Bukit Merah Laketown Resort

At last, after much postponing we finally arrived at one of the largest eco-tourism destination in Northern Peninsular Malaysia, Bukit Merah Laketown Resort on the 24 Mac 2011. We left Pasir Mas, Kelantan at 9.30 am and took a relaxful leisure journey along the lush green Grik-Eastcoast Highway where we stopped at the highest point in Banjaran Titiwangsa to savour cold fresh air, then a quick rest at Bukit Banding Resort (also owned by MK Land). At Gerik, we had a delicious lunch at one of the stalls near Gerik Bus Station and stopped for prayer at our favourite mosque in Kg. Kenayat. We took the `jalan lama' upon reaching Kuala Kangsar exit and thankful that we did because it was durian season in Taiping.  We stopped for roadside durian feast at Bukit Gantang and the delicious, creamy and  aromatic `kampong' durians were worth every Ringgit paid. We finally reached  the resort at 5.00 pm. Since its our first time there, immediately after checking in at Laketown Hotel, we went around the resort for initial survey . We want to be ready for tomorrow's activities.

The next day, by 10.30 am we're at the Ecopark already. It was really fun walking along the walkways erected mid-way above the forest bed where each park is separated by walk-in enclosures. It was very educational and intresting because we can interact with the friendly animals. Pets Park is the most fun while at Nature Trail, we get to be up-close with the deers, peacoks, ducks and see Japanese carps and huge Arapaime fish. There are also Reptile Park and Tropical Trek to venture where iguanas, cobras, mangrove snakes, crocodiles, palyful otters, gibbons and many more can be seen. Later on we took the Skycyle, a hand pedal 200 m mid-air tour across the tropical rain forest and along the lake coastline. Its definitely not for the faint hearted. I was frozen with fear and pretend to enjoy the ride for my children's sake. There were butterflies in my tummy (throughout the ride) and each time Muaz  stopped peddling to rest his arms, my heart almost jumped out of my mouth. Despite saying he was afraid of heights, I am amazed at how cool and composed he was at handling the ride!!

12.30 pm, we entered the much awaited Waterpark.  Here, I let the photos justify the fun my kids had there. I had to bribe and use threat to get them out of the water for lunch, which was around 3.00 pm. The cheese burgers, french fries and chicken nuggets bought from Bubbles Family Restaurant, never tasted so good and gobbled down in record time to. Again, I had to use threats to keep them from jumping immediately into the water after lunch. I know the 10 minutes rest I imposed on them seems liked a lifetime ... and when I finally gave the `green-light', they took into the water like ducks!! Haha ..
By 4.00 pm  I think they area 3 tone darker and had made many friends by then. They are almost everywhere, darting from one pool to another, now they're on the slides, next they're off to playing water cannons at the Sandy Beachfront. By the time I got there, they're  chasing the waves. Then they run to the Activity Pool enjoying the Jumbo Shower, Water Pike, 'Mandi Timba' and cruising under Waterfall Bridge. Its been so long since I last exercise this much. Finally and reluctantly (the boys), we left at 5.00 pm. We stopped at Ripples Hawker's Center since I still had 2 roti canai worth of coupons bought earlier ( it had to be spent on the day of purchase). By 9.00 pm, both sons were sound asleep, totally exhausted from the day non-stop activities. 

We left the next day at 10.00 am, but not before the boys try out the hotel swimming pool. My sons gave a 10 to the park, and we will definitely be back. This time round, no more Skycycle for me but we'll sure be visiting Orang Utan Island, maybe try some Fishing and do a Lake Tour & Sunset Cruise. Of course, the Waterpark will be a must!!