Saturday, June 18, 2005
11:05 PM

Part II: Tasik Kenyir

Day 3:

A painting of nature

Charlie's Angels (neoprint background)

neighbours poking their heads out

Checked out in the morning and poof~ that was the end of the trip to paradise… We took the boat back to Merang Jetty and took a bus to Tasik Kenyir. The bus driver brought us to Kenyir Lakeview Resort, when we were actually supposed to go to Kenyir Lake Resort. We took loads of photos at Lakeview which is actually supposed to be a golf resort. It was sad that we couldn’t stay in the posh resort, but we paid much less, that’s why. We then took the buggy and took a boat to the resort. It was rather messy cuz the lady boss did not guide us there. So when we reached the place, we only got to know that we have 5 rooms. 2 pax per room. From far, the resort looked fine. But when we approached it, it was low-cost and rather dilapidated. It was just like another kelong. We were hungry after all the travelling. Besides it was already 2 plus in the afternoon and we had not have lunch. We couldn’t communicate well with the employee who spoke only Bahasa with a heavy Indonesian accent. Luckily the lady boss came and assured us that lunch will be ready soon.

The view at Tasik was pictureque. We were just like bathing in the rich colours. The lake is just like a magnified version of the quarries in Ubin. After all, Tasik Kenyir is half the size of Singapore. It's so big you call the pieces of land in the lake 'islands'.

After lunch we took a short walk to a rapid where the water was cold and the rocks was slippery. We sat down in a sittable area and began singing, or rather, shouting songs. First was familiar songs and HC songs and later we began singing National songs with zest. Every song is accompanied by splashing of the cold water, and every time it will start from PG. So fun!!!

The resort is run by this lady boss from KL. She lives with the Indonesian employee and her 3 sons. According to Yangyang who is only 6 years old, his Dad and older sister are both in KL. As ispeaks Cantonese, we began learning Cantonese from Sophia and Phyllis. But it seems like we are more proficient in scolding pple with Cantonese, like “lei oi sek si” and “lei ge si fat hou dai. Ngo hou gaeng!” Super lame…

The food here is much better than that at Redang Reef. We had fried fish (think it’s kim mang lor) for lunch, and for dinner we had steamed black fish (with flat head) and looks like a snakehead. It doesn’t look hard to catch, so I dun tink it’s a snakehead.

Day 4:

Woke up and managed to catch a little of the sunrise. After breakfast, we set off with Abang (Brother) to the dam run by Electrik Gaya Hidup Masa Kini (‘GO’ Electric). There was nothing much to do there, but crazy us took loads of photos there. We tried to do the SMU pose and attempted to capture ourselves jumping in air. Tze and I tried to stand on Wanling’s hands in the photo as well… As we tried to do piggy-back race, PG fell on the tar roads and scratched both her knees. Later Abang gave her 2 cloths for her to tie her wounds. Aww…

Later went to Lasir Waterfall. At first we just sat on the rocks and took photos, but Abang actually walked to the waterfall to show us how to play. Haha… Then we stayed under the rushing waters from the waterfall. It was cold but shiok! When we tried to shake our heads in the water, Nini lost her specs. Tsktsk… Luckily she still has her contacts.

Next was a visit to Taman Herba, which is Herbal Park. We went there to feed the mozzies. So in order to replace the blood lost, we drank Kacip Fatimah which is good for girls. There’s also Tongkat Ali for men. Abang merely said it’s for energy, but can guess it’s good for guys cuz can “zhuang yang”. Muahaha…

On our way back to the resort, Nini dropped her cap on the waters. Tsktsk. The boat had to gostan and I picked up the cap for her.

Tasik view

Nighttime was madness karaoke session. We sang till some time before 12 mn and the climax was “Larger Than Life” when Phyllis, Moomoo, Nini and I went mad and sang it with so much enthusiasm. Pple can juz be so crazy when they are tired.

After a discussion about the next day’s activities, we went out in the open to look at stars. Jingwen saw a shooting star first, and was so excited that she forgot to make a wish. Then I saw another! It’s so weird that I tried looking for shooting stars in Singapore and Ubin, but have never seen any b4. Then I saw another. Woo~

Day 6:

Brushing our teeth!

B4 setting off to land, we walked to the rapid once again to take pictures and got ourselves all sweaty and smelly. When we reached KT, the streets were rather empty. The shops were all closed! We walked to the state mosque which is white in colour and does not look extremely impressive from the outside. Right beside it is the Istana which is made from limestone, egg yolk, coarse salt and honey. It’s not impressive either, and hard to believe the Sultan lives there. As we walked, we noticed that guys will blow whistles at us. We were quite dressed actually. All of us wore, at the least, berms and T-shirt. Think Trengganu is really a very conservative place. Lunch was at Restoran Istimewa Puteri. Well, dinner was at the same place too, since not many shops were open, unless u count KFC and Pizza Hut in.

We walked to Pasar Payang and it’s just like any other wet market, and then we continued walking to Chinatown. Finally, we found some shops open and found out from the auntie that Friday is holiday for pple in Trengganu. Saw dead, dried and preserved puffer fish for sale in one of the shops as souvenirs. Quite gross actually. We spent about 2 hours in Chinatown just shopping in 3 shops! Madness.

Our next stop was at the “Orchard Rd” of Trengganu. Went to Vincci which sells bracelets and necklaces aside shoes, Converse and Watsons. We then passed by the “Shenton Way” where many banks are located.

Basically, by the time we walked back it was time for dinner. Say Singapore is small, town in KT is worse. Chinatown, “Orchard Rd” and “Shenton Way” in Trengganu are so closely situated and of walkable distances from each other.

Without us noticing it, the trip soon came to an end. Will really miss the fun and craziness faking Indian accents, learning Canto, Hokkien and Malay… Miss the rich colours in Redang and Tasik Kenyir… Miss the marine creatures in Redang… Miss the sun and the sea… Goodbye paradise…