On my many trips in Malaysia, I have not visited Johor often. Once I have been to the Endau Rompin national park, and of course there is Gunung Ledang, but the southern part of the state was unknown territory. The main range has come to an end in Negeri Sembilan, but there are a few isolated hills and some waterfalls. Target of this trip was to visit three waterfalls.

Our first destination was Kota Tinggi. Before visiting the waterfall, we had lunch.

The Kota Tinggi falls are very commercialised with a high entrance fee. Popular with Singaporeans.

It was school holidays during our visit. Here a group of students from Johor Bharu

There were many visitors, but we managed to find a quiet place for a swim. No exploration allowed (security guards called us back!), so we had a spare afternoon. We decided to have a look at Kota Johor Llama, a fortress where in earlier days the sultans of Johor resided.

it was complicated to take this picture as I used the self-timer, so I had only 10 seconds to jump into the water and take my position.

What a perfect place to do some meditation! Notice the sun hat.

Johor Llama has been nicely restored. Difficult to imagine that this was once a thriving city

The fort is built on a hill, but nowadays the view of the surroundings is obscured by trees

We scrambled down to the estuary of the Johor River, at low tide a huge mudflat.

Near to the fort this mausoleum can be found. Supposedly some sultans of Johor are buried here.

It was a relaxed afternoon. After the fort, we visited a small fishing village, where we had a drink. After that back to Kota Tinggi, where we had dinner.

Time almost comes to a standstill in a laid-back kampung like this one.

We had a sumptuous dinner of baby sting ray and sotong.

Our hotel in Kota Tinggi. Only RM 45 (~10 Euro) for a room.

The next day, after breakfast, our next destination: the waterfalls on the slopes of Gunung Pulai. This isolated hill is clearly visible from the N-S expressway. We lost our way a bit and passed through Johor Baharu. The falls were easy to find and what a difference with Kota Tinggi. Once this must have been a popular place. Now only remains could be seen of shelters, stalls etc. A pity, because the waterfalls were interesting.

The first cascade, with a nice pool

The second cascade. Because the rocks were dry, it was no problem to scramble up.

The main waterfall is spectacular. Compare the size of Rahim at the top of the fall.

You can continue the road to the top of the mountain, but no view from there, it is a restricted military area. So we went down to have lunch in Kukup, a well-know n fishing village

View from the top of the waterfall down into the gorge.

We had taken our camping gaz with us, and the car was nearby, so we could enjoy a nice cup of coffee

Kukup is built on stilts, like Pulau Ketam

Kukup is famous for its seafood. And opposite the village there is Pulau Kukup, covered with mangrove forests, a nature reserve and bird sanctuary. After lunch we continued our trip to Tg Piai, the southernmost point of mainland Asia! A resort has been built here, where you can spend the night in a chalet on stilts.

Fishing boats with Pulau Kukup in the background

Lunch with butter prawns and deep-fried baby squids. Difficult to keep a diet in Malaysia!

Tg Piai Resort in the evening. It was low tide when we arrived.

Monkeys crossed the mudflats, looking for food?

A spectacular sunset from our balcony

A simple, but tasty dinner in the resort

After a pleasant quiet night in the resort, we went on our way to the last destination, Gunung Belumut, near Kluang. We had information about nice waterfalls near Belumut Recreational Forest, but no idea how to find them.

Romantic view with the Singapore harbour in the background.

Early next morning. High tide, the chalets are now completely in the water

The Gunung Belumut Recreational Forest is a well maintained park, with shelters, stall and a ranger office.

The small stream is attractrive, but there are only some rapids.

A surprise encounter with a cute (non-poisonous) green snake

This lizard(?) could be approached very closely

We were lucky. We had some food in one of the stalls and the friendly shop owner, Izan, could give us accurate directions to the Sg Yong falls. Not easy to find, you have to cross a palm oil plantation with a maze of roads and tracks.

Rahim and Mrs Izan

And from here, how to go on?

Not passable for a normal car.

From the place where we parked the car, we had to trek for about half an hour, the trail was well-defined. The waterfalls were pristine. As the rocks were very slippery, extreme care was needed.

Balance act

Very clear, bluish water

A perfect pool

Apparently these falls consist of seven tiers. We did not have enough time to explore all of them, as it was still a long way back to Kuala Lumpur.

We surely will come back another time.