Of family getting together, Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor fireflies

It was such a pleasant surprise when my elder brother suddenly whatsapp-ed me to find out if I had any plans for the weekend after Christmas. In fact, I had. I was thinking of going to Penang for that long weekend holiday but hotel rooms were not booked yet, so plans could change. 

Can someone please believe me, we moved back to KL to settle down since 2006 and not once he came and visit me! Although we do meet almost every year, mostly when we make a visit to Spore and at times in Ipoh for CNY, but he never took his family over for a visit. I'm sorry but I would be lying if I say I don't mind.

Anyhow, he made it this time and I was very happy and excited. Our parents came over too, why of course, even in such a short notice, like less than 24 hours! But they are retired elderly folks so it wasn't much of a problem.

We went on a road trip to Kuala Selangor after dimsum breakfast and stopping by for a visit to the old palace. 

Before we go, I tried to find information on where exactly it is to see the paddy fields and to watch the fireflies at night, but I just can't pinpoint exactly where. 

It was quite a long journey, and when we reached K. Selangor, we saw the Bukit Melawati already. Quickly find a parking which wasn't much of a problem and walked over to get the tram tickets. It was really quite a long queue  to hop on to the tram. Took like maybe 20 mins wait, and by the time we hopped on, the queue was even longer from when we arrived.

The tram ride was so-so and I think we were all supposed to alight at the peak of the hill to view the scenic spots and "play" with the silver leafed monkeys which were all over the place. But we saw a huge crowd waiting there and since there were 12 of us, we refused to budge, knowing well it would be hard for us to hop back up for the journey down later. The sky looked as if it would pour soon too and we really wanted to move on to Sekinchan. So, the people were like giving us the wtf looks but of course, we pretended we didn't see.. hehe...

By the time we get back to our cars, we were starving as we hadn't eaten anything after dimsum brunch. So, we just hopped in to the nearest shop where we can grab something to bite. 

 The shop here looked pretty cool, I'd say.

Moving on to Sekinchan, alas, it was pouring when we arrived. It was half an hour's drive from K. Selangor. We drove round and checked out the piers where fishing boats docks and then on to Pantai Redang. Since it was raining, we can't do much so we didn't get off from the cars. It was around 5.30pm by then and we thought since we can't do much, we might as well have an early dinner.

Drove to a seafood restaurant, simply la, and saw a kedai runcit selling seafood stuffs. Hang around, browsed around, bought some stuffs and by the time we were done, hey, the sky had cleared! So we made a change of plan and go over to the paddy fields. I really really wanted to see the infamous paddy fields.

It wasn't difficult locating the fields. Actually it is just at the right side as we drive from K.Selangor and upon reaching Sekinchan.

The fields were indeed vast and beautiful. But before we went down to take a closer look, we had to go find the factory to buy a few sacks of rice first. Hubs asked a local for directions and presto, we found it uneventfully alright!

All of us enjoyed ourselves in the calm and serenity of the vast field, even my first nephew who looked quiet and solemn most days seemed to be quietly appreciating it.  My brother and sis-inlaw says it's great we brought them there as they haven't seen paddy before, only knowing how to eat rice. :)

After dinner, we started on our journey back. Initially the plan was to catch the fireflies watching before heading home but as it was raining again, we thought of abandoning the plan. As we reach K. Selangor, meimei was desperate to pee and fortunately, we saw a row of new empty shops on our left.

We thought of just stopping by and letting her pee hidden away from the lights, but then I saw there was a hotel buzzing with activity just a bit forward.

Hubs went down and asked the person at the hotel lobby if he knew we could still watch fireflies in the drizzle at that time. That person referred to another and what a pleasant surprise, there was a jetty for fireflies watching right there where we were! We didn't need to go and look for another venue that we were recommended to earlier by a local.

As we were contemplating whether to go or no go, I said what the heck, just go! For all I know, this was my first time, and I have heard so much about it, and I don't think I want to drive so far away to watch fireflies anymore, so I really wanted to check it out myself there and then already.

The fees were RM15 per person, same pricing for adults or children. My parents didn't want to go so we had to abandon them. 

And my oh my, it was quite a exhilarating boating experience going down the river in darkness like that. Then we saw the fireflies and the 2 locals who accompany us on the boat caught one or two for us to hold in our cupped palms. It was magical. But holy cow, there were SO many mozzies having a feast on our legs!!! That really spoiled the wholesome experience. And we got a bit wet too since it was drizzling, although the boat has a shelter.

The whole boat ride took around 30 mins or so and all of us went home happy and satisfied that we did see the fireflies after all. Though it was a refreshing bit of things-to-see activity, I won't do it the second time. First time, ok ler...

The drive back to KL was pretty bad at some points. It was raining heavily and there weren't any street lights. I relied on car lights in front of me to find the way and drove at a steady comfortable speed. Just prayed there weren't any potholes on the road I was on, else it would be unimaginable disaster. When we touched the highway, I could finally breathe in relief. By the time we got home it was like 10.30pm. What a great day it had been indeed!

The next day, we just went to Midvalley. The smaller ones played happily at MegaKidz while the rest did their shopping. After couple of hours, we went back home and celebrated mom's 70th birthday for her. 

Soon, it was almost time to bid farewell but not before a sumptuous Thai meal for dinner. I really wish that they would come by more often, well, at least once a year or two.