By Lim Poh Chin (Joy)
At the break of dawn on Sunday, 15 June 2025, a group of 30 spirited senior citizens boarded a bus bound for the East Coast, with Sungai Lembing and Kuantan set firmly on the map. Sleep still clung to their eyes, but the sense of excitement was unmistakable. A new chapter of camaraderie and discovery was about to unfold.
The first stop was Bentong, where breakfast beckoned and did not disappoint. Warm bowls of noodles and morning chatter paved the way for a quick cultural immersion at the Bentong Gallery. Inside, a slice of history was brought to life, offering glimpses into the town’s founding fathers and its rich legacy.
Next, Kuantan called with salted fish and keropok leading the charge. It’s true what they say: resistance is futile. Bags were filled, wallets slightly lighter, and spirits soaring. The coastal heat, intense and almost theatrical greeted the group at Pantai Teluk Chempedak, where a short stroll under the merciless 40°C sun became both a sunbathing session and a test of endurance.
Dinner that evening at Pak Su Seafood Restaurant was both a reward and a reunion. Satiated and sun-kissed, the travelers finally checked in at Casa Hills Resort. The twist? They slept in refurbished containers, an unexpectedly cozy and novel experience that added to the trip’s adventurous edge.
Monday began long before sunrise. At 5:30 am, the group set off to catch dawn at the aptly named Sunrise Hill. But nature, ever capricious, had other plans. A thick blanket of clouds swallowed the horizon, muting the moment they had hoped for. The sky withheld its spectacle but spirits stayed buoyant.
The highlight was yet to come.
A rugged 19-kilometre ride in 4WD Hiluxes equal parts transportation and full-body massage delivered them deep into the forest toward the famed Rainbow Waterfall. The air grew fresher, and laughter louder. President Oon led the charge, undeterred by the rocky path ahead. With 23 adventurers, many proudly in their 60s and 70s, he navigated a 1.2-km trail through slippery stones and hidden roots.
It was no easy trek. But every drop of sweat was matched by determination and smiles. Wong Sow Lin, Auntie Pat, Angie Ng, and Judy, all in their 70s, conquered the hike with quiet grit and unyielding grace. Patrick Tan and Soon Ah Mou proved age is just a number, striding strong and steady through the terrain.
Back at ‘base camp’ a.k.a. the parking lot, the remaining seven members took on their own challenge: conversation. Muscles of the mouth were exercised as stories and life lessons flowed freely. Not every trail is trodden with feet.
Lunch followed in Sungai Lembing, where a rickety hanging bridge swayed under eager steps. Across it lay fresh yellow noodles and cooling bowls of tau foo fah. The afternoon sun was relentless, branding everyone with an extra tan and new respect for East Coast heat.
The journey wrapped up at Summer Park Restaurant in Bukit Tinggi with a hearty dinner that soothed sore limbs and warmed tired hearts. By the time the bus turned toward home, heads were heavy, feet were swollen but souls were full. It was, by all accounts, a trip to remember. One of aching knees and contagious laughter, new memories and timeless friendships.
Thank you, SCCSJ, for another page in our story.
