Wonder.Food.Travel

Kuala Sepetang in Perak is a testament to a place that has nothing much to do yet so much to learn and experience. Irony, yes, but that's the truth, or at least that's what i felt after spending a lovely evening in the charming coastal town. Since i developed an interest to visit less known places, this town shone brightly under my radar. My family came along on this retreat- that's how i call it. Kuala Sepetang is also known as Port Weld, named after a former Governor, Frederick Weld. Familiar? Perhaps from our Sejarah (History) textbook. This multilingual signboard , something you don't see often today, is a landmark of the town which once had a railway in 1885 linking this port to the Larut tin-mining quarry. It is claimed to be the first railway station in the country.

I read that my travel to Nha Trang would be the start of the wet season. Often, i checked its weather forecast and it showed scattered thunderstorms and pouring days. I even emailed a place to check if it opens during rainy days. So when i boarded the plane from KL, i was half expecting wet days, half hoping to get at least an hour, if not a day, of sunshine. I gambled with an umbrella on my side. Surprisingly, upon landing in Cam Ranh International Airport, i was welcomed by blue, sunny, morning sky. Whether it is global warming or a plot to deter tourists in this period (or sheer luck), i was secretly in jubilation. Shades of blue, censored by sand. The immigration counter check was quick and soon, i exited the arrival hall. Immediately, i caught sight of many Russian groups, readying to board their tour buses. Prior to my arrival, i learned that there are many Russian tourists in this part of Vietnam. Shops are manned by Russians; menus are written in Russian. Even local Viet...

You know how you and your friends meet up for dinner one night and agree on a trip somewhere together, and then as the date to confirm approaches, one by one falls out of that agreement, whether it is because of work control, relationship commitment, health condition or financial constraint, and you're left to go alone IF you REALLY want to go alone, but usually, you will cancel the plan altogether. A familiar story? Well, this is not that story. With technology these days, the discussion and decision-making process were made miles apart, across different time zones. My friend shortlisted a few places and ultimately, we selected one that matched our intentions. The trickier question was the 'when'. Noticing a break in our schedules, we found a date that lit for our calling. Kudos to my friend on continuing with the arrangement: booking and dealing with the booking. Needless to say, this trip might not have happened if not for his drive. Metaphorically. Been practis...