Kelong Trip 2012 [Part 1 of 3]

Hello Everyone,
this is one of the long-awaited blog post that most of you readers have been waiting for and now that I have already uploaded all the photos for our Kelong Trip on Google+, it is now time for me to introduce you to this unique place that Baby and I went to during the Hari Raya long weekend last month.

As there are more than 131 photos that we took during the Kelong Trip, I will be dividing the blog post into 3 different parts and I will also be featuring some photos which I personally feel are great shots [using the Canon Powershot S100 Camera] taken by Baby and I.

In preparation for the trip, all Baby and I brought along were a backpack containing the following essential items:

2 Sets of Clothings [one for night, one for the next day]
Toiletries [shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush]
2 Body Towels

We also brought along other items like camera, camera battery charger, handphone charger, newspaper, and some snacks/tidbits.

For this trip, the cost per person is $60 [inclusive of return boat rides, 1X seafood dinner, 1X bbq seafood supper, 1X breakfast, and lodging for 1 night]. Just a point to note, there are many Kelongs in Malaysia but the one that we went to was Chia Soon Kelong [located somewhere at Pasir Gudang, Malaysia].

From Kelong Trip 2012

To get to the Kelong from Singapore, you will have to take the boat from the Changi Ferry Terminal [the one where bumboats also go to Pulau Ubin] to the Pasir Gudang Port. As mentioned, due to the large numbers of photos taken, part 1 of this blog entry would be mainly about our journey to the Chia Soon Kelong.

Here are some photos of the Changi Ferry Terminal with all the bumboats.

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

Both Baby and I were so excited about the trip that we can’t help but to keep posing for photos!

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

And here is where you purchase your boat tickets to the Kelong or other parts of Malaysia.

From Kelong Trip 2012

In case you need details about where the boat can take you to, we have taken some pictures of the information stands that were on display.

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

Baby and I thought we were going to take this kinda boat a.k.a ferry…

From Kelong Trip 2012

but we ended up in this…!

From Kelong Trip 2012

I don’t know if we’re really growing too old for this sort of thrills but when the boat kept jerking from side to side, we were so afraid that it might capsize anytime. Just look at Baby’s reluctant face for a photo.

From Kelong Trip 2012

Ya, I wasn’t feeling uhh that good and kept my eyes fixed on the life-jacket in case anything happen [come to think of it, it was quite epic.]

From Kelong Trip 2012

Trying to get some artistic shots from the bumboat..

From Kelong Trip 2012

Those who frequents Tekong would probably know what this particular ship is used for.

From Kelong Trip 2012

When we finally reached the port/customs, we were so glad we made it in one piece. But to our horror, we weren’t going to take the same boat to the Kelong. In fact, we had to switch to a sampan speed boat instead! Sorry ah, Baby and I really too old for this sorta stuffs liao so must understand.

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

and off we go in the sampan speed boat which had my butt aching for a few days due to the bumpiness!

From Kelong Trip 2012

It was pretty amazing I managed to overcome my fear of the sampan speedboat, so much so that I captured a video of us on the speedboat! Here’s just a 30 seconds clip of us on the speedboat. Just look at the sea and see how fast we travelled!

After the rather exhilarating speedboat ride, we caught the first sight of the Kelong from afar.

From Kelong Trip 2012

And so we arrived at Chia Soon Kelong, the place we are gonna call home for 1 night. Looks and sounds abit depressing but well, it was our first time experiencing life on a Kelong and its pretty amazing that Baby and I were so adventurous enough to explore the more rustic side of life.

From Kelong Trip 2012

When we arrived, we took a mini tour around the Kelong and here’s where we would be putting up for the night. The accommodations are really basic so don’t expect anything fanciful. Also, the cubicles are separated by a thin wooden partition and the only sort of privacy you would get would be the curtains that you can draw across [which isn’t really any helpful anyway]. So, for you naughty couples, please don’t try any sort of hanky panky unless you want to offer some free show to other people on board.

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

I believe almost everyone reading this post would be wondering how the toilets look like, so here it is!

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

and if you’re wondering where all your poops and pee goes to, it goes right out to the sea where you fish the fish you eat. So, I wonder if anyone is going to abstain from eating seafood now that I’ve mentioned this.

From Kelong Trip 2012

There’s sink available for you to wash your hands after you pee and poop.

From Kelong Trip 2012

Here’s where the Kelong actually rears some fishes of their own and also where dogs freely roam around.

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

and being a dog-lover myself, I happily hopped across to the other side [which was a wrong move] and met up with all the dogs whom happily thought I was a female and kept humping my legs.

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

you know what… these dogs are really blessed because they get to eat crabs and prawns everyday for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper.

From Kelong Trip 2012

After seeing that the coast was clear and that I survived the dog frenzy, Baby happily hopped across too.

From Kelong Trip 2012

We spotted this crab that was hanging onto the nets and I was quite tempted to pick it up but I decided otherwise.

From Kelong Trip 2012

From Kelong Trip 2012

Bored playing with the dogs, we went for more walkabouts and here’s the outer-deck of the Kelong where you can fish.

From Kelong Trip 2012

The outer-deck is also where the bbq seafood supper was going to take place that evening.

From Kelong Trip 2012

Seriously, if you’re looking for good photo opportunities, the Kelong is a really good place for shutterbugs.

From Kelong Trip 2012

and here’s where we had our meals, sort of like a living room cum dining room kinda concept.

From Kelong Trip 2012

In case you’re wondering if there are any form of entertainment available, yes there is! In fact, they have a television, a karaoke set, mahjong table, and poker cards for you to watch, sing, and play all you want. But honestly, the purpose of going to a Kelong is to fish!, not watch, sing, and play.

So here’s the blog entry [part 1] of our Kelong Trip. Do stay tuned to part 2 and part 3 of our Kelong Trip where we will share with you the wonderful sights that we saw, and the activities that we did at the Kelong! If you have never experienced living in a Kelong before, this is one blog entry you must read so that you can decide for yourself if you would like to experience the more rustic side of life that nature can offer.

Stay tuned to more updates from us!

God bless!