Day trip to Kedah's Beris Lake Vineyard, Lata Mengkuang and Gunung Jerai

Being city folks, we have not been around "kampung" and "nature" much. So it's time to go for a short "nature" type of tour which we can make in one day. We went to take a look at a vineyard (Beris Lake Vineyard or Ladang Anggur Tasik Beris), a "waterfall" called Lata Mengkuang and the unplanned one is Gunung Jerai (or Mount Jerai). In my naivity, I thought everything's pretty near in Kedah state, but it turns out they are quite a distance away. Well, since we are in the vicinity, might as well right? It was raining in Prai when we started our journey but on this blessed day, we left the rain behind!

Beris Lake Vineyard (Ladang Anggur Tasik Beris)

This is new to us as we didn't know of a vineyard in Northern region until quite recently. Have to warn you that the road to Beris Lake Vineyard is through quite a distance among a couple of small towns, palm plantations, rubber estates and kampungs. The GPS bring us to the right place and there are signs when we are nearer, example 16km from the vineyard. After all, it's a straight route ahead after Gurun toll and making a right turn at the traffic light. Oh, if need to go to the restroom on the way, look for petrol stations. Further up it's more remote and no more petrol stations, have to wait until reach the vineyard :D It must be a good day to get married as we passed 3 or 4 kampung houses having wedding kenduri.

Entrance fees is RM4 for adults, RM2 for children 7-12 years old

Dark grapes are larger size compared to the green ones when we visit

These "eating-the-grapes" shots are just poses. Not allowed to pluck grapes here!

  

As 爸爸 is tall, he has to bend his head and neck just to go through the visitor path. Probably anyone taller than 170cm (just rough estimate) will feel the strain walking through the vineyard. Finally there's an advantage to be short :) Those area that visitors can go are marked with colourful flags.

There's supposed to be a cafe called Beris Lake Cafe on its premise but we didn't see one, and didn't ask the staff. There's a small stall selling "grape curry puff" - saw some grape skin but didn't taste grapey, fried beehoon and grape juice (2 types, green and dark). We dine outdoors style under a big nice umbrella (no photo as busy eating). It was starting to drizzle ever so slightly, so we purchase some grape juice and a pack of grapes at the Sales Gallery. By this time, more visitors are pouring in and we're glad to escape the bigger crowd!

The patio overlooking Beris Lake

Enjoying a new playground

View of Beris Lake, some sections of the terrace here is in repair, the photos just didn't show it. We saw work-in-progress of what looks like a pier and a big house next to the playground.

The grapes and juices we bought

Lata Mengkuang Recreation Park
Next stop on the way back. We go through a winding little road and passed a couple more Malay folks' wedding kenduri. We tried looking for actual waterfall (with a fall) but the only the stream that came from the waterfall is accessible. Probably have to hike on foot, which the children do not want to. So we ended up at the park.

Having sandwiches packed from home at the picnic table

Probably we're the only Chinese family there :)

Mount Jerai (Gunung Jerai)
Immediately at the junction after Gurun toll in the morning, we saw a sign pointing to Gunung Jerai and decided we will take a look if still have time after the two locations already planned. We didn't research the place prior and I thought if we can't drive up then we'll head home. Have to passby Gurun town and there's quite a big project having flyover done there. Along the way to Gunung Jerai there are quite a lot of Hindu temples at the foothill, for a small town like this you know.

Finally we made it to a huge sign saying Gunung Jerai. The peak didn't seem too far away and 爸爸 decided he want to bring us to the peak, if you may. Boy, it's quite a winding and steep road uphill, only one lane each way and no room for more. Forging ahead, there are a few spots where the road is very narrow. Luckily just a few cars going up and down. At one spot, the MPV ahead of us and the MPV on the next lane have to slow down and inch their way across each other. So take note if you go in MPV. Don't even try to go uphill if driving skill is not good :D (I will never dream of driving on such road). Later we found out one can take a van service up Gunung Jerai from the foothill (the reference website said RM10/person). We actually saw two such vans going up and down.

The topmost place we can drive to is near The Regency Jerai Hill Resort. We parked our car and walked a little way up to the resort. When we step out of the car, we're greeted with cool, crisp air. It's cooler than Penang Hill and not wet, damp atmosphere at Cameron Highlands when we went. In fact, it's downright nice and comfy, a little colder when the wind blows. As we needed a toilet stop, there's a public toilet right before the resort entrance but it's sooooo terribly in ruins. There are steps leading downhill but we're not sure where to.

Once we reach the resort, we can see spectacular view of paddy fields. At one side we are so surprised to see the sea and a little island with bridge connecting to it (sua koo ah...). Part of the resort is still work-in-progress. Even though it's landscaped beautifully, it's more man-made than natural but you just can't please everyone. As it's getting dark we have to go downhill. My word, there are still folks driving up even though it's getting dark.

Says 1200m here but somewhere else says 900+ m



It's windy, can see it from the flyaway hair



The coastline and little island in the background

Nice view of paddy fields

At the foothill

All in all, a good day trip that the children enjoyed. Thanks to 爸爸 who is ever so willing to drive the distance. Oh and just got to know that Gunung Jerai has historical tales linked to Lembah Bujang. Yeah, I don't even remember what I studied in Sejarah anymore.