Dining at Lumut Waterfront Marina Wing

Marina Wing area

"When you expect less, you will get more" That is what I always tell myself. True enough, it actually happens all the time.

The aquatic theme design at Lumut Waterfront Marina Wing

The anchor roundabout 

We went to check out Lumut Waterfront Marina Wing at night. There was a big playground for children and there were many families with children there even though it was night. The place was illuminated by several spotlights to give the place some light. Near to the playground was a Malay eating place with a few Malay food and drink stalls.

Children playing in the playground after dinner

The highlight of the day was the eating place was facing Rahmat Maritime Museum. Wow! What a fantastic view. It was quite dark though. However, we could still see the outline of Rahmat warship in the night. The place was actually open air and luckily for both nights we were there, the rain came later in the night when we had finished our meals.

The Malay food stalls at Marina Wing

Do you see the Rahmat warship in the background?

The 'regular ABC' (or ais kacang) (a dessert of shaved ice with ingredients) at this place is a must-try. It is definitely different from Penang style ais kacang. One thing for sure was the shaved ice did not melt so quickly. We also noticed that the shaved ice was hard enough and it was higher than the cup. When we dug into our ABC, we found a bunch of delicious ingredients like crunchy peanuts, cendol, sago, cincau/grass jelly, sweet corns and a scoop of ice-cream. It was flavoured with red syrup and milk. It was only RM 2 for that cup of ABC.

I prefer this one: the 'regular ABC'

We dreamed of the ABC again the next night. So, we went there again to eat our dinner. We ordered fried rice with chicken and also two 'special ABCs'. The differences between this special and the regular one were the 'special ABC' had all the ingredients of the 'regular ABC' plus another scoop of ice-cream, a little cherry on top and a love letter biscuit. It was RM 3. However, I found that although 'special ABC' had the extra stuffs but all the peanuts, corns, cendol, grass jelly and sago were lesser in quantity as compared to the 'regular ABC'.

The 'special ABC'

Our simple and satisfying dinner

The fried rice with chicken was good too. It was a Malay style fried rice that came with a few pieces of marinated chicken in sauce and also a small bowl of soup. It was only RM 4. We were very satisfied with the portion and the taste.

The Marina Wing building

If you are looking for good food and on a budget, try this place. It has a scenic view of Rahmat warship in the background. You can enjoy cool sea breeze and a romantic dinner under the street lights.

The fish tail of Marina Wing

On the downside of this place:

The place was poorly lit especially on our second night there. I guess one of the spotlights went kaput. We actually ate our dinner in the dark.

Battleship docking at Lumut coast

Rahmat, proudly engraved on this warship

Rahmat Maritime Museum

Do you enjoy movies like the Battleship and dying to experience one? If you are curious about stepping into a real warship, well there is one that docked off Lumut coast. To be exact, KD Rahmat warship is berthing at the coast of Lumut Waterfront Marina Wing. She is now known as Rahmat Maritime Museum and visitors are welcome aboard. It is a real life learning experience but it is nothing like what you see in the Battleship.

View of Lumut Waterfront Marina Wing from the deck

A little background about KD Rahmat F24 quoted from the brochure: She was the first major warship built for Royal Malaysia Navy in  1966. Originally, she was configured as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate but she was later transformed to a training vessel for the Malaysian Navy in the year 2000. Now, she has retired and is serving as a maritime museum since September 2011.

Malaysian flag, Jalur Gemilang, flying high

First, in order to board this ship, you need to purchase tickets at the booth in front of it. Then, as you step into the warship, you will be greeted by the personnel on duty. This is not a guided tour. The personnel is only there to give some guidance if needed. Every room is labelled and a short description (in Malay and English) is pasted on the door. So, you just need to read it yourself and you will not get lost if you follow the arrow sign on the floor. We explored every nook and corner of the ship with the exception of the engine room. We spent two fruitful hours taking exhaustive shots of the ship interior and exterior. 

Yachts docking near Rahmat

A few interesting pointers: 

• Our first stop in the warship was the washroom as we needed to ease ourselves. It was small and old but clean though we did not expect anything lavish. After all, this is not a cruise. So, this could help you put yourself in the shoes of those navies who had used them before.

The toilets: clean but very small

• The control room has a commanding view. That is where the captain sits and navigates the ship. 

Control room

• The excitement built up as we walked along the narrow long corridor that linked to different rooms like the sick bay, berths, laundry room, supply room, their canteens, switchboard room and we were amused by the complicated look of the switchboard and the numerous and thick wiring on the ceiling and wall.

Thick wiring all over the ship

More and more switches and not to mess with them

• Even the water piping was also on top of our heads. They were all not concealed. The ceiling was not very high at some point. I guess it was not higher than 1.8 metre. 

The narrow corridor in the ship

High-ranking officer's berth: looks more comfortable

• High-ranking officers got to enjoy better facilities like their own berths, cafe and also karaoke room. But the crews slept in bunks, eight to a cabin.

These bunks are for the crews

• Some notable rooms are like the karaoke room, the communication room and the operation room (now, it is called Zain Hall, a conference room). 

The karaoke room (only for high-ranking officers)

Communication room

Operation room: the grandest place to be in

• Enjoy breathtaking view at the deck. 

The deck

Admission Fee (per entrance):

Visitor                                   : RM 24 

Adult (with MyKad)              : RM 12 

Children below 12 years old  : RM 7

Children below five years old : Free of charge

Opening hours:
Wed to Mon (10 a.m. to  6 p.m.)
Closed on Tuesday

They also provide overnight packages and hall rental.

Contact number : 05-6887707 / 7923

Website             : www.warshiptour.com

Lumut's background:

Lumut is a naval town in Perak, Malaysia and it is also famous for its seafood. Pangkor island, the popular island getaway, is just located opposite Lumut coast and one can get to Pangkor island by boarding a ferry at Lumut jetty.

Go for Kasimani's homemade strawberry jam

A ripe strawberry

The signboard indicating you have reached the farm

I am not a big fan of strawberry jam but Kasimani's homemade strawberry jam is my favourite. It is different from commercial ones as most of the strawberry jams that are sold in the market have high sugar content. Once you try theirs, you will be hooked. In addition, I really enjoy eating strawberries from the jar. The jam is a little sweet and sour and it can only be kept for a few months. Once you open it, you need to refrigerate it and finish it soon.

The strawberry farm

Cacti for sale here

The place sells homemade strawberry jam, strawberry ice-cream, fresh strawberries in boxes and strawberry syrup. There is also a souvenir shop in case you need to do some last minute shopping for souvenirs. They are also selling potted plants, flowers and cacti. You can walk around the small strawberry farm but you are not supposed to pluck the strawberries.

Flowers for sale too

Cherry tomatoes 

Although this farm is small, it can be crowded especially on weekends and public holidays. Car park is limited.

My strawberry jam is in the plastic bag.

So, my advice is to just drop by this place and get their homemade strawberry jams.

Direction:

Kasimani's strawberry farm is situation opposite the Golf Course in Tanah Rata. If you are coming from Tanah Rata and as you are approaching the Golf Course (on your right), look out for signboard on your left and turn left as soon as you see Kasimani's strawberry farm signboard and follow the small road that leads to this place.

Afternoon Tea at Sungei Palas

Picture perfect Sungei Palas tea house and plantation

A visit to Cameron Highlands will not be complete if you do not visit the tea plantation. There are two brands of tea produced in Cameron Highlands, namely; Boh and Cameron Valley.

The icon of Boh Tea: Mr. Boh

Boh has two tea houses in Sungei Palas and Fairlie while Cameron Valley has three tea houses; two located between Ringlet and Tanah Rata and one located between Tringkap and Kampung Raja. All these tea houses have the magnificent view of the tea plantations. So far, I have been to only three of the tea houses: one in Sungei Palas, one located between Ringlet and Tanah Rata and another one located between Tringkap and Kampung Raja. If you are interested to walk among the tea bushes, I would suggest you to go to Cameron Valley tea houses because they are easier to climb. Most people who visit Sungei Palas do not venture into its tea plantation although it looks accessible. Maybe the reason is because it is located on a hill slope.

Wild flowers growing along the path up to the tea house

The road to Sungei Palas tea house and plantation is located after Equatorial Hotel and Butterfly Garden (if you are coming from Tanah Rata). There is a big signboard indicating the small road up the hill. It is quite challenging and the road is rather narrow. At some point, I would say only a car can pass through. Drivers driving up here need to be considerate and give way to the vehicles on the opposite lane. We had experienced before a school bus was coming from the other way! Gosh! Luckily, we managed to maneuver our small car through (phew!) 

The entrance of the tea house

Enjoy the tea bush walk (from the car park below the tea house)

However, the picturesque view of the tea plantation is worth enduring the journey up. If you would like to walk among the tea bushes, then you can park your car below the tea house. There is also a smaller parking area near to the tea house.

The entrance to the tea factory

First, when you are here, try to enquire for the tea factory tour. It is free of charge. Go to the back of the tea house (after the souvenir shop) to register yourself. Unfortunately, I still have not been on this tour because of  going there too late. So make sure you are early maybe before 3 p.m. They are closed on Monday.

A glimpse of the tea processing equipment

Too late... tea processing has completed, therefore workers are not seen here.

Next, you can order your choice of tea at the counter and also enjoy some snacks like cakes or scones. Then, just relax, sip your tea and enjoy the panoramic view of the tea plantation. To be honest, the place is a little noisy on weekend due to the crowd. Their teh tarik (literal translation is "pulled tea") with less sugar is  good but the blueberry scone with cream was just average.

Enjoy your afternoon tea here

Panoramic view of the plantation from the tea house

Tea and blueberry scone with cream

There is also a souvenir shop located in the tea house. After sipping your cup of tea, now you can buy and take them home. Other souvenirs sold there are like postcards, T-shirts and special design umbrellas. Well, the last two times we were there, it did rain...So, that explains why they are selling umbrellas as souvenirs.

Souvenir shop lined up with packets of tea

Overall, this is a good place for afternoon tea and snacks while enjoying the fresh air up in the tea hill.

Metal furnace door