| Pedu
Lake |
 |
Pedu
Lake comprises an expanse of lake framed by undulating hills.
Located near the border of Thailand, it is 90 km from Alor
Setar. The lake teems with fresh water fish while the jungles
nearby offer birdwatching and jungle-trekking. Golfing is
one of the prime sporting activity here. The 18-hole course,
built near the lake's edge, has several holes extending into
the jungle. Pedu
Lake is an ideal location for unwinding even under the midday
sun. Just by reading your favorite novel under swaying coconut
palm trees in the cool breezy mountain air can bring such
simple pleasure.
Pedu
Lake has the ability to bring peace and quiet in one's life.
Imagine getting away from traffic jams or air and noise pollution.
The entire world is at your feet. Furthermore, the crystal
clear waters offer an ideal venue for water sports' lovers.
One can jet ski, canoe, water-ski, or even windsurf. Apart
from water sports, one can also golf, fish, camp, watch birds,
and jungle trek.
For those
interested in jungle trekking, it can be done by going into
the inner depths of the jungle around Pedu Lake. One can discover
and admire its well-protected flora and fauna. The lush jungle
is home to a large population of wild animals, which includes
elephants, deer, wildboar, leopards, birds, bats, flying foxes,
and not forgetting the different types of insects. The jungle
is also a sanctuary for a special breed of "albino snakes"
although it takes a lot of patience and luck to come across
one. The rich wildlife in Pedu Lake's jungle has prompted
the Kedah Government to designate part of Pedu Lake and its
surrounding areas as a wildlife sanctuary. This has opened
a new dimension in eco-tourism, which is uniquely special
to the Pedu Lake region. Hides and canopy walks have also
been created to enable tourists and nature lovers to have
a taste of adventure in the wilds.
Another
unique natural attraction offered is "swarm" hunting as the
jungle is home to millions of giant honeybees called "Appis
Dorsata". The honeybees have a particular tree in the jungle
called the "Tualang Tree", which happens to be their favorite
tree for setting up home. Hundreds of hives can sometimes
be found on the tree. Watching these honeybees swarming back
to their hives at sundown is a thrilling experience that is
too good to be missed. However, it would be wise to engage
in the services of special guides to go on this "swarm" hunting
adventure, as well as to see the natives in the jungle collecting
wild honey from the honeybees.
Visitors
should also not limit their adventures to daytime alone. When
night falls and silence descends, one can hear the crackling
calls of jungle insects, the occasional hooting of night owls,
and the strange cries of wild animals. It is a world where
the nocturnal animals dominate. Yet the moon high above the
lake and the shimmering surface of the lake provides such
peaceful and romantic feelings.
For the
more pampered tourists, there are two superb holiday resorts
to cater to their needs. Mutiara Pedu Lake Golf Resort and
the Desa Utara Pedu Lake are two international resorts, which
have laid claim to the fringes of Pedu Lake. Both provide
beautifully structured chalets for visitors' perusal. They
also provide all the modern facilities and amenities that
are normally associated with top-class international resorts,
including an 18-hole golf course.
Pedu
Lake has so much more to offer to us. Nature lovers have the
entire jungle at their disposal to discover the hidden secrets
of the tropical forests. Vacationers have the beauty all to
themselves. One can never tire of this place.
|
Getting
There
Being
a border state with Thailand, Kedah has a border entry
point at Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Malaysia
Airlines flies daily into Alor Setar and rail services
link Alor Setar with various big and small towns along
the North South track across the peninsula.
North
bound express bus service and taxis operate daily Lumpur
to Alor Setar.
The North South PLUS highway leads visitors from Kuala
Lumpur up to Bukit Kayu Hitam-Hutan Kampung Toll plaza,
over a distance of 490.4km and to Alor Setar at 458.2km
or a five hours drive.
|
|