R U N N I N G: Paddy Field Experience - Sungai Nibong, Sekinchan

I’ve been invited from my secondary school friend Azhar for a ‘sawah padi’ (Paddy field) experience at his hometown in Sungai Nibong, approximately 10km drive from Sekinchan town.

His In-law own a few blocks of paddy field in small vicinity in Pantai Batu 23, Sungai Nibong (Parit 12, I think.. you may call it in a conservative way).

I always wanted for a hands on and have a closer look how exactly paddy look like in my naked hazel eye. At the same time, I need to expose my kids to this new set of life (other than Ipad, android, games, social media and astro).

The beach near the chalet. Not for swimming though

What can we do there? Can we catch a fish with our bare hands? Or fishing? Or play in the mud? Or harvest the paddy itself? – my questions to Azhar. He said “kind of” – meaning to say that the paddy has almost reach its maturity stage and waiting for the harvesting process and we may have 'that' experience. Oh well, we just have to give it a try – in view that it was a end of year long school holiday and feeling guilty of not having any plan for the kids.

On 30^th November 2014, we head on to Sekinchan in Selangor state, about almost 100 km from the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Before that, I made an arrangement for accommodation with Pak Usop for a 2 night stay (you may google ‘homestay in Sekinchan’, you may find his handphone number) – by the way, Azhar know Pak Usop in person.

It is important to share for a good cause. The contact number of the establishment.

Another angle from the jetty

There are also room for let at RM60-00 per night

Grocery shopping ...we ran out of supplies

About 1km from the main road, that’s where the chalet is. We arrived at noon and being greeted by the son of Pak Usop, Mohd Muzakir. The chalet is a nice maroon, sturdy building. Half of it were build on a stilt.

We immediately settled down in our cosy, spacious room. There is 1 queen bed and 1 single bed, - and the most important thing is, they have this veranda overseeing the jetty! I never expected that!

At RM80-00 per night it was not too shabby and worth for the money. Ample parking space, near to the eatery restaurant and its cheap!.

The spacious room

from the veranda...nice isn't it?

This is in front of our chalet, the eatery

The chalet entrance

The Small Fishermen Jetty

From the veranda, we can view the row of fishermen boats, arranged nicely at the both side of the river. The river is heading towards the sea about almost 1km away. The amazing part here is that there was no unpleasant smell which normally derived from the river, the fish itself or something has been decayed. Its absolutely an amazing view! It’s a slow moving pace activities here during the day.

The mee udang specialist

Panoramic view of our chalet (at the foreground)

At night we had our dinner in one of the restaurant, just 20 steps from our chalet. Having ‘steam siakap’ (a popular type of fish) cooked in lemon gravy was our scrumptious dinner for that night.

My my son, izz (11) and daughter (15) in front of our dinner spot

Half consumed steam siakap in Lemon gravy...yummy!

The signature dish of local community and part of Sekinchan town

They also have the popular mee udang, burger stall, ‘roti canai’, satay and other fry cook dishes at this eating place. You don’t have to travel to town for a nice set of meal.

The next day, we had our lunch of ‘mentarang bakar’ (a type of shell – grilled) at popular eating spot named Faridah Mentarang Bakar located 7km away (towards Sekinchan town). It’s so popular that at certain times you need to queue for your turn. Faridah Mentarang Bakar had been featured in one of the popular TV show specific for unique eating outlet a while ago.

with shell-eating zombies

I'm not a shell eating fan...urgh...!!

How it's made

This is the mentarang - a plate of RM8-00. The taste? err...hmmm...

The Paddy Field

Later that evening, Azhar took us for a ride at his In-law paddy field. That’s one hell of wide lush green paddy field ! The paddy field were nicely taken care off as it need gentle touch (I think). It is time to release the water from his part of paddy field to the adjacent stream. The area need to be left dry before the harvest machine can go in. The water level will subside in a day. We took this opportunity to swoop a fish or two using ‘tangguk’ (a type of net). Yes, my kids have their moment with this.

I can only see paddy field here...

with my longtime friend - En Azhar

Paddy field tour by En Azhar

The rain is coming...

Azhar had left to Kuala Lumpur that night itself. As for us, we have another night to spent on. The next day, it is time to say goodbye to the paddy field with unforgettable memory – the beach, the prawn noodle, the ‘siakap’ fish, and mostly, the paddy field itself.

With En Azhar's father In Law - the legal owner of these profit making paddy field. Meeting the experienced and the young entrepreneur.

En Azhar is using his fish charm skill

The canal at the right hand side is where the water will be disposed off

with my second son - the most stubborn and uncooperative lad

Finally I have my own space for selfie

In the foreground, the harvest machine in action.

On our way to Kuala Lumpur, we dropped by at this ‘Cendol Bakar’ (sort of shredded ice with coconut milk). At this eating outlet, there also have ‘nasi lemak’ (rice cooked with coconut milk), fried noodle, ‘keropok lekor’ (a type of fish cracker), a nice coconut shake and also gigantic curry puff. You should have it a try, relax and take a photo – you never know when you are going to be here again.