Categories
Tourism Malaysia

PEKAN RABU

One of the most popular attractions in Alor Setar, the capital of Kedah, is its Pekan Rabu, which literally means Wednesday Market, a business complex selling every traditional stuff that Kedah is famous for. What makes Pekan Rabu more special to the Kedahans is because Malaysia’s fourth and currently seventh Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, born in Alor Setar, was once a trader there.

Yes, you heard it right! During the Japanese Occupation, Tun Dr. Mahathir’s studies were interrupted so he decided to return to his birthplace and become a trader at the old Pekan Rabu, selling fruits, banana fritters, coffee and handicrafts until the World War II ended.

When Tun Dr. Mahathir became a politician, he made it his personal mission to turn the traditional market into a commercial one. He made sure that the weekly market operating from an attap shack, became a multi-storey arcade selling a wide range of stuff from traditional delicacies like “dodol durian” to mengkuang mats and apparel.

The brick-and-mortar shopping complex was built on Jalan Tunku Ibrahim in 1975 and was officially opened in 1978 by Tun Dr. Mahathir himself, the then-Deputy Prime Minister. It had 347 stalls with a variety of businesses and became one of the important landmarks of Alor Setar. The Phase 2 of the shopping complex was built in 1990 and later, in 1995, the original building was renovated.

Pekan Rabu has always been a compulsory stop in Tun Dr. Mahathir’s annual Ramadan pilgrimage to Alor Setar. On his recent visit to Pekan Rabu after he became the Prime Minister for the second time, Tun Dr. Mahathir visited the stall selling the ‘Songkok Style Tun’ which has become his favourite and one he frequents regularly.

The history of Pekan Rabu actually goes as far back as World War I. A prince from the royal household of Kedah, the late Tunku Yaacob Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid, wanted to encourage more Malays to take an active role in commercial activities. So, in the early 1920s, he initiated a weekly market, open only on Wednesdays, along Sungai Kedah near Tanjung Chali. It became a training ground for the Malays to do business and it later evolved into a daily market when the business became prosperous. In 1932, Pekan Rabu was shifted to its present location in Jalan Tunku Ibrahim.

In 2014, Pekan Rabu was given a total makeover in an effort to make it more attractive to tourists. Even though the upgrading of the complex involved building a four-storey complex with a modern architecture, the original concept of Pekan Rabu, which made it unique, was maintained, including its traditional Islamic architecture.
The former Pekan Rabu used to have two separate buildings but the new building has everything under one roof to make shopping more comfortable for its visitors. It currently has 355 business lots, as well as 48 kiosks and 24 food stalls. There is also an exhibition area on the ground floor. It is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.

Pekan Rabu offers a wide range of goods and services, including crockery, jewellery, textiles, traditional medicines, wedding and bridal items, local delicacies and handicrafts. For the locals, it is a complete shopping mall that fulfils all needs, while for tourists, it is glimpse into the daily lives of both traders and the local customers.

Let us throw a challenge to the would-be visitor to Pekan Rabu. Whenever you have an opportunity to visit the place, take the time to trace our Prime Minister’s favourite haunts or shops at Pekan Rabu. If you are lucky, the original traders there might share a story or two about the world’s oldest country leader, our Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir. Good luck!

Getting There

By Car or Taxi
From the North-South Expressway (PLUS), take either the Alor Setar Selatan or Alor Setar Utara exit and follow the signboard heading to Alor Setar City Centre. From there you can see the signboard showing how to get to ‘Pekan Rabu’.

By Train (ETS)
From Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station to Alor Setar, Kedah will take approximately 5 1/2hours journey by KTM ETS

Who To Contact
Koperasi Pekan Rabu Alor Setar Berhad
Tel: +604-733 5929

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

A ROAD TRIP BACK IN TIME

A Road Trip Back in Time

Malaysia is rich with history, not only from the Dutch or British era but also from the World War II events that took place on this land. My friend and I decided that we would make a trip to revive some forgotten times. Thus, we set off on a historical road-trip that we named “2 historical states in 2 days”!

For those attempting to follow in our footsteps, rest assure that driving on Malaysian roads and highways is totally safe and enjoyable with great infrastructure and amenities along the way. Your long-distance drive can be interspersed with stops along the clean RnRs (Rest and Relax lay-bys) where there are food stalls, restrooms, convenience stores, petrol stations and Muslim prayer rooms.

The Mammoth on the Lake
From Kuala Lumpur, our first historic stop was to visit a “machine” from the British colonial era. Driving up north on the North-South PLUS Highway, we headed to Tanjung Tualang in Batu Gajah, a forgotten town that used to be famous for tin-mining activities in its heyday.

Briefly, Malaysia used to be the world’s largest tin producer, but when tin prices fell in 1980s, tin mining as an industry slowly ceased to exist in the country.

The “machine” we were going to check out is one of the last remaining pieces of Perak’s tin mining history. The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 – or TT5 as it was called – stood heftily on the lake. This mammoth of a machine is Kinta Valley’s latest attraction. It was newly refurbished as a public museum to provide a glimpse into Malaysia’s tin-mining era in the old days.

Built in 1938, this surviving (but no longer in operation) bucketline tin dredge is simply a magnificent piece of engineering invention. It was originally steam-operated, but later turned fully electric in 1963.

We spent the rest of the tour with our well-informed guide, listening to how the tin dredge was operated and how the mines had changed not only the lives of people in Perak in those days, but also how the entire industry transformed and developed Malaysia.

One can explore almost all the areas of the tin dredge, touch and feel the machinery and also participate in some activities. We actually learned how to do manual tin mining – just to feel the experience of the original-time consuming method. After a “hard day’s work,” we took a sip at the lovely The Can Tin Diner, a small outlet which offers beverages and snacks.

The Original Tin Miners’ Club
We then left Batu Gajah on a 30 minute drive headed straight for Ipoh, the capital city of Perak which had its fair share of history to tell as well.

To delve deeper into Malaysia’s tin mining history, we visited Han Chin Pet Soo museum. For those who are interested to learn more about Malaysia’s tin mining history, there is no better place to do so than at this museum housed in what was once known as a private club for tin mining towkays since the 1890s. We explored three floors’ worth of old Malaya history through a guided tour and viewing unique exhibits such as a tin mine diorama, archived films, opium smoking paraphernalia, rare photographs and more.

That night, as we lulled ourselves to sleep at the Kinta Riverfront hotel in the city area, our dreams were of tin prospectors in old Malaya finding riches in the Kinta River.

Bridge to the Battlefields
The next day, we continued our journey to Penang and used the new Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah bridge to the island. This newly-built second link to the island was nearer to our ultimate destination, the Penang War Museum in Batu Maung.

It connects Bandar Cassia (Batu Kawan) in Seberang Perai on mainland Peninsular Malaysia with Batu Maung on Penang Island, and is the ideal bridge to take if you want to explore the southern parts of Penang Island.

It is the second bridge to link the island to the mainland after the first Penang Bridge. The total length of the bridge is 24 km (15 mi) with length over water at 16.9 km (10.5 mi), making it the longest bridge in Malaysia and the longest in Southeast Asia.

To abide by the Road Safety Audit, the bridge has numerous “S” shaped curves along its length. It took us about 20 minutes to cross the bridge.

Once in Batu Maung and as our car inched up the hill on which the museum stood, there was no mistaking that we were in “army territory” from the signages and war relics around.

The war bunker and fort at Batu Maung was erected by the British in the 1930s, but later came into the possession of the Japanese in 1941 when they turned it into a prisoners’ camp.

Exploring the various areas of the fort revealed many interesting relics such as pillboxes, underground shelters and bunkers dug deep into the ground. We entered a bunker that was once used as an ammunition storage area.  A bit further down, we saw a tunnel used to safely detonate bombs, big machine guns or launchers. We also saw the area where executions were carried out. A look into the barracks, now camouflaged by jungle, was a glimpse into the tormented lives and routines endured by the soldiers.

This definitely wasn’t a place for the faint-hearted, but for those who have a genuine love for history, they will find many fascinating stories and artefacts here to add depth to their knowledge of Malaysian history.

The Home of Heritage

We left the museum drenched in sweat, and the only thing to perk us up again was a comfortable warm bath in the lovely and eccentric Penaga Boutique Hotel. This cosy Baba-Nyonya inspired hotel is a cluster of 15 pre-war heritage shop houses converted into a an elegant five-star boutique accommodation full of character, right in the middle of George Town’s UNESCO heritage zone. Stepping into this Peranakan styled hotel transported us back to the origins of the Chinese and Malay cultures that fused all those years ago in Penang.

Staying the night here was a fitting way to end our history-tracing road trip as we immersed ourselves in the rich and colourful past of George Town City, whose amalgam of culture, heritage and traditions earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing.

And the best thing was the location – it was just a stone’s throw away from a legendary culinary establishment for the masses – Nasi Kandar Line Clear! Although the restaurant has its franchises, nothing beats the original flavours where it first became famous.

We left Penang the very next morning pleased that we had managed to go back several decades in time to relive Malaysia’s glorious past and enjoy the fruits of its present and future.

 

Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 or TT5 Museum 

Address9th KM, Jalan Tanjung Tualang, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak
Time:      9.00 am to 6.00 pm (Monday closed)
Phone:   +6014-904 3255
Fee:         From RM5 to RM20 and free for kids under 6 (Limited to 20 pax per session)

Han Chin Pet Soo Museum

Address: No. 3, Jalan Bijeh Timah (Treacher Street), 30100 Ipoh, Perak
Time: 9:30 am to 4:45 pm (Monday closed) Entry is by appointment only
Bookings: http://www.ipohworld.org/reservation/
Phone: +605 241 4541
Fee: No entrance fee, though donations of RM10 per adult and RM5 per child is welcomed

Penang War Museum

Address:  Batu Maung street, 11960 Batu Maung, Penang
Time: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm (Daily)
Plus 8.00 pm – 10.00 pm (Saturday Sunday)
Phone: +604-626 5142
Fee: From RM20 to RM35
*The museum is best reached by private transport.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

GARDENS OF EDEN

Malaysia is naturally blessed with 8,000 species of flowering plants, 3,000 species of trees, 1,000 species of orchids, 300 species of palms and 60 species of bamboos in our evergreen tropical landscape. It’s certainly a great “palette of colours” to have in designing a unique brand of Malaysian gardens and parks.

Although there is no exact record of the history of gardens in Malaysia, its existence and beauty have been described in many classic Malay literature from the 18th and 19th centuries. In them, gardens that surrounded the Malacca palace in the 15th century were described in great detail. Among the earliest mention of gardens in Malaysia was by a Buddhist pilgrim who came across the royal garden of an old Malay kingdom in 609 A.D. However, the first public garden in the country was introduced by the British in 1890 and is known till today as the Lake Gardens. Today, various beautifully-designed gardens can be found all over Malaysia.

Here, let me help you to explore some our beautiful gardens, just follow the smell of the blooming flowers and fresh cut grass.

 

Perdana Botanical Garden, Kuala Lumpur

The name Alfred Venning may not ring a bell to Malaysians compared to the Federate Malay States British Resident, Frank Swettenham. That Mr. Swettenham was a very, very popular gentleman during the British colonization in Malaya. However, it was Mr. Venning who was responsible for creating one of Malaysia’s first public recreational parks which he named the Lake Gardens in 1880. His original intention was actually to create a botanical garden but somehow it never made its mark as a botanical garden, not until 123 years later, that is.

In 1975, Venning’s Lake Gardens was officially renamed and opened as Taman Tasik Perdana or Perdana Lake Garden by the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak. Fast forward to 2010, Alfred Venning’s vision of turning the once swamp valley of the Sungai Brass Brass into a botanical garden had finally become a reality when Kuala Lumpur City Hall embarked on a mega project to upgrade the park into a Botanical Garden.  It was officially launched as the Perdana Botanical Garden on 28 June 2011.

Now that the public recreational park has been transformed into a botanical garden, you don’t have to be an arborist or horticulturist to notice and appreciate the various collections of unique trees be it local or foreign trees that are scattered throughout the 101.12-hectare garden. Be sure to pick up a map when you enter so you don’t miss anything; your visit will be much more interesting if you have a knowledgeable guide to walk through with you as an informative tour will help inspire you to look at plants and trees differently.

 

CHECK OUT THESE COOL PLANTS

 

  1. Kesinai Tree

Well-known as an expensive bonsai plant, Kesinai tree or Streblus Asper was chosen as an official symbol for the Perdana Botanical Garden by the former Kuala Lumpur Mayor, Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail for its unique characters. The cute collection of bonsai Kesinai can be found at the Topiary Collection section of the garden.

  1. Baobab or Adansonia Digitata

Exploring the garden will remind us of the simple beauty that nature offers every day no matter where we are in this world and which we always take for granted. Take Laman Perdana for example, it is an area where one will find majestic trees such as Baobab or Adansonia digitata, the Africa’s iconic ‘upside-down’ tree.

  1. Herbaceous Collections

Don’t forget to explore the beautiful landscape of the Conservatory where most of the herbaceous collections of the garden were originally kept in the conservatory, which dates back to the beginning of the Lake Gardens in 1889. You will be mesmerised by the beautiful collections of geraniums, aroids, and other foliage plants planted there.

  1. Brownea Trees

Make your way to the Brownea Street which is named after the rows of Brownea trees planted along the newly upgraded pathway. Seeing the tree up close, you will realise that Brownea macrophylla flowers grow on the main trunk of the tree. Fascinating, don’t you think so?

COOL ACTIVITIES AT THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

  1. EXERCISE

One of the best places to jog or walk or jump. With a 2.3-km running loop, the park also has a variety of exciting terrains – a mix of stairs, hills, flats, twists, and turns.

  1. BOAT RIDE

According to its website, the boats will be available soon for rental for those who would like to have a leisurely cruise on the lake.

  1. MALAYSIA CARTOON AND COMIC HOUSE

This gallery currently contains over 500 selected works (representing a mere 10% of the gallery’s archive!) dating from 1936-1990. Many of the works on show have been loaned from private collectors and cannot be viewed anywhere else in Malaysia.

  1. THE AMPHITHEATRE

On certain days and months, the public will be able to catch free performances by local artists. The information can be obtained from its website. The amphitheatre was built in the late 1960s. It was famous for providing free entertainment to the general public. Today, the refurbishment of the amphitheatre has been completed with roofs attached to provide shelter to visitors.

LOCATION
The Perdana Botanical Garden is situated within the Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park, which covers an area of more than 170 acres located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

AMENITIES
Apart from the café, restrooms, prayer room and parking area, the Perdana Botanical Garden also provides other amenities such as:-

Garden Trams
Trams are available for visitors to go around the grounds and stop at the sections they wish to explore.

Heritage Park Shuttle Trams
Shuttle trams are available daily to take visitors to all the attractions within the Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park. Tickets are valid throughout the day from 9 am to 6 pm. Ticket Fees: RM2 for adults and RM1 for children.

Bicycle Rental
For those who want to explore the garden on their own, bicycles are available for rental. Rates: RM3 each for 30 minutes.

GUIDED WALK
Guided walks are provided free of charge on Sundays, 8 am to 10 am. Visitors will be taken on an interesting walk around the garden by an experienced guide. For other times, private tours can be arranged for a fee.

Book a Guide:
Recreation Unit
Perdana Botanical Garden
Telephone: +603 2021 0812
(10am to 5pm) 

GETTING THERE
With the Lake Gardens’ central location in the capital, access is quite easy for visitors. Buses B115, B112, and B101 all stop within a 5-minute walk of the Perdana Lake Gardens.  Another option is to take the KTM Komuter train to the Old Kuala Lumpur station.

 

Putrajaya Botanical Garden – “Mother of All Gardens”

The biggest botanical garden in Malaysia, the Putrajaya Botanical Garden covers an area over 92 hectares. The park is divided into three sections – flowers, ornamental plants and preservation/research purposes.

The garden currently has more than 700 species of flowering plants, local plants as well as plants from the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions.

CHECK OUT THIS COOL PLANTS

  1. CYCAS / JAPANESE SAGO PALM

Cycas is an ancient plant that has been in existence since 230 over million years ago. During that time, this plant was a food source for herbivorous dinosaurs. This plant can be found at the Sun Garden.

  1. GAPING DUTCHMANS PIPE / ARISTOLOCHIA RINGENS

Gaping Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia ringens), is a perennial climbing plant from South America and can grow up to 6 m high. The flower tube ascends obliquely from the sack, dividing into two very long lips. The two lips give an impression of a gaping mouth.

  1. BODHI TREE

The bodhi tree is one of the fig tree species planted in Ficus Shade at the botanical garden. This tree is deemed sacred by Hindu and Buddha devotees as it was believed that Siddharta Buddha had meditated and received enlightenment under the tree.

COOL ACTIVITIES AT THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

  1. CANOPY BRIDGE

Enjoy the scenic tropical rainforest canopy. This 170-metres long bridge runs across a valley cultivated with various species of rainforest trees.

  1. SUN GARDEN

Visit the Sun Garden to learn how to tell time with the sundial. It is one of the oldest ways used by humans to tell time.

  1. The Lakeside – The Lake Boardwalk and Wetland

Enjoy taking a small walk on this walkway, where you get to see the dam that separates the Putrajaya Lake from the wetland

  1. MOROCCAN PAVILION

Visit the Moroccan Pavilion, with its unique Moorish-style architecture. The gallery located at this Moroccan Pavilion houses a collection of items and architecture from the famous royal cities of Fez, Maknes, Marrakech, and Rabat in Morroco.

  1. GIFT SHOP

Take home some interesting collections from its quaint gift shop offering environmentally friendly souvenirs.

Getting Here
ByCar/ Taxi/ Bus or ERL
This area is 25 km from Kuala Lumpur and 20 km north of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). One can use the Express Railway (ERL), car, taxi or bus to destinations in Putrajaya.

Who to Contact
Putrajaya Botanical Garden
Tel                   :           +603-8887 7770
Email               :           botani@ppj.gov.my
Website          :           www.ppj.gov.my

Penang Botanic Garden

The Penang Botanic Gardens, more popularly known as the “Waterfall Gardens”, was established by the British way back in 1884 from an old quarry site. The Gardens were founded by Charles Curtis from the Gardens and Forests Departments Straits Settlements. As the first Curator, Curtis was a devoted plant lover who tirelessly transformed the granite quarry into a garden, and greatly contributed to the botanical and horticulture development of the Gardens.

CHECK OUT THIS COOL PLANTS

  1. The Rain Tree

The magnificent rain tree at the main entrance of Penang Botanic Gardens had greeted many visitor since 1800’s. This fast growing shade-tree can grow up until 35 meter in height. Locals call it the “Pokok Pukul Lima” or the “5 o’clock Tree” because the compound exhibit “sleep motion”, that is they close just before sunset and open just after sunrise.

  1. The Canon Ball Tree / Couroupita Guaneensis

A beautiful fast growing tree which reaches 25m in height. The leaves have a life span of approximately 6 months after which they are shed rapidly so that the crown is usually bare for a day or two. A remarkable flowering tree bearing large pinkish red, fragrant waxy flowers borne on the tree trunk along woody twigs. Later, large reddish brown globular fruits emerge, each attaining the size of a human head and containing a mass of sour smelling pulp.

COOL ACTIVITIES AT THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

  1. EXERCISE

It is a great natural place to do exercise like jogging and cycling. It offers the best jogging track with beautiful garden scenery.

  1. HIKING

You can also do some hiking either through the forest or the main road from the botanical garden all the way to the Penang Hill.

  1. WATERFALL
    The waterfall on-site is privately owned although you can visit upon approval from the Penang Water Authority. Another way of visiting the waterfall is through organised monthly visits by ‘The Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens’, a non-governmental organisation.

Getting Here

By Road or Car
The Garden is about 8 km from the town centre. Parking is available at several car parks just outside the Garden entrance.

By Bus
Bus 10 from Georgetown takes you all the way to the Gardens. It stops in the large car park just outside the entrance.

Who to Contact
Penang Botanic Gardens Department
Address           :           Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 Penang, Malaysia
Tel                   :           +604-227 0428
Fax                  :           +604-228 6075
Email               :           botani@penang.gov.my
Website          :           http://botanicalgardens.penang.gov.my

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

A Spontaneous Road Trip to Pantai Klebang

An Afternoon at Klebang Beach

As part of the Unesco Heritage Sites, the ‘Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka’ needs no introduction. Many Malaysians are repeat visitors to this fascinating site. But today my friends and I decided to explore the area outside of the historic perimeter, to be precise, its coastal area.

Over the last couple of years, Klebang Beach (or Pantai Klebang, to the locals), a 15-minute drive out of Melaka City, has become viral because of these two things – food and sand dunes. These were the main reasons we made the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Pantai Klebang all the way from Kuala Lumpur, one fine afternoon. (Note: from Kuala Lumpur, drive southwards on the North-South Highway before taking the Ayer Keroh toll exit at which you can expect to pay RM12.90).

Upon hitting Melaka, we then decided to have our lunch at this newly-opened three-star hotel called MITC Hotel in Ayer Keroh because we had heard their claypot fish head curry was to-die-for. The curry was definitely delicious coupled with ulam (local salads) and stir fried spicy clams, making for a very satisfying lunch.

With our stomachs full, we headed straight to Pantai Klebang for a little bit of exploration and to shed the calories we had just consumed. Our first stop, the Submarine Museum.

Submarine Museum

The Quessant Agosta 70 FS, with a carrying capacity of 41 passengers, was previously used to train Malaysia’s submarine crew from 2005 to 2009 following the acquisition of two submarines by the Ministry of Defence, Malaysia. Today, it has been turned into a museum, allowing visitors to go on board to experience what life is like in a sub.

I already had an idea that the inside of a submarine would be small but I didn’t realise just how narrow or cramped it would be, making me feel almost claustrophobic. The strong smell of diesel still lingered in the air at the front of the submarine where four tornadoes used to be.

My respect towards the training crew peaked after I saw how tiny the captain’s quarters was, not to mention the alley, the galley (kitchen) and the bathroom. To think that they had to spend 9,000 training hours — the equivalent of four years — underwater inside that vessel, was just beyond my belief.

My advise is to visit this museum during weekdays or at low-season. Due to the confined space within the submarine, it will be a little difficult to maneuver yourself in a crowd.

If the guide is not available, you can read about the history of FS Quessant at the information gallery provided by the museum within the compound.

The Submarine Museum is located at Dataran 1Malaysia, Klebang, Malacca. Its GPS coordinate is N 2.213988, E 102.198461 and it is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Visitors pay an entrance fee of RM5.00 while children below 12 are charged RM3.00.

For more information on the submarine museum,
please contact Perbadanan Muzium Melaka at +606 – 282 6526,
or visit the website at www.perzim.gov.my or facebook page at https://ms-my.facebook.com/MelakaMuseum.

Malaysian Desserts

There are three local desserts that have gone viral over the last couple of years and all of them are located at Pantai Klebang. After the visit to the museum, we drove around the Limbongan and Klebang Kecil area to search for them.

Kuih Keria Antarabangsa Hj. Jalil

Kuih keria is a Malaysian-style glazed sugar doughnut that is made from sweet potatoes. The shop that sells this kuih keria is so famous that people do not mind the long queues to get a taste of the sweet and fluffy snack, which is perfect for an afternoon tea, or any time of the day, actually.

The owner, Mr. Jalil Tompang, 74, says he uses around 150 kg of sweet potatoes per day to make about 1,000 pieces of his super delicious kuih keria. He personally prepares the ingredients and fries the doughnuts himself. Our verdict? We just couldn’t get enough of his kuih keria. Bear in mind that it is best eaten hot. One kuih keria will cost you 50 cents and the maximum you can buy is 20 pieces.

Putu Piring Generasi Ketiga

The putu piring is a traditional dessert made of ground rice flour filled at the centre with gula melaka or palm sugar, and then gently steamed in metal conical moulds. The stall selling this famous putu piring by the roadside at Kompleks Niaga Limbongan is manned by Hajah Zalika Lajis, 65, and assisted by her daughter Fazilah Mohamad, 36. According to Hajah Zalika, her mother started the business in 1969 at almost the exact same spot. The only difference is that there used to be a beach where a row of shophouses now stands behind her stall.

Now that her daughter is also involved in the business, she has named the stall as “Putu Piring Generasi Ketiga” or The Third Generation Putu Piring. What is so special about their putu piring is that the rice flour is homemade and not store-bought in packets. Yes, I can see why these pillowy puffs have such a following. At first bite, the putu piring tastes soft and moist, while the melted palm sugar oozing out tastes caramelly delicious.

The putu piring here comes in original, durian and chocolate flavours. Each is presented with a sprinkling of freshly grated coconut tinged with some salt on the side, served on a square of banana leaf, which naturally fragrances the dessert. The original flavour is priced at RM3 for five pieces while the other two flavours are priced at RM4 for five pieces.

Klebang Original Coconut Shakes

We must thank Mr. Shafie Ahmad, 55, from Klebang Kecil because, if not for his ingenuity, we would never have guessed that coconuts and vanilla ice cream go really well together! He created this coconut shake about 10 years ago by blending the white coconut flesh with sugar syrup, ice cubes and vanilla ice cream and topped it off with another scoop of vanilla ice cream. The coconut shake has now become a must-try whenever one makes a visit to Melaka.

It was late afternoon when we reached his restaurant and from the crowd gathering there, it looked like Mr. Shafie’s coconut shakes were very popular among locals and tourists alike. Various food and traditional kuih (desserts) at the restaurant are provided by the locals as he only sells coconut shakes. The restaurant operates from 11 am until 6.30 pm every day. He still maintains his old stall by the roadside for those wanting to buy a take-away coconut shake. Our verdict was the coconut shakes tasted yummy and creamy, perfect for such a hot and humid weather. Expect to pay RM3.50 per shake.

Pantai Klebang Beachfront

We decided to enjoy our desserts at the beach while waiting for the sun to set. By evening, Pantai Klebang is full of activity, filled with people playing kites, kids blowing and chasing bubbles, as well as horses carrying people back and forth. There were many food stalls there, too. Unlike other beaches, it is not advisable to swim at Pantai Klebang, but it was still an ideal place for a family picnic, though.

Pantai Klebang Sand Dunes

Here was the tricky part of the trip. The sand dunes at Pantai Klebang had gone viral for several years now but it was one of those off-the-beaten path attractions that required some navigational skills to find. Still, it attracts photographers, be it amateur or professional, who claim that this place is perfect for outdoor wedding and high fashion photography shoots.

Be prepared to walk several kilometres in or about 20 minutes on sandy terrain to reach the sand dunes. The scenery is worth every difficult step, though, especially when the sun started going down into the horizon, painting the sky with a myriad of colours from yellow to orange to red and purple before going totally dark. The changing colours of the sky also transformed the colours of the sand dunes making it look like we were on another planet. This place is definitely Instagram-worthy and has potential as a film location for movies. It has also become an increasingly popular destination for sandboarding, which is another type of high adrenaline sport.

In reality, the hills of sands which was a result of a land reclamation project in the Klebang area was a perfect mimic of the desert. It is located between Pantai Klebang Melaka and the Submarine Museum. However, there is no signboard and you have to enter at your own risk.

While you are in Pantai Klebang, why don’t you give it a try. I promise that it is one of the best places to see the sun set. And I’ll bet that it is also the best place to do a little stargazing, but only if you dare to stay at the place after dark.

After that long walk and all the climbing that we did at the sand dunes, it was time to get back the energy by having an authentic Peranakan (Nyonya) dish at the Seafarer Restaurant nearby. The food here is a fusion of seafood and Nonya-style cooking, with a hint of Chinese and Malay culinary influences. We had a nyonya-style asam pedas fish (fish cooked in a gravy of chillies and tamarind broth, thus it is both spicy and sour), sambal beancurds and hot plate tofu with white rice for dinner. Everything was delicious and combined with the restaurant’s ambience, it was a must-try restaurant. We actually took our dinner al-fresco by the beach, which was why this restaurant was so cool. It was lively and gave you that “live by the beach” vibe.

All in all, it was a well-spent day with friends at Pantai Klebang.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Lingering at Lang Tengah Island

By Anis Rozalina Ramli

On the 45-minute boat journey from Merang, Terengganu, it was evident which of the many islands on the horizon belonged to Pulau Lang Tengah. It was the only one circled by a lone eagle, or lang, in flight.

The island’s geographical location, sandwiched between Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang, explains the other part of its name.

Like the middle child in a family, Pulau Lang Tengah does suffer somewhat from the middle child syndrome. It is often overlooked in favor of Pulau Redang’s famous marine park and Pulau Perhentian’s Long Beach – both having earned a following among tourists and backpackers from foreign countries.

When it comes to Pulau Lang Tengah, even the locals in Terengganu could only offer a blank stare as to its location.

Beautiful Rock formation on Pulau Lang Tengah

Well, perhaps, this disregard is not such a bad thing because, in the end, it puts Pulau Lang Tengah where it should be – left for the quiet enjoyment of those who truly appreciate the peaceful nature of this secluded gem in the South China Sea. Because unlike its siblings, Pulau Lang Tengah is best enjoyed unhurriedly, like that slow sip of fine champagne or the melting of a truly fine piece of chocolate on the tongue.

Without the crowd of lounging backpackers, swaggering divers, and tired-looking families, you get the sense that the island is all yours. There is no one around to block the sun while you sunbathe, no one to elbow at the buffet counter, no one to fight with over the last deck chair. With only a handful of resort operators spaced out on separate beaches on the island, there really is space for you to breathe and relax, whether on land or in the water.

Of course, when in the water, you might have to jostle about with the schools of fish, but again, that’s not a bad thing. Not when you have colorful parrot fish, silver needlefish, and sergeant fish coming up close to inspect their new swimming partner.

With just a mask, fins and, for safety, a life jacket, one can already enjoy what Pulau Lang Tengah serves up best – abundant marine life in its beautiful blue waters. Most resort operators here offer full-board package deals that already include a few snorkeling trips around the island.

Snorkeling off the beach easily offers encounters with colourful fish and corals. With a boat, snorkelers can explore the underwater world at other parts around the island like Batu Bulan, Karang Nibong and Blue Coral where the best snorkeling sites are Fry fish, silvery pompano, red-breasted Maori wrasse, snapper and masked rabbitfish are among the common underwater denizens. The various types of coral here include a table, boulder, brain, cabbage and staghorn corals.

There have been sightings of blacktip sharks around the rocky outcrops in the sea by snorkelers. Harmless, the guys at the dive shop say. Still, a close encounter with this shark may stir memories of another dorsal fin that struck fear in many. Besides spotting a shark or two, the other highlight would be to see turtles coming up to lay eggs on the beach at Turtle Bay. It happens but is a rare occasion. Guests can check with the resort operator for details.

For an even closer look at the underwater world, there is diving to be done. Most of the resorts on the island have their own dive shop with PADI-certified dive guides. The ten or so dive sites around the island are colourful feasts for the eyes.

So yes, despite being the hidden gem that it is, Pulau Lang Tengah has plenty to keep its guests occupied. But then, who cares about all that when you’ve come to escape from it all.