What is it like? This place - Scenes from Kuala Gula.

 Many visitors to Kuala Gula have fixed ideas as to what they are looking forward to see. In the past, fishermen hobbyists were  the bulk of outsiders. Now through the years their numbers diminished dramatically. Some idea of the place to start you off.
 This is a "one road" town. One road feeding the estate that runs about 150 meters away from the bund on which the settlement was resting. The settlement, built with one end resting on the bund and the bulk of the dwellings project into the sea on stilts. Then on the part of the bund, is one single tar road that serve as feeder road to join and reach the houses.

This row of settlement, built on stilt is about 2/3 houses deep.

Almost everyone have their own landing point. 

The jetty as seen in the foreground, is one of the communities jetties to land bulk cargos and to lower heavier machineries on the boat.
 

A view of the "strait" . One that separates Pulau Kelumpang [right]  from the mainland of Krian district.

 

The main livelihood of the inhabitants

 - fish and seafood related industry

Fishing, crab breeding, cockles farming, prawn processing etc.
 

The bund continued to separate the river and the palm oil estate from flood. Most part of the mangrove forest in this vicinity had vanished and replaced by plantations. A strip of fresh water way collects water drained from the estate

On the portion of estate from freshly reclaimed land, the buffer for water retention was seen to be broader reinforced with a second bund.

This is the overall appearance of the terrain. Kuala Gula settlement is one tiny enclave in this vast cultivated flat landscape.

Now a view of that settlement. First, the "main street" is the road shown here. Barely wide enough for one passenger car. Houses are on eth right, seaward side. While the left side of the bund is barren. Overgrown with grasses and weeds

In the next page you would be able to see the main feeder road to this settlement. It is used as a bed for the natural drying of shrimps.
 

This tiny "Round-about" was built as it is the cross road where the junction coming in from the feeder road meets with the bund road. Beside this house is the Main jetty of the settlement where the community share. there was also a state of the art class of temple.

 

 

About 300 meters before arriving at the settlement, another road branched off from the feeder road. Connecting it into a small settlement next to the river, behind another part of the bund.

 Here are the Government servant quarters. Also found is a visitor center on shore birds.

The entrance here and below the side view as seen from the lane.

 

The last few years had seen rapid modernization of the area. First to come up was the resort for visitors. The 2 building in front by the river side, rows of chalets. Hidden from view and behind the front buildings is the canteen. Quite a contrast from the age old traditional wooden buildings seen in Kuala Gula village.

 

Here is the entrance to the canteen and also a view of the place. It was the only decent eatery and at the same time, it served really decent food.

It is very popular with residents from the villages near-by. As a place to gather for a drink, an entertainment outlet and as well as for private functions. 

We had tested the place, both in taste and prices - more than passable.
 

 Now more additions are coming stream. Out of the settlement and along the feeder road, a row of new shops had started operation. Here are Chinese eateries and so-called restaurants.

The Government had done their part by having a health clinic 
 
Traditionally seafarer, the fishermen had "Guardian Angels" to bless their safety at sea. This is still evident with a compact but futuristic temple within the village. Prompted by excess funding and the believe of the villager, another more elaborate temple has sprouted within a huge compound in the Palm Oil estate. From the picture, the temple is equipped with mocked up scenes of Heaven and Hell. Getting touristy!
 
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 Much has being talked about watching birds in Kuala Gula. You can either take a boat out to the mudflats to watch shorebirds. This is best done during the migratory seasons. Between October- March of each year. Then you must also has a passion for those dull coloured waders. For the more adventurous, they may seek permission to visit the inset lake in Pulau Kelumpang. Most people opt to settle for the easier option -strolling along this trail.

Here, you have a choice of forest birds, open country birds and waders. There are 2 trails. North and south of the settlement. Total distance that you could cover exceed 3 kilometers.

Khong's Travel Guide

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