After a quick breakfast of nasi lemak at a nearby warung (or stall), we checked out of the hotel and headed straight to the main station for the bus (RM42.80/S$17.83, 10.5hours) to Malacca (our last destination of this trip). To be frank, Malacca was not really on the way (especially from Kuala Terengganu!) and thus transport connections were limited. However, we decided to do the journey since we had promised my cousin that we will visit him (at his Mods Cafe) before returning home.

The 500km journey started 90 mins later due to a technical problem (they had to change the bus). As we headed south towards Kuantan, we were along this portion of the Federal Route 3 which (in my personal opinion) would be the most scenic seaside road in the entire Peninsular Malaysia. Stretches of tranquil beaches with pure white sand passed by as if they were inviting one to take a dip. We passed by many kampongs (or villages) where there were stalls selling local delicacies such as Keropok Lekor or Satar. After almost 5 hours on the road, we crossed into Pahang for Kuantan before heading southwest (via Federal Route 12) to Muadzam Shah (a pet project by former Malaysian PM Tun Abdul Razak to set up a university town in the vast inlands of Pahang). As it was a Sunday, many students alighted here after spending having their weekend break at home. We continued our journey towards Segamat (Johor) and Malacca. It was nearly 9pm when we finally met my cousin in Melaka Sentral; the bus ride was certainly a long one!

Checked into Sayang-Sayang Guesthouse (RM38/S$15.83 per night) and did a quick walk around Jonker Street after dinner. Was not particularly impressed by the touristy night market but well, isn't that what all tourists want Malacca to be? But it was not that bad after all; at least the area around Little India is still worth exploring especially in the mornings. Anyway, we got out of Malacca soon after lunch and were already racing on our way back to Sillypore via the North-South Highway.

Epilogue
Although the idea of this trip was actually realised way back when I did The Great Drive (this was done in such a haste manner that I promised I would do it again) in Feb 2010, the real catalyst came when they formally announced the closure of the Tanjong Pagar KTM Station. Thus, we just have to do it (ahem) as soon as possible.

Just being on a train that runs across the jungles of Malaysia (and getting that close to it) could be considered as the highlight of the trip. I certainly do not mind spending more time in Gua Musang, Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu as they were the typical low-profile towns that ooze the humble feeling. We thought that crossing the border for Sungai Golok would add a wild-west component to this trip. Amidst all the negative reports about the restive Thai South; at the end of the day, peace was still what people in general really wanted.

Then what do I really want from this trip? It was just as simple as spending some quality time with Mum; which of course, was effortlessly accomplished. :)