Malaysia road trip - Day 5 (Club Med Cherating - Gua Charas Panching - Sungai Lembing Museum - Sungai Lembing town)

It was our final day here at Club Med Cherating. I had set the alarm for 8am, but after a restless night and poor sleep, neither of us managed to get out of bed until 8.30am. Knowing breakfast service was ending soon, we quickly got ready and headed down to Mutiara Restaurant at around 9.25am. That left us with just about 20 minutes to enjoy a quick breakfast before the restaurant closed. I quickly grabbed a fried egg, my favourite potato wedges, some fried rice and a selection of fruits. It wasn't the relaxed breakfast we had enjoyed on previous mornings, but it was enough to fuel us for our final day at the resort.

After breakfast, we walked over to Jlo's room. Along the way, we spotted a few monkeys perched on the railing. Rather than finding them cute, I felt a little uneasy as they were sitting quite close to the walkway. For a moment, I worried they might suddenly approach us, so we kept a safe distance and carefully walked past them.

After visiting Jlo's room, my partner went for one last stroll along the beach to soak in the beautiful scenery before our departure. Meanwhile, I returned to our room to finish packing and make sure everything was ready for check-out. Our check-out time was 11am. Right on the dot, a Malay uncle arrived to collect our luggage from the room. We appreciated how punctual the service was. Once our bags were taken care of, we made our way to the lobby and spent some time taking photos around the resort.

Noodles station

Chinese tea eggs

Fried rice

Sweet potatoes

Curry fish

Vegetables

Bacon

Chicken sausage

Muffins

Chicken nimono

Marinated tofu

Somen noodles

Pancakes

Baked beans

French toast

Potato wedges

Sesame balls and Chinese crullers

Plain porridge and Chinese herbal chicken soup

Condiments for porridge

Salad station

Bagels

Bread station

Bread station

Fruits station

Fruits station

Condiments for bread

Fruits and nuts station

Puddings and yogurts

My breakfast

Although we had checked out at 11am, Club Med allows guests to stay on and enjoy lunch before departing. Since lunch service only began at noon, we took the opportunity to join the complimentary photoshoot offered by the resort. It was a pleasant way to spend our remaining time while capturing a few final memories of our holiday. The package included one complimentary photo, while additional photos were available for purchase, with the minimum package priced at RM 249 for 10 photos.

While waiting for the photos to be processed, we headed for lunch. It turned out to be a satisfying final meal. I tried the beef rendang, which packed quite a spicy kick. Some of the beef pieces were wonderfully tender, making it one of the standout dishes. The sambal fish was also delicious, with just the right balance of flavour and heat.

The beef calzone was another favourite. It was cheesy, generously stuffed with ham, and fresh from the oven. The chicken wings were equally enjoyable. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and hard to resist going back for seconds. For dessert, I had a macaron. It was a little too sweet for my taste, but I loved the texture. It was chewy and crunchy at the same time, making it a pleasant way to end our final meal at the resort.

We finished lunch and left the restaurant at around 1.10pm. Before heading off, we selected our complimentary photo from the photoshoot and returned our wristband at the reception. We also settled the Pahang Sustainability Fee of RM 9, charged at RM 3 per room per night. With everything taken care of, we finally said goodbye to Club Med and drove off at 1.40pm, heading towards Gua Charas Panching for the next part of our journey.

Overall, our stay at Club Med Cherating was a mix of enjoyable moments and a few disappointments. It was still a refreshing getaway, with a relaxing atmosphere, nature all around, and plenty of time to unwind and slow down from daily routine. One of the highlights was definitely the food. There was a good variety at the buffet, and most dishes were enjoyable. The food labelling was also clear and helpful, which made it easy to know what we were eating.

However, not everything met our expectations The drinks were probably the biggest disappointment. The soft drinks often lacked carbonation, while the cocktails generally tasted underwhelming. This was something we noticed throughout our stay. Room comfort was another area that could be improved. The air conditioning did not seem powerful enough, so the room often felt warm. My partner even took an afternoon nap but still felt hot and sweaty afterwards. Sleeping at night was not much better, as the room never felt comfortably cool. Some activities were also affected. Sailing was unavailable due to low tide, but this was not communicated clearly in advance, which was a little frustrating as we were looking forward to it. 

There were also a few inconsistencies with the dining arrangements. Enak Restaurant was closed for dinner, yet reservations were still available, which caused some confusion. In addition, both the main dining restaurant and the theatre often felt warm and stuffy due to weak or non-existent air conditioning, making it less comfortable to spend extended periods there. Ironically, the only place that consistently felt cool was the toilet. In the end, Club Med Cherating provided a pleasant short escape with plenty of good memories, even if there were areas that could be improved.

Bread station

Cheese station

Honeys

Salad station

Salad station

Condiments

Cobb salad with green salad, chicken, tomato, cucumber, egg and blue cheese

Prawn glass noodle salad

Mushroom salad with miso orange sauce

Fruits station

Fruits station

Desserts

Caramelised pineapple with star anise

Fried chicken wings

Ginger chili clams

Steamed tofu

Vegetables

Chicken dim sum

Vegetarian dim sum

Waffle with fried chicken

Cumin rice

Squid masala

Stir-fried cabbage

Chapati

Sweet corn soup

Baked fish

Nuggets and French fries

Hotdog station

Japanese station

Beef yaki udon

Beed rendang

Spicy sour fish

Vegetables

Four cheese pizza, beef calzone and pizza margherita

Mashed potatoes

My lunch

My lunch

Fruits and dessert

Gua Charas Panching is located about an hour’s drive from Club Med Cherating, and we decided to make a stop there on our way to Sungai Lembing. It felt like a nice addition to our journey, especially after leaving the resort and heading into a more local, nature-focused experience. The cave is known for its unique limestone formation and peaceful surroundings. As we approached, the landscape quickly changed into a quieter, greener area, giving it a more secluded and slightly mystical feel. The entrance itself already gave a sense that we were about to step into something quite different from the beach resort we had just left.

You need to pay a RM 3 parking fee at a small open-air parking lot near the entrance. There were also a few puppies lingering around the area, which added a surprisingly gentle and homely touch to the setting. To reach the cave, we needed to climb an uneven staircase, and the side handrails were noticeably rusty in some areas. It required a bit of care while walking up, especially as the steps were not perfectly even. Despite that, the climb added to the sense of adventure and made the arrival at the cave feel more rewarding. Outside the cave, there were quite a number of monkeys moving around the trees, adding a slightly wild and lively atmosphere to the surroundings. Interestingly, when we went inside, we were the only visitors there, which made the experience feel even more quiet and personal.

Inside, the cave features Buddhist shrines and statues set within the natural rock structure. The atmosphere is calm and spiritual, with soft lighting that highlights the texture of the limestone walls. One of the highlights is the massive reclining Buddha statue inside the cave, which blends naturally into the surrounding rock formation. What stood out immediately was how cooling it was inside the cave. After the warm weather outside, stepping in felt refreshing and comfortable, almost like natural air-conditioning. The temperature drop made the whole experience more pleasant and allowed us to take our time exploring the interior. The cave floor can be slightly uneven and dimly lit in certain areas, so careful walking is needed. However, the stillness and quietness inside give it a peaceful atmosphere that feels far removed from the outside world. 

Overall, Gua Charas Panching was a meaningful stop on our road trip. It offered a completely different experience from the resort earlier in the day, shifting from leisure and comfort to something more spiritual and grounded in nature. It was a short visit, but one that added depth to our journey toward Sungai Lembing.

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Gua Charas Panching

Reclining Buddha statue

Gua Charas Panching

Address:

Gua Charas Panching

Jln Gua Charas,

26090 Kuantan,

Pahang

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm

We made a short stop at the Sungai Lembing Museum on our way to Casa Hill Resort, and it turned out to be a simple but meaningful visit. Parking is available right at the entrance area, but the museum itself sits slightly uphill. After parking the car, we had to walk up a gentle slope to reach the museum. The short walk wasn’t difficult, but it does give a small “warm-up hike” feel before entering. The entrance fee was only RM 2 per person, making it an easy addition to the itinerary. The museum is open daily, except during the first two days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Although the museum is small, it offers a clear and interesting look into the history of Sungai Lembing. This town was once known as one of the largest underground tin mining areas in the world, as well as one of the richest mining towns and a major producer of tin in the state of Pahang. It was often referred to as the “El Dorado of the East” in Malaya, as it was home to a British settlement located in the Kenau River Valley, reflecting its historical importance during the colonial mining period.

Inside, there were displays of old photographs, mining equipment, and detailed models showing how the underground tin mines operated. It gave us a clearer picture of how challenging and dangerous the mining work used to be, especially before modern technology was introduced. The tools and machinery on display made it easier to imagine the scale of the operations underground. One of the most interesting parts was seeing how miners lived and worked during that era. The exhibits helped bring the history to life, showing not just the industrial side but also the daily lives of the people who built the town around the mines. Overall, it doesn’t take long to explore, but it gives a meaningful introduction to Sungai Lembing before visiting other attractions nearby.

Sungai Lembing Museum

Gentle slope to reach the museum

Sungai Lembing Museum

Fire extinguisher - more than 50 years old of age

Entrance ticket

Sungai Lembing Museum

Sungai Lembing Museum

Sungai Lembing Museum

Sungai Lembing Museum

Sungai Lembing Museum

Master bed room of the residence of PCCL's general manager

Master bed room of the residence of PCCL's general manager

Main bathroom

Signage Sungai Lembing

Sungai Lembing Museum

Sungai Lembing Museum

Address:

Muzium Sungai Lembing

Jalan Muzium, Sungai Lembing,

26200 Sungai Lembing,

Pahang

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm

We checked in at Casa Hill Resort around 4.20pm and settled into the room before spending some time working in the afternoon. Later in the evening, we headed out for dinner around 6pm. Instead of taking two cars, we carpooled, and my partner drove. Sungai Lembing is a small, laid-back town, and it felt especially quiet in the evening. Only a few eateries were open, and the roads were almost empty. Along the way, we also noticed very little traffic, with a few motorcyclists riding around without helmets, adding to the town’s relaxed but slightly unregulated feel. At times, the quiet streets gave a near “ghost town” impression due to how empty and still everything felt.

We ended up at Restaurant Yee Tai 2, where only two tables were occupied when we arrived. We ordered their signature fried pork belly, steamed pork ribs, handmade pork fish meat roll, fried sweet potato leaves, accompanied by rice, grass jelly, and calamansi drinks. The grass jelly was light and not overly sweet, making it especially refreshing after a warm day. The handmade pork fish meat roll was decent, featuring a crispy exterior and a soft filling without any tendons. The fried sweet potato leaves were one of the more enjoyable dishes, thanks to their young and tender texture. As for the steamed pork ribs and signature fried pork belly, both were reasonably good but did not stand out.

While having dinner, we asked the lady boss if she knew of any Panorama Hill sunrise packages. Earlier, we had enquired with the resort staff, who said she would get back to us, but we never received a reply. The lady boss was very helpful and immediately recommended Uncle Wong, a local guide who arranges sunrise trips to Panorama Hill. So after dinner, we contacted Uncle Wong and booked a Panorama Hill package (RM 35 per person), with pickup arranged at Casa Hill the next morning at 6.15am.

We returned to the hotel around 7.30pm, as there wasn't much to explore at night in this small town. The rest of the evening was quiet, and I continued working in the room before calling it a night around 10pm.

(Total bill - RM 126)

Sungai Lembing town

Sungai Lembing town

Restaurant Yee Tai 2 and grass jelly drink

Fried sweet potato leave (medium) - RM 15

Signature fried pork belly (small) - RM 29

Handmade pork fish meat roll - RM 19.50

Signature steamed pork rib (medium) - RM 35

Address:

Restaurant Yee Tai 2

231, Sungai Lembing,

26200 Sungai Lembing,

Pahang