This morning, in pursuit of our 2 pm ferry in Kuala Perlis, we followed Sultanah Bahiyah Highway, heading north and away from the town. Crossing Kedah River, Claudine was awestrucked by the giant watergates which spanned its entire breadth.
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| Photo taken from Google Maps |
Traffic was thick at the early hour of 7 am, rightfully on a Tuesday and a workday as such. Rush hour traffic to the town center behind us coupled by the industrial estate, ahead and across the river, made it impossible for any photo takings!
We were on the look out for Chinese coffee shops but soon despair when we rolled away from industries and shop lots altogether! In between the housing estates, a respite offering roti canai by a roadside stall was shunned by us as we were still rooting for noodles.
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| Strange how tea is served in Kedah |
Coming to Lotus Mergong, our hopes were soon dashed when all Chinese fares were not opened for business. Out of desperation, we finally settled for a gerai offering nasi lemak, kuih muih and puri.
Right after our pitstop at Petronas Ayer Hitam, Claudine received an SOS call from Amy. Her rear wheel had gone flat again. It happened at the same location but this time made worse by a twisted tube, possibly caused by a hurried work in the dark on Day 1.
Further to the west and nearer to the coast from our location is Blue Archipelago, a large fish farm in Ayer Hitam. Curiously, it manages close to 250 shrimp ponds, drawing water from the nearby sea!
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| Photo taken at one of the local bridges along Jalan Kuala Sanglang |
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| Temple at Kuala Sanglang |
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| Watergates at Kuala Sanglang, opposite view from temple |
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| Kuala Sanglang, view from watergates |
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| Kuala Sanglang, view from watergates |
At Sanglang, we began to itch for more adventures. We had clocked more than half the distance to Kuala Perlis and decided a well deserved break from Route 7 is timely. We followed Route K102 right to the watergates before joining R152. There we followed the coast all the way to Sungai Baru, with a pit stop just before Sungai Padang for assam pedas cooked with the freshest fish in the world!
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| Awesome Assam Pedas |
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| Scenery from the gerai |
Off by the coast and right after Sungai Baru, 2 enormous entities loomed by the sea. Sungai Baru Water Treatment plant fronts the sea with Perlis Power plant just behind it!
We arrived at Kuala Perlis jetty close to 11 am. Meeting May and LC at the carpark, we collected our camping gears which have been left in the support car since Day 1 before validating our prepaid ferry tickets from Langkawi RORO.
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| At the carpark with full camping gears |
Strangely, their office was set up in a container, located at the end of the carpark. Next to them were their competitor Langkawi Auto which did not accept bicycles on board when enquired.
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| Expensive cars boarding Langkawi Auto which was berthed right next to our vessel |
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| Langkawi RORO right next to Langkawi Auto |
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| Langkawi Auto |
As we were too early, we took a long lunch hour and loitered the streets. It was quiet at 12 pm but coming to 2 pm's boarding time, traffic began to build up.
The sheltered terminal at the jetty was available for passengers taking the fast ferries. As we were taking Langkawi RORO, we had no where to wait except under the hot sun, together with all the cars in queue!
The boarding was orderly and there were proper parking areas for both bicycles and motorcycles. All vehicles had to turn off their engines once on board. As it is a long journey to Langkawi, seats were available upstairs. Top deck comes open air with benches whilst second deck's air conditioned room comes with plushier seats and a canteen.
We started boarding at 1.30 pm but did not set sail until 2.20 pm. Everyone were delayed by Sin Soo Hup truck ferrying fresh vegetables and fruits to the island! When it came screaming down the street and screeched to a halt on board, the stern ramp was pulled up and our journey began.
As we moved slowly away from mainland, we could spot Tuanku Syed Putra bridge which connects Kampung Puju to Kampung Pulau Ketam. A few smaller boats filled with cargo plied the waters.
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| Second deck's air conditioned seating arrangements with a canteen at the rear |
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| The man is happy with his simple meal |
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| Top deck benches |
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| Top deck open space |
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| Top deck open space |
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| Top deck is not very conducive. Note the black smoke which comes from the ship's funnel |
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| A photo with the funnel |
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| Canteen which saw a long queue when we started sailing! |
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| Price list |
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| Toilet |
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| Prayers room for muslims |
Soon the excitement dissipated and many proceeded to the air conditioned seating deck for an afternoon siesta. Uncle Meng though returned with Maggi hot cup and a string of fish balls, a meal on board which costs him RM6.
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| Kuah town. Note MAHA Tower looming, off left |
When Kuah was sighted, the excitement returned. Land sightings comes with stronger phone signals and as promised, Bernie again made contact with the group. He and Suzie had left for Langkawi via Kuala Kedah a day earlier. Now, with a rented car, they extended their help to carry our loads.
Still oblivious, Claudine declined his help thinking Kuah Jetty is only 2 km distance to the hotel. Thus when the ferry steered to the left and away from Kuah, it caught everyone by surprise!
A quick enquiry with the deck hands returned with 2 conflicting news. The good news is we are still landing in Langkawi. The bad news is Tanjung Lembung is a good 10 km distance away from our hotel.
But the worst news is yet to come! We will soon find out the 10 km distance is riddled with climbs!
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| Langkawi icons close to Chill Suites |
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| MAHA Tower right behind Chill Suites |
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| Changing colours |
In the end, everyone arrived safely at Chill Suites, our stay for the night with ample time for showers and a dinner meet with Sandra and visiting friends, Kevin Hoi and his wife. After dinner, we continued with our usual karaoke and drinking session.
Parking at Kuala Perlis - RM10 per day
Langkawi RORO return fare for passenger inclusive of bicycle - RM56
Photo credit :
Mindy
Amy
LC
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