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Fun Times

Looking for ideas to have fun with your family? You have come to the right place. Here you'll discover excellent tips, checklists, and real life examples of how parents have fun with children.

A Monkey Encounter in Taman Paya Bakau, Seri Manjung, Lumut

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This is the second day of our visit to Lumut. After having breakfast in Seri Manjung, we went shopping for sea products. Since our stock for anchovies and dried shrimps at home had run out, it was time for us to replenish our stock.

Our guide recommended us to go to a shop called Pemborong Hasil Laut Anak Kampung Pangkor (Ming Hoe). You will see the huge shop (about 3 shophouses) on your right on the way to Lumut town from Seri Manjung. The shop is run by a couple and they are extremely friendly and helpful. The customer service is top notch.

Pangkor Anchovies
Pangkor Anchovies

We bought what we wanted and some snacks. I was not sure if the prices were reasonable but the dried marine products there (I was told they were from Pangkor) were definitely of better quality.

After we had done our shopping, we dropped by at Taman Paya Bakau in Seri Manjung.

Taman Paya Bakau, Seri Manjung, Lumut

I was surprised when I saw a bunch of monkeys waiting for us at the entrance to the mangrove swamp. I was later advised to take good care of my camera as the monkeys were interested in it too, besides food. That is why you must not hold any food or drink in your hand. The monkeys will snatch it from you. This was what happened to a couple who were holding cans of drink while entering the park.

Taman Paya Bakau - Monkey
Monkey at Taman Paya Bakau

The park looks new and it has a very nicely done walk path for visitors to make a round in the park. I am impressed with the quality and workmanship of the platform in the park.

Taman Paya Bakau - Pavement

Mangrove Trees

For the adventurous lot, you can try out the hanging bridge there. While you are up there, you can have a better view of the mangrove trees from the top. This park is built in such a way that you can have a closer look at these unique trees without getting yourself dirty.

Taman Paya Bakau - Canopy Walk
Canopy Walk at Taman Paya Bakau

Note: This is the seventh article of Family Weekend Getaway: A Road Trip To Lumut series.

Next: Lunch at Ah Pek Lee Kou Hock Seafood in Sitiawan

Adventurous Dinner – A Night Out in Sitiawan

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We didn’t go for seafood dinner as originally planned. The reason was the restaurant (again recommended by Wang Tao, our homestay owner) is very popular and having dinner on weekends spells long wait.

As I didn’t want my kids to wait too long for dinner and on the other hand I wanted to try out local specialties, I asked for alternatives. Without hesitation, Wang Tao recommended a place for charcoal fried kuey teow. At the same place, I could also try out Sitiawan’s popular local delicacy ang chiew mee suah (red rice wine noodles).

The place is located opposite Sitiawan wet market (near KFC) and it is open from evening till early morning. The stalls are modest and we had our dinner at the roadside.

We ordered one charcoal fried kuey teow (RM3.00), porridge (RM5.00), and ang chiew mee suah (RM5.00). Nevertheless, there were other stalls there offering fried chicken and grilled fish.

Ang Chiew Mi Suah
Ang Chiew Mi Suah

I must say the red rice wine soup tasted very strong. The char kuey teow smelled excellent (burnt smell what else!) but it was a little soggy. The porridge was excellent too. When you eat, remember to stir the porridge completely as there is a raw egg at the bottom of the bowl. Don’t worry, the egg will be cooked by the hot steamy porridge during stirring.

Sitiawan Charcoal Fried Kuey Teow - The Cook
The Man Behind Sitiawan Charcoal Fried Kuey Teow
Sitiawan Charcoal Fried Kuey Teow
Sitiawan Charcoal Fried Kuey Teow

J and K loved ang chiew mi suah at first sight, so we ordered another bowl. They finished it all.

A few minutes before we left, I felt uneasiness in my stomach. I stopped eating and tried to relax. On the way home, my wife felt a sense of strong feeling rushed up to her cheeks. Same thing happened to J. Everybody was not feeling well and was quiet in the car. We suspected the culprit was the alcohol in the red rice wine.

K was quiet in the car too. Later we heard him burp. In a flash, my wife quickly grabbed a plastic bag and he vomited into it. Then he felt much better. Again, we suspected that K couldn’t take the alcohol in ang chiew mi suah. Lesson learned: it is always handy when you have extra plastic bags in the car. You will never know when you need one.

There’s more. Since K was not feeling well after dinner, while preparing K to go to bed early, he vomited again. He had not thrown out all of his dinner in his first try. Yuck! After that, K was like his usual self running around in the bungalow… as if nothing abnormal happened.

I felt so bad that Wang Tao had to clean up the mess notwithstanding he was helpful.

Next time when you let your children try out ang chiew mi suah, beware of their alcohol intolerance. But you wouldn’t know until you let them try it. So what the heck, just let them try it and take care of them later.

Note: This is the sixth article of Family Weekend Getaway: A Road Trip To Lumut series.

Next: A Monkey Encounter in Taman Paya Bakau, Seri Manjung

Fun and Sunset at Teluk Batik Beach, Lumut

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When we reached our homestay bungalow, it was already 6.30pm. And the owner suggested we go to Teluk Batik for sunset (the best time is 7.30pm) besides letting the kids have fun there.

Sunset at Teluk Batik

It is 10 minutes away from where we stay. The beach was crowded when we reached. We looked for a place far left which had fewer people and cleaner.

Teluk Batik Beach

The toilet facilities were close that day and ironically you need to pay to relieve yourself.

J and K played on the beach for a while but they didn’t like the idea of going into the water. Then we headed back to the bungalow to get ready for a shower and dinner.

Note: This is the fifth article of Family Weekend Getaway: A Road Trip To Lumut series.

Next: Adventurous Dinner – A Night Out in Sitiawan

Homestay at Mulberry Historical Homestay, Lumut

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We were looking for accommodation in Lumut but with limited hotels and resorts available, nothing impressed us. The reviews we read were all nothing but negative.

My wife suggested that we should try out homestay. With some luck, she found an interesting homestay via Google. She passed me the contact details and I immediately called up to inquire. The moment I spoke to the owner I already liked the place (or him?) and we placed booking within 30 minutes. He didn’t even collect a deposit from me. Everything was based on trust. All I did was to tell him when I would be coming and for how long.

The prices are reasonable too. For bedrooms with attached bathrooms, it is RM120 per night. RM30 for each extra bed. While bedrooms without attached bathrooms, the fee is RM90 per night. There are two bedrooms with attached bathrooms and three without attached bathrooms.

The 100-year old bungalow was built by a foreigner who was an ex-navy officer and also a navigator. It is located in a quite, natural environment of Teluk Muroh.

After driving for 50 minutes from Teluk Intan, we arrived in Lumut. I phoned Wang Tao, the owner of the homestay, for directions. Mulberry Historical Homestay is right in front of TLDM (Naval base) hostels, before the turning to Teluk Batik beach.

Mulberry Historical Homestay

When arrived, Wang Tao greeted us in his gardening outfits as he was attending to his herbal garden before we came. He explained to us the history and story behind Mulberry Historical Homestay (also known as Mulberry Peaceland). We had a very nice chat with the Chinese poet who happens to have a diversified background. He is also involved in planting and selling Mulberry tea, which he treated us as “welcome drink.”

Mulberry Homestay - Passion Fruits
Passion Fruits of Mulberry Homestay

We stayed in a room called Shakespeare. Wang Tao is very helpful, friendly and very chatty too. He is easy going as profit is not his top agenda.

Mulberry Historical Homestay - Stone Wall

Mulberry Historical Homestay - Inside

The ex-journalist also acts as our tour guide by providing some insider tips on how to best tour Lumut, Seri Manjung, and Sitiawan. We have got some food tips from him which I will share later.

Mulberry Historical Homestay
Telephone: 012-523 9897 (Wang Tao)

Note: This is the forth article of Family Weekend Getaway: A Road Trip To Lumut series.

Next: Fun and Sunset at Teluk Batik Beach

Hot and Cold Dips in Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park, Sungkai, Perak

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In fact we wanted to tour around Bidor, but after checking with a local, there is nothing to see and do in Bidor except nearby Sungkai Hot Springs.

After having our breakfast at Pun Chun Restaurant, we headed to Sungkai Hot Springs – which its official name is Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park.

I didn’t know about this place until I met a neighbor who was born in Sungkai some time ago. He was the one who introduced this attraction to me. At first I thought this was just like other hot springs where you could enjoy the dips in the streams or pools in a natural setting.

It took us about half an hour to reach the park from Bidor (just follow the signs, heading south). After exiting from the main road, you have to drive on village road for about 15 minutes before you reach the entrance to the park. I must say that the road here is nicely done for the most part of it.

Upon reaching the park, I was shocked to find out that visitors had to pay an entrance fee. When I entered the park, only then I came to realize that the park had two sections: one was hot pools while the other was cold. There was no one there to explain to me how I should walk about in the resort. Not even a brochure. I had to find my way around by asking the resort stuff or visitors there.

There are many hot spring pools. Each serves a different purpose. One of them is the biggest and you can actually swim in it – the water here is lukewarm. It is also the most crowded pool. There are other smaller pools where you can dip your feet, wash your hands and face. There is even one reserved for those who want to have boiled eggs for lunch!

Sungkai Hot Springs

Beware when you dip your feet as the temperature in some pools can be as high as 60 degrees Celsius – or even higher. You don’t want your feet to be cooked.

After playing in the hot pools, J and K insisted to go to the cold pool, the one you can find in any theme park. I understand that the water for this pool comes from the streams in the mountains nearby. That explains why the water is cold. There are slides and fountains too.

Sungkai Hot Springs - Cold Pool

Sungai Klah Hot Spring Resort in Sungkai can be very crowded on weekends.

Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park
36000 Sungkai
Perak
Malaysia
Operating hours: 8am – 10pm daily
Entrance Fees: RM10 for adults, RM8 for children (2-11 years)
For reservation of private pool or more information, call 05-438 8801 or 03-2697 9772

Note: This is the second article of Family Weekend Getaway: A Road Trip To Lumut series.

Next: Teluk Intan – Clock Tower and Food Hunt