Warung Mak Njang Ikan Bakar Warisan, Tanjung Dawai

Warung Mak Njang Ikan Bakar Warisan

153, K161

Tanjung Dawai

08400 Merbok

Kedah Darul Aman

Hours

1600 to 0000 daily

Just over an hour drive from Mount Jerai, you'll reach Tanjung Dawai and find a row of restaurants with sea view. The locals have their own favourites and I am still trying to decide which restaurant is the best. 

Our pick for this particular trip was a simple yellow restaurant. No fancy garden like its neighbour; but one of us swore they serve the best ikan bakar he ever tasted.

I gotta agree!

Salted egg prawn - <3<3<3<3

Mixed tomyam

Taste - delicious!

Price - fair

Ambiance - average 

My only grievance is their slow service. There weren't many patrons but we had to wait for quite some time for our food. If don't mind the wait, try this place!

Overall 3 <3<3<3 of 5 

Mount Jerai, Kedah

Gunung (mount) Jerai is situated in Kedah, one of the states in the north of peninsular Malaysia. The easiest way to get there is by driving. It's less than two hours from Penang International Airport and only about 1 hour 30 minutes from Alor Setar Airport.

You can drive up the mountain and most visitors ended up at The Regency Jerai Hill Resort. Along the way, you can stop at the Forestry Museum which opens between 9.30 am to 4.30 pm except on Friday and Saturday.

It is believed that Gunung Jerai wasn't always a mountain but once upon a time was an island called Pulau Serai. Then, the water level receded and the island turned into the highest peak in Kedah. It was like a beacon to the Arab and Indian merchants in yesteryears and they flocked to the Merbok estuary at the foothills.

Don't quote me but I thought that I read somewhere about those candis preserved in Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum (Bujang Valley) were actually from around Gunung Jerai. Oh you can hike up to Gunung Jerai from the museum. I saw the heritage trail map but I'm not sure how long the journey will take.

View near the restaurant in Regency Jerai Hill Resort

Even if you don't stay at the Regency, don't miss dining at their popular restaurant or enjoying hot beverages and snack at the new Simple Day Cafe with the gorgeous view.

More seatings for 2-3 pax

Within the resort compound, there's the Gunung Jerai Botanical Park and right by it, there is a track called Tangga Kenari 1000 Tahun (1000 Years Canary Stairs). I guess that's the track to use to hike up the mountain from Titi Hayun/ Lembah Bujang. The 'Kenari' was referring to canary bird which was the name of Kedah football team before it was changed to the red eagle =)

Trail heading to God knows where

Other than that, there are several spots with interesting stories like Batu Kapal, Telaga Tok Sheikh, Padang Tok Sheikh, and Alor Naga. Batu Kapal is believed to be a ship that was cursed into stone by Sang Kelembai, a mythical creature from local folklores. Telaga Tok Sheikh is a sacred well and the Padang is an area with flat stones believed to be a "mosque". Don't be surprised if you see people performing solat in Padang Tok Sheikh.

The sacred well at the back

Padang Tok Sheikh

A tower at the peak of Mount Jerai

You can come for the view or stay longer for a picnic. Many pitched tents and spent at least one night. One thing for sure, it's a nice place to enjoy nature.

However, pleaseeee bring home your trash! Don't spoil the place like (unfortunately) MANY did.

Kelate Roadtrip Overview

Gang Penang Ke Kelate
Date: 3rd - 5th June 2016 (Friday to Sunday)
3 pax

A few days before fasting month, we visited the Land of Good Food a.k.a Kota Bharu, Kelantan. I didn't get to have the delicious laksam special during my visit on Labour Day so I was hoping that I'll get it before fasting.

  We left Penang in the morning and used the scenic East-West Highway a.k.a Gerik-Jeli Highway. Everyone should see this highway at least once. Drive safely though because the road can be quite dangerous especially at night. It is nothing like the more modern PLUS Highway.

East-West Highway

There are many gorgeous spots along the way as you'll be passing mountains and lakes and forests. Take your time to stop and take photos but be sure to choose safe areas to stop. Hentian Titiwangsa and Belum Rainforest Resort parking are among the popular stops. There is also a monument near Sri Banding Army Camp to commemorate those who died during the highway construction.

Hentian Titiwangsa (rest stop)

By noon, we arrived in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. It was too early for Friday prayer so we just took photos and drove to Krung Thip Restaurant for lunch. It was closed :(

Beijing Mosque Rantau Panjang

We also went to Mok Su Nasi Sup Daging Bakar but it was also closed :( 

  So we went directly to Adni Studio homestay and checked-in.

Adni Studio KB City Point

In the evening, we went to AEON Mall Kota Bharu to buy some supply before heading to Tambatan Diraja to catch sunset. Once dark, we walked a block away to see the Muhibbah wall murals. 

Kelantan River

Lukisan Dinding Muhibah

If you're a fan of mango sticky rice or pulut mangga, remember to have some at Restoran Selera Kampung Padang Bank just a few steps from the wall murals.

Next, we went to get my laksam fix. Remember, the restaurant closes every Saturday and opens late in the evening (go after 4 pm to be safe).

By-T Laksam Special

Second day, we woke up early to hunt for sunrise.

Raja Gali River at sunrise

Kundur Beach

Then breakfast at our favourite Kedai Kopi Din Tokyo before walking to see Palestine street art near our homestay.

Air halia telur puyuh

Mural Palestin at Medan Ilmu Kota Bharu

Before going back to the homestay to rest, we had brunch at Nasi Kak Wook.

Nasi Kak Wook Jalan Telipot

I can't remember why but we were late going out for sunset. It was kinda dark when we reached Senok Beach so we didn't get to take pics among the trees. Tak dapat feeling-feeling Nami Island.

Senok Beach Lighthouse

Light dinner was at Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Luckily the shop we chose served nice fried thingy. I even tarpaoed some for midnight snack. Remember to choose Wan Zainab Seafood!

The next morning, we went to Pasar Siti Khadijah for last minute shopping. I bought some flowers for bathing and the boys bought lunch from the food court. And yeah we bought fish crackers and serunding as well.

Flowers for flower bath

Rantau Panjang Free Trade Zone

Before noon, we checked-out and left for Rantau Panjang before heading to Penang.

Muzium Kota Kuala Kedah, Kedah Darul Aman

Muzium Kota Kuala Kedah or the Kuala Kedah Fort Museum is one of the most informative museum I've ever visited. I mean, in the sense of how the 'story' was told. It was easy to understand what was happening during a period of time in a few places and how they affected one another.

The complex is well-preserved and from the tents erected in the parking area, it is also a lepak place for the locals especially anglers. Entry is free. Visiting hours 9 am - 6 pm daily with break from 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm on Fridays. 

Within the complex, there are at least three other structures that you might want to see upclose so wear comfortable shoes. Don't make the mistake I did as I had to skip the archway and lookout tower so I won't ruin my heels. The ground was wet and soft from the rain you see.

See how they 'frame' the point of interest? It's obvious that lots of thought had gone into this museum. Awesome right?