RED HOLY LAND – GUTIAN CONGRESS [古田會議]

September 29, 2015, 9:00 am

≫ Next: RODDY'S THE THIRD BIAN KEE

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Red Holy Land – Gutian Congress is located in Gutian township, Longyan City,Fujian, China. It is known as one of the first Historical and Cultural to Education Base and the famous old revolutionary base area.

In Gutian, the predecessors of proletarian revolution including Mao Zedong, Zhu De and Chen Yi were engaged in revolutionary activities and the 9th Party Congress of the 4th Army of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army [Gutian Congress] was held successfully here at the end of December 1929, a milestone of the Chinese revolution in history.

Gutian Tourist Area has 84% forest coverage rate with rich natural and cultural resources as relics of Gutian Congress, pastoral scenery, Hakka folk customs and beautiful tales. It is a 4A Chinese tourism spot of China.

You can tour Gutian Tourist Area under 4 different tours:

Classic Red Nostalgia Tour 

- It embodies an inexhaustible spirit in the building group around the site of Gutian Congress. Recalling the eventful times over 85 years ago and cherishing the memory of the revolutionary martyrs and cultural relics of Gutian Congress – the Memorial Museum, Xiechengdian, Songyin Hall and Zhongxing Hall.

The site of Gutian Congress - this building is also known as 'Liao's Ancestral Hall' and 'The Shrine of Origins' was built in 1848.  It is a single storey building of quadrangle architecture , with brick and timber construction, with a gable and hip roof.   Gutian Congress was convened in December 28 and 29, 1929 at this house,  now designated as 'The important heritage site under State Protection in China.

Beautiful Rural Ecotourism Tour

- Enjoying the natural and cultural landscape in harmony as villages, farmland, streams, mountains, vegetable base, ecological tea plantations, orchards and bamboo forest and experiencing one day rural life as a farmer, mountain climbing and trekking.

Hakka Folk Culture Tour

- Experiencing the Hakka customs, old residence, ancestral hall and rice wine culture exposition park, participating in Hakka folk activities like dragon dance in the festival, pounding glutinous rice cake and cooking mugwort leaf pastry and staying with Hakka family.

Experiencing the Life of Red Army Tour

- The 4th Army of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army led by Mao Zedong and Zhu De was involved in revolutionary activities in Gutian between 1929 and 1930. All families in the villages around Gutian including Wulong Village were the garrison of the Red Army. The army and the people are one family. Visitors get to listen to the story and experience the life of the Red Army like hiking through the path, wearing soldier’s uniform, eating red rice and pumpkin soup for recalling the past suffering and thinking over the source of present happiness.

Gutian Congress Site - Police Station

The Chairman's Garden [Mao Zedong's Garden]

The Chairman's Garden, is where you will have a grandstand view of thriving pine trees, bamboo and mountains.  This is a miniature of the life story and achievements of one of China's greatest leaders and part of the greatest revolution once taking place in China.

The Red Army's Bridge and The General's Bridge

The Red Army's Bridge across Sanji stream is the only way to access the command and political department of the 4th Army of the Red Army and the site of Gutian Congress.  It was used as a resting place for sentry and soldiers on duty.  It is one of the Gutian revolutionary relics.

The General's Bridge originally known as the Bridge of Prestige, was renamed for commemorating generals attending the Gutian Congress in the site of Dewang Bridge.  The bridge stretches over Gutian stream converged by Baija Stream and Wulong Stream, flowing into Tingjiang River in Shanghang stream outlet.  It is a beautiful scenery line with the site of Gutian Congress [The red army outpost and red army bridge].

How To Get There:

Gutian is located in the traffic hub, accessing to Liancheng and Changting in the north of Jiangxi Province and Shanghang and Wuping in the south-west to Guangdong, and Longyan and Zhangping in the east of Xiamen.

By Car

- Xiamen - Longyan - Gutian via Xiamen-Chengdu Highway [200 km], journey takes about 3 and 1/2 hours;

- Fuzhou - Longyan - Gutian via Shenyang-Haikou Expressway [430 km], journey takes about 6 hours.

By China Railway High Speed Trains from Xiamen [1 and 1/2 hours/RMB 50] or Fuzhou [3 hours/RMB118].  Check schedule and fare online

By Bus from Longyan City to Gutian takes about 40 minutes.

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RODDY'S THE THIRD BIAN KEE

January 28, 2016, 9:00 am

≫ Next: HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL 2016

≪ Previous: RED HOLY LAND – GUTIAN CONGRESS [古田會議]

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It seems so recent that my youngest brother, Roddy left us yet it is already over 2 years that he was not around anymore.

Today, 19th day of the 12 month of the lunar calendar is his 'birthday' that is if he is still in this world.  But, in the netherworld, this day is known as 'Bian Kee'.  A day where the family holds a praying session with all the goodies deem fit for birthday celebrations without the person concerned.  This is the third time and the last we have this kind of prayers to mark his 'birthday'.  

No one would like to celebrate this kind of 'birthday' which means the person is no longer around in this world.  The feeling and mood are not the same.  We cannot see if he is  enjoying, happy or not and can only ask if he is alright in that world with the throwing of 2 coins.  A head and tail would signify 'okay', both heads or tails would mean otherwise.

HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL 2016

August 21, 2016, 9:00 am

≫ Next: 2016 NINE EMPEROR GODS FESTIVAL [KEW ONG YEAH]

≪ Previous: RODDY'S THE THIRD BIAN KEE

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Since my youngest brother Roddy's passing on Christmas Day 2013, I have not visited the makeshift temple during the Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations.  I have avoided going there as it brings back memories of my lively brother who was actively involved with the celebration for years at the temple.

My family prefers to observe the festival and celebration in our family home where we have an altar to worship the King of Hades.

For decades, we have made similar offerings at home and also at the temple.  But ever since  Roddy's passing, my mom and us prefer to worship and make offerings to the King of Hades at home.

Below are some pictures of the offerings we made to King of Hades this year.

 King of Hades altar is the one on the right hand corner

Steamboat Prepared at Home

We hope to carry on with this ritual annually on a bigger scale at home after all it is the same deity that we are worshipping.

2016 NINE EMPEROR GODS FESTIVAL [KEW ONG YEAH]

October 9, 2016, 9:00 am

≫ Next: TAI SHANG LAO ZUN [KHOON LUN TEMPLE]

≪ Previous: HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL 2016

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This year's Nine Emperor Gods Festival was smooth and easy for me.  I didn't do much of cooking as my sister and sister in-law were away on holiday.  There is no necessity to cook extra vegetarian food for them.  My neighbour whom I used to cook vegetarian food for during this festival also chose to eat at the vegetarian food stalls instead of having home-cooked vegetarian food.  With only my small family of three, there is no need to cook  much except only for dinner.

I also got to know that vegetarian food was available at the temple for devotees throughout the day and payment is through donation.  This is a good practice and encouragement for us to have our meals at the temple especially when the temple is just across the road from where I lived [Taman Lip Sin, Penang].  It is so convenient and we also get to meet people living in our area and notice the strong bond of community spirit.

This year is the 29th year of Taman Lip Sin Kew Ong Yeah Temple.  Here are some pictures which I took picturing the activities held during this year's celebration.  I was told that for next year which is the 30th anniversary, celebration will be on a grand scale. Let's look forward to celebrate this festival next year.

TAI SHANG LAO ZUN [KHOON LUN TEMPLE]

August 22, 2017, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: KEW ONG YEAH FESTIVAL-FLOAT PROCESSION 2017

≪ Previous: 2016 NINE EMPEROR GODS FESTIVAL [KEW ONG YEAH]

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This is the temple of Tai Shang Lao Zun  [aka Khoon Loon Temple, Taiping] where a grand celebration of the birthday of the 'Soo Kong' [this is how we addressed Tai Shang Lao Zun when offering prayers] is held annually on the 1st day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar.  One of the pioneers of the temple was my uncle Loh Kim Aun [my mom's 3rd brother in-law].  I remembered during those days for years before establishing this temple, much effort was put in to find land,  setting up a committee and collecting funds to make it possible.

Before this temple was set up, the worshipping of Tai Shang Lao Zun were held at some other places.  From young, I used to follow my grandmother travelling from Penang to Taiping, annually to offer prayers.  This is one of the reasons why I am very close to this uncle and his family from young until this day [already decades ago].  Eventhough, my uncle has passed on many years ago, we still practice what we have been doing all this while, as we are fully aware that we have been blessed.

The following photographs were taken during this year's trip.  I would like to record it here as reference. 

Entrance of the Main Hall [Teoh Say Hun Hall]

Altar for worshipping Jade Emperor

Above Photos show the Main Altar housing  Tai Shang Lao Zun

A wide variety of food and prayer items prepared by the temple and devotees as offerings to Tai Shang Lao Zun.  The food  items will be served or given to devotees at the temple after prayers

Organizing Committee Members Chanting Prayers to Tai Shang Lao Zun at around 12 noon of the day

After prayers during the daytime, the temple will serve dinner during the evening to devotees who come in  droves [groups or families].

KEW ONG YEAH FESTIVAL-FLOAT PROCESSION 2017

October 21, 2017, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2017 - TAIPING ANTONG COFFEE MILL 安东咖啡厂

≪ Previous: TAI SHANG LAO ZUN [KHOON LUN TEMPLE]

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Organising Committee Members

Again, once a year is time for vegetarian meals in conjunction with Nine Emperor Gods Festival, a Taoist celebration of the Gods birthday. 

In my home vicinity there is a makeshift temple set up to celebrate the festival in a rather grand scale with numerous temporary vegetarian food stalls along both sides of the road leading to the temple.

The area is full of activities throughout the nine days starting from 20 October 2017. Many can get to enjoy vegetarian food not necessarily for religious reasons.  Anyway, my family members have been observing vegetarian meals during the duration of the festival for almost 4 generations.  The main reason is because my family members are involved with the yearly send-off of the Nine Emperor God’s ‘Boat’ to the sea on the 9^thday night from our clan jetty [Ong Jetty, Penang].   Those involved have to be on vegetarian diet as a respect.

The Wooden Boat For Send-Off

If you like to try vegetarian food, do check it out HERE.  These are the numerous vegetarian dishes which I have prepared over the years.

Anyway, we always enjoy vegetarian meals during this time with very good appetite no matter how simple the dishes are.  The food tastes so tempting and satisfying, especially the curries and stir fry dishes with a combination of ingredients and simple seasonings.
This year, there was a special float procession organised by the temple today [2nd day of the ninth lunar calender]. There were numerous floats, deities in trance, lion dance, fireworks etc.  It is a lively event tonight with many spectators lining the road.

 

There will be another procession in conjunction with the celebration on the 9th day night where the boat will be sent off to sea after the procession

PERAK TRIP 2017 - TAIPING ANTONG COFFEE MILL 安东咖啡厂

July 16, 2017, 8:30 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2017 - BISCUIT FACTORY TAIPING

≪ Previous: KEW ONG YEAH FESTIVAL-FLOAT PROCESSION 2017

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Taiping is like my second hometown but I have never visited this coffee factory which is located in the town area of Taiping. Location Map of Antong Coffee Mill.

This visit was made possible when I joined the Day Trip to Ipoh from Penang.  

Antong Coffee Mill is the most historical mill in Malaysia with over 80 years history.  Founded in 1933 by Mr Tiah Ee Mooi.  Many bloggers have shared loads of information about this coffee mill.  Do visit them for the details. 

PERAK TRIP 2017 - BISCUIT FACTORY TAIPING

July 16, 2017, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2017 - TRONG LEISURE FARM 自农休闲农庄

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2017 - TAIPING ANTONG COFFEE MILL 安东咖啡厂

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As I mentioned in my earlier post about my Perak trip, Taiping is like my second hometown.  I have been buying various kinds of biscuits whenever I visited Taiping but visiting a biscuit factory is a first time.  

I suppose some factories only allow group visits.

Taiping town is popular for many varieties of traditional biscuits like Heong Piah, Tau Sar Piah, Lo Por Biscuits, Kaya Biscuits, Pepper Biscuits, Brown Sugar Biscuits, Crispy Walnut Biscuits [Hup Toh Soh] etc.

The following photos were taken when our group visited this factory located at Kampong Boyan, Taiping [here].

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PERAK TRIP 2017 - TRONG LEISURE FARM 自农休闲农庄

July 16, 2017, 10:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2018 - IPOH 'TA FONG SOH' DINNER

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2017 - BISCUIT FACTORY TAIPING

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Already many years since I last visited other parts of Perak except Taiping.  Every year without fail, I would visit Taiping, the town where my relatives reside but not the other towns in Perak.

Out of the blue, I joined my Taichi group for a day trip to Ipoh and this Trong Leisure Duck Farm was one of the few places which we visited.

This is my first visit here, reminds me of my younger days where my grandma and mom would rear ducks from cute little ducklings around the compound of our house.  I remembered we will collect leftover food from economy food stalls to feed these ducklings.  Oh, those were the days and non-existent now.  So a visit to this duck farm does bring back some childhood memories of ducklings and ducks.

Below are some information about Ducks

There is an admission fee to visit the farm but if you follow a group trip, it is all taken care off by the organiser.

PERAK TRIP 2018 - IPOH 'TA FONG SOH' DINNER

February 13, 2018, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMAN REKREASI GUNUNG LANG [崑崙浪休閒公園]

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2017 - TRONG LEISURE FARM 自农休闲农庄

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Recently, joined my Taichi group for a Day Trip to Ipoh.  I didn't know that this meal [Ta Fong Soh] was included.  A variety of food were served and plated in a grand style for a sumptuous meal. This is the second time I had this at the same restaurant.

The first time I tried this meal was also on a Day Trip to Ipoh with friends. The food was no longer hot  or warm [except the Fish Beehoon Soup] due to the diners busy snapping at it before enjoying it. 

The second time the food tastes much better as the diners just took photos of the food instead of posting with the food platter for photo shooting.

 This food platter consists of roasted chicken,  fried fish, baby abalone, prawns, scallops, seafood rolls, lobster salad, seafood meatballs etc.  It is for a table of ten and everyone will get an equal share of all the variety of food served. 

 Most diners say that the portion served is really very filling to one's tummy.

Of all the varieties, I love the fried fish fillets most [quite similar in taste to the Butter Prawns] serve with some stir fried fresh Shimeji mushrooms, ginger and spring onions.  Very tasty, I like.

 If you ate the others before this seafood meatball in the oval bowl, you probably will not be able to finish this because your tummy would be full by then.

 The baby abalone is served on a spoon with a piece of fish maw at the bottom.  The scallop is served over a piece of winter melon [I think] on the sauce plate below the abalone.
The prawn is placed over fish paste served on a spoon too. The fried rice vermicelli lining the plate is not good to eat as they are no longer crispy. 

 The lobster meat salad consists of some lobster meat some fruits [apples/honey dew melon etc] cut into cubes  with mayonnaise. 

The fried fish head and bone is removed from the platter immediately to prepare a Fish Beehoon soup towards the end of the meal.  The noodle soup is quite tasty.

 The roasted chicken is removed too to be served later in two ways. One - roasted chicken skin with a thin layer of meat served with canned pineapple slices and two - the remaining chicken meat is used for stir frying with celery cubes and grounded peanuts served with salad leaves.

These rolls with a strip of seaweed and sweet peanut sauce is something like fish fillet wrap with beancurd skin and deep fried.  This is quite tough and chewy. 

  Lastly, there is this fruit platter.  Overall, great try and experience.  

PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMAN REKREASI GUNUNG LANG [崑崙浪休閒公園]

February 14, 2018, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2018 - CONCUBINE LANE, IPOH

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2018 - IPOH 'TA FONG SOH' DINNER

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A visit to this recreation park also known as 'Mini Guilin China'[Taman Rekreasi Gunung Lang] to many Chinese visitors was included in my recent sightseeing and gourmet trip to Ipoh.  Visits to such places are always a preference to me whenever I travel to places.  

Just love the natural environment which is serene, quite and seems peaceful.  Always love to enjoy the sights and beauty of nature, greenery, clear water and fresh air.  Best when the weather is good.

Isn't it lovely, one gets to enjoy the limestone hills, beautiful lake and a man-made cascading waterfall.  A short boat ride  is available for one to enjoy the flora and fauna of this park.

There is a mini zoo, watch towers, a Malay style house which looks hexagonal in shape, a walking path where you can enjoy a slow walk around the park.  For nature lover like me, it's an enjoyable trip and experience.

Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Jalan Damai, Off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 

30100 Ipoh, Perak

PERAK TRIP 2018 - CONCUBINE LANE, IPOH

February 19, 2018, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2018 - GAHARU PARK, GOPENG [務邊沉香園]

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMAN REKREASI GUNUNG LANG [崑崙浪休閒公園]

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The visit to this popular spot of Ipoh [Concubine Lane] was my second visit.  No idea why, both times of visit, it was during the late afternoon, it was drizzling and most shops and vendors were about to close business.  If you wish to buy anything, all is in a rush. Perhaps, next time my visit must be in the morning, then a slow walk along the narrow lanes would be more enjoyable.

There are numerous souvenir shops here but this one is the popular Taufoo Fai stall.  Per bowl is RM3.00

Love this stall, very creative drawings at reasonable price.

PERAK TRIP 2018 - GAHARU PARK, GOPENG [務邊沉香園]

February 21, 2018, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMBUN PAMELO FARM [柚子果園]

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2018 - CONCUBINE LANE, IPOH

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Gaharu Tea Valley is an agarwood plantation just outside Gopeng, Perak and has become an agro-tourism destination. It is Malaysia's first organic mono crop Gaharu (Aquilaria) plantation.   You can tour the estate and sample their health-giving products.

There is mini van guided tour which brings you to interesting points such as the viewing stage, hugging park and lover park.  The charge is RM10 per person.

Gaharu Tea is only available for free sampling at the store where you can purchase products made from Gaharu.

PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMBUN PAMELO FARM [柚子果園]

February 23, 2018, 9:00 am

≫ Next: JADE EMPEROR GOD PRAYERS 2018

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2018 - GAHARU PARK, GOPENG [務邊沉香園]

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This is my first visit to the Pamelo Farm after umpteen years.  I think my last visit was decades ago and I cannot remember much.  Maybe now, it is more commercialised with briefings conducted to share knowledge about pamelo fruit farming, the uses and benefits of pamelo etc.

Picture taking is allowed but no touching, guess it may fall when touched, just joking!

Was told these are Sour Plum fruits

Garlic, Lemon, Ginger etc Powder available here

Some uses of the Pamelo Fruit

JADE EMPEROR GOD PRAYERS 2018

February 23, 2018, 9:00 am

≫ Next: THE HABITAT, PENANG HILL

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMBUN PAMELO FARM [柚子果園]

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Jade Emperor God's Birthday [天公誕] falls on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year.  Most Chinese Hokkiens of Taoism faith will offer prayers to the Jade Emperor [玉皇太帝] on the night of the 8th day [after 11 pm of Chinese New Year].  

During my younger days, my family will pray and make food offerings such as fruits, kuihs, cakes and various meats [like chicken, duck and piglets] to Jade Emperor.  Over the years, some of the items various but some basic ones remain a must.  

In the morning of this birthday, Chinese especially the Hokkiens of the Taoist faith set up an altar table with 3  layers one top [containing offertories of six vegetables [六齋], Mi Suah noodles, fruits [5 varieties], cakes, glutinous rice balls, vegetable bowls all decorated with red paper cuttings of auspicious designs] and two lower levels [containing the five sacrifices and wines] to honor the deities below the Jade Emperor.

The household then kneels three times and kowtow nine times to pay homage and wish him a long life.  My late grandma used to do this without fail and would be very happy if her children and grandchildren followed after her.  Thinking of it, it is rather fun.

My in-laws' family practices these rites quite similar to my parents but over time, the practices have changed and offerings are more simplified especially after my father in-law passed on.  

I will follow the basic offertories like six vegetables [六齋] such as dried mushrooms, black fungus [bok nee], sweet bean curd sticks, peanuts, glass noodles, dried lily buds and 5 kinds of fruits [oranges, apples, sugar cane, pamelo,pineapple etc].  Some must have kuihs like Angku Kuih, Mi Koo, Bee Koh, Huat Kuih, Thni Kuih etc are also included.  Usually, I would made some of these kuihs during the day itself. We have omitted the offertories like boiled chicken, duck and roasted pig but we still offered red [hard boiled] eggs as can be seen in the pictures.

Apart from the above, a must have item is the paper money which are folded into golden ingot type.

Part of the paper money are folded into triangles and stacked up alternately [see above picture] and each of these have to be opened up which looks like a pyramid shape before burning them.  These days, families seldom do that but I still prepared this days in advance before Jade Emperor's Birthday.

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THE HABITAT, PENANG HILL

February 24, 2019, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PENANG HILL TRIP 2019

≪ Previous: JADE EMPEROR GOD PRAYERS 2018

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Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk

A wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable outing with my Tai Chi class members up Penang Hill, Penang including a visit to THE HABITAT.

THE HABITAT -  Core Mission  "Conserving biodiversity through Education research and sustainable tourism.  Inspiring everyone to make choices for a sustainable future".

Below is a excerpt obtained from the brochure on The Habitat, Penang Hill that described what the place.  For further details, do check it out at 'inquiry @ the habitat.my'

OPENS DAILY [9.00 AM TO 7.00 PM]

"The Habitat Penang Hill is a world class rainforest discovery centre set on the fringes of a 130 million year old rainforest on Penang Hill.  Located 6 km from Gerogetown, its built features include a 1.6 km Nature Trail, The Habitat Cafe Shop on the Hill, the iconic Curtis Crest Tree Top walk and Langur Way Canopy Walk - the world's longest two-span stressed ribbon  bridge, the most remote and highest altitude stressed ribbon bridge in existence.

The Habitat through partnerships with government agencies, local/international research institutions and non-government organisations, strives to fulfil its core mission of promoting environment and conservation awareness.  It hopes to inspire its visitors to make choices for a sustainable future and to help cultivate an appreciation/respect for the delicate and diverse ecosystem that needs to be protected."

The Habitat provides the most authentic, diverse and educational Malaysian Rainforest experience in Penang.  Reconnect with nature in its purest form as you immerse yourself in our ancient rainforest and discover the secrets along the way.

Starting at the forest floor, specially trained team of naturalists will take you on a journey along the Nature Trail to explore the myriad species of flora and fauna - plants, trees, insects, birds, reptiles and mammals that call The Habitat home.

Explore the biodiversity of the rainforest canopy on  the 230m long Langur Way Canopy Walk.  Visit the Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk at the top of Penang Hill, 800m above sea level and embrace the 360 degree panoramic views of Penang Islandfrom the highest viewing point of Penang.

 

PENANG HILL TRIP 2019

February 25, 2019, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2019 - KELLIE'S CASTLE

≪ Previous: THE HABITAT, PENANG HILL

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A relaxing, carefree morning with Tai Chi Class of 36 friends up at Penang Hill from 6.30 am to 12.00 noon.  Enjoying the flora and fauna, fun with friends, photo shooting, cool breeze amiss the humid weather.  Just imagine how a bunch of senior citizens can be so fun, happy and carefree close to nature.

The trip begins with the furnicular train to reach the hill top.

What best for these Tai Chi members to in the morning wherever they are?  Tai Chi exercises, of course.

Then some having fun with games, while others walk about  the hill top busy posing and taking the best shots of themselves with their groups and various spots.  Some along way, shared their past visit experiences.

The trip ends with a feast at the cafe where members cool themselves down with a variety of ice kacang, the most popular cold dessert while the hungry ones had their lunch.

Downhill, these group of 'lively and energetic seniors' started suggesting the next venue for their fun trip/outing together.

A MORNING WELL SPENT WITH THIS BUNCH OF ENERGETIC PEOPLE.

PERAK TRIP 2019 - KELLIE'S CASTLE

September 17, 2019, 8:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2019 - TG TUALANG TIN DREDGE NO.5

≪ Previous: PENANG HILL TRIP 2019

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 Many trips to Ipoh but have overlooked visiting this historical uncompleted castle located in Batu Gajah, Kinta District, Perak, Malaysia.  This unfinished castle, now a ruined mansion was built by a Scottish planter named William Kellie-Smith. We were told by our tour guide that this castle was built for his wife and is believed by the locals that it is haunted.

There was also a saying that the the Indian Temple near the castle was built when the many of Indian workers building the castle fell sick. Do read up Wikipedia for more information.  

It was constructed sometime in 1915 but ended in 1926.  The castle is of Indo-Saracenic and Moorish Revival architecture.

Now the castle is opened for visitors daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.  Admission Charges for Malaysians - RM 5 [adult], RM 3 [children]. Foreigners are charged RM 10 [for adult] and RM 9 [for kids].

All in all there are 3 floors and the 3rd floor which was not completed is without walls.  Visitors need to be careful if going up to this floor.

PERAK TRIP 2019 - TG TUALANG TIN DREDGE NO.5

September 18, 2019, 9:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2019 - PRAWN VILLAGE TG TUALANG

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2019 - KELLIE'S CASTLE

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The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 or TT5 is a former tin mining dredge in Batu Gajah, Kinta District, Perak, Malaysia.  This dredge is no longer in used for tin mining and is now open for visitors daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.  Entrance fee is RM 5 for adults.  A guide is available to brief visitors on this dredge.

This tin dredge is the unique remaining relic of Malaysian tin mining industry.  It is a gigantic piece of machinery weighs approximately 4,500 tons and is supported by pontoons. It was built in England in 1938 by F.W.Payne & Son which at that time was a major design engineering company in bucketline dredges. It was upgraded in 1963. It took about one and half years to assembled.  Was told that the dredge was made with cast iron.
Due to decline tin price, operations started to shut down and ‘floating factories’ were dismantled or sold off.  Today, the only one remaining tin dredge is 'Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 or TT5' located in Batu Gajah. It was in operation for 44 years from 1963 until August 1982. In 1997, Malaysian Mining Corporation (MMC) donated TT5 to the Perak State Government. 

The dredge master's office

Old Bucket Scoop on Display

Admission to T5 tin dredge

The first package ]RM5 for adults and RM3 for children] will include a movie, visit to the dredge museum and a tour of the dredge from outside. 

The second package [RM15 for adults and RM8 for children aged 12 years and above] features a tour inside the dredge.

PERAK TRIP 2019 - PRAWN VILLAGE TG TUALANG

September 20, 2019, 8:00 am

≫ Next: PERAK TRIP 2019 - KEK LOK TONG [極樂洞]

≪ Previous: PERAK TRIP 2019 - TG TUALANG TIN DREDGE NO.5

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During my recent visit to Tanjung Tualang, Perak known as a sleepy town, the only places which we visited were Tg Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 and Zui Xian Lou Restaurant for lunch where one of the main dish is freshwater prawns [Udang Galah]. It is within the compound of this restaurant that 'My Prawn Village' [Kg Udang] is located.  If you google for Kampong Udang, is in Batu Kurau, Perak.

There are numerous wall murals, vintage cars etc for photo taking for visitors to the restaurant.  It is not in a village 'Kampung'  but just outside the restaurant.
Anyway, it is still fun for the visitors who dine here, taking the best shots and posts.  Me for one, these are what you would get to see if you do pay a visit Tanjung Tualang.
Of course, I would love to have a what about around this town but most times you would not have a chance if you follow a tour group.