Friday, August 29, 2014

A great holiday at Belum Rainforest Resort

We were having a great holiday at Belum Rainforest Resort on 1.6.2014. It is one of the ecotourism spot in Malaysia. If you want to be closer to nature, this is the place you should go.
Belum Rainforest Resort is located in Pulau Banding, a man-made island in the very heart of the Belum-Temengor Rainforest. One of the Malaysia's finest nature destinations. 
Belum Rainforest Resort is a getaway with plenty of expectations to fill. This photo did tell you something. Yes, we were excited.
There was no TV inside the room. Perhaps, it was the resort's intention to make the guests experience the natural rainforest environment. Anyway, the room in wooden design is comfortable.
It is great to lie down on this bed to see the view of the lake. Unfortunately, the scenery outside was nothing much to shout about.
For those who love a wooden atmosphere, you will enjoy your stay here.
There were many activities and packages available at Belum Rainforest Resort like Rafflesia-sighting, visiting orang asli settlement, round island cruise and night-walking. We chose Rafflesia-sighting, visiting orang asli settlement and round island. The packages here are very pricey. It costs RM120 per person. We were having our buffet breakfast at Hornbill Restaurant.
After having our breakfast, we walked to the jetty nearby. Our tour guide was waiting to take us on a tour of this beautiful island.
The Belum Eco Resort is a hidden jewel. Guests can visit the Orang Asli Village at Kejar Hilir and the Ruok Waterfall. The women here depend on the lake to take bath and wash their clothes.
We went there by boat. 
The lake is beautiful and we really enjoyed the cool breeze as our boat cruised on.
A village by the lakeside.
There are 19 adults and 26 children live in this sleepy little village.
Orang Asli children. They perform poorly in reading.
Blow-pipe is the traditional weapon of the Orang Asli. It is now sold to tourists as handicraft souvenirs.
Bracelets and rings which were made of bamboo. Mom bought hand made bamboo bracelet and ring which cost RM20.
Girls, it was good to see the children sat around to take the fruit and biscuit from Yan Kai ge ge. Nursery rhymes in Mandarin says 排排坐,吃果果,你一个,我一个. During the visit to the village, our tour guide encouraged us to distribute some sweets and biscuits to the native children.
Yan Kai ge ge told us the path to happiness. You are right. It is better to give than to receive.
Mother and Child. The photos express the power and beauty of a mother's love. Do you agree?
Orang Asli children still need attention. Their features are dark skin and curly hair. Nowadays more orang asli children are exposed and want to move outside of their village.
Girls, seeing their simple way of life and uncompleted hut, we need to be thankful for everything we have.
A bamboo hut. A reading corner for the children. The greatest gift to them is the passion for reading. Dad and mom hope that these children will have a better future through education.
After one hour in the village, it was time to say goodbye. Goodbye children, please remember education always is the main agenda in your life.
We enjoyed this excursion very much. Seeing a Rafflesia was our next journey. From the docking area, it took 30 minutes steep hike into the rainforest before we could see the flower. We started our hiking along a steep trail. The trail was steep, wet and slippery.
After a tough hike, we finally found a Rafflesia perched on the slope. Hello, Rafflesia, how are you getting on? The Rafflesia tour was a great experience for us.
Rafflesia in bloom. Lydia and Priscilla, it was so inspiring to watch God's beautiful creation and creatures out of the window. Dad and mom were amazed at God's creativity.
We certainly will recommend friends and relatives who enjoy "exploring" the mother nature to visit Belum Eco Resort. It was a memorable trip to us.
We definitely will go to discover the Royal Belum Rainforest again. It is good to explore and adventure the untouched areas.

Friday, August 8, 2014

A visit to Kelantan International Kite Festival 2014 at Pantai Geting

We went to Kelantan International Kite Festival 2014 at Pantai Geting on 30.5.2014. An annual Kelantan state event. We started our five days trip from Tumpat, Kelantan.
The journey to Pantai Geting took us more than seven hours. It was a long journey.
We started our journey at around 11am. We embarked on to Butterworth Kulim Expressway then to East West Highway. The drive from west to the east coast was very pleasant. It had the most breathtaking scenic views. When passed by Banding Island Bridge at Tasik Temenggor, we saw the breathtaking view at Titiwangsa Lookout Point.
If you are in Kelantan, you will see how the experts from all over the world fly the kites of various sizes during this time of the year. This international kite festival will be held every year. It has become a major tourist attraction.
‘Wau’ is a work of art. A very realistic eagle high up in the sky. The kite was doing a fine job of flying.
The colourful kites were dancing gracefully with the clouds. They painted the sky as well.
The wide beaches of Geting Beach is perfect for kite flying activities. 
This beach lies on the border of Thailand and Kelantan at Kampung Tujuh in Tumpat, about 7 km from Kota Bharu. A kiss`with this Giant Clown Fish Kite. Dad was so excited.
Not only dad, we were also very excited to see kites in all colours and shapes decorated the sky of Pantai Geting.
The weather at the time of arrival was cloudy and windy. A perfect condition for both participants and visitors. Girls, what an opportunity to learn about the Malaysian people and the diverse cultures.
Since it it was held during the school holidays, it attracted a sizable crowd. Approximately 42 participants from 18 countries as well as 180 local participants were taking part in the festival.
Don't let those blue skies deceive you. It was super hot. Dad and mom love these Spiked Ball. They are funny.
Various styles of kites were flown by kite lovers. Grey Whale Kite.
Giant Cartoon Kite.
A Robot Kite.
A Giant Tiiger Kite.
Bear's Family Kites.
Are you looking for an unique kite? How's about this Octopus Kite?
A Spider Web Kite.
Crocodile Kite.
A kite lover came far from France with his four hand-made kites in one string. Can you see them?
Mom would like to thank dad for arranging this wonderful trip. We hope we can start our flying adventure one day.
We stayed at this "homelike" hotel for one night.
Good place to stay for one night before moving on elsewhere. We still had three days to explore. Goodbye Tumpat. We are going to Kota Bahru soon.
Girls, dad and mom hope that both of you will have more pleasant journey in life. We look forward for our Pulau Banting trip.