November 7, 2006
Many Rest Days Parit Buntar, David's place: a drive sightseeing
We planned to ride again today, but it is raining in the morning. So David goes to work for a couple of hours, comes back at 10am and we are off in his car. We had walked to town to get a cardboard box, and we first set out to mail 7kg of souvenirs home. Patrick is glad to get rid of the weight and especially the six foot Sumatra stick that is in three pieces.
First stop today with David as a tour guide is at a salted egg factory where Chinese workers dip raw eggs in a special red clay mud and then cover them with black ashes to keep them from sticking together. After about two weeks the eggs are salty inside and can be kept another six weeks. We are given a couple to take home and try. \
Next is a visit to Kuala Kerau, a fishing village nearby. We first meet the mayor who acts as the political representative for this region. He also facilitates meetings to try and solve problems in the community. We have sweet tea with mild and fried bananas while seated along the river. The mayor is Malay, Muslim religion which has about a 80% majority in Malaysia. About 15% is Chinese and we meet next an 83 year old man that runs a liquor, beer and "lots of other stuff" store. On our way out we are given more beer and some candy.
Next, we visit one of the many boat docks where the long colorful wooden fishing boats are moored. David knows people everywhere. Then we drive way out among palm plantations to visit a Hindu Temple. We get there just as it gets dark and the priest performs the twice daily rituals to appease all Gods. The temple is ornate, colorful and beautiful, but also a bit tacky with plastic conduit and colored lamps everywhere to illuminate the different god statues.
On our way back we stop at a Thai-Chinese restaurant for noodles, fresh crab and squid.
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