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� Pantai Merdeka � Pedu
Lake � Ulu Muda Lake �
Kedah is also endowed with a
beautiful 1 km stretch of white sandy beach known as Pantai Merdeka, the
untouched nature reserve and lakes at Ulu Muda and the peaceful and idyllic Pedu
Lake
Pantai Merdeka
An enchanting beach shaded by tall swaying palm trees, Pantai Merdeka is
an inviting spot to picnic or laze away the hours in the sun.
Water skiing and sailing are also popular along its coastline. If
camping out on a coral island is your kind of holiday dream, the nearby
island of Pulau Bidan, just one km long and half a km wide, is the
answer. This 1 km beach is a popular day spot for bathing and makes for
a refreshing stop after a day of touring around the
Bujang Valley area.
Location � 60 km south of Alor
Setar
Visit Rating -
Pedu Lake
A perfect place for a peaceful and quiet holiday in store for
visitors. Nestled amidst lush tropical greens, the Pedu Lake resort offer
tourists "a get back to nature vacation. A series of activities are
there for the taking including jungle walk (day and night), mountain
hiking, fishing and a new found nature sport - lake swimming.
 Take
a boat ride and explore the vast lake or just enjoy the sun. Play golf
at one of the best designed golf course around. Also witness the honey
gathering process conducted by local bee handlers. Watch how the experts
retrieve honey from the 30 meters high Tualang tree in the wilderness of
Pedu jungle. This activity is being held once a year i.e. in the month
of February. Look out for the flora and fauna.
Location � 90 km North East of
Alor Setar
Visit Rating -
Ulu Muda Lake
This lake built situated deep in the jungle, is only accessible by
river. This wild, expanse of rainforest jungle saddling the two
catchments areas creates a corridor for wild animals to cross into the
Thailand jungles.
Covering more than 105,000 hectares, the area is one of the last
remaining sanctuaries for animals such as elephants, tapirs, Sumatran
Rhinoceros, sun bears, seladang, deer, gibbons, otters and numerous
species of birds, reptiles, insects and monkeys. This reserve is unique
in flora as it sits on the boundary of the northern and southern
climatic zones.
You can do forest trekking with local guides and wildlife rangers. Bird
watching along forest edges and lake. Walking on scenic jungle trails.
Wildlife watching at salt-licks. Trekking for elephants in the wild.
Fishing in the Muda lake or if more adventurous, game fishing in the
upper reaches of the Muda river or rafting.
A good opportunity for birding along the riverbanks and jungle trails.
The early part of the year is usually the flowering season for northern
forests, and by mid-year many forest fruits abound. The latter would be
an excellent opportunity to catch the many different fruit-eating birds.
The Ulu Muda Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1932 as a permanent forest
reserve and it remains till now just as impermeable to most of us as it
was then. Entry into the area requires much planning - as there are
written permits and documentation to be sent to and approved by the
Kedah State Forestry Department; Longboats and authorised guides to be
arranged through the department. It all takes time. This is an adventure
to be experienced only by intrepid adventurers.
This remote and isolated forested area lies on the north-eastern flank
of Kedah, bordering Thailand, with the nearest major town being
Alor
Setar, 1.5 hours drive away. Overland via the north-south highway,
taking the exit at Gurun. Follow the trunk road to Sik (TR K10), then
north towards Gulau (TR K8) followed by Gubir (TR K13). For Pedu lake,
continue north for another 30 km. From Gurun, follow signs to Desa Utara
or Mutiara Pedu Resorts.
Location � Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
Visit Rating -
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