Ombak melambai

Here is my tale of doing things without a plan,an impromptu getaway from the same old scene.A holiday in an island of our own country.

Sunset watching in Pangkor

As I lay here on the hammock by the sea with the soothing sounds of the wave, I could feel that life is for living and that although there are sad  days and grievance moments,there are also beautiful days and perhaps a bit of happy moments that comes after all that.Life has a way of balancing it for us.

I lost my father last April and like others,I grieved.Nothing seems to excite me nor make me happy.I was not really 'into it'.Tidak ada yang memberi happiness.

Then two days ago, my elder sister invited me and my daughter to go to Pangkor island.'My treat 'she said and I obviously agreed.We took a bus from Ipoh to Lumut and then catch the ferry across.(this info is for those who do not have a car to travel)
We had already booked a chalet for 3 at the Nipah Bay Villa which was rather cheap.It is not a posh hotel but being hippies at heart we are not into lavishness anyway.Lavish lifestyle scares me.I am a carefree person.A grandmother who still wear shorts by the beach so there.

Our chalet is clean and comfy.As I am writing this I am enjoying the breeze on my face.My sister is busy sewing and my daughter is reading.

Today is our third day in Pangkor.Kami menginap di Teluk Nipah.When I first arrived I was surprised to see that Pangkor has changed.Much cleaner  and pretty.Thanks to Dato Sri Zambry,the previous MB.

The new floating mosque in Pangkor

I absolutely love Teluk Nipah because here is what you dubbed as 'a happening place'.Rows of stalls selling souvenirs and cheap food.Tourist from all over are mostly here because it is the kind of life that is entirely different from theirs.

On our 2nd day we went into the quaint town and had lunch there.Then we went island hopping with a guide who was extra friendly.The adrenaline rush as the boat speeds took me by surprise and this young guide showed us all the rock formation that resembles crocodile,turtle and many more.My sis and I being old couldn't figure out the resemblance but my daughter could!Then he showed us the part of the sea where the blue eyed ikan bilis could be found.A treasure for the fishermen.For those who love snorkeling,there is an island that caters for that activity.The sea is clear and fishes are visible from the boat.Amazing view for me who cannot swim let alone snorkeling!

You must go island hopping in Pangkor.Then you will appreciate Mother Nature.Dear all,please do not pollute the sea.

From the adventure at sea we then went to feed hornbills.Apparently it is one of the most sought out activity here.The guy called Nazim has been feeding the hornbills for the past 16 years."Cepat le Nazim" I said."Sabor Kak ,burung ni akan datang bila dah kurang matahari."he said

The waiting game was worth it  because suddenly about ten birds with their huge beak came really near to us.Then the feeding starts.These birds were fed bananas and we are allowed to hold a banana and the bird will fly and snatch the bananas from our fingers.It was so exciting.There is no fee but one can give any amount as donation.Afterall bananas are not cheap.

Of course watching the sunset is part of the ritual of a beach holiday.God's painting and the sky as the canvas.Magnificient!

Today is our 4th day.Menghirup kopi di balcony.We haven't decided what to do for today yet but for now life is a bliss.

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Bapak

"Moga Bapak menghidu wangian Syurga"ayat oleh seorang sahabat yang tidak mungkin saya lupa.

The sight of my father's hand being tied to the hospital bed still haunt me.How he screamed because he didn't want the tube to be inserted inside his stomach through his nose.

The nurses and the M.O at that time were nonchalant even as I shouted at them to not hurt him.One of them was casually talking with another about something not related to my father.I was almost hysterical and little did I know that the doctors knew that my father will not make it.Is was a matter of days.The tube episode was on Friday and he left us on Sunday morning.

When they left,I stroked his hands and told him this is temporary.His eyes stared at me and tears actually rolled down his cheek while he tried to move his hands.I broke down and said sorry that he had to go through so much discomfort.

My father was admitted to the hospital on the 1st of April because he was not eating for God knows how long.He had other sicknesses which I only knew when he was in the hospital.I felt like kicking my ownself for not noticing his pain whenever I went to his house.I thought that he was shrinking due to old age.Afterall he was taken care by his wife,my stepmom and their sons.

So I accompanied my father throughout his two weeks in the hospital.Me and my daughter.He was drifting from what I assumed was sleep.Most of the time he had his eyes closed.His eyes was infected and sometimes I helped the nurse to apply the eye medicine.He was scared of the nurses although they were friendly.


We took turns to feed him the porridge and milk from the box.Most of the time he would refused the porridge but he drank the milk heartily.The two weeks was our bonding time.A strange place to bond but honest to God ,I was happy being with him alone in the room.You could hear the sound of Azan very clearly from his room and I prayed in the hospital room.I asked God to ease his pain.

So the two weeks of climbing the stairs to the 8th floor is over because on the 15th,he passed away peacefully.

Prior to his death,my father was not the same like he used to be.He became a recluse about two years ago and he seldom speak.All he did was smile at us.Even then I cannot stomach the fact that he had changed.Slowly he began to lose weight but they said it's the age factor and that he was fine.I believed them.

Bapak was never fine,he became weaker and that's when we decided to take him to the hospital.

I have good memories of him but the fact that he was untreated earlier,the fact that he became malnourished, dehydrated will haunt me.

During his funeral I saw how they buried him,the men had to step on the soil that covered his coffin.It hurts but that's how it should be.When you return to your Maker,you are alone and whoever you are,you will be stepped on..

The dredge

When I was a kid I used to see the tin dredge whenever I travelled to Batu Gajah with my mom.At that time my auntie was admitted to the Batu Gajah hospital.It was just a huge machine to me.Unattractive I must say.I also knew that some of my friends were filthy rich because their father were tin miners.Ipoh was the town that tin built.

Now that tin is no longer the main source of income for the country,many of the rich men either ventured into development or they migrate elsewhere.

Somehow we did not realize that the English played a major role in the tin industry.Well they had the technology and knowledge.So to talk about tin mining and dredges,we have to read the book by David Palmer .He was the last CEO of the company Osborne and chappel.They are the big player in this industry and it was them that brought the dredges over to Malaya.

When the tin industry collapsed,the dredges were sold as scrap to others.Only one remains and it is the Tanjung Tualang dredge number 5.

Perakians wanted the government to preserve the TT5 for the future generation and so that was how the dredge is still floating at Tanjung Tualang right now as an icon.Together with the tin museum besides the huge monster,it is now a tourist attraction.The pride of Kinta Valley.

According to David Palmer the dredge was first used at Teja and later shifted to where it is now.It was slowly sinking and the government had to spent a lump sum of money for repair.

 Are the generation Y aware of its existence?Yes and No.Most are not impressed with the huge machine.So basically,only those who are knowledgeable about tin mining are interested and tourist from afar who are interested.

You can preserve the past Glory but how do you attract the young and make them  understand the history of it all?

Not easy I must say so let it be for the tourist to visit.For those who are interested in tin mining,you know where to go.Visit Tanjung Tualang TT5 and while you are there ,you can have awesome seafood in Tanjung Tualang town.

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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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