Kukup Trip (21 to 22 June 2008)

Just got back from my kukup trip this afternoon. Still in a daze and groggy from the trip.. but I just cant wait to blog the details of the trip in here before the excitement start wearing off. Keke...

Set in the outskirts of JB, Kukup is a small fishing village famous for its cheap seafood and water holiday chalets. The houses here are mainly built of stilts over the water. As one walked on the newly improved pathway to your chalet (pathways in the past are made of wooden planks), avoid looking below as the floor is filled with mud, mouse, snakes and mudskippers. Definitely not a sight for the faint hearted. The lifestyle here is simple and laidback.

Yaling and I posting in front of one of the water chalet.

We stayed in the Red Mangrove Holiday Resort. It was the largest and newest holiday chalet in kukup. For a small price of around S$78, you will be entitled to a 2 way transport from Singapore to Kukup, 6 meals over a 2 days spread (Seafood Lunch upon arrival, Tea, BBQ Seafood Dinner, Supper, Breakfast and Seafood Lunch), lots of entertainment (Karaoke, snooker, cards, mahjong, kelong trip, etc) and a bed in a shared 8 bunk beds bedroom. A very reasonable price for a short trip holiday. If you are willing to splurge a little more, it would only cost you S$92 for a double bed airconditioned bedroom with seaview and attached private bathroom and TV. How nice.. You could also log into http:\\ehongshulin.tripod.com for more information.

I vaguely remember that during my first trip to Kukup when I was 12 years old (13 years ago), the price was at S$50 per person without transport. Kukup lifestyle is so simple that even the price remained the same even after such a long time... (with better standards somemore).

Day 1 (21 June 2008)

Picture with Mum at the kukup bus station.

We arrived Kukup in the afternoon at around noon due to custom clearance and stuff (grr... despite leaving Singapore at 9.00+am) in time for a sumptous lunch.

In Kukup, seafood is cheap, hence they are able to provide seafood for all sessions. Every meal served usually comprised of a dish of fish, prawn, cuttlefish, etc. Lunch today was one of the busiest... Flies were all over the place. We had to struggle with our meal as we fend off the irritating pests from attacking our food. As a city chick, flies at the meal table is definitely not in my list. I was so particular that I wiped the cutleries before used and was surprised that the rest of the table followed suit.

After a very satisfying yet tiring lunch (busy guarding the food from the flies), we proceed to make our way to our lovely water chalet. And of course took pictures along the way.. haha..

Taken at the water chalet porch

Another picture with Yaling ...

Upon arrival, the aunties and uncles...


Played Mahjong and sing Karaoke (Oldies)


Flaunt their dance skills.....

What about the young ones? Where have they gone to???




We went shopping..... Kukup is a small town. So shopping is limited. But we still managed to buy some stuff.. at very reasonable rates too.. Bargaining is recommended.

Went back for tea (Red bean soup with prawn crackers) and off we went shopping again... Soon after... its dinner time!!! We had our food barbequed by the chalet. None of us need to lift a single finger to cook. There were lots of food. Chicken wings lah... stingray lah... dumplings lah... prawns lah... etc... Not enough? Just order for another plate.. They just keep feeding you till you raise the white flag and surrender. Still hungry? Chicken porridge and bee hoon will be served at 10.00pm...

After dinner, we were too stuffed to move anywhere. We found a small piece of "haven" away from all the oldies karaoke and dancing... and watched a movie "Maid of Honor" in our mini cinema....

We later had a "dangerous" session of fire crackers on the roof top. (P.S: Felt so cheated.. bought a big firecracker at RM 25 expecting a spectacular shower display of fireworks... you know what came out of it??? Refer to pictures below....)

Disappointing results from my RM 25 fire cracker... =(





There was a time whereby I tried lightling on a fire cracker. Thinking it didnt light up as there was no reaction, I continued holding on to it and talking to my cousins. Luckily, my cousin Priscilla actually yelled out, "Vivien, what you doing?!!". To my surprise, the fire cracker was already bursting into flames. Shocked! I quickly threw it to the floor and it continued into bigger explosion... Scary... It was a very close shave.......

More fire cracker pictures.. Apparently, the cheaper ones gave out better results. Only RM5 for a big bunch.. Can play many times.....

It was indeed a long, fun and tiring day.. After the round of fire crackers, we still did not retreat back to our rooms. Instead, we had a few rounds of mahjong before we call it a day and went to sleep.

Day 2 (22 June 2008)

Woke up bright and early this morning. Was informed the night before that due to some works to be done by the Government, the whole town would be cut off their water and electricity supplies from 9.00am till late evening. This means that all preparation works (such as shower, etc.) had to be done before the power supply cuts off. So troublesome... grr... We are being deprived of man's two most important necessities (Water and electricity).. go toilet also cannot. Anyway.. took some funny pictures with our newly bought sarongs before leaving for the kelong and mangrove tour... keke...

P.S: Breakfast was rather good. Selection of Bee Hoon, Kway Teow, Fried Thick Bee Hoon and Fried Eggs.

Posing with Mum in the morning.

A Bevy of Sarong Girls...

KungFu Panda... HIA.....YIAK.... POW....

Charlie's Angels (Hawaiian Version..)

The Hawaiian Girls....

Ethnic Indian Beauties

Afterwhich, we left the chalet and made our way for tour at the Pulau Kukup island (famous for its mangrove conservation area). We purchased our tickets from a restaurant at the kukup main town. The two way boat ride only costs RM 1 per person. We were informed on board that when purchasing our tickets for the mangrove to specify that we are locals instead of foreigners. The rate for locals are RM5 whilst foreigners are charged at RM10.

Arrival at the mangrove park



More "Modelling Shots" at the mangrove park




The highlight: "Suspension Bridge". Not very safe... Only 3 persons allowed on the bridge at one time. Most of the group are rather quirky when crossing this bridge.





Next stop: The Kelong....

The Kelong was pretty boring... as it was raining, the fishes just wouldnt want to come out and get drenched further in the rain. No performances, no excitement and not much pictures taken due to the rain and the limited walking space. We have to do our balancing act you know....



After the kelong, we went back to the restaurant for seafood lunch. Not being able to squeeze into a table with our relatives, we had to share a table with one of the dancer groups. We finished lunch hastily and left. (Leo claimed that the food were moving rather quickly, hence were rather hungry still after lunch.) Due to the non electricity and water of the place, we left for JB at 12+pm. Was told, we could go for shopping at JB initially.. Plans were later changed due to fears of traffic jam (due to last day of school holidays). Went home pretty early. Reached Singapore around 2.00+pm.

In conclusion, kukup is a small quiet town for relaxation. It is definitely not recommended for an adventure seeker, shopaholic, or comfor seeker. The price tag is extremely reasonable with no worries about food or time. Definitely a place for a 2 day getaway....