Stop-By Town: Minyak Beku (Batu Pahat)

When we reach Pantai Minyak Beku on 13/Feb/2024, it was having heavy rain. Unable to go down to have a walk.

Anyway, to my surprise, along the road from Batu Pahat to Minyak Beku, there are so many big and small Chinese Temples along the road (Jalan Minyak Beku). Most likely this place is having good FengShui.

• Pantai Minyak Beku

• Perigi Batu Pahat (The Batu Pahat Well) (KIV, no chance to visit this time)

• Bukit Segenting Lighthouse (KIV, no chance to visit this time)

• Batu Pahat Wooden Jetty (KIV, no chance to visit this time)

Will find another chance to come back again in near future.

Stop-By Town: Kluang

[Source] Kluang - Wikipedia

Kluang was founded in 1915 as the administrative capital of central Johor by the British. It is located in the centre of the state and is within 90 minutes of all major urban areas of Johor.

Kluang's economy transitioned from rubber to palm oil and now has some of Malaysia's largest organic farms. The industrial sector has also grown significantly with multinational investment and a critical mass of tile manufacturers enabling the district to be called the 'tile capital of Malaysia'. The organic farming sector has also boosted Kluang as an ecotourism destination with key farms such as Zenxin, UK Agro and Kahang Organic Rice Farm.

We left Pontian after lunch, and intentionally routed to Kluang before heading to Batu Pahat to return to Muar.

To my surprise, Kluang is indeed a very big city at Johor. I think, it is the biggest city after Johor Bahru (even not, it surely among the top among cities in Johor). 

My only intention to Kluang is to visit the Original Kluang Station kopitiam (coffee shop). It is indeed good and full house after we ordered our meals for tea-break.

Worth for my time to purposely come over for a cup of coffee. Will visit Kluang again in near future.

• The Original Kluang Rail Coffee, KTM

• Main Entrance @ Kluang Station

• Main Menu

• Tea, Coffee & Nasi Lemak

• Kluang Street Arts (Some photos as example)

• Kluang Coffee Powder Factory (I didn't visit it this time)

Stop-By Town: Bukit Mor (at Parit Jawa)

Bukit Mor is located in Kampung Batu Mor, a small village in Parit Jawa, about 18km (25 min) from Muar.

My target is Joe Mountain Village, a new restaurant on top of the hill, at Bukit Mor.

I know about this place just because of 2024 CNY Day #2 Movie @ 8TV :《龙妈精神》
It was a story about the only dragon dance team by women. It was based on true story of the women dragon dance team from Parit Jawa.

We took CNY steamboat set + soursop juice (MYR$218) for 6pax. It is scenic, and you can see the coastal line of Malacca Straits from here while enjoying your dinner. 

Although it is private land, the owner didn't stop anyone to just visit there and snap a few photos, even you are not their customers.

New location for Instagram or selfie.

• Hill Top view (Video) at Joe Mountain Village 

Stop-By Town: Parit Jawa

Restoran Hoi Lim Asam Pedas (海林亚参鱼)

Parit Jawa (or even whole Muar district) is famous of its Assam Fish. This is just one of the local restaurant that serving this dishes.

We had a dinner during CNY with family members one of the night, after visiting Laman Bakau Parit Kassim Laut. It was so crowded; we were just 5 to 10min earlier before it is full house.

Dinner Package for 8pax @ MYR$258. It is considered reasonable price during CNY. 

• A City, A Taste

• Total of 5 dishes + hot tea for 8 pax

• Otak-otak (Local specialty)

• Assam Fish (Local specialty)

• Petai with shrimp

• Braised Pork

Attraction: Laman Bakau Parit Kassim Laut

 Laman Bakau Parit Kassim Laut is just merely 20min drive from Muar city center.

This mangroves park is still under construction. Yet, you still can spend 20min to 30min to enjoy the sea breeze during the evening before heading for dinner.

Managed to stop-by before heading to Parit Jawa Retro Street.

There is a famous restaurant serving Assam Fish (Restaurant Chun Hui) just near the junction entering to the Laman Bakau (Mangrove Park).

2024 CNY Johor Trip

Johor (West Coast) Exploration Tour during CNY 2024.

Day 1:

• Muar
• Laman Bakau Parit Kassim Laut: Mangroves Park
• Restoran Hoi Lim Asam Pedas @ Parit Jawa: Assam Fish
• Parit Jawa Retro Street: Sightseeing
• Muar: Stay for a night

Day 2:

• Muar
• Minyak Beku, Batu Pahat: Sightseeing
• Senggarang: Stop-by for tea break
• Rengit: Stop-by for ice-cream & waffle
• Pontian Kechil: Dinner at McD next to hotel. Stay for a night

Day 3:

• Pontian Kechil: Breakfast
• Bugis Museum: Sightseeing
• Pekan Nanas: Sightseeing
• Kelapa Sawit: Stop-by for lunch
• Forest City: Sightseeing
• Serkat: Stop-by for ice-cream & waffle
• Kukup: Stop-by for dinner
• Pontian Kechil: Stay for a night

Day 4:

• Pontian Kechil: Breakfast
• Tanjung Piai National Park: Sightseeing
• Pontian Kechil: Check-out & Lunch
• Kluang: Stop-by for coffee break (Kluang Station) & street arts
• Joe Mountain Village @ Parit Jawa: Stop-by for dinner
• Muar: Stay for a night

Attraction: Kukup

Reach Kukup for a short tour and dinner on 14/Feb/2024 (Wed) before returning to Pontian Kechil.

Parking might be a big problem during peak season. However, on the day I went during CNY, it was not so crowded. I can easily find a parking lot (FREE) near the bus terminal. 

There are several private car park operators offer parking facilities at RM10/entry. 

Kukup Laut

• Kukup Laut located at the south side of the main road. 
• Turn left just before Feri Terminal, you can easily access to the village by walking.
• There are many homestays and resorts inside Kukup Laut.
• Enjoying the sunset view while looking for dinner inside this village.

Kedai Minuman Ah Kneong (亚强美食中心)

• We stopped at this restaurant for dinner @ 18:30
• Total Bill: MYR$116.50 for 6pax (5 Adults, 1 Child)
• Personally I like the white Hokkien Fried Noodles (with prawn) & oyster omelette (big oysters!).
• The Fried Fish Beehoon also delicious. 
• Luckily we were here earlier. Looks like it is very popular among tourists.

Air Masin

• Air Masin located at the north side of the main road. 
• Turn right at Summerly Ice House, you can easily access to the village by walking.
• There are many homestays and resorts inside Air Masin too.
• I didn't manage to visit it this time. Keep for next round.
• There is a restaurant very famous online called WohBee Canteen (和美水上食堂)
• Family runs restaurant
• Advance reservation is needed
• Home-style cooking, chef decides all the menu, you just need to sit down and eat
• Latest charges: MYR$50/pax

[Source] 和美水上食堂 WohBee Canteen