KEDAH…. HERE I COME!!!

BACKGROUND        

Hi everyone, now I want to share a little bit about my country but I will focus to Kedah Darul Aman. So, what is the interesting places in Kedah??

Well, we have a highlands it is Gunung Jerai, Alor Setar as a city, we also have an islands which is Langkawi and Pulau Payar, historical sites at Lembah Bujang, a great rainforest at Ulu Muda Forest Reserve and the well-known lake, Pedu Lake.

This is the "rice-bank" of Malaysia and visitors are greeted with stretches of green 'padi'/rice plants gently swaying with the breeze which turn to a golden brown when the paddy is ready for harvesting. The gentle plains merge with undulating hills and valleys, rising to the majestic limestone mountains in the north and east. The legendary Langkawi Archipelago steeped in history and myth, a haven for tourists, lies offshore. Let’s go guy follow me to know more about Pedu Lake. The awesome lake in Kedah.

JOURNEY &  ARRIVAL

            Travelling all the way from KL, some 6 ½ hours northwards, didn't feel too mundane as the highway took us past scenic limestone hills of Perak and into the flat coastal plains of Kedah where chessboard patterns of paddy fields filled the landscape. Dotted around are odd-looking scarecrows, seemingly put together more to complete the picture perfect rather than to frighten the crows! Turned off at the Gurun exit from the highway, taking us east into the interior of Kedah and to the lake so many of us have heard and read about but remains elusive. As the narrow road snaked further into the heart of Kedah, a sense of adventure began seeping back into our blood, raising our heartbeats, pouring adrenaline down our throats. The landscape slowly changing - villages lining the roads, melted away. Natural barricades of tall undergrowth and lowland-forested trees, many flowering this time of the year greeted us with a scent of freshness. Like the smell of the garden lawn after a refreshing mid-afternoon downpour.

 

Having parked our car at the terminal beside the entrance to the resort, you need took a ride into the main resort area. Cars are not allowed in the main resort area for fear of parking congestion and we'd like to believe that it is a resort that encourages their guests to walk a bit and absorb the pristine environment in the 400 or so acres the resort sits on.

After a few minutes of formalities, we checked into the lake view chalets, which have an open view facing west. The balcony sits on the water's edge and after the day's drive, the temptation proved too much to resist we crumpled into our chairs for a magnificent sunset. The roaring red sun sank lower as evening beckoned. Sunrays skimmed over ripples, spreading across the surface, turning the lake a brilliant orange.

                  ACCOMMODATION

There are so many places to spend your night but my suggestion is this resort. It’s known as Desa Utara Pedu Lake Resort. Other than that, you also can stay at Mutiara Pedu Lake Resort. These two resorts are near to the Pedu Lake. 

v             ROOM TYPE :   106 deluxe rooms and suites, rumah induk - for group

                                bookings of 40 to 60 persons (2 double decker beds in

                                10 separate rooms) \

v              ROOM DESCRIPTION : Deluxe rooms with air-cond, bathroom

                                              Attached with hot water, TV with astro satellite

                                              programmes, video and cassette player, mini     

                                              bar, hair dryer,tea & coffee making facility, 

                                              IDD, room safe and balcony. 

v               FACILITIES :  Melinja Coffee House, Anjung bar lounge, water sports

                              facilities, meeting rooms.

v                OPTIONAL  : Fishing, boat rental, trekking, camping, team building

                              facilities, karaoke,swimming pool and jet skiing.

           

For more information you can get at :

Desa Utara Pedu Lake Resort
K.B. No 2 Kuala Nerang, 06300 Kedah Darul Aman

MORE ABOUT PEDU LAKE

 

• Tualang Trees and large honey bees!!

 

According to the cycle of the moon, honey can only be gathered on moonless nights and although we came during the right season which falls in February(or sometimes in March). So for those of you interested in witnessing the rituals, call the Pedu resorts for latest news on schedules. This honey-harvesting season is also reliant on the rains, which affect the blooms of the wild flowers and that in turn affect the honeybees. They are all connected one way or another and this makes the rainforest all the more fascinating and fragile!

 

To the Tualang tree, the trek started off pretty easy. A well-marked trek took us closer to our destination but the last twenty minutes drew a little more effort. The incline was close to 45° and with more muscle power to drive each step we felt our precious reserve body fluids and energy draining away. We were allowed to stop for a final rest on a flat rock just round the corner from the tree. As we turned the corner, we were greeted with the most spectacular tree. Having been told too many times how  tall the tree is, I could not imagine its greatness. The white smooth trunk pushes the Tualang (Koompasia excelsa) canopy some 150feet (50m)high (roughly 15 storey’s high). It takes 4 grown men with outstretched arms to circle the base of the tree. I don't know how many centuries this tree has lived but it has to be one of the oldest around and a fine living specimen it is.

 MORE ABOUT HONEYBEES

• Honeybees gatherers on a moonless night or when the moon has gone down.
• The bees are more interested in the dying cinders.
• The bees are unable to fly in the dark.
• Each tree are to house on average 100 hives per seasons.
• Every nest containing 30 000 of giant Asian honeybees.
• Honeybees built their beads of nest up on the branches of tualang trees, about 100 feets from the forest floor.
• A ketchup botlle filled with pure honey from these harvests can fetch RM40 to RM45 each.
• When visiting the trees during the ritual, make sure that no one in the group light a cigarette or flicks on a torch.

Boat rides around the lake

 

         Then, don’t miss to take a boat ride round the lake. The lake itself has many islets that used to be peaks or mounts, and now are the only areas still above the flood level. The ridge facing the resort is really an island, there's more lake round the other side. Around the corner, the resort's Sports and Recreation manager and a former army commando pointed out to us a floating hut in a cove. Below the surface of the lake, there is an entire forest of trees and loggers have come to cut the submerged trees. A highly specialized and dangerous job, the divers are paid to go deep into the sunken forest and source for the right tree to cut down. Suited up in their heavy gear, with breathing hose connected to the surface, these divers drop to a depth of 60' or more. It's dark; it's still, and the meshes of branches make their descent difficult. A snag could mean death. Some trees are very buoyant, shooting up to the surface, sometimes even before the trunk is sawn right through. Imagine being entangled in the branches of the tree when this happens. Riding with the tree all the way to the surface as it rises above the waters before splashing down, like a cork being released underwater. What an experience! The Pedu lake golf resort has boat trips into little canals around the lake where there is a greater chance of spotting wildlife. The otters are often out in large family groups, in search of food. The younger family members are seen frolicking and fooling around in the shallower parts. Huge monitor lizards are also residents of the lake but are usually shy of people and passing boats.

The waterfall 

There is a beautiful waterfall not far from the area - a walk on the main road and then a little trek into the jungle. This place may be a little tricky to find on your own so try asking for some help from the resort staff. For those who are keen to seek out some wildlife in the area, the resort staff is well-versed with the 1 to 2 night trek up the ridge just to the back of the resort. A rather difficult trek but not impossible. According to the guides, they have seen evidence of large mammals such as the Sumatran rhinoceros and tapirs in the area. At the top of the ridge, there is a majestic view of the Pedu and Thailand. However, there are no hides where visitors can hold up for the night in wait for any exciting wild animals to trot by. Camping equipment should be brought along with you if you should want to take on this challenge. Having 'conquered' the peak, there's always the consolation of a relaxing bath and all the luxuries that come with staying at Desa Utara and the Mutiara Pedu Lake & Golf Resort.

So, what are you waiting for??? Let's go and have some fun.. Enjoy yourself friends. We will come back with a new awesome places.. :D