THE west coast of peninsular Malaysia is home to most of the commercial life of the region.
By contrast, it is the east coast that is home to things traditionally Malay, and to the quiet life generally.
Stretching from Kota Baru, almost on the Thai border in the north, down to the causeway that forms the frontier with Singapore in the south, the almost uniformly sandy coastline forms an idyllic escape location, a world away in atmosphere from the busy life in the west.
Singaporean drivers frequently rally up the long road that hugs the whole length of the coast, stopping off to celebrate, perhaps, at Cherating.
Club Med maintains the largest resort in the area, housed in what is reputedly the longest wooden structure anywhere in the world.
The beaches at Cherating are truly magnificent.
