Yay! I’ve finally gotten around to blogging about my Kukup trip in August… man, that was a long time ago! I wouldn’t have thought about visiting Kukup, despite my ex-colleagues mentioning it time and again. Mainly because he has painted a picture of old houses with zinc roofs and smelly fishy air. I don’t know what came over me when Mr Goh suggested for us to join his friends on a weekend to Kukup.
So anyway, his friend made all the arrangements and we only needed to pack our overnight bags and exchange some Malaysian currency. Transportation was easy, it was included in the package price and pick up point was just a MRT station away from where I live (can be negotiated with the provider).
The old fishing village
Selling durians out of his trunk. Interesting
Kukup is just 2 hours drive away from Singapore, entering from the JB border. We had breakfast enroute to the fishing village. You can probably skip this or have a light meal if your pickup time is after 9am, since it will be very close to lunch time when you arrive at Kukup.
Johor National Park
Steady dog
We first did a tour of the floating fish farms via boat before heading to the resort (or villa if you’ll have it). I wasn’t so much into the fish farms because I simply cannot tolerate the fishy smells. They just make me nauseous. But while at the fish farm, we were charmed by the litter of week old puppies. Super adorable! The guys were laughing at a couple of us, saying that we are more interested in the puppies than the fishes, while at a fish farm.
Cute kids and cute puppies
The fish farm also had a grocery store of some sorts, and we bought some snacks there to save our effort of going out to the main street later. Prices were pretty much standardized, 3 packets of candy and/or keropok (mix and match) for RM10.
Old school snacks
After the fish farm, we were then brought to our resort, via boat again where we were wowed by how big it was. The 11 of us were spread out across 3 rooms (each room having 2 double double-deck beds PLUS one extra mattress, so each room could easily accommodate up to 11 people). There were 6 toilets so there’s no toilet rush. There’s also a living room where you can play mahjong (tables and sets are provided), sing karaoke (I think the song list is quite updated) or just chill with your friends. The porch is where you’ll have your meals (delicious meals, provided by the host, included in the package) and you can also choose to set off fireworks** and wish lanterns in the night.
Our chalet for the night
Looking out to the sea, also the dining area
Living room
Karaoke
Mahjong & songs
One of the many rooms
We paid S$90/pax for 2D1N and that includes to and fro transportation, meals (lunch, tea break, dinner and supper for Day 1, breakfast and lunch for day 2), and also a brief fish farm tour. We particularly enjoyed the snacks provided by the host, freshly fried tau kwa and prawn pancakes. Very simple items but super duper yummy. We couldn’t get enough. The seafood dinner was also good, the boys requested for additional chicken wings and satay to go along with the beer they bought from the shops at the main street.
Tea time snacks – the fried tahu was damn good
Uncle grilling our dinner
Romantic sunset
Chicken wings
a feast – the boys liked the chicken wings and I think I liked the yau mak the best. 😛
Playing with fireworks
Stars from the sky?
** Fireworks are illegal in Malaysia, but I don’t know why people keep setting them off in Kukup, as if the authorities are sleeping? I don’t know. Whatever the case is, you can get your fireworks supply from a couple of shops at the main street. They will not display blatantly, so you can try asking the shop keepers. Have a wide variety of fireworks and mesmerize yourself with the sights and sounds. Be careful though!
Eat, drink and have fun 