Wang Kelian has always aroused yours sincerely's curiosity. It is a new border crossing to Thailand in the middle of nowhere. So, on the way down Kaki Bukit, we took a left turn, accelerated the car up several very steep slopes, rounded a few hair pin corners and passing through numerous police and UPP (Anti-smuggling unit) check points, to finally reach the place.It loomed in front of you very suddenly.
It was a Saturday, so parking was brisk and free. Being a stone's throw from the all Thai notorious border crossing, the aged car was triple locked and securely alarmed. Trust in God, lock your vehicles.
Wang Kelian is a shoppers' haven. There are rows and rows of makeshift tents and stalls peddling almost the same "brandy" things and at roughly the same price, all under the hot sun and behind the backdrop of a lush green pristine equatorial jungle. You sweat while you shop under your umbrella if you carry one. It was just "window shopping" for us, but, as usual, the better half was attracted to a few bargains and tit-bits which come in neat packets, three for RM10.00. So, a husband is also a porter, sometimes. Well, what is the use of having a 5 ft 9 inches tall and 85 kilos hubby! To carry things looor! A small advice. Work out your logistic. Don't buy on your way down. Buy only when you make your way back. You carry only one way. Less transportation cost. DHL concept. Don't worry the vendors will still be there.
Yours sincerely and the better half also crossed over to the Thai side without any passport stamping formality. Just smile and walk across, and smile again when you come back. Sometime, when the immigration officers are in their foul mood, I was told, they may demand to see and record your Identity Cards' particulars, or else it is plain walking across and back. Cool,eh?
The Thai side is equalling a sprawling of tents, canvas and taupaulins. Also more or less offering the same goods. BUT THE VENDORS ARE FRIENDLIER. They greet you sweetly and offer you their service. NOT WITH THE MALAYSIAN SIDE. It is "Mau beli beli. Tak Mau Beli, Berambus!" (Want to buy, buylah. If not, get lost!)
More and more stalls that extend right to the foothill. Strangely, we saw a good num,ber of Causasians milling with the crowd. Some were with their young children whom we, Asians, would rather leave them safely at home with their baby sitters or grannies. They start to see the world at such a very young age. I admire their parents' sojourner spirit.I have been to Wang Kelian!
1 comment:
In NZ, also same-same. Everywhere the family goes, the kids go too. It's a very interesting observation of family-togetherness+connectedness, I think this is the 'new generation' of the family unit - as you are faced with young parents who once travelled a lot when THEY were young (these are ppl born in the late 60s, 70s, early 80s) - and most come from the first evidence of broken homes (divorced families; grew up with single mom/dads) back in 80s - so now that they have a family of their own - a different approach is being adopted in raising their kids, hence u've just witnessed the outcome of it.
These young parents are from what we term a "Reactive" or "Nomad" generation - ppl born from 1968-1982. This is the Generation X-ers; Generation X came of age in an era of two-income families, rising divorce rates and a faltering economy.
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