Clam Digging (Kutip Kepah) in Kampung Mangkuk, Setiu

This. Is. Interesting.

I guess I can checked clam digging from my list of ‘adventurous thing to do’.

Adventurous? No!

Unique? Yes! To orang Bandar cam I lah… seronok giler kot. Cer try…

20 minutes earlier.

The tourism folks told be us that we have 1 hour time to kill, just about then, I saw kampung kids (village kids) of Kampung Mangkuk in Setiu (the best place in Terengganu) riding bicycle keliling kampung. Ish! This is almost like a dare to me (tsk tsk tsk), tak boleh jadi ni. I remembered saying out loud I want to ride the bicycle, it’ll be so much fun! And guess who answered me (more like accepted by challenge)? Ruggedmom!!! Mom hokkay, apa jadi ngan budak-budak muda sekarang (gitew)! We walk towards the kids and ask permission for their bikes, the first thing they did was laugh and said “Bicycle takde brake, akak boleh ke?”. “Huh!?!” Memang tak boleh ler tapi I jawab dalam hati jer lah, cakap kuat-kuat kang malu lak. I told them it’s dangerous to ride without a brake taking into consideration some kids were very short, well; kids height basically. “Tahan ngan kaki jer lah” replied them while continue laughing. Ceritanya, belum sempat I tahan ngan kaki confirm jatuh dulu kan. Tak leh jadi ni… daku kuciwa.

Ruggedmom came to my rescue! She called me and said “JOM”, I turn around and saw her with a motorbike (motor siapa lah mommy ni sapu, hehheheheee…. Naik dulu, fikir later). What else but to run to her and hop on the bike “while we were ‘cruising’ I asked her whose bike was this, she said one of the pakcik, then I said “Tak tau lak you ada lessen motor”….. hehhehehheee…. *wink*. This was when we saw the kampung scene, the serene beach, gazing sheep, we even spoke to some of the locals. After about 15-20 mins we decided to ride back to the jetty.

They were gone when we arrive at the jetty! They left 15 mins earlier, we missed the boat?

The story goes. Now.

While Ruggedmom return the bike, I ran (like a lunatic) to the jetty folks and asked for all the boats (making sad face lah, harap belas kasihan) and the kind tourism folks head us and said that we can take the extra boat. Our luck! Not only we manage to get a boat, I got a chatty pak cik as well! Memang interview bagai nak rak lah kannnnn….

Those that know me by now, would noticed how I love rides, train, bus, boat etc. And this boat ride was so calming. The journey was about 10 mins or not to the clam digging area.

Those that know me by now, would noticed how I love rides, train, bus, boat etc. And this boat ride was so calming. The journey was about 10 mins or not to the clam digging area. 

Diggers! Diggers! Diggers!

Gold nye mana? Hhehehhehee… happy clam diggers at sight! And I think they truly enjoyed clam digging. I seriously think so.

This is clam/kepah. 

This is NOT clam/kepah. 

Tsk tsk tsk. This many heh *sarcasm*. 

For those curious few, below are the list of what you need for professional clam digging.

• Hand shovel
• Bucket
• Waterproof layers and boats· Rubber boots

What fun people need for clam digging

• Hand and leg (as in bare hand)
• Bucket
• Good and fun mood

Choose the latter of course *wink*. Hahhahaaaa…

One must know that clam digging requires a lot of skill, especially dancing - one need to do a ‘Get a Jiggy With It’ dance. Noooooo…. Don’t get me wrong, while you are dancing, your feet will move and gently shove/dig the sand bed and the moment you feel your feet brushes the clam shell, then all you need is to bend down and pick it up. See! Easy peasy right? Try it.

It does help if the song itself was blasting out loud, I bet we digged more clam this way. Perhaps I should highlight this ever so smart idea to Tourism Terenggany. #eh #tetiba

Ni kita panggil bot rempit. Heehhehehee.... 

So, the next big question pop up, what do you do with all the clams?

Masak lah! Hahhahahhahaa….

On a serious note (ceh wahhh).

Clam digging are largely done by the female member in a household, as the task perform are considered as easy and not to stressful. The female can do it at their free time and still rush home to take care of their family, it is treated as a side income as well as a meal source for the locals. There are a few popular clam dish in Setiu district that the non-locals might not be aware, such as Kepah Masak Lemak, Kepah Serai Bercili, Kepah Berlada Daun Limau Purut and etc.

There is no specific clam season according to the pak cik as it is available all year round, having said that, you can easily find more clam from April to August, this seems to be their season.

Curious now?

Wanna experience the same?

Head to Kampung Mangkuk in Setiu and arrange with the locals there.

Note :

Terengganu International Squid Jigging Fest 2015 or Pesta Candat Sotong Antarabangsa Terengganu 2015 is sponsored by the state government of Terengganu, this annual squid jigging carnival aims to introduce as well as relive the old tradition that was once livelihoods for many along the coast of Terengganu between April and August each year.

Kenyir Elephant Village (KEV), Terengganu

Remember me? I am the traveler that loves zoo.

Just my luck right, visiting Kenyir Elephant Village in Terengganu!? When everyone else is looking forward for the Waterpark at the lake here, I was counting hours to my elephant trip (still excitedly jumping up and down while writing this, despite the fact I visited quite a while ago). My expectation was simple and very low (I hate getting disappointed you see), I assume it is similar to those I saw in Thailand or perhaps the one in Kuala Gandah Pahang. Both are equivalently good but nothing much to shout about, unlike the one I visited in Sri Lanka; Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. That was quite an experience, something that I will share with everyone and encourages everybody to visit with no regrets. You can read my Sri Lanka stories HERE.

Enough rambling Lily. Let’s talk about the one in Kenyir. The one I lowered my expectation. The one I assume I get to see the elephant in the usual surrounding.

Boy, was I wrong. VERY WRONG.

Ahaks.

(Good that I am wrong though)

Upon arriving to Kenyir Elephant Village, I was rather impress with the new parking lot, but then again it is not the parking lot I wanted to see (I calmed myself [lowerkan expectation tuh]). After the entrance area, we are required to walk and climb a tall building/structure.

“Hemmm…. For the life of me, I can’t brain this. Why do I need to climb this 2-3 storey high building? Not that the elephant sits on a tree (eyes rolling)” I told myself, half curious and half annoyed. Abit judgemental pulak. Aishh….

Just then I heard water streaming down the river, my immediate respond was to look up… CANOPY WALK! Apa lagi, I ran up the building to naik the titi gantung lah. I am pelik liddat!

Mind you, that was not the only canopy walk, there were many more and you can see elephants taking a stroll in their natural habitat. Perfect.

Background :

Kenyir Elephant Village is the latest addition to Tasik kenyir’s vast attractions, it was built in 2012 and cover of 256 hectares of land, but only 20% of the area are developed and the rest of them remain untouched. The purpose of keeping the 80% area untouched is to protect the wild also the forest.

The main concept of KEV is to educate public about the habitat and behaviour of the elephant and brighten up the nature atmosphere to the public. Additionally, Canopy walk are built for tourism to experience a majestic adventure with different viewing angle for the habitat of elephant and discover the scenic view of the nature forest.

Aside from the show, there are also elephant education tutorial whereby the rangers with teach the public on awareness, there are 2 session as of now; 10:30am and 3:30pm, elephant ride, photo opp, feeding the mamals and bathing time of which most people enjoy watching them taking their bath.

I have to admit, I am fascinated with the whole attraction area and how the management came out with such a great idea. Let me stress again, the place is big huge! You can check out my pictures HERE.

Managing Human-Elephant Conflicts

Kenyir Elephant Village was conceptualised and built in 2012 to educate the public on nature and wildlife. It was set up by the Elephant Management Unit under the authority of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Central Terengganu Development Authority and Terengganu State Government. The Elephant Camp is the foremost authority on elephant translocation to ensure a healthy elephant population and reduce human-elephant conflict.

Source : http://www.nst.com.my/node/4126

Café is located nearby the bathing area (river) where one can view this beautiful creature relaxing while being showered by their caretakers (giler jeles). The scene here is pretty awesome I must say.

How To Get There

If you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur, you can either drive or take a bus to Tasik Kenyir. The trip will take six to seven hours. But if you’re flying to Kuala Terengganu, you can take a taxi (RM100 per car) to the main jetty, Pengkalan Gawi, at the lake. There are also buses to Kuala Berang, the nearest town to Tasik Kenyir and from there taxis cost RM80 per car to Pengkalan Gawi. From this point, the last leg of your journey to your preferred resort or chalet will be across water. Water transportation is the most important mode of travel in Lake Kenyir. All boats are located at Gawi Jetty. Lake Kenyir is 40km west of Kuala Berang and 55km from Kuala Terengganu.

Address

Kenyir Elephant Village

Pengkalan Gawi, Sungai Telemong

Tasik Kenyir

Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu

Malaysia.

Email : Kenyirelephantvillage@yahoo.com

URL : http://www.kenyirelephantvillage.com/

Note :

Terengganu International Squid Jigging Fest 2015 or Pesta Candat Sotong Antarabangsa Terengganu 2015 is sponsored by the state government of Terengganu, this annual squid jigging carnival aims to introduce as well as relive the old tradition that was once livelihoods for many along the coast of Terengganu between April and August each year.

Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015

It's the time of the year again.
It's jigging time!

This iconic events was held yet again from 2 to 7 June 2015, 60 international and 62 local electronic and print reporters, including bloggers and social media influencers participated in this fun filled event. Meeting 120 medias from 28 different countries was an eye opener experience from both parties, the local media gather new insight of the international media scene while the international media wondered and wanders through Terengganu's beautiful beaches and rich heritage.  

One of the popular activity amongst local is squid-jigging or 'mencandat sotong' in local language. It is unique to Terengganu culture that reflect the kampung lifestyle and their vast playground; the sea. 2 squid jigging experienced by the us; Redang and Kapas Island which gives 2 extreme adventure to all participants. One was rough and choppy sea with minimal to almost no squid jigged and the other was calmer and still minimal squid jigged. I guess squid jigging requires skill and talent of which most of us are not born with.

After the success of last year's Squid Jigging Festival, the state of Terengganu has seen an improvement in the standard of living of not only our fishermen but also the people involved in providing the supporting services. This can be seen on the numerous squid jigging packages offered by the local operators as well as the public awareness and interest during the season.

The key take-away expected of the participants is that they will bring back sweet memories of their time in Terengganu and to help local destinations, activities and cultures.

Looking forward for the next Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2016.


For those interested, annual fishing season for squid jigging is from March to September which coincides with spawning season.

For more detail :
Tourism Terengganu
Terengganu State Secretary 
9th Floor, Wisma Darul Iman 
20503 Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu
Malaysia

Tel : +609-623 1957

Email : tourism@terengganu.gov.my

Note : 

TISJF 2015 was organised by Terengganu State Government through Tourism and Culture Committee, in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine as the media co-ordinator and SATU as official drinking water for the event.