A cave and a haunted house

After the Lost World of Tambun, on the way back, we decided to drop by two of the most famous attraction in the area.

Cave Temple

This area is a very hilly area consisted mainly of limestone hills. There are quite a number of caves to visit but this one is easily accessible from the highway, so we go. Nothing much to explain really, so hope you will enjoy the pix I tried to snap of caves.

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After visiting the Cave Temple for about 30 minutes, we decided to head home only to find a signage pointing to the famous haunted house in Perak. On a split second decision, we swerved in the road to head to the Kellie's Castle.

Malaysia is a very young country and this mansion built in 1920s is to be considered quite a gem. But more interestingly, this mansion is rumor to be haunted by the ghost of Kellie who funnily enough died in Portugal and not in this mansion. Scores of tourist were brought here to buy this story. I guess it is very much like visiting Juliet's house and tomb in Verona. Who cares if its real, as long as there's a story to tell and to listen.

Well, I came here to buy the story too, I guess. Trying my luck in capturing the haunting feel of this place. So how did I do?

Location : Perak, Malaysia

Date of travel : May 2013

Lost World of Tambun

We KLites are funny lot. I live 15mins away from the Sunway Lagoon Themepark and I passed by the place everyday fetching my son to school, but the last time I've been there is like 15 years ago when it first open its door and I was actually doing an internship for an advertising firm having a major launch there. So in short I'm actually working and not playing. And then I've never been back since. However, we took the trouble to drive 2 hours to another state to visit the Lost World of Tambun themepark by the very same company and they actually called this the lil' brother of Sunway Lagoon. Aren't we funny and weird?

So anyway, the Lost World of Tambun is located in the state of Perak in a small town called Tambun. Let's get to how we can spend a day in  this themepark.

The Petting Zoo

This is one experience that you should try. Having a rare species of turkey / bird / peacock (not sure which one) sits on your arms (mighty heavy) and feed her.

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And admiring the beauty of these birds (macaw species). So beautiful!

Or do the simplest form of 'Longkang Fishing' as we called it. The kids love it. When we were young, we used to do this in the drain for free, but kids nowadays have to pay to go inside a themepark and do the same in a make believe drain (more beautiful of course). 

Note : Drain (Longkang) in Malaysia is unlike drains in other parts of the world. We have the so called "Monsoon Drain" that could measure as big as a small river because of our heavy rainfall. In fact when you drop into a monsoon drain, you're not likely able to climb out without help.

Yes, feeding swans from your hand.

They also have the Tiger Feeding show but I think it is rather dissapointing as the viewing deck is too small to accommodate everyone and so you don't really get to see much if you're late. Otherwise, it is just tiger jumping at some meat being thrown at them. 

They also have an array of small animals for petting like rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and even snakes you have no phobia of them. So it is fun for the kids.

After the petting zoo, I've put my camera in the locker as I'll be a wet from the splashing and swimming in the pool, surf beach (man-made); I think you get the drift.

What's interesting is that after the theme park is close at 6pm, they open the Hot Spring & Spa and it goes all the way until 10pm. Boy that was a wonderful way of ending the day.

Highly recommended for a one-day getaway trip for the family. 

Location : Tambun, Malaysia
Date of travel : May 2013

Paya Indah Wetland

2 weeks ago, thanks to my church for organizing a Family Day for the crazy urban rat racers, I managed to explore something that is close to home that I probably wouldn't bother to visit otherwise. It is located in the state of Selangor.

Its called the Paya Indah Wetlands. This wetland is located in Dengkil. I have no idea what wetland even means. Anyhow, it is about 30mins drives from the southern suburb of KL. So it is a place for us to have a short drive and go for a picnic or something. There's nothing much here frankly, but you can go bicycling, bush walking, and also to see the 2 main highlights of the place.

1. The Hippopotamus

OK, I know you get to see this in most zoos but the funny part is that you get to feed them up close. Well, actually the caretaker is supposed to do that but you know Malaysians; we have no regards for rules or safety as long as it is fun.

So we get to see the inside of the mouth of a hippopotamus. Hah! Now that is rare sight isn't it.

And probably if we are so bored, we are up close enough the count the whiskers of the hippo.

2. The Crocodiles

Kolam Buaya means Crocodile Lake

So we get to see quite a fair bit of crocodiles swimming in the lake waiting for their preys or maybe waiting for feeding time. Boy, they have no idea how valuable their skin can be, especially if donning a Birkin ...  oops sorry, where was I?

At then at 12pm, the caretakers come in a trolley of really smelly dead chicken and  starts feeding them.

It seems the highlights of the Wetland involves feeding a lot. I guess the natural instinct of the animals (including human) would come out in display during feeding time. Agree?

Oh yes there is one more highlight of this wetland and I said it is a highlight because when I try to find the location of the wetland to tag in my Instagram, it actually came out ...

3. Paya Indah Observatory Tower

Apparently when you climb to the top of the Observatory Tower, you get to see the entire wetland. But the day was simply too hot and humid and I'm tired and decided to skip the climb. It seems everyone who climbed, came down in like 2 nano seconds so I think I can guess what they get to enjoy up there, haha.

Finally, here are some shots taken at the wetland and you can judge if this is your cup of tea.

 

 

 

Location : Selangor, Malaysia

Date of travel : May 2013

The Golden Shwedagon

In the midst of this country that is regarded as one of the poorest in Asia, there is a temple that is made of "tonnes of gold, thousands of rubies and sapphires and a 76-carat-diamond". It is located in the city, visible in every direction by its genuine gold pagoda gleaming in the hot sun. Yes, it is none other than the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

This temple is believed to be built 2500 years ago. It is regarded as the most sacred temple in Burma which says a lot because there are literally thousands of temples in this country as it hold the relics of four Buddhas.

Part of the norm as respect for the temple is to take off our shoe before entering. Be prepared to bring some plastic bags with you or you will be harassed by kids shoving plastic bags at you for your shoes at exorbitant price. Best time to visit the temple would be in late afternoon after the rage of the sun has mellow down or your feet will suffer in the hot tile floor.

Throngs of locals come to this temple to pray everyday but on the 1st and 15th of the month, which is consider to be 'holy' day by Buddhist in general, more people will come. Big corporations in Burma takes the opportunity to set up stall in the temple compound to give out free foods and drinks to locals. As for foreigners, the entrance fee is USD5 per person.

I think this ritual or parade only happens on 1st and 15th of the month. I'm not sure what the small boys are supposed to represents but they are cute.

According to a tourist guide, this is the original stupa / pagoda. Measure about 50 metres high.

There are four entrance to the temple, the main entrance however is the North Gate or so I presumed from the crowds that goes as far as your eyes can see.

Road leading to North Entrance of the temple.

There are many small temples within the temple and so either you are a local who are quite familiar of where to go or you definitely need a guide. After walking around for an hour or so, a guide spotted us and came to tell us about the temple. Apparently in the Burmese calendar, there are 8 animals in the zodiac sign. You need to know which zodiac sign you are (from your date of birth) and go to the right 'station' to bath the statue 7 times to tame the fire of angry, jealousy etc (very much like the concept of the 7 Deadly Sins) and gain peace. So he took out a small guide book and told us our zodiac sign. Apparently I'm a Garuda. As a Christian, I of course politely abstain myself from doing that. My two other travel buddies are both Tiger and they went ahead to bath the animal after paying some donation for the ticket to do so.

The Tiger 'station'
Hope you gals are blessed with peace and tranquility

That basically sums up my trip to Yangon. I'm glad to be home and bringing with me some good, some bad memories of this country that has just awaken from its slumber.

Sunset in Yangon

Location : Yangon, Myanmar
Date of travel : March 2013

The sleeping Buddha is not sleeping

We were bored and have been disappointed over and over again for the closing of Bogyoke market for 3 consecutive days while we were there because the market is supposed to close on Monday; Tuesday is the 15th of the month which is holy day for Buddhist and Wednesday is Army Day. Bet they are not familiar about 'retailing' which is supposed to open everyday regardless whether it is holy day or public holiday. How else will people have time to go shopping? How about tourist like us who only stop by for the few days they are closed? Bogyoke market in Yangon is somewhat like Chatuchak market in Bangkok. Thousands of stalls selling souvvenirs and knick knacks but of course, we will never find out.

So, out of boredom we hailed a cab to a Chaukhtatgyi Temple which houses a sleeping buddha. According to Trip Advisor it is ranked #5 attraction in Yangon. 

So I thought, OK another sleeping buddha but let's go. My total uninterested mood was lifted when saw It. I couldn't help but gasped at the sheer size of the statue.

The main thing to see in this sleeping buddha is the sole of the feet. It has 108 marks indicating elements in the 3 worlds and buddha is supposedly greater than all three worlds, the inanimate world, the animate world and the world of the conditioned. Well for us, it is just another opportunity to take pictures.

Huge buddha staring at its worshippers

Well lucky for us the sleeping buddha is not sleeping. 

Next, The Golden Shwedagon