride away from Pengkalan Gawi.

jetty at entrance to Saok Fall

This waterfall has cascading waters over its rocky terraces.

the cascading Saok Falls

There is a flat sandy area at the foot of the waterfall that makes it an ideal place for a time of picnic with your family or friends.