Day 4: Kota Bharu - Kuala Krai - Gua Musang - Jeli - Gerik 19th Apr 2012

Day 4 of my journey was the most eventful one as I get to do some sight seeing in the morning around Kota Bharu and then I will get the see the final objective of my trip. But it turned out that I get more than what I was asking for as a bonus. Please read on to find out what I mean.

In the morning I got on bike at around 8 am after I had coffee downstairs at the Hayaki cafe of Tune Hotel. I left my bags at the hotel and decided to come back for them as I do not want to carry them around.

I arrived at the Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah at around 8.15 am. I parked my bike just at the entrance of the market and went for a photo walk.

I was a little surprised as at 8.15 am the market was still not at full swing as there were many stalls were still not opened. Probably only those that sells vegetables, meat and groceries are open as there are different section of the market that sells clothings, cookware and many other interesting things here.

I climbed up to the second level to take this photo of the market.

Hawker supplies.

Cookwares.

The lively fish section.

A large area of meat section here. 

Back at the ground level. Mostly are vegetables and food here. 

Good morning Tok Guru, nice to see you.

A kid having doughnut as breakfast. Looks like he is enjoying it.

There were more food here. 

I think the long ones are called Lekor. One cuts them into slices then deep fried to be enjoyed as a snack. Sort of like chips, only harder and more chewy. 

Finally something caught my eye. I bought a small Keris here as a souvenir. The lady said that she has been here for the past 18 years. 

By the time I left, the market looked busier. I was checking the time and realised that I have to make a move if I want to make another stop before starting my journey down Gua Musang. The next stop that I wanted to check out was the Wat Photivihan.

There was some kind of party going on that day.

I took another picture of this place and then I was on my way. 

I realized that the Wat Photivihan temple is very much under rated as although it is the longest in its kind in South East Asia, but I could not find the exact location of this temple. Most travel guides does not provide the exact address as they would want to "guide" you there. But thanks to Foursquare I was able to determined the whereabouts of the temple.

After asking for some direction along the way, finally I have reach my stop. This is how it looks like from the outside.

Finally I have fulfilled another mission.

Took out my tripod to take this photo.

I was satisfied to be able to pay a visit here and then I was on my way back on the road again.

By the time I checked out from the hotel and all strapped up, it was around 10.20 am and I am targeting to arrive Gua Musang around 1 pm for lunch to meet my riding partner for the rest of the trip. I went on the road and hit the 8 until I stop for this magnificent view of this river.

It was a very sunny day. I took this picture about 10 mins to noon.

I went on my way and I couldn't resist the temptation to stop for this photo opportunity. I really like the look of this arch. SEMOGA PERJALANAN ANDA SELAMAT DAN DILINDUNGI ALLAH. Thank you for your blessing, Kelantan.

The sky started to open up a little and then I took this picture of the sky with the mountains.

Soon right after Gua Musang, we were on our way back again on the way to Jeli. 

The road condition was not very good on the D29 and the 66 but we carried on anyway. 

We were hit with a thunder storm on half way through and we took a break with a sheltered house. The owner was very nice and even offer us stay over night. This is where you find the actual Malaysian hospitality.  

We were back on our feet after the rain slowed down and gave us permission to go forward. This Caltex petrol station is just before the Jeli town. We were there at about 20 mins to 5. 

The cloud were like the blanket covering Jeli town. 

And then we were on our way on the East West Expressway. I was wondering that is it really possible to see elephants nowadays? 

Continue on the 4 was a really fun ride as there were non stop bends and it was really a lot of fun. My brother and I were having a hell lot of fun on this road, the only downside of this road was that it was raining. 

We soon able to stop by at a rest stop on the 4, the East West Expressway. This is were the scenery took my breathe away. We did not see any other bikers today, maybe because it was a Thursday but we did saw 3 accidents along the way. For those who consider to make this trip, proceed with caution. 

My brother with its Versys. 

The scenery was so beautiful that even my brother who went who went to Thailand on his Versys said that the bends and scenery as comparable to those in Thailand. 

After the rest stop, we were still on the 4 and we were on the way getting to Gerik. Personally, I was still looking for my final destination, which was the Tasik Temengor! 

With time closing in and we were close to dark, my brother and I was trying to avoid riding in the dark without lights in the mountain roads we were rushing to reach our destination at Gerik. At the same time, I was will wondering whether I will be able to see Lake Temengor. 

Finally we rode pass a bridge I could see the mighty Lake Temengor just right after the entrance to Belum Resort.  

Finally I have fulfilled my destiny of riding in Peninsular Malaysia!!!! 

Another magnificent view of the wonders of Malaysia!

I was so proud of my bike to be accomplish this mission!

Right after the lake... ladies and gentlemen... what I think was a blessing from above... do you have idea what I saw???!!! When I first saw a car flashing me with its head lights and then some cars parked beside the shoulder...

Malasian Elephant!!! or Asian Elephant!!! According to Wikipedia, there are only 

 1,000 of them left in the Peninsular and I on my round Malaysia trip was lucky enough to see some of them!!!

They were just right behind the divider which it was quite safe for me to observe them from my bike. I was really thankful to be able to see them in the flesh as I have asked around all my friends who travelled on this highway they have never get the chance to see them! 

After all the excitement of seeing the elephants, we were tired and finally get to Gerik at around 7.30 pm. Just before the sun going down on us. We checked into hotel Sri Bintang. 

The room rate was RM 50 per night per room and we take off our gears and cleaned up after a full day riding. 

It was really an awesome experience today.