Sungai Lembing Underground Tin Mines 1 Aug 2020

After our breakfast at Sungai Lembing food court, we decided to go to the Sungai Lembing Museum. After we reached there, we changed our decision not to go in, but we went to the Sungai Lembing Underground Tin Mines actual site, just a few meters away from the museum.

Alvin bought the entrance tickets for four of us, and we were all waiting for the Tin Mines Museum to open. Before heading inside the underground tin mines, we listened first to a short briefing and introduction on what to expect inside the tin mines.

After the briefing, we rode in with the mini train to enter the mines. Till at one point, we were asked to walk into the tunnel inside. We just stepped out from the train and continue our journey on foot.

As we went further inside, we can feel that the temperature is getting colder, and it is due to the air holes which give ventilation inside the underground mines.

We can see different mining paraphernalia and other related artifacts used during the glorious mining days in Sungai Lembing Museum. Still, inside Sungai Lembing Underground Tin Mines, we see the tunnels where miners dig and pass.

The significance of Sungai Lembing tin mines is evident through its tunnels that total 322 kilometers in length, making it among the longest tin mining tunnels in the world. But today, travelers can only venture 600 meters into one of its 14 tunnels called Tabeto, the main tunnel known as Tai Pei Tong among locals.

I can’t believe that I was able to see the real thing. It was pretty spooky inside but fascinating. Aside from the info boards located along the visitor’s pathways, there were some interactive areas to enjoy as well.

There is a legend of the one million dollar chamber story at the tin mines. One of the most exciting parts is the Million Dollar Chamber, said to be the tunnel dug illegally by unsatisfied and unpaid miners after the closure of the mines in 1987.

After laboring for some time, the miners managed to haul MYR1 million worth of tin, hence the chambers’ name.

After finishing the ocular tour for about an hour or more, we went out to this hole near Minecraft. It is just a few steps from the exit of the tunnel, and there is a mini gallery where we can see some more old mining tools and types of equipment.

And the photographs of the olden glory days are displayed at the gallery as well. It was amusingly fun! Both Issac and Annabelle did not miss trying the railroad handcart before we leave the place.

After we visited the Underground Mines, we decided to come to the 100 years old hanging bridges across the Sungai Lembing.

A few hanging bridges are connecting houses built along the river to the other side of the river.

We went to the first one, but it was closed due to under maintenance. We went to the other, which is still accessible.

We took a few photos at the center of the hanging bridge. We were so fortunate to find another hanging bridge that we were able to cross to the other side of the river.

We visited the famous Sungai Lembing noodles factory. We bought a few bottles of noodles soy sauce that are famous delicacies here.

After we came back from our morning outing, we managed to take a photo in front of our homestay mural wall. It looks a little bit 3D and funny at the same time! It as we were walking towards the hanging bridge!

Another one is under the rainbow waterfall which we actually do not intend to go too, due to a lot of tourists and the whole journey need to take another morning too.

The whole weekend trip was quite happy until we encountered an unhappy experience with the homestay we were staying in. The low water pressures make us impossible to have a decent bath, and it has happened almost for two days since the day we checked in.

We decided to check out from the homestay and drove back to KL instead. It was kind of spoiler in this whole weekend trip for us and it happened at Alvin’s birthday!

Sungai Lembing Panorama Hill Sunrise 1 Aug 2020

We woke up very early at 5.00 am to get dressed, put on our sports shoes, take our handphones and headlights. We wanted to hike Panorama Hill so that it is not too late for us to see the sunrise.

As we arrived yesterday, so many local tourists came here to spend the long weekend. I still remember the first time when both Issac and Annabelle together with me came here a few years ago.

This time we come here again as a family. We quickly stepped out of our homestay room. We walked out to the town and towards the staircase leading to the hill.

Even though we had walked up this hill before, but it never makes it easy for us. It is indeed really a steep staircase. With the help of a handrail, all of us started our walking journey up.

The sky was dark, and we have to use our handphones lights and headlights to light up the staircase as it was dark. Many people were climbing the hill too. Alvin and Issac were fast, and we did rest awhile at some of the small rest areas at the side.

This time too, Annabelle has tried earlier until she almost reached the top. She kept on saying she cannot climb the hill. Alvin and I keep on encouraging her only to leave 20 over steps only. And for almost 60 minutes, all of us finally reached the top of the hill.

There is a small resting pagoda for the hill hikers to take a rest. We finally sat there and took our sweet time to rest. After resting for a while, we went to a place where we can see the sea of clouds.

It was amazing to see the clouds before the sun rises, and it is just like we are on top of heaven. We were waiting to see the sun rises.

And, there were a lot of people on the hill right now. From 6.00 am till almost 8.00 am, the people get more and more, and the hilltop is getting crowded.

It was a tiring but fun experience. When the sun rose, the sea of clouds just disappeared, and we can see the small town of Sungai Lembing down the hill.

Unfortunately, today is not the day that we see the sun rises. Thus, after waited for quite some time, we decided to go down to the hill and walked towards the only food court in the town to have our breakfast.

What a good hike for all of us! All of us managed to get up to the top even though Annabelle was almost giving up just now!

A Visit to Gua Charas Kuantan

We woke up almost 9.00am in the morning, and check out from the hotel. After our breakfast, we headed to Sungai Lembing.

We stopped at Gua Charas to see the Sleeping Buddha. Gua Charas is located nearby Sungai Pandan Waterfall, on the way to Sungai Lembing from Kuantan.

There are some stairs climbing before you reach to the cave entrance. There is entrance fee of RM 2 for adult and RM 1 for child. Parking fee is RM3 per car.

Along the way inside the cave, there are many statues of Buddha and also Indian Gods. Prior to that, one need to climb up a long staircase before you reach the entrance of the cave.

It is very smoky inside the cave due to heavy incense burning. For kids who have asthma or difficult in breathing, it is best recommended to just view from the outside.

However, there is a distance of walk from the entrance of the cave to reach to the Sleeping Buddha, hence you won't be able to see the Sleeping Buddha from the the entrance.

You may anticipate about 45 min - 1 hour for this visit, including all the steps climbing and picture taking. It is so beautiful inside the cave.

Finally we managed to climbed the stairs and reached the sleeping Buddha place. We were told that we can see the pillar of light shining from out of the cave into the Buddha’s face if it is a good sunny day.

Unfortunately, this morning is not the day. Nevertheless we took a group photo in front of the sleeping Buddha. Annabelle too, managed to scratch her name on the cave wall.

We took few more photos before we went down from the caves. It is indeed have a stunning view of the cave and how huge the cave is and able to cater a temple inside it.

After we drove out from the area to a distance, we took a group photo again with the Gua Charas as the background.

Then, we continued to journey to the Sungai Lembing. And here we are at the entrance of Sungai Lembing.

There are a lot visitors at the Sungai Lembing town. People just came from all corners of the peninsular when the RMCO come inforce. Everybody need a breakout from their home!

Basically we just wondered around at the town, took our lunch at the food court area just to relax and easy, after the short trip from Gua Charas, and prepare for tomorrow morning hiking of the Panaroma Hill.

Napokae Rice Learning Centre Phatthalung 28 Dec 2019

We checked out from Varni Homestay a little bit late as we had our satisfying breakfast at Varni Homestay and we would want to enjoy the cosy environment there before we leave.

Our first destination of the day was Napokae Rice Learning Centre. It is actually quite near to Varni Homestay. We were there around 11.00am. The place has a small parking area in front of the centre.

Napokae is a newly landmark of Phatthalung, in the South of Thailand. It’s considered as one of beautiful tourist attractions of Phatthalung.

 

Napokae is Phatthalung language means rice field of grandfather or ancestor. ‘Na’ means rice field; ‘Po’ means grandfather and ‘Kae’ means ancestor. As you can see the name "Napokae" in Thai white letter on the first photo.

One would never forget once you enter the car park area. There is a huge buffalo which was handmade with straws stands in front of the entrance. The entrance fees is any amount you can pay.

This is a popular point that most people love to take photos with. The name of the cow is Ai Khao Chao Muang (Khao means white in English). 

We took a photograph with the scarecrow. The farmers use the scarecrow to chase crows not to come close to the rice fields and eat the rice. It is wisdom of the ancient farmers.

We can see some equipment that farmers use in the process of rice production; i.e. turbine baler, plow, etc. Very interesting!

We can also see “Kong”s in Thai. It is for containing fish, shrimp or frogs, etc. It is made of bamboo. It is normally small one that one can take with to the rice field or canal where the farmers can find fish, shrimp or frogs, etc.

This one is the giant “Kong” for us to take photos. We were quite fortunate that there was an Orang Asli dressed like and we took the opportunity to take photo with.

We came to a hut which is in the centre of the paddy fields. There is a live band there singing the authetic local Thai songs.

This is a place where you can learn the way of life of Phatthalung’s farmers. You can learn how to plow, how to plant rice, how to train buffalo to plow, and other knowledge of agriculture such as organic fertilizer, etc.

And you can plant the rice in the rice field by yourself, if you would like to try. In the old days, buffalo is the most important assistance to farmers. It is unfortunate that we seldom see them nowadays.

Apart from those things, we can ouch the charm of natural green rice fields closely. And here we are among very nice atmosphere; everywhere is green, green and green.

The green rice fields that are surrounded by natural wood or bamboo huts are spectacular as well.

If you love nature and want to learn the way of life of Thai farmers in Phatthalung, you must not miss this place.

There is a little pond of lotus and water lilies that we can see lovely blooms of them.

There is also a small retro theme cafe at the centre that serve food and beverage as it was a hot day and a cooling drink would definitely refreshing!

At our way out towards the exit, we came to the souvenir shop which sell so many things from clothing, handbags, local snacks, craft items and local products.

We were so happy with our visit here and we depart to our next destination – Kwanjai Bamboo Garden Market.