KHao Construction

KHao got his rubber boots when he was 3. He wanted one just like his grandfather's and father's. He spends lots of time in his garden digging soil and here in PD the only thing I saw him doing was to dig. With full concentration, feet apart, he dug away at the beach. Never seen a happier kid just digging.

The moment he opens his eyes he would run out to join Uncle Sony and we wouldn't see him for hours.

Here, he is helping to sandpaper the stairway.

Borhan says he has excellent observational skills and would point out any discrepancies that he notices. Borhan is very impressed by this 5 year old.
His mom told us that he once sawed a broom handle to obtain 2 equal parts by lodging the broomstick into the grooves of the metal drain cover.

Ipoh in a day 23rdApril2011

Dear Hubby had to go to Ipoh for work, me and my younger two tagged along.

My hubby's work schedule was hectic that day....two appointments in Ipoh then to Batu caves and Shah Alam - all in a day. Phew!

While waiting for him, the boys and I spent the morning in Polo Ground.

Then to KHao's home and the boys got to play with his homemade excavator.

An interesting design made from pipes and cable casing. The words ' KHao Construction' was printed by the side. His future is clearly mapped out for him.

KHao could make the arms of the excavator move just like a real one. Ean tried it out. Looks like he needs more practice.

I was very impressed with this DIY toy. I think I will send Ean's push car to Ipoh to get it modified.

Gua Tempurung revisited 8thfeb2011

We were too late for everything but the Level 1 tour. I had gone it the previous year but decided to go for another round of it because I absolutely loved the majestic beauty of the cave and wanted to share it with my hubby.

The moment we entered the cave, the air instantly felt cooler. What a nice respite from the blistering afternoon heat

towering stalagmite

As before, the guide would point out shapes such as "Mona Lisa', 'Monkey driving a car', 'Elephant's head', 'Squating woman washing her long hair' and even 'Osama bin Laden'

Marble.

We were advised to come back during the rainy season to witness the waterfalls in the caves. All wet tours in the cave commence between 9 to 11am.

Being the last group in the cave, we managed to have a long chat with our guide, Mustafa, who has explored most caves in Malaysia and warned me against visiting a cave I had planned on exploring next - it is a crystal cave. He said that particular cave was so thick with dust that when you clap your vision is impaired. It was also full of guano and thus had high nitrogen content in its atmosphere. So my plan was aborted.

Mustafa asked us to wait for him, as he wanted to show us his kampung.

He said "I am sure you have never seen a house on a tree!"

He managed to pique our interest.

So we waited a while and the beauty of the area around Gua Tempurung was revealed to us......

Rajah Brooke's Birdwing butterflies, Ulu Geroh 9thFeb2011

Ulu Geroh has much to offer. This dirt path is not just any dirt path....hundreds of Rajah Brooke's Birdwing butterflies converge here daily from dawn to dusk. The male butterflies leave at about 7pm daily. The female butterflies are never seen on the ground, only on treetops.

The butterflies are tame enough for you to pet. Our guide, Ngah, encouraged Fai and Han to gently carress their wings.

What a lovely sight,

Giant Golden Orb Spider.

Picturesque, don't you think?

Before the trek, Dewan Rafflesia, Ulu Geroh 9Feb2011

We were led into Dewan Rafflesia for registration before our hike into the jungle.
The hall had informative posters and write-ups pasted on its walls.

The boys were full of questions about the cruelties of animal trapping.

The visit to the elephant sanctuary in Kuala Gandah gave them a glimpse into its repercussion when they saw a 3 legged elephant limping in its enclosure.

Rafflesia....I will be seeing you in 30 minutes.

Accommodation was available on the next floor. RM10/ pax. Pillows, thin blamkets and mats seen above can be utilised. Toilets/ bathrooms are not attached, you would have to walk down the stairs and to the back of the building.

Pointing to some bushes next to Dewan Rafflesia, Ngah, our Asli guide said there was a stick insect in sight. Can you spot it?


We had to be careful with the stick insect as it felt rather fragile and Ngah warned us that its limbs break off easily.

Road to Ulu Geroh, Gopeng 9Feb2011

The trip into Ulu Geroh, Gopeng deserves its on post because it was an adventure in its self.

Our Orang Asli guide, Ngah, instructed us to meet him at the Gopeng roundabout- the only one in town and hard to miss.

He said he needed to 'minum' - have a drink in Malay. So we followed his motorbike to a row of dilapidated shophouses and told us to wait for him. It is a good thing we decided to explore Gopeng town instead because 'minum' was actually 'makan' and 'minum'.

We drove slowly, admired the old shophouses and found our guide choosing yong taufu pieces for his curry mee.

So we joined him for a 'minum'.

The coffee I had in that shop was one of the best I have tasted. Perfectly brewed with just the right amount of milk and came foamy.

The museum in Gopeng was closed, unfortunately. Must be because of Chinese New Year.

Ngah told us the trip in would be about 11km and our car would have no problems but he did warn us about the bumpy road.

It was a very lengthy 11km. The car was badly rattled. The whole journey in my hubby kept talking to me in the 3rd person - "She never makes adequate research. When she wants to go....she just goes. Never checks. "

My hubby: You want MY car to go over THAT!!!!"

Next to the bridge was the site for white water rafting. Excited international school students were all geared up and ready for the wild ride down river.

The Ulu Geroh Rafflesia Conservation centre.

We got our of the car, put on socks and shoes, sprayed ourselves with insect repellent and was ready for our trek into the jungle.

Lunch@Adeline's Villa, Gopeng 9Feb2011

Adeline's Villa perched on a hill a few steps away from Adeline's Resthouse was built by a vivacious visionary woman, Adeline. It was a quiet Wednesday afternoon, so we had the undivided attention of the hospitable staff and 'Leng Looi' (pretty woman) Adeline (Greet the madame of the place "LengLooi Adeline' and you will be adored by her :)


The dining hall was spacious, airy and beautifully done up with wooden benches and rattan chairs.

A fully air-conditioned chalet with attached bath and verandah that overlooks the valley.

Our lunch came balance on a pole with 2 baskets on each end.

Our first Nasi Kandar on a kandar.

Our lunch spread was a feast for the eyes and tastebuds.

Adeline is a great cook. One of the reasons she opened up a resthouse was so that she a had a ready crowd to cook for.

My favourite was in the tiny bowl on the left filled with ikan billis and chilli padi. Her chicken rendang and fish in blackbeans was delightful too.

It was a laidback afternoon. I had the opportunity to have a leisurely lunch and have an actual conversation(!) while the kids, including my 2 year old, ran up and down the slopes, play 'nightcrawler'(an X-Men that could disappear) behind the bushes and trees and chased the free-range chickens.

Adeline regaled us with tales about her mother buying the plot of land for RM1400 30 years ago and her encounters with the Orang Asli in the area.

I will definitely make a second visit.

Gua Tempurung, Gopeng 9th jan 2011

From Gunung Lang, we headed for Gua Tempurung in Gopeng.
My first visit to this cave was in January 2010 with S and her girls on our first road trip and I was very taken by its natural beauty and splendour. I had made a mental note to stop by this place again whenever I was in its vicinity.

We stopped by a roadside stall for a very late lunch enroute to the caves.

Our lunch.
Thirst quenching coconut and delicious durian.

We arrived at the entrance of the cave at 4.30pm and were told that we were too late as they closed at 4pm.

A group of guides were seated by the entrance and when they saw how dejected we were, they allowed us in for a quick peek.

Beautiful stalactite formations.

The guide told us that they were waiting for a few groups of visitors who had yet to emerge from within.

When asked if there were any bats around. He said that bats only came into the caves to nest. He added that when bats were around, it is advisable to stay away from caves as the bite from the bat's fleas is more toxic than a scorpion's.

Marble rocks have a greenish hue.

Since we couldn't go caving, we settled for the stream that originates from the cave.

The water was cold and refreshing.

Lovely layered rocks.

It was a lesson on geology for the kids.


Fai and Han made a house.

Fai showed me how the water would flow in, form a small whirlpool in the centre and flow out through another opening between the rocks.

Ean's stone bridge.

We will be back Gua Tempurung. This time at 9am and all set for your exciting and challenging tour.

Open daily. Closed once a year - 1st day of Hari Raya.

Gunung Lang Recreational Park, Ipoh 9 Jan 2011

Beautiful limestone hills greets you as you make your way in from the carpark.
This park is unusual as you would have to take a 10 minute boat ride through a disused mining pond to reach it.

The kids didn't want to leave this climbing structure located at the carpark.

Besides getting tickets for the boat ride to the park (RM3/adult, RM1.50/child), we bought a bag of stale bread and fish food pellets for RM1 each.

The kids tried feeding the huge patin and koi swimming below but since it was a weekend, the fish were overfed and were disinterested.

While waiting for our boat ride we headed for the man-made waterfalls.

And tried feeding the fishes there.The coloured ornamental fish were hungry.

The pond was deep with depths of between 40 to 80 feet.

Life jackets were made available.

The man helming the boat told us where the best spots in the park were.

"Go beyond the playground, next to the observation tower, the air there is cool...like Cameron Highlands"

Approaching the park

View from an observation tower.

The park was surrounded by a few limestone hills and Fai discovered that there was an echo when he shouted out for Han to join him up in the tower.

My kids love to climb and this well-pruned frangipani with low branches was hard to resist. Wooden kampung houses were scattered around the park and could be used freely. However the fan and lights were not installed yet.

Feeding more fish and a few terrapins while waiting for the ride back.

The fishes in the pond were at least 2 to 3 feet in length.