Trip to the Outskirts

My first day

Outskirts in Selangor.

SEKINCHAN

I'm not sure how to start writing this because i have too much of ideas.

I've been loving to travel around and explore different cultures and i have been giving a chance to explore, experience and feel what local arts and cultures that defined who we are today in Malaysia. This is essential as a Malaysian and we understand our own cultures and everything and we did research before the trip by watching youtube or reading blogs. We go through different perspective of research like geographical, historical, community, cultural values and hidden values that we could find in those outskirt places.

We plan to go few places which located along the coastal of Selangor, that are Sabak Bernam, Sekinchan, Tanjong Karang, Kuala Selangor and Pantai Remis. Sounds familiar or strange to those places? I bet that those city boys or girls have never go to these places. I am actually from a chinese village near Teluk Intan, Perak and i get used to these sub-urban places, but because of that i never really stay there for few days and experience the nature. 

Thanks to Ms.Baizura that planned all the itinerary and schedule for the trip and helped us plan the budget as well and we spent tentative of RM370 for transportation, accomodation and entry tickets for 4 days 3 nights which we get to stay at 2 different homestay styled hotels, one is in Sekinchan and Pantai Remis respectively.

The first thing that is coming to my mind is all about FOOD!!! SEAFOOD!! You shall not ever miss it when you travel to those places. Those seafood are absolutely fresh! 

There were 30++ of us in one bus and we are UCSI Interior Architecture students along with 4 lecturers. We depart at 9am and it took approximately 2 hours to reach the destinations.

Itinerary was on our hand and let's get started the journey! I share the itinerary so that can share some ideas to people on where and what to do in the outskirts especially in Selangor area.

Day 01 and 02

Day 03 and 04

Gets all our gadgets ready ;D yayyyy *excited*

We stopped at the rest station near Rawang to have breakfast but most of us slept in the bus as we need to charge full battery before the destinations.

This is the view at the crossing sky bridge at the rest station. Everytime when i drove back to my hometown in Perak, i will pass by this sky bridge especially for those who travel to north.

I remembered that my dad brought me here for lunch when i was younger. That time when he fetched me back from school. We ate KFC and my dad did "fingers licking good" act after he done the fried chicken. lol I missed my parents. :/

Behind the scene...

Our beautiful and naughty lecturer, Ms. Aida was taking pictures of our "beauty sleeping" looks...

Oh my god!!

As you can see.....

All slept so nice in the bus with the ugly blur face of mine.

so yeah Waiting is such a pain in the ass

Especially when you're waiting for something that you're really looking forward to

During the adventure in Sekinchan, we visited some of the local industries there. Some are cottage industries like the Dong Xin Yong Tau Foo Factory and prawn cracker factory by locals. But this one, a rice factory, is a large commercial concern.

We were here at the first stop, Sekinchan PLS Sdn. Bhd 
Paddy Processing Factory 

which located at Lot No. 9990, Jalan Tali Air 5, Ban 2, Selangor, 45400 Sekinchan, Malaysia. 

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Everyday.

Can't wait to explore the factory and environment around and i can see some local food from far which attracted my eyes! 

The rice factory is housed in a large white clad building that sits quite conspicuously amid the flat paddy field of Sekinchan.

Welcome to Sekinchan! 
A cute face that cheers me up and started our journey at the first station.
The chinese word means "I Love Sekinchan".

Sekinchan in Chinese mean "village suitable for plantation', the land and weather is suitable for farming of rice, fruits and oil palm trees.

Sekinchan is located in Sabak Bernam district, Selangor and it is close to Malacca Strait

is about 102 km north of Kuala Lumpur and 28 km from Kuala Selangor. Most of the occupation in Sekinchan village is fisherman and farmer. 

There are whole piece of paddy field surrounds the factory where we stopped. Large plots of land are cultivated to produce the staple rice supply of Malaysians. This area is well-known for its high yield of rice and mechanized farming methods.

This is an actual operating factory, a proper rice mill. At larger sections closed off from the public, rice is being processed and packed for sending out to wholesalers. A trailer can be seen above going through a weigh bridge before leaving the factory for it's destination.

A tractor delivering unprocessed rice.

Certain areas of the factory is opened to the public to visit and learn something about rice processing. The entrance to the building is a large parking area; an air-conditioned showroom is to the left.

A guided tour of the factory is available. Tickets can be bought at RM4.00 at the ticketing counter, after the tour, this ticket can be used to redeem a packet of rice worth RM4.00 at the ticketing office.

The tour includes explanation on rice cultivation in a briefing room at the first floor.

They allow the tourists or study group to visit their factory. We have a factory tour guide by a lady and she explained how the rice is formed and we able to see the factory scene with all the machine. She did explained that in old times, it took long time to plant the paddy, but with the innovation of new technology, we could plant hectare by hectare of paddy fields in few days only. We can see how the modern technology plays a role in helping the mass production of rice. The tour guide also explained the history of the paddy factory in a small audio-visual room.

Visitors are then taken to a window which overlooks the rice is processed and packed.

The gallery displayed all the processes that involved in the rice making procedures with the specific kind of machine needed.

1. The paddy husk is collected to use as the fuel for firing the Boiler to dry the paddy in the drier.

2. Pressure feed the heat from boiler to the drying oven for drying paddy.

3. The dried paddy then stored in the storage for cooling.

4. The Rice Huller Machine then removes the husk from paddy by application of the wind force to         get the grain rice.

5. The shelled paddy is then directed to the Paddy Separator, which will separate the un-shelled         

    paddy and the rice. And the un-shelled paddy will roll back to the rice huller machine again.

6. And the grain rice will be polished by the Rice Polisher Machine where the rice bran (kernel) is 

    also removed from the rice.

7. With the application of the inconsistency principle, the Rice Grading Machine separate the whole       and the broken rice.

8. With the application of the wind force, the Destoner Machine then vibrate the rice where stones 

    and broken rice are completely removed from the product.

9. Photo-electronic technology used to detect then remove the black and immature rice completely 

    to make it superior in quality.

The tour ends with a visit to rice museum (also on the first floor) where early days equipment for harvesting and processing rice are on display. There are traditional tools on paddy plantation.

The gallery also displayed different types of rice and it's characteristics.

The method of weighing in old times.

People were using this container to spray the fertilizer and they maybe still using it especially the village area.

We can always see this lamp hanging around in the farm area.

All the ancient stuffs can be seen here especially for the young generation. They should know how their ancestors or grandparents at old times live and the cultures. It sad that because of the development and urbanization and causing the new stuffs took over the old stuffs which is authentic cultural elements in old days and memorable. We should encourage and promote and preserve what we have now in term of food, cultural and environment, so that the future generation can see it too.

How long have you been not having RICE with your family?

I think is 1 month ago. I totally missed my mum's home-cooked already!

In old days, people used to have this to cook a meal with the charcoal clay pot. You know charcoal-cooked is far much nicer than normal cooking style, like Hokkien mee, porridge and many. Even in my hometown, i have the charcoal fire to cook Chinese traditional food like Niangao, sometimes translated as year cake or Chinese New Year's cake, is a food prepared from glutinous rice and consumed in Chinese cuisine. While it can be eaten all year round, traditionally it is most popular during Chinese New Year. 

My grandmother and mum used this because certain food needs longer time to cook. They are meant to go on gentle heat. But the charcoal is cheap to replace and well environment- friendly. They need to be brought to heat carefully and then they can take quite high heat. 

People used this kettle to boil water for usual drinks with the traditional dining table behind. There is nostalgia cups and plate, i used to see it in my grandmother house.

The showroom is air-conditioned. It provides all sort of rice or rice-related products here such as ice-cream or rice crackers.

After the tour, all the home experts gathered here to buy rice. You can get all sorts of different rice here.

For those who want to try out their rice, the following types of rice can be bought in 2 kg per pack. They are vacuum packed and pricing is indicated respectively.

Pearl Rice (珍珠米）is very popular in Sekinchan.

Japanese Pearl White Rice at RM13 per pack.

Japanese Pearl Brown Rice at RM15 per pack.

Mee Sua sold at Rm12 per 800 gms pack.

These are actually made from wheat flour.

Mint flavour ice-cream with almond costs RM4, superb delicious, big cup compared to my hand size and worth to have a try! There are others flavours too.

"sparrow may be small but fully equipped"
You can try all sorts of local food in one place.

 This is because it is surrounded by paddy fields and orchards, with various fruits and vegetable gardens including corns, mangoes, pepper, longan, and dragon fruit trees. 

There are snacks like fish crackers, Prawn Crakers, Satayfish, Sugar Cuttlefish, Satay Shrimp, Crispy Fish , BBQ fish , Fish Snacks etc.

It's the time for us to hang out at the gorgeous rolling paddy fields.

Every single rice is the sweat and hard works of farmer.

We must learn to be grateful with what we have.

"Sambal meat Ba Zhang"

Chinese also called it as Zongzi, is a traditional Chinese food, made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo, reed, or other large flat leaves. They are cooked by steaming or boiling.

We tried out the "sambal" flavour "ba zhang" which is the combination of Chinese food with Malay "sambal" flavour, a fusion of authentic Malaysian food. Its only RM3.

Yam

1kg RM10

The yam is a staple food in many tropical countries, particularly in Asian countries. Yams have brown tough skins and the flesh can vary in colour – anything from white to yellow to purple – depending on the variety.

The term 'yam' is often used in American to describe the sweeter, orange sweet potato.

Yams (that is, orange-flesh sweet potatoes) are available year-round. When purchasing, look for small to medium yams that are smooth, firm, and free of soft spots. Store whole, unpeeled yams in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week. Do not refrigerate yams, as they can dry out.

 Wax Jambu/ Rose Apple/ Water Apple

Pear shaped fruit with waxy skin and crispy flesh similar to the malay apple. Fruit is often juicy, with a subtle sweet taste somewhat resembling a common apple. Superior varieties are of excellent quality.

Step in Rock

The beautiful landscape filled with white stones.

Actually my daddy is a farmer too, he was planting paddy last time when i was young, and currently he is doing oil palm plantation and others fruits orchard like guava, papaya, water apple and others. I am growing up from a village environment and i get used to the environment and i still love it. My dad always can get fresh fruits and seafood from the farm or orchard areas and we always cooked heavy dishes at home. So how blissful i am! 

My Hometown

Kampung Chui Chak, Perak.

30 minutes from Teluk Intan.

I like to bring my friends to my hometown as there is a wide paddy field at my hometown too. 

The wide view of Paddy Field in Sekinchan showed different feeling in different season. In the month of March and September are the rice transplanting period, the view of the paddy field is green. During the harvest season, June and December, the paddy field (padi field) is look like gold yellow colour.

In this Sekinchan paddy field, you can drive right beside the paddy fields. The wide and nice view of the paddy field is really attractive, many photographers like to come here for shooting.

With wide paddy fields covering almost the entire landscape of Sekinchan, When the paddy fields are being harvested, the water level is lowered. Eel-fishing is a common activity among the locals in Sekinchan during the paddy harvesting season.

During the time when we visited here is after harvesting season when there is dry and clean paddy fields with new paddy seedling.

The baby paddy seedling are newly growing at this moment.

Schedule mentioned below just for your reference, the paddy plantation activities will have two weeks of variance.

Paddy planting schedule according to Sekinchan official website:

A tray of paddy weed.

New planting technology from Taiwan. This machine helps farmer to shorten the plantation duration.

This is a paddy seedling planting machine. The trays of seedling actually goes to a rear dispensing array. 

>Behind the scene<

The tour ended with a happy ending with full of love, smile and creative.

Let's get to the bus and hunting for the next treasure around here!

Everyone can get a free rice package after the tour!

Such a lovely souvenir ♥

This is the Sekinchan Map which showed all the famous destinations, restaurants, accomodation, local food shopping areas and others.

阿嬷的家 - Kampong Sekinchang

The House of Ah Ma (Grandmother)

Have you ever been to your grandmother house which can feel lots childhood memories?

There is a saying about — 'Treasure the wisdom of old age. Learn from elder people and be wise.'

— Lailah Gifty Akita —

A chinese proverb said that:

"A family with an old person has a living treasure of gold."

I used to see this kind of swing in my grandmother house, and i always like to go there as i can swing this whole day with relatives and friends. The swing has been kept till now to younger generation. The adults always shouting at us: " Please slow down!".

"Ah Ma Ji Dan Gao"

Grandmother's Cake

There is all kind of childhood snacks, sweet, biscuit and toys hanging on this booth, such as the lollipop, bubble bubbles, chocolate sweets and so on. We can get this at kl too from the "roti man" on a motor bike. The motorbikes are dispatched early in the morning from a nearby bakery, and one of these bikes comes by his house every afternoon between 3 and 4. You just have to listen for the bell and come out before he passes by.

When I was feeling sleepy and wanted to take a rest in the evening but my head had barely hit the pillow when I heard the telltale bell ringing. I immediately bolted out of bed, grabbed the camera and made for the gate, barefoot.

Many of us who live in the suburbs of Malaysia should be familiar with the honking during the evening, signalling the arrival of the humble roti-man of the area (roti is Malay for bread). Driving a modified motorcycle—a vehicle fitted with a container that holds various kinds of bread and sometimes a number of different snacks, the roti-man has been the primary source of bread for many Malaysian households for a number of years now.

Also, what’s amazing is that despite the cramped space on only their motorcycle, most of them manage to arrange them neatly on their vehicle, allowing customers to easily see and select what they desire.

The existence of the roti-men means that there is no need for families to travel out of the comfort of their own homes to buy their daily supply of bread—it gets delivered to them.

As areas get developed and more shops appear, the roti-man is a turning into a rarer and rarer sight these days. However, their services are still very much sought after in the suburban and rural parts of Malaysia, where they still faithfully bring thousands of families their daily snacks and bread.

The common materials used to build house in old times, traditional Malay wooden house. The shop was decorated with lots of traditional furniture in Kampung like during the period of 1970-1980s. I think about my grandmom, I miss her so much!!

The interior part of this grandmother's house is the fusion of old and new stuffs, they reuse the old stuffs and refurbished the house to better condition. 

There is fancy cotton candy over there to make a sweet childhood memory.

RM10

I ever see this when i am at my grandmother's house because my grandmother used this to make chinese new year biscuits, this tools will form a honeycomb shaped biscuits. 

Kuih Rose/Loyang

Chinese honeycomb cookies tasted crunchy and light.

Chinese New Year all-time-favourite biscuit

Honeycomb Cookies (Kuih Rose/Loyang) 蜂窝饼

260g plain flour or all-purpose flour

2tbsp rice flour (~13g) -updated on 16 Feb 2015 - should be 25g

180g caster sugar

600ml thin coconut milk ( from 1 grated old coconut + 600ml water)

2 eggs (large A size)

1/4 tsp fine salt

White sesame seeds, optional

Oil for deep frying

kuih rose moulds 

To prepare batter

1. Sift the flours together.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs till light, add in coconut milk and salt. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt..

3. Slowly pour wet liquid into flour mixture, mix to form a smooth runny batter. 

To fry

1. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot on medium low heat until hot but not smoking (temp 180C).

2. Place the kuih rose moulds in the oil to preheat (2-3mins).

3. When the mould is hot (do not over-heat or the batter will not stick), remove mould and give it a shake to remove excess oil (to avoid creating bubbles in the cooked kuih rose).

4. Scoop batter in a deep small bowl, add sesame seeds if you using, dip hot mould into batter to coat almost to the top of the mould. Lift and give it a shake to remove excess batter. Also do not lift up immediately after dip into batter, let it coat for few seconds.

5. Plunge coated mould into the hot oil and cook till few seconds. Lift mould to release the kuih rose into the hot oil.

6. Continue frying until light golden brown colour, it will brown further after it is out of the oil due to the residual heat. Remove and drain on paper towels.

7. Repeat until all the batter is used. Stir the batter before dipping in the hot mould.

8. Leave to cool completely before storing in airtight containers.

Recipe by Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover, inspired by sister-in-law (2nd sister)

The orange tins behind are Kuih Kapit which is most famous biscuit over here. Kuih Kapit costs RM28 per tin (100 pieces).

Outside of Ah Ma house is surrounded by the paddy field. We were enjoying visit the place and surrounded by the ancient accent in the house with the paddy field smells that was coming from far.

Mat Weaving Art Crafts

A vast variety of mats are created to serve different functions, decorative and functional. They are woven in traditional fashion from pandaunus (daun pan­dan) as well as from the screwpine (mengkuang) leaves. Those woven from daun pandan are regarded as of superior quality, for daun pandan are softer and more easily shaped compared to those woven from mengkuang, which however, are more lasting.

This is where people could recalled old times memories and promote the local arts and cultures. This is where the language and culture of the country rooted. We need to preserve the vernacular arts and promotes the beauty to all people. So will it be disappear in our life in the future if we ignore or forget our such a beautiful root of cultures? Will it worthy to replaced by the modern or macaroons instead? Therefore, it comes to the inspiration to form "Ah Ma" house with all sorts of childhood food. The chicken cake's recipe will pass down from the generation to generation.

Bird's nest drinks best for hot day!

We bought and shared one bottle of bird's nest with ginseng and rock sugar.

RM20

Evon was enjoying the bird's nest drinks while watching the aunty making the kuih kapit.

The famous one will be Ah Ma Cake (阿嬤鸡蛋糕) and some traditional biscuit like pineapple tart, kuih bangkit and my favourite kuih kapit!! 

RM3 packs of Ah Ma Cakes - Chicken Cakes 

costs RM10

This is the pricing list of all the products selling there.

Traditional stainless steel container and honeycomb tools that used to be at hometown.

You will noticed this once you reached 'Ah Ma House' because it's just right beside the shop. Very cheap and fun! It's only RM10 for a ride (per person) and you can actually see how HUGE the paddy field was. You can request them to stop at a side and it allows you to take photo with your friends and the awesome paddy field.

You can rent a bike and cycle around the paddy field.

The famous one will be Ah Ma Cake (阿嬤鸡蛋糕) and some traditional biscuit like pineapple tart, kuih bangkit and my favourite kuih kapit!! 

Authentic Chinese Biscuit

Kuih Kapit

All the recipes are came from their grandmother with traditional taste and the meaning of Ah Ma means grandmother in Hokkien Language.

"To make, very time consuming; to eat, very fast," is an apt and colloquial way of describing the kuih kapit. While the women of the household sweat and strain over a charcoal stove, the younger ones wait eagerly to gobble it all up.

This popular crunchy Chinese snack is easy on the taste buds and even easier to make. 

Kuih Kapit is served during Chinese new year.

 Recipe for Love Letters (Kuih Kapit) 

Ingredients (A):

3 eggs

190 g Sugar

Ingredients (B):

500g Coconut Milk (from 1 coconut)

Ingredients (C):

100g Plain flour

80g Rice flour

20g Starch

Method:

Beat eggs and sugar till sugar dissolves.

Add coconut milk and mix well.

Add Ingredients C and mix well. Strain.

Grease the mould and hea t it up.

Pour a little batter into love letter mould, bake till golden brown.

Roll up or fold into a fan shape while hot.

Come Chinese New Year, family members gather together for the annual kuih kapit secession, to catch up on gossip and swap stories while slaving over the hot charcoal stove. The thin liquid batter flavoured with pandanus leaves is baked betweem two iron hot-plates and then folded into quarters.

Making kuih kapit requires a certain amount of multi-tasking. The kuih kapit maker juggles several tasks at one time – minding the fire, flipping the iron moulds, mixing and pouring the batter, cooking till golden and trimming the run-offs.

The assistants on the other hand have to quickly fold the kuih kapit into halves, and then again into quarters, resembling a Chinese fan while it is still hot and pliable. These work of art, once cooled are then arranging neatly into air-tight containers.

Although the latter sounds like a simple task, one must remember that the folding of kuih kapit must be done within a split second as the thin sheet of dough becomes brittle almost instantaneously making folding then impossible. An experience assistant will also be able to choose the 'nicer side' to face outward so as to make the biscuit look more presentable.

We hang around at the outdoor and gossiping like we did during the chinese new year.

Common culture nowadays in Malaysia - selfie, opps it should called We-fie!

Those are my beautiful coursemate, isn't pretty?! 

We never forget to take a picture as memory before we knocked off.

Sekinchan Town

Food Hunting

There are grocery shops nearby are selling general home stuffs or farm dairy and many. The shops are featured with old town shophouse architectural elements which passed down from old generation.

There are bicycle or motorbike shop with all kinds of storage, display stuffs and even the altar cramped in one area. Pantry and toilets are at the behind. The shops are wide open exposed to public and long enough to cater all facilities.

The shophouses of Sekinchan are a unique manifestation of Chinese architecture. Combining Chinese designs and principles of feng shui. which they put the altar directly facing the entrance.

Over 400 households, most of them are Cantonese and Hakka, beside involve in agriculture also involve in Business

There are many of old shops and coffee shop in the main street are owned by Site B villagers.
We can see all the old people like to hang around at the coffee shop to have tea with friends or playing mahjong or even playing chess.

With my knowledge and understanding, walk the streets (or the five-foot walkways) and you'll soon turn into a shophouse-detail spotter. These are all humble houses, but many of them are rich in decoration, drawing inspiration.

Here we are at one of the coffee shop in town.

There are variety of local food like food court. This is a chinese coffee shop which selling chicken rice, noodles, "Char kuey tiaw", curry mee, "Lo Mai Gai", Malay's kuih lempar, nasi ayam rendang, popiah and many.

益大家茶餐室 (The Family Restaurant)

Highly recommended famous steamed coffee bread and traditional soft buns at the shop.

The price is reasonable and food is nice!

Famous Coffee Bread in Town

I was the first time to try coffee bread in coffee shop, the coffee bread is made with a layer of butter.

When we walked back to bus, we bumped into this stall that is selling fried cuisine like you tiao (crispy chinese cruller), butterfly bun, sesame ball, mix bun and so on. The husband and wife team together with their daughter sells a wide range of crispy fritters from banana fritter (goreng pisang) , sweet potatoes fritter, radish cake to hot-selling prawn fritter or better known as cucur udang.  

 It was with anticipation and an eager stomachs when we reached here but we already full after lunch.

The Cucur Udang are served in plates of four with each piece cut into quarters.

The fritters came; and they do look good. The ones here were much thicker than others that I have tried. Scrumptiously looking, with a nicely fried crispy golden-brown crust, and a soft, slightly moist inside.

Must try "Cucur Udang"- Prawn Fritters!! That is so delicious!!

Best-Selling Crispy Cucur Udang

RM 1 per piece

We loved the extra big piece of the crunchy cucur udang or prawn fritter priced at RM 1 per piece only. The difference is that these tasty bites are loaded with prawns unlike those sold back in Klang Valley. Do remember to come down to Sekinchan town for this little nice snacks as you probably won't want to miss it, right?

Our lecturers and friends were having lunch at another shop. The Muslim friends need to find Halal food around there. Halal denoting or relating to meat prepared as prescribed by Muslim law. 

Nan Tian Temple

(or called as Nine Emperor Gods Temple)

It is located at Site A, this is the only temple at Site A. Nan Tian Temple was establish in Year 1984 and extended in year 2004. The two main industries in Sekinchan are farming and fishing, these two industries are highly dependent on the weather.

The villagers always play for good weather like calm of ocean and rich in harvest. 

Nan Tian Temple (or called as Nine Emperor Gods Temple) is located at Site A, this is the only temple at Site A. Nan Tian Temple was establish in Year 1984 and extended in year 2004 into today scale. Nan Tian Temple become the landmark of Site A, Sekinchan. 

It is an important place for the people here to worship and pray for good weather, healthy, business, study and everything. I first visited this place and i mesmerized by the beautiful views of it's surrounding. This temple is situated in the centre of many big rice fields. 

Suddenly, I bumped into a friendly uncle that brought us to behind of the temple and there is a workshop to build the altar show car for religious festival celebration. 

As most of the resident is Taoism, all the Taoist will offer prayer at the

Temple. The one of the most celebrated festival by the Chinese there is the Nine

Emperor God festival. The festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the

eve of 9th lunar month of Chinese calendar. 

On the eve of the ninth moon in the Chinese calendar, temples of the deities

hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the nine emperors. Since the arrivals of the

gods are believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea-shore or river to represnt this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white,

carrying incense and candles; await the arrival of their „Excellencies‟.

During the nine day of the festival, most devotees stay at the temple, eat

vegetarian meals and continuously chant prayers. It is believed that there will be rain

throughout the nine days of celebration.

The artist is so shy to take picture and we able to witness how he draw and paint the dragon. He explained how he draw and shared some skills of painting to us. I am salute to him as he is doing this for passion, not for money. He is doing his passion around the town.

We encountered with a jungle of mango trees and the orchard just beside the workshop.

They need to cover it with some plastic bag to prevent the insect and warm! Actually there are few holes under the plastic bag that allows the fruit to breath but it's really tiring to cover each of them with plastic bag right! Bravo to them! The fruit farm was super big too! I can't believe they can stay here for the whole day. It's ain't easy to work as a farmer.

This temple is built with abundant of paddy fields surrounding the temple. The temple is painted mostly in red and heavenly glory yellow which has 2 towers on each side. On the highest level of the tower, we could feel a fresh breeze blowing in and we are able to see the simply beautiful endless green horizon which is the paddy field in front of the temple. 

Group photo of all Interior Architecture Students with lecturers

Farm Ville Cafe & Homestay

Container Hotel

Lot 11304, Site B, Sekincan, Selangor, Malaysia.

Tel: 017-206 8666

Farm Ville Cafe And Homestay is constructed with combination of containers, it more popular with the name of "Sekinchan Container Hotel". Farm Ville Cafe And Homestay is located at Site B, Sekinchan, just opposite of the paddy field, we can have good view of paddy when we have a tea in Farm Ville Cafe, you can get a small golf course in this hotel.

Inner View Of Farm Ville Cafe

The container hotel gives a feeling to experience the paddy field landscape in the morning, afternoon, evening sunset and night view. This is a place where you can close to the nature with greenery scene at all time.

A tranquil, countryside hotel that is uniquely designed to calm and comfort - with a beautiful landscape of the paddy-field & sky, creating a masterpiece.

There is a roof garden golf buggy and you can see the whole area is surrounded by the breathtaking paddy field greenery scene.

Invincible fields views

We went to the first floor of the cafe by a spiral staircase. There is one air-conditioned room at the middle which connecting both side of the outdoor cafe areas.

Ground floor area is the reception and the entrance to the hotel areas. Outsider is not allowed to enter the hotel. Therefore, we just hang around the cafe area. 

A good place to hang around with friends and to have a small getaway from the busy city.

Walking path along the paddy field. The road is still not crowded with cars and development, still maintained the village environment and you could get away all the stress and burden apart!

The compact area of first floor cafe areas can fit in approximately 40-50 persons.

Wan Chai Mango King  (华仔芒果园)

Mango Farm

Address:248, Lorong Empat, 45400 Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia.
+60 19-303 9406

Wan Chai Mango King is located at Site A, Sekinchan. This is a village house, they are selling one of the popular fruits in Sekinchan,such as Mango King. Mango King is home-based business. 

I love mango and is eager to see what they offer because I did not recognize any mango trees in the area. Left and right view were of paddy fields. 

The place was nothing exceptional. Mango King is simply a corner house where the front yard is turned into a small business selling not only mangoes but of fruits which was grown locally. On a small scale. We were given a slice to try in hope that we would buy some.

There were also bags of fresh passion fruit, guavas (both the pink and green varieties) and snacks such as home-made banana chips, noodle, cookies and even bottled fresh passion fruit juice. 

There were guavas, soursops, prepared jackfruits, passion fruit, and mangoes. The aunty uncle were so friendly and keep asking us to test the fruits.

The stalls also sold drinks including the famous kedondong and plum drink. A thirst quenching drink. Gui ling gao, black herbal jelly, which is also to reduce the body heat and bird’s nest drink. Now, that was a surprise. But, I would not put Mango King as a top priority in my Sekinchan day out.

One product to buy in Sekinchan is their dried shrimps. Sweet, big and juicy – not the kind of juiciness as it was dried, but you can try it first. Once again, it was not cheap and forget about bargaining.

Buying delicious Keropok

If you are looking for snacks, look no more. Those of you who are crazy about Keropok, you will be more than happy to know that you will be able to get a variety of Keropok here. You will be able to buy them either fried or raw. Those of you who want to have your Keropok freshly made back home, you can buy the raw ones and fry them back home.

Sekin Hotel & Resort

Sekin Fisherman Village Hotel & Resort Facebook

Address : No 358, Jalan Pantai Redang, Bagan Sekinchan, Kampong Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia.

Tel : +603 3241 8497

Sekin Fisherman Village Hotel & Resort is one of the largest accommodation establishments in Sekinchan with the beach right behind the hotel.  With a theme of romantic white, the hotel rate is decent starting at RM 100 + and above, comparing to other hotels that are homestays or converted from commercial shoplots with rates from RM 50 and above.    

All the rooms are spread out spaciously in a single storey building, with a set of coffee tables and chairs at the porch. We took the room with one queen and one single bed.

Do check out the rear end of the hotel because there is an enormous fish pond and a viewing tower.

There's an ikan bakar restaurant right next to the pond, so I guess that's where they are getting their fish from !

We walked through a corridor of shaded green and walked to the big tower.

The 5 or 6 storey high viewing tower gives you fantastic view of the surrounding – the fisherman's wharf, the hotel compound all in white and Pantai Redang beach.

We can see the beautiful sunset on top of  the viewing tower and feel the strong winds and melody from the sea.

The fish pond view and the landscape of the town can be seen here!

There are chairs to sit and rest on top of the tower.

The wind is so strong!! And i actually bit scared of the height.:/

There is a long and narrow road and lead us to the Sekinchan main spot destination of Redang beach.

Today, due to the unique geographical environment, Sekinchan not only has

the broad area of paddy fields, but it also rich in fish, and therefore they are called

“land of plenty” (鱼米之乡).

 The restaurant where we get our early breakfast at 8am, we depart from the hotel to Sabak Bernam another day at 9am. The breakfast is buffet styled and there were potatoes wedges, cucumber, eggs, sambal, nuts, rice and noodles, additionally we can get coffee, water or teh. 

The area that we get our food.

Is a fishing village in Sekinchan, 90% of the Chinese population is Teow Chew, the main economic activities in Bagan is fishing.

The fisherman go out to catch fish at the morning about 4-5 am, come back around 5 pm with a lot fresh sea fish and prawn. Bagan is the main fishing village in Sekinchan, this fishing village is located a long the river and small seaport, south-west of the town.

Pantai Redang (Redang Beach) is a hidden beach in Sekinchan, Redang beach is worth to visit in Sekinchan where you can relax your mind and gather and fun with the crowds. You can take an unbeaten track along the coastal line from the Sekin Hotel behind the viewing tower.

It's actually a perfect place for a family gathering. Small tables scatter around the beach so it's very convenient if you plan to picnic here. The beach is also a great spot for bird watching and a good hunting ground for hermit crabs.

For those who want to avoid crowd, it is better to plan the day trip during weekday or non peak season. We visited this place during the weekdays and just nice to walk around.

There are swing chair across the trees and bring me back to childhood times.

There are a few tree houses along the beach built cleverly by the locals from reusable items such as fishing nets, fishing ropes and wood from old fishing boats.  Kids really get thrilled playing in the tree houses and swinging under the trees in self-made swings from old chairs and fishing ropes.   Enjoying cooling sea breeze and beautiful sunset while lying in the tree house fishing net is a simple yet unforgettable pleasure.  Recommended time for sunset viewing is around 7pm.

I was enjoying the sea breeze while swinging under the little shady tree. The carefree life that we all wanted so much!!!

This is a worship tree situated beside a Chinese temple. You throw the ribbon complete with your wishes onto the tree. One tip to toss the wishing strand onto the branches,hold the middle section of the strand so the coins attached are in contact with each other like so in the picture and toss it like how you would toss a Frisbee.

It is believed that, your wish will really come true when you write your wish and hang it on this particular tree! 

Emma is wishing for a hubby! xP May your wishes come true. haa

I was enjoying while others blow the bubbles from the side. You could also bring along your kite there to fly!  The windy beach is a great place to fly kite.  There are stalls selling kites at the beach. 

You plan your schedule to visit Redang Beach (Pantai Redang) about 7.00 pm, you may see a beautiful Sunset at Redang Beach (Pantai Redang).

Fried Oh Chien (fried oyster omelette) is a favourite hawker food in Redang Beach. There are plenty of choices to enjoy this delicacy around the beach. Here, you can find stalls selling drinks, local snacks, fruits, ice cream and fresh oyster!

My friends were enjoying dinner by the Redang Beach.

I also ordered coconut water and the others ordered some sort of scallop dish and it was pretty juicy so we all love to have more. If you decide to scoop out the coconut flesh like I did please ask for a good strong spoon cause I bent mine badly. Coconut water was RM5 and the scallop was RM10.

Barbecue Scallop, yummylicious ever!

Fried Oh Chien (fried oyster omelette)

RM 10 per piece

We also ordered one big plate of seafood noodle, costs RM15, shared among 10 of us. The noodle came with seafood "La La".

Most of the people back after sunset moments, there are few stalls selling food by the beach. What do we do there still? We were waiting for Blue Tears!!!

Hey guys, faster eat and we go and see blue tears now!, one of the friend shouted. The uncle also suggested us to go after eat because the later the night, the water tide will be fall off and its getting harder to see blur tears untill midnight 11pm or 12am when the water tide comes back again. 

I am not sure you can see the blur tears line in this picture, seriously its a blue tears i captured there! haaa... Its actually very hard to capture the picture in the dark and we only can see clearer blue tears when the wave is stronger. 

We like crazy shouting to the sea when the blue tears appeared.

Blue Tears

Waves are infused with a subtle blue light in this sea and night skyscape. Also known as sea sparkles or blue tears, the marine plankton's bioluminescence is stimulated by wave motion. 

Examples of blue tears wave.

The beach is not bad but some rubbish here and there. I wish someone would open a nice bar here in near future, put some white umbrella and arm chairs so we can have mojito / happy hour in the hot afternoon till late evening… There are only a few stalls for you to have fresh coconut and rojak…

In conclusion, Sekinchan New Village is an awesome place which has a

strong historical heritage value. The historical heritage value must be retained so that

the younger generation would have a chance to learn and appreciate it. Besides, we

hope that the government will implement more facilities to the Sekinchan New

Village which will improve the quality of live for the residents.

Pantai Bagan Nakhoda Omar (B.N.O) 

Sabak Bernam

Address: Kelong Paradise Waterfront Resort, Bagan Nakhoda Omar, Jln. SG. Air Tawar, 45300 Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Malaysia

This is tranquil and peaceful sea with rocky stones and lower water tides where the beach contained lots treasure - seafood! 

The shop there is selling kites and other toys and local art crafts.

The beach itself lies along a long 2km stretch of black sand ,rocks and shell shaded. I believed that the black sand is a kind of nature sand that is useful for healthy concern therapy. 

I was wearing a fabric shoes and my shoes was getting wet when i approached the sea. The sand looked dry but is actually wet when i stepped on it. The sea water slowly soaked into my shoes. :/

You can see some small creatures are moving.

I was curious what are they doing. So, i walked and walked and slowly approached them. 

U can see a lot of people digging into the sands when the tide goes down to get clams.

The aunty was finding and dig the clams from the sand. She said that sometimes there is lots but sometimes not, depend on the season and weather.

The people find it amusing to getting their own clams.

Bagan Fishing Village

 Sabak Bernam

Best place for anglers who want to fish in peace

20km from Sungai Besar.

Bagan Fishing Village is on the left side of the main road leading to Sekinchan. People come here for fresh seafood at affordable price.

After exploring the Pantai Bagan, we decided to go to the fishing village houses. We couldn't find our lecturers at first because they went to the fishing jetty area where you can see how people preparing works for the ferry to sail. We tried to walk at the village areas and asked the local people there.

Finally we reached the place which we were finding. You can see the houses there are mostly made up with Malay wooden materials and showed that there are truly village fishing areas. Then, we walked through the bridge and i think is quite open crossed bridge with little bit cover of railing at the sides which i feel its not secure. Overall its safe to cross over.

The uncle and workers were busy preparing the equipment and tools before the fishing boats come back.

The containers used to carry the seafood.

On the left side of the road is the jetty where you can see many fishing boats parking along the river.  Most of the fishing boats will go out to sea around 4am or 5am and return home around 5pm.  So in the evening you will be able to see fishermen busy unloading their catch from the boat and later categorizing their catch according to types and sizes.

The pictures below is taken at 12 to 1pm.

People here stay along the coastal line of the river to catch fish or preparing to work. Mostly of them are fishmonger. While waiting for the fishing boats to come back, they will have other leisure activities like reading newspaper, eating, chit-chatting, preparing works for the boats, repairing the boats, making fish net, drying the salty fish or seafood and hanging around with kids. Their lifestyle is relax and not as hectic as city.

We all gathered at the house over there and talked to the communities there and exploring the boat structures and the workstation area.

Dried shrimp are exposed to sunlight to dry.

The communities are so creative that using the reusable fishing rope and fishing net to make a swinging chair. There was an aunty told me that if we came early, we can see how is the fishmonger preparing for the works in the morning.

The economy of Bagan is dominated by fishing industry. This fishing village will become very quiet after all the fishing boat go to the ocean for their catching at the morning. 

Group photo along the fishmonger's houses.

The uncle was so friendly and allowed us to visit his boats and we climbed down from the jetty pavilion to the boat areas. We slowly climbed and walked to the big boat.

Here's we are!! We were experiencing and exploring their lifestyle in a boat.

The boat are filled with ropes on the floor which is the essential tools during the fishing activities.

The little ugly sea creatures are climbing the foundation of the pavilion. Yuck!

Sekinchan has about 300 fishing trawlers, you can see a lot of fishing trawler park along the river at Bagan. Fisherman busy with unloading their fish and categorize of types and sizes of fish.

There were chinese fisherman are weaving the fishing net. It takes about 2-3 days to make a finishing net. The uncle told me that they used a bigger size of ropes to make a net because this is to restrict them to catch certain amount of fishes nowadays. The fishing nets takes the whole front areas of the facade and it is very long, time consuming and needs bigger spaces to build a net.

Mudskippers are completely amphibious fish that can use their pectoral fins to walk on land.

This fish-out-of-water has adapted to living mostly on land. But it still needs to learn how to outrun its enemies.

Group photo at the Bagan Fishing Village

Group photo at the Bagan Fishing Village

The baby girl keep showing me the fish and she is so cute! ♥

Bagan is a fishing village in Sekinchan, 90% of the Chinese population is Teow Chew, the main economic activities in Bagan is fishing. Even the small kids are influenced by the village lifestyle since small and they are happy and enjoyable to have fun with the beautiful sea creatures.

The coffee shop name is Laksa Zaiton Beach which is a family business. 
They open at 10am and closed at 7pm, close on Monday.

The shop is famous with the prawn noodles (Mi Udang).
Must try it!!

The menu here is mainly related to shrimp and prawn or clams. There are food like Laksa with prawn, prawn mee with clam, fried mee with prawn, fried rice with prawn, and other desserts as well such as ice kacang, red water with jelly and many.

We visited a Malay open house celebration just near the fishing village.

This was my first time to join such a big Malay open house. Everyone were looking at us because we are bunch of Chinese joined into their celebration. This is the time when i see multicultural races mix and celebrate together.  The uncle aunty there were very friendly to welcome us and invited us to try their food.

Woo! This is my favourite!! I like eating satay and ketupat when i am at KL especially Kajang satay.

So sad that the satay was finished quickly and fortunately one of the juniors shared me her satay. She was so lovely. Thanks!!

This is my favourite also - Lemang

Lemang is a traditional food made of glutinous rice, coconut milk and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo stick lined with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. It is commonly found in maritime Southeast Asian countries, especially Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The bamboo tube containing glutinous rice, salt and coconut milk is placed slightly slanted on a small fire with the opening facing upwards and should be turned regularly in order to make it evenly cooked. It takes about 4–5 hours to cook lemang.

Lemang is commonly eaten to mark the end of daily fasting during the annual Muslim holidays of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, lemang is popular in countries such as Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

~ Lemang or Glutinous Rice Cooked In Bamboo ~

Ingredients:

600ml Glutinous Rice, wash and drain off excess water

1 Can (400ml) Coconut cream

200ml Water

1 Screwpine leaf or pandan leaf, knotted

Salt, to taste

Banana leaves

Cooking string

Directions:

1. Put the coconut cream, water, knotted screwpine leaf and salt into a pot. Bring to a quick boil. Add the glutinous rice. Stir until the glutinous rice has absorbed the coconut cream mixture and no liquid is left. Turn off the heat and put it aside to cool.

2. Wipe clean your banana leaves and lay ithem flat on the work surface, with the lines on the leaf running from left to right.

3. Divide the glutinous rice mixture into 5 parts.

4. Ladle the glutinous rice mixture onto the leaves. Roll them into a cylindrical shape and secure both ends with cooking string, making sure there is no tear in the banana leaves.

5. Bring a large pot of water to the boil, and gently submerge the wrapped lemang into the water. Boil for at least 20-30 minutes (this process will further cook the glutinous rice).

6. Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F).

7. Transfer the lemang into the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the banana leaf wrappers are slightly dried out.

8. Leave them to cool before slicing.

I picked my part and i shared with Sherilyn. 

There were other food like mee goreng, mixed rice with curry chicken and many.

Enjoyable food feasting of all kind of Malay traditional cuisine and it's FREE!!!

Nasi Ambeng

Restoran Lela, Jalan Kuala Selangor Teluk Intan

1km from Sungai besar.

We stopped at the middle to have this, Nasi Ambeng while travelling to Sabak Bernam Museum.

Nasi ambeng or Nasi ambang is a fragrant rice dish consists of white rice prepared with chicken curry or chicken cooked in soy sauce, vegetables, fried noodles, some salted fish, fried coconut flesh, and so on. It is a popular Javanese cuisine, especially in every Javanese-Malay communities in Malaysian states of Selangor and Johor, Singapore and also in Java, Indonesia. It is served during the festivities and served in a tray and enjoyed together in a tray by four to five people.

The coastal area of Selangor is connecting to Indonesia by the straits of Malacca. The community in this area is composed by other group of ethnic from Indonesia like Malay Bugis, Javanese and Banjar. This is how the Indonesia cuisine mixed with our Malay cultures in Malaysia. Therefore, Nasi Ambeng appeared in the Malay village when the cultures mixed together.

Sabak Bernam District Museum

The museum of agriculture & fisheries

Muzium Sabak Bernam, Taman Kenangan,  Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Malaysia.

35km from Sekinchan

In Sabak Bernam most of the people work as a fisherman/ farmer.

The communities are composed of Javanese, Banjar, and Malay Bugis

They consist of different Malay communities with their own dialects and customs. 

In the museum, we can see the graphical information and documentary tells us about how the communities here survive as a fisherman or farmer and their lifestyle and cultures and development here in Sabak Bernam.


Selangor has been blessed with enough natural resources to feed itself, and this museum relays the state’s history in relation to agriculture and fishing with some choice exhibits. The sea’s bounty has long been of important economic interest for Selangor, and the museum displays a chronological history of fishing in the state, as well as displaying a collection of traditional equipment.

We were looking at the architectural elements of  how a Malay house is built.

The inner view of the Malay village house.

This is the time!! This is the time we were waited for so long!!!

Seafood, I coming!!

Do you noticed anything on our faces??

So many moles on our face because it was the punishment from the game before we reached the restaurant. funny....Xp :/

Riverview Seafood Restaurant 

Before we ordered, we make sure that everyone of us eat the food that we ordered. There were 10 of us in our class. That night we only ordered 3 dishes as we afraid that we over budget and the menu has no pricing! We ordered one butter milk crab, one claypot taufu, and one steamed prawn, of course with rice and drinks. It costs us RM233.20. Crab costs RM128 for 2 kg, and i not sure the prices for other dishes. Everyone was crazy about crab and we have been long time don't eat so nice while we stay away from home.

Here's the scrumptious butter milk crabs!!

After the satifying meals which we think can ordered some more, we were actually waiting for the next seafood meal around here!!

Firefly Kuala Selangor

Kampong Kuantan

You could experience riding on a traditional sampan (small boat) down the Selangor river and observe the 'Pteroptyx Tener' species in close proximity. The fireflies suck nutrition from the Berembang trees, or scientifically known as the 'Sonneratia Caseolaris', which is the source of their food. The tree also serves as a water filter for the river.

Every night people can do this fun tour; tickets costs RM15 per person for a 30/45 minute ride.

Life jacket on and we are now waiting for our small boat!

The electric boats here are completely silent and run on battery that therefore causes no pollution to the environment of the Fireflies Sanctuary. The boats are equipped with hard canopy and everyone on board gets a life jacket.

Another group of people of us.

Watching fireflies at night is really an enchanting experience for us. A nervous excitement set in as we step into the boats, as the darkness is quite thick at first. In a matter of moments your eyes adjust and the fairy like lights of the fireflies line the shore.

We went to see these birds sleeping on the trees. Hey, birdy wake up wake up!! Sorry that we were so noisy here to disturb you all! Hee Hee...

On this river you can spot the famous fireflies (Kelip-Kelip in Bahasa Melayu) during evenings/nights. The fireflies all are found on the mangrove tree species called berembang. It is said that this is one of the biggest firefly colonies in the world. If you want to check out the fireflies yourself, you should head out to Kampung Kuantan (9km from Kuala Selangor) in the beginning of the evening. There you can arrange an eco-friendly rowing boat; a local boatman (guide) will escort you. There are opening hours to take into account; you can visit the attraction between 8.00pm and 10.30pm daily (except for rainy days).

In order not to disturb the fireflies you are not allowed to take any pictures. This was too dark to shoot some nice footage.

Remember not to make any unnecessary noises, do not use your camera (especially no flash) and do not wear too much mosquito repellant.

After all the exciting adventures, we back to Sekin Hotel again. This is the time for us to rest before another day. Before sleep, we final year seniors invited all juniors came out to play few games with us in order to have a quick and sweet ice-breaking! We planned it spontaneously and we played few funny games with them. Hope you all like it! I do love to mix with bunch of friends and people and gather together and we have fun before end of the trips. How precious that we got the chance to gather 30++ of us. I truly appreciate the moment. 

The pictures below is the punishment from the game and the people need to find a lecturer to take a we-fie photo and post it in the group! HaaHaa...

Picture 1

Aww our lovely Ms.Baizura, sorry to disturb you....

Picture 2..Kekekeeee....

Our cute Ms. Raja was busy having tutorial with final year students actually in the hotel lobby. This was the epic picture ever!...

Keropok Light Factory

somewhere near Kuala Selangor

We dropped by here while travelling to Dorani Homestay.

This is a home-based business. 

They stay and work there together.

We patiently watched how she preparing the ingredients and blend the ingredients.

We asked the aunty and she was very friendly to teach us how to do it and what ingredients needed in the process and some tips also.

This is the workstation to fry the crackers at the kitchen.

We busy enjoy exploring the workstation areas and their house.

We hang around at the crackers selling areas and testing the crackers.

Everyone was waiting near the bus and can't wait to the Dorani Homestay!

We busy and still patiently waiting for the ingredients to be put in the boiling oil to fry.

The process needed so much packs of oil and it needs lots efforts and times to do a nice Keropok. The oil was getting boiling to be ready.

The aunty was frying the ingredients in the boiling oil and it need skills to form the shape although it's quite random.

Nata de Coco Factory

 Light Factory

Lot 9492, Jalan Besar Sungai Limau, Sungai Besar, Selangor.

Office hour: 8.30am - 530pm ,Everyday except Sunday.

We were here in the place where we were listening to the talk from the supervisor.

Nata de coco is a chewy, translucent, jelly-like foodstuff produced by the fermentation of coconut water, which gels through the production of microbial cellulose by Acetobacter xylinum. Originating in the Philippines, nata de coco is most commonly sweetened as a candy or dessert, and can accompany many things including pickles, drinks, ice cream, puddings, and fruit mixes.

You can get some Nata de Coco at the shop here.

1.5L RM4/Unit

1 Box 6 Jug is RM20 (Promotion price)

There are in different flavours like strawberry, lychee, mango, pineapple, and grapes.

Nata de coco is highly regarded for its high dietary fibre.

It is a food that does not contained cholesterol but in low calorie content.

It is good for digestion and eases digestion.

It can help to lose weight in a healthy way.

It can absorb the cholesterol in controlling obesity.

It is suitable for those who practice a vegetarian diet.

It is enriched with Vitamin C.

It also can be practiced as dietary supplement.

The primarily coconut water dessert is produced through a series of steps:

1. Extraction of coconut water

2. Fermentation of the coconut water with bacterial cultures

3. Separating and cutting the produced fat of nata de coco

4. Cleaning and washing off the acetic acid

5. Cutting and packaging

And now i realized how useful of a coconut!!

The factory workstation and storage areas.

The machine was stored in this area, and there are wide extra space if they need to expand their business.

Those are the awards that proven that they make a good contribution and successful in this field.

Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani

Kuala Selangor

Jalan Parit 2, Sungai Haji Dorani,Sungai Besar, 45300 Selangor   

Abd Rahman Daud (013-6077025)   Tel no: 013-5156793   

" To experience the sights, sounds and wonders of Malaysian life, the homestay programme at Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani, which exposes visitors to the culture, traditions and Malaysian way of life."

 This house is the Centre House-a meeting point. The distance from Shah Alam to this destination is 90 km and 130 km from Kuala Lumpur. There are 30 rooms which some of them are equipped with televisions and fans for visitors' conveniece. Some of the attration places there can be visited while staying in Dorani Homestay are:

- Honey Mango Platation

- Batik Making

- Bahulu Making

- Banana Chips Making

Arriving at 10.00am at the village, the coordinator of Homestay Haji Dorani, lead our bus from a place and greeted us before we were led to an activity center. 

We need to cross a bridge to go inside the Dorani house. We were welcomed with some chilling drinks and curry puff and kuih.

We spent some times to walk around the area and adapt to the new environment and get refresh.

There are Dorani homestay resort and the areas is furnished with all authentic Malay house style.

Homestay Packages:

Day trip 

Start for 10.00 am to 4.00 pm

Visit Workshop and experience hoe to make cake/chip Banana and visit Nata de coco Factory

Activities Dye batik Canting, Pounding paddy, Kite Flying and Use hand to Catch Fish Price Rm 65 each (min 40 people)

2 days 1 night 

Tea Time, 1x Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Activities Dye Batik Canting, Pounding paddy, Kite Flying and Use Hand to Catch Fish 

Activities Walk at Night at Paddy field

Visit Workshop and Experience hoe to Sponge Cake / Chip Banans and Nata de coco factory and Mango Garden. 

3 days 2 night

Celebration Bunga Manggar, Kompang and Tea time

2x Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Activities Dye batik Canting, Pounding Paddy, Fishing or Use Hand to Catch Fish, Kite Flying and Self Activities.

Activities Walk at Night at Paddy Field

Visit Workshop and Experience how to make Sponge Cake / Chip Banana and Visit Nata de coco Factory and Mango Garden 

One cultural Dance (Tarian Kuda Kepang)

We were attracted to the flowery garden behind the lobby area. I can see that the coordinators put lots efforts to manage this Malay Dorani house.

The homestay programme is a special holiday Package where you have the opportunity to stay with farmers and gain the experience pertaining to farmers' and villagers' unique daily activities such as paddy-planting and batik painting. 

We spent half day at Dorani house, so after the lunch, the first activity we did was batik painting. We all can't wait to see the demonstration before we all started to paint.

He teached us to put plain water first at the area that you wanted to colour before you colouring, so that the colour can be blended well in different tones.

6 in one group and we all choose the patterns that we like and prepared all the colours and brush.

We have plain water, red, blue, yellow, green that are all the primary basic colours. You can play around to mix the colours.

All of us are patiently painting in one place and have fun there!.

Those are the painting works that we done and there were some watercolour dropped on the floor accidentally.

Everyone of us have different characteristics and made a different emotion and expression at the art works. This was the first time i experienced to paint a Batik with friends together.

5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1...

Say Cheese~

As fishing is one of the main activities in this area, one can try their skill at fishing by the paddy fields -- the traditional way. Other main attractions for tourists include fire flies observation and crab hunt at the mangrove swamps that is abound in the village vicinity. For those wanting to savour the laid-back life of the villagers, relax and unwind while feasting the eyes at the beauty of mother nature.

Eel-fishing is a common activity among the locals especially during the paddy harvesting season.

Its time to go down to the "Mud"

Our mission is you have to go down to the mud to catch as many fishes as you can,

All of us like

" There are Fish here, Fast , "

" Take the Pail Here "

Fast, fast , fast.

"Oh my god, i see the head coming out!"

"Oh NO, the fish is moving around my leg!"

"The mud is too wet and slippery, HELP!"

"AHHHH!!!~~~"don't know what happened.....

And some of the girls are phobia with the fishes,

& they were like screaming here and there

So funny lar okay !

When the fishes were around their leg,

They Run as fast as they can

and run off from the mud.

hahahahaha.

So we work as a team to catch many fishes

cause we dont want to lose.

We want to stand together in a group and try to trap the fish to the side.

Some of the guys were so brave and catched few at one times. Geng!

After the session, we all were splashed with dirty and disgusting mud especially the leg and hand. The coordinator used the pipe with strong water to clean our leg and hand.

Group Photo with a bunch of buddies!!
Around 4 pm, it times to leave.

Pasir Penambang Market

Kuala Selangor

Kuala Selangor is a town located in Selangor, Malaysia. This is a coastal town located about 50 km north of Klang, 63 km from Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor, and about 70 km from Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Selangor was the old royal capital of Selangor prior to moving to Klang, to Kuala Lumpur, then to Shah Alam. It is located well off the normal tourism route and hence, still maintains its traditional "kampung" (village) atmosphere. 

"Kuala" means rivermouth in the Malay language. Kuala Selangor is a small town where the Selangor River (Sungai Selangor) meets the sea. The town caters largely to tourists coming this way en route to firefly (Kelip-Kelip) at Kampung Kuantan, the local travellers come for the fresh seafood. 

Kuala Selangor is blessed with the fresh seafood. 

Pasir Panambang Market is the main market of selling fresh catch fish, is located at Jalan Feri Lama.

The fresh seafood selling in this market is less than 6 hours after the seafood catch from the ocean. The best time to go to buy the fresh fish after 2.00 pm. The fishing boat just come from the ocean after their catching activities the Strait of Malacca.

At this market, the seafood are the day’s catch. A lot of buyers come over the weekend with a cooler to get a week’s supply of fresh seafood.

Fresh Catch Seafood in Kuala Selangor

Worry not, disposable coolers are sold nearby the market.

You can prepare polyform box (or you buy here with RM6-10 per box) to purchase fresh seafood here, polyform box able to help to maintain the freshness of the seafood your purchase.

We bought a largest  size of polyform box costs RM7 to carry all the seafood that we bought.

Our lecturers are pro at bargaining the prices with the fishmonger, so that we can get more seafood with cheaper prices. We bought fishes, prawns, scallops, squids, corns, cucumber, onion, soy sauce, curry powder, banana leaf, green onion, lime, chilli, chilli sauce, brinjal, aluminium foil and so on.

We bought all the seafood from this guys at the wet market. He is lucky one! We request him to clean & cut the fish and pack with ice to keep the seafood fresh until we arrive at the Kabin. He is so kind to help us to carry the polyform box from the market to the bus. 

Processed Seafood Product

Dried Anchovy (Ikan Bilis), Dried Shrimp, Dried Baby Shrimp, Dried Fish, Ikan Bilis, Salted Fish, Dried Squid etc.

Seafood Snacks

Fish Crackers, Prawn Crakers, Satayfish, Sugar Cuttlefish, Satay Shrimp, Crispy Fish , BBQ fish , Fish Snacks etc.

The Kabin

Pantai Remis

A unique container-type lodging unit with a smart modular concept catered a one of a kind holiday experience. Back to nature, slow paced living.

With its strategic location next to Remis Beach and within the small idyllic historical and coastal town of Kuala Selangor, it is easily accessible via KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR) or the North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE). 

It is definitely a great gateway for those who are looking for a short escapade within the city. Explore, and you will find a lot of interesting places nearby. Back to nature, slow paced living, you will appreciate life more. 

In support of the environment, this small family-run boutique resort is made up from recycled shipping container that has been converted luxuriously into cosy accommodation units that accommodates up to 78 guests. The Kabin is also a great location to hold any private functions, gatherings, team building, family day, wedding and etc. 

We reached at the lobby and checked in. The cafe area and reception combined in one place to welcome the guests.

There are several room types. The one that is for us is with the room name of Rotterdam which can occupy 6 persons. There are 1 queen bed, 4 single bunk beds, 2 separate adjoining bathrooms & private balcony with dining table & chairs. This is a premium room as the room is facing the swimming pool.

The rate per night is RM440 normally, but at peak season would be RM490. 

We took a pictures in front of our container hotel which just in front of the swimming pool also.

The TV area in the middle which connecting the queen bed at the left side, while 4 single bunk bed at the right sides, with both bathrooms adjoining at both sides respectively.

This is the view from the TV areas facing to the left side of the queen bed area.

All the rooms will have the following in-room facilities, unless stated otherwise:

Air conditioner

WIFI

Hot shower

Bathroom Amenities

TV with satellite channels (HBO, BBC, Nat Geo, Fox Sport, Super Sport, Nickelodeon, MTV)

Complimentary drinking water

Balcony & Dining table (Some room type on sharing basis)

Iron & board (upon request)

Room type that showed below is Long Beach, Vancouver.

MAX OCCUPANCY

4-pax

ROOM DESCRIPTIONS

2 ea Upper Unit 4-pax room with 4 single bunk beds, 1 adjoining bathroom & private balcony with dining table & chairs (Premium – Facing Swimming Pool)

Promo Rate (RM/night nett)

Peak: 340

Normal: 290

The long beach container have a good view of whole areas of the Kabin.

My friend, Sherilyn can look out from the round window to talk to me when i was at the ground floor!lol..

My pretty friend, Emma likes to take few nice shots, so that she can post in instagram! lol....

We all were busy preparing for the barbecue dinner tonight! This gonna be a wonderful seafood feasting that we ever made at the Kabin!

The Kabin barbecue area is just nice for us to gather and cooperate to make the dinner by our own.

There were two barbecue area in front of the area, two big tables with chairs and 2 basin at both of the corners. We experienced to cook and barbecue at outdoor which close to the nature environment.

The Kabin's workers helped us to burn the fire and adjusted the charcoals. You can see everyone were happily preparing the seafood dinner! 

Ms. Raja likes our mother and teached us to prepare everything and make sure everything can be done.

We were preparing the fish in the aluminium foil with desirable flavor and spices and ingredients like garlic, salt, pepper and lime juices.

Some of us were cutting the garlic, cucumber, brinjals and so on. Some of us helped to take care of the barbecue fire. Some of us helped to make the lemon juices.

She was cutting the cucumber.

The table was filled with fun, loves and happiness while preparing the meals together in such a beautiful getaway.

And me, was in this group to help cleaning the squid!

Oh my god, the squids were splashing all black ink shit to our face! We learnt how to clean it by removing the unwanted parts and dip into the water to clean the black part to avoid the ink splashed, the water in the basin was black in colour. This was a good experience and i realized that what my mum usually do at the kitchen and its ain't easy to prepare every meal.

I would like to share how i clean the "naughty" squids:

1. Remove head from squid body.

2. Squid ink sac removal.

3. Remove beak from tentacles.

4. Clean the tail tube and cartilage and remove the skin membrane.

All food almost well-prepared and let's get started to grab the food together!

Group photo at the Kabin.

After the tiring long day, Ms Raja was so kind to have tutorials with the final year students after we cleaned up the barbecue area.

Luckily we settled down and it only rained. It was so heavily till the rainwater splashed uncontrolled into the cabin's balcony, the thoughtful arrangement  of the Kabin have already put a bamboo curtains over the balcony areas to cover the rain. 

The swimming pool is closed at night after 8pm. There was heavy rain at the night and we could feel the coldness and nature altogether in the container hotel.

Yoga session after the heavy meals?

The layout plan of the areas in the Kabin.

Landscpae layout

It was such a nice weather in the morning after the heavy long rain last night. We woke early in the morning and rented few bicycle from The Kabin and it costs RM8 per pax. I took a couple seats bicycle because Emma and Kah Yean doesn't know how to ride a bicycle! Oh my god! Anyway i think my skills still able to cater them. I will brought Emma first and I brought Kah yean when riding back to hotel.

We were cycling along the road path to the Pantai Remis and finding breakfast.

Due to inconvenient when i was riding the bike, i didn't take any pictures while we riding the bicycle together in a couple seats bicycle.

Here shows a reference pictures of how it is looked like.

Pantai Remis beach at Jeram in Selangor is a waterfront beach. 

It is located 20km south of Kuala Selangor.

It provided a nice seaside retreat, the sea water are quite frothy and murky. The name of Pantai Remis is inspired by clam shells.

Frequented by locals & tourists, the beach is packed on the weekends and public holidays. Best to enjoy scenic view of the sunset, some visitors will engage in recreational activities such as kite flying and seaside fishing. There are a lot of stalls selling seafood products and local delicacies.

There are  lot of stalls selling foods and we bumped into this "mamak" stall. They were selling Malay breakfast like mee goreng, eggs, chicken, sambal, potatoes with anchovies, and "nasi lemak".

This was my breakfast and it costs RM6 with hot "teh o".

We back to the Kabin again and ready to jump into the swimming pool.

Last semester with my 3 years coursemates, we should jumped together before all the stressful final projects ahead. We treasure our friendship and cherish our moments with lots of laughter!

1-2-3 JUMP!!!!

Its's the time to have one last group photo at such a beautiful container hotel. We all were ready and moved our luggage out and waiting for the camera. 

"Hurry up! We want to take photo already!"

The Red Ants

Till i can't see the word "The Kabin"

We hunted for last seafood meal before heading back to KL.

Main seawater fishing village in west costal because of Selangor River is the natural fishing boat parking area. 

You can taste varieties of fresh seafood like fresh crab, prawn (shrimp), squid, seawater fishes, oyster with varieties of cooking style.

Happily waiting for food to come!

I bet that everyone see this would drooling like no one else.

We ordered 2 flavored of crabs, one is butter milk, another is sweet and sour, steamed fish, western cooked prawn with onion, fried squid, butter mushroom shrimp, and coconut drinks or fruit juices.

It costs RM350 for 10pax in this meal. Each person roughly RM35. Some of us didn't eat prawn or crab because of allergic, so we deduct her parts and count it reasonably. 

Cendol Bakar

Address: Batu 1, Kampung Assam Jawa, Jalan Bukit Rotan.
Opens: Weekdays: 11am – 6pm, Weekends: 10am – 7pm

Traditionally, cendol is an iced dessert, made with coconut milk (santan), palm sugar and green worm-like jelly made with pandan leaves (screwpine leaves).

      so how do you roast (bakar) it???

As it turned out, the name of the owner is Mr. Bakar, and as part of their preparation for the cendol ingredients, they also roast the gula Melaka (palm sugar). So this is how their "bakar" comes from.

You can get some childhood sweets and toys over here.

The sky is blue and it formed a beautiful clouds over the Malay styled roof.

Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan

Meaning walk-walk hunting for food.

It's credited to our local Malaysian private television station owned and operated by the Media Prima Berhad, a Malaysian conglomerate. They promoted this place as one of the famous dessert that you never want to miss it!

The cendol bakar has few flavour with different combination, cost ranged from RM2.50 to RM4.50.

We ordered cendol VIP and cendol durian.

There are 6 varieties of cendol to choose from:

cendol VIP – nata de coco + selasih + jagung + kacang – RM 2.00

cendol VVIP – pulut + nata de coco + selasih + jagung + kacang – RM 2.50

cendol tapai – pulut  + nata de coco + selasih + jagung + kacang – RM 3.00

cendol pulut tapai – pulut + tapai + nata de coco + selasih + jagung + kacang – RM 3.50

cendol durian – durian + nata de coco + selasih + jagung + kacang – RM 3.00

cendol durian pulut – pulut + durian + nata de coco + selasih + jagung + kacang – RM 3.50

We also ordered "Lempeng pisang bakar" which meant roasted banana, also called as baked banana pancake.

 Ingredients:

2 bunches of banana cooked chestnuts (mashed) 

1 cup flour 

½ cup sugar 

½ grated coconut (note that white only) 

½ teaspoon salt 

Banana leaves

Method: 

1. Put the flour and sugar into the mashed bananas and mix well. 

2. Link 1 scoop banana mixture and spread evenly on a banana leaf. Not too thick. 

3. Pour oil mixture over the banana mixture and fold in half a banana leaf. 

4. Bake the pan (pan) until half cooked and turn it over. 

Other than cendol, there are also giant curry puff, otak-otak, chicken wings, mee soto, and many other local delights to choose.

I tried the cendol Vip while Kah Yean opted for the cendol durian. The gula Melaka used was authentic, coconut milk nice and creamy, and ice finely shaven. It was a proper cendol alright, and with the nata de coco, selasih, corn and nuts, makes for a pretty delicious and quite filling bowl of dessert.

Oh, I heard that Cendol Bakar also offers free cendol for those who carries JKM cards (the disabled and the poor).

The Malay styled of pavilion.

It momentarily left us speechless. We didn’t know whether to be attracted by the signage stated:

A drive-through by the old roads of Kuala Selangor for a popular Malaysian dessert? .. OR

Roast (hot) cendol (cold)???

The story ended with a lovely pack of rice that is filled with loves, laughter and happiness all the way of the journey. We are the best team ever, best mates in UCSI!

These places that i can feel warm and homely especially when i talk to the people there. They are all so friendly to help us once they know that you are not the locals.

Research showed that colour has a strong effect on our moods and emotions. If you are feeling stress, unhappy, then you can actually try to relieve yourselves by getting to a place that can soothe out your mind.

The green colour of the  paddy fields have all the tranquilizing effect. Stepping on the land that surrounded with the greenish paddy really calm and soothe my senses. The fishing village and all kinds of nature experience and relax lifestyle at the Malay village which bring back our sweet childhood memories which are precious. 

I strongly recommended that it's worth to have try or getaway like this at the rural areas at least once in a lifetime because you never know and feel it unless you experience it yourself!

Let's plan a getaway here!