Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Cameron Highlands - Teluk Intan - Sekinchan Road Trip

This is probably a photologue of my recent trip to Cameron Highland over the weekend. It was a 1 nighter, with a stop on the way back at Teluk Intan and Sekinchan.

We left in the afternoon and it took me about 4 hours to reach our place in in Tanah Rata.
After dropping our stuff in the room, we went off in search of a place to visit before night fell.



Our 1st stop was a place called Cactus Point. It's located just a little bit further from Brinchang.
These flower shots are just some of my favourites. Full album can be seen in my Facebook album =). The above shot is a picture of a pink daisy.



I call this orchid the Dancing lady. They look like women dancing when the wind blows :-)




I dont know what this flower is called, but according to Stef, its like cupcakes hanging upside down, mainly because of the star shape at the top of the flower




Crysanthemum flower





Cactus! At Cactus Point, duh~~


I dont know what this flower is called, but it looks nice!



Since most flower farms close at 6pm, we headed back to Brinchang town, where the famous meal would be steamboat dinner. We had steamboat dinner cooked using charcoal, hence you cna see the flame at the top of the picture! Plus it is faster with charcoal as you dont have to wait for the stuff to boil in the soup. It is constantly boiling. Great place to have Steamboat for dinner, thanks to the cool weather



Next morning, we went to Bala's Resort for breakfast, which sucked major time and was pricey. hence no pictures on it. It doesnt deserve any more publicity, not from me. After that, we headed to Kea Farm, where the vegetable market is. Its located near Equitorial Hotel.




Here you can find a huge selection of vegetables, fruits and flowers planted in Camerons.



The all famous Cameron's strawberries, sold just about every corner of this highland wonderland.



Next stop: Gunung Brinchang. Its located near Boh Tea's Sungai Palas Plantation (Note to self: Its closed on Mondays). It about an extra half an hour drive on poor road conditions. But i can bet with you that this has to be the best place to go to in Cameron Highlands! Reason: the forest here is Mossy, and there is tonnes of fresh air!



Here are tonnes of shots of the Mossy Forest.



Like the path to Wonderland!


I had a great time looking out for Wild Pitcher plants / Monkey cups in the forest!



Bamboo sprouting from its branches are a sight to behold, even in the sky



Here, I managed to snap a shot of a Lavender coloured wildflower with a bee landing on it!



And here is a blue eyed butterfly who rested on a fern leaf, and posed long enough for me to get a few shots from different angles



On the ground, there are wild berries, not sure if they are edible though.


More moss!!



Bamboo sprouting right from its branches, or shall I say, branching out ;-p

On the way down from Gunung Brinchang, we stopped by the tea plantation so I could get a few shots of the place.



On the way back for lunch and checking out, we stopped by a strawberry farm so Stef could get some strawberry jam for her friend.
After checking out, I decided to show the girls the unseen landmark of Malaysia. We took the scenic route back. I drove them to Teluk Intan, and showed them the Menara Condong of Teluk Intan. Stef was pretty unhappy at how little the building "Condong-ed". Well if it condeong-ed any more it would have collapsed. Plus this spares you a few grand on air tickets flying to Italy just to get a glimpse of another leaning tower.
We then drove southwards and passed by the small town of Sekinchan. Sekinchan is primarily a town that started due to its Rice planting economy. It still has vast Rice Fields today. This picture above reminds me of a scene from Cast Away starring Tom Hanks. A cross road with nothing in sight in the horizon.
I managed to take some nice shots of lalang / weed in the sunset as well as the paddy fields that evening.
After that, it was a drive all the way back from Sekinchan to Kuala Lumpur and by the time we reached home, it was about 10 ish.
It was a great road trip, boring as I maybe as a host and driver ;-p
Boodyboy, out!!!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ipoh Mali!!

I recently went to Ipoh for a daytrip of makan-ing and sight seeing with my sister and her friend. We met up with my friend there, who became our guide.

I'm too lazy to blog with words today> i'll give short notes about the picutres. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words, no? ;-p



This is known as the Concubine street. Those day, the ladies would be on the 1st floor balcony calling out at men that walk past.




Still hanging clothes the old skool way, with a bamboo pole



We love these old signboards!!



Our 1st stop for food, Egg custard!!


Next was Ipoh Chicken rice / hor fun

After that it was the very famous and delicious Funny Mountain Tau Foo Fah!! The best part has to be the drive thru service ;-)

Next, it was on to the old train station of Ipoh

This place still retains its old world charm

This is a emo place, where people say their goodbyes


Place where ppl come and go



Next, we went to the Majestic Hotel, located at the train station itself. Here is the old skool elevator!!

The cage of the old skool elevator

Then its Nam Heong coffeeshop for White Coffee and egg tarts



The making of egg tarts

Since we had plenty of time to kill, we headed to my favourite waterfall, Buntong Falls



Nice place for a chit chat while enjoying natures sounds



THen it was back to 2nd round of Tau Foo fah, but along the way, we bought the famous salt baked chicked as well as the Famous Heong Pneah from Gunung Rapat


Yes they close when they sell out everyday. And that is soon!



Michelle Yeoh's Mansion in Ipoh. Was told that her mom likes to swim in the pool only in her birthday suit -.-"




Our last visit before going home, Laluan Harimau, where the rich and famous of Ipoh live
Boodyboy, out!!!