Komplek Arked Niaga, Padang Besar, May 2012

Dear Diary,

At the end of May, we received a bad news from my hometown regarding my Mak Ngah. It was rather an urgent matter that required us to go back promptly. Hubby and Imran both took a leave of absence from office and school so we could go back on Thursday night. Alhamdulillah, Mak Ngah has now fully recovered. It’s a miracle and a gift from Allah to her husband and children especially.

In between hospital visits, we managed to steal a few chances to get together and do something. It’s not a usual occurrence in which everybody goes back home at the same time. We enjoyed some family bonding time.

On one of the evening, we left for Padang Besar. Our target was Komplek Arked Niaga more precisely. My uncles and aunts were the ones who were eager to go there actually. We just tagged along. According to Wikipedia, Padang Besar is a “shopping heaven” and popular destination for Malaysiansbecause of the duty-free shopping complex in between the border checkpoints of Malaysiaand Thailand.

There are myriad of things being sold there for example clothes, jerseys, bags, kitchen utensils, beddings, jewelries, toys, foods, snacks, fruits and many more. Hubby and I didn’t roam the whole place thoroughly. We just made one round of ground floor but still managed to grab pajamas for the kids, jerseys for Hubby and a blouse for me. Most of the merchandises are from Thailand and they are cheap. If you’re good at bargaining, you’ll get really good price.

Entrance fee is RM2 per car. Parking space is limited. You have to cleverly maneuver your car along narrow alleys to find parking spot. The place is usually packed with people during weekends, school holidays and public holidays. There are toilets, surau and eating places for the convenience of visitors.

Pak Yang who led our entourage of 3 cars used two different routes going there and coming back. On the way there, we went through Chuping, the hottest spot and the largest sugarcane plantation in Malaysia. While on the way home, we passed by Timah Tasoh Lake, the place in which Fasha Sandha held her wedding reception. Timah Tasoh has a breathtaking view. The different routes were taken because we visited Tok Su, my great granduncle, in Arau before ending our short trip.

Location: Komplek Arked Niaga. Persatuan Pemilik & Peniaga Arked Niaga Padang Besar (U) Perlis.