20-29 July At Kuantan Back to Malaysia East Coast Cruise 2005
20 Jul 05 Move from Hyatt Hotel to Kuantan River
It was early in the morning before conditions had calmed enough to get some sleep. By 0730 it was calm enough for an underwater inspection where we discovered that it was barnacle growth between the propeller hub and the stern tube that did not let enough water into the cutlass bearing to lubricate it. With the boat still bouncing several feet up and down the barnacles were cleaned away. This seemed to have solved the problem as water now flowed freely into the bearing. We got underway at 0900 for a motor trip into Kuantan City.
This 4.3 NM trip took 1 1/2 hrs as we navigated with care since the channel has shifted to the east. We watched the fishing boats entering and leaving to find the best route after first being fooled by a green buoy that we had to leave to port to avoid shallow water. The location of the buoy on the chart is where you should turn to go up the channel.
After clearing red and green buoys midway along the channel (there's a green one abreast of the red one shown and should be kept close to starboard), a lead (diamond shape on the tower) becomes the heading for entry to the river.
We anchored on the south side of the river, across from the Marine Police and before the bridge as shown in the following panorama.
(Use the browser slider bar to scan to the right)
The best access to town is to take the dinghy to the Jabatan Laut and Customs floating dock on the north side of the river and west of the bridge. It's quite safe there (let them know your dinghy is there) and if the gate is locked in the evening the guard at Customs will let you in. For information about the state of Pahang including maps and attractions of Kuantan please visit the website http://www.pahangtourism.com.my. We found the Tourist Information Centre to be extremely helpful in recommending shopping, restaurants and tours of the area. There is excellent shopping here with malls and supermarkets. Our plan is to stay here waiting for mail, do some boat work and touring around the area.
Pandan Waterfalls
We took a taxi to the Pandan Waterfalls to check out this local tourist attraction. We were two of eight registered visitors ... but it WAS a weekday.
This picture of the waterfalls was taken from the swinging bridge.
And here's the view from the top after a 15 minute climb up some nice steps (except for one section taken out by a fallen tree).
And that's as close as 'Acrophobia' Terry would go !!!
With replenished lockers it was time to move on.