Live..Lough...Love: 2014

On the 30/8/2014, we planned to have family vacation to Cameron Highland.This was the first trip with family after my marriage.We start journey around 10.00 am and reached Hutan Lipur Lata Iskandar around 3.15pm.On the way from Tapah to the Cameron Highlands it is impossible to overlook the Iskandar Fall. Far before the fall is reached, the first parked cars and stalls appear.The falls are visible from the road, and there is a big sign, welcoming the visitor to the Hutan Lipur Lata Iskandar. Souvenir shops, food stalls, don't expect solitude here.

At the bottom of the cascades a small bridge permits to cross the stream.Wading pools are a good place for families to bath their children, organize picnics and enjoy their holiday trip in all possible ways.Cemented steps to the right side of the fall lead to the top of the cascade

Me and Sharvena

We continue our journey and reached Tanah Rata around 4.30pm,on the way to Tanah Rata we managed to pass by Cameron Valley Tea House and Plantation.One of two plantations owned by the Bharat Group in Cameron Highlands, Cameron Valley is smaller than Bharat Tea at Tanah Rata, but features a more peaceful environment due to its relatively remote location. The tea house has a viewing/dining deck on its rooftop that overlooks the tea hills, while a shop stocked with Bharat products lies downstairs next to the cafe counter. For many visitors arriving at Cameron Highlands from Simpang Pulai, the tea house is a favorite stopover before Brinchang.

Most innocent kid

Sharvena with posing

Myself and Deevesh

We reached Heritage Apartment around 8.00pm,raining started and weather was damn cold.The mean annual temperature of the retreat is about 18 °C.During the day, the temperature seldom rises above 25 °C at night, it rarely drops to as low as 9 °C at the higher reaches.

Next day morning we were start our journey, from our Heritage Apartment (Tanah Rata) to Brinchang which take around 3 hours, road are jammed and car moving bumper to bumper therefore we only manage to visit some places (Kee Farm, Cactus Point, Butterfly Park, Pasar Pagi).

Pasar Pagi

Butterfly Park

Day 1 (27/7/2014)
My actual plan is to visit father in law (Ayer Tawar, Perak) for 2 days but in the second day, we suddenly planned to go Penang for quick visit my uncle as well as Bukit Bendera.Well it take us 1hour and 30minutes journey from Ayer Tawar to Penang, followed old road and exit Changkat Jering toll.Reached Penang around 12.45pm, having lunch with my uncle family and continue our journey to Bukit Bendera.

View from the top of Penang Hill

History :
Penang Hill is a hill resort comprising a group of peaks in Penang, Malaysia. It is located in Air Itam, which is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the city centre of George Town. The hill stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area. Penang Hill is also known by the Malay name Bukit Bendera, which refers to Flagstaff Hill, the most developed peak. -Wikipedia -

Penang Hill Flora

Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Hilltop Temple

Love lock attraction, visitors can purchase padlocks of various sizes from the counter

(at time of writing, prices range between RM10-RM30) and have it sealed at the 80 feet wide fence

Day 2 (28/7/2014)

We start our journey back to home by using old road and manage to visit Kellie Castle which is located near Batu Gajah, and is about 20 minutes' drive from Ipoh, Perak.The unfinished, ruined mansion, was built by a Scottish planter named William Kellie Smith.There have been many myths or legends or rumors spreading around about the mysterious castle.Some say that the Smith's and workers spirit still wandering inside the castle, especially along the corridors.

Kellie Castle view from Kinta River

Unfinished mansion

Carving on the wall of one of the booths at Kellie Castle

Included in the plan for the 6 storey tower was Malaya's first elevator

During construction, a virulent strain of Spanish Flu struck his workmen. When his workmen approached him to build a temple (Sri Maha Mariamman Temple) nearby Smith readily agreed. In return for his generosity, they built a statue of him beside the other deities on the temple wall. It is believed that a tunnel was built to the temple from the castle.

Air vent from the tunnel that leads to the Sri Mariamman Temple

Horror ... Kellie's Castle in 1970 (Courtesy from newspaper New Straits Times)

Did I see something there?

After visit to Kellie Castle, we drive through federal highway (PLUS) and exit to Sungkai toll for relax our self at Felda Residence Hot Springs, Sungkai Perak.The FELDA Residence Hot Springs is nestled in the serene and lush forest patches, surrounded by hills and clear cold mountain streams and rivers. All 6.5 hectares enjoy the scenic view of well-tended oil palm plantation and durian orchard amidst a haven of tranquility

Its unique concept of a specially designed free flowing Hot Springs Swimming Pool and Therapeutic Park at the foothill of the Titiwangsa Range 200 feet above sea level is indeed creatively engineered to attract visitors who appreciate the wonders of nature.

Main Entrance

Surroundings view

Cool Pools

Hot Pools

Egg Boil

Day 3 (29/7/2014)

During the second day raya, I and my brother took his kids to Farm in The City in Seri Kembangan for an evening of fun.At first, we couldn't believe where the farm is- Equine Park, Seri Kembangan, behind Giant Hypermarket.If it is true, then the farm should be surrounded by well developed residential and commercial areas.Well, as the name portrayed- Farm in the City, it is really a farm right in the middle of modern concrete buildings and highways.

Not only the kids enjoy themselves, we did too - it was definitely an educational and fun day for all of us. It's amazing the amount of things you can learn and see in an hour in this place.

Farm in the City is considered a petting mini-zoo whereby children and adults are encouraged to get close to nature and animals. Animals are allowed to roam free in special enclosures which mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible. Personally I prefer Farm in The City to the zoo, since kids were encouraged to feed and touch the animals and the caretakers/keepers would also explain about the origins and facts of the animals to us. All kids will be given a "Certificate of Attendance" at the end of the visit.