2009 - Southernmost Tip of Asia

Backpacking Adventure
3 days to Tanjung Piai & Kukup
12 Feb <> 14 Feb 2009

If you work your way southwards on a map of Asia, you will eventually come down Peninsular Malaysia and finally end in Tanjung Piai in Johor. And that is where I stood on 13th of February 2009. Despite the 9-hour bus drive from Sitiawan, I felt overwhelmed to be standing at Land's End. Imagine that exhilarating feeling as you stand at the southernmost tip of the Asian continent. The exact coordinates of this spot is 1degree 16.00’ North; 103degree 30.46’ East.

Tanjung Piai, one of the largest mangrove habitats in the world, is also the home to many different species of birds, beady-eyed mudskippers, multi-coloured mangrove crabs, and crab-eating macaques. Also found here are the tree-climbing and scavenging macaque monkeys.

Situated in Mukim Serkat, and about 90km from Johor Bahru's city centre, Tanjung Piai offers a scenic view of the Straits of Malacca. There is also a National Park there for visitors to observe the habitat of the mangrove dwellers. Entrance fees are RM3 for Malaysians and RM5 for foreign visitors. Platforms have been built through the park so visitors can enjoy these mangroves in comfort. This peaceful park has become popular as a camping destination, in recent years.

Meandering through the park are concrete paths that lead to observation towers that allow panoramic views of the sea, the coast and the lush forest. When you walk along these paths, dotted with shelters, you can commune with Mother Nature and the quiet solitude offers peace of mind.

(L to R) Ching Neng Bin, Dr. Diong Ko Ing and Wong Tai Meng

Senior Citizen Club of Sitiawan

Bridge to 'Land End'

Hi! brother

Kukup international jetty - ferry to Tanjung Balai and Batam Island, Indonesia

Kukup is where I stayed for the night. I lived in a semi detach house on stilts, at No. 38 Kukup Water House, facing the Straits Channel with gorgeous view during sunset and sunrise. You can also catch views of fishermen in their small motorized boats chugging home with the day's catch. Since the Kukup surrounded by sea, most of the building are build above the sea - including accommodation for visitors travel in Kukup. Above the sea, I really enjoyed the sea atmosphere.

I walked around the stilt village and talked to the locals over there. To my surprise, I found out that there were quite a number of nice chalet houses available for rental. One such chalet house that I popped in held a big group of people who were there for a nice rustic retreat. Here are the contact details of some chalet houses, of course, there are more houses than this but I didn't have the time to talk to them all.

1)KUKUP WATER HOUSE Mr. Gay Kui Seng TEL: 07-6969220
2)KUKUP VENICE HOLIDAY VILLA RESORT Mr. Yeo Kean Teck TEL: 07-6961516
3)KUKUP FLOATING CHALET Mr. Lee Kok Poh TEL: 07-6960027

Entrance to the village on stilt

Joyce and Dr.Diong

Aunty Ruby

Village on stilt
Sleeping per person is RM70 inclusive of all the meals.

Roads on stilt

Roads on stilt

Garden on stilt

Temple on stilt

RM500k bungalows on stilt

Jetty on stilt

Natural garden

Natural drain

No fencing

Public toilet on stilt

Rats waiting for free food below the toilets

BBQ dinner - rats and chicken wings

Mr.Lim Eng Seng our caretaker can be contacted at 019-7643476

Jenny, Wong & Soo enjoying the BBQ dinner

The food is so good

Empty plates waiting for more rats to be served

Hi! Mr Kong the gang leader still eating

Ching, Dr.Diong, Swee Lim and wife

celebrating Joyce's birthday

Happy birthday to Joyce

Happy birthday to Joyce

5.55 am sunrise view from my balcony

6.02 am

6.05 am

6.10 am

6.15 am

6.20 am

6.25 am

6.27 am

And off we went on the boat tour.

The first thing that we saw was the floating fish farms bobbing off the coastal waters of Kukup. On an interesting note, these structures have been used for centuries by the Orang Laut or the Sea Gypsies from Riau, Indonesia. Other than baby shark and the sea horse for our entertainment, the fisherman also got his little archer fish to perform a neat trick for us. This little fish could aim and spit at their bait well above the water.

Dr. Diong with his bow tie. Getting ready for the boat trip.

Boat trip to fishing villages

Pretty girls on board

The fish farm

Dr.Diong & Joyce

Big fishes

Kukup jetty

Fishing boats

Tanjung Piai Resort is located at the southern tip of Johor state... and close to the southern-most tip of mainland Asia... Tanjung Piai Resort lies secluded and has 13 chalets, a seafood restaurant, a luxurious lounge with karaoke facilities for 50 guests and a meeting room also for 50 persons. All rooms take in the view of the open sea and the passing ships to the Johor port of Tanjung Pelepas... You can have a quiet holiday watching macaques (monkeys), tree-climbing mudskippers and fireflies in the largest mangrove nature park... The resort is on stilts over the Tebrau Strait... You can also see Singapore across the waters of the Tebrau Strait...
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