Patin for the weekend

Having a short break at a small town in Pahang provides me the opportunity to avoid the hustle and bustle of city life.

Mentakab is a small town in Pahang situated in between Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan, about two hours drive from the nation's capital. The journey will provide sights of the only casino city of Malaysia, Genting Highlands, during a clear sunny day. Snaking and climbing along the once notorious Karak Highway, we passed thru fresh views of Janda Baik and Selesa Hillhomes and the Dusun Eco Resort. These places will provide city dwellers a choice to get out from the dusty and noisy surroundings in the Klang Valley.

Half way the journey, if your stomach are giving you signals it is time for gastronomical fill-up, have one or two of the famous baked meat buns (siew pow) at Karak.

For those who loves animals, visit the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary near Lanchang. Visitors can feed and ride the elephants at the center which are managed by the Wildlife Department. For those who adores these elephants so much, you can even have a swim with these mammals and give a good scrubs on their bodies!

While cost of living is also on the rise in Mentakab, it was not too steep though. Feeding 10 persons with 8 dishes for a Chinese sit down dinner was a steal at RM120, that includes a medium size patin, a popular freshwater fish in that area.

But then, it was not really a quiet weekend when you have a dozen of boisterous kids running around a Chinese new village house.