Kuantan
Exotic Crossroads
Travellers have been enticed to Malaysia for centuries: first traders in search of spices, silks and silver; then colonial settlers planting rubber trees and exploiting the deposits of tin ore; and now tourists attracted by its many cultures-and warm blue seas.
In the 19th century Britain gradually took over a patchwork of small sultanates and formed the Federated Malay States, but British prestige was shattered when the Japanese army seized the peninsula in a lightning campaign in 1942. After the defeat of Japan, British and Commonwealth forces were engaged in the "Emergency", a long and ultimately successful struggle against communist guerrillas. Independence came to Malaya in 1957, and Malaysia was formed in 1963 with the addition of Sarawak and Sabah in northern Borneo. Singapore was briefly a member too, before going its own way.
Today's independent nation is modernizing fast, but also becoming known as a holiday paradise, with resort hotels springing up everywhere. The scenery ranges from dense jungle to glittering skyscrapers. On the west coast flourish the lively cities of Kuala Lumpur, Malacca (Melaka) and Georgetown.
The east coast is altogether another cup of good Malaysian tea! Long cut off by jungle-clad mountains and swamps, it largely escaped the effects of colonialization. Culture is still essentially Malay, and traditional activities such as kite-flying, boat-building, top-spinning and batik-dyeing have been preserved. Every year, between May and September, huge leatherback turtles clamber clumsily ashore to lay their eggs in the warm sand. On the horizon, deserted islands beckon; inland, tropical forests offer a wealth of exotic flora and fauna. Thanks to recently built motorways, there is now easy access. Halfway along this hospitable coast is the colourful harbour town of Kuantan. The capital of Pahang State, Kuantan has developed greatly in recent years and has become a popular holiday resort, with comfortable hotels, excellent restaurants, and even a few nightclubs.
