One common experience that many kids nowadays (or maybe in the future) may not have the chance to experience is a river picnic outing or "Mandi Sungai"!!!! It is by far one of the most exhilarating, shiverry, goosebump-inducing time of one's life....but under the canopy of the tropical jungle with the warm sunbeams poking through, the cold wet and warm dry seem to meld into a sheer comfort and joy. And the activities, my God, just name it. All you need is a ball, or tire swing or even some pieces of floating wood...and the possibilities are ENDLESS!!
When I was growing up in Seremban, we would drive up Jalan Kolo Pilah, up the mountain to stop by the roadside at Ulu Bendul. Back then it was just a convenient stop by the windy spirally road, now its a commercialized tourist spot with eateries and cement tables and chairs. We used to just park at the lay-by and pick a spot. There weren't too many people picnicking there and you could pretty much pick a spot to lay your tikar and stuff, and be only 5 metres from the cool running stream. The water wasn't too deep but enough to float by if you just lay ur whole body down.
FAST FORWARD TO THE PRESENT : I took the wife and kids up to Kg. Kemensah back in February. Kg Kemensah is just 10 minutes uphill from Zoo Negara. It's such a hidden paradise within the Kelang (and Keramat) Valley which my pal, Shah Brazan, introduced me to. We were scouting for fishan spots (surprise surprise!!) when i discovered there were chalets and picnic spots by the river and small waterfalls. There was also a lively kampung there, so driving up that small uphill road is a bit daunting for first-timers especially when trying to squeeze two vehicles going the opposite directions.
But it's totally worth it. My kids have never experienced Mandi Sungai before so they were confused. The title of this post was something that Amin actually asked me hehehehe. Poor boy, so familiar with Terengganu and Kuantan beaches, he has no idea where all this water comes from.
Feeding the fishies in the clear water
My wife had the foresight to cook and tapaw lots of food like pasta bolognaise (the kids' fave), roti canai and tuna sandwiches. We had a blast!!! Thanks sayang!!
There was a tire swing which the kids were fighting over whose turn it was to ride. We fed some baby fishes with bread. They came right up and swam over our feet and nibbled on some of my old skin like a fish spa hehehe. At first the kids were afraid of the cold water, but after 15 minutes, they were sungai water babies. After the first water session, we came up for snacks and the kids were famished!!! Here's a vid, check out Ihsan the lil cutie makan roti!!!
Makan roti after crossing the English Channel
After food, we relaxed for 15 minutes before hitting the water again!!! Was such a GREAT TIME, Alhamdulillah. And i hope the kids learnt a few useful things that day, like Rivers start in mountains and flow down into the Sea. When they found out that river water is not salty, they kept "washing" their tongues with it hehehe. Good thing our spot was the uppermost tourist spot so there was little chance of contamination.
Amin doing the most annoying thing one can do on a water-themed outing
All in all, it was a wonderful experience. Give me a shout if you need coordinates. I might post up some Google Map links, if i feel like it :P
Ciao gang, Salaaammm
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