Season 5, Episode 6: It's Sitiawan...

Snapshot: Teluk Batik and us.

* warning: this is a long post of a Sitiawan getaway weekend with lots of photographs included.

" On the road to finding adventure! "

I wanted to make a visit to Sitiawan before the mid-sem break but due to some circumstances, i didn't make it. But this time, i made sure i will be able to go, explore and discover what Sitiawan has to offer. I believe my one day trip had been fruitful and surely, i had a taste of Sitiawan's life- and it's food!

We gathered at my car at 8.30 in the morning, left with our stomach ringing for food. We reached Sitiawan about an hour later and were introduced to our tour guide, Miss ZY- she's actually my coursemate friend too.

In the car, i said that this trip is for us to get away from all the stress in uni. Away from studies, assignments, quizzes, tests; away from club obligations; away from all things holding us back and spend this trip to the fullest and enjoy. This was exactly what we did!

I insisted that we try new things and see new things. Our food and travel visit begins!

For breakfast, we visited a shop selling 'Ko Lou Mee', a local, Fuchow dried noodles. It was tasty but i have to admit that the black sauce was a little too much.

I was pleasantly surprise. This plate of noodle costs less than RM 3.

After filling our stomach with what-is-to-be the start of our trip, we rested awhile at the guide's home. Then, it's off to Teluk Batik. There is something funny about the name of this place. Surely, there is not much batik around the place. I don't know where does the name originate from but with that aside, it has a beautiful beach line. We only needed to pay RM 1 for car entry and car park.

The place is splendid. Scenic panorama of the horizon and nearby islands. Apart from the long stretches of sand, there are water sports offered too like banana boat and viper. It is reasonably priced- RM 5 per person.

Me and tour guide. See the banana boat behind us?

Clear water. Our shadows against the water. This effect is pretty interesting that i took lots of shots in this manner.

Imprinted on the sands- Teluk Batik and WC.

Strolling along the beach, enjoying the breeze and scenery.

I like this shot of me taking pictures. Nice angle and lighting. Thanks to my friend for this shot. This intensified my desire to buy a dslr in the near future!

At one end of the beach, we noticed statues perched on the rocks. Me against the statues.

Me and YH. Somehow, this place looks like Langkawi.

YW and I against the mini lighthouse. The sea clearly spread behind the picture.

Posing and taking a rest here after the beach-walking here with CC.

Not enough with the beach, we went to our next destination, Marina Island, a private jetty. It is newly open and there weren't many people in the jetty. From the jetty we could see Pangkor Island. I liked the waiting area though, with the open area where we can again, stand off the cliff and enjoy the breeze.

Me, staring into the distance.

Embracing nature! Behind me is the Pangkor Island. It's so close yet so far.

Amazed by the trees, we decided to join their fun.

Time to stay away from the sea, our next visit is the Mangrove Swamp. Be careful of your belongings once you step out of the car. One of my friend had his bottle of water snatched by the wild monkeys! And we were bewildered by their intelligence to drink from it- open cap, use its hands and legs.

At the entrance of the swamp. It is built on a platform so we walked on it while exploring the swampy ecosystem.

A rarity at sight!

On the canopy walk. It's not really high and the gap to walk through is large, so it's not very scary. Enjoyed the view from above.

Back to food, it's lunch time!

The guide claimed this to be the best chicken rice in Sitiawan. It's succulent and tasty.

And to quench our thirst, it's fried ice time! The name of this drink is interesting. How can you fry ice? Fry ice with oil in a pan? Absolutely not. But that's what comes to mind when one says fried ice.

Fried ice! It's actually flavoured drinks fried on a cold pan, tossing and turning as soon as it freezes, and scoops onto the cup.

Waiting in line for the 'Gong Pang', a local biscuit made of flour, onions and your choice of chicken. The aroma of the onions made it so tempting and irresistible. It also made my car smell so... good.

The most anticipated part of this trip finally arrives! A visit to the turtle sanctuary. I just love these little, harmless, marine creatures.

Falling in love almost instantly.

Lying peacefully at the bottom of the pond.

I have never seen this many turtles in my life before! What an experience. Cute and innocent.

With the turtle statue.

Thumbs up for their noble efforts to save these creatures. You have my support- and i'm willing to come stand by you!

Outside the turtle sanctuary is yet another beach line! Oh, i just like the unlimited beach sites!

Somehow, the sea at this part is rougher. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the waves breaking at our feet.

Notice the height of the waves. Now, i can imagine the strength of a tsunami.

Horizon at my tips.

Last picture with me and the sea. I'm a sea lover!

After the beach, we went to a nearby ground under the bridge. Somehow, this photograph does not feel like we were in Malaysia.

Tranquility under the bridge.

Stopped again to buy some Fuchow bread. It's delicious. It comes in two flavours- peanut and bean paste. I prefer the peanut!

After a long day, it's dinner and seafood was our choice as Sitiawan is famous for it.

Coconut to cool down the body after a hot day.

Scrumptious meal! Lala, oyster egg and 'ha kou' with rice and seen here is the local, red wine mee suah. Seriously, we got high eating this! It's a unique dish and i simply enjoy exploring the taste of something different- but it has to be safe before it goes into my mouth.

A proof that we can go high!

Dinner marked the final moment here in Sitiawan, but who says it's the end of our trip. It's a food trip too, and we don't go home until we have tried it all!

Don't be fooled by this picture. The fried chicken is really crispy. But that's not all, it has some extra ingredient that makes it extraordinary. It's a road side stall on the way back to uni.

No doubt, the trip had been fun-filled. It was tiring, but tiring in a good way such that i have explored and experienced something new. These experiences are priceless and i will, as always, cherish them.

One day trip is amazing, and i believe there is more to explore here throughout my stay in uni. There's always a next time and wc10 can't wait for the next day trip!