Sitiawan Revisited

6th February 2012, Monday

I was awaken from sleep when a friend suggested to visit Sitiawan so last minute. My aunt supposed to be going to Pulau Ketam but I didn’t want to go because there would be a crazy crowd there for the weekend. Anyhow, she suddenly changed her mind and wanted to go to Sitiawan instead. I got up and took bath, ate late breakfast and waited for the rest to get ready. We took the new highway towards PLUS, using the LATAR highway. It was a hot, beautiful blue skies day.

The cone shaped joss

The purpose of the trip is to pay a visit to the Tua Pek Kong temple at the end of Pasir Panjang. Not knowing the way, we whipped out our GPS for guidance, asked a local on getting there and we got there in no time. The temple is still under renovation but we could see that they have cleared the mangrove swamp area overlooking the Straits of Malacca. I wish we come here in the late evenings as 3 pm afternoon is too hot to take photos.

The cleared mangrove swamp area overlooking the sea

It was reported in some Chinese newspapers that, many came to this temple to seek for fortune. You got it! Asking for numbers to strike it big at Jackpots and 4Ds. However, this was not our main agenda coming to this temple. We pray for smooth operation for our little nephew, Hansen who will  be going for open heart surgery tomorrow. And I also pray for safety and peace for family and friends. Our family has gone through so much the past few years.

The many gods figurines in front of the temple

After a short visit to the temple, we met up with Meehoon Queen. She took us for a very late lunch at nearby seafood restaurant. Everywhere was jammed packed and most places are closed due to Chap Goh Meh. So people, it’s better not to go anywhere during Chap Goh Meh because you won’t be getting anything to eat! We managed to try some kong piah at the Tua Pek Kong temple. They were cold already, so a little stiff. How I wish we had gone to the shop itself to eat kong piah.. but I guess since it’s Chap Goh Meh, probably the shop was not open either.

We went to visit the meehoon factory. This is my second time visiting Meehoon Queen’s factory. My family and friends had a blast, checking out the processes and also, monkeying around. I hope we didn’t give our host too much trouble!

Teluk Batik, Sitiawan

After the visit to meehoon factory, we visited an ex colleague in Sitiawan as well. He took us to Teluk Batik, the beach in Sitiawan which I totally forgotten about it! I think I visited this place 10 years ago! 10  years ago, there were nothing much. Simply the beach with a few holiday chalets which looked rather haunted! And some small shops along the beach. The place has been transformed equipped with many modern facilities. Of course, I think I still prefer it to be free from buildings and places lending floats and tyres… but I guess, this is part of the development. Nearby, there is a dive center, the Marina where you could take up diving license from PADI.

Teluk Batik, Sitiawan

So, we just ended the trip here. I think it was good, given that we didn’t even plan for anything. Just go with the flow! I guess it’s cool to end the Chinese New Year for 2012!

Tags: cuti-cuti malaysia, sitiawan