Two Day Adventure.

24 February 2010:

I had made an appointment with Azman Said that Malek and I would visit Carey Island meeting him at the Golf Course Clubhouse at noon. As we crossed the bridge connecting the mainland and Carey Island, I was surprised the normal Guardhouse controlling the entry to Carey Island was missing. Now, Carey Island is accessible to everybody. Before, we must have specific business to enter the Island. Golden hope Plantation was manning the island security by the main entrance. The main road is now beautifully tarmac right to the end of the Island.

We found the road sign to the Golf Course and now the whole complex is securely guarded by the new property owner, Sime Darby Plantation. There is a Research & Development Complex, Sime Darby Academy, Biodiesel Plant, Palm Oil Mills, Hospitals, Schools, eighteen holes (18) Golf Course and under construction Palm Kernel Crusher Plant.

We had lunch at the heritage Scottish Clubhouse and the atmosphere and surrounding was very peaceful. The chirping of the birds and the sea breeze relax the mind. To play golf at Carey Island is pretty cheap especially to Beginners. The green fee is RM 20 on weekdays and RM 30 on weekend and minds you, for the full day. Play until you collapse. The only setback is a walking course, no buggy no turf mate and no beers. Golfer has to pull their own golf bag trolley. The most appropriate golf course to reflex the lazy bones and muscles.

After lunch we drove to the end of the island and I was facing the Straits of Melaka. Out at sea, the ships were at the anchorage awaiting for free berth at Port Klang West Port. I looked at the ships and tankers at the open sea and my mind reflected to my nostalgic Esso and Guthrie days. However I was sadden by the Local Authorities for neglecting this area. The sea bunds were mostly eroded by the angry waves. It is not a good choice to camp, picnic or swim at the beach. I hope one day, someone decide to build a Resort at this part of the Island or at least an esplanade.

Since we were on the island we might as well visit the Mahameri tribe. We entered Kampong Judah and it was the wrong place. The tribe here does not do any wood carving. We found the right kampong and it was at Kampong Bumbun. The show room was completed but not officially inaugurated. We stopped at one shelter operated by Alias bin Sayor and he gave us a good briefing about the Mahameri people and their craftsmanship. They are very friendly people and they taught me some of their basic language. They speak fluent Malay, just like any Malay. Mahameri tribes at Carey Island stay at five (5) settlement or kampong. Their language is far different than the other Aboriginal tribes of the mainlander. Their religious belief is ancestral (moyang).

The Ministry of Heritage, Dr. Rais Yatim constructed eleven (11) small shelters where these people can do their carvings in comfort. I was fascinated with the young tribesmen who attentively do the carving and they are really proud of their skills. They also aired their disappointment that their tribes is been push around and sooner a golf course is in the making at the fringe of their kampong. They would be sandwiched. I consoled them, with that developments, they may get employed at the golf course. However, they told me on the other hand they find difficulty getting the right wood for their carvings as the jungles and swamps has been cleared. I tend to agree with them but what can I do? Some tycoon had secured the state land and in the process of emerging an alternative golf course on Carey Island. Alias bin Sayor invited us to Kampong Bumbun on 16 March 2010 for their tribal ceremony. We left the Mahameri tribe with their carvings and frustrations. It was an experience to meet them and I personally learnt a lot about them.

25 February 2010:

Mid morning, Malek and I send someone to KLCCT. Since we were around the Sepang area we decided to have a look at the Sepang Gold Coast Resort Project at Bagan Lalang. There is a massive project going on there and on the drawing board, the development would include four (4) Resort Hotels, three (3) traditional/ethnic resorts, Marina, Sea Frontage Township, Aquarium, Zoo, Theme park, Ecotourism AQrea and Oceanography Institute. New road to the Resort is being constructed avoiding the current traffic flow through a kampong. It is a very ambitious project duplicating the Gold Coast at Brisbane Australia. I wonder whether we can get the crowd similar to the Gold Coast Brisbane. The beach at this part of the world is not very conducive for swimming as it is muddy. I hope the Theme Park, Zoo, and the Aquarium would attract and enhance local tourism.

Resort Hotels out at sea.

My main idea intention to Bagan Lalang was to get some fresh fishes at the Beach Fish Market. I bought various and filled up the polystyrene box for two week rations.

Heading home, we took a slow drive along the coastal road. Most significant changes are the Morib Inn and its Golf Course. The Inn had been renovated with additional rooms and the golf course had been upgraded to eighteen (18) holes. It was my regular weekend course before I kept my golf set in the store room in 2003. I smiled when I passed the narrow Par 3 located adjacent to the highway. It was laughter all round when my ball swayed to the left, landed on the toad tarmac, bounced and chased a taxi. OB, out of bound and addressed another shot and spot on, on the green.

We stopped for lunch at Jalan Kebun Malay Warong for typical home cooked Malay food. I had “gulai lemak pucuk ubi” and half salted egg.

We reached home just after zohor.