Unaware of Pontian Besar's existence, we didn’t venture further beyond the town center. Most tourist guides highlight seafood as Pontian’s key attraction, though technically, that fame belongs to nearby Kukup. So perhaps my initial confusion about Pontian wasn’t entirely unfounded. Without a detailed plan, we simply let the journey unfold—and it did, delivering a tale worth sharing.

This is Pontian! Outsiders not familiar with this corner of the country will look confused when asked Pontian kechil or Pontian Besar?

The rising tide had concealed the mudflats.  The whole coastal region at this time projected an near prefect scene.

The town is 171 kms south of Malacca and 49 kilometer from the center line of the Peninsula

There is only one major town i.e. Pontian! The one that the river - Pontian Kechil passes through.

Pontian is a "metropolis" and a "cowboy" town, meaning that it had a bustling town center. However, the major shops seems to hug and lined up along this one and only major road. The same main road that divides the town into two.

The coastal Highway 5 follows the western shores of the Peninsula and from its southern tip, Pontian, the highway moves north.  There was another smaller settlement a few kilometers north of this bridge, Pontian Besar, named after the river at that spot.

We were still looking for good food. 

This was the car park for visitors to the seafront park. There was an official  hawker center built to complement the park .

No! The hawker center was still in operation, but typical of Malaysian culture, the new boys outside the center served better food.  This was the scene of the street vendors who transformed the open car park into a gourmet center. Satay was definitely 1st class.

We had "otak otak" fish paste wrapped in coconut leaves brought from the street vendors and accompanied by Satay. The "otak" a specialty of this region is a "must try" for visitors.

Another view here looking southwards.  The estuary is seen here as a faint line in the background.

This town was blessed with the beautiful scenery at the estuary.

 To offset the presence of a wide mudflats, a retaining wall and a coastal road complete with garden beautify the whole stretch. Enhanced by playground, effort has transformed this stretch into a park.

Nearer to the estuary. Life and the choice of the settlement started with the conveniences provided by the estuary. 

Today, traces of life in the same place remained unchanged. Here the intercity road passed over the traditional marine thoroughfare.

On the contrary, the scene further upstream beyond the perimeters of the modern township,  residents cling on to their old ways of life along the riverside- a prime location of the past.

Then returning downstream back ro where the town was. Downstream towards  the estuary, owners had every reasons to stay at the banks  a place where their fishing fleets were parked or serviced

Like all Rest houses mooted and built in yesteryears, this Resthouse in Pontian was located at a prime site! 

 At one corner of the popular esplanade facing the sea.  A modern structure complete with split unit air-conditioners

The Resthouse in Pontian Kechil - Left inoperative for the last 2 months.

The building appeared well maintained and in operating state. A caretaker present, decline to comment on its status since it last took in guests a couple of months back. From the looks of things, the assigned contactor could have problem managing the outfit. There was no notices placed to inform the public, like us, who wished to use the facilities!