The Old Dengkil Dredge

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anais Nin

(Sri Banting Dredge in Selangor)

Last week we visited the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge, one of the two surviving tin dredges in Malaysia. Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge has been preserved very well and becomes one of Perak’s heritage attractions.

Today we used the google map to locate the other surviving tin dredge named Sri Banting Dredge. The old dredge is located in Dengkil, Selangor. From the small town of Dengkil we drove on Jalan Banting then on the untarmacked road to an illegal dump site by the man-made lake. From there we could see the abandoned dredge from a distance. It is still floating majestically on the edge of the lake covered with bushes. To get near the dredge we have to use another route which is quite challenging and there were wild dogs loitering around the old dredge.

(The abandoned dredge on the other edge)

(Still a majestic floating monster)

The Sri Banting Dredge was built in 1974 and ceased operation in 1997. This old and out of service dredge was used during the tin mining industry heydays. This is the last remaining tin dredge in Klang Valley, and the only other one remaining in Malaysia.

If only this old dredge could be preserved, it could become one of the tourist heritage attractions in Selangor.

Sarang Art Hub Cafe Tanjung Malim

 "There is a nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness..." - John Connolly

(Posters on the wall)

On the way back from visiting the old tin dredge in Tanjung Tualang, we detoured to Tanjung Malim to visit the Sarang Art Hub, a café owned by a film director, Mamat Khalid. This cafe is not just a restaurant but it is better known as a 'nest' of art. It is decorated in a relaxed style that showcases works of art such as paintings, sculptures, and graffiti.

  

(Sculptures and graffities)

(Located at Jalan Rumah Rehat)

(Popular with bikers gang too)

(Hantu-hantu everywhere)

Sarang Art Hub is located at the Rest House at Jalan Rumah Rehat, 35900 Tanjung Malim. Sarang Art Hub is a place where artists and the community gather. Not just to entertain but to enjoy a delicious 'movie themed' meal.

(Zombies and horror movies)

(Posters of ghosts malay movies)

(Old movie camera on display)

The restaurant serves both local and western menu. Don't be surprised if you see the menu here is all from the title and character in Mamat Khalid's popular movies.

(Early dinner, lamb chop and lempeng kelapa)

Nasi Kandar Ayu Marveles, Batu Gajah

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us... - Alexander Graham Bell

(The viral Nasi Kandar stall in Batu Gajah)

Nasi Kandaq Ayu Marveles is located at Jalan Kinta Permai, Batu Gajah, Perak.

The stall is located at the side of the road and there were ample parking space along the road. After visiting the old Kapal Korek, using the google map we direct to Nasi Kandar Ayu Marveles. When we arrived, it was already way after lunch time. There were various side dishes, a combination of Mamak and Malay dishes to go with the rice. We chose chicken and lamb curry with the mixed gravy which was quite tasty.

The Nasi Kandar was good and the prices were reasonable.

(Delicious and reasonably priced)

Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge

"The most successful people are those who are good at Plan B..." 

(The one and only complete old Tin Dredge)

GPS:
4°23'48.8"N 101°03'11.3"E
4.396890, 101.053130

(The dredge from different angles)

Out of the seven tin dredges in Malaysia, there is only one remaining tin dredge known as Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 or TT5. TT5 is a former tin mining dredge situated in Batu Gajah, Kinta District, Perak.

(Tanjung Tualang is about 200km from KL)

(A brief history and site map)

(Visiting the museum of artifacts)

(Discounted rates for 'warga emas')

The dredge was built in England, the United Kingdom in 1938 by F.W. Payne & Son, a major dredge engineering company at that time. With head of Engineer Othman/Alan Bruce. It was built for the Southern Malayan Tin Dredging Ltd., a company formed in 1926 which operated 6 dredges in total in Batu Gajah and Tanjung Tualang. The dredge weights 4,500 tons. It is supported by a floating dock with 75 meters in length and 35 meters in width and 3 meters in depth. 

TT5 was used for 44 years until 1982 when the Malaysian tin industries declined due to the falling world's tin price, exhausted tin deposits and high operating cost. In 2012, the facility was closed due to water leakage. Starting January 2015, the area is undergoing a massive renovation and opened to visitors since 2017.

(Waiting for the 12.30 pm guided tour)

(Hard hats and masks)

(Safety first)

(Guided tour on board of the Tin Dredge)

(Kapala Kapal and Assistant Kapala)

(Complete equipments on board)

(Huge scooping buckets)

(Tour around the lake)

(Historical artifacts)

(A small hut for resting)

TT5 is open daily including Public Holidays. Guided Tin Dredge Tour is approximately 40-minutes conducted in Bahasa Malaysia, English or Mandarin.

Adjacent to the TT5 Tin Dredge is the Maze Park which is shaped like a heart and claimed to be the largest in Malaysia!

(Aerial view of the Maze Park - Google image)

(Welcome to one of the Heritage site of Malaysia)

Follow-up Visit to the Gynae...

"Pain doesn't just show up in our lives for no reason. Its a sign that something in our lives needs to change..."

(My thick file on the table)

My follow-up appointment with my Gynnae was at 2 pm but as usual, we were early.

A week earlier I had my blood sample taken for Cancer tracer test. The test result was negative. The cyst size remains the same on the ultrasound imaging. I complained of nagging back pain and changes in bowel movement lately. The Gynae suspected stomach disorder and referred me to a Gastroenterologist.

My next blood test and visit to the Gynae will be in January 2023.

(Arranging an appointment with another specialist)

Chilling out in Genting Highlands...

 "In life you will realize there is a role for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, some will love you and some will teach you lessons..."

(Spending a few days at Awana Genting)

We celebrated hubby's birthday in Genting Highlands.

As a BNM retiree I had the opportunity to stay at the executive resort in Awana Genting. We spent three days/2 nights relaxing and Jalan-jalan Cari Makan, commuting between GPO and the summit trying out good eateries. Even on weekdays, Genting Highlands are crowded with locals and foreign tourists.

I am expecting to gain a few kg after this.

(Riding on the cable car)

(Cable cars passing by Chin Swee Caves Temple)

(Cool weather at the summit)

(Varieties of Fish & Chips)

(Kebab and sandwiches)

Pekan Bandar DiRaja Pahang...

 "When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you..." - Winston S. Churchill

(Keep Pekan Clean Campaign)

After lunch, we drove on the coastal road from Leban Chondong to Pekan, about 75 km away. It took us about an hour to reach the Royal town of Pekan. We performed our jamak prayers at the Sultan Abu Bakar 1 mosque then later stroll around Pekan town before we droved to the famous Murtabak Mengkasar Hj Din restaurant for tea.

The traffic jam on Karak Highway was extraordinarily massive. We reached home way after sunset.

(Solat jamak at Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar 1)

(Murals on the wall)

(Street Arts in Pekan)

(Murals along Jalan Teng Quee)

(Sultan Abu Bakar Museum)

(RM10 entrance fee)

(Military transport vehicles)

(Fighting warriors sculpture)

(Metal warrior sculptures)

(Old train carriages)

(Wooden horses decorating the ground)

(Walking among the horses)

(One of the finest preserved heritage buildings)

(Originally built for British Residents in Pahang)

(Elephants and deers wooden sculptures)

(Murtabak Mengkasar for early dinner)