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PDFDay 5 and it’s time to leave Sukasuka with a lifetime of memories.
If you’ve followed this series from the start you might remember the story Pak Aziz had relayed about the Western tourists’ encounter with the old Indian rubber tapper. They had come to this part of the world with a set of preconceived notions – in that particular instance, who knew that a menial labourer deep in rural Malaysia would speak such eloquent, educated English?
These two days have similarly challenged my own assumptions – that I need to travel in 5-star comfort to enjoy a holiday, for instance. That I already know everything there is to know about Malay cooking (only to be instantly stumped by the idea of rendang with mushrooms and glutinous rice in monkey pots. Keep an eye out for those recipes in a separate series).
You know how sometimes you come away from a trip feeling like you need a holiday to recover from your holiday? Sukasuka might be the answer.
Our final full day is spent travelling to the famous Belum Rainforest Resort, with a quick stopover at the transit town of Gerik for lunch. Set in the spectacular Belum State Forest, a vast and dense rainforest that spills across national boundaries into Thailand, the resort is a 5-star reprieve for those who have spent days trekking through the wild. Thanks to the wet weather, our planned trek into the forest is called off, so baby Noah and I spend time enjoying my beautiful suite and the infinity pool instead.
Late in the afternoon, we drive up to the town centre for a quick lookaround – unfortunately most of the eateries are shut that time of day – and in the evening, we dine at the huge restaurant at the resort.
Enjoying my Yoga 2 Pro in my Belum Rainforest Resort suite.
I wish we have more time to spend at Belum Rainforest Resort but next morning it’s time to leave for my next adventure as I’ve been invited to Malaysia’s northernmost state by Tourism Malaysia Kelantan. People Express kindly drive me to Kelantan’s capital, Kota Bharu, several hours away, in time for my next itinerary.
Scenic drive from Perak to my next travel adventure in Kelantan.
After spending 6 days with a dynamic group of people and meeting some wonderful characters, I come away determined to maintain these friendships and am hopeful to see everyone again on another tour.
Pak Aziz and Mak Asiah, thank you again for your hospitality at Sukasuka. Mr. Shaukani, I’m going to visit your home state of Melaka hopefully this year, and I’m looking forward to catching up with you and everyone else there or some place else. Diana, thank you very much for inviting me on this unforgettable trip and I’ll see you on the flip side 🙂
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Tour guide – Mr. Shaukani Abbas (two-time winner of Tourism Malaysia’s Tour Guide of the Year Award) Some photos in this series are courtesy of Mr. Shaukani.
Tour Designer – S. Diana Nasution
Tour Company – People Express Travel, KL
Tour Package – 6D/5N Culture, Heritage and Nature Delight
