Little Cozy Corner

Mum, Sis and I joined the Kedah Eurasian Club members on a picnic at Gua Kelam a.k.a Cave of Darkness, and shopping spree at Padang Besar. Mum woke up at 4am to start cooking and due to the hacking that she was up to in the kitchen, I was up and about by 5am, helping her where I could coz Mum dominates the kitchen when she’s at work. So most of the time, an extra pair of hands is not normally welcomed - “Too many cooks spoil the broth” is one of her favourite quotes. There were about 40 of us and we met in Christ The King, the Catholic Church in Sungai Petani at 7.30am and were the first to arrive although we traveled all the way from Kulim! There were 3 cars in our convoy : Uncle Winston & family, my aunt and her family and us. By the time the people [Those in SP itself mind you!!] and bus arrived, it was about 8am. After Father Dass gave us a blessing, we were on our way…. 

I didn’t realise how long it would take to reach Gua Kelam although I’ve been there a couple of times. I found myself waking up numerous times along the journey and yet, we still haven’t arrived at our destination! So long!! But stop we did a couple of times along the way coz many of us love depositing what we can at most petrol kiosks.

Finally, after some 3 hours of so and multiple toilet-stops, we arrived at Gua Kelam. It hadn’t change a bit so I found nothing new there. But I do love the refreshing feeling as the whole place is covered with foliage. On the other hand, I absolutely hated it when it started to get humid coz by then, all sorts of insects and mozzies were attacking me! I made a huge mistake by not bringing with me any insect repellant - bodoh betui! Anyway, as soon as everyone arrived at a designated spot, out came the food and soon, a hungry bunch of Eurasian were going at it. Most of them were ravenous coz everyone had a very early brekkie, including myself but I thought ahead and brought along with me, 10 chappatis from my favourite chappati place, Abang Chappati. So that kept me filled up while on the bus. No, I did not finish all 10 chappatis and the number came in handy coz it was passed around in the bus. I know I have to eat for 2 but I believe in quality, not quantity. Heh.

After already being to Gua Kelam a few times, I don’t find it interesting or special anymore. Here’s a little bit of history and info about the place :

For decades the locals have used this cave as a short cut through the hill between Kaki Bukit and Wang Kelian. The surrounding area has been mined for tin since World War 1. In 1935 an Englishman had a 370m long wooden suspension bridge built through the length of the cave, to allow the miners to transport the ore. This walkway has since been used by pedestrians and motorcyclists to avoid the long detour up and over the hills. In later years the cave was fitted with electric lighting and turned into a tourist attraction. There are information boards throughout the cave. Outside the area has been developed as a recreation park. Gua Kelam is located about 35 km from Kangar, at Kaki Bukit near Wang Kelian in northern Perlis. Info taken from here.

Being only some 370m long from entrance to the back, it takes an average of 15 to 20 minutes to complete the walk on a rather sturdy wooden bridge. But despite the sturdiness of the bridge, my Sis being a coward for such ‘heights’ was hanging on to the railings and had caused a slow down on ‘traffic’ on the bridge. After being the first to enter the cave, we ended up being the last to come out! There is no way she could ever survive the suspended bridge in Penang Hill, no way! There is a small fee of RM1 per adult and RM0.50 per child below 12 years of age. After visiting other caves such as Gua Tempurung and of course, the magnificent Jenolan Caves, this was pretty boring. If you’re into cave touring, I would suggest Gua Tempurung as I found it a lot more interesting and there are tours of the cave you can take depending of your fitness and sense of adventure.

What really pissed me off the most was the graffiti on the stones and all the hand marks that were so noticeable. I wished the authorities were more strictly about the behavior of tourists that come by, day in, day out. A simple signboard is not enough. People should be educated not to touch anything in the cave for any residue from human body spoils the natural minerals of the stone. But yet, I see people happily touching and experiencing the feel of the surface. I had half a mind to tick this lady off as she continuous rubbed her hands all over it! Aiyooo…..so infuriating!!!! It literally broke my heart when I saw what people can do to hurt such precious creations which take millions of years to form in just mere minutes.

O well, there is just so much one can do, no? Anyways, after the picnic, we started our journey to Padang Besar which took some 1/2 hour. In the beginning I was very excited about the whole idea coz I was looking forward to actually checking the place out as I have heard so much about it despite not being a shopperholic. Plus the fact that I had so much fun in Wang Kelian which is quite nearby but in the opposite direction, very near to the Thai border. Both Wang Kelian and Padang Besar boast a very wide variety of items on sale from clothes to knick-knacks to tidbits which would drive any junk food junkie into overdrive but being one who is not big on shopping, I had my eye on just getting myself a new purse.

Sadly, when I got there, all I saw was clothes, clothes and more clothes! Blek!! If there were all sorts of clothes, it wouldn’t have been that boring but every shop had the same type and design of clothes that you only needed to ensure one that was of a cheaper price before you start your haggling. Even the shops with bags and stuff were so few. We didn’t have much time to walk around but with the whole dinky little market place jam packed with people, we only managed to check out the complex, and not the stalls outside although I would have passed on it coz it was stinking hot anyway. So the covered bazaar was most suitable for me. At the end of the 2 hours, I made sure I got me something coz I was not going to leave that place empty handed and so managed to get a purse for me and Mum, and a small handbag for Sis. Overall, I think I did a good job at haggling. However, this is one place I wouldn’t want to visit again. Give me Wang Kelian any time! Then again, I have yet to check out Bukit Kayu Hitam which is said to be the best - anyone can vouch for this?

We started for home at 4.30pm and I guess the bus driver was taking his own sweet time that we only reached SP at about 7.30pm and by the time we were in Kulim, it was close to 9pm. Had dinner outside, came home and crashed like a bag of potatoes! Although I was tired and my legs were slightly achy….I suffered greatly the the next day. I had swollen feet and my legs were VERY VERY achy in comparison. SO I spent the whole day at home trying to recuperate. Because of that, I had to give Queen’s Bay Mall and the newly opened Giant Supermarket at Seberang Jaya a miss. But come Saturday, I’ll be off shopping for baby stuff again coz aunt just told me that one could go crazy at Giant. So here’s hoping that I can hold my horses then. After all, I’m shopping for Kecik, not me!

I found this parasite tree so interesting. It makes use of the trees around it to extend its limbs from one place to another. Obviously strong enough to hold all these little monkeys! It’s called Akar Beluru. 

Note this monitor lizard? Well, this fella here is lucky that my Daddy ain’t around or we would have had him for lunch!! Best cooked as dry curry! YUMMYLICIOUS!!