Nursing my frozen shoulder...

"Health is like money, we never have a good idea of its value until we lose it..." - Josh Billings

(Waiting for the Orthopaedic Surgeon)

The last time I visited the Orthopaedic Surgeon was in March 2017.

I was diagnosed with impingement of nerves at my 4th and 5th lumbar. I was advised to undergo a surgical procedure to correct the condition but I refused. After loads of pain killers, muscle relaxants, hot gel rub and after a few physiotherapy sessions, the pain stopped as mysteriously as it started.

This time around, I experienced stiffness and pain in my right shoulder joint. I tried a  deep muscle massage but the pain worsen. It was worst at night when I sleep on my right side and put pressure on my bad shoulder. The doctor injected corticosteroid into my shoulder joint. It was supposed to have a numbing effect but the nagging pain had limited the movement of my right hand.

A follow up visit will be in five days time to assess the effect of the jab.

Pahang: Udang Galah lunch at Leban Chondong...

"Young riders pick a destination and go... Old riders pick a direction and go..."

(A rendezvous at Leban Chondong)

Today from JB we rode back to KL and decided to take the road to Mersing and rode towards Rompin. We planned to meet with Ayami and Siti around noon at the famous Udang Galah restaurant in Leban Chondong.

(Arriving in Mersing town)

(A brief stop at the Kompleks Niaga Penghulu Mohd Aris)

(Fishing boats at the muara)

It was already passed noon when we reached Leban Chondong. Ayami and Siti arrived around the same time. We had a sumptuous lunch with the many dishes of udang galah. We performed our prayers at the surau before we started riding back to KL via Kuala Pilah and Kuala Klawang.

We arrived at our Bidara House just before dusk.

(Udang galah restaurants at Leban Chondong , Rompin)

(A hearty lunch of fresh udang galah)

High Tea at Datin's place...

“ A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out..."

(A gathering of a few friends)

A few of the gang from KB would be in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

Some came with the whole entourage to visit the Nasyrul Quran and interesting places in Putrajaya. Others were here to attend weddings or visit their grandchildren or relatives.

Datin Ma was kind enough to host the gathering at her place in Shah Alam with varieties of home-cooked dishes to savour.

(Delicious spread of food on the table)

My 63rd Birthday...

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been…” - Mark Twain

(Celebrating my birthday at Tony Romas)

Wrinkles on my face

They are beautiful you know,

those lines on your face,

each one with a story to tell.

They've traveled so far,

to get you where you are

to remind us all where you've been...

The famous Nasi Lemak Tanglin...

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck..."

(Nasik lemak with sambal paru)

This morning we had breakfast at the famous Nasi Lemak Tanglin at Jalan Chenderasari near Taman Tasik Perdana.

It has been a long time since we visited this place. It used to be one of our favorite breakfast joint for quite a long time. It's always nice to eat here while reminiscing the good old times especially of our children schooldays. Back then, the nasi lemak stall was secluded, under the shelter of a big pokok saga somewhere near the existing food court.

(Nasi Lemak Tanglin Food Truck)

The price of a plate of nasi lemak Tanglin has escalated steeply over the years. They have built permanent tents at the back to place more table and chairs to cater for customers. The place is livelier now, with life band playing oldies songs. Parking wise, still remains difficult as always as there are street vendors sprucing up, taking over some parking spaces.

To me the taste and flavor of the nasi lemak is just so-so. I would say that it is a little over rated. Although the ambiance is nice and cool the area is littered with rubbish.  And the foul smell from the unattended dumb site at the back of the food court is overpowering.

(Tents under the shade of big trees)

(A life band playing the oldies)

Pace walking in the park...

"Exercise not only changes your body, it changes your mind, your attitude and your mood..."

(Distances to other Botanical Gardens)

We are trying our best to stick to our routine exercise.

In order to break a sweat and hit between 75 to 80 percent of the maximum heart rate we need to brisk walk about an hour. Walking is an excellent exercise to burn calories, and hopefully enough to burn the excess fat and tone our muscles.

We are making the most of whatever free time that we have.

(A morning outing for children from a nearby kindergarten)

(Today's pace walking distance)

Hutan Lipur Bukit Lagong...

"All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within..." - Horace Friess

(The entrance to the Recreational Park)

Hutan Lipur Bukit Lagong in Selayang is less than 2 km from my Bidara House.

In 1986, when we moved into our Bidara House, the housing estate was surrounded by lush jungle and greeneries. We used to drive along Sungai Bukit Lagong  till the end of the unpaved road where we would enter the Orang Asli village. Over the years, there were massive development around the area and access roads were built to link the surrounding housing estates. The river and small waterfalls were once neglected had now become a recreational park.

(The park is quite near to the main road)

(A welcoming sign to the village)

(A well-maintained camping site)

(A fishing pond near the Orang Asli Village)

(Wooden houses of the Orang Asli)

Hutan Lipur Bukit Lagong still retain most of its green and have the potential to be developed into eco-tourism spots. Various facilities offered here indirectly attracts visitors to have recreational activities on weekends and public holidays.

The park is under the management of the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang. The 7.28 hectare park is a beautiful and sustainable natural forest having a beautiful clear river, seven artificial lakes, and a cascading waterfall. Various facilities have been provided by MPS such as two bridges, rest shelters, picnic stalls, toilets and changing room facility.

(Shallow pool, safe for children to swim)

(Huts and shelters, ideal for family picnic)

(Clean clear Bukit Lagong River)

Another attraction of Hutan Lipur Bukit Lagong is the presence of the Orang Asli Settlements, that enable visitors to get closer to their culture and life patterns. There are a total number of 25 Muslim families that lives in the Orang Asli village in Bukit Lagong. During fruiting season the Orang Asli could be seen selling durian, duku langsat and petai by the roadside.

Wondering on Denai Razak trail in Taman Botani...

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks..."

(The start and end of Denai Razak)

Denai Razak at the FRIM Kepong Botanical Garden is a 400-meter unique route with the theme of Rich Diversity of Malaysian under-storey plants. It was launched in early 2008. Interestingly, Denai Razak is the only disabled-friendly education trail in Malaysia. The unique collection houses about 9,000 shrubs and local herbs such as ginger, bamboo, orchid and many others which are collected from the original habitat and systematically planted for ex-situ conservation.

(The way to Razak Walk)

(A short elevated walk to the denai)

(A big compass at the entrance of the denai)

Denai Razak is the only trail in FRIM that can be visited without the need for a guide. The trail of Denai Razak trail is cemented to facilitate visitors with wheelchairs. The trail is made in a full circle so visitors will enter and exit from the same point. The entrance and exit are close to each other.

(Large plants along the path)

(A cemented path, wheelchair friendly)

(A brief rest at the gazebo)

(Continue pace-walking around the Botanical Garden)

Hiking the Syabas Trail...

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better..." - Albert Einstein

(The beginning of the Syabas Trail)

The weather was fine and it was breezy and cooling early in the morning.

Today we explored another jungle trail, one of the many in FRIM. The Syabas trail starts at the end of a tarmac road leading to the water encatchment area. The air was fresh and it was fairly cooling and shaded for a relaxing stroll. But still, we were sweating buckets.

Half way, we turned back as it was too late to complete the hike...

(A tarmac road, a steep climb)

(There was a Forest Run earlier)

(Another small waterfalls)

(Tired and sweating buckets)

FRIM jungle walk...

"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb..." - Nelson Mandela

(A cooling small waterfalls of FRIM)

Just recently, we figured out another jungle trail leading to the other part of FRIM.

The trail starts from the Kepong Botanical Garden, ascending a little steeply at first till we reached a partly hidden small waterfalls. The water flows from the mountain and best for washing our sweating face and chilling our tired feet in the cool water. From here on we trekked downhill and reached the tarmac road leading to other attractions in FRIM.

We trekked back to the Botanical Garden using another route. The total trekking distance today was 6.22 km.

(We have the trail to ourselves)

(A cool morning walk in the jungle)

(Another jungle trail leading to the mountain)

(A campsite in the jungle)

(Reseach Centre in FRIM)

(A clusters of chalets)

(Meeting regular cyclists and joggers)

Selera Rimba exotic food ride...

"Look beyond your problems and you'll see solutions everywhere..."

(Lunch is ready as early as 11.00 am)

03°42′32.31″N 101°10′27.5″E

3.708976, 101.174305

It was raining heavily last night. This morning the weather was a little better.

We decided to go for a ride and took the LATAR and Plus highway, exiting at Bukit Tagar and rode towards Sabak Bernam.

(A beautiful day for a day ride)

(Less traffic on the rural road)

(Masjid Noor Hidayah Felda Sungai Tengi)

(Passing through Felda Soeharto)

If you’re looking for a decent place to have a rest or a lunch break, Restoran Selera Rimba along Jalan Sungai Panjang is a good place to stop. The restaurant has gained fame primarily for serving exotic dishes, attracting curious foodies and tourists interested in trying out something for novelty’s sake.

(Major road works along the route)

(Having an early lunch at Restoran Selera Rimba)

We reached the restaurant quite early but our tummies were already grumbling. There were already people having their early lunch. The place is relaxing especially after the long ride. The restaurant is nestled within serene and green surroundings, making the place very quiet and peaceful.

We ordered rusa goreng berlada, kari udang galah complemented by sambal belacan, tempoyak and ulam-ulaman to eat with steaming hot rice.

After the heavy sumptuous lunch, we rode back home taking a different route.