24 April 2011 – Early in the morning Malek and I fetched Haji Zainal (nickname Jack) at Shah Alam. The trio took the bypass to the north vide the Guthrie Expressway to get into the North/South PLUS Highway. To start the long journey we had a quickie breakfast at Rawang R&R. Destination was Penang Island.
Along the highway we took a break at Bukit Gantang R&R to ease our leg muscles. We then drove straight up to Sungai Dua to pick up Azmi who would be my local Guide to Penang Pearl
Nadia's wedding.
My companion fetched me when I was done with the reception.
After dropping off Azmi at Sungai Dua we proceed to Kuala Perlis, stopping at Gurun R&R for our jamak prayers. I was shocked someone called for me and to my surprise it was Dato Azmi stopping for the same purpose on his way back to Alor Star. Dato Azmi was with me during the 14 – 28 March 2011 umrah. We were both surprised to bump with each other at such a peculiar place.
We arrived at Kuala Perlis at 1745 hrs and the last ferry to Langkawi Island was at 1800 hrs. It was a mad rush as I had to arrange the car to be parked at the Marine Department and hurriedly bought the ferry ticket to Langkawi Island. There was no problem with ticketing as the ferry was only half full.
The ferry ride was smooth as the sea was very calm. As we approached Langkawi Island, the sceneries were fantastic with the evening sunset dropping behind the cluster of several small islands. The ferry berthed at Kuah ferry terminal at 1900 hrs and we waited for Ramli - Jack old buddy. Ramli provided us with a car for our pleasure during our stay at Langkawi. We drove to Pantai Tengah and checked in into Charlie Motel. A beautiful Motel by the sea frontage well equipped and highly recommended for families with children.
At Charlie Motel, Pantai Tengah.
Charlie Motel frontage.
After dinner we went to Pantai Cenang. This is the place in Langkawi where the excitement takes place. Local tourists as well as Backpackers throng this area. We decided to move in to this area the following day as Charlie Motel was too quiet and way off from the bright lights.
We retired late at 0300 hrs in the morning.
25 April 2011 – after subuh prayer, we strolled along the beach for the breezy fresh air and then adjourned for “roti canai” breakfast at Padang Matsirat. We then drove to Kuah Shopping Centre for casual shopping. Kuah Shopping Centre and the Mall is the local tourist favorite due to its tax free status. I picked up few household items for my other half back home. The item was to authenticate that I really landed in Langkawi.
Jack decided to meet an old friend at Teluk Ewah and we drove up to Pasir Hitam, the black sand beach. Haji Samak eagerly waited for Jack and met us at Kedah Cement entrance. He then directed us inside Kedah Cement Canteen as this man is the Canteen operator of Kedah Cement. We took simple luncheon. Jack served Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in Langkawi Airport for six (6) years and he has a lot of local acquaintances in Langkawi. He seems to know all the Langkawi senior citizens and the old folks.
Pasir Hitam Fishing Jetty.
Teluk Ewah Kedah Cement Factory.
We took a drive to Datai beach and then we landed at Pantai Cenang to check in at Haji Ismail Motel. Though it was cheaper than Charlie Motel but it was short of facilities like a fridge and a kettle and not recommended for family occupancy.
Pantai Cenang Chalets.
Pantai Cenang beach.
At night Haji Samak insisted that we have dinner at his residence. After dinner we visited Tok Chin who is the famous 94 year old Orthopedic Bomoh in Langkawi. Old timer Langkawi residents know Tok Chin very well. Tok Chin showed me a testimonial from United Kingdom, thanking the old man for curing his fourteen (14) year spinal problem. Jack had a left ankle problem and Tok Chin fixed him up.We then back to the Motel to rest for the night.
26 April 2011 – Last day in Langkawi. Immediately after subuh prayer we walked to the roadside Café. The local Taxi Drivers were curious as three strangers still in their sarong were having breakfast at the roadside Café normally patronize by Backpackers. We checked out from the Motel and last shopping was at Padang Matsiarat. I had to get several bottles of Gamat ointment. We then paid a visit to Pak Din and wife (Ramli’s parent). Finally we picked up Ramli at his Office to return the car and for Ramli to send us to the Ferry Terminal at Kuah for our return journey to the mainland - Kuala Perlis.
The ferry departed at 1230 hrs and arrived at Kuala Perlis at 1330 hrs.
After collecting the car at the Marine Department parking area I was met by an old acquaintance, Atan. Atan was with me for the whole of 2009 Ramadan in the Holy Land. Atan insisted that I stayed on in Perlis for a night to be his guest as he had already booked a chalet for our stay at Mata Ayer Recreation Park. Since Malek and Jack agreed, I decided to oblige. Atan was delighted and he led us straight for lunch opposite the Snake Farm at Batu Pahat. It was a pleasure to meet Atan again and we were recalling the good old days when we performed our umrah together.
Mata Ayer Recreation Park.
We then checked in into Mata Ayer Recreation Park Resort chalet. Since it was off season and weekdays we were booked into the VIP chalet. The chalet was perfect except there was no fridge. The Resort was quiet and lonely as a graveyard as it is located in the forest reserve. Atan is now our Tourist Guide cum host and he was to show Northern Perlis to us. He took us to the Primate Zoo, Snake Farm and Horses Stable. I was not keen on the horses but I love to see the various species of snakes and the primate animals. Apparently, Atan is the Primate Animal Zoo Chief Steward and he has a camper within the Zoo compound.
The VIP Chalet.
Atan showed us Padang Besar by the evening, a border town with Thailand. Since it was already late in the evening the Bazaar were closing up. Nothing much to explore and we just sat down for a drink and Thai Tomyam soup.
Later at night, Atan organized a barbeque dinner at his camper within the Primate Zoo compound. We had few other guests as well and It was finally at 0200 hrs we returned to the Resort. The road was lonely and eerie at this hour of the night. We had a good rest as the surroundings were so peaceful and quiet within the forest. The noise of the forest insects reminded me of my childhood days in the kampong. I was now returning to nature. Before I hit the sack, I ensured all the open holes were covered up as I was afraid snakes might slip in.
27 April 2011 – After the subuh prayer we all went back to sleep and awakened at 0830 hrs. We checked out from the Resort as we had a long journey home to Port Klang. I called up the Host and thanked him for the hospitality. We stopped in Kangar for breakfast.
We took the Perlis/Kedah coastal road and the next stop was Tanjung Dawai in Kedah at the sea product Bazaar. Jack was familiar with Kak Yah Stall No: 20 and we had a good price for all our purchases. Thank you, Kak Yah and I would surely recommend my friends and readers to visit her Stall No: 20 whenever in Tanjung Dawai.
We joined the PLUS Highway at Sungai Petani North. We stopped for lunch and jamak prayers at Juru R&R and coffee at Kuala Kangsar Riverside R&R. We were all feeling sleepy and it was not safe to be on the road. On the way to Ipoh before the tunnel up on the mountain range it was pouring and our journey was slowed down. We did not make any stop further down the highway and finally we made the final stoppage at Guthrie Expressway R&R at 1930 hrs for drink and jamak prayer. I normally patronize Pak Berahim Stall whenever I travelled from the north. Pak Berahim was a familiar face as he was the former Security Official at Wisma Guthrie.
We sent Jack back to Shah Alam and reached home at 2100 hrs. By 2330 hrs I was in bed like a python.
The python at the Snake Farm.
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