Chillax at Gunung Jerai

A vast expanse of paddy field below Gunung Jerai

Before we began our journey to SP, then to Bujang Valley, we thought of having a splendid New Year eve of 2013. The last stop of our journey was the drive up to Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai), which was the highest peak in Kedah. 

According to the stone inscription at the second highest viewpoint of Gunung Jerai:

Gunung Jerai is an usual peak that is close to the coast and was thought to be an island long time ago called Pulau Serai (Serai Island). It is 1217 metres above sea level.

The foothill where you can park your car if you are not driving up

Once we reached the base of Gunung Jerai, we were ecstatic. Unfortunately, our hopes were dashed when we saw a signboard informing that the road was closed due to landslide. However, we did not give up hope. I quickly hopped out of our vehicle and went to ask the vendor at the cafeteria about that piece of news. 

Ah..hah! The road had been reopened. So, it was good news. The drive up the mountain was challenging as the road was narrow (it was quite impossible for two cars to pass at a time) and had many very sharp corners (about 180 degrees turn). It was wise to honk at the corners although there were  safety mirrors. 

At the midsection of the road to the peak, there was road repair work and the workers were controlling the traffic. We just could not imagine what it would be like to be driving during the night as there were no streetlamps along the way. It was also raining and cloudy at that time. The day was gloomy and grey although it was only five something in the evening.

The Forestry Museum

At last, we reach the top (I think). We saw the Muzium Perhutanan (Forestry Museum) which was closed for maintenance (as what was printed on the signboard). Sigh... Then, we continued to drive up the mountain until we reach The Regency Jerai Hill Resort.

Signboards in case you are lost

It is good to note that The Regency Jerai Hill Resort is the second highest viewpoint of Gunung Jerai. We were allowed to use their washroom, park our car and walk around the resort compound.

The Regency Jerai Hill Resort

The resort had rooms and chalets with modern architecture, beautifully manicured gardens and casuarina trees. It certainly did not feel like we were in Malaysia. It was so relaxing to be there. We even thought of spending our new year eve there. But we were not prepared, so next time, when we are well-packed.

The hotel rooms

More hotel rooms / chalets

Since it was raining and cold, we were shivering badly when we got out from our car to take photos. We were not prepared for this cold weather in Kedah.

I just admire the two windows that look like a pair of eyes

Beautifully manicured gardens and casuarina trees

So, since this resort is the second highest viewpoint, where is the highest viewpoint? I enquired at the hotel reception desk and was told that the highest viewpoint was where the army camp was and also where the shiitake mushroom farm was. We did not venture further as the day was getting dark. I also did like the idea of going up an even narrower road as we had just experienced reversing at a slope to give way to another car. It was just so scary!

The view from the resort was breathtaking. We could see a vast expanse of paddy field below us. There was the coast of Kedah and was there a small island off the coast? (See the photo below.)

Is there a small island off the coast?

We also thought of having our dinner there as we saw that the restaurant was serving steamboat. Imagine, enjoying the hot steamboat in this cold weather. Yes, it sounded very tempting but we were more concerned about the journey down the slope in the darkness. Therefore, we did not.

The restaurant of the resort

In case you are wondering about The Regency Jerai Hill Resort room rate, this is what I got from the hotel reception staff and their brochure (as at 31 December 2012):

Superior room (RM 240), Deluxe room (RM 265), Premier room (RM 340) and Executive room (RM 390) per room per night and subject to 10% service charge and 6% government tax.

A quick check with their website and I found that they offer a lower room rate for online booking. So, book online to get their promotional room rate.

The details of the resort:

I found two different addresses printed in their brochures and I wonder which is the right one: Puncak Gunung Jerai, Jalan Sungai Petani, 08300 Gurun, Kedah and Jalan Kaki Bukit, Lebuhraya Gurun, 08300 Gurun, Kedah.

Tel: 04-4667777

Have you been to this resort? If you have, feel free to share your experience with me.

Bujang Valley: Historical Site

Artifacts on display in the archaeology museum in Bujang Valley

After our lunch at Sungai Petani, we continued our trip to Bujang Valley or Lembah Bujang archaeological and historical site. Well, this may not be an ideal holiday for many, but for the curious us, this was in fact an interesting and memorable trip.  

A beautiful garden near the car park of the museum

Bujang Valley or known in Malay language as Lembah Bujang is a Malaysian archaeological and historical site which was featured in our History textbook in secondary school. It signified the early settlement and the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism in the peninsula. The Hindu temples or candi from various nearby locations were actually reconstructed in Bujang Valley, so we got to see four temples at a time. There was an archaeology museum that housed all the relics and artifacts that were found in the temples and its vicinity.

Ancient potteries and claypots that were found by the archaeologists

Hinduism artifacts that were found in the temples

It was impressive as soon as we stepped onto the compound of Bujang Valley. It was so serene and quiet as there were not many visitors around. The greenery surrounding the area was untouched and from there, we could see Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai) (the highest mountain in Kedah). We should have been brought by our History teacher to visit this place but no such visit was ever arranged. All we had seen so far was the picture from the textbook.

The archaeology museum in Bujang Valley

Perahu Sagor was a traditional sailing boat that was made from a single log and was the main transportation of the Malay society during that time. (Source: Signboards next to the Perahu Sagor)

Perahu sagor, a traditional Malay sailing boat

Pillar supports made of granite were found in the temples near Bujang Valley. Their usage was to support the pillars that were connected to the roofs of the temples. (Source: Signboard next to the pillar support)

Pillar supports for the pillars in the candi/temple

The granite stone artifacts below were used to grind rice into flour by the locals in Bujang Valley. (Source: Signboard next to the granite artifact)

This granite artifact was used to grind rice into flour

Stone mortar was used by the locals to grind and crush the dried shrimps, that were needed in the local business of making belacan (shrimp paste). (Source: Signboard next to the stone mortar)

Stone mortar was used to grind and crush dried shrimps

There were altogether four candi (temples): Candi Pendiat, Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, Candi Pengkalan Bujang and Candi Bendang Dalam. Of course, what could be seen at Bujang Valley now were the ruins of the temples, the base without the pillars or roofs. Some said that this archaeological site somehow did not provide a lot of information but to me, I was indeed overwhelmed by the huge candi there. Of course, it could not measured up to Borobudur in Indonesia but it is something that our school children could learn from.

Candi Pendiat was believed to be built in 11th A.D. and was found by Quarith Wales in 1940. Its original site was in Kampung Pendiat, Merbok (east of Bujang River). (Source: Signboard in front of Candi Pendiat)

This is Candi Pendiat.

A close up view of Candi Pendiat

The bronze Buddha statuette below was found by Dorothy Wales near Candi Pendiat (Source: description beneath the statuette)

The bronze Buddha statuette

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat was the main temple in Bujang Valley. It was reconstructed at its original place in the year 1960. (Source: Signboard in front of the temple) This was the temple of Lembah Bujang that I had always read about in the History textbook.

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, the main candi in Bujang Valley

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat was reconstructed in 1960

Candi Pengkalan Bujang was originally found in Kampung Pengkalan Bujang, east of the Bujang River. (Source: Signboard in front of the temple)

Pengkalan Bujang temple / candi

Candi Bendang Dalam was made up of three main buildings. It was believed to be built between 12th A.D. and 13th A.D. in Kampung Bendang Dalam, Merbok (west of the Bujang River). (Source: Signboard in front of the temple)

The Bendang Dalam Temple ruins from far

Candi Bendang Dalam

In short, all the archaeological findings in Bujang Valley concluded that there were trades between locals and other countries and there were influences of Hinduism and Buddhism. It was an eye-opening trip. The historical site was set amidst lush greenery and it was so peaceful to be there. In addition, there was no entrance fee at all. So, do not miss this chance to explore an archaeological site at our backyard. So, happy exploring!

P.S. This place has a picnic site, so have a picnic after your candi exploration ;)

After our candi exploration, we headed to the viewpoint of Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai) next.

Free admission

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha)

Direction:
Exit at SP Utara from North South Highway. It was quite a distance to get to Merbok. We used the Google map to get here.

Nature Walk at Sungai Sedim Tree Top Walk

The 1.5 m long Sungai Sedim Tree Top Walk

This time we were a bit adventurous and we decided to walk tall among the tall rainforest trees at Kulim. (pun intended) Sungai Sedim Tree Top Walk was a 1.5 metre hanging bridge located 30 km from Kulim town. It was 34450 mm from ground level. (Source: www.mpkk.gov.my)

The signboard of the Tree Top Walk along the way

First, we drove past Kulim High Tech Park and I remembered passing SMK Sungai Kob at Karangan on our right. Later, we saw road signs leading to the place. Honestly, we were lost at some point, so you should bring along a GPS just to be on the safe side or use Google map like us.

The main entrance to the Tree Top Walk

By the time we reached Sungai Sedim Tree Top Walk, it was quite late, about 4 p.m. plus. There was a torrential downpour on our way there but as we reached Sungai Sedim area, the rain stopped but it was dark and cloudy. However, as soon as we parked our car at the parking lots, our heart sunk when it started drizzling. We had read that the hanging bridge would be closed during bad weather. 

The stream (Sungai Sedim?)

We still tried our luck and walked a few hundred metres into the ticketing area. On our way in, we saw visitors rushing out as it was raining quite heavily by then. Luckily, the weather was not so bad that the bridge had to be closed. The ticketing clerk asked us whether we brought our umbrella for the walk and obviously, we did. So, we bought our tickets which was priced at RM 10 per adult and ventured on. 

Nice picnic area for families

It was not an easy task for us to hold an umbrella and shoot photos at the same time. We walked on clumsily and the good news was there was not a single soul on the bridge at one point of time. So, we could take nice photos without the crowd in the background and enjoy the whole rainforest to ourselves. Maybe like after 30 minutes or so, the rain stopped and visitors started coming in. Okay, now we felt the tremor whenever someone was walking past us. It was a bit scary too.

The rainforest viewed from the hanging bridge

Hold on tightly to your car keys or whatever valuables as once you dropped them, they would end  up in the stream or on the tree top below. This was because the steel bridge was not fully covered up (See pic below).

The floor is not well-covered.. so don't drop your things

The walk was thought to be too long (initially) as the trees all actually looked quite the same to us. There were some blurred (due to rain and sunshine) descriptions and names of the trees attached to the bridge but we did not know which trees they were referring to. 

The middle section is wider for photo-taking stop

At certain point of the Tree Top Walk, there was a wider section for visitors to stop and take photos. There was also signage telling us how high we were from forest level. This was a very interesting indicator.

Height indicator marker

The highlight of the day was a moth which liked both of us very much and did not want to budge from hanging around our hands, camera and our shoulders. So, we quickly snapped as many close-up shots as possible. 

Presenting our little friend: the moth

Moth: Please take my photo

Moth: Don't worry, I won't sting or bite.

Moth: I am falling...hold me properly

Lastly, before we exited the Tree Top Walk, we saw a Kulim tree and quickly photographed it as well. I read that the town Kulim got its name from this tree. In short, it was a fruitful journey. We were also grateful that the staff waited for us to get back from the bridge before they locked up as it was already six p.m. They were closed at 5.30 p.m. Yes, time passed us by too quickly or we walked too slowly due to stopping for photos. So, it was not really that long walk. Or was it?

Kulim tree: where Kulim town got its name

Just a note: If you are afraid of height, you might want to think again before climbing on the bridge. At the entrance of park, you need to pay a parking fee of RM 3 per car. The ticket for the Tree Top Walk is RM 10 per adult.

ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) for rent

Next, we stopped at Kemunting Lake View Restaurant for our dinner.