Better late than never!!

It was on the 1st of October 2015
 when I posted this adventure of mine but it was not in this blog. I remembered that I had some technical problem with the current blog and I decided to create a new one and this posting was sent there. It was long forgotten until my husband scrolled through photographs of this trip and he found this posting. 

Alhamdulillah.

So now, I have copied it here and I am very happy and glad that finally, I can share about my adventurous trip with you.

          A short trip to a place that I have always dreamed of....Kelah Sanctuary in Kenyir Lake! Kenyir Lake is the biggest man-made lake in South East Asia with an area of 260 000 hectares.  It provides water to the Sultan Mahmud Power Station. I was so proud to be able to visit Kenyir Lake because I was a part of this project! Yes... I can claim that most of the types of machinery used for excavation  and so on came from the place where I worked!  Ahaks!! Working with that company opened up my eyes and dealing with the locals  is another thing. But everything went well and now we Malaysian should be proud of this achievement! 

How beautiful it is!

The signature of Kenyir Lake.
Mind you, these are tips of trees which are sunken and the good
thing about it is that the dead trees became the feeding and breeding grounds for over 300 different species
of fish in this lake.

There are many attractions here in Kenyir Lake. They have waterfalls, herbs garden,  elephants sanctuary and of cause the wild Kelah. Never have I ever thought of being given the opportunity to see and experience feeding, playing and swimming with the wild KELAH. A real attraction it is!

The men trying hard to look younger! hahhahaha

Just look at the Kelah..... made me miss my Koi at home.

          My husband and I were invited to join in this trip by a neighbour whom we regarded as a friend and a brother along with six more couples who are also my neighbours.

          We decided to convoy and the journey started as early as 8 a.m after having breakfast together at Mawaddah Restaurant in Seksyen 4 Shah Alam. along the way we stopped by for petrol and by 1.30 p.m we arrived at Kampung Ping in Hulu Terengganu and had the tastiest lunch! The kampung folks served us Ikan Baung Masak Tempoyak, Gulai  Kulit Rambai with  Petai, Daging Bakar , Air Aam, Ulam-ulaman, Budu, Sambal Belacan along with Lime juice and syrup....Ya Allah! Best ever!!!

All kinds of food served on Pan Dragon.

          After lunch, we drove to Pengkalan Bot Gawi to hop on our 3 days 2 night Lake Cruise. The name of the boat is Pan Dragon and single-handedly owned by a young Malay chap  Encik Affendi. This is our ride!

The boat is fully airconditioned, 6 crews, 6 rooms for twos, a VVIP room,  3 shared bathrooms and toilets, a big hall for any events such as Solat Berjemaah, Indoor Games, Meetings and Karaoke Session too.

          Food is lavish. Definitely, you will not go hungry on board. Taste is good and clean. From day one they fed us with loads of food and it kept us wondering. Actually, they prepared breakfast for us but we arrived after we already had lunch! So, because the food had been prepared, they still served.

          Pan Dragon set sailed after a brief explanation about the boat and Emergency Drill was given by the owner himself. He spoke pure local language which some of us find hard to understand until it was translated! Hahahhaha. But it was manageable!

Our first stop was Sungai Petang. We anchored. Lots of activities on board can be done but some of us were so tired after a long 5 hours drive from home. But some went out fishing. We enjoyed each other's company talking and sharing thoughts. That was what this trip is all about!

The Hanging bridge.

             The next morning, after breakfast, we were taken by a speed boat to the KELAH Sanctuary. The guide told us that it was just a short walk.... he lied! hahahhahha! we have to climb stairs, walked long bridges, uphill, downhill, experienced a hanging bridge, walked, walked and walked and finally after 40-45 minutes, we arrived at the destination! But when we saw the KELAH swam o the river bank as if welcoming us, all the feelings of being lied to, the cramped tighs, the thirst and tired simply GONE.... one after another we walked slowly to the river and the minute our feet touched the water, the fish came and surrounded sucking all parts of our body whichever comes first.... Wow! what a wonderful experience....The long walk was worth it!! On the way home, even though we were tired, but satisfaction covers everything. We talked and talked about our new experience and in no while, we arrived back at the speed boat which immediately took us back to Pan Dragon.

Abled to hold on a Kelah with my bear hands.

Surrounded by the Kelahs.

          That night everybody slept well..... The boat took us to our second destination...Gua Bewah which is in The National Park. We anchored and some of us did visit the cave but not me. By looking at the structure of the stairs, I backed out! Instead, my ladies friends and I had an early Karaoke Session just amongst us... no male allowed. It was fun and we laughed at each other for the crazy things that we never thought that we could do! hahahha!

          Before departing, the boat took us to a Herbs Garden visit. I had been there before so I forego. Stayed back to pack my things.

Tired, hungry, thirsty but full of satisfaction!

Anchored at Gua Bewah.

           We arrived back at Gawi Jetty by 2.30pm. Everybody wished luck to each other because only a couple went home but the others decided to stay back in Kuala Terengganu.

          Overall, I can say that I am blessed to have such good,  caring and positive thinking neighbours whom I know that I can rely on. As Muslims, we all prayed and made dua together at all timesand the males took turn to be Imams. This adventure will always be in my mind and in my heart.... forever. 

          To all, thanks for the good times and your company really made me feel so very happy and indeed this is a memorable trip for all of us. Maybe we will go to some other adventures together. InSyaAllah.

Meet my personal chauffer....

Our dearest Sleeping Beauty.

Thank you Allah for this beautiful friendship.

The Manja Mama.

My One and Only Kelah...hehehehhe