187. BENTONG, PAHANG

Growing up in South Malaya, what I knew of Bentong was, that it's a predominantly Chinese town, rural, with lots of rubber plantations (as was the case for most of old Malaya than). It made its fame or money, as the case may be, from its tin mining industry - large numbers of its Chinese labour force recruited from South China.

It went on to gain notoriety as a hotbed of communist activities. To combat them, the than colonial British relocated the local population into New Towns where they can be better controlled, separating them from the communist insurgents...

When that settled, gangster triads took over - very likely, they were the ex Communists who morphed into extortionists. Gangs and gang fights over territory were the norm in all towns of old Malaya, in old Singapore too, that took place regularly...

Dying trades elsewhere are alive and kicking in small Malaysian towns, but whether that will continue after the old folks pass on...

Retro buildings which have stood for decades and which now look charming in old small towns., blending into their old style trades and coffeeshops and restaurants...no urban renewal here. It's the sewers and drains that need improvement work...

Plastic tablecloths sold by the yard...in their retro shops carrying merchandise that can be considered retro - charming...

Boneshakers that still work are another common sight in small towns...some missing glass windows that were never replaced, for who cares, perhaps there isn't any scrap value...

This coffeeshop counter in its original condition, still going strong. They don't make them like this anymore, if they can still find the hardwood...

From their old style shops, younger people have created niche shops, keeping the look of the past, retaining its character. It's full of atmosphere...it's on my bucket list to check out more small Malaysian towns...

Wall street art - replicated almost everywhere...some are really nice, particularly in Ipoh and Penang...

Their Saturday night bazaars draw the weekend crowds from out of town or visitors from Singapore...the rest of the week it's quiet, folks make time for families in Malaysia, businesses shut by early evening...

The Malaysian street food scene is truly vibrant - their cooks more creative and innovative. Many work in Singapore in the cooked food industry...

This lamb is street food...!

The dimsum below is visually arresting but those colours...!

As each small town awakens from its slumber, revives and reinvents itself, they create their own identity. In Bentong's case, they promote their root ginger, they claim as they grow in the hills of Pahang, the root is different and special in taste and smell - tasted like any other ginger to me! I boiled some root in water, the ginger water had less heat and was less so when honey was added...

The other thing they've built their reputation on would be durians. The folks here will have you know Bentong produces the best durians in Malaysia. When I was in Balik Pulau, Penang, the folks told me the best durians are from there...! Healthy competition for a fruit whose health benefit is still been debated.

Mine, all mine!

 Contemplate on running water and the energy generated...

Cross the bridge when you come to it...

Their advertisers have a sense of humour - 

'come and get it, I'm melting fast!' 

In Singapore, self righteous indignant, chiefly women, would be up in arms calling for a censor on grounds that it's misogynistic - I often wonder, which is dirtier, the body or the mind...

Catch your own lunch...! Rabbit stew or roast duck...?

On the same plant, lovely shades of the same colour family

This fern is fascinating - the formation of its fronds almost frog-like...

It's been a good 5 years since I was here - where did the time go...? I'm pleasantly surprised, to their credit, the place hasn't gone to the dogs, their application to have a casino here was rejected...