September 20, 2013
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Ipoh Road Trip
It’s been awhile since I was able to make a social group road trip, which is (technically) non-BB. This time it was just a regular break to spend time with Sarah, who recently came back the United Kingdom, taking a break from her studies. Jarod and Ruth, recently engaged in Bali, also sought a vacation. Together we formed a party for a little getaway in Ipoh.
I’ve been to Ipoh many times before, but not as a tourist.. seeing places, saddling a camera and just snapping away at stuff as-though-where-I-come-from-don’t-have. But hey, that’s all part of the fun!
I stay at Sarah’s place for a few days, since her brothers were off to Taiwan for studies, giving me a spare room to use. On the morning of our trip we left her home for Jarod’s grandparents place, somewhere near the local Ipoh airport. Our first stop together was for breakfast at one of Ipoh’s best laksa shops, according to Jarod anyway. It was good! But for a KL guy, I think more santan would’ve been nice.
Next stop was Kellie’s Castle. Well, it’s not really a castle.. but a really big mansion build by a former Scottish tychoon called William Kellie Smith. The BB people at this point will go “ah”, because it sounds like William A. Smith, the founder of the Boys’ Brigade, who was also from Scotland. But no, different William Smith. This guy was a businessman, but I guess he was a shitty one cause his fortunes diminished quickly despite booming economic times in the Malayan Colonies.
Like any rich tycoon, it is in their impulse to build a house on top of a hill, beside a river if possible, to show the world around them – “hey, I’m the biggest and the best! You all suck!”, which is exactly what William Kellie Smith did. He built a house for himself and his family, but never really got to use it much as he was constantly travelling. He had a room for his son (who was a WWII and got killed in action), daughter and of course the himself and wife. There were two additional guestrooms, feature on the tower, what I would think is 3rd and 4th floor, giving guest a great view of the estate. Funny though, that the family themselves didn’t want a nice view for themselves.
Anyway, it was a nice place.. them seem to have done it up a little. Last time when I came by they didn’t have the facilities they now have in place.. cafeteria and so on. Though it was (extremely) dodgy that the place was directly under the governance and care of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, instead of the local State Tourism Department, which is normally the case.. I mean, duh, main tourist attraction = money for the State, if Federal cut it off then it’s robbing the Perak people, isn’t it?
We checked out another place called Gunung Lang, nearer to Ipoh town. It was a gorgeous place, a lake full of fish in the middle of a mountain complex.
But that’s about all to it. Not much to do there. There were animals. But yeah.. it’s a purely sight seeing place.
An interesting story was the shadow of a lady on the hillside. Can’t remember the story though. Perhaps a a-bomb exploded and she was the only victim?
I guess the part I loved the most about the trip was seeing all of Sarah’s cats. I looooveeeee cats. And Sarah had 16-17 of them. Awesomeeeee..
Left: Gingy, the timid gingery cat. Center: Sabrina (or at least I call her that, cause she’s black ) the friendliest cat of the lot! Right: Randy, the manly looking cat.
Left: Puttie, the queen of the upstairs. She is the only cat allowed upstairs.. cause she fights with everyone. Center: Chiba, the prettiest one.. super fluffy and bushy tail. Right: Poor Fairboy. Someone pour hot water on him. Not as bad compared to Ruby below.
A few months back, some spawn of satan poured boiling hot water on Ruby. She suffered many burns and almost died. But what a fighter, she lived on and is still in high spirits, purring when Sarah plays with her. Believe it or not, the above picture are of her being much better healed compared to the day she received the injuries. Yes, with the exposed flesh, burnt-away eyelids, etc. As a cat lover, this breaks my heart. I hope they catch whoever is responsible before any more cats are harmed. The culprit is living in the area of Bercham South.
Another feature of the trip was visiting a place called Burps and Giggles, a very exotic and nicely done up coffee shop in the hear of Ipoh. Alot of their things were recycled and made to furniture. A must visit! Food is not bad too.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip to Ipoh.
By the way, Xanga recently changed it’s interface as it was taken over by WordPress… and it’s UGLY.
