THE KUANTAN GETAWAY

The ikan kerai masak lemak in Temerloh was superb. So delicious that we had to ‘tapau’ some for another round of mouth watering experience.

Please … can we have ikan kerai masak lemak in Kuala Lumpur? I love the taste of kerai. Better than patin, anytime.

Also for the very first time after 47 years of being alive, I got to taste ‘satar’. It is something like otak-otak but the overwhelming presence of ‘kerisik’ as another main ingredient made it taste slightly different. Yes, like kerai, can we have satar in KL? Tired of the usual goreng-goreng stuff in KL.

The seafood in Kuantan was superb -- yes, lots of choices in Tanjung Lumpur – we decided to dine at Santai, and it sure was a good choice.

And Hyatt Kuantan was a great place to spend a wonderful relaxing weekend -- close to almost everything -- the beach and downtown Kuantan.

And we bumped into Tengku Nurul & hubby while having lunch at Hyatt’s beach front restaurant.

Just one not so fun stuff. For a huge shopping centre (the one which is right across from MS Garden Hotel) -- the parking self-service payment machine can only be found on 2 floors!!! At least that was what I figured out. For about 200 cars parked on the 4th floor, there was only one machine. And the spiral ramp to access the parking area on the 4th floor, made us dizzy. Felt like ants crawling on a mosquito coil.

If you are so stressed, the sea and sand can take your miseries away. According to Hafez, bury your feet in the sand, sit on the rock, close your eyes and let the water take the bad energy away. I think it worked.

And for a good trip – go with minimal expectations but go with great company. Good food, great conversation, positive energy and a wonderful setting – now that is the new definition of rejuvenation.

I have been to Pahang many times. This time, I fell in love with the state for many reasons – the nice ladies at the front desk of Hyatt, the down to earth folks and the beautiful strangers, and lots more – it sure is a very long list…will keep it close to my heart.