VISITING THE FISH MARKET IN THE MORNING

1st JUNE 2024 ~ Mr. Asrulnizam's plan after dinner the evening before was to take me on a tour to Pasar Bisik in Kuala Muda, Penang. Pasar Bisik, directly translated as "Whispering Market", is a traditional fish market in Kampung Kuala Muda, Penang. There is also another area called Kuala Muda but in the state of Kedah.

As we arrived, I could already the sea and the beach and there were just a few people there. Perhaps it was still too early or people in this area started their daily activities late on a Saturday.

There were huge rocks that were put along the shore that should act as a barrier against the huge waves. This area was once affected by the Tsunami that happened back in 2004.

Another attraction of this place would be its many cats that roamed around freely. That however will be another story in another post.

Why is the market called "Whispering Market"? When the fisherman brought in the fish to the market from the sea, people who wanted to buy the fish in bulk would have to whisper to the person in charge, who could be the middleman, of the price one had to offer. The bidding was done by whispering which could be something interesting to observe. But why couldn't he/she just say it aloud, I wonder.

The market place was empty that morning so we could not watch the whispering activity. Even the whole village seemed to be empty except for people who were walking near the beach. I was just about to try whispering at the market but guess that couldn't be done.

Even the shops were not opened yet, except the few eating places.

This was definitely one peaceful fisherman's village. Perhaps I could come back here some other day to buy the fresh fish or other seafood products.

A FISHING VILLAGE IN AL KHOR

This was the fishing village near Al Khor. It did not look like a village though. Al Khor is known to be one of the places well-known for its fishing activities (according to my reading from the Net). The people working there, like the fishermen and the fishmongers sounded and looked Indians to me so I guess the Arabs are now only the top management people. There were no locals that could be seen nearby.

These things are called "gir gur", or is it "gur gir" - I am not sure of it anymore. They work as fish traps once submerged in the sea, I guess that is how the things work by their physical feature,

There is also a fish market which supplies fresh catch from the sea. Other than fish, I could see crabs and big-sized prawns on sale that day.

A resting place with the palms of date tress put as the roofs could be very economical. I have never thought that it could be reused in that kind of manner. If only the same method could be done here in our country, then we will be able to save a lot.