Highland Agro Tourism

In my last post I wrote about Agrotourism in Kuala Kangsar which focused on durians.This is the continuation of that trip in which I was one the 40 people from the media and various govt agencies.

 We left Kuala Kangsar and went up to the Cameron Highlands MARDI station.It was a short journey because we took the road from Simpang Pulai.

Our first pitstop in Camerons was the KCK Wang farm.To my astonishment,they have a vineyard.Their grapes are the species from Japan.Grapes seem to flourish in their farm and the grapes are for the local market.So we do have grapes! Besides the grapes,they also grow vegetables and flowers.The farm is very impressive and tourist are welcome to buy their product at a good price.

The second stop is the Sedia Homestay and here we were treated to lunch.The cafe at the Homestay served delicious scones.Well,a trip to Camerons would not be complete without scones.

The highlight
of our trip was the Taman Agroteknologi Mardi.

This station is situated at tanah rata and they have everything for everyone.Therefore it is an ideal family getaway.They have the English garden ,the fruit garden and the vegetables garden.You can pluck the strawberries and the tomatoes if they are ripe enough ,not forgetting the cabbages.The garden has an ice cream and tea shop for visitors to savour their strawberries with chocolate and their own ice cream.

Below is a picture of the waterfall at Mardi.

Surprisingly MARDI owns the oldest tea plantation which was founded by the British in 1927.Even the old equipment for tea harvesting are kept here.

•  We spent the night at their apartment.Mardi also have English Cottage for tourist to stay besides the apartment.The apartment is on a hill and there are jungle trekking activities for the adventurous tourist near the apartment.I would recommend tourist to visit and perhaps stay at Mardi because it is really a beautiful place and the price is cheap.

The next morning we departed but on our way back,the bus stopped at the Bharat tea plantation.The panoramic view of the plantation was spectacular.

After having our tea ,I must say that Bharat has the right flavour for me we then depart home. I left for Ipoh while the others went back to Kuala Lumpur.It was a good trip and I made new friends from the media world.My gratitude goes to Malaysia tourism Council with the backing of Ministry of tourism and Culture for including me in the road to Agro Tourism.

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The road to Agro Tourism part 2

The road to  Agro Tourism which I joined was organised by Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) with the  backing of Ministry of tourism and culture (MOTAC) and the Ministry of Agriculture. With  the help of MARDI this program is divided into 6 series.The objective is to create an awareness among the citizens of Malaysia as well as foreign tourist on the product of Agro tourism.I believe not many people are aware of MARDI.

What is MARDI?

MARDI or Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute a government body formed in 1969 under Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (MOA).

I joined their second series which is to promote  Duriotourism in Kuala Kangsar Perak and the English garden in Cameron Highlands Pahang.Since I hail from Ipoh,I did not get to join the 40 people from the media at the flag off ceremony. I also did not get to hear the speech by the President of Malaysia Tourism Council , Encik Uzaidi Udanis because I joined them in Perak.

Together with the bus were two caravans called CAM Caravan, the first in Malaysia and they were showcased during the expedition.It was their first time on the road and they are suitable for Agro tourism.The caravans can be parked at any MARDI station since MARDI is the only place that provides parking for Caravan.I suppose soon,there will be more parking space for caravans at other places.

This programme was sponsored by MTC,MOTAC,MOA and MARDI.Pleased to say that our adventure to the Duriotourism Park in Kuala Kangsar was a success. The first Durian Park in Malaysia owned by MARDI is about 100 acres and most are Durian trees,then mangosteen ,Pomelo and Rambutan.

The tram that took us around the plantation.

We were welcomed by the head of department and also the MP of Kuala Kangsar,Datin Mastura Yazid. Without  much adieu we were taken by a tram around the plantation and it was amazing. All the trees are short and we could easily touch the fruits.After some explanation we were taken to the picnic spot right under the trees and baskets of Durian were served and not forgetting lunch too.It was surreal, baskets of Durian which are so yummy!This Durian picnic is open to the public.Price is 50 RM per pax and you can eat as much Durian and they will serve lunch too.

From there we stopped at Roti Segar which is near the MARDI station.Tea was served and I must have gained a few kilos from all the eating.

Then we were taken to Enggor Kraftangan Malaysia where traditional Perak craft are taught and sold.The labu Sayong and the Tekat Emas are synonymous with Kuala Kangsar.

The Tekat Emas at Enggor Kraftangan Malaysia.

After the demonstration ,we then left and headed to Sayong Resort where we spent the night.It was a long day and everyone was tired.Still we were entertained to a cultural show.

The next morning we left for Cameron Highlands,that I shall update in my next posting.

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Picnic under the durian tree

Being a nature lover,I will never forget the day that I had a picnic under the durian tree

A few days ago,I was involved in a program called ' Road to Agrotourism' organized by MTC (Malaysian Tourism Council) and MARDI.There were of course other sponsors which made the program successful. About 40 people from the media including yours truly were invited.


This MARDI station in Kuala Kangsar is their new baby and it is called 'Duriotourism' with the concept of Durian as the main attraction for local tourist.It is the first of its kind in Malaysia and that should draw local tourist to the royal town.

So we arrived at lunch time and after some briefing we were taken by a tramp around the huge plantation.Besides durian,they have mangosteen and rambutans too.There are picnic spots under a few of the durian trees and the wooden table and bench are like what you see in movies.

The trees are scattered and they are are not huge or tall.They are short and one can even touch the fruits.It is a hybrid of two durian species and one is the durian kampung.The trees take five years to bear fruits and it is easy to look after because it is short.

Upon seeing the massive plantation and the fruits hanging on the branches,I get excited like a child.

After the tour,we then had our lunch of kampung dishes under the tree.It was surreal because I have never eaten in a plantation with a group of people that I just met for the first time.

Then come the best part.Baskets of durians were right under our noses and they were fresh fruits.The guys opened the fruit and we ate the yummy durian to our hearts content.

The Duriotourism in Kuala Kangsar is open to public.Entrance fee is 50RM and you can have as much durian as you like , picnic style

MARDI is innovative and has come up with other stations in Langkawi, Camerons, Cherating and now Kuala Kangsar.

My gratitude to MTC as the main organiser and MARDI for showcasing the King of fruits at their station.Having said that I hope that more local tourist will participate and indulge in the Duriotourism ,Kuala Kangsar.

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