Previous Unloads:

1991 May: A Visit to Langkawi, the Land of Mahsuri

1991 Aug: Study tour to Medan, Indonesia

1994 May: First Asia Pacific Chitin and Chitosan Symposium (APCCS)

1995 Dec: Revisiting SAS

1997 Dec: Rally Nationwide Vision

1998 Apr MOU and Launching of Chito-Chem (M) Sdn Bhd

1999 Sep: The Officiation of Smart Technology Centre, UKM

1999 Sep 23: A Week on Leave

1999 Dec: Study Tour to Taiwan

2000 Jul: A MiniReunion of Class of 66

2000 Dec: Just An Unlucky Day

2001 Jul: 29th Covocation of UKM

2001 Dec: Digging Deep Into the Root: SKBT Revisited

2002 Sep: A Consequential Events from Feb 2002

2003 Apr: Reminiscing the Little Boy

2001 Dec: Digging Deep Into the Root: SKBT Revisited

2002 Sep: A Consequential Events from Feb 2002

2003 Apr: Reminiscing the Little Boy

2003 Nov: Reunion of Class of 66

2004 May: Cameron Highland Revisited

2004 Jul: In the Heart of Two Cities

2005 Jan: SAS Re-revisited

2005 Jan: Seri Puteri Eventually Visited

2005 Apr: In the Backyard (and Frontyard)

2005 Nov: Jalan Hale Revisited

2006 May: Kenyir, Here I Come

2006 Jun: Bidong Revisited

2006 Aug: Convocation UKM #34 2006

2006 Oct: The Faces of Ramadan

2007 Mar: Duku - The Fruit of Terengganu

2007 Nov: Ke Tepian Sang Seluang Melaut

2008 Apr: Drifted from the Past

2008 May: An Old Man and the Sea


Bidong Revisited, Jun 2006

Bidong Pre-2000

An Old Man and the Sea, 2008 May

Receding from the Sea, 2010 April 25


Perhaps I was a baby when my mother made me first dip my feet in the salty water on the beach in her parent or relatives place in Mengabang Panjang or Mengabang Telung, and since then frolicking with the rich lives in the water margin along the beach of Terengganu of the South China Sea. Dancing, and tangoing with the wave tongue, after pounding the thixotropic wet sand of the beach. But I remembered very well, that I was just a little boy, when I tasted the very salty sea water. Non-drinkable. Unlike the river water which was very "sweet" and delicious. In which we washed ourselves. I remembered that very well since then. But, I never stop falling in love with the beach, and then the sea, although I never became a seaman, or even a fisherman.

I am thus in no way like the Hemingway's "The Old Man and Sea". I am on old man who could still go to the sea. Never mind that catching a fish or "chandat-ing" a squid. I was just amazed by seeing the boundless sea, the endless waves, the clear green-blue sea water. And the technology evolution that man had quested in order to conquer the sea. The sea is just a different world altogether, with its own biospheres. It is better to leave it that way, and be a friend to it.

This time from the southern "ports". Marang.

The port for the "locals" is in the southern side of the river, which is in Seberang Marang. Whose fishing "gears" had reduced to just fibre glass boat with a detachable small engines. At least they preserved their forefathers, by going only during day time. Night time is limited to only during very favourable condition, like now in May, on the night the sky is lit with the moon light.

A small "Daganan" which collects the small catches for wholesale. Which is very popular among the locals for a really fresh fish, which normally sold out within half an hour of the arrival. Many times, "appointment" by phone to make sure availability.

The northern part was converted to LKIM Jetty, at which bigger vessels land their catches for wholesale.

From here 2008 Apr 30 Wed evening, I tagged on the eagerees. Boared a trawler out into the open sea, to the squid ground off Pulau Kapas.

Prof Manaf, Prof Zubaidi, Dr Fazlil, me, and Dr Abdullah, all from UDM.

The UMT team, Bukhari, Dr Mastuki, Ibn Manaf, Dr Suzuri, and Anon, plus the "tekong". That made eleven "crews" in the vessel.

Cruising for the opening to the sea. The banks well fortified to prevent silting which closes the opening. Pulau Kapas is on the background. Leaving behind the opening. The "action" was at night. Mostly squidding. We made our night. Every one's mission accomplaished.

The moments of "happiness". Re-entering the opening.
Unfortunately, the boat was sans cooker. Tekong said he just discovered that the gas regulator had corroded beyond repair. But I saw no utensils had it was good during the previous trip. That had made the night a hard night without the hot coffee. And in the morning 2008 May 01 Thu when we landed, the coffee shop nearest to the jetty was "swarmed".

And home for a fresh water bathe and a quick nap. It was for another trip to the same place but with different "team".


It was a VIP trip. Invited for UDM by the office of the Agriculture/Fisheries EXCO of Terengganu State Government. All execs of the agriculture/fisheries related agencies in Terengganu were invited. Plus twenty odd media reps. A form of officiation of "Chandat-ing" Festival. Guests were ferried in KPM PARI from the Chendering Fisheries Port, the home of Terengganu deep sea trawlers. To the anchored KPM PAUS in the sea, off Pulau Kapas.

I chose to ride in the accompanying Speedy.

Rendezvous with PAUS. But PARI, and a trawler, and the Speedy, were anchoring close by.

The Captain welcomed the VVIP. With plenty of food and drink of land-style, nearly limitless suply. Even karaoke set.

"Chandat-ing" was more of ceremonial. Many found that eating was more enjoyable than chandat-ing. Some had never come to the sea before, and had no idea what is "chandat", although some were serious even carried with them "wet-bait". Plus that all were execs whose skill was acquired by words of mouth only. It was like a festival on a bridge with no vehicle passed by. I thus chose to leisure myself. Getting to know the people was better than trying to get the squid.

I did my "part", sharing the line with En Wan Musa, my colleague. I picked up two, while my colleague, three, to make our day.

The PAUS Captain, the VVIP, and some of the VIPs.

Bidding good-bye at past ten (viewing from the top deck of PARI to the PAUS loading bay). A smooth ride back to the Cendering Port.

A quick tour to the Cendering Fish "dispenser". From all the anchoring big boats, the only big fish was a few buckets of "belitong". The rest were small fish worth only for processed fish products, including those of the organic fertilizer. Including heaps of wasted baby "bbarat" the cooked adult of which in the grill shops costed up to 40 RM per kilo.

And, 2008 Jun 7 Sat, in the late afternoon, another trip to the near edge of the South China Sea with my boy-buddy, Raja Mohsin, et al., et al .


The skipper was an experience old man, a sea-goer since his young days, known as Pak Wan Duyong. Ho took along three other crews. The young pilot, the anchorman, and a "part-time" steward, who only boiled three kettles of water.

To sea-goers, "squidding" was never more enjoyable than fishing.

Enjoying myself watching them enjoying their kiddiness themselves, as I did when I was at their ages. Once having their respect commanded, I rest assured of my gears in their care, and took a breezy sleep on the top deck after midnight when there was a long lull waiting for the anchor to be pulled and headed home to reach the Custom jetty at the wee hours.


Dated 2008, Jun