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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Mother

Listening to John Lennon singing 'Mother', it brought back memories on how I felt losing my mother when I was a teenager at the age of 18 to be precised. 18 should be the best years of every young ones but not me. It's like losing a limb. I felt like a handicap. I cannot run to the woman you called mother when I am hurt. My father was away all the time. In fact he had another wife just before my mother left me. I became rebellious out of anger.

When my wedding day came, I don't have a mother to tell me what marriage is all about. I could not share the joy that others did with their mother when they marry. It was my auntie who prepared my wedding so it was like 'whatever '.I have no say about the preparation.

I never had a family home when my father brought his 2nd wife to live in his house. She hated me then and she hardly smile at me let alone speak to me back then. So when I gave birth to my first child, I was on my own with my husband. My in laws helped but I do not have a mother to tell me how to bathe a newborn and there was no such thing as confinement for me because no one cared.

Somehow I managed to bring up my daughter and when I had my 2nd child, it was my friends that helped me with sending and fetching my first child from school. My husband was working outstation at that time so I was alone looking after my girls. Their father only helped during the weekend. Still I managed but with lots of sacrifices. My life was totally focused on the girls. I do not have time for my own self but it was the best time of my life. Ofcos I wished that my mother could see me coped with the girls. Life is such.When it gives you lemons, what do you do?

Fast forward to now. I am a grandmother now and guess what?I still missed my mother. I still don't get on well with my step-mom and her children. My father is now unwell yet I don't have the courage to visit him at his house often because I do not feel welcomed by his wife n sons.

I am not sorry for writing all these. Hey I need to release my pent up emotion. It's been in my heart for too long. So whenever someone lose their mother, I feel them but I can't show my real emotion because I am a handicap where matters of the heart are concerned.

I am not really sure what my life is all about but I believe in being honest. So to all you young girls out there, cherish your mother's love before it's too late.

Bruno Mars wannabe

Remember the Zumba video of a Bruno Mars song   which I posted on my previous blog? Well my tutor, Adeline was so kind, knowing that I love the song and dance version so today after our class she gave me the honour of dancing to that song with a few good friends plus her too and had it taped on video. So we have our very own Zumba video to the song by Bruno Mars. Hey, Bruno will be thrilled!

The best part about the whole episode is that we gained confidence which is important and we had lots and lots of fun.Not forgetting team work because one of the student willingly became the camera woman. It was my first experience dancing on video and my gratitude goes to Adeline for being a sport.

Let me give you a snippet of the girls from Groove Fitness Ipoh that are in the video .OK there's this lovely lady who is like a big sister  to practically all of Adeline 's students. They lovingly call her 'Ngor Cher' but silly me accidentally called her Ngar Choi which means 'taugeh '.I am sure that had it been someone else, I would probably receive a slap for calling that, literally but not this lady. She is bubbly and have a great sense of humour.

Wendy was the first girl that striked a conversation  with me at Groove and for that I am thankful. She's the girl with beautiful eyes and she speaks Malay well. She mixes with everyone regardless of race and of course she has a beautiful figure after all the years of Zumba.

Then there's my mate Wye Peng  who has been with me for more than ten years. Like me ,she is new at Groove but seems to adapt nicely and I can tell that she's happy with Zumba. Another girl is Joey. Fantastic dancer and  she is full of zest. I think Adeline gave out that aura and energy to us.As they said, if you want to know how good  the teacher is than you must look at her students.

Did I miss anyone that was in the video.Oh there is Josephine, the polite girl that loves Zumba. She is a good dancer too and I suppose all of them are well trained by Adeline.If I miss out a name of the others in the video, I am sorry  but if I am not
wrong the other charming lady is Ruby. I am not good with names, soon I will forget my own name!

I will be sharing the video of us doing our thing here and we hope to do more videos in the future. Hey Bruno Mars, this one is for you. 

What's your health regime?

So I wrote about my love affair with Zumba last week.This could be a continuation or it is not.Your choice.I was browsing through the net and noticed that many gyms are now available in Ipoh town.The MB called it the 'Hipster city'.Hipster is one thing but what about healthy city?

I do find Ipoh folks to be very health conscious ,yes it's not going to cost a bomb to exercise in Ipoh.In the morning you will see ppl of all ages running,walking or tai chi at the popular spot 'Polo Ground'Not only that but some may even go to the Kledang hill to climb.I used to climbed that beautiful hill almost every week cos I love the smell of nature.There are older ppl than me climbing that hill and the view from the top is magnificent.

Then , once upon a time I frequent the gym at the swimming club.Not bragging but I do weights before and oh before I forget my proud moment was when I climbed mount Irau through the mossy jungle.It was damn tough but I did it.I consider myself a fitness freak.Then there is my passion for yoga.Been practicing it for like ten years and I believed that yoga makes a person strong and agile.The health benefit for yoga is tremendous .

Have you heard of the insanity workout by Shaun T?I completed the whole two months and after that I stopped cos it's the same thing over n over.You need to find the right type of fitness that makes you happy. Therefore you have to try out and as for me I have found what makes me tick!

It's Zumba for me plus piloxing and Strong.All comes under one roof and my tutor is very good.I won't give too many praises cos you might think I want to 'bodek' her.Adeline you are the best!
Companions during our exercises plays an important role and at groove fitness Ipoh all the ppl are amazing.They come in all kinds of shapes,races and characters.There are funny ones,proud ones but at the end of the day,it's them that makes the class fun and ofcos credit goes to the tutor for giving us her time and effort.The wonderful songs and new steps that she chose for us.

The bottom line here is that Ipoh ppl are healthy ppl cos we have the time for exercise and so many places to go for fitness. I wish to say that Ipoh is not only a hipster city but a healthy city.