A Place Called Pekan (Part 2)

During my brief stay in Pekan recently, my Uncle (thanks, Luke!) took me to a very small village which was occupied by the Aboriginal people. Yes… the ‘Orang Asal’ (literally translated as ‘original people’) village. A sub-group of the many groups of the indigenous people of the Malay Archipelago region.

An 'Orang Asal' boy

Very interesting. Very engaging experience for me. And, yes, they were (the  ‘Orang Asal’ people) really, really very shy, humble and yet absolutely friendly and welcoming.

The 'Orang Asal' boy and family

A pet-monkey belongs to the 'Orang Asal' family

Frankly speaking, that was my very ‘first-hand’ experience with them. But, you bet, it would definitely not going to be my last one. From that moment, I had made a promise to myself that I would definitely like to be with and around them more often in the future. Those genuine smile… those sparkling sincere eyes… those gentle gestures… there were so… very original! Very ‘Asal’!

A calm, beautiful lake by the sea in Pekan

This serene looking lake located just few metres away from the beach of the South China Sea is just one of the many, many beautiful and mesmerising looking spots and sites which can be found in great abundance in and around the Malay Archipelago region. Waterfalls, natural hot springs, islands can easily be found within reach at almost all of the major cities and towns in the region.

A water-canal in Pekan

Line of Pine Trees by the sea, Pekan

A library building, Pekan

Well… the building is not exactly as ‘hi-tech’ as the PETRONAS Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, yet I truly adore this charming structure. I used to come and play at the front of this house when I was small. Back then, it was just a scary looking abandoned big old mansion… the kind of place that remind me of those black & white ‘Frankestein’ movies!

Salted marine products left to be dried-up on the pavement of Pekan town

The Malay Archipelago region is ‘bursting’ with loads and tons of marine and natural traditional products. A truly multi-colored and multi-layered presentations of exotic, unique goods and products… and yet, surprisingly, they are good for one’s soul and friendly to the nature too!

A traditional jetty, Pekan

Where on earth is PEKAN?

Pekan is located on the east-coast part of Peninsular Malaysia. It is about 4 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur.

How to get there?

From Kuala Lumpur, take the Karak Highway and then continue the journey on the East Coast Highway. Exit at Gambang and continue on the trunk road leading to Kuantan town. Take Note: Before reaching Kuantan, look out for ‘Pekan’ signboard. Follow the direction (you need to make a ‘U’ turn and almost right away after that to turn to left) and you will be in Pekan in no time at all.

A Place Called PEKAN

I chose a small town called ‘Pekan’ to be featured in this very 1st post of mine for many reasons. Yeah… mostly they are personal. This is the town where I had spent the first 7 years of my life. My earliest ‘playground’. Indeed, my very first ‘playground’ in the vast region of the Malay Archipelago.

And boy oh boy… I had so many playmates to go around with back then… never mind the fact that they were all my uncles, aunties, cousins, second cousins and so on. In short, they were all, somehow,  related to me.

Sunset at a Traditional Jetty, Pekan

Where the river meets the sea... estuary at Pekan

But that was how it was for almost everyone else in Pekan too, back then.  A small charming, serene little ‘cowboy-town’ which was populated mostly by one’s relatives!

I went back to Pekan recently for a brief stay. And… off course… I could no more claim any Mat, Minah and Mail whom I met was my uncle, auntie or cousin.

A serene looking drain that runs through a village in Pekan

These two pictures here are examples of the many, many beautiful sites found in and around the Malay Archipelago region. The region showcases hundreds of exotic spots like waterfalls, natural hot springs, islands, beaches, highlands and many many more. Heavenly good retreat sites for one’s soul!

'Bow-Down' trees at a beach in Pekan

In short, there are many, many more people  in Pekan now.  And many, many of these many, many people originally come from other parts of Malaysia (or even … from other countries!).

A water-canal in Pekan

Parts of Pekan town have also gone through some changes and developments. I guess it is for the sake of improving lives and economy of the residents. Very noble intention, indeed. But I was getting a little bit worried if the rustic charm of the ‘old’ Pekan would eventually be ‘sacrificed’ in the name of progress and modernisation.

I re-visited some of my ‘all-time-favourite-spots’ in and around Pekan.  I was relieved to see that most parts of these sites were left quite  ‘untouched’ .

A road by the sea, Pekan

And while I was there, almost immediately, I was taken back to the time when I was still very small, running around and abound accompanied by my many, many uncles, aunties, cousins, second cousins and so on. Awesome!

The 'Twin Towers' of Pekan

I stumbled upon these two very tall trees in a village called ‘Parit’ in Pekan. They reminded me of those ‘other’ tall structures back in the city… the PETRONAS Twin Towers 🙂

An 'Orang Asal' (Aborigine) Boy

Where on earth is PEKAN?

Pekan is located on the east-coast part of Peninsular Malaysia. It is about 4 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur.

How to get there?

From Kuala Lumpur, take the Karak Highway and then continue the journey on the East Coast Highway. Exit at Gambang and continue on the trunk road leading to Kuantan town. Take Note: Before reaching Kuantan, look out for ‘Pekan’ signboard. Follow the direction (you need to make a ‘U’ turn and almost right away after that to turn to left) and you will be in Pekan in no time at all.

Me and ‘Mini Tsunami’