BATU Pahat is one of the largest towns in central Johor and one of the best ones to explore.
Start with the interesting sights, move on to the food and of course, get to the the people.
Batu Pahat is known as Bandar Penggaram. It is 239km from Kuala Lumpur and if you are using the GPS (global positioning system), the coordinate is 1o5'N 102o56'E.
It has been the site of historic events, among which is the Feb 2, 1952 Umno general assembly.
The event eventually set the date for the independence of Malaysia.
If you are ever in town, don't forget to visit Pantai Minyak Beku.
It is only 8km from town, about a 20-minute drive on a winding road.
Although the beach is no longer suitable for swimming, it is still attractive to many as a fishing spot and a charming place to relax and refresh oneself.
There is a fisherman village nearby, and a quarry from which gravel and sand are mined.
The best spots for fishing enthusiast is Kampung Orang Asli and Segenting Chinese Fishermen's Village.
These pretty spots are also perfect for shutterbugs.
Not far from the beach is Perigi Batu Pahat, from which the town took its name.
If you want to swim, head for Wet World in Jalan Bukit Pasir.
It is the first and only water park in Johor. Spread over 17ha of land, it is built around the landmark Tasek Merdeka.
Wet World offers interactive fun for the whole family, with slippery and water slides.
At night, take a stroll down BP Walk in Jalan Rahmat.
There you will find many kinds of local and international cuisine.
From when it opens at 3pm until it closes at 4am, it is full of visitors looking for dinner, a late-night supper and early breakfast.
If you are an antique collector, you may want to go to the Pasar Karat (Thieves Market) in Jalan Fatimah.
It offers endless hours of browsing for items that may catch your fancy. Used refrigerators, washing machines and various electrical goods are also available.
An old mine has found new use as a recreational spot for the public. Tasik Y is fully equipped with facilities such as a playground, exercise equipment, gazebo, jogging track and a reflexology area.
On Sundays, if the weather is good, a J-Robik (aerobic) programme open to all is held there.
Nasi baryani is synonymous with Batu Pahat. It is the dish you must try and two of the best in town is Nasi Beriyani Gam Mat Syah at a food court accessible by Jalan Batu Pahat-Muar, and Baryani Power in Taman Soga.
Ready-to-serve varieties of the nasi baryani are baryani gam kambing, baryani gam ayam, baryani gam daging, acar buah, telur pindang and many more. The prices are also very affordable.
Mention cendol here, and most would point you to the stall in Jalan Engan.
But there are some who would direct you to another stall in Pasar Besar, which some argue is just as good, if not better, than the first one.
The stall at the market entrance nearer to Jalan Ibrahim is only open in the morning.
If you are late, you will not get to taste "Halim Cendol". If you are in time, you will get to savour the cendol, but you will still not have the pleasure of meeting Halim.
The guy running the stall is his brother. The stall serves regular cendol and cendol with red bean. Both cost only RM1 per serving.
There is another food that has a truly unique name that I bet is only found in Batu Pahat. Don't be horrified if you are offered a bowl of mee racun, which literally means poison noodle.
Despite its frightening name, it is really a delicious dish. I suggest you give it a try. As some say, "You must try everything once".
The mee racun can be had at a stall next to the Tenaga Nasional Bhd substation, near Carrefour hypermarket.
There is much more to Batu Pahat that meets the eye. Certainly, there is more than one page can contain.
It is one of the places you must visit at least once, and it will be a visit you will find hard to forget.
I am proud to be born a son of Batu Pahat.
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