 |
| MAHA Tower, morning |
 |
| Pekan Rabu Jetty |
 |
| So sweet of Sandra to send us off on our adventure |
 |
| On our way to Pulau Dayang Bunting |
 |
| On our way to Pulau Dayang Bunting |
 |
| Once the patrol boat was not in sight, PATI (Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin) came out of hiding ! |
 |
| Patrol Boat |
 |
| First sight of Pulau Dayang Bunting |
 |
| Archipelago of islands |
 |
| Selat Bagan Nyior Jetty |
 |
| Riding to Noba Resort to drop off our bags |
 |
| Say "Hi" |
 |
| Our basic chalet buluh @ RM60 with mattresses thrown on the floor |
 |
| Kampung style living |
 |
| Beautiful route to Pulau Tuba |
 |
| Note the single carriage bridge connecting Pulau Dayang Bunting to Pulau Tuba in the background |
 |
| New mangrove trees approaching the bridge |
 |
| Not sure if this is wide enough for cars!!! |
 |
| Mee Udang @ Hasnah Melur, Jeti Selat Lubuk Cempedak |
 |
| Mee Udang @ Hasnah Melur, Jeti Selat Lubuk Cempedak |
 |
| Mee Udang @ Hasnah Melur, Jeti Selat Lubuk Cempedak |
 |
| New breakwater at Teluk Puyuh protects the jetty from the high seas |
 |
| Jetty Teluk Puyuh viewed from the end of the breakwater |
 |
| After Teluk Puyuh, riding towards our ais kacang stall ahead |
 |
| Near our ais kacang stall at Teluk Berembang |
 |
| Right after our ais kacang, stall cum house |
 |
| Picturesque roads on Pulau Tuba |
 |
| White limestone walls left of Gua Wang Buluh |
 |
| Wooden walkways albeit dilapidated |
 |
| Forested area |
 |
| This gazebo offers a rest area for the weary. The trail splits into 2 from here. The right trail leads to Gua Wang Buluh whilst the left trail leads to the limestone wall |
 |
| Explanatory |
 |
| On the way to Gua Wang Buluh, concrete steps are uneven |
 |
| At the entrance of the cave |
 |
| At the entrance of the cave. Note the bats hanging on the ceiling of the cave |
 |
| Guan Yin, Goddess of Mercy as the Guardian of the Cave at the 3rd entrance |
 |
Second entrance of the cave
|
 |
| Photo taken from Guan Yin's side ie the third entrance. Note the first entrance on the right and second entrance on the left, both illuminated |
 |
| Jeti Pulau Tuba, the main jetty |
 |
| Air Terjun Selat Bagan Nyior |
 |
| Splashing good time |
We were finally in Langkawi and our pace finally slowed down. It was so good to wake up later than usual, knowing the day ahead will be one of leisurely.
Chill Suites' complimentary breakfast took us by surprise as we had never expected such treats from a budget hotel. It came in a choice of prepacked nasi lemak or fried noodles, served with either fried chicken or fried egg and downed with Nescafe's Dolce Gusto coffee. Even though the portions were slightly smaller than usual, it helped to tide us through to our next meal in Pulau Tuba.
After breakfast, we took in the sights of MAHA Tower and Langkawi "0 km" landmark, both of which we had passed through yesterday evening. This morning though, we had more time for photo shots with our bikes.
 |
| Taking the pedestrian path to Pekan Rabu with Chill Suites hotel in the background |
 |
| MAHA Tower |
 |
| River mouth |
 |
| Pekan Rabu across the bridge |
 |
| May on a daredevil stunt |
Our carefree spirits caused Sandra some worries as we took a lot longer to arrive at Pekan Rabu, a mere 1 km distance away! Our dear friend was passing through Pesiaran Putera when she saw us exiting our hotel. This prompted her to send us off on our next adventure before going for her medical appointment.
 |
| Pushing our bikes to the floating pontoon at Pekan Rabu |
 |
| While some worked hard in loading the bikes... |
 |
| ...others were busy posing for photos... |
 |
| ...or pretending to help!!! |
 |
| A small little boat ! |
As it is, Sandra had niftily arranged for us to dock at Jeti Kg Selat Bagan Nyior at Pulau Dayang Bunting. Listening to her negotiations last night, she would have preferred for us to land at Noba Resort's own private jetty had the tide been more promising! It was still a good arrangement as the former jetty was less than 1 km away from our stay, allowing us to drop off our baggage before our adventure begins!
The boat ride was a mere 10 minutes. Loading and unloading the bikes were more time consuming. True as mentioned, the tide was pretty low in the morning resulting in more steps to climb at Jeti Kg Selat Bagan Nyior!
 |
| Kg Selat Bagan Nyior Jetty |
It was so easy to rent a motorcycle at Pulau Dayang Bunting. Once off the boat, Bernie negotiated a motorcycle rental for a mere RM25 per day. When he got to Pulau Tuba he switched to another motorcycle with little fuss as the earlier one had some issues!
 |
Riding out to Pulau Tuba. The mosque is the landmark to the waterfalls. Whilst Bernie took the lane on the right side of the mosque, the rest of us were guided by the local children to take the left lane |
 |
| Oops! Wrong turn. This lane turned out to be an easier alternative to the waterfalls |
 |
| Take the left fork by this gerai for an easier alternative to the waterfalls |
 |
| Here we go! |
 |
| The bridge |
 |
| Floating restaurants and chalets by the bridge |
 |
| We were too early as they only open for business at 12 pm |
 |
| Jeti Selat Lubuk Cempedak, viewed from the bridge |
 |
| Here we go again !!! |
The ride out from Noba Resort towards Pulau Tuba was simply divine. The route took us past the village homes before a fairly new mangrove forest. Then, an easy ride across the single lane bridge which was only accessible to 2 wheeled vehicles and we were finally on Pulau Tuba!
Once on the next island, the tall order of the day was to look for food. This we found at Jeti Selat Lubuk Cempedak.
It seems like Pulau Tuba is famous for their mee udang. At Hasnah Melur, you can upsize the order from RM8 to RM20 to include flower crab, squid and mussels!!! Besides the must haves, they also offer nasi lemak, kuih muih and any fried noodles or fried rice of your choice.
It was a mistake to upsize because right after that, we had a steep slope to climb! Nobody wanted to "throw" RM20 on the road! Thankfully, nobody did and the dragon was slayed!
Our search for Gua Kelawar took us to Jeti Teluk Puyuh. Here, a fairly new breakwater protects the jetty from the high seas.
Coming down a dirt slope, Mindy was calling out caution to May when she herself lost balance and took a tumble herself! There was a nick on her pants which revealed a bruise when she finally got back to our resort!
 |
| Search for Gua Kelawar...a failed attempt |
 |
| Escape !!! |
 |
| Traditional game |
Even though a local pointed us to the route for Gua Kelawar, we failed in our expedition. Initially easy, the route became overgrown midway. This prompted the first group to abandon ship leaving Claudine, VT , Meng, Bernie and Mr Lim to pursue further. Soon after, Claudine and VT backed off as well when someone sighted leeches! Not long after, the 3 remaining men came out of the woods as well with Bernie and Mr Lim taking a short detour at the waterfalls to wash their feet. According to them, they retreated when they heard a growl which sent the shivers down their spine!
 |
| First search for Wang Buluh based on google map led us to the island's water treatment plant |
Next on our agenda was Gua Wang Buluh. But of course we got ourselves distracted by an ice kacang stall at Teluk Berembang! This stop proofed essential as Gua Wang Buluh took longer than expected and our next meal stretched on to almost 5 pm!
 |
| On the right trail |
 |
| Somewhat overgrown |
 |
| A clearing revealing twin peaks midway on the tarmac trail |
 |
| At the end of the tarmac trail and the beginning of concrete steps |
 |
| Locking our bikes at the end of the tarmac trail |
 |
| Concrete steps |
 |
| Wooden steps |
The signboards to Gua Wang Buluh were old, small and faded. Only visible from the direction of Jeti Pulau Tuba, we rode past the entrance, twice!
A single lane tarmac led 600 m deep into the forest before a concrete trail took over. Initially wide, the concrete steps soon turned more vertical.
Fifteen minutes later, we came to a rest area. The left path leads to a spectacular limestone wall. Getting to it though, involves getting past an obstacle course of broken stairs and wobbly platforms! Gone is the easy concrete steps!!! We had to watch carefully where we placed our feet as many of the wooden planks had rot. Amy was momentarily 2 feet shorter when her foot sank through one of these steps!
 |
| Uneven steps |
Gua Wang Buluh. on the right side was tougher to get to. Besides the similar broken stairs which we encountered earlier, the distance was longer and the climbs steeper. There were moments where we had to use all our limbs to stay safe!
 |
Once a bat, will soon become fertiliser!
|
The rewards awaiting at the Cave makes up for all the sweats we put into the climb. Respectfully, we stayed as quiet as we could to avoid waking up the Cave dwellers.
 |
| The girls at the third entrance with Guan Yin's hand on the left |
 |
| Gorgeous views from the third entrance. Note the twin peaks |
 |
| A sheer drop !!! |
Like any limestone Caves, the stalactites and stalagmites were awesome. Gua Wang Buluh though comes with a bonus ! Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy serves as a guardian at the front of the Cave!
 |
| Jeti Pulau Tuba |
 |
| Emerald green water at Jeti Pulau Tuba |
Once back on ground zero, we decided a visit to Jeti Pulau Tuba, the main jeti to these islands is a must. Past 4 pm, the row of shops by the jetty were all closing. Pity the souvenir shop owner who tried to ply his goods, if only not to bike tourers who are always short of baggage space!
 |
| Picturesque road |
 |
| Back to the steep slope |
 |
| Chicken noodle soup |
 |
| Thumbs up and all smiles |
Then it was back to the crossroads between Jalan Utama Pulau Tuba and Jalan Selat Bagan Assam for chicken noodle soup, our actual lunch at close to 5 pm! The noodles came in a choice of clear or brown broth served with chopped chicken, bone in which has an unusual Chinese take to it.
It was a good thing we stayed at Noba Resort as proposed by Sandra. The location is strategically located less than 1.5 km to Air Terjun Selat Bagan Nyior. Having a cold dip to end our day was like the cherry on the cake.
That evening, we walked out to the stall right next to our resort for a quick dinner. While our lady chef pounded on the pestel to make our sambal belacan and walked to her gardens 20 m away to pluck cucumber as a side garnish, May, Claudine and VT took a short stroll to the nearby shops to scout for the next day's breakfast. They were shocked to see the shop in darkness. As they could not go hungry the next day, Claudine called out incessantly until the girl in the home responded. Apparently, it is a normal practice for them to close for dinner and prayers and to resume business in the late evening!!!
After dinner, we took to the gardens of Noba Resort for yet another karaoke session. It was so relaxing to sit by the sea front and enjoy the sea breeze as the waves beat gently on the shores, a perfect end to our day.
Ferry to Pulau Tuba :
Dato Syed Omar Jetty - Boat taxis @ RM5 per passenger, RM5 per bike. Please check departure schedules or you may charter the whole boat
Ferry to Pulau Tuba / Pulau Dayang Bunting :
Pekan Rabu Jetty - RM80 for whole boat charter, fits 10 passengers and 8 bikes. +60164162849, Jun
Photo credit :
Mindy
Amy
LC
Suzie
No comments:
Post a Comment