Long Stay @ Pulau Ketam

It's a long weekend and I wish to bring the family for a short getaway. I have browsed through the net for any interesting things to do in Pulau Ketam, but majority of the results were disappointing. Many say it is not worth the trip because they are looking for ready entertainment. All that's being said did not satisfy me. My mom came from fishing village. I remember I had a good time when I followed her back for holidays. And so I continue to seek for that childhood joys and hope to share them with my kids. That's when I came across one blog http://ys-electrical.blogspot.com/2011/09/pulau-ketam.html. I was thinking the homestay concept would suit my purpose better on introducing the kids to life in a fishing village (rather than a soul-les hotel room).

Since I want it to be a carefree getaway for the whole family, I suggested a train ride to Pelabuhan Klang instead of tiring drive for Ben. We leisurely start our journey in the afternoon.

The jetty is across the road from the Komuter KTM Pelabuhan Klang Station. We walked across and took the speedboat instead of the usual ferry. It was a windy ride with a view to boot towards Pulau Ketam. The beauty of using the speedboat is that they can drop you at any destination you requested.

We could have disembarked right at the doorstep of our homestay destination. But it was our first time, and we do not even know where exactly is the place.. We used the long way from the official jetty of Pulau Ketam. From the jetty, it was a good 10 minutes walk from the jetty through the narrow-elevated streets to Long Stay.

Heading out to the sea

Once we reached, the keeper gave us the key to our room. We dumped all our luggage and were whisked off for the evening tour - a boat ride.

We were the only ones on the boat that day. The kids get to be captains of the boat for a while.

There is even a hammock for us to relax on the ride.

We reached Sungai Lima Village and had a walk around. The village produces dried prawns and belacan (shrimp paste). Unfortunately, we came late in the evening, so all the drying and processing has already ended that day. But the village walk-a-bout was still fun as many of the houses there were decorated with colourful murals. 

The village kids were very friendly. They even pose for my photoshoot. Behind this boy is the village's community notice board.

Once in a while, you will see boats coming back from fishing.

The highlight of our boat tour was eagle feeding. The boat captain discovered this place and he'd come often to feed the eagles. Now the eagles can recognised his boat and one of it actually accompany us along our journey after we have left that place.

Kids were throwing out eagle feed to attract the eagles.

There were hundreds of eagles. The scenery was awe-inspiring.

And all along our journey, you get to enjoy epic scenery that would definitely motivates you or keep you in awe.

 We left the eagles behind and head out to the high seas in search of:
1) Dolphin - not present
2) Seal - not present
3) Sunset - checked

 By the time we are back, the sky has already darken. Cold and hungry, we were greeted with the steamboat dinner prepared by the keeper.




Simple and fresh seafood. Cold drinks and warm soup. Perfect!











Thinking the food is too much for us, we took our own sweet time to eat. We sat from 8pm to 10pm. We ended up clearing everything, including 4 portion of dried fried noodles (yee mee). The keeper must have wondered if we are descendants of Sit Yan Guai (the infamous legend that has an appetite of 10 men).

SUNRISE @ LONG STAY~~~
We woke up around 7am and get to witness such beautiful sunrise.
 The kids truly enjoy their stay here. They get to eat, play and sleep above the sea. The environment is so relaxing.

Cool sunrise

Warm sunrise

For breakfast, we were served local nasi lemak. The sambal is made of dried chili. Something different.












After breakfast, I taught my kids my favourite pastime when I spent my holiday in mom's village. crab fishing.

Our equipments consist solely strings and rubber band.

Our haul of the day

After the chaotic catch, the kids set the crabs back to freedom.
Hope they learnt the lesson and not be so curious in future.

After saying goodbye to the crabs, we then took a walk to the village center. What an interesting walk. We saw 3 snakes and lots of big-big midskippers. Some pretty birds and fishes in the rivers.

We rented 2 double seater bikes. We rode all over the shophouses and temples. Cut through the markets and explore the ends and corners of the island. Then we stopped for the O'Chien (oyster omelette) and Lala'Chien (clam omelette).

It was bright afternoon by the time we came back to Long Stay. The water has receded by that time.

 The last meal served by the keeper for our stay is a simple home-cooked meal. But it is the heart of putting these food up that I truly appreciate. Keeper's mom is the cook. She had prepared shark meat for our lunch, but seeing the kids, she suggested deep fried instead of the usual curry. The fishballs were home-made and the cucumbers were home-grown. I truly appreciate these meals.

fried shark meat ~ sweet and meaty

home-grown cucumber

home-made fishball soup - heart+tummy warming

naturally sweet prawns

After packing our bags and returning the key to our keeper. We left with a lighter pace. It was indeed rejuvenating.

ABOUT LONG STAY
We booked a room for a family of 4. The room came with 2 double bed, a fan, an air-cond, a tv and small cabinet.
Toilet is common sharing, but generally clean.
To avoid the hassle to search for food, we took up the keeper's offer that provides us 3 meals for a sum.
The boat tour can also be arranged via the keeper.
Attached is the contact details, should you wish for a near getaway that feels like home.

2015 Chinese New Year (CNY) @ FGS Dong Zen Temple, Jenjarom

Last week, we had wanted to go to Thean Hou Temple during the CNY to get a view of the temple's CNY lighting decorations. But the road up the hill was so jammed, we decided to surrender and turn back home. The girls were disappointed. I decided to check on the internet when will the lighting event end, but came across another interesting place - Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Buddhist Temple at Jenjarom, Banting, Selangor.

佛光山東禪寺

The place is huge.... It was our first time. There were many beautiful lanterns and lightings, not to mention the beautiful plants in full bloom. The 16 acres area was divided into different themes. There were exhibitions, stage show and eating area, praying area, lantern lighting area,  and kids playground (where we got on the ferris wheel, and I got to take these 2 pictures). We could not cover the whole place as we reached the temple a bit late at 8.30pm, and the place closes at 10pm.

There were a lot of activities installed i.e. fireworks, lighted floats, Buddhist script writing or kids, costumed artists depicting the different deities, country people and many many more.

The girls had fun posing for pics and playing at the mini children playground.

Everywhere is lighted with auspicious greetings and and decorations.

There were plenty of lighted lanterns where the kids would love. The almost-an-hour journey was worth it. 

I would like to make it an annual visit during the CNYs.

I did not take much photos as I did not bring my camera. The photos here are all taken with my phone, so the quality suffers. 

Be there to do the much-effort-decorations justice.

Resthouse at Ulu Yam, Selangor

Resthouse 2 at Ulu Yam, originally uploaded by everything asian.

This double story resthouse near Ulu Yam (Selangor) lies beyond half hour of bumpy ride through oil palm plantation, rubber plantation and forest reserve. But the ride was well worth it. No air cond needed, the place is cool 24/7. No entertainment needed, there is a small stream right by the side of the resthouse.