Perak: Riding the historical trails…

“Real travel requires a maximum of unscheduled wandering, for there is no other way of discovering surprises and marvels...”-Alan Watts

(Pasir Salak Resort)

I don’t know whether you know a place called Pasir Salak. If not, it is of no consequence.

Last Saturday we went riding to Pasir Salak and to our surprise there was a massive rally. The former PM was there to address more than 10,000 supporters of the Malay rights group, Perkasa. The attendees came in busloads from all over Perak and jammed the small trunk road.

Pasir Salak Resort was fully booked when we arrived. After much persuasion we manage to get the last of the 2-room chalet situated at the very end of the resort. The Pasir Salak Historical Complex is a walking distance from the resort.

(VIP chalet by the pool)

If you know the history of Perak at all, you are probably well acquainted with the remarkable history of the assassination of the British Resident of Perak, J.W.W.Birch which, sparked off a war between the British colonial administration and the Malays and it is believed to have sparked the fire of nationalism leading eventually to the declaration of independence from British rule in 1957.

The Historical Complex pays tribute to warriors such as Datok Sagor and Datuk Maharajalela, with special memorials erected in their honor, in the shape of a sundang, a type of knife widely used in the rebellion against the British.

(A Sundang - a deadly weapon)'

The main attraction of this complex is the Historical Time Tunnel where most of the flash points and important historical events of the Malays and Malaysia are exhibited through dioramas.

(A sun-dial in front of the Time Tunnel)

Other interesting sights include the burial site of Seputum, one of the warriors involved; Maharajalela's house and fortress; the lela rentaka, a type of cannon used by the Malays; traditional Perak Malay houses called Rumah Kutai.

(Rumah Kutai - Perak traditional house)

The scenic and historic Perak River and the activities it can offer is another attraction. We had our dinner at a nearby floating restaurant but the service was snail paced and the karaoke was extremely loud for comfort.

(Relaxing by the river side)

On the way back to KL, we detoured from Kampung Gajah to Batu Gajah and stopped by Kellie’s Castle for photo shots.

(Kellie's Castle - another historical site)

I am not complaining...

"Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving..." - A Einstein

It was cloudy and moody the last few days. The sky is bluer today, what bliss.

The day trip to Singapore last Sunday had me exhausted and I spent the whole Monday morning in bed. To add misery to this tired body, there was a water cut at the apartment and we didn't have 'spare H2O' to even brush our teeth. And to make matters worst, I agreed to have hi-tea with a couple of friends in Bangsar Village later in the afternoon.

Today is different. In the morning, Sara and I indulged in a 2-hour therapeutic traditional massage at Dewi Sri Spa and later had garlic nan and tandoori chicken for lunch. And before she drove back to JB with Fitri, we had a sumptuous dinner at the Club House.

(Embun menitik @ Lanai Kijang)

The body massage and rich food made me feel light-headed. I may be in a state of limbo now, but hopefully it's only temporary...

Now And Then...

The past is so familiar

But that's why you couldn't stay

Too many ghosts, too many haunted dreams

Beside you were built to find your own way...

(2011 - Lubuk Simpon, Taman Negara)

But after all these years,

I thought we'd still hold on

But when I reach for you and search your eyes

I see you've already gone...  



(2007 - Lubuk Simpon, Taman Negara)

And I know that the sun will shine again

I still may think of you now and then...

(Ritchie Blackmore)

Pahang: Leisure ride to Taman Negara...

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it..." - Yogi Berra

(Gearing for the ride from Bidara House)

More than 30 years ago, joining a class outing, we came to Taman Negara via a boat from Kuala Tembeling which took us more than 4 hours up stream.

Several years and several trips later we braved the untarred road and managed to reach Kuala Tahan unscathed in our strong 4x4. Only in the recent years the road is better taken care of to accommodate tourist buses and even the low slung sports car.

(Crossing Sungai Tekai on Route C163)

So last Saturday we decided to leave the noisy hustle bustle of the city and rode on our easy rider to the serenity of the tropical jungle of Taman Negara.

(Riders taking a rest)

We started from our apartment around 9.30 a.m. and had lontong and laksam at Kak Nah's restaurant. After watering the plants and feeding the kois at our Bidara House we headed towards Kuala Tahan via the East-coast highway exiting at the Temerloh interchange.

(Negotiating a sharp corner)

The day was bright although the sky was cloudy. The weather was perfect for leisure riding. We had lunch in Jerantut and finally checked in at the Rainforest Resort Kuala Tahan at 3 p.m. and had our much needed afternoon nap. Dinner was at one of the floating restaurants on the confluence of Sungai Tembeling and Sungai Tahan.

(Leisure trekking to Lubuk Simpon)

We had ventured via many routes and had used many modes of transportation. For the next trip, we may want to try getting to Taman Negara riding on bicycles instead...

(A rest before a cool dip).

Total mileage: 470 km

Route taken: KL - Jerantut - Kuala Tahan - Jerantut - KL

A therapeutic spa indulgence…

"Today may be one of those days when I just can't predict everything that will happen..."

My favorite essential oil - Lavender

I usually will sleep again after the subuh prayer and only wake up when the sun is already high in the sky. I like my routine. I like knowing what the day will hold, and what and how I will deal with whatever I face in a day. But once in awhile it's good to shake things up.

Early this morning I drove out of the apartment for I have a date with a few of my ‘ladies of leisure’ girlfriends. We are planning to indulge in a full 2-hour aromatherapy massage at my spa in Plaza Damas. Unfortunately for the ladies, because of some confusion in the appointment, they have to share rooms with other guests. Fortunately for me, I have a single room and I was attended by my regular favorite masseur whose limber hands helped relieve the stress and pain in my knotted muscles, which I have been ignoring lately.

I had a wonderful massage, and feeling both relaxed and rejuvenated. I am very sure tomorrow morning I will wake up with twinges of muscle soreness but it’s perfectly ok. There is a saying: If you suffer and feel pain, thank God - it is a sure sign that you are alive!

Still got the blues...

Use to be so easy

To give my heart away

But I found that the heartache

was the price you have to pay

I found that love is no friend of mine

I should have known time after time...

So long

it was so long ago

But I've still got the blues for you

Use to be so easy

Fall in love again

But I found that the heartache

It's a roll that leeds to pain

I found that love is more than just a game

Play and to win

but you lose just the same...

(Gary Moore)

My favorite guitarist, Gary Moore, died at the age of 58, in the early hours of 6 February 2011, while on holiday in Spain. Arguably, he was one of the finest British artists of all time...

It takes courage to change...

"Change doesn't always come easy. How certain am I that the change I aspire now is not a waste of time and energy?"

In nature, it can take decades to change the course of a river, and hundreds of years to change the shape of a rock. What I would like to change about myself won't necessarily take an extraordinarily long time, but it will take some effort and courage.

And if I am not determined, I will not be surprised how quickly I can revert back to my old same self....


(If I could change the world...)

P.s. We have decided to move into our Bidara house for good. Putramas Apartment will become our guest house for weekend retreats. And we are still undecided on what to do with our chalet in the kebun.

For now, we still allow the biawaks to be the penghuni tetap there...

Ticket to the blues...

"We should take what life hands us and transform it into what we want it to be..."

Our mini reunion this afternoon was really mini this time with only three of the Big5 (Bee, Kid and me) having lunch at secret recipe @ KL Sentral. Nik Aminah joined us for a while and Adilah got confused with the timing and couldn't make it in time. A tinge of guilt seeped into my conscience after hearing about friends' unfortunate stories and their never ending challenges. I too had gone through difficult phases in life, but my misfortunes were nothing compared to theirs.

With life's simple philosophy, I should be contented with my destiny. What I encounter in life is really up to me. When I don't adhere to a fatalistic outlook, I have much more energy and enthusiasm for a fulfilled and happy life.

For in life, there is no such thing as absolute destiny...

(Where will it lead us from here?)