Weds 20th
We disemnbarked off of the coach at Kuantan Terminal Sentral bus depot. A taxi man was waiting, I showed him our homestay address. He, a little unsure, promptly called their number on his phone and confirmed the journey. "25RM" Frank tried to haggle but the guy laugh and told him it was 25. Relieved not to have to walk and full of confidence after he called the property, we were loaded into the red and yellow taxi. 25 minutes later we were at our Apple Homestay, checked in and unpacked. On the way in we spied lots of little shops and Restorans. Then the thunderstorm came in.
On our way out we spoke to a Malay couple, also on their way out, about which direction was the nearest supermarket. A little walk down the road and the couple pulled over, picked us up and dropped us off next to the 7eleven. Thank you very much.
We ate at th "888 Food Court" finally tracking down a curry from an Indian Restoran - "Deevenas". Deevena, we assume, was lovely; stacking our plates with rice and "vegges?" - "Yes please" (fried cabbage and onion, spicy potatoes, cucumber and french beans in garlic). For the meat I had Lamb curry, Frank had spicy chicken with sauce from another, milder, chicken curry. Once seated another fellow asked us what we wanted to drink - his stall was next to hers. He reminded me of a student actually - an Asian double if you will.
Then back home with beers we watched the footie. Some younger lads, aged between 11 - 14 came down late from their room for noodles (hot water). Big bright smiles all round.

Thur 21st
We ventured in to town to see about getting back to the terminal and book our bus tickets out for KL. Got on a Rapid Kuantan bus - a very smooth bus ride, nothing like the Larkin ones in JB. Tickets bought and back to town on the same bus. Ambling round we headed for the Kuantan City Mall which after walking around for a while we found a supermarket. And next to that an off-licence, for a fleeting second we could see wine on the racks... but it was actually printed boarding with the words "Coming Soon" writen across them. Just beers then.

Fri 22nd
Beach day. Headed back to the Rapid bus terminal and caught the 200 bus for Teluk Cempedak. What a beautiful beach. Blue sea and white (bloody hot!) sand lined with palm trees and dotted with rocks at the edges. I even spotted a monkey scrambling into the bushes near by, so we best mind our belongings. Now there were people there, but not on the sand let alone in the sea or by the sea. A little unnerving I must say, but we took it was because of the heat that was keeping them in the shade. It was about 32°c (real feel 38°c) at that stage. There was a walk way to another smaller beach. Off we trotted. Some people were swimming there along with some left offerings. Realaxing, swiming and sunning ourselves we watched big birds flying, people lighting bbqs in the shade and before we left a very large jellyfish.
Bus back home, "888" food court for dinner and off to bed.

Sat 23rd
A back in town day. No beach, as thunderstorms were on the way and my sun burn didn't need exacerbating further (silly me). We targeted the heritage area - via HSBC on the way. The Esplande was by this area too so a nice stroll along the river was had. A glance up at the sky told us not to hang around much longer as the black moisture inside would burst, with almighty cracks and flashes and drench us. We followed the river as close as we could back up to the main road and the  crossings and into Beanz & Co cafe for coffee and lunch. Not a moment too soon either as sure enough the dam in the sky burst. Dry inside pastry potato curry puffs, earl grey, spicy chicken Hawaiian pizza and the best ice lemon tea were our spoils.

Sun 24th
Leave for KL. Taxi from Apple at 8:45. Exchanged our tickets for an earlier bus to Kuala Lumpur. Result. Driving upwards into the clouded surrounds of middle Malaysia, where the temperature cools slightly. Ever onward and soon enough we make our way through the now familiar Genting Highlands, well the lower end anyway. And on back into Kuala Lumpur.