Part 3 – From KT to Kuala Besut

19 Sept 2013

The drive north to Kuala Besut took about 2 hours. We departed 
KT at 10.00am and arrived at Jetty Kuala Besut 12.00pm. 
The distance was roughly 130km. 

Print a map of the coastal road from the 
internet so that you can check list the towns as 
you go along. Oh I forgot there is GPS now.

 Fishing boats are little houses -equipped with kitchen and bed

We didn't book boat tickets in advance as we knew Sept is 
not peak season and so we can easily get tickets 
from the harbour.

As it turned out, we didn't even have to bother about getting the tickets because the moment the boat guys saw our car approaching (bearing KL car plate), one approached us on his motorcycle. He said they provide return trips for RM70 per adult and RM35 per child. The one way trip is RM40 per adult. We asked to be shown the boat before deciding. The boat looked fine. So we agreed to the return trip fare as we knew that's the going rate with all other boat operators.

He also said they provide sheltered parking for vehicles for RM 5 per day. This was fine with us as we did worry about finding secured parking for two nights.

He even advised us to get dry food supply from a nearby supermarket as we have children with us and food in the island is more expensive. Made sense and so, we agreed on the 1.00pm boat departure and drove to find lunch and stock up on our supplies. 

As we took off from the jetty

There were not many people waiting to catch the boat. But the boat operators made sure they collect at least 15-20 pax on board. Sometimes this can delay the departure. Before issuing tickets, we have to let them know where or which resort we were heading as I think they have links with the hotel. Some boats will get you to sit based on who gets off first and others just lump you randomly.

In the speedboat

The boat ride was very bumpy. Went really fast. To my annoyance, the children loved it and weren't worried at all. Though there were life jackets tucked neatly in a netting, we were not reminded to wear one. Nobody bothered to ask for one anyway. There were about 12 adults and 8 kids in our boat including us. It was cramped on my side as the luggages took so much space.

The other passengers on board with us

Ours apparently was the first stop. We only knew this when we saw the name of the resort in front of us. And so we dragged our bags and ourselves past many other bags and people.

Engrossed in their own world

It took about 40mins to reach our resort. By the way, Pulau Perhentian is 25km from Kuala Besut jetty. 

Tips :-

1. While at the jetty and in the boat, try to take it easy. People here are very relaxed; follow their style. As easy as it is for me to say this, it is not easy in practise. Then again, if you think too much about safety and what could go wrong, you forget to enjoy. If you must, don't get on the boats that overload and request for life jackets. 
2. On this note, may I suggest that the Tourism or the Transport Ministry enforcement officers go down to the field and do spot-checks on these boat operators? Ensure basic safety measures are put in place and practised.  
3. Ticket prices are fixed.
4. Trust the guy who comes forward to book you. They are quite helpful actually. When we lost our way to the supply store, he appeared on his bike again and directed us. Call them 'abang' or 'boss', it is very Malaysian to address a person (male) this way.
5. Help is at hand when you reach your resort-the 2nd man in the boat holds you get off to the jetty without getting your feet wet. Or you can just do it yourself as he steadies the  boat.
   
   

•