Scenic Cherating awaits with sandy white coastline
© Liz Price
The Brunei Times
Sunday, August 17, 2008
CHERATING is a small seaside kampung (village) on the east coast of Malaysia. In the 20 years I have known it, it has changed a lot, but compared to most tourist areas it has hardly changed at all. The village has retained its serene atmosphere with wooden chalets and bungalows situated amid swaying palm trees, a few restaurants and small shops to serve people, and there are still no high rise buildings in the village.
Cherating is the ideal place for R & R, with the 3S's thrown in — sun, sand and sea. A peaceful location just right to relax and to escape and unwind from the bustle of city life. It's the perfect getaway, being one of the nicest of the east coast beaches and yet one of the closest to Kuala Lumpur, but also easily accessible from other cities, by air and road.
It is situated in Pahang, 46km north of Kuantan. Kampung Cherating and Pantai Cherating are actually some 4km apart, but it is to the latter that the majority of visitors go. Although the main east coast trunk road passes by Cherating, the kampung itself is still relatively traffic free and the beach is just a five-minute walk from the main road.
Accommodation varies from basic A-frame huts with just a bed, mosquito net and shared bathroom through to fan or A/C chalets with attached bathrooms, and right up to luxury resorts which are north and south of the village. You can choose your sleeping accomodation according to your budget. Cherating started off as a backpackers' village, where foreign travellers on a tight budget could find a cheap, value for money room. But since those days Cherating has expanded and now caters for a much wider market, both locals and foreigners. During public holidays and long weekends, Cherating becomes crowded with Singaporeans and KL'ites.
Cherating is an ideal place in which to do nothing. The huge bay is lined by a sandy beach and although the sea goes out a long way during low tide, various sandbanks are revealed and are a favourite spot for sunbathers. If you don't like the sun you can sit in the shade of the casuarinas, then take a dip in the sea to cool off. Watch the sea eagles soaring high overhead almost as if they were there to do flight displays for the visitors. Maybe walk along the kilometres of golden sand, or explore the secluded cove to the north. Climb up the hill on the headland and look down on everybody. Then relax at one of the beach bars and warungs (food stall) and enjoy a cool drink, watching the world go by.
Other beach activities include windsurfing, boat trips to Pulau Ular (Snake Island), and in the evening when it is slightly cooler, the locals challenge the visitors to a game of volleyball. But beware, the locals are good.
The beach is not the only option. There are batik shops where for a very reasonable price you can learn the art of batik and make your own painting, or design a T-shirt or sarong. Many a happy hour can be spent in designing your own masterpiece.
Scattered along the road are a few souvenir shops and small minimarts. There is even a book shop where you can rent, exchange or buy books, and which is attached to an internet place.
You can take a river trips up the Sungai Cherating. These are best done early morning or in the evening, and if you are lucky you can see monkeys, birds, monitor lizards, small mammals and maybe even snakes.
Even at night the peaceful atmosphere is maintained. Unlike other seaside resorts Cherating doesn't turn into a noisy strip with neon lights and crowds.
There are a few places to eat, from food stall offering local dishes, to restaurants which serve seafood, Western and Thai cuisine. A couple of bars cater for the drinkers and those wanting music.
Cherating is one of the few places that hasn't yet been over developed or spoilt. Although the number of chalets has increased over the years, the overall atmosphere is still very laid back, that of a sleepy and peaceful kampung, with no pressures, traffic or noise pollution: just the sound of the sea breeze blowing through the coconut palms.
Cherating is definitely a place I'd recommend — go and see for yourself.
The Brunei Times
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Source URL:
http://www.bt.com.bn/en/en/travel/2008/08/17/scenic_cherating_awaits_with_sandy_white_coastline
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