PANTAI HOSPITAL IPOH'S TIMELY DONATION

IPOH: Pantai Hospital Ipoh had donated 250 boxes of food items to the underprivileged and marginalized who were affected due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), here.

Each food box contained rice, cooking oil, tea, mee and sardin, which costs RM50 per box.

The recipients hailed from Jelapang, Chemor, Buntong, Sri Rapat, Tambun and Merdeka Garden among others.

PHI'S FRONT LINERS TO DONATE BOXES TO MARGINALIZED PEOPLE, IN KINTA VALLEY

 
These underprivileged people have earlier registered with Malaysia Welfare Department (Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia) for assistance and support.

PHI chief executive officer Chong Siet Fong said that the donation was being carried out by the hospital despite our front liners were also battling Covid-19 .

“PHI remembers people whose livelihoods have been affected by MCO and who have lost their source of income.

FOOD BOXES READY FOR DELIVERY TO RECIPIENTS

“It takes the management about one-week to source for items and packed it, for the recipients,” she said.

Guest of honour was Perak Welfare Department deputy director Nor Asikin Ibrahim

HOMESTAY

Going for a Homestay assignment is a rather rare occasion.

Homestay assignment is often organised by Tourism Malaysia to introduce the 'many' homestay packages available in the villages, around Malaysia.

SUNGEI SIREH HOMESTAY,  SELANGOR

So far, I have reported a total five homestays in the country, they are - Kampung Pasang Api, Sungei Klah, Sungei Sireh, Lenggong Homestay and Punjabi Tambun Homestay.

VISITORS POSING WITH WOODEN STAIRS

Homestay is a good way of discovering the back laid and slower pace lifestyle found in villages and getting oneself closer to nature.

PASANG API HOMESTAY, PERAK

The most enchanting sight is the traditional wooden kampung houses built on stilts, surrounded with fruit trees, plants and bushes.

SUNGEI KLAH HOMESTAY, PERAK

During the homestay experience, one will get an opportunity to:

• harvest fruits
• plucking coconuts
• feeding livestock
• fishing
• kite flying
• top spinning
• cycling
• congkak
• farming
• get closer to animals – cow, monkey, chicken, birds, squirrel, iguana and even snakes
  
  
  

  

  A DE-TOUR AROUND THE HOMESTAY IN STYLE!!

  
  

One can learn the local culture such as - Salam Salam with the host of the house, removing shoes before entering a home, having lunch seated on a floor mat and eating with one's bared hand, and a mock-wedding ceremony. By evening, do enjoy a cultural performance or silat show coupled with a kampung styled dinner, in the open air.

KINTA RIVERFRONT'S RAMADHAN DRIVE THRU

KINTA RIVERFRONT'S RAMADHAN DRIVE THRU

IPOH: Ramadhan with a difference!

Kinta Riverfront Hotel will be having a “Ramadhan Drive Thru Briyani Set” available from April 24 until May 23, here.

The hotel is located at Jalan Lim Bo Seng, Ipoh.

AYAM MADU

There is a choice of three sets namely – Ayam Madu, Daging Masak Hitam and Kambing, which comes with free bubur pulut hitam or kacang hijau.

The sets are priced at RM24 per set (Ayam Madu), RM30 (Daging Masak Hitam) and RM32 (Kambing), with an add-on of RM3 for one can of soft drink.

DAGING MASAK HITAM

Patrons can pay by cash or credit card upon pick-up at the hotel lobby. Collection time is from 2pm to 6pm.

For ordering, call: 012-3885423 or whatsapp 012-6635423.

KAMBING

MU HOTEL CARES

IPOH: Some 12 beneficaries received vegetable boxes from MU Hotel Ipoh, here.

VISION HOME THUMBS UP

The hotel has organised a corporate social responsibility programme themed “MU Hotel, We Care!” to assist the charitable homes and needy families, in the State.

AN ELDERLY LADY RECEIVING GOODIES FROM MU HOTEL

The programme was in conjunction with the Covid-19 situation, to help those in need of food stuff.

The management had given away 54 boxes of vegetables to the needy.

A FAMILY HEAD RECEIVING A GOODY FROM MU HOTEL

Those who benefited include – Lighthouse, Salvation Army Boys' Home & Old Folks Home, Vision Home, Joyful Home, YWAM, General Hospital front liner and other individual families, here.

A YOUNG LADY RECEIVING GOODIES FROM MU HOTEL

MAGNIFICENT PERAK CAVES

MAGNIFICENT PERAK CAVES

Perak has the largest cave system in the Peninsular Malaysia. I started covering cave stories organised by Perak Heritage Society (PHS), Malaysia Karst Society (MKS), Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Tourism Malaysia and Lost World of Tambun (LWOT), from 2004 – 2017.

HERE WE GO - CAVING!

KINTA VALLEY & PERAK

One of my early visits, was the Tambun Cave (Dancing Hill),located in Tambun. Climb the steep rugged staircases leading into the cave to admire the famous prehistoric painting of a “Dancing Girl” coupled with neolithic drawings like dugong, turtles and octopus. The cave is believed dating back 3,000 years ago, reflecting the lifestyle of prehistoric population. 2000 (Personal)/ 2015 (USM)

GUA TAMBUN (DANCING HILL)

Gua Kanthan (Cathedral) is believed to exist 340 million years ago, formed during the Carboniferous period, when the area was a sea. It used to be a hideout for 300 refuges during the invasion by the Japanese Imperial Army of Malaya, in 1942, located in Chemor. Popularly known for its darkness, one needs to climb through steep hill through thick bushes before reaching the limestone hill. Fossils, crystals and flora, bats, snakes, spiders and snails are plentiful, here. MKS/2004.

GUA KANTHAN (CATHEDRAL CAVE)

Gua Kandu, dubbed as an “unspoilt” cave, located near Kampung Lawan Kuda, Gopeng. The cave is home to wildlife – swifts and insect eating and fruit eating bats. MKS/2004.

GUA KANDU

Gua Kelawa (Bats Cave) is located off Jalong Tinggi, in Sg Siput. One has to drive through bumpy muddy roads through an oil palm estate before reaching the cave. There are lots of natural rock formations, garfu, a hot lake of semi-liquid guano and ancient cave charcoal paintings and bats. MKS 2004.

GUA KELAWA (BATS CAVE)

Man Fatt Ngam Temple (Cave of the 10,000 Buddhas), is located on a 220-m Mesah Hill, Gopeng. A temple, was built in 1890, and the temple was popular among Buddhists during CNY month. It took about 30 minutes to climb the 400 steps, to reach the cave temple. MKS/2004

MAN FATT NGAM (MESAH HILL)

Ulu Geroh Village is located in Gopeng, is popular with the seasonal Rafflesia Flower, the Orang Asli Semai Settlement, Raya Brooke butterflies and Waterfall. I have an opportunity to cover an assignment themed “Species and Habitat Protection Programme” to learn about eco-tourism and visited the Rafflesia Flowers site. MNS/2009

ULU GEROH

The Sixth-Mile Tunnel, a 700 m tunnel is a favourite among cavers who are up to the challenge of wading through knee-deep mud for some 40 m and then swimming across a shallow pol for 100m just to get to the entrance of the tunnel. The 6^th Mile Tunnel offers me an unforgetable experience as I have to swim across a river before getting into the cave itself. MKS/2005 and LWOT/2007

SIXTH-MILE TUNNEL

Conquering the four-star rated Gua Datuk in Tambun, was no small feat and I need to do a vigorous climb up a steep slope of 120 m to reach the cave entrance. The reward is to view a masterpiece in the form of stunning rock formations named “Great Picasso's Chamber” , here. 2005/MKS/ 2008/LWOT.

GUA DATOK

Gua Anak Datok (Son of Datok Hill), located in Tambun comprises of stalagmites and stalactites with formations like Three Sisters, Big Foot and Bowl. It is home to bats, cockroaches and snakes.

GUA ANAK DATOK

Adjacent to the the cave, is tall slim rock called Pencil Rock (Needle of Tambun).

Gua Toh Sembilan is located in Kampung Kepayang, Perak, a relatively unknown cave with interesting tales and unusual findings – including Chinese calligraphy writings and poems, religious writings on the wall and altars. It is believed that the cave was the location of a Taoist Temple of more than 100 years old as some of the writings were said to have dated back to 1905. MKS/2006

GUA TOH SEMBILAN

Da Seng Ngan Buddhist Temple located in Jalan Gopeng – excavation works were carried out and discovered 100 pieces of artefacts include burner stands, cups, plates, candle stands, century egg urn, bells and gongs, a Buddha statue and porcelain God of War statue. These items are believed to have made during the Chinese Yuen Dynasty (1426 – 1435). MKS/2006

DA SENG NGAN TEMPLE

Gua Tempurung – is a popular show cave with electric lighting and walkway and a river passage through the hill, in Gopeng. You will see layers of white marble stone slabs and walls and the most attractive one is the “Golden Flowstone”. There are stalagmites and stalactites images of dolphin, jellyfish, tiger, lion, cow's head, seahorse, old man, Lorh Buddhha. Made several visits to Gua Tempurung with friends or Tourism Malaysia.

GUA TEMPURUNG

LENGGONG

Gua Runtoh (Falling Caves)is located at Bukit Kepala Gajah,is the oldest cave in Lenggong Valley - Late Palaeolithic from 13,000 till 10,000 period. The items that are left behind are tools, food and a human remain and the Perak Man – the only Palaeolithic figure found intact in the country. PHS/2004 

GUA RUNTOH (FALLING CAVES)

 

PERAK MAN

Gua Badak (Rhinoceros Caves) is no more a cave as it collapsed long ago. The only thing left behind are rock art – drawings by Orang Asli who possibly used this caves as a shelter during their nomadic migrations. PHS/2004

GUA BADAK (RHINOCEROS CAVES)

Gua Harimau (Tiger Caves) – gets its name from a legend that tells a tiger was once spotted resting here. This cave has high entrance and a space, was used as a burial or living site by men. Bones and tools are found here. PHS/2004 

GUA HARIMAU (TIGER CAVES)

Gua Kajang islocated at Bukit Kepala Gajah – a hugh part of the floor cave has been damaged due to guano harvesting and some parts of the cave walls have been drawn over with graffiti. This was the first cave in the country to be excavated in 1917 by Evans, where urns, stone tools, earthenware, food and human bones are discovered, here. Tourism Malaysia/2019

GUA KAJANG

Jawa Hill is an open Palaeolithic – discovered during a Kota Tampan paleaoenvironmental reconstruction by a team of researcher from USM in 1996. Evidence here of early human activities dating back to 100,000 to 200,000 years ago comes from the discovery of stone tool workshop that used river gravels from the Perak River to produce pebble and flake tools by using anvils, cores and hammerstones. Tourism Malaysia/2019

JAWA HILL

Sapi Hill – is a small hill formed due to the volcano ash from Lake Toba, Indonesia. Tourism Malaysia/2019

SAPI HILL

Gua Bunoh (Killings Cave) – is found deep into an oil palm plantation where thousands of meteorites fell at this place millions of years ago. One can still find sightings of the meterorites formations left here. Tourism Malaysia/2019

METERORITES FOUND AT GUA BUNOH (KILLINGS CAVES)

DUBAI

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Dubai International Airport, is one of the world's busiest airport located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It is considered the busiest airport operation through only two runways, the third-business airport in the world.

I have landed twice 2007 and 2010 at the airport, on transit purposes to United Kingdom.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The three-hour transit allows me plenty of time to walk around the airport, to experience a taste of Dubai.

Shopping is the best attraction offered in Dubai Airport, there are many souvenir shops, eateries, restaurants, cafe and exhibition, here.

Of course, my first stop is to the souvenir shop to purchase key chains and magnet. The local trader are willing to accept Malaysia Ringgit, as they know very well most of their customers do not carried Dubai currency as they are on transit to another country.

One of my dream holiday is Dubai, I will make it a point to go for a 2D1N stay, on my next trip to United Kingdom.

KUALA LUMPUR

Surprisingly! I have lived in Kuala Lumpur for almost five years while pursuing my LLB law degree and subsequently Certificate of Practice, yet, I rarely go for a detour in the city.

I believed my presence in the city is mainly for educational purposes, and I never really took the time to visit the 'many' tourist destinations, here.

Not until, I graduated and returned home to Ipoh – that I do make occasional visit with friends to Kuala Lumpur, for a detour of the city.

PLANETARIUM NEGARA

 The places I have visited in the Selangor areas are namely - Batu Caves, Petronas Twin Towers, Pulau Ketam, Muzium Negara, Planetarium Negara, Petaling Street, Mid Valley Shopping Mall, Sg Wang Shopping Mall, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Zoo, Port Dickson, Port Klang and the Central Market.

BATU CAVES

Batu Cave is a 400 million-year old limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak, Selangor. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines, dedicated to Lord Murugan. There are the Temple Cave (Cathedral Cave), Dark Cave, Cave Villa and Ramayana Cave. I am attracted to its overall awesome external beauty which serves as the best spot for a photography session.

PULAU KETAM

Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) is a Chinese fishing village, a mangrove vegetation and a tourist destination. The island showcased “floating houses” perched on wooden stilts 1 – 10 m above sea level. My first and only visit to Pulau Ketam was in 1999. I really enjoy walking on the uncountable wooden plank floor built on the island, while passing by decorative miniature-like houses of the residents, here. 

PETRONAS TWIN TOWER SKYBRIDGE

Petronas Twin Tower – are the twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur is dubbed as the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 – 2004. The Petronas Towers remain the tallest twin towers in the world until today. It has a structural system in a form of a tube in tube design, and a Tower Skybridge. Similarly, I have only visited the Tower once, in October 4, 2007.

THE ROYAL BELUM STATE PARK

Going to Belum Forest is just like going back to nature where one can experience all things natural, within the thick forest.

Before one is allowed to enter the forest, one needs to apply for a permit from the government.

So far, I have visited the State Park three times in 2008, 2009 and 2010, being a media familiarisation trip organised by Tourism Malaysia (Perak).

KAMPUNG CHUWEH ORANG ASLI VILLAGE

Even though, all you can view is dense jungles with trees however there is a list of activities one can do, here.

A two-day excursion is sufficient to explore the Orang Asli Settlement, picnic at Sungai Ruok Waterfall, fishing at Lake Temenggor, Sg Nam Base Camp or jungle trekking to spot wildlife species including Rafflesia flowers.

One can also charter a houseboat to travel on the lake to enjoy the scenic lake, spotting elephant from the boat and admire the surrounding greens.

SUNGAI NAM BASE CAMP

For me, I particularly enjoy the visit to Kampung Chuweh, and an opportunity to get close with the Orang Asli residents, here. The partially bared dressed population, are just too keen to show-off their blowpipes skill, or pose a photograph with visitors, at their door step. I am amazed with this Orang Asli Settlement as it is very original compared to those in Cameron Highlands which are more modern in nature.

POSING WITH HAPPY ORANG ASLI CHILDREN

BACKGROUND

The Royal Belum State Park, Perak Malaysia originally gazetted as Belum Forest Reserve in 1971 and subsequently in 2007 it was re-gazetted as a State Park. In 2012, it was also gazetted as Perak State Forestry Enactment as well as National Heritage Site (UNESCO World Heritage Centre).

The State Park is situated on the eastern side of the Western of Peninsular Malaysia whereby 57% of its area is located in the range of 80-300 m above sea level and 41% in the range of 300 – 1,533 m above sea level. There is only one main river system, Sungai River Perak that originates from the Perak – Kelantan border, in addition of smaller rivers namely Sungai Tiang and Sungai Kejar that originates on the east of the State Park. There are more than hundreds of smaller tributaries and streams that feed the Lake Temenggor.

SUNGAI ROUK WATERFALL

This area consists of diverse rock formations of mostly metamorphosed marine sedimentary rocks of Early Silurian-Devonian Age (440 – 400 m.y.) belonging to the Baling Group and the Triassic granites (ca 220 m.y).

Belum Temenggor is dubbed as one of the World's oldest rainforests, existence for over 130 million years.

TEMENGGOR LAKE

The forest covers 290,000 ha of land whereby 146,000 ha of virgin primary forest. The forest is divided into Upper Belum (The Royal Belum State Park) which stretches to the Thai-Malaysian border covering 117,500 ha of jungle and the Lower Belum (Temenggor Forest Reserve) mostly covered by the Temenggor Lake.

AUG 18 – 20, 2009

SONGKLA

GOLDEN SONGKLA 

I never missed Songkla Province when in Hatyai.

Obviously, I love the beaches, they have very “entertaining” beaches!

It's called the Samila Beach.

GOLDEN MERMAID STATUE

Samila Beach is characterized by soft white sand and beach side pine trees – a good place to take a stroll down the Ratchadamnurn Road.

The most prominent landmark is the Golden Mermaid Statue sitting gracefully along Samila Beach.

'She' is the main attraction for tourists who have to climb up some steps of rocky stones, just to pose with the Mermaid.

WAT LAEM SAI TEMPLE

There is also a variety of activities taking place along the beaches such as souvenir shops, food, donkey ride, flying kites and photo session with the many man-made statues found, here.

ANCIENT TOWN WALL

Tourist can also take a one-day walk around the town to view places namely Songkla National Museum, Wat Laem Sai Temple, Central Market and Sunday Market, Ancient Town Wall & Fortress, Songkla City Pillar, Wat Matchimawat, Wat Chaimongkhon (Relic of Buddha), Songkla Zoo and Songkla Golf Course (Thong Yai Golf Course).

SONGKLA NATIONAL MUSEUM

TOP 5 PLACES IN PERAK

WRITER'S TOP 5 CHOICE IN PERAK

1. THE ROYAL BELUM RESORT – The Orang Asli Settlement is a "must visit" place located in the Belum Forest. Here, one can can get close to the children and the partially bared dressed population.

THE ROYAL BELUM RESORT'S ORANG ASLI SETTLEMENT

2. LABU KUBONG – A kind of warm “kampung feeling” awaits me! Picturesque of padi fields, rivers, birds, animals and traditional attap houses.

LABU KUBONG

3. OLD TOWN MURAL ART – There is a number of mural art mushrooming in Old Town Ipoh. Take your pick – pose with any one of your favourite mural art, if you are in Ipoh. 

OLD TOWN MURAL ART

 

4. KAMPUNG KEPAYANG CAVE TEMPLE – This is one of my favourite cave where my beloved natural stone Zee – Elephant is housed, here.

KAMPUNG KEPAYANG CAVE TEMPLE

5. LOST WORLD OF TAMBUN – A water theme park loved by children and adult! I am attracted to it's Petting Zoo and Roller Coaster. Awarded Travellers' Choice Award 2019 and Top 25 Amusement Park – Asia Category by Trip Advisor. 

LOST WORLD TAMBUN - ROLLER COASTER