A 4D/3N Lembah Bujang Media Appreciation Tour takes the participants to explore this northern state of Peninsular Malaysia known for its rolling hills and greenery as well as its vast paddy fields.
Organised by Tourism Malaysia, the tour includes visits to numerous important locations along the Bujang Valley such as the historical site of Sungai Batu, where evidence of early human settlements can be found; the Candi Batu Pahat, an important ritual spot in ancient times; and an eye-opening stay at the Kampung Raga Homestay.
It kicks off with a visit to an oyster farm, known as Bakau Hijau is located by the riverbank of Sungai Batu Besi in Sungai Merbok, a 45km-long river that separates Sungai Petani on the south and Yan on the north.
On both sides of the river are mangrove forests that protect the shorelines from damaging storms and flood. Not only that, the mangrove forest also helps prevent erosion on the bank by stabilising the sediments with their long roots.
The farm is separated into two parts — there's the oyster nursery, where baby oysters (they're smaller than a 10 sen coin) are tended to with special care. And in baskets, oysters the size of a 50 sen coin are kept until they're fully mature (about 10cm long).
While oyster culturing is still in its infancy stage in Malaysia, many local oyster culturists propagate the briny mollusc for its pearl.
Thirty minutes away from the farm is Kota Kuala Muda Tsunami Memorial, which was erected soon after the devastating 2004 tsunami in memory of those who had lost their lives.
The memorial is a museum of sorts; it sits next to a row of damaged houses which serve as a reminder of that incident. Known as Galeri Tsunami, the memorial which is located in a single-storey house, is packed with information about the tsunami and photos taken around the villages.
Some of the photos are very disturbing and would send chills down to anyone's spine. From the Galeri Tsunami, head out to the ruined houses that once provided shelter for families. Remnants of the destruction can still be seen — the toppled walls, cracked tiles.
But it's not all sad and disturbing. Don't leave the area without trying its lip-smacking mee udang at a nearby warung. It's comfort food you shouldn't miss whenever you are in Kota Kuala Muda.
A popular dish during tea in the northern state, this Malay-style prawn noodle is sweet with a spicy reddish-brown broth. The soup is bursting with flavour. It has a pleasant prawn taste, and is thickened with cornstarch. Freshly-cut chilli is sprinkled on top of the huge prawns, yielding a slightly sweet taste. There are also chopped coriander, fried shallots and a slice of lime to enhance the flavour.
After a well-rested night at a hotel in Sungai Petani, the group heads out to the renowned Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum in Merbok, about 30 minutes' drive through a small town and lush paddy fields.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the museum is located on the slopes of Gunung Jerai, one of the highest peaks in Kedah. An isolated body of rock (limestone), it is said that Gunung Jerai was once an island known as Pulau Serai.
Given its closeness to the coast, historians suggest that the "hill" was a landmark for ancient sailors and traders from distant lands, from the 5th to the 16th centuries, when they sailed into the river mouth of Sungai Merbok to Bujang Valley.
During that time, early settlements began to form in the area and it was home to one of the earliest Hindu-Buddhist civilisations in this region. Evidence of early settlements can be found along the Bujang Valley up to the area along Sungai Batu Besi in the south.
Bujang Valley continues to serve as an important trading port and cultural exchange post. Over at the Bujang River, archaeologists have found Buddhist images, several gold rings and coloured glass beads as well as iron nails.
The tour ends with a taste of kampung life at Homestay Kampung Raga in Yan district where they get to pick fruits, go on horse-riding and relax by a stream and being surrounded by green fields that stretch as far as the eyes can see; the village is surrounded by towering mountains. You breathe fresh air every morning.
The folk here are some of the nicest and friendliest people you can meet. They lead a simple life and open their homes to outsiders who would love to experience kampung life.
NOTE: This is a combination of two stories that were originally written by Loong Wai Ting and published on August 1, 2019 and August 28, 2019. Read the full story of the Kampung and more attractions here.
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