Friday, December 07, 2007

Kuala Selangor Trip - 1 Dec '07

Last Saturday, XY and I went for the Kuala Selangor trip organised by her kindy. They engaged a tour guide who's an environmentalist. Our first stop was the Kuala Selangor Nature Park. The bus ride took over 2 hours. She only napped for awhile in the bus. We went for a short walk along the trail towards a watch tower. The mozzies were having a big feast. I had forgotten to apply the mosquito repellent but it seemed that those who applied were not spared anyway. Along the way, we saw wild monkeys (silvered leaf monkeys) on tree tops. We were told to hold on tight to our belongings as these monkeys may snatch them away. There were also mangrove trees, mangrove ferns and big termite homes. We climbed up the watch tower. It has quite a spectacular view of the lake and the trees. We even saw some eagles flying across (quite far away, of coz).

The next destination was Bukit Malawati. We took the tram up the hill. Things of interest - lighthouse, cannons and monkeys (but these are the friendly type and they're not afraid of humans at all). I took a lot of pictures of the monkeys and I tried to capture one of the babies latching onto its mother for milk. But just couldn't get the right angle and shot. :(

Next, we went to visit a paddy field. The kids played with the paddy plant that the adults had plucked out for them. Too bad I didn't hear the tour guide's explanation of the planting and harvesting process as I was busy taking care of XY playing with her friends.

~ paddy field ~

I was already starving by the time we left the paddy field. It's dinner time. We went to River View Seafood Restaurant. They served 'ku lou yuk' (sweet and sour pork), fish ball soup, butter prawns, deep fried mantis prawn, fried chicken, mixed vegetable with tofu and green vege. The food was nothing fantastic. Maybe it's because of our budget or because they have to order food that's suitable for children. Anyway, XY finished all her rice coz she was competing with a friend who's sitting next to her. Moreover, she was highly motivated to finish fast so that she can play with the toy rides (that needs coins to operate). She only had one round of 'movement' (very lucky I have the coins in my wallet). Anyway, she's usually quite contented sitting inside without movement as I always tell her it's out of order or I've got no coins. hehehe

After dinner, we headed to Kampung Kuantan for the highlight of the day. We sat in the sampan with another couple and their daughter (one of XY's good friend whom she has been sticking to throughout the trip). Now they don't use engine to run the sampan due to pollution. So it was manually rowed. XY was so funny, she said she wanted to row the boat. It was really dark and there were patches of fireflies here and there, unlike many many years ago where it lighted up the whole stretch. According to the guy rowing the boat, the fireflies only feed on young mangrove trees, with good leaves. It was really beautiful... the twinkling lights, like a Christmas tree.

~ watched fireflies at Kg Kuantan ~

So that's the end of our trip. The journey back took 2 hours. XY slept most of it but I was wide awake, and feeling very tired. By the time I reached home, it was already 12:15 am. What a long and tiring day, but it was an experience of a lifetime.

18 comments:

jazzmint said...

great trip for XY and I'm sure u did enjoyed oso hehe

LHS said...

the fireflies still a lot there

Health Freak Mommy said...

I love the boat ride down the river watching the fireflies. So serene and so beautiful. I will make another trip there with the gals one day.

Wen said...

sound very tiring to me la dear..

why did u engage a tour guide, can go by urselves ma..

Jacelyn Chew said...

great trip u had!
1st time to ur blog. nice to know u...

Yatie said...

wah sound very nice, the lawatan sambil belajar... i hope i could join them next year onwards as they going to kindy next year.

the fireflies place best ke??? wanted to bring my kids for more nature expose, cos i am afraid when they grow up, they won't know what is firefly

Nina @ BabyBoon said...

it does sound like an experience of a lifetime :) i think i'll be planning a trip down to see the fireflies soon. they say those things are getting less every year. so sad!

Audrey said...

First time here. Wah, it's been ages since I have a nature trip like that. But I have been to the fireflies place. It's truly a great experience looking at all those lights.

Anggie's Journal said...

heh.. i be going to Kuala Selangor for a 2days 1 nite trip with some of my old frens this coming weekend .. hope fully it's fun !!

slavemom said...

Jazz, yup.. i enjoyed it thoroughly too.

Hui Sia, it has reduced significantly compared to many many yrs ago, where u can see the whole stretch lighted up. But now, it's jes patches here n there.

Shireen, beautiful.. yes, serene.. no coz my girl kept yakking non-stop. LOL Yeah.. shld bring the gals there b4 the fireflies go extinct.

Wen, yup.. quite tiring actually, but it wasn't rush or anything. I dunno, probably the kindy engaged 1 so that there's some1 to explain along the way.

Jacelyn, thx for dropping by. Hope to know u better too.

Yatie, the trees lighted by fireflies r really beautiful. Do bring ur children there, it's a good exposure n experience for them.

Babybooned, so true! That's y I decided to join her kindy's excursion. If go on our own, dunno when hubby will bring us. :p

Tot's Mom, thx for dropping by. The timing's jes right as X'mas is jes round the corner... to see those lighted trees.

Anggie, u're really a nature enthusiast. ;) It'll definitely be fun. Bring ur binoculars n be prepared for the mozzies ya.

Anonymous said...

I went there before I like the firefly :D

JK said...

So, you manage to see the fireflies. That's great. The trip was good, eh? You get to be in touch with nature.

Jacss said...

hah...finally you made it to the trip ehh!!
it's good that you enjoyed the trip along with yr girl....

Twin said...

such fun trip for her. :)

slavemom said...

Eva, yeah.. the fireflies r really beautiful.

Joanne, yup.. it was a great outing.

Jac, so many ppl said it's an experience not to be missed. So I quickly signed up loh. :)

Twin, apart from fun, it was also a good bonding opportunity for us as we hardly spend time together, jes the 2 of us.

chanelwong said...

good and fruitful trip...time well spent and also good learning.. don't forget the yummy food..

Peridot&Sapphire said...

no pic for fireflies? but this sounds like a great trip for everyone to be so close to the nature...

slavemom said...

Chanel, too bad the food was not as yummy as expected.

Sharine, we're not allowed to use flash.. will scare away the fireflies. My camera not hi-tech enuff to take dark pics w/o flash. :)