Tanjung Lumpur

Most people know Tanjung Lumpur for its abundance of Medan Ikan Bakar - food, food, food.  But we love the beach there more. This was in Pantai Sepat.  The stretch  wasn't very long but it's beautiful all the same.  The first time we were there we were greeted by cow dungs - loads of them.  Everywhere. Hahaha...

This time we went there just because.  We stopped at a very small food operator who was about to close his stall but we ate there anyway and he had to wait a while.  We didn't plan for Meen to have a dip and she was really disappointed. But we did take a walk on the beach - and of course a few pictures of us.

It was really late in the afternoon - early evening. The sun was ready on its westward journey.

Hmmm... Nina nampak kurus sikit kat sini.

Papa wasn't looking at the light. He was trying not to get his new white sneakers dirty - bad choice of the day.  I just loved how the sun was still trying to sneak between the casuarinas.

Papa seemed frozen. He was really trying not to ruin his new shoes. So, he didn't budge while Meen just couldn't care less.

I think they're looking at the hermit crabs.  If you keep quiet and not moving for just a few seconds, those hermit crabs will come out to greet you.

Yup! It's definitely all about those hermit crabs

Meanwhile I had other plans for me.  I wasn't afraid to get my shoes dirty because I wore slippers.  So, I didn't care.

And another one - tonggek style.

She forgot about the beach and the sea because those hermit crabs were far more interesting.

It's easy to get entertained.  We just need to find something that we really like - and to us it's the beach.  As long as there's something that we can do outside the house, we should be okay - Meen should be okay.  I guess she's bored being cooped-up in the house all day long.  She needs air.  She needs fresh air. In fact, we all need fresh air and new environment.  It becomes claustrophobic after a while.  No wonder Papa is always one who's open to new adventures and I'm thankful for that.

 

Pantai Kemasik, Terengganu

I was told recently that this was the exact place where the Ulik Mayang ritual started hundreds of years ago.

We passed this hidden beach on our way to Kuala Terengganu.  From the main road, there's not much activities that could be seen.  Upon reaching the beach, there were actually many people there, clearly enjoying themselves.  Most were locals because I could barely understand their dialect (I'm better now having been mingling with people from the East Coast for over a year now).

The sea was rough all year round.  The waves always caught us by surprise.  We're not prepared for the beach actually but we ended up soaked anyway and loved it!

I love the smell of the sea.

The sands were grainy and the beach was full of shells.  So, taking off our shoes wasn't a good option.

Nobody was in the water obviously.

As usual, Meen was overly excited and couldn't be bothered with the sharp-edged seashells on the beach.

Papa just love taking pictures with his favourite girls.

Under watchfull eyes, they approached the water, but were still cautious.

Playing catch with the waves.

They won.

But not for long because the waves caught them, and me, by surprise.  We didn't anticipate the wave to hit the beach hard but they did and the reason they were soaked all the way to Kuala Terengganu that day. Hehehe...

Still couldn't believe they were hit by the waves.

They're more cautious now. No more playing catch with the waves.

Meen was getting restless.

She started running here and there.  I love it when I'm able to catch her in action.

Ops! It looked like they didn't learn anything.

Love you Papa!

Meen now moved to the rocky part of the beach. The waves hit the rocks and the scene was beautiful!

It's really a beautiful place.

Seeking refuge under some shaded growths.

Meen looked like Juliette Lewis here. Mischievous face!

She collected some shells.

And Nina found a fish fossil on the beach ;-)

Some months ago, we passed this beach on our way back from Kuala Terengganu at night.  The beach looked eerie at night.  It was pitch black.  I guess that's why it's a suitable place to carry out the Ulik Mayang ritual - since way back when.  Hmmm... spooky!

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulek_mayang

Somewhere in Grik

I loved the view from this highland. We stopped here on our way back to Kedah.

Miles and miles of hills. We're facing Thailand which was just a few kilometers away from this spot.

The atmosphere was cool and clear. Relaxing too.

When did Asha become that tall?

Still couldn't get enough of the view.

While they were on good terms.

Which was a rare occurence.

And she always enjoys herself.

Regardless of where she was and who she was with.

Love them to bits!

I always love travelling especially by car. We can stop anywhere we like and at any time that suits us.  I also love travelling to remote areas where people don't really go to. And I also love travelling because I'm always with my family - regardless of their moods and temperaments, they add colours to our lives.

Pantai Batu Hitam

We went to Pantai Batu Hitam mainly to entertain Meen. To help her forget our old home cos she's been crying almost everyday. There weren't friends there except Ting Ting and Ching Ching next door.  She cried mainly because she missed Papa's cafe. Well, we missed those special times too.

We stumbled upon this beach on our way to Cherating.  This is closer to our house and on par with Cherating.  Cherating is just too overrated, but we loved it anyway. Hehehe...

At first I thought these were mud.

Upon closer look, they were actually sand grains.

Well, patience gains trust with this tiny little friend.

I had to hold still the shell for quite a long time with the camera in my right hand before the hermit crab showed itself.

A little bit longer, the crossed-eyed crab said hello to us.

A little bit closer.

While I was busy with the hermit crab, they were enjoying themselves and the 2 elder sisters were entertaining Meen.

Mr crab was no longer shy.

Another one of them.

Again, patience is the key.

She was also interested.

It's like putting two and two together.

They started greeting each other.

And another friend stopped by.

We were indeed intrigued by these crabs.

And we couldn't get enough of them.

And spent little time entertaining Meen, actually.

Hope that she didn't mind.