| Many towns in Malaysia were founded at the mouths | | | | and he came on land, spending several days with the |
| of rivers as they were an important means of | | | | villagers. In 1943, the Terengganu Chinese Cultural |
| transport. Today, these rivers provide an alternative | | | | Association built a temple to honour the admiral. |
| means of taking in the sights of a town as well as | | | | Called the Sam Poh Kong Temple, it comes alive |
| the plant and animal life along their banks. Tourists | | | | during Chinese New Year and other festive days |
| should try one of the the several leisurely river | | | | when devotees come to pray. |
| safaris available in East Malaysia. | | | | The next stop is the Pura Tanjung Sabtu Cultural |
| Top of the picks is a river cruise that has been made | | | | Center, which has ten traditional houses. The centre |
| famous by the Hollywood movie called "Entrapment" | | | | belongs to the family of Tengku Ismail Tengku Su, a |
| shot in 1998. It is none other than the Malacca river | | | | Terengganu prince, whose aim is to preserve the |
| cruise. From the jetty at Dutch Square, the boat | | | | architectural heritage of his state. Two of the houses |
| proceeds upriver and passes under Tan Boon Seng | | | | have been converted into guesthouses for paying |
| Bridge. This bridge has historical significance as its | | | | guests (Tel: 09-615 3655); another serves as the |
| capture by the Portuguese in 1511 divided Sultan | | | | private residence of the prince, and a third serves as |
| Mahmud's Shah's forces, weakening them. As a | | | | a songket museum. |
| result, the Portuguese were able to capture the | | | | The final stop takes passengers back to the estuary |
| town. | | | | of the Terengganu River to the State Museum |
| Soon, old shophouses come into view on the left and | | | | Complex in Bukit Losong. The largest in the country, |
| right banks. The next bridge that the boat passes | | | | it consists of a Main Museum, Maritime Museum, |
| under is the Chan Boon Cheng Bridge. It was originally | | | | Fisheries Museum, four traditional houses and herbs |
| built in 1908 and replaced by its present structure in | | | | and botanic gardens. (To book the cruise, contact |
| 1963. During World War II, (1942-45), the Kempetai | | | | Ping Anchorage Travels and Tours: 09-6262020). |
| (Japanese Military Army) displayed the beheaded | | | | For nature lovers, a highly recommend river cruise is |
| heads of resistance forces at the foot of the bridge | | | | down the Sungai Selangor (Selangor River) at |
| to serve as a warning to the community. After | | | | Kampong Kuantan to see the rhythmic flashing of |
| another five minutes of wind, a footbridge by the | | | | lights produced by thousands of fireflies resting on |
| eerie name of Ghost Bridge passes overhead. The | | | | mangrove trees. The phenomenon resembles the |
| origins of the name is a mystery today. Then, the | | | | twinkling lights of Christmas trees and is truly |
| boat passes under the Old Market Bridge that links | | | | spectacular. Locals call these fireflies kelip-kelip but |
| Kampong Hulu and the former Central Market. Fishing | | | | they are actually beetles of the Lampyride family. On |
| boats still berth here to unload their catches which | | | | average each firefly measures six millimetres long. |
| are transported to the new Central Market. | | | | The males produce flashing lights in their thorax thrice |
| Modern buildings dot the riverbank as the boat skims | | | | every second. At the jetty at Kampung Kuantan, |
| towards Jalan Hang Tuah Bridge that connects Jalan | | | | boat operators take their passengers (minimum two |
| Munshi Abdullah and Jalan Hang Tuah. On the left are | | | | persons) upriver for about 40 minutes and turn back, |
| the Express Bus and Taxi Terminals. Further ahead, | | | | allowing them the opportunity to observe this mating |
| one can see the ruins of the Church of Rosario on | | | | ritual of the insects. |
| the right. It is located near to St. Peter's Church, built | | | | The Sungai Perak (Perak River) is the second longest |
| in 1710. Your final sight is Kampong Morten, a typical | | | | in the country, stretching for 400km. From the royal |
| Malay village with houses on stilts basking under the | | | | town of Kuala Kangsar, one can take a cruise |
| shade of swaying coconut palms. Moments later, the | | | | downriver to the Pasir Salak Complex which |
| boat will make a U-turn and head back to the jetty. | | | | commemorates the killing of J.W.W. Birch, the first |
| (Tel: 06-286 5468) | | | | British Resident of Perak. Reservation booths are |
| Kuala Terengganu offers a river cruise with several | | | | found at Jalan Tebing in Kuala Kangsar. A 25-minute |
| interesting stops. From the Shah Bandar jetty near | | | | boat ride to Kampung Jawang is followed by a |
| the Central Market (locally referred as Pasar Payang), | | | | two-hour boat cruise. Expect to see buffaloes |
| the tour boat departs upriver along the Terengganu | | | | wallowing in the muddy banks, monkey scurrying |
| River to Pulau Duyung (Mermaid Island), the first | | | | from tree to tree and brightly painted coloured birds |
| stop. A boat-building industry thrives on this island, | | | | flapping away in the lush foliage. |
| which is also linked to the mainland by a bridge. Here, | | | | Nestled on the banks of the Kuching River, the |
| both luxury yachts and fishing boats are constructed | | | | capital of Sarawak, Kuching, has an interesting boat |
| by craftsmen without any blueprint, a skill inherited | | | | ride that begins from the waterfront in Main Bazaar. |
| from their forefathers. | | | | The narrow bustling streets near the river are |
| The boat then proceeds upriver along the Sungai | | | | chock-a-block with colourful temples, raucous |
| Jeram (Jeram River), a tributary of the Terengganu | | | | markets, historic building and Chinese shophouses |
| River, to unfold a vista of rural lifestyle to its | | | | selling handicrafts of all manner. Admire the Astana, |
| passengers. Women still wash clothes by the river, | | | | built by Charles Brooke in 1869 on the opposite bank. |
| and the men cast lines to fish for prawns from | | | | Today, it is the official home of the Governor of |
| sampan. Occasionally, small brightly coloured birds fly | | | | Sarawak. Further ahead, there is Fort Margherita that |
| across the river or flit across the lush vegetation. | | | | dates back to 1879. The fort resembles and English |
| The riverine tour continues to Jeram River, with a | | | | castle, and now serves as the Police Museum. It was |
| stop at Kampung Jeram that holds a surprising sight. | | | | named after the wife of Charles Brooke. As the boat |
| Amidst the traditional wooden Malay houses stands a | | | | slides eastward, the cheery colours of the wooden |
| Chinese temple with its red roof. According to legend, | | | | houses of Kampong Boyan, Kampong, Gersik and |
| Admiral Cheng Ho of the Ming Dynasty sailed through | | | | Kampong Sourabaya Ulu greet you. Finally, you are |
| the locality in 1414, and made a stop for supplies. His | | | | deposited on the east side of the city centre. What |
| ship ran aground in the shallow waters of the river, | | | | a joyful ride for a song. |