Fishing Day @ Tasik Banding

Early in the morning we woke up and get ready for the important day. We arrive at the jetty around 8 in the morning. Our boatman was late by 30 mins as he was held back by the elephant on his way to Pulau Banding from Gerik. How lucky of him. We wish we too had had the same chance to see the wild elephant along the Lebuhraya Timur Barat but no luck. According to him the elephant was upset and throwing woods to the road. Luckily no car was damaged as the result of the elephant tantrum.

Scene like this is pretty common among the locals. But it definitely big thing for people like me. Yea, I do admit I am quite jakun..Hahahaa

According to local, Tasik Banding was a man made lake as the result of Temenggor dam constructions. Water from nearby river spill over the lower part of the jungle thus the lake was made. The dam was build in 1970 and completed in 1974, according to wikipedia. This lake is located at Lebuhraya Timur-Barat, between Gerik, Perak to Jeli, Kelantan.

The lake is well known with fresh water fishing for Kelah, Temoleh, Baung, Kelabau, Loma, Sebarau, Haruan among others.  According to our boatmen, the best season to fish is December.

 See my other half is a happy man when it come to fishing. His second hobby is shopping for his toy. On this trip he mis-step his own fishing rod. He was extremely upset and I asked if he did that on purpose so he can have a reason to buy a new rod? He said I was insensitive towards his feeling.... Well, you can't blame me because just recently he hinted he needed a new rod but I stopped him from buying as he already has 4 fishing rod at home.

We couldn't get the live bait so he has to do casting. Casting means using fake bait and throwing the bait repeatedly. After few try I gave up as my throwing skills sucks and having trouble with the rod.

The boatmen took us to the side of the lake - fish favourite hiding place.

While in the middle of the Reserved Belum Royal Forest, we heard a few gun shoots. At first we were worried as there has been constant highlights on newspaper of recent gun incidents Later we were relief when we saw a group of army were jungle trekking between the jungle and the lake as part of their practise. We later learnt that those shots were from them as part of their training. 

Peaceful lake reminds me of malay proverb - Air yang tenang jangan di sangka tiada buaya. 

An old tree blocking the part of the route

At the close up, see an old bee nest @ old tree.

My other half nearly caught a Haruan but that fish bite off the bait within few second. We conclude that the escaped fish must be at least 3 to 4kgs because the rod that we used actually mean for smaller fish. 

By the end of the day we caught two small fish less than 1kg, it was just too small for my other half appetite we release the fish back to the lake.

Overall, we had lots of fun and will definitely be back again.

Citarasa Steamboat @ NSK

This restaurant was highly recommended by my uncles and aunties. After a few days of heavy seafood I told my other half I need to simple comfort food hence suggested to try out here.

I was googled high and low for the restaurant phone number but could not find any. We arrived at 8.20pm and there was already a long queue at the restaurant front. I took the Q while the men decided check out their seafood option. Tips: It is easier to get table if you come in with 4 pax, bigger group means longer waiting time. We waited for 15 mins before we were given a table.

We opt for their promotion set of RM6.90. It come with egg, fish ball, fu chuck, white cabbage.

Here come the add on mid size prawn at RM5 each

Their fish ball is OK - nothing fancy

The two vege above is specially for me since I wanted a simple meal. Each is RM3.50. Since there are only 3 of us, we restrain ourselves to order further.

Curry Lamb @ RM10 per bowl 

Here is some snapshots of the seafood market

They have wide selection of porridge too.

Steam fish promo set with vegetables and white rice offer from 10am to 4pm only at RM9.90.

Citarasa Seafood Market Steamboat

Basement 1, Pusat Perdagangan Kuchai, 

2, Jalan 1/127, Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, 58200 Kuala Lumpur

Telephone: 03-7980 0874, 03-7980 0325

Opening hour: 10am -10pm

My first @ picking own durian

It is a rare opportunity that we get to visit durian orchard especially for a city girl like myself. Eddie, an IT graduate who used to work in KL decided to move back home and venture into durian farming business. I admire his determination and courage. Not many of us is brave enough to do so especially when you have a family of three to feed.

We were given briefing before the picking exercise.

The weather was exceptional good. See the durian fruits so high there. It worried me as if the fruits would  fall down as we passed. No worries there are specific times for durian runtuh, normally during midnight. So farmers would pick their fruits 2 times a day at 6am and 7pm to ensure fresh fruits delivered to reseller.

Durian flower at the young tree.

Cam whore with low hanging fruits but these babies not ripen yet

Sport shoe check, sunglasses check 

All set and the journey begin...

Hey, I found 2 fruits here..let me sniff sniff first :p

Huei's babies

There are rambutan trees too 

The fruits collection based on team effort after an hour of walking

They said weird shape durian usually taste the best.. is that true? I have no idea 

Beautiful view facing South China Sea. The other side of land is our neighbour Sumatera, Indonesia.

Farming durian is not easy task. Eddie said he woke up everyday at 5am and by 6am he is already at the orchard. One need a lot of stamina to go around 4 acre farm. Beside good stamina, you also need to have sensitive nose to be able to detect the durian runtuh site. Who say this job easy? Definitely not for me.

We had a great time and thank you Eddie for your kind hospitality!!

Belum Rainforest Resort

The very first time I come across this name was at Groupon. That time they are having some 3D2N promo with the hotel. After some google-ingI realized this place is a very much fishing paradise. I made the reservation and told my other half we are going for a fishing trip.

Given the location at Gerik and the price of RM300++ per night we have high expectation for this place as this is the most expensive hotel in that location. However the service offer here is equivalent to 1-2 star hotel.
There is no TV in the hotel room. Internet connection is slow even if you bring you own Internet dongle mainly because the coverage is powered by GPRS. They do provide free internet surfing at the hotel lobby. That doesn't mean this is not a great place. If you like nature and enjoy fishing then come here.

The hotel  located of the island by the name of Pulau Banding.
No you don't need to take any boat ride to the resort. Pulau Banding is connected to the mainland with 2 bridges built during the construction of Lebuhraya Timur Barat.

The new block of rooms which I believe could be Executive Deluxe

The white roof is newly build glass villa facing the lake directly. 

The walkway towards the hotel private jetty

Hotel private jetty. The shot taken from the Houseboat.

Still under maintenance swimming pool, according to the staff it will commerce in August. 

Gathering area with beautiful view of the lake.

Unlike KL, Pulau Banding is particularly cloudy and windy. Perhaps is due to its reserved forest.

Some locals caught this fish and we borrowed  for cam whoring.

Things to do here

Fishing @ the lake for Haruan, Kelah just to name a few. The hotel provide you fishing facilities but you need to inform them one day in advance as they need get the bait from Gerik which is about 30 mins away. Preferably, you call the hotel in advance if you would like to take their fishing package. Alternately you could rent a boat from Pulau Banding jetty. It normally starts at 8am finish around 3 to 4pm.

Price: RM150 per pax (Hotel) or RM450 per boat (4 pax)

Guided tour to rafflesia and around the lake @ every 5pm at hotel jetty RM50 per pax. The tour lasted for about an hour. We didn't go for this because we come for fishing.

Belum Reserved Forest - one need permit to enter this jungle whereby one need to apply 7 days in advance. If you keen on this contact the hotel weeks before your stay to ensure all approval is done prior to your arrival.  

Staying here means eating in otherwise you could drive to Gerik for more options.  

Belum Rainforest Resort, Pulau Banding, Perak
http://belumresort.com/

Bazar Ramadhan Gerik

Ramadhan is the holy month for muslim
Some said Ramadhan is in fact a good month to make babies
On the other hand Ramadhan also the time where tons of local delicacy find its way to local market
While we holidaying at Belum Rainforest Resort recently we made a stopover at this bazar

The market started around 3pm with most local speak Kelantanese. 

My other half making round checking the bazar

Nasi Tomato with options of either beef or chicken. The rice is special because it cooked with Kurma and the taste blend in so well. We pick the pack with drumstick and lady seller gave us additional piece of chicken.  According to her, the chicken in my chosen pack is a smaller compare to the rest so she compensating me with extra chicken. That's very kind of her. The rice sold at RM3.50 per pack. Don't think I will ever find such comfort food in KL with this price. 

I like their home made kuih. It taste just nice, not too sweet. 

Kuih made from gula melaka. Again they sweetness at optimum level.

My all time favorite roti jala. The best ever roti jala I ever tasted is from Saujana Hotel, Subang.

I find lemang sold in kampung always taste better than KL. I had had lemang where the rice was not cooked well and that time I actually thought lemang suppose to taste that way. Silly me!!

So finally we come to last day of fasting and tomorrow is the D day - Selamat Hari Raya & travel safe to all.