Trip to Ipoh – Day 4

Day 4. It was time to head back to Ipoh.

In Cameron Highlands we stayed at the Century Pines Resort. They have got good reviews on the web, but I wouldn’t recommend it to my friends.

We left Cameron Highlands after breakfast. On the way, we paid a visit to the Boh tea plantation. That was nice. At the top of the hill, we had a nice view of the tea plants on the side of the hills.

The Boh Tea plantations is a must visit attraction in Cameron Highlands. Malaysia’s largest tea producer, the Sungei Palas Tea Centre is renowned for its mesmerising tea gardens and panoramic views from the tea centre.

The Sungei Palas Tea Centre's iconic 20-foot overhanging balcony that doubles as a viewing deck is a sight to behold as you enjoy a cup of tea and scones in our J.A's Balcony cafe'. The visitor centre was recently expanded with the Tristan's Terrence cafe', offering a gorgeous panoramic view that enhances the unique hospitality experience and tea-drinking pleasure. - Tripadvisor

After visiting the tea plantation, and the one and a half hours drive, it was almost two pm by the time we arrived in Ipoh. We went in search for something to eat. After lunch, it was ‘free and easy’. Some went shopping, some went for massages. We regrouped for dinner. After dinner, some went for a last look around town while some went to the night market.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Trip to Ipoh – Day 3

Day 3. We set out for Cameron Highlands after breakfast. The Cameron Highlands (金馬崙高原) is a district in Pahang, Malaysia occupying an area of 712.18 square kilometres. Cameron Highlands is approximately 90 kilometres east from Ipoh.

Developed in the 1930s, the tableland is one of the oldest tourist spots in Malaysia. Apart from its tea estates, the plateau is noted for its cool weather, orchards, nurseries, farmlands, waterfalls, rivers, likes, wildlife, mossy forest, golf course, hotels, places of worship, bungalows, Land Rovers museum, and native inhabitants (Orang Asli). - Wikipedia

I heard so much about the place from a long time ago. So, I was really looking forward to the visit. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed because the place was not quite what I imagined nor expected. We must have gone to the wrong place. Apparently, there are eight settlements, all of which are nestled at elevations ranging from 800 metres (2,600 ft) to 1,603 metres (5,259 ft) above sea level. We might have ended up at the wrong settlement.

Ultimately, I can only blame myself for not doing my homework before visiting the place. There are other reasons for my disappointment. I expected the place to be idyllic and pristine, but the town looks rundown. Being a weekend, it was quite busy. The roads are narrow and there were traffic jams. I guess the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

Anyhow, we visited a few of the attractions. They are nice but not really impressive.

Our first stop was the Hobbitoon. We didn’t enter the place. We stopped for a toilet break, had a glance of the place and moved on.

We went on to the Lavender Garden, Green View Garden, Agro market, and the ‘Mini Santorini’.

Strawberries. Either they are not in season, or they have been plucked.

Cameron Santorini

Dubbed a “Mini Santorini” by locals, this spot brings to Cameron Highlands a collection of blue-and-white “houses” made to resemble the ones on the famous Greek island.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Trip to Ipoh - Day 2

The name Ipoh is derived from a local tree, ‘pohon epu’, now more commonly known as ‘pokok ipoh’. The sap of this plant is poisonous and was used by local indigenous people mixed with Strychnos latex to coat the tips of their blowpipe darts for hunting.

Originally a village, Ipoh began to grow rapidly in the 1880s after huge deposits of tin were discovered within its vicinity. However, following the depletion of its tin deposits and the collapse of tin prices in the 1970s, the city suffered decades of decline and neglect. - Wikipedia

Ipoh is popular for its incredible limestone cave temples, its world-famous white-coffee, hawker food, and the rich heritage.

Day 2. After breakfast in the hotel, we set out to visit the places of interest. To be able to move about in a group we booked a van for the day to take us around Ipoh.

Our first stop was the Concubine Lane, followed by the Ipoh Mural Art Lane, and Birch Memorial clock. These are all within walking distance of each other. We were a bit early, so most of the shops were still closed.

As the name suggests, a famous tycoon gifted this lane to one of his concubines over a hundred years ago. While the area used to be rife with vices, today it is teeming with famous Ipoh eateries and coffee shops, cool cafes, and dessert houses. It has also been given a modern makeover by street artists, who have painted wall murals that capture the area's history. – Tripadvisor

Mural Art Lane.

Birch Memorial Clock. The tower was constructed to commemorate James W. W. Birch the first British Resident of the state of Perak.

After a quick wander around the three places, we went to visit the cave temples – the famous Kek Lok Tong cave temple, and the Sam Poh Tong cave temple, and also a few smaller temples along the way.

We also take in ‘The Mirror Lake’ and a Waterfall. These were not impressive. The 'Mirror lake' is just a lake and the waterfall is man operated, not natural.

After visiting the tourist attractions, we went for a late lunch. After lunch we went to one of the malls to do some shopping and to get away from the heat.

In the evening, after dinner, some of us gathered in one of the rooms for drinks and chit-chat. Those who were tired went back to their rooms to sleep.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Trip To Ipoh - Day 1

So, my short holiday is over and I am back to reality. For those who travel with a group of friends, you will know that things can sometimes get quite strained. However, nine of us survived the trip and we are still friends, still talking to each other and also planning our next trip.

We went to 👉 Ipohand 👉 Cameron HIghlands in Malaysia.

Ipoh is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Perak. It is the eighth largest city in Malaysia by population.

In recent years, Ipoh's popularity as an international tourist destination has been significantly boosted by efforts to conserve its British colonial-era architecture. The city is also well known for its Cuisine and natural attractions, such as its limestone hills and caves within which Buddhist temples were built. In addition, Ipoh has managed to maintain its reputation as one of the cleanest cities in Malaysia. - Wikipedia

It was raining on the morning of our departure. Our flight was delayed for two hours. They didn’t inform us why. But since it was a mid-day flight and there were nine of us, the delay didn’t bother us.

In Ipoh, we stayed at the MU Hotel for the first two nights. It was a reasonable hotel. Unfortunately, they were undergoing some renovations and not all the facilities were open.

This is the view from the hotel room.

After checking into the hotel, we had a quick wander around the hotel to see what was there. It was a public holiday, so most places were closed.

After a quick wander, we went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We went to the ‘Lao You Ji Food Court’ recommended by some friends. The place was very much like the food courts in Singapore. Many stalls and varieties of local food. So, we ordered a bit of everything and pigged out. The food and taste are quite similar to those in Singapore.

After dinner, the group split into two. One group went for massage and the other group went singing in a karaoke lounge nearby.

When we had enough for one evening, we met up and went back to the hotel.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Cheeky Humour

Laughter is our reflex to something that tickles our funny bone, our reflex to something which we find amusing. It is when we find, or see the humour – in a joke, an action or a situation. And it doesn’t matter if you revel in the coarsest puns or the raunchiest jokes.

Whatever humour works for you, it is great. The important thing is to have a sense of humour. And not to lose your sense of humour no matter how tough life gets.

Enjoy this week’s selection of humour! May you days be filled with laughter!

He had a new girl, and I told him she looked like Marilyn Monroe. He smiled because he thought I meant she was beautiful, and I smiled because I meant she looked like a corpse. - Jarod Kintz

If animals could speak the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much. - Mark Twain

I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party. - Ron White

You know that tingly little feeling you get when you like someone? That’s common sense leaving your body. - Unknown

Golf... combines two favourite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick. - P. J. O’Rourke

They say ‘Follow your Heart’. But if its shattered to pieces…then which piece would you follow? - Unknown

He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt. - Joseph Heller

I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food. - W.C. Fields

A man on a date wonders if he’ll get lucky. The woman already knows. - Monica Piper

Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place. - Johnny Carson

When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say ‘nothing’, it does not mean I am free. It means I am doing nothing. - Unknown

I consider conversations with people to be mind exercises, but I don’t want to pull a muscle, so I stretch a lot. That’s why I’m constantly either rolling my eyes or yawning. - Jarod Kintz

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A Short Holiday

Source

This is a scheduled post. Depending on when you read this, I might be in Ipoh by now. I am off to 👉 Ipoh, and 👉 Cameron HIghlands in Malaysia for a short holiday. Back on Sunday and posting will resume on Monday.

For this trip, I am travelling with a group of eight – old friends. We have travelled together on a few short trips before. We are still friends and still travelling together. I hope to come back with lots of interesting stuff to post.

Source

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Borealis

Borealis is a new immersive light and sound installation at Gardens by the Bay’s Supertree Grove! You can experience the magical splendour of the Northern Lights amidst the Supertrees on Monday evenings at 8pm.

“Created by Switzerland-based artist Dan Acher, Borealis is an outdoor art installation that combines layers of light and cloud particles where the magical splendour of the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, is recreated to illuminate the night skies of Supertree Grove. Accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack by French composer Guillaume Desbois, variations in wind, humidity and temperature make this installation a fascinating blend of art and technology, an ever-changing experience, where each encounter is unique and where nature holds the final say.” - From their website

“Borealis has travelled to more than 40 cities across Europe, Australia, Asia and the US, and the experience at Gardens by the Bay will mark its first time in Singapore.” - From their website

When I visited the tulip display the other day, I stayed back to catch the Borealis show. Truth be told, I wasn’t impressed.

I shot a quick video clip of the light show.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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