After attended a wedding in Batu Pahat, we then moved to Kota Tinggi. BALIK KAMPUNG time! Stay for about 4 days just to finish our annual leave for this year. While we’re in Kota Tinggi, we squeeze some of our times to visit the town itself. Bukan tak pernah pergi town dia, but we didn’t discover everything there. The only thing that we did when we’re in Kota Tinggi town is to buy groceries, fresh vege and meats at KIP Mart. The plan started when MIL asked us to buy some stuff from Kota Tinggi town and off we go!
Our viewfinder all the way from FF’s house to Kota Tinggi town.
Our first stop of the day is definitely the Kota Tinggi Museum. We’re so keen to visit the place since Kota Johor Lama is actually situated in Kota Tinggi Johor where it was believed that the history of the Kingdom of Johor began here. Unfortunately, the Kota Tinggi Museum is currently under renovation and we actually misinterpret between the Kota Tinggi Museum and the Kota Johor Lama Historical Complex. Kota Tinggi Museum is situated in Kampung Makam, Kota Tinggi and exhibits the history of Johor Sultanate. Meanwhile the Kota Johor Lama Historical Complex approximately 27km away from Kota Tinggi town via Desaru to Tanjung Langsat road. You’ll experienced the fort when Kingdom of Johor became a powerful one and able to fend off attacked from Acheh several times and several ;Malay ;settlements.
We then randomly drive through Kampung Makam and we saw a big signboard of ‘Makam Tun Habab’ or The Grave of Tun Habab. Me and FF keep recalling and arguing on who is actually Tun Habab on the way there. We finally got the answer from the signages by Tourism Malaysia spotted there.
Tun Habab whose full name was Tun Abdul Majid Tun Habab (Habib) Padang Saujana Johor, was the ‘Bendahara’ or Chief Minister of Johor during the reigns of Sultan Ibrahim Syah 1 and Sultan Mahmud Syah II. Tun Habab was installed Sultan of Johor following the death of Sultan Mahmud Syah II who had no heir. He took the title Sultan Abdul Jalil Riayat Syah IV and in 1700 moved the administrative centre of the state from Kota Makam Tauhid to Kota Panchor.
Tun Habab left a rich legacy in the states of Johor, Terengganu and Pahang. His daughter Tengku Tengah, married Daeng Perani, who was one of the five sons of a Bugis King. The present Sultan of Johor descended from that line. A son, Tun Zainal Abidin, became the first Sultan of Terengganu, whose descendants continue to rule the state today. Another son, Tun Abas, became the Governor of Pahang. His descendant is the present Sultan of Pahang.
Source: Tourism Malaysia Signages (in front of The Grave of Tun Habab) ;
So, from all the long explanation, you now know that Tun Habab is actually the great great great-grandfather to the present Sultan of Johor, Terengganu and Pahang.
We then drive further up to the end of the road and we saw Pengkalan Kota. From here, we can actually see the overall view of Sungai Johor. As mentioned in the Johor Tourism Website, this place has served as a very important role to the Johor Sultanate where several spots along the banks are the ;centers ;of capital of Sultanate.
The old blocks of arch at Pengkalan Kota. I guess, local authorities should do something to maintain the place. Tempat ni cantik sebenarnya. ;
Fishing equipments that we saw from the villagers there. ;
Right after that we turned back to the main road and we saw another grave which is ‘Makam Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Di Julang’. I guess, Sultan Mahmud are frequently appeared in our secondary history textbook and the reason why that he was called and referred as ‘Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Di Julang’.
The Sultan was killed at the young age of 24 by his general, Laksamana Bentan. The story goes that he was ambushed and killed while being carried on his way for his Friday prayer.
Laksamana Bentan killed the Sultan to avenge the death of his wife who was ordered to be killed by Sultan Mahmud. According to the legend, Laksamana Bentan’s wife was pregnant at the time. One day, she met with some palace caretakers who were on their way to the palace to deliver a bundle of jackfruits. Desirous of the jackfruits, she pleaded with the caretakers to allow her to have some. The Sultan became furious when he discovered that some of the jackfruits were missing, so much so that he ordered the Laksamana’s wife be killed.
Source: http://www.johortourism.com.my
We left Kampung Makam right after that. FF came up with an idea to have our lunch here in Kota Tinggi town instead of rushing back home. So, Belangkas Mahkota it is! I saw the shop the very 1st day i was here for my reception in Johor. That was basically 3 years back. I repeat, 3 years back and we only got the chance to taste the famous horseshoe crab today! Finally. The signature dish is definitely the ‘Belangkas Masak Sambal’. This is my 1st time trying where all this while ‘Belangkas’ definitely falls under the exotic food kind of group for me. Seriously? Belangkas? My first question to FF is that are we permitted to eat Belangkas sebenarnya? Silly me right!
Belangkas Mahkota is situated at Jalan Tun Sri Lanang (right after the bridge going towards KIP Mart. Turn left when you see the Petrol Station on your left). This is not the only signature dish that they served. They do have Asam Pedas Ikan Sembilang (we tried this too and its super duper tasteful! Worth trying), Kupang, Siput Gong Gong and others.
The meat is slightly similar to sea crab meanwhile the structure of the egg are a lil bit firm and elastic. I definitely leave the egg for FF since it’s totally not my kind of thing. But the overall taste of the sambal are good! 2-3 days after eating, I got a whole spots of pimples on my forehead and cheeks. Like a lots! Still recovering till today ;even though ;it’s almost a week! I guess, ‘Belangkas’ should be listed as one of the thing that I’m allergic to kot.
Oh ya, the shop are open from 10am to 2pm. It become crowded especially around 12pm since it’s a lunch break. You might one to get there early so that you’ll not be ;disappointed if you really want to taste those.
Simply us,
Zara AB & FF
The Province of Chroma
ZaraAB Travel 