What do Kuantan and BMW have in common? Both are completely different subjects and it is akin to comparing apples to oranges. No similarities? Well, I had initially thought so until I participated in a recent driveaway event to Kuantan, which verily blew me away. Escape the City 2015 is a driveaway event organised by Performance Motors Limited (PML) in collaboration with Wheels for Fun Private Limited.

Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang, is located in the eastern region of the Malaysian Peninsula around 400km from Singapore. Famous for its fish crackers and picturesque natural attractions, travellers are able to experience an excellent mix of city and countryside atmosphere when they are in Kuantan.

I was provided with a BMW 535d Sedan for this driveaway, a high-performance diesel-powered vehicle producing no less than 313bhp and 630Nm of torque from 1,500rpm. A final briefing for all participants was held at Raffles Marina before the flag-off, which signified the official start of the journey. All in all, a total of 29 BMW owners driving an eclectic mix of models, took part in this 4D3N retreat. The models in the convoys ranged from the run-of-the-mill X3 to the futuristic looking i8. 

Day 1 - Singapore to Kuantan:

Participants regrouped in their respective convoy colours at a Petronas station in Gelang Patah R&R and made sure everything was in good order before the long drive up North. My convoy leader was none other than Mr. Christopher Quek who has a wealth of experience organising and leading road trips. 

We stopped over at Kluang for a simple local breakfast consisting of kaya toast, coffee, nasi lemak and the like after driving for around an hour and a half. This was essential in giving us the much needed boost of energy to continue our drive to Kuantan.

The subsequent part of the journey involved numerous winding roads and drivers had the chance to put their driving skills as well as their BMWs to the test. Acceleration in this Beemer was brisk, sometimes to the point of lethal. The BMW 535d proved to be more than just a friend to the Malaysian roads as it handled the twisty B-roads with amazing agility.It was slightly past noon before we arrived at Mexica Garden Seafood Restaurant to consume our lunch. Famished from the seemingly endless drive, our eyes instantly lit up when the dishes were served and we devoured the food without much delay. Special mention must go to the succulent baked cod fish bun, a unique delicacy of the restaurant. Fresh and tender, it is an absolute must-try if you visit the restaurant. The signature coconut jelly pudding we had for dessert was velvety smooth and similar to the beancurd pudding in Singapore, only this was coconut flavoured instead. Some of us even had multiple servings of both dishes!         

Located directly opposite East Coast Mall, The Zenith Hotel offered a myriad of amenities including an infinity pool and a gymnasium. Some of us made use of the free time in the late afternoon to soak in the splendour and grandeur of a waterfall nearby after checking into the hotel. 

We departed for Pak Su Seafood Restaurant in the evening to savour the famed stuffed crab. Essentially, this dish consisted of a crab shell containing crab meat that was already grilled and fried.  

A concise briefing was conducted by the relevant personnel in charge after dinner regarding the events for the following day. It was a long day for everyone and we were all looking forward to heading back to our luxuriously appointed rooms for a good night's rest.

Day 2 - Kuantan to Pulau Redang: 

Breakfast was a sumptuous buffet spread of local hawker fare and Western cuisine at the hotel. Fellow drivers could not contain their excitement as they recounted the thrills of driving in a convoy for the first time.

We were on the road again before heading towards Merang Jetty in Kuala Terengganu. The drive was smooth and largely uneventful as we took the recently constructed East Coast Expressway to the allocated secured parking area at Merang Jetty where we had a boat transfer to Pulau Redang.       

45 minutes later, we reached our destination. One of the largest islands off the East Coast of Malaysia, Pulau Redang is renowned for its unspoilt beaches and crystal blue waters. A chartered minibus parked at the jetty fetched us directly to our home for the following two days, The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort. Warmly greeted by the resort staff, we were served welcome drinks and offered cold towels as soon as we alighted from the bus.We were given an option of three activities to participate the next day, namely, snorkelling, jungle trekking and a glass-bottomed boat ride. Snorkelling was the most popular choice as the resort was surrounded by clear blue waters and beautiful coral reefs. We made our way to our cosy rooms in separate buggies after a buffet-style lunch at the coffee house. The rustic yet elegant feel of the resort clearly rejuvenated all of us. 

Sporty participants spontaneously played Beach Captain's Ball in the late afternoon, with many of them covered in sand at the end of the games. The day concluded with a bang with an outdoor buffet dinner party arranged by PML in the evening.

Comprising singing performances, games and a lucky draw, the event saw teammates cheering one another on and even drew the attention of fellow resort guests who stopped to watch the event.

Sky lanterns, also known as Kongming lanterns were lighted by all teams with their wishes written on them and released into the sky. Without a doubt, the floating lanterns were a sight to behold at night.          
Day 3 & 4 - Pulau Redang/Kuantan to Singapore:

Clad in sports gear, I embarked on a jungle trek with several other participants in the morning. It was a great opportunity to get close to the flora and fauna and take in the magnificent sights that Mother Nature has to offer.

As the terrain was undulating and slippery at times, we cautiously trod on clearly defined surfaces and closely followed the guide ahead of us. The rest of the day was basically free and easy and some of us took the chance to explore the resort's facilities while a handful chose to chill out by the sea. 

A special turtle release ceremony was held in the evening whereby young hatchlings were released into the sea in an effort to protect Malaysia's endangered species. We headed to the coffee house for dinner whilst a live band entertained us with melodious songs. There was also a short feedback session during which several participants and the organisers chipped in with their opinions and suggestions.   

After a hearty breakfast in the morning on the last day of the vacation, we took a boat back to Merang Jetty before driving back to Kuantan for our lunch at Kemaman Kopitiam. The drive was nothing short of spectacular as we drove past huge plantations and a few mountain ranges.We had a quick stopover at Sin Kee Hung, an established wholesaler retailing local delicacies and dried seafood. Located along Jalan Gambang, it is popular with tourists seeking to purchase all kinds of dried seafood such as scallop, shrimps and salted fish. It was almost 6:00pm when we arrived at a local restaurant for our dinner to fill our stomachs before our drive back to Singapore.      

Conclusion

All good things must come to an end and goodbyes had to be said eventually. This trip was not only fun and memorable but also a definite eye-opener for me. New friendships were forged and horizons broadened.

Interestingly, Kuantan and BMW do have something in common; both did not fail to delight me. The car, for one, only required refuelling twice during this 1,400km trip, and that was even before the needle was past the centre marking in the fuel gauge.    

A key take away from this event would be the differences in driving styles between Singaporeans and Malaysians. For example, Malaysian drivers give way to vehicles behind them if the latter indicates his intention to overtake by signalling right. Most Singaporean drivers on the other hand, are not aware of this method of overtaking. Instead, they overtake on the left if the vehicle in front does not give way to them, which poses a risk to both cars.      

Driving in a convoy certainly has its perks and all drivers must stay disciplined and cooperate with one another to fully benefit from the formation. Despite a few cars encountering engine problems, they were swiftly attended to and rectified. Comfortable and potent, I must say the 5 Series is 'the' car for a long haul road trip such as this one. Unquestionably, all our driving skills have gone up by a notch, no less.