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)