What You Can Do in Klaten – Malaysia’s Most Popular Holiday Destination
The Kelok-Sumbiling route in the center of Borneo is named after a Hindu temple of “Bharati Raya Vishwanath”. In old days this region was renowned for its many temples and for the great ‘karana’ rush up the hills leading from the temple at Naroni to the adjacent town of Sarawak. The Padang-Sumbiling is one of the finest overpasses in Borneo. It starts from the Padang village on the left bank of the River Thapar. On the upstream side of the overpass is the famous hamlet of Kota Harumul, an important tribal trading center and the place where Kachemu Pillay camp is located.
From the Padang-Sumbiling the journey proceeds to the west bank of the river. This part of the old road was first used by the traders from India, who were based at Naroni. It now forms an important route for the backpackers traveling up and down the mountain. The Padang-Sumbiling passes through the small villages of Tugu, Satkra, Telok, and Satwa and has many beautiful picturesque villages that form a paradise for travelers. Passengers on the Kelok-Sumbiling can stop to have a drink at any of the charming small eateries. travelers on the old road are provided with tea, coffee, and sugar in abundance.
The journey is quite agreeable as the climate remains cool. The only time when the climate becomes a little uncomfortable is at the start of the season (and in rural areas it never gets worse). The pastor ferry from Penang takes passengers to the small settlements of Telok, Batubul, and Satwa. From there travelers have many options for reaching their next accommodation.
A great morning stop for those traveling up the coast is the Penang Central Station, which provides travelers with the option of reaching the coastal town of Seminyak via the famous Kementera Bus. From here they can continue to the Kementera Junction, where the train is well worth making the journey out of. At Seminyak, there is a great selection of hotels and resorts for travelers to stay in. The Hotel Malaysia in the center of Penang is situated on the seafront of the peninsula and is one of the most popular places to stay. It offers a great location and comfortable surroundings.
Backpackers will also find this journey a pleasant one. The journey covers the Bukit Peninsula and includes trips to Tunjulu and Borneo. Once at Tunjulu, one can take a train into Borneo, one of the busiest cities in Southeast Asia. From Borneo, it is a short journey to Kelantan, one of the largest cities on the east coast of Thailand. From there, it is a simple walk over the Salawari Bridge to reach the ferry that will take you to Klaten.
This is a part of the Malaysia-Singapore rail link, which provides travelers with an easy way to reach their destination. From here, it is just a short walk across Salakam Beach to reach Klaten. From there, it is only a short walk across the bridge to reach the resort of Telok Ayer. There are plenty of shops, bars and other attractions here, including a golf course, a skate park, and a swimming pool.
Those that want a little more of a challenge can take a trek to the southern part of Klaten. Here, they will find the Batu Feringghi National Park, one of the best places to see in Malaysia. There is plenty of wildlife to view as well as a plethora of freshwater bodies and natural springs. Many people choose to stay at one of the many guest houses available here during this journey.
The journey doesn’t end in Klaten, however. It is a quick ride over the Penang Peninsula to Langkawi Island, where travelers will find a wonderful sandy beach. From here, it’s just a short drive over to Batu Feringghi, where travelers can visit the famous Batu Feringghi observatory, where they can watch some amazing sunsets over the ocean. There is a great variety of activities to participate in during this journey, which will definitely leave you wanting to return for another visit.
