Setbacks and fiascos arrived without alarm. Unexpected as they knocked our doors. On Friday night, Kakak experienced one of the most dreaded nightmare and I was forced to join the cohesion. In the end, this event bonds us. You know what they say, “blood is thicker than water.”
From Google Image.
Circa 12.30 a.m. on Friday Night as I was about to sleep as on Saturday morning, I was scheduled to attend school for “Teknik Menjawab Sains & Matermatik UPSR” for the Year 6 pupils, Kakak called. I was a bit sleepy and puffy-eyed so I assumed perhaps she got the wrong number. Then, Abang Zam called. He rarely called on night time. So I picked up. To my horror, Abang Zam told me that their car broke down at Gambang Toll in Pahang as Kakak was driving the car for a briefing in Kuantan with her boss. I was quite flabbergasted! At first, I was thinking of driving to Putrajaya on the morning because it was quite late when I received the call and I was scared that I am not fully energized enough to drive.
But then, Kakak called me again. OH MY GOD! She was stranded in the middle of nowhere in Gambang Toll because her car’s timing belt has gone kaput! It was dark and misty. LUCKILY, she got her telephone. She had called the Patrol Car to fetch her back to Gombak Toll whereas her car would be towed to Kuantan Toll, which happened to be the hub for stranded vehicles in “Lebuhraya Pantai Timur”.
Courtesy of Google Image.
I was like adamant to go to Putrajaya that morning itself although I was quite sleepy. Abang Zam didn’t have vehicle to fetch Kakak at Gombak Toll; hence my car was the only saviour. So, instantaneously I packed my laptop (A MUST!) and without bringing any personal paraphernalia or stationeries, I pushed off from Serendah around 1.30 a.m.
Serendah, Hulu Selangor map.
As it was pitch-dark, I had to slow down the pace of driving. Around one hour and a half, I reached Putrajaya. Abang Zam used my “Dagny Taggart” to Gombak Toll to fetch Kakak and her boss whilst I babysat for Rifqi who was sleeping. I dare not to sleep because if Rifqi awaken or needed something, I won’t hear him. So, better not sleep and killed time with Facebook although I was sleepy like HELL!
Putrajaya map.
Around 5.30 a.m., Kakak arrived at home. She burst out about her nightmare and I was having goosebumps just to hear her story. She had to board 3 Patrol Cars throughout the “Lebuhraya Pantai Timur”; passing Gambang, Maran, Chenor, Lanchang and finally reaching Gombak in the dark-pitch black highway! Along the way, she described the highway was being both misty and cold; enough to create eeriness atmosphere ala horror films. She said there were few vehicles met with accidents; either rammed or bumped with warthogs/boars or any other wild animals. So happened that it was during full moon; so the likelihood of wild animals like leopards and boars coming out was HIGH; and Kakak was wandering outside the car when her car broke down. Geesh!
FULL MOON!
On Saturday, we pushed off to Kuantan, Pahang after we had lunch at Serdang Lama nearby UPM. We met Abang Zam’s friend at Temerloh R&R and then continued the journey to Kuantan Toll. Plus and minus all the hiccups while settling the process to retrieve the car, it was around 6.30 p.m. that we followed the towing lorry to a workshop in Kuantan. The mechanic said when the timing belt gone kaput, the engine could be affected and this meant, the “timing overhaul” has to be done AND it is both COMPLICATED & COSTLY!! At first, it was quite impossible for Kakak and Abang Zam to get back their car on Sunday as normally, the process to do “timing overhaul” consumed about 3 days. But the mechanics would try their best shot.
Timing overhaul in cars.
So, in order to kill time, we went to Tanjung Lumpur, a popular seafood retreat in Kuantan, Pahang. This place is famous for its grilled fish (“Ikan Bakar”) and is located near Kuantan River meeting the South China Sea. I have to say that the picturesque scenery of the full moon against the unruffled surface of South China Sea was so ethereal. Subhanallah! It felt as if like in Old Malay classic movie. But too bad I didn’t bring my own camera….
Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan in Pahang.
We feasted on grilled ray (YUMMY!), flour-cooked calamari and all the typical seafood. I have to say that the grilled ray was so DELICIOUS!!!!! But the calamari was mediocre in comparison to the ones in Bagan Lalang. But still, if we were to compare to the ones in typical stalls, these are nice, too. Overall, I give 3 stars out of 5 stars.
Shared from http://www.digitalmukmin.com. The beautiful page of Tanjung Lumpur.
By hook and by crook, we had no choice but to stay overnight in Kuantan, Pahang. We stayed in Mega View Hotel, the hotel that Kakak and Abang Zamn used to stay. Since there were only 2 beds, so I have to take separate room; but I kinda like it, too. Hahahahah! With affordable pricing of RM120, my room faced the Kuantan River. It was a peaceful view.
Courtesy of Google Image.
On Sunday after having breakfast in the hotel, we pushed off to the workshop. And expectedly, the cost was very expensive, a tantamount of RM1,040++. Well, you know people say – “prevention is better than cure”. After that, we lunched at the riverbank of Kuantan River. Thanks to Abang Zam’s friend for the treat. Around 2.30 p.m., we pushed off back to Kuala Lumpur; with Abang Zam drove their car and Kakak adamantly wanting to drive my car.
At Gombak R&R, I drove my own car back to Serendah, Hulu Selangor. Approximately around 6.30 p.m., I arrived at Serendah, Hulu Selangor via Selayang. Initially, I would want to use the Genting-Sempah route to Genting Highlands and then from there, use the Batang Kali exit; but I guess the Genting peak would be congested due to Anugerah Bintang Popular, I guess.
Courtesy of http://mastraveller.com/Articles/Malaysia/Kuantan/2011/09/18/Mega-View-Hotel-Kuantan-Pahang/2557/
There’s always a bless in disguise. From this setback, at least I had experience of visiting Kuantan, Pahang. My virgin experience there. (,”)
In The Mind Of A Childlike 
Thank God!
Dealova : Alhamdulillah!