On this trip I am traveling further up the west coast from Kota Kuala Muda to visit places like Tanjung Dawai, Yan, Yan Kechil, two wonderful waterfalls of Seri Perigi, and Titi Hayun, Batu Hampar Recreational Forest all with easy reach of Yan. Further up the coastline to revisit the “White Elephant Bridge” of Pulau Bunting, before reaching Kuala Kedah, and the state capital of Kedah Alor Setar.
This is a nice days trip although getting to Tanjung Dawai is a little awkward. First need to head north on K1 looking for the signs to Merbok, which is a nice small town, with a main street of shop lots, selling everything the people of the area need. Merbok is also the gateway to the Merbok Archaeological site and museum, which I will deal with later entry. From Merbok take the lesser road K150 or K636 to join the K652 turning left onto the K161 into the Kampung of Tanjung Dawai.
The large Kampung of Tanjung Dawai is quite an interesting fishing village, with a new area of food shop lots plus a new jetty. This development is a sharp modern contrast to the existing shops, which are the typical early Chinese and Malay style. The ones that are offering cooked food have small verandah-style areas with tables and chairs overlooking the sea. Whilst eating you can view the busy waterway of Sungai Merbok, across the estuary can be seen Pulau Sayak and Pantai Merdeka. There is a long and wide beach out of the village to the mouth of the estuary. Along this stretch there are many fish and food restaurants.
Main Street, Merbok — the road between Pantai Merdeka and Tanjung Dawai.
Old shop lots and small businesses. The jungle reclaiming an abandoned house outside the small kampung.
Following the K161 back to the junction of the K1, head north towards Yan. This road is quite pleasant as it heads north with the sea on the left and thick vegetation on the right, where there are many old-style houses to be seen amongst the coconut palms. Just before the small town of Yan is a right turn signed Kg Raga Homestay and Batu Hampar Recreational Forest, well worth a visit although a very run-down project, it is popular with locals who bathe in the cool waters.
“Retrace the road back to the junction and leading to the waterfalls of Seri Perigi, and Titi Hayun,”
The Waterfalls at Seri Perigi
After exploring the quieter corners of North West Kedah, it was time to turn the car south and head home. The trip had taken us through fishing villages, waterfalls, old towns and some wonderfully quiet roads, with plenty of photographs collected along the way. Another little piece of Kedah discovered — and another journey to remember.