Low Tide Net Fishing Bagan Lalang

Photo by Amelia L

When I was engrossed beach cleaning on the coast of Bagan Lalang Sepang, I never thought I will be joining a married couple Mak Cik Sharifah and her husband down to the sea to check their fishing net. From far I can see the couple just arrived with their humble car and parked near my beach cleaning spot under the tree. Then I approached them and started with a conversation. The couple was being very friendly and easy going. I feel so much comfortable talking to them even meeting for the first time.

Photo by Amelia L

I wonder why they were here. They said they always come here to catch fish by using a fishing net. This is the time for me to experience new things. Wow! I took this opportunity to join them. The net is fixed in the sea. I followed they're steps on the beach towards the net. It was fascinating time I had with them. While we were walking through the low tide beach, they were sharing their 70 years life story. The enjoyment is that when I have a chance to talk with people who are older than me.

Photo by Amelia L

Photo by Amelia L

Photo by Amelia L

Pak Cik told me that, they are doing baby steps on the beach as a therapy and exercise. It is good for leg and body since we're getting old, he said. We had so much laughter and teased to each other. Bagan Lalang beach has its uniqueness and its own habits. Along the walking journey to the fishnet, Mak Cik Sharifah and her husband telling me that the water slowly will be receding when the time nearly at noon. The sea level when I started walking on the beach it can be more than 3 ft. The contour of the sand beach below the water was actually fluctuating. I noticed, every time a move forward to the fishing net in the middle of the sea, I can see the water level is changed through my leg. At some part, the water had low tide and high tide depending on the contour fluctuation. Although it is fluctuating contour down the water, I experienced that when I turn back to the beach side, the water was receding dramatically and it was gone from where we were started. That was when it nearly 12 noon.

The sea could reach high tide at least 4-3 ft where people be able to walk down to the sea and catch fish by using a fishing net.

Photo by Amelia L

Photo by Amelia L

Near the fishing net in the middle of the sea, Mak Cik Sharifah claimed when there is lots of jellyfish, it is a sign that not much fish in the water. Few fishes were stuck like Ikan Daun Baru (Spotted Sicklefish), prawns and so many jellyfish. Unfortunately, we cannot eat the jellyfish.  Oh yes! I was being extra careful not to let the jellyfish sting my legs because I saw there are so many of them swam in the water. It is very itchy when you got stung by them. We also caught a couple of horseshoe crab in the fishing net. I just knew that if the big one is female and the smaller one is male. Usually people love the eggs to make lauk or dishes. Like in Malay idiom says "seperti belangkas" (Like a horseshoe crab). By meaning, two people, a man and a woman who can't be separated and they are always together.

Photo by Amelia L

Photo by Amelia L

Seperti belangkas it's a synonym to Makcik Sharifah and her husband. I think my first impression when I saw this old couple is that they are always loving, teasing, laughing to each other and be together through thin and thick until they appeared so lovely at this age. I pray may God bestow them with longevity and happiness till Jannah. I hope I can visit them again next time and to learn more about life from them.

"Sometimes true love is to let go"

Photo by Amelia L

*Bagan Lalang beach is a muddy beach that surrounded by the mangrove forest.