tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38005630044036484042024-02-18T22:15:42.835-08:00Celebrate Malaysia!My Malaysian cycling and travel tales.John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-1209393901887551672020-05-19T08:33:00.000-07:002020-05-19T08:33:47.187-07:00They called me John ‘Two-Hits-With-One-Stone’ Cheong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kn_NFXYHwYTKseDZyiJFAOhBs3dwVa9gax1AozKtrxgXeACboiuv_GRAavJp6mN8F389ryfbzJJUOwDGQllADxpNtt2A5WQV93LoUBgB9J6li8ZRIOVT7J_hZElaBU9JpnO2KgHzkCmK/s1600/IMG_3864.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1457" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kn_NFXYHwYTKseDZyiJFAOhBs3dwVa9gax1AozKtrxgXeACboiuv_GRAavJp6mN8F389ryfbzJJUOwDGQllADxpNtt2A5WQV93LoUBgB9J6li8ZRIOVT7J_hZElaBU9JpnO2KgHzkCmK/s640/IMG_3864.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
An old memory came to me today when Mei and I went cycling in Balik Pulau. After 2 months of being cooped up in our flat, it was great to be once again in that semi-rural part of Penang, cycling past padi fields, rivers and swathes of mangrove, breathing in unpolluted air as the birds swooped around us and the hills framed our view in verdant green.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We’d done a very short ride, easing our long-idle muscles back into cyclic effort. After just under 6 kilometres, we returned to where we’d parked and began to pack the bikes back into the back of the car. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We were in the shade of a few large trees, in a little clearing where a lady usually runs a small drinks stall. The roofless structure from whence she dispensed coconut water and canned drinks belied her true standing in the area - in fact she was the owner of the 14 acres of padi fields on either side of the lane that ran past this little stall. She had horses which she said she had no time to take care of so she had a friend care for them. And every year or so the stall would become deserted when she took off to spend 3-4 months with her family in Australia.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Today the stall was indeed deserted. The Movement Control Order had probably forced its closure. The clearing, though, was a convenient place to park.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6cceirBSwuQn-ijTxADds69O66jJU7Eg6fVBDrei9e1KIq0WE_EMefxdujvF94m20iz7LG-zE26J8oejuRH_E0rW3qbOVda5AkkqVrbSIst_V5CGbHExPmyj2IWs81ey85EYoJPfi3Ej/s1600/IMG_3855+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6cceirBSwuQn-ijTxADds69O66jJU7Eg6fVBDrei9e1KIq0WE_EMefxdujvF94m20iz7LG-zE26J8oejuRH_E0rW3qbOVda5AkkqVrbSIst_V5CGbHExPmyj2IWs81ey85EYoJPfi3Ej/s400/IMG_3855+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
On one side of the road, the fields had been planted with fresh padi and a number of workers were busy spraying pesticide. On the other side of the road was Sungai Burung, a narrow canal that lent its name to this area, then more fields. These had not yet been sowed but would soon be, if the tractors churning up the soil in the distance were any indication.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Opening the boot of the car, I spied one of my catapults tucked into a side pocket. I have two - the other lies disassembled at home. An effort to use car inner tubes had failed. Modern tubes are of a synthetic material that does not have the elasticity of rubber.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
This catapult, though, was bought complete with sturdy square-section rubber lengths that seemed to do the trick. On an impulse, I took it out and looking down, realised there was gravel aplenty beneath our feet. Picked up a roundish stone, stood on the edge of the road to have a go. Mei wandered over to have a look. I pointed to a piece of wood floating along with the current, took aim, and smacked it loud and hard with a perfect shot.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
“Wah…’ said Mei.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
…….</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Late 70s. Port Dickson. I must have been 13 or 14. We were on holiday with some of our extended family including my good buddy in those days, my cousin Winston, who is a year younger. That seaside town was a favourite school-holiday destination for our families when we were young. The waters were clear then, and the beaches clean. We snorkelled, fished, built sand castles or wandered around picking up shells. We got sunburnt and we gathered memories to last years.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Both Winston and I were pretty good shots with our home-made catapults. The ammunition we used were flung hard and fast when the wound-up force of stretched lorry-inner-tubes was released. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
These tubes were carefully cut to a consistent width and length, bound by rubber bands to a leather pouch on one end and the smooth wooden Y of the catapult on the other. When newly assembled, the rubber required great strength to stretch but with repeated pulls they became more pliant. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Winston and I were walking along the beach, picking up rounded pebbles and letting fly at all sorts of targets. For some reason our aim that day had been less than perfect. Unbeknownst to us though, our peregrinations had attracted the attention of some kampung boys who were trailing us, each also armed with a catapult. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Winston and I chatted as we walked, and shot at things rather aimlessly. At one point, I spied the empty shell of a small crab just a few feet from me. I took aim and let fly, only to see my stone bury itself in the sand 6 inches from its target.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
As I chastised myself quietly ‘useless…’ a stone whizzed past me at knee height. It smacked right into the crab shell I’d just missed.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Winston and I whirled around and that was the first we saw of the kampung boys, 3 or 4 of them, roughly our age or younger. They wandered over and silently issued a challenge by picking up a stone and placing it on a small rocky outcropping on the edge of the water about 15 feet away. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Still wordlessly we accepted the challenge. Winston went first, his pebble missing by a foot or so. The boys went in turn and all missed, some by not very much. My turn came…</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I missed.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Then I looked down and at my feet was a discarded packet drink carton. To this day I have no idea why I picked it up, walked to the rocks and placed it behind the stone, a further 3 feet back.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
The others took turns at the new target and everyone missed. Then came my turn. I picked up a brown pebble, burnished round and smooth by the waves. Placed it in the leather pouch, pulled back on that until the rubber was taut with restrained force. Using the right fork of the Y as a guide, I aimed for a few seconds, breathed out steadied my arms then let go…</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
The pebble flew fast and straight into the first target, smacking that stone aside then ploughing right on into the drink packet 3 feet further behind, sending that flying off the rock and into the sand below.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
For a moment, no one said a thing then I muttered a quiet ‘Yes!’ followed a moment later by the whooping of the kampung boys. They crowded around us and were suddenly all smiles and laughter. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
The eldest boy said to me ‘Nak ikut kita? Pergi buru tupai…’ ‘Join us? Let’s hunt squirrels…’ so off we went, suddenly the best of friends. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We didn’t spot any squirrels and eventually Winston and I took our leave. Waved goodby at the boys and headed back to our holiday chalet, still flushed with our little victory. ‘Not bad lah - two hits with one stone…’</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We came back from PD that trip each with a huge back of nice round pebbles. At some point thousands of years in the future, some geologist will wonder why that part of PJ is littered with stones that once rested on the bottom of the sea a hundred miles away.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
…….</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
The stones in Sungai Burung probably didn’t come from the sea. They are not round enough and I didn’t hit anything else besides that piece of wood.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzmAGIqOH9qo87aUIwsyE0F__dG1Tly_o6B_g6aQT6EHzPY85jmJBCSwXyGqcGXtGmQefjmRcxcdFrPCku93A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-18033925790902554592019-09-04T04:18:00.001-07:002019-09-04T04:18:49.395-07:00Cycling again! Story to come...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finally did some more serious mileage on the bicycle last week. Cycled from Penang to Hat Yai in southern Thailand to meet a friend then cycled back to the border.<br />
Story to come in a day or two...<br />
Stay tuned!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierYhbc1YbTRBd5sUsk_c-DwYU2JZ54XYct4Frx-vdT_uot_mL6RzpDCvu0x3mVGCAFz2I3v-BxhnhbvzczBFiBtz_Z84Ve4w1ozf5Dk2mCtUThM-61q-iBFNgKXt_Esr7lpBWzl3ETefC/s1600/IMG_0911+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1280" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierYhbc1YbTRBd5sUsk_c-DwYU2JZ54XYct4Frx-vdT_uot_mL6RzpDCvu0x3mVGCAFz2I3v-BxhnhbvzczBFiBtz_Z84Ve4w1ozf5Dk2mCtUThM-61q-iBFNgKXt_Esr7lpBWzl3ETefC/s640/IMG_0911+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-41755158276645412532018-11-12T23:43:00.000-08:002018-11-12T23:55:53.665-08:00Forever Falls - a day trip to Selama in Perak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Fishing in Oil Palm Estates</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNVZ4dK3m7vsuh1NlKjPvsyT-2lmV5r0dO37QdjBWz8g0jTA7W1Het1VzZidPG8MhI1hDZrlOHLgHs7-TKCwBulDfT48i7wORGCo2NQfytgvYjOIn1Y1HJZiGJbRp1mJzA9eS-1GdYj-u/s1600/DSC_9338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNVZ4dK3m7vsuh1NlKjPvsyT-2lmV5r0dO37QdjBWz8g0jTA7W1Het1VzZidPG8MhI1hDZrlOHLgHs7-TKCwBulDfT48i7wORGCo2NQfytgvYjOIn1Y1HJZiGJbRp1mJzA9eS-1GdYj-u/s640/DSC_9338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It seems this part of Perak is all about waterfalls. We’d seen signboards for so many in our recent travels that we just needed to pop around to the area again and explore a little more.<br />
<br />
The destination this time was Selama, about 100km from our home. We turned off the North-South Expressway at Alor Pongsu and saw something we had not seen before - people fishing in flooded Oil Palm estates! It seems the area is very swampy and low lying and the two main rivers in the area, the Kerian and Beriah rivers, do tend to flood the estates every now and then.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWox5GDNHoEz0Td5d6XH-j-HLUgVHHKANow1HFfNfPUMfVG6Jv94YJsbq2uZUz-5NEyLePsB6Mt3wMztHvqGao_o3Cm6fzbHMKZ7r2YF5tN9d2wc60pWo7rOnlhLR0BOa_2fMxpDEtdnk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-11-12+at+2.43.21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1200" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWox5GDNHoEz0Td5d6XH-j-HLUgVHHKANow1HFfNfPUMfVG6Jv94YJsbq2uZUz-5NEyLePsB6Mt3wMztHvqGao_o3Cm6fzbHMKZ7r2YF5tN9d2wc60pWo7rOnlhLR0BOa_2fMxpDEtdnk/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-11-12+at+2.43.21+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjzANOAygVnZicXsNM78wJl35GSWFCylngJfjIKMg9LKaCZrHbvg_Z06RaGs2TK_CL_i9Yi4vO95rOgj_7tqjI7Fkh77lnJKKXX8LqSgjqLBgVZbZGbC-un3M6FUUsaLaP7h3WdjYqeOD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-11-12+at+4.16.47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1314" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjzANOAygVnZicXsNM78wJl35GSWFCylngJfjIKMg9LKaCZrHbvg_Z06RaGs2TK_CL_i9Yi4vO95rOgj_7tqjI7Fkh77lnJKKXX8LqSgjqLBgVZbZGbC-un3M6FUUsaLaP7h3WdjYqeOD/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-11-12+at+4.16.47+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As we drove, we could see the canals were all full to overflowing and the estates were probably knee-deep in water. At regular intervals along the grass verge of the main road, people were seated, wide-brimmed hats protecting them from the late morning sun, fishing rods poking out like long tentacles looking for the fish that swim in these flooded areas. Some people had more than the single rod, handles stuck into the ground, their lines stretching out like the threads of a spider’s web, hoping for prey to latch onto a hook and be yanked out onto land.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuVL9wOmpca28FYwOVxoFa1mKpWMWCvd71OagXcID6pFaiU40QcrR4R7F7zRi5FSxHe8gdJhYqho9if9rbWNMp9QKcSQUaUVxnyuFP0n4feMGMhylXsK_HbXAjwpH39DdkbNN8MJgCWYj/s1600/DSC_9340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuVL9wOmpca28FYwOVxoFa1mKpWMWCvd71OagXcID6pFaiU40QcrR4R7F7zRi5FSxHe8gdJhYqho9if9rbWNMp9QKcSQUaUVxnyuFP0n4feMGMhylXsK_HbXAjwpH39DdkbNN8MJgCWYj/s640/DSC_9340.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXKe4TJ0GS7MXaPz3bHJCyELac5d-J0jBbH9Jc8rAXKH7WLAU-5tMsLfb8AnDGxRArpSwaSAn3ivQe5V9D-KHLf8hUNpNgpiKv7zZxuY0wgi927vo58K3iBCrTaKdGyybAig-xSYxcNcz/s1600/DSC_9341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXKe4TJ0GS7MXaPz3bHJCyELac5d-J0jBbH9Jc8rAXKH7WLAU-5tMsLfb8AnDGxRArpSwaSAn3ivQe5V9D-KHLf8hUNpNgpiKv7zZxuY0wgi927vo58K3iBCrTaKdGyybAig-xSYxcNcz/s640/DSC_9341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A lady said ‘yes, there are fish’ when I casually asked her. And later on, I asked someone at Lata Tebing Tinggi and he confirmed they do catch fish including the very hardy and much-sought-after Haruan (Snakehead).<br />
<br />
I am very familiar with the Haruan of course, as my late father used to fish this almost exclusively. The hardiness of this species is legendary. They can survive on next to no water for long periods. I know this for a fact because we used to keep them alive in a large Ham Tan Kong (Salted-egg Urn) until Dad could slaughter them and every now and then, and always in the middle of the night, they’d smash away the brick-laden mesh on top of the urn and fall into the little drain beside it. All this was just outside my bedroom window and whenever it happened, I’d be awoken by the sound of bricks landing on the cement floor and the subsequent slapping of the fish as it attempted a getaway down the drain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBdM36xmqL9uHMB0yVC8nTwhjRkZy0Zniefr0yUNe2WC7KE8vSfdfl11m8bZG4A8qAINYr-vLpfTR_FbvD_OkWPBqnrEOYbVsr8EAkwr2rXQucE1KVNOWqJOJMulBAb1NGOxkJu-3HzN4/s1600/Haruan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBdM36xmqL9uHMB0yVC8nTwhjRkZy0Zniefr0yUNe2WC7KE8vSfdfl11m8bZG4A8qAINYr-vLpfTR_FbvD_OkWPBqnrEOYbVsr8EAkwr2rXQucE1KVNOWqJOJMulBAb1NGOxkJu-3HzN4/s640/Haruan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Ikan Haruan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pyjama-clad, I’d quietly unlock the front door, check the drains and grab escaped fish to replace them in the urn. If I was lucky, they would have gotten only a few feet in the dry drain. I used to marvel at this large fish gulping and thrashing away in the dry drain, gaining a few inches at a time with the minimal purchase it could get on the smooth glazed sides. Fish safely back in the tank and with more weight on the mesh, I’d sneak back in the house, clean up and get back to bed.<br />
<br />
Mum made some very nice soup as well as steamed-fish-otah with the Haruan and I have fond memories of both though less so of picking the bones out of the flesh as we prepared the meat.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Banking on finding a nice waterfall</h3>
Our first stop this trip was Lata Tebing Tinggi. This is not far from a branch on the A115 just after the Rantau Panjang Post Office. We followed this branch road for about 7 km, as did first the Sungai Mengkuang then one of the two rivers that feeds it, the Sungai Tebing Tinggi from which the falls takes it name.<br />
<br />
Plantations and orchards line this road and houses regularly pop up as well, often in pairs or clusters. This is quite a generously populated area even though traffic here is very light. On a left hand bend in the road is a little side road that led us in to Lata Tebing Tinggi a short distance in.<br />
<br />
We parked by a concrete shelter and wandered down a set of semi-circular concrete steps and onto what I thought was a wooden bridge as the surface comprised 2-by-4 planks, some of which were missing, but which turned out to be a very solid concrete structure instead. The bridge fords the river and to our left was a series of cascades. Above the right bank is a road, roughly parallel to the one we drove in on, which stops at a cluster of buildings and then continues as a muddy track that leads up a hill. The buildings were in various stages of completion and included a larger structure as well as numerous little chalets. Some of these were built quite close to the bank and were open so I could peek inside - they were essentially one room structures with a bathroom/toilet inside. Others were being constructed on the side of the hill and the number of these structures indicated to me that this must be a popular spot.<br />
<br />
Around the same time we arrived, a young man also came up on his motorbike. I chatted with him for some time and it was he who told me about the Haruan in the estates. He lived about 30 or 40km away but worked not far from here and he was going to enjoy a dip here before starting his afternoon shift.<br />
He was a very chatty bloke and mentioned another set of falls, much more spectacular, near Sungai Bayor. He gave me some confusing directions and we said we would check it out later.<br />
<br />
I often travel with my feet clad only in sandals and the advantage to this is that you can go wading in them or take them off quickly if necessary. The water looked particularly inviting and so I took the sandals off and wandered into and across one of the pools and clambered onto a dry part of the rocks, the water cascading down on my left.<br />
<br />
Poor Mei was being bitten half to death by mosquitoes (she seems to attract them worse than flies to syrup) and when I’d finally convinced her to take her hiking boots off and follow me, she found the cold river water to be quite a salve for the bites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY2eYRjj6haoK2XYDktz_0mOn0ZojCbG8r9IjjnDCIPW8j20b-VFAGqsXrDoCSpIzqj_g4BkT0ofJ1ET6f5bWM-0EKUldKXIZzzgH5a9uKz2rTe4nUQlOyKKATvDWRs7YkuxXH_uc-Lm9/s1600/DSC_9353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY2eYRjj6haoK2XYDktz_0mOn0ZojCbG8r9IjjnDCIPW8j20b-VFAGqsXrDoCSpIzqj_g4BkT0ofJ1ET6f5bWM-0EKUldKXIZzzgH5a9uKz2rTe4nUQlOyKKATvDWRs7YkuxXH_uc-Lm9/s640/DSC_9353.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjXOimuhapo85LbVnCKH77ZbRo74tvvGPUv6JVpP2uo7_Gi1hfmvJf8ITJxmK7N-dMdNbcS0OX0Elmayh-XOdCbjA58on20mQiYwg__n-ex7DVzV2JB51Walk5b_4KVFg7NV0ktyL5cgl/s1600/IMG_7631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjXOimuhapo85LbVnCKH77ZbRo74tvvGPUv6JVpP2uo7_Gi1hfmvJf8ITJxmK7N-dMdNbcS0OX0Elmayh-XOdCbjA58on20mQiYwg__n-ex7DVzV2JB51Walk5b_4KVFg7NV0ktyL5cgl/s640/IMG_7631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm9b2dHKrxOLj6pwO1Cp-nCk5Ktu48GLtOTnTLvg-AzPmi-OuGychkAz0X7U3MgMlztsp3OPjbDMAgNcPKdN5WbFy0-HxKrs5Y3WWaDGxLa7QmJmQoKGVCny1KpKq8ZKsQydheMvoDJpQ/s1600/IMG_7636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm9b2dHKrxOLj6pwO1Cp-nCk5Ktu48GLtOTnTLvg-AzPmi-OuGychkAz0X7U3MgMlztsp3OPjbDMAgNcPKdN5WbFy0-HxKrs5Y3WWaDGxLa7QmJmQoKGVCny1KpKq8ZKsQydheMvoDJpQ/s640/IMG_7636.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH7eyuMEACjZOynexrkiRDx4mOVUQYwiCBJ-uCbvLEQJ9yUm0S22Il8B-VFCOjmQgrAdg98DvfBw7M7htYRtzh5XodYdkctMPKas5LUuF0uFwlp5Fr4JbUTMB0zeETem96v8PDYwTdhre/s1600/DSC_9351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH7eyuMEACjZOynexrkiRDx4mOVUQYwiCBJ-uCbvLEQJ9yUm0S22Il8B-VFCOjmQgrAdg98DvfBw7M7htYRtzh5XodYdkctMPKas5LUuF0uFwlp5Fr4JbUTMB0zeETem96v8PDYwTdhre/s640/DSC_9351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spied this in a tree near where we parked. We found his cousin on the other side of the river too.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBC1vmI2HMsabbuyM3KPvOV5WzAd8P4LifFQEYu_0_CT56gO8MnSebv9vMzhkYD6trGD6219qlGWig7qlueeB8150uKD8ZIv6nBK9NzZkebBY9y_hLYNttrQTsSMHSIIluw3BA6qmWUTH/s1600/DSC_9352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBC1vmI2HMsabbuyM3KPvOV5WzAd8P4LifFQEYu_0_CT56gO8MnSebv9vMzhkYD6trGD6219qlGWig7qlueeB8150uKD8ZIv6nBK9NzZkebBY9y_hLYNttrQTsSMHSIIluw3BA6qmWUTH/s640/DSC_9352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KHJB-fMe8B9cZWVv8eNlO-0HSPjauGVcFPmufeb48NbU3zuQqUINQ9_VjXrT355WTdWYuC3yhr_UEL_mXzHn5i6dk6Vzpqs3M41gK1kmQHOZUn-2vUu5cfZZR0mIU4J6YmxIFGAmVWl-/s1600/DSC_9354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KHJB-fMe8B9cZWVv8eNlO-0HSPjauGVcFPmufeb48NbU3zuQqUINQ9_VjXrT355WTdWYuC3yhr_UEL_mXzHn5i6dk6Vzpqs3M41gK1kmQHOZUn-2vUu5cfZZR0mIU4J6YmxIFGAmVWl-/s640/DSC_9354.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN9USvmyM5noqzGlsi_3bm4PeaP7MhHL7h73iFYG2loUHe6pmEXrRXr3n-IcBBQwyDY9yrF7p2Vk-5PhJWdV7EhrJDVpebt7tM1n-dT3t1kATnKPOHO1HyjQcLROtlR4AFIwMrxqEqeQV/s1600/DSC_9365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN9USvmyM5noqzGlsi_3bm4PeaP7MhHL7h73iFYG2loUHe6pmEXrRXr3n-IcBBQwyDY9yrF7p2Vk-5PhJWdV7EhrJDVpebt7tM1n-dT3t1kATnKPOHO1HyjQcLROtlR4AFIwMrxqEqeQV/s640/DSC_9365.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7rFEOvnOZwUE7bSMdL3QSghG7CccKY-dRTKzpCt5FUxibfD7yeo5l7e_Evublrxxpeb3XihMKZIafuSnCu8a4RdIu25f-gmnyQpvJansYQ0gFaN2NQDYxXTT6wzu96ExJBoVvN9b5JYf/s1600/DSC_9381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7rFEOvnOZwUE7bSMdL3QSghG7CccKY-dRTKzpCt5FUxibfD7yeo5l7e_Evublrxxpeb3XihMKZIafuSnCu8a4RdIu25f-gmnyQpvJansYQ0gFaN2NQDYxXTT6wzu96ExJBoVvN9b5JYf/s640/DSC_9381.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mei cooling off her many mosquito bites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We sat on a rock, enjoying the sun as our new friend splashed about just where the water foamed over the rocks. We were soon joined by a bunch of girls who gamely took their shoes off and waded through the water, carrying their lunch and not at all bothered by the fact their long dresses were getting wet.<br />
They clambered up behind us to where the water was more still and in a large pool and there they splashed about. Beyond them the river seemed quite flat and flowed at a sedate pace.<br />
<br />
We eventually got back to our car, waving goodbye to our friend who was drying himself off. What a wonderful place this is where one can splash about and relax in a mountain stream before heading off to work!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GTedtSojsIew5O0PSkPYXsnhwYHhgv9H23O1Kho-gPB292LUaB2fPpo9W4KwAQqFZ4fLI4_fzVgMu3ihWa6dTS-RbooXAWxOkv2MdVTXkM0GvUfxhanrI02nbzGrmICM_traxWavOvik/s1600/DSC_9387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GTedtSojsIew5O0PSkPYXsnhwYHhgv9H23O1Kho-gPB292LUaB2fPpo9W4KwAQqFZ4fLI4_fzVgMu3ihWa6dTS-RbooXAWxOkv2MdVTXkM0GvUfxhanrI02nbzGrmICM_traxWavOvik/s640/DSC_9387.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitABobqYZY1sR0FyfwNr4N-FeJH9HnS45sXVXkLVOeh81tXLhrYvNxcwkOzMv5Tpbn995OaX0q-4dOSvJ-FF00aRNBDUfkYM-UDT8jBBoQ07RCRCW7tu_tXyeosiNXUTIvV7R-1nFmCVAK/s1600/DSC_9388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitABobqYZY1sR0FyfwNr4N-FeJH9HnS45sXVXkLVOeh81tXLhrYvNxcwkOzMv5Tpbn995OaX0q-4dOSvJ-FF00aRNBDUfkYM-UDT8jBBoQ07RCRCW7tu_tXyeosiNXUTIvV7R-1nFmCVAK/s640/DSC_9388.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our helpful friend enjoying himself before work.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8lDznrPuMSEQAUsScQxQ5bwwbGONMEAoGNtW44vJAavB0YRH6A4AoEanOOj8pYWr6-oYwzP24msE6_g8nyAuY72wJyyu1vOoaVFQCbbl8nf6UICg-6nVG42_9JwJZkRLk9Nb1z3h5_RM/s1600/DSC_9391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8lDznrPuMSEQAUsScQxQ5bwwbGONMEAoGNtW44vJAavB0YRH6A4AoEanOOj8pYWr6-oYwzP24msE6_g8nyAuY72wJyyu1vOoaVFQCbbl8nf6UICg-6nVG42_9JwJZkRLk9Nb1z3h5_RM/s640/DSC_9391.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upcoming tiny chalets<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLL8-XkXr3kXiaTJmHhyphenhypheni0M3WmQxdXiaOCTlu_yJMBrsnSv6JvttVw_vd7Hc7NAXMfXpv-LyNhgjjsJARXla_tTOpCAYjmthR9e5eO997Mxtg1KeegZ_j3bk-Gqp7gbwlI2g4UKqaxaGs/s1600/DSC_9393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLL8-XkXr3kXiaTJmHhyphenhypheni0M3WmQxdXiaOCTlu_yJMBrsnSv6JvttVw_vd7Hc7NAXMfXpv-LyNhgjjsJARXla_tTOpCAYjmthR9e5eO997Mxtg1KeegZ_j3bk-Gqp7gbwlI2g4UKqaxaGs/s640/DSC_9393.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT-HNapF48NcN-fAoYTLA2m1x7caRp8RKsLL0xiQhpLU7o-sLhhsT1xEDmAstCfz1Tblek4NfDyxIE3cHerMRNBpeIqlGLd20RbFRMR0PEh_eQP6ypR4ocS4UYSmkOlyepVdWAvucBmi0/s1600/DSC_9394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT-HNapF48NcN-fAoYTLA2m1x7caRp8RKsLL0xiQhpLU7o-sLhhsT1xEDmAstCfz1Tblek4NfDyxIE3cHerMRNBpeIqlGLd20RbFRMR0PEh_eQP6ypR4ocS4UYSmkOlyepVdWAvucBmi0/s640/DSC_9394.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Provide a bin and still this happens. Sigh.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND8mQ0YmGcWoD_sJavHfZu7fz1VrK0ugLAU8MfobWgOwrur1_bvgtBD7bov8Rzpfw4584wByep_zNXkHEhyeCe0jrPCqdtyN-thczK-Kbubg2goXyQK9kQLTL2r0LOteI3NTZjTa7PCME/s1600/DSC_9395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND8mQ0YmGcWoD_sJavHfZu7fz1VrK0ugLAU8MfobWgOwrur1_bvgtBD7bov8Rzpfw4584wByep_zNXkHEhyeCe0jrPCqdtyN-thczK-Kbubg2goXyQK9kQLTL2r0LOteI3NTZjTa7PCME/s640/DSC_9395.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a lot of space to picnic but sufficient, I think. And the pools are reasonably shallow in many spots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
In Search of a waterfall with no name</h3>
Our friend’s instructions were not very clear though I caught bits including some mention of a fork. We took the main road out and after what I recognised was his first landmark, we promptly could no longer correlate any of what we could see to what we could remember… We went past some very nice properties along this road and just had to stop every now and then to snap a picture. We eventually got to Sungai Bayor and at the junction where SK Sg Bayor is, we took a right turn, following the narrow road in. The road was shaded on both sides and every once in a while there’d be a branch off to the right. We seemed to have, by chance, rediscovered his trail for this seemed familiar. Or perhaps it was just happy circumstance that led us down this road.<br />
<br />
He had mentioned a fork in the road and at what I thought was the one he had mentioned, we took a left and at the very end there was a clearing, a couple of concrete shelters and even a tarmac area for parking. A river ran beside the road and this tarmac area and up ahead, beyond the shelter, we could see and hear a mid-sized waterfall, its water crashing down over a rock face onto a pool which then spilled over and ran off as the small river beside us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcK5vanGQlS7uBuMNCWk1Ug5k1lUUq6hG657I4JEoTfvwWTorm2PxyzxnRgo-PqVFSThfCHj2pUQCmJiuj6LiZ3Np9pwQ_HhQFuofkbcUCEmG1g4YqMYl-YvmaFQyhzawVr5kZKnbTvZvJ/s1600/DSC_9342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcK5vanGQlS7uBuMNCWk1Ug5k1lUUq6hG657I4JEoTfvwWTorm2PxyzxnRgo-PqVFSThfCHj2pUQCmJiuj6LiZ3Np9pwQ_HhQFuofkbcUCEmG1g4YqMYl-YvmaFQyhzawVr5kZKnbTvZvJ/s640/DSC_9342.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny chapel not far from Alor Pongsu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF7gAIM0jBd18NmzbuLPuwDs0RfIinpVFWjDYHXmZlB33PetBiac2AvDroofkbEJj1hphZj7qjtJkxRKCeDA5Yog4J5FwDkNTsXagrIwVem-J96FrSvArogsJkxNPe99QjMb_r7lRyn3-/s1600/DSC_9427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF7gAIM0jBd18NmzbuLPuwDs0RfIinpVFWjDYHXmZlB33PetBiac2AvDroofkbEJj1hphZj7qjtJkxRKCeDA5Yog4J5FwDkNTsXagrIwVem-J96FrSvArogsJkxNPe99QjMb_r7lRyn3-/s640/DSC_9427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful properties not far from Sg Bayor.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftiLglDXKoq6TuUUMDs6ty2oxipKG40ZOHAYMY9xg0yM3NEm68IuXfD5JqyfZVFwP-OX_T-avo_ZmKLiXmQOlG6qPqCUhgGnyjmmrgtfINwrHeBc8ZIMtD70axh_2ITYu82YiwDEHAJ4d/s1600/DSC_9431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftiLglDXKoq6TuUUMDs6ty2oxipKG40ZOHAYMY9xg0yM3NEm68IuXfD5JqyfZVFwP-OX_T-avo_ZmKLiXmQOlG6qPqCUhgGnyjmmrgtfINwrHeBc8ZIMtD70axh_2ITYu82YiwDEHAJ4d/s640/DSC_9431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitftwQUxScqhg1uLEzo-ep8kd9CVb7s6p0ZUQPNtCMXCSsJRHCWlu_9dft7CwBOEHXDDv-7u2YRHOce8jnAnjTIlAY4N68RisKChISA9qwNPZ0bO-iuaWPEumyEwLUpX_DE-VUfjT7PbB/s1600/DSC_9432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitftwQUxScqhg1uLEzo-ep8kd9CVb7s6p0ZUQPNtCMXCSsJRHCWlu_9dft7CwBOEHXDDv-7u2YRHOce8jnAnjTIlAY4N68RisKChISA9qwNPZ0bO-iuaWPEumyEwLUpX_DE-VUfjT7PbB/s640/DSC_9432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EMSczYNYLQZl4fnKIYDzOxIADpTonHz9sZ3ZwbButRpC77aZDIYWafMHtAZfo-ZsI4bTGPJSwjFb0l49_sdwkYRlSHy4Tjp5Vv5JiwldkaUHrrMflvKvnrq7EzRIs4h8X2lvFzHajRbP/s1600/DSC_9437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EMSczYNYLQZl4fnKIYDzOxIADpTonHz9sZ3ZwbButRpC77aZDIYWafMHtAZfo-ZsI4bTGPJSwjFb0l49_sdwkYRlSHy4Tjp5Vv5JiwldkaUHrrMflvKvnrq7EzRIs4h8X2lvFzHajRbP/s640/DSC_9437.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_tdl_-j2yIu_oWQLhd1yz7JZDvFtUn1HmhJfrHwtnAniVwGEOilUgnfgVRyJYBYxBHvPetPZ_yyIP2cFbls_DvOPRPi-sMWhQGWU38Z8xl3hX66coLgkVa7_aNWxFn_4kqt1xWkC1n_j/s1600/DSC_9420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_tdl_-j2yIu_oWQLhd1yz7JZDvFtUn1HmhJfrHwtnAniVwGEOilUgnfgVRyJYBYxBHvPetPZ_yyIP2cFbls_DvOPRPi-sMWhQGWU38Z8xl3hX66coLgkVa7_aNWxFn_4kqt1xWkC1n_j/s640/DSC_9420.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...where the buffalo roam...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOirSC1a5IpBaD5C9ixNC5K-oni3f8zBrlyJIoDpJbUAn2BtpQo6E1YeiEucctnSIEMD2CO-0jhMyQzKt8URkNmn3Pbaky-rHzedrh-uTgqVko4MsULY8OXqwzYLoQlvrVwrElX2BIaDW/s1600/DSC_9424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOirSC1a5IpBaD5C9ixNC5K-oni3f8zBrlyJIoDpJbUAn2BtpQo6E1YeiEucctnSIEMD2CO-0jhMyQzKt8URkNmn3Pbaky-rHzedrh-uTgqVko4MsULY8OXqwzYLoQlvrVwrElX2BIaDW/s640/DSC_9424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uPo6mwcaZSTRJXnEVeCxy4C6C3ZHlBlxOacXFr6gArR6UY8D8E4xN8NxusMhfFKaRCmJBz4fC4C4Za1R8Wu4aXj1FY1xzkOE8GQqc2mT1NylWWSSuNxZ5-DkTPOLwqu3gbn_zpedIdMm/s1600/DSC_9404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uPo6mwcaZSTRJXnEVeCxy4C6C3ZHlBlxOacXFr6gArR6UY8D8E4xN8NxusMhfFKaRCmJBz4fC4C4Za1R8Wu4aXj1FY1xzkOE8GQqc2mT1NylWWSSuNxZ5-DkTPOLwqu3gbn_zpedIdMm/s640/DSC_9404.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tarmac area on the left and the river with the lower falls beyond it.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VlHEnQZI-_vITcYTkBcyQrvLTAlQy-6DuYCtaK27DVeC741rOKcgE8_dEJUCUnt88WJ_YmUSdxrub_wAZ1z-2_KcSAyEpaedUTCKCOxrFJwbUVwJGIfYBdhCAU0rtctoe7avA-gsrVHV/s1600/DSC_9403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VlHEnQZI-_vITcYTkBcyQrvLTAlQy-6DuYCtaK27DVeC741rOKcgE8_dEJUCUnt88WJ_YmUSdxrub_wAZ1z-2_KcSAyEpaedUTCKCOxrFJwbUVwJGIfYBdhCAU0rtctoe7avA-gsrVHV/s640/DSC_9403.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting patterns in the rock<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdIm7PydKRBqn7PGwswxlhYm4wmhGveMHrUw9Ib-csPwkEVOhpxzNBOmdRrD-omwKug66sI1M2DhSCZkjsboRfdALCgUQP62XnoFckt982L48hFrYTALKyVf0i_I-69d-vHILg_cYchEI/s1600/DSC_9411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdIm7PydKRBqn7PGwswxlhYm4wmhGveMHrUw9Ib-csPwkEVOhpxzNBOmdRrD-omwKug66sI1M2DhSCZkjsboRfdALCgUQP62XnoFckt982L48hFrYTALKyVf0i_I-69d-vHILg_cYchEI/s640/DSC_9411.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the trail upwards<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P3tAVJ8Cgw-4d4gkcWbqkwbzQt9nl_cDE_WRGKHT3aQ4qHBZSdWH-qGfIQnk5HYhTYTlGcMyDNblXYi5PvZvts_CCozjHDnotfn4183xfdBSpVp6fTKOt4dSIerUVUH9XHtv49Ewk_8k/s1600/DSC_9413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P3tAVJ8Cgw-4d4gkcWbqkwbzQt9nl_cDE_WRGKHT3aQ4qHBZSdWH-qGfIQnk5HYhTYTlGcMyDNblXYi5PvZvts_CCozjHDnotfn4183xfdBSpVp6fTKOt4dSIerUVUH9XHtv49Ewk_8k/s640/DSC_9413.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
A trail went upwards on the left of the last shelter, its clayey surface wide enough for a very narrow car but seemingly much too steep and slippery for ours. We asked a bunch of kids lounging about on their motorbikes nearby where the trail went. They weren’t sure so we decided to find out for ourselves.<br />
The trail was definitely not for cars though we could see fresh motorbike tyre tracks. Picking our way up the sticky and slippery surface, we walked past jungle growth on both sides which began to give way to rubber trees. All along the path I could see evidence of scratching/digging - by animals, definitely, and probably wild boar. When I see these scratchings, I look for the tell-tale oval depression with two large protrusions in the middle - the perfect mould of a pig’s snout. I could not pick out any this time, but many of the scratchings were around rubber trees and I know wild boars love rubber seeds.<br />
<br />
At a clearing further up, a large rock allowed us a beautiful view of another section of falls, this one much more spectacular than what was further downstream. Water spouted out over a triangular rock face about 3 storeys tall. The water’s path split across protruding rocks, to fall a little and split again, and again. The entire rock face was a pyramid of rock awash with cold mountain water which crashed down into a narrow gorge then flowed downstream.<br />
<br />
Camera on a tripod, I crouched down and grabbed some shots which turned out rather nice.<br />
<br />
What was not so nice was making our way back down later…<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBWfVhc-K1GYJQxeyFIRH3aV0r8W0Z2EQwseBdg3Mu2ii8hZ2GdOEXl9HhHVLH8NtG_VRqoFWTsoCyKjV-zrF2MVao25ZsgBCkpGDZUn4ioYdXawlFX1_u-IjDvoD5UClD_k79VGQwDyu/s1600/DSC_9398_HDR+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBWfVhc-K1GYJQxeyFIRH3aV0r8W0Z2EQwseBdg3Mu2ii8hZ2GdOEXl9HhHVLH8NtG_VRqoFWTsoCyKjV-zrF2MVao25ZsgBCkpGDZUn4ioYdXawlFX1_u-IjDvoD5UClD_k79VGQwDyu/s640/DSC_9398_HDR+v2.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worth the mud and clay and even the leeches...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHUW_qhSqAW14ETQHn-fGn43RiMHNCys7BRFDoCZhF2QNLdvAJJV58stCIjN1I3u3iF6YqGSaMIl9oIAvbeeHPKXqM-AQDyzIVt4yYUzRCcWZ2jWzYS7JOe8PnbL5x_e-5aioN63mUQmi/s1600/DSC_9402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHUW_qhSqAW14ETQHn-fGn43RiMHNCys7BRFDoCZhF2QNLdvAJJV58stCIjN1I3u3iF6YqGSaMIl9oIAvbeeHPKXqM-AQDyzIVt4yYUzRCcWZ2jWzYS7JOe8PnbL5x_e-5aioN63mUQmi/s640/DSC_9402.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you make out the scratchings?<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeJBuhYl_ZDvkFLSFdsQg4Q4bozwqG1hFvD-KDUTy6vr7afc_Hpw4Q2POMP6tj_B533HazE7GkSCiU-PtthuapJg5BA19yWcp0Q_X9S9p_mCCD_jRXNeQmZy_cZjjOzn5bJlnIoTQla2k/s1600/DSC_9407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeJBuhYl_ZDvkFLSFdsQg4Q4bozwqG1hFvD-KDUTy6vr7afc_Hpw4Q2POMP6tj_B533HazE7GkSCiU-PtthuapJg5BA19yWcp0Q_X9S9p_mCCD_jRXNeQmZy_cZjjOzn5bJlnIoTQla2k/s640/DSC_9407.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting latex<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpEzCGw5QIC-vY9DlKL7J1tQFSX-xm1KKn91hPNviqxSQt6798hAVpPett2kWPEKGCD6YGLxfg5kbMRGoBeHsaWlFLwoORNYWFHRl1OMdsYF6keBmyo7BXb92tRLlfJ3XmQHDKnsAMmQn/s1600/DSC_9408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpEzCGw5QIC-vY9DlKL7J1tQFSX-xm1KKn91hPNviqxSQt6798hAVpPett2kWPEKGCD6YGLxfg5kbMRGoBeHsaWlFLwoORNYWFHRl1OMdsYF6keBmyo7BXb92tRLlfJ3XmQHDKnsAMmQn/s640/DSC_9408.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scratchings at the base of the tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We’d walked on some distance until the path levelled off and the surroundings became drier and less shady. This was now clearly someone’s rubber estate and the pots collecting flowing latex were all in good shape and obviously in use. The motorbike tracks we’d seen must be estate workers collecting latex, we figured and this also explained why some steep sections of the track were concreted. Still, how the motorbikes got any traction on the clay surface was beyond me.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Mud and sky...</h3>
Traction, it seemed, was beyond me as well as we began to descend along the trail. Loose leaves were a no-no to put any weight on so we picked our way along the trail, moving from left to right just to find secure footing.<br />
<br />
At one point, I stood still for moment, camera in my right hand, backpack on my back and tripod slung onto the strap on the left, looking down the path, trying to figure out where to put my foot next. My sandal soles were jammed with sticky clay and one moment I was looking down the trail and the next I was flat on my back looking up at the leaves in the trees…<br />
<br />
My feet had slipped out from under me in an instant. My tripod jabbed me in the underarm and my camera ate some clay but both of us were otherwise undamaged. If you trek up this trail when it’s damp, beware!<br />
<br />
We spent some time cleaning up back down at the river. In addition to lots of clay stuck fast on the soles, I found two leeches beginning an intimate relationship with my feet as well. Must have been when I was taking pictures.<br />
<br />
Driving out, I decided to try the right side of the fork as our friend had mentioned something about there being another set of falls there too. We drove along tarmac for some distance and across a couple of bridges then the road petered out into gravel and clay. Some bits were very tough going indeed and I had to crawl along, picking my way past deep ruts and large holes. If it got any worse this would qualify as true off-roading.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F56gNkGhlJ-z4TYIPB25tqfie_IKRQHsyH7lFkIkWorahDHoxtFVDNIKLaz5hixFv-38V9bA2Q-z6TF0S5pdaF4ld_6GuE_VxSEXfeepnBvIxiVbfi5isbWyTG88ctN7-hpXsXRVA5V-/s1600/DSC_9416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F56gNkGhlJ-z4TYIPB25tqfie_IKRQHsyH7lFkIkWorahDHoxtFVDNIKLaz5hixFv-38V9bA2Q-z6TF0S5pdaF4ld_6GuE_VxSEXfeepnBvIxiVbfi5isbWyTG88ctN7-hpXsXRVA5V-/s640/DSC_9416.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More interesting houses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6IH7ryQl6KQWSNg-xrttAuEcVGbaBQpWZ5-3lzOLRB1zfpwL6zFFadqRJK4XaGgIkKl7rqLWEjMvx-6CYfHabuvdEYefSnOZx1n-szFr3hKuMW2L4qBTJhdAyKmMLl82YAYzqd9qDnuM/s1600/DSC_9417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6IH7ryQl6KQWSNg-xrttAuEcVGbaBQpWZ5-3lzOLRB1zfpwL6zFFadqRJK4XaGgIkKl7rqLWEjMvx-6CYfHabuvdEYefSnOZx1n-szFr3hKuMW2L4qBTJhdAyKmMLl82YAYzqd9qDnuM/s640/DSC_9417.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough track out<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIxJRmFNdqGvysg8kq9R1zpaP2B-Ocy1wP0CPQd9DuWY9cyEls-vSVAqwt43LkebNaOzrVbarfeGsb-_yKpfF0OpkihmDPJIiydBwvzh3lXnqLw084B1YEaXCJx22aBAfDPsivuTPwXig/s1600/DSC_9418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIxJRmFNdqGvysg8kq9R1zpaP2B-Ocy1wP0CPQd9DuWY9cyEls-vSVAqwt43LkebNaOzrVbarfeGsb-_yKpfF0OpkihmDPJIiydBwvzh3lXnqLw084B1YEaXCJx22aBAfDPsivuTPwXig/s640/DSC_9418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
No trails were marked on any of our map apps but I could see that we were heading in the direction of some roads and houses and after half an hour or so, the road improved and we emerged into a housing area with some pretty houses and cows that stared at us behind fenced paddocks. We rejoined the main road and eventually made our way home.<br />
<br />
All in all, quite an adventure!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Lata Tebing Tinggi </b>is at 5°12'26"N 100°46'48"E<br />
<i>Summary: </i>The waterfalls are really just rapids and the pools are suitable for wading through or splashing about. Not much space for picnics though when the chalets are completed this should suffice. Might be busy on weekends. <br />
<br />
<b>Unknown Waterfall near Sg Bayor</b> is at 5°14'10"N 100°47'40"E<br />
<i>Summary: </i>The lower falls are very accessible and suitable for splashing about. Shelters mean you can have picnics and so on but the area is small.<br />
The trail up to the high falls and beyond are popular with hikers and are a good hike with a few things to see. Might be slippery in the wet though.<br />
<br />
<i>Picture of Haruan from www.talkaboutfish.com/freshwater-fish/snakeheads</i></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-21685486685123487102018-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:002018-11-01T09:00:10.702-07:00The Top and Bottom of Gunung Jerai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8i5rymEWBTeBFRT0Mh7cKPKmaMf5-3QbM6R9DsniCmKSy5vuvoJC7sdTsa0zcpxHUBNT9DN-H7Fd0BvR03ZzOGn4v4SDEM3bSHoIGtvRkr2R1AED6iphNDacpaFJ1O_-c-Qpg4p7lL2n/s1600/DSC_9278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8i5rymEWBTeBFRT0Mh7cKPKmaMf5-3QbM6R9DsniCmKSy5vuvoJC7sdTsa0zcpxHUBNT9DN-H7Fd0BvR03ZzOGn4v4SDEM3bSHoIGtvRkr2R1AED6iphNDacpaFJ1O_-c-Qpg4p7lL2n/s640/DSC_9278.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Another week, another mountain.</h3>
We’ve been to the Gunung Jerai area before - on the southern end of this small and isolated group of hills and mountains is Lembah Bujang which we visited a few months ago. On the southern and eastern sides is also where I cycled through in 2007 and struggled with the 3 major hills on that route.<br />
<br />
This time around, Mei and I decided to tackle Gunung Jerai itself which required us coming in from the north. The road up Gunung Jerai is actually off Highway 1 at Kampung Titi Teras in Gurun. The entrance is clearly marked with a large signboard that proclaims ‘Gunung Jerai’ in clear capital letters.<br />
<br />
Within this area is a mosque, a food court, a small gallery or museum and public toilets. To go up Jerai, drive in past the mosque and the car park, then just after the food court on the left is a little road that heads up hill. There should be a signboard for The Regency Jerai Hill Resort. It’s a narrow road that takes you around the back of the food court and upwards, surrounded by lush greenery which changes ever so slightly as you ascend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbLNlbBgQqOkuIZ-E2CdOHzEySGX9-KOv4nuR5IQcYPWeHyFGqAYKPuViojsTehZW0ZmvZ-bo2IqIWVt9SPRpG_V1Ffvwz-Nr5l52PadJRLNjSiML2L0Oy_mbHybVGb-CaTTbnlB5MVC2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-29+at+3.34.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="687" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbLNlbBgQqOkuIZ-E2CdOHzEySGX9-KOv4nuR5IQcYPWeHyFGqAYKPuViojsTehZW0ZmvZ-bo2IqIWVt9SPRpG_V1Ffvwz-Nr5l52PadJRLNjSiML2L0Oy_mbHybVGb-CaTTbnlB5MVC2/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-10-29+at+3.34.50+PM.png" width="602" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPKFnornBpcwILXdAn4h-WPCRTGc0Zb5JZJx1VBpZRFaEul6PhG_BFZP8_P3vr7hKj19qG8DwS63hqnQcJs8RY1RUW8Smdp5ix2NyoJ3sRxVJlnH9MSJ9yD-SqDbLRB5dtV3szm7G-yhC/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-29+at+3.35.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="807" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPKFnornBpcwILXdAn4h-WPCRTGc0Zb5JZJx1VBpZRFaEul6PhG_BFZP8_P3vr7hKj19qG8DwS63hqnQcJs8RY1RUW8Smdp5ix2NyoJ3sRxVJlnH9MSJ9yD-SqDbLRB5dtV3szm7G-yhC/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-10-29+at+3.35.36+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A Mountain that was once an Island</h3>
Jerai is over 1200m above sea level and is an oddly isolated body of rock near the coast. In fact, it was once an island. What is known is that it was a landmark used by seafaring people from the 5th to the 14th centuries, guiding them to the mouth of the Sungai Merbok and then on to Lembah Bujang. Much of it is now a protected forest reserve. Enjoy a slow drive up the windy road and be prepared to sound your horn at some of the narrower and tighter corners - an experience that reminds me of the Landies roaring up Maxwell’s Hill.<br />
<br />
It was a very quiet day when we went, with no traffic at all so I must admit to tackling some of those corners with a little verve (though Mei may say ‘swerve’ instead…). All quite fun and as we went higher and higher, we could see the foliage subtly change with more ferns and sparser growth on either side of the road.<br />
<br />
Some distance up the road, a sign, hanging on a concrete archway made to look like it was made of tree trunks, proclaimed the entry to the Sungai Teroi Campsite. A short distance on from that was the first major structure we’d encountered - the Sungai Teroi Forestry Museum, an attractive wooden structure sitting on a slope at a junction.<br />
<br />
We parked at the little carpark by the road and approached the building. A set of concrete steps led up to the entrance, on its right a series of cascading rock pools. Tall, slender trees and low ferns and shrubs framed this building quite nicely.<br />
<br />
One of the staff waved us in past another staff who was speaking a little authoritatively to a bunch of young kids in uniforms. We wandered around inside - a larger building than it seemed from the road. The exhibits range from leaves and pictures of plants to large dioramas and framed preserved insects. Some of these were huge and would definitely have made my skin crawl had I encountered one in the wild…<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
We look at a Stick then I stick something in my mouth</h3>
We spent maybe half an hour inside and as we stepped back outside, the same guy who’d invited us in beckoned us over to show us a couple of things, the first of which was a piece of wood which he said had some very good properties. Unfortunately I failed to take notes and although I have the pictures of him using a lighter to light up the oils within the wood, and I remember they then released a very nice fragrance, I cannot remember the other properties of the wood.<br />
<br />
I can, however, distinctly remember the properties of the second thing - a little yellow flower whose petals he crushed and gave me to chew. A sharp taste then a complete numbing of my tongue and the insides of my mouth followed. ‘If you have a toothache, chewing this flower will deal with the pain completely’, he said and I was in no doubt of that claim!<br />
<br />
There was a slight bitterness to the flavour but it was otherwise not unpleasant and I swallowed the flower - just as he said ‘You can spit it all out when the mouth is numb enough’<br />
‘errrr….’<br />
He laughed and said it’s OK to swallow it as well.<br />
‘Phew!’<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLQZExgHnCmlNg8QqwCTm_oVBqDV4rHMcenrst2dlTgIU9PKmRcfGkj316v09Jnj5Ig21tLwmin7nIgnOTfCsZRjdMo4Ww-h_Fiy-as8XgYf-pLZ5geSa8kc-UmlUMI4HmXWCQpSdeNNR/s1600/IMG_7423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLQZExgHnCmlNg8QqwCTm_oVBqDV4rHMcenrst2dlTgIU9PKmRcfGkj316v09Jnj5Ig21tLwmin7nIgnOTfCsZRjdMo4Ww-h_Fiy-as8XgYf-pLZ5geSa8kc-UmlUMI4HmXWCQpSdeNNR/s640/IMG_7423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSMLiokFEmvIDzgUXEQFLDube31xPolbK7riu4tKiPDlD4Ix1Ya9poObwqgbNJs-oz9jgdfAvuFOYr9nRuGWyS2IHngtHilLYhiicfPBFYIv__luaf6dW_1qN_pIuYgfum7e458Mhq4w2/s1600/IMG_7408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSMLiokFEmvIDzgUXEQFLDube31xPolbK7riu4tKiPDlD4Ix1Ya9poObwqgbNJs-oz9jgdfAvuFOYr9nRuGWyS2IHngtHilLYhiicfPBFYIv__luaf6dW_1qN_pIuYgfum7e458Mhq4w2/s640/IMG_7408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhub-RBg4zngSiWTF7FQZgZEK-6MhpDWNLWc2ga0yJG9M4eS9AkLjBw5lyt4_KJUTkfYlP8EAZRUS6mctjfThK_Ek18rDxHB2bhh29Kme9lq2oO7RLGYEWAdiG6itut-ueT29Ma7PEIcu/s1600/IMG_7409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhub-RBg4zngSiWTF7FQZgZEK-6MhpDWNLWc2ga0yJG9M4eS9AkLjBw5lyt4_KJUTkfYlP8EAZRUS6mctjfThK_Ek18rDxHB2bhh29Kme9lq2oO7RLGYEWAdiG6itut-ueT29Ma7PEIcu/s640/IMG_7409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglPhjZCh9JhGDYGt8np0jv-z731HcTVVBiEGiW0MZyEkQbs62FgvLaJqHc3QPQS9FTkMJ0pL3q5s3SRIxSMcmhC2AV2xy8PmFSoNhe3HaC3_GNgXKAJZieqMWZxQSvQ22kljniT5IGD_O/s1600/IMG_7410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglPhjZCh9JhGDYGt8np0jv-z731HcTVVBiEGiW0MZyEkQbs62FgvLaJqHc3QPQS9FTkMJ0pL3q5s3SRIxSMcmhC2AV2xy8PmFSoNhe3HaC3_GNgXKAJZieqMWZxQSvQ22kljniT5IGD_O/s640/IMG_7410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwXj4kPUUtHieR-3H2_SZAMZ2yxVJuLVYF6Wl3xHJgnjCagukCWNMjx4k7gemFqfoiYdBNiLjpvfu3GYEyL2YiLSwiz_blJvm-C-TdFWlv3Be4Ynf75LquQYYMjs2phd86jyHPDjod2uV/s1600/IMG_7411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwXj4kPUUtHieR-3H2_SZAMZ2yxVJuLVYF6Wl3xHJgnjCagukCWNMjx4k7gemFqfoiYdBNiLjpvfu3GYEyL2YiLSwiz_blJvm-C-TdFWlv3Be4Ynf75LquQYYMjs2phd86jyHPDjod2uV/s640/IMG_7411.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bRxyzsmDkm-dX9RZiJLYeCKx0xDd0XGFUVp1MDaaaFywNwvd8e8kd7N7YXE35qm3AnDvGMd8vXAAHThFQgEAykYu8cXNbZvyTPv645nZa-KkpST1FetIOvJqZhI7RIGuW83OCqsSa1h3/s1600/IMG_7412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bRxyzsmDkm-dX9RZiJLYeCKx0xDd0XGFUVp1MDaaaFywNwvd8e8kd7N7YXE35qm3AnDvGMd8vXAAHThFQgEAykYu8cXNbZvyTPv645nZa-KkpST1FetIOvJqZhI7RIGuW83OCqsSa1h3/s640/IMG_7412.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo_skxRo1xhpQHGowO3FSMY2XHKiPTPEwAR22D9PxqVwmycanzrYScA05onHVsbYjzPxyJC6egcJjd5OmEpDeinVJL5cyWYdu4JyfGGResKF0KLONqVTTRwgXlxnViT3EaY0WVCG-WwVe/s1600/IMG_7413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo_skxRo1xhpQHGowO3FSMY2XHKiPTPEwAR22D9PxqVwmycanzrYScA05onHVsbYjzPxyJC6egcJjd5OmEpDeinVJL5cyWYdu4JyfGGResKF0KLONqVTTRwgXlxnViT3EaY0WVCG-WwVe/s640/IMG_7413.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrgcwJrTuP7sBDXFMRb3Dio_bpPjc8LiYvD_Uf6eEVR3kUHVpHfraot2df6EV-nSChlMu9slcgiUQGAvj3TfHNLErltpXb-HpXivozfyV5vjARAWaYuit_e9WLFwvxSQux1yok6hNZTy3/s1600/IMG_7421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrgcwJrTuP7sBDXFMRb3Dio_bpPjc8LiYvD_Uf6eEVR3kUHVpHfraot2df6EV-nSChlMu9slcgiUQGAvj3TfHNLErltpXb-HpXivozfyV5vjARAWaYuit_e9WLFwvxSQux1yok6hNZTy3/s640/IMG_7421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dVkVrwaPLAZaZVaJWKL5A0e_18xGh8xc6RvukUzh-ipf5QcjfVx_zlBoCjUhexEgUWdcn8WyWSVhdthCWcho_8BPSBM-nQTD5llOI-ixV0XY-wlW7oqLKZU5cRQZKxsMFOfQehfNu2B4/s1600/IMG_7419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dVkVrwaPLAZaZVaJWKL5A0e_18xGh8xc6RvukUzh-ipf5QcjfVx_zlBoCjUhexEgUWdcn8WyWSVhdthCWcho_8BPSBM-nQTD5llOI-ixV0XY-wlW7oqLKZU5cRQZKxsMFOfQehfNu2B4/s640/IMG_7419.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXRiSiACan_L_fD7MV_mTMBQWiYX8ATd1VjXYNR32ddXJNO3TUBjOz5LD5C58GsRDGXlRU5Cp_e4_c2IWA9GUWoWReipz7fWY74H_BRhnyty9vd2O13mP6KIBCpPygIcwF2BXUN4lpNdB/s1600/IMG_7420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXRiSiACan_L_fD7MV_mTMBQWiYX8ATd1VjXYNR32ddXJNO3TUBjOz5LD5C58GsRDGXlRU5Cp_e4_c2IWA9GUWoWReipz7fWY74H_BRhnyty9vd2O13mP6KIBCpPygIcwF2BXUN4lpNdB/s640/IMG_7420.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower, when chewed, makes your mouth, tongue and gums go numb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The big group of uniformed young boys were still being talked to in a stern voice as we were discussing the wood and the flower. Just as we finished, they too were dismissed only to be equipped with brooms and brushes. It turns out these kids had all been caught in the nearby park playing truant from school. Rather than give them the usual school punishment, they were brought here to do work around the museum grounds and I watched as they broke into groups and began raking up dead leaves, scrubbing the rocks in the cascading rock pools, and sweeping up rubbish. The stern-voiced chap came over and explained this to me and I told him I thought this was a superb idea.<br />
<br />
He also told me the museum will shortly be closed for repairs and renovations though no date had been set.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Resort on High</h3>
Leaving the museum, we drove on up the mountain and eventually got to the resort. Rather than a large single building, the resort comprises a number of single-storey structures, dotted around this very high plateau and set within well-tended and beautifully landscaped grounds. On one side is a magnificent view of the padi fields, other plantations and a few kampungs over 980 metres below us. Up here, despite the bright sunshine, the air was pretty cool and comfortable.<br />
<br />
Some of the chalets are built on the side of the mountain and must have brilliant views. The resort also seems to have enough facilities to satisfy both the holidaying guest and one attending a seminar or retreat - there are a couple of meeting halls/rooms and a cafe within the resort as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOKvPNT-ICnYPsddbn9VHUXAk7hOwf0rmjh6L7Y3UgkCYXvLL5NN7Kftx2JIFxrVSMAlcx8rRQ3IYJhi42M2I7OOwycgWmCnhyphenhyphenHOQUI5Am_cFu_fsbjotSiQfhkBBHCAkzzhZsgAJxidm/s1600/DSC_9163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOKvPNT-ICnYPsddbn9VHUXAk7hOwf0rmjh6L7Y3UgkCYXvLL5NN7Kftx2JIFxrVSMAlcx8rRQ3IYJhi42M2I7OOwycgWmCnhyphenhyphenHOQUI5Am_cFu_fsbjotSiQfhkBBHCAkzzhZsgAJxidm/s640/DSC_9163.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZY6jO2rw-xwXoR5_ofeCUUo19st4EnUpX5hd46UE_OcqTot5YTDqxggRgYkKr9eYwbtxe2iZHiPMmxfm9o2eaCQeu8zJZWFXQNNDMKUHm8awd3-VTpxzOX-H6r59Yt_Ad1hUC-g8sSZZ/s1600/DSC_9164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZY6jO2rw-xwXoR5_ofeCUUo19st4EnUpX5hd46UE_OcqTot5YTDqxggRgYkKr9eYwbtxe2iZHiPMmxfm9o2eaCQeu8zJZWFXQNNDMKUHm8awd3-VTpxzOX-H6r59Yt_Ad1hUC-g8sSZZ/s640/DSC_9164.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxeXCgkoc6m2PPEJNg8Zs0XUpeUf1wgqtf1OeWcj0ADG_R0cUkEvmZdVxw34QoPGSfoksthn6DrMG35wYt8TvAATDsHgXfIzxG2y6JYb-zjBxRVnzhyYYrdzIHNhAb37xrgma83ds7poJ/s1600/DSC_9162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxeXCgkoc6m2PPEJNg8Zs0XUpeUf1wgqtf1OeWcj0ADG_R0cUkEvmZdVxw34QoPGSfoksthn6DrMG35wYt8TvAATDsHgXfIzxG2y6JYb-zjBxRVnzhyYYrdzIHNhAb37xrgma83ds7poJ/s640/DSC_9162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKfOB8SsDGfS-g2318oPfZmR_4YD2KdGF7SZn4o2-SQzOFT4CKSyXRkTLej-58T3QfiEQUDGHx0Vn270HSyFXD8pHI0zR41uNVoytatmO1ZNU1WHQCS_aeibEY6khqnIiprxzfzOFlzaI/s1600/DSC_9166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKfOB8SsDGfS-g2318oPfZmR_4YD2KdGF7SZn4o2-SQzOFT4CKSyXRkTLej-58T3QfiEQUDGHx0Vn270HSyFXD8pHI0zR41uNVoytatmO1ZNU1WHQCS_aeibEY6khqnIiprxzfzOFlzaI/s640/DSC_9166.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYz0XPGfNb_eOV6-koVEeRe3vn8MYrtOK_OWW_d4Q6dlXtcZPZChImWld9NzR7z8NtdSvuikZqzTwFzECRHvHepkHTW3CnTHjp_gmdzrEd7jN7ioG41m5HFfU2Ezzj1ksMU-KqpOk_5r5/s1600/DSC_9168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYz0XPGfNb_eOV6-koVEeRe3vn8MYrtOK_OWW_d4Q6dlXtcZPZChImWld9NzR7z8NtdSvuikZqzTwFzECRHvHepkHTW3CnTHjp_gmdzrEd7jN7ioG41m5HFfU2Ezzj1ksMU-KqpOk_5r5/s640/DSC_9168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8e9Cn2QYNMyCWQ32_04w6GDCiiPFw3GWJHKKC92snnXoXq5U8_-IDGTjUajwT49eEtEIVe1qhCk8ihgHn-zAKfojvVdYexzmGLR21qqqXqDClKQwEWjUI_J3399IG6nVQ0yVp78KxfoV/s1600/DSC_9170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8e9Cn2QYNMyCWQ32_04w6GDCiiPFw3GWJHKKC92snnXoXq5U8_-IDGTjUajwT49eEtEIVe1qhCk8ihgHn-zAKfojvVdYexzmGLR21qqqXqDClKQwEWjUI_J3399IG6nVQ0yVp78KxfoV/s640/DSC_9170.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulau Bunting in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjMOsvk_GIYGPrvwc-KPCH7Z0yzvybNl-7l3USd6ze4c9AThgQ7TJjbI0Lp_ifIcUCiEWJ80kJZgAgy2gWQPhyzPcgGjbLLtlSmWVqGAiSAZi7O8gA_zGXwT0ws-9k0FH13ILWjZ4JK6P/s1600/DSC_9174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjMOsvk_GIYGPrvwc-KPCH7Z0yzvybNl-7l3USd6ze4c9AThgQ7TJjbI0Lp_ifIcUCiEWJ80kJZgAgy2gWQPhyzPcgGjbLLtlSmWVqGAiSAZi7O8gA_zGXwT0ws-9k0FH13ILWjZ4JK6P/s640/DSC_9174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZYjpp7_pGBAs7NWVKYLaxmJvbiJAH63AJY2dAn58whFUhjSmydv2WrFLStfWm4tpgNtDqbgmwgst2nawAlkIhdUSMoKEckWry90clRO6fQXO6WTd9gD49y-boEPE7gi8utz3V0p31fhv/s1600/DSC_9175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZYjpp7_pGBAs7NWVKYLaxmJvbiJAH63AJY2dAn58whFUhjSmydv2WrFLStfWm4tpgNtDqbgmwgst2nawAlkIhdUSMoKEckWry90clRO6fQXO6WTd9gD49y-boEPE7gi8utz3V0p31fhv/s640/DSC_9175.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy06Z61-0IjHZjrVazHrT0eZiGa7fQXZon9MbIyWmUV464zp1X6uY74VsC4xvyCQJpIAg0D-eAkeFHtKS6byD5TEVefQkXcEWrMSi3FesHOONmQ9gSR0IEmY7X9eNK3jN4AsuOUmXyfp_/s1600/DSC_9176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy06Z61-0IjHZjrVazHrT0eZiGa7fQXZon9MbIyWmUV464zp1X6uY74VsC4xvyCQJpIAg0D-eAkeFHtKS6byD5TEVefQkXcEWrMSi3FesHOONmQ9gSR0IEmY7X9eNK3jN4AsuOUmXyfp_/s640/DSC_9176.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauw04GtQ4H_V38pfPgNORSof-60YByoN8ZPX5-q4HdpGTbFm6Tyr6X94ruVuDWRZxwYHigQ5dGpIesW7fcLvJ2rsVWBlCuADHHQtwal44OY-g4UrFh0E-w5L7mlBXrN9z63bAN6FAUnLw/s1600/DSC_9179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauw04GtQ4H_V38pfPgNORSof-60YByoN8ZPX5-q4HdpGTbFm6Tyr6X94ruVuDWRZxwYHigQ5dGpIesW7fcLvJ2rsVWBlCuADHHQtwal44OY-g4UrFh0E-w5L7mlBXrN9z63bAN6FAUnLw/s640/DSC_9179.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9DB0pMW1P-5Jo0BVoiiqwSKFxaZX0rEbMYRBR5y8rUKPyXZIbXsdzqUWj3AMhDpH080bHbn5tZ4CMdsuQvTiV_AGST27G0zphyphenhyphenIH_OQsI0-Wuyrj5ZNz6pQW5i0kUxz8KExZa98mawNb/s1600/DSC_9180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9DB0pMW1P-5Jo0BVoiiqwSKFxaZX0rEbMYRBR5y8rUKPyXZIbXsdzqUWj3AMhDpH080bHbn5tZ4CMdsuQvTiV_AGST27G0zphyphenhyphenIH_OQsI0-Wuyrj5ZNz6pQW5i0kUxz8KExZa98mawNb/s640/DSC_9180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A Humungous Portion</h3>
Just outside of the resort is a little food court operated by a couple and their son. The food court was quiet and empty of patrons when we turned up but the wife told us they were open and took our orders. She then went to get her husband who was busy building up some new plant stands in a section of the garden. Looking around, we realised he seems to be quite a handy man and a creative one at that, repurposing various things as signboards and so on.<br />
<br />
We were served our fried noodles and fried rice and were overwhelmed! These dishes are often fairly spartan affairs but what landed at our tables were humungous servings almost flowing over with toppings and ingredients - fried prawns, egg, fried tofu and more. Tasted pretty good too though both of us, fresh from gorging on chips and snacks in the car, had to leave some on our plates…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHPl-c1SwLTcKwALintzOdfL17DNeF_cHGJ1fq0EbmlFYhYDzNZSBhZ239VFyP4ssDhsj2VfWfHDLZ0QGP6mJEhGekor9KtpKpCz-F80fPbE8TOxQ4IUMwV6Mrsj0SGNmX_B8X-Y1Wva0/s1600/IMG_7430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHPl-c1SwLTcKwALintzOdfL17DNeF_cHGJ1fq0EbmlFYhYDzNZSBhZ239VFyP4ssDhsj2VfWfHDLZ0QGP6mJEhGekor9KtpKpCz-F80fPbE8TOxQ4IUMwV6Mrsj0SGNmX_B8X-Y1Wva0/s640/IMG_7430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNFlxUaq9lowRXiiCcTbKQhCjfpjXYsuAJYBhzoRMVpb8M6S4UI8uNTdb_qdfAuxtNiTBFFpuGqkO0-j9MZW8vevMKnKslMP8Lv7UD4STw9zycYEmuyR62SaVeDB9zDASmvZi_nvFdnFk/s1600/IMG_7431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNFlxUaq9lowRXiiCcTbKQhCjfpjXYsuAJYBhzoRMVpb8M6S4UI8uNTdb_qdfAuxtNiTBFFpuGqkO0-j9MZW8vevMKnKslMP8Lv7UD4STw9zycYEmuyR62SaVeDB9zDASmvZi_nvFdnFk/s640/IMG_7431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u5MYHg5vtok-66D777-jEXlnMeTBTsAFq4iz_oCXIq4YBt1CrYWjwpXiz1dmr9lec2hhi64N6V-5YYhtxH4Z0ook1bu1c3yJPa5JO-H1gZihh_LlxSHBUUU0aaV5Of2DcsqgBucnHkM4/s1600/IMG_7432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u5MYHg5vtok-66D777-jEXlnMeTBTsAFq4iz_oCXIq4YBt1CrYWjwpXiz1dmr9lec2hhi64N6V-5YYhtxH4Z0ook1bu1c3yJPa5JO-H1gZihh_LlxSHBUUU0aaV5Of2DcsqgBucnHkM4/s640/IMG_7432.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKu-AvrSDoUgwRIUo4E79MBuX16REcPYnYtHPkttI-vR4W64V0wVeWTzKUq1T1wX5pgvzot4oFBWsmhRFocj_eGG-RKxl2OzKa0r03LFvrqqjs-p3wt4uowWCS2ulnnWphdC0o-HKCh3C/s1600/IMG_7429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKu-AvrSDoUgwRIUo4E79MBuX16REcPYnYtHPkttI-vR4W64V0wVeWTzKUq1T1wX5pgvzot4oFBWsmhRFocj_eGG-RKxl2OzKa0r03LFvrqqjs-p3wt4uowWCS2ulnnWphdC0o-HKCh3C/s640/IMG_7429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW6PLtaTvV_4A_h9528xhmvFEJq0JQxhdDt6UskZGWittqPzYF24SrqHQB4Afs72hKNE0YgvAALdHlN_XxlfhO8rz97m6xIkULE2KMcppYKvWldFimOICA7g5ADwjFNSwxh9kxVveEC_D/s1600/IMG_7425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW6PLtaTvV_4A_h9528xhmvFEJq0JQxhdDt6UskZGWittqPzYF24SrqHQB4Afs72hKNE0YgvAALdHlN_XxlfhO8rz97m6xIkULE2KMcppYKvWldFimOICA7g5ADwjFNSwxh9kxVveEC_D/s640/IMG_7425.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkCCC0uKHrUzwznl5K5rJYUi1odYPtzEYl_OptSrSDLreSXJXK7NF49sJ7TL2nt3znMqhx2IiFx7l0wtnA7ZRhBHdp1cfXtgVVtX_SfQO-HJ_47u2w9OZCXhq6Inthg1prvcVTXtTvtSW/s1600/IMG_7427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkCCC0uKHrUzwznl5K5rJYUi1odYPtzEYl_OptSrSDLreSXJXK7NF49sJ7TL2nt3znMqhx2IiFx7l0wtnA7ZRhBHdp1cfXtgVVtX_SfQO-HJ_47u2w9OZCXhq6Inthg1prvcVTXtTvtSW/s640/IMG_7427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Further up from the food court is the Telaga Tok Sheikh. We drove in and here are a couple of picnic spots which I would avoid - garbage everywhere and signs of dereliction and disrepair. The Telaga itself seemed OK though we didn’t stop. Beyond it are a number of abandoned agriculture setups. We turned around and headed further up the mountain to Padang Tok Sheikh.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDFrzkPXfUyGmS14C2DxD31ZpixgMpF4jpJVetOVarIsBMcAtKEpIFsW_2NeT8WLm9g5Wfhj7Ee9xrx7x2YaOXFVvjqvrfhfRyQ9qMJEjmAVo2F5O0THDXSECGFIY52_npOvxIn2PbBDg/s1600/IMG_7405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDFrzkPXfUyGmS14C2DxD31ZpixgMpF4jpJVetOVarIsBMcAtKEpIFsW_2NeT8WLm9g5Wfhj7Ee9xrx7x2YaOXFVvjqvrfhfRyQ9qMJEjmAVo2F5O0THDXSECGFIY52_npOvxIn2PbBDg/s640/IMG_7405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned though on our return trip we spotted some activity in the grounds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxbqlJW5EIE82zqdlEafOW0kITXiCao65sL_b_p1BP4ieiqgdHWwEk0FPUUcp-4tTbOThGmToOo1pX6lMAVQY_SzQ-xRYvuZDnQ4MiOYnXnZw1NmcV9WWfKykGKd-fyyr93PPVjW4e8tm/s1600/IMG_7473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxbqlJW5EIE82zqdlEafOW0kITXiCao65sL_b_p1BP4ieiqgdHWwEk0FPUUcp-4tTbOThGmToOo1pX6lMAVQY_SzQ-xRYvuZDnQ4MiOYnXnZw1NmcV9WWfKykGKd-fyyr93PPVjW4e8tm/s640/IMG_7473.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned project near Telaga Tok Sheikh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d8N3QEgB-V58T0M5gVhc_6C0Q1thKhMcw7jz_1RcAXgTZ8X7kpHu8ZNgdxJ-_2JougVfAf61SXEKwSEqJ5qcs08yhB_5D7ffeH-GOzwYbyGg4AwcaSkWR1BapJv67kXw3ydLaY-QaapD/s1600/IMG_7476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d8N3QEgB-V58T0M5gVhc_6C0Q1thKhMcw7jz_1RcAXgTZ8X7kpHu8ZNgdxJ-_2JougVfAf61SXEKwSEqJ5qcs08yhB_5D7ffeH-GOzwYbyGg4AwcaSkWR1BapJv67kXw3ydLaY-QaapD/s640/IMG_7476.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A field of stone</h3>
Not a field in the usual sense of the word, this area is instead a large rock face that is the oldest rock face in the peninsular - dating back 550 million years! This area was actually once the sea bed and continuous sedimentation caused it to be buried deep then compressed into rock. Some 220 million years ago, the entire sea bed was forced upwards into its current position some 1150 metres above sea level.<br />
<br />
It is quite a wide area with fascinating patterns in the rock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPbowKGTfhyphenhyphenMyQ1JhqURmDUDE9WUJ28PvDTcrpQDBZRekzzMz3nrwvvAXjAmPeClP_eXRqR1AJ7v7kH6D3g_QHbqIyBN1TBAxQ6KcFxD38s7eo-brE-_hcMYKY1NjwAsuAM2G15S3U3X-/s1600/DSC_9185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPbowKGTfhyphenhyphenMyQ1JhqURmDUDE9WUJ28PvDTcrpQDBZRekzzMz3nrwvvAXjAmPeClP_eXRqR1AJ7v7kH6D3g_QHbqIyBN1TBAxQ6KcFxD38s7eo-brE-_hcMYKY1NjwAsuAM2G15S3U3X-/s640/DSC_9185.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHSntEg9c8D8_bFvwc3RmYwc4_mOy_uP9Z2PFFWi4-QEo6D4efvk-NOukkaHJD2rOR4QSHkndFyuie1Wk0CIPnE4e6lx0iTc9xuVPgNdGNLHGLHizG07IqJbe5nG6XLVDLRg-_2E1GNWI/s1600/DSC_9183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHSntEg9c8D8_bFvwc3RmYwc4_mOy_uP9Z2PFFWi4-QEo6D4efvk-NOukkaHJD2rOR4QSHkndFyuie1Wk0CIPnE4e6lx0iTc9xuVPgNdGNLHGLHizG07IqJbe5nG6XLVDLRg-_2E1GNWI/s640/DSC_9183.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICeof6wUIscRQ2pn15Ud1kVFcz13GyXf5Tsw8n6RLjkCD1Xb4915Ej_a1vFzFnUjDSBA0Hsfp-a0_47TEbC8vp6aREX6-DO_u0EYawh3ngnPFMd5dhXvn4vj0Zri9yTv03Po7UvZUS13C/s1600/DSC_9184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICeof6wUIscRQ2pn15Ud1kVFcz13GyXf5Tsw8n6RLjkCD1Xb4915Ej_a1vFzFnUjDSBA0Hsfp-a0_47TEbC8vp6aREX6-DO_u0EYawh3ngnPFMd5dhXvn4vj0Zri9yTv03Po7UvZUS13C/s640/DSC_9184.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn1TtBVswM6tCH6IM3Ct-vQZO-FmH2FLQohKyTtyGvgg_-FDur9zNf9oBYZkhyKslnIGU-2Npl8BEa3nqc3xqes8GLXtlxKDxc7RonZVoNeNgbIsUHvUgsy4WnmofjwseQ93InytvDp9c/s1600/DSC_9186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn1TtBVswM6tCH6IM3Ct-vQZO-FmH2FLQohKyTtyGvgg_-FDur9zNf9oBYZkhyKslnIGU-2Npl8BEa3nqc3xqes8GLXtlxKDxc7RonZVoNeNgbIsUHvUgsy4WnmofjwseQ93InytvDp9c/s640/DSC_9186.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QcwgF71RZI0PZdtK2KrM8f2bRscChcKNhkme2ZEs7HxdUW7v3-CI3THzdWXFe9DxBA1dwxBsFWH1fAEe4wPpwdBnvJrfdC4EHTF5UkWFKFMKYTZnllWR242xu_GLAx2q5txYTtDk5zG-/s1600/DSC_9188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QcwgF71RZI0PZdtK2KrM8f2bRscChcKNhkme2ZEs7HxdUW7v3-CI3THzdWXFe9DxBA1dwxBsFWH1fAEe4wPpwdBnvJrfdC4EHTF5UkWFKFMKYTZnllWR242xu_GLAx2q5txYTtDk5zG-/s640/DSC_9188.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mTNKh2pue6A911rqE6ukorwFYif-aKPwHBgn0XXFc4WKtlIi6Tg7QBTbMBKB-tj4bV47jZUAFb0RW4nyyz8AoBoOoa9K2p6_TRFDTgUtLXM5owZE_FnlkJY-pJbrZmPgMONNdpmvlbvl/s1600/DSC_9189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mTNKh2pue6A911rqE6ukorwFYif-aKPwHBgn0XXFc4WKtlIi6Tg7QBTbMBKB-tj4bV47jZUAFb0RW4nyyz8AoBoOoa9K2p6_TRFDTgUtLXM5owZE_FnlkJY-pJbrZmPgMONNdpmvlbvl/s640/DSC_9189.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVqQ9g-iSb83B-MT9mLkVdeFESJLqPJuYtyeZnOMH_Ny3jXOSKogJe5G5VmF16aTBO8i0YbV4nbe3s6TRMTlvmnjeg4ny2Pef_wMiQcUwu-rJZRXX5nBkjjsVvYzWuo64_PCemXMgVUAV/s1600/DSC_9191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVqQ9g-iSb83B-MT9mLkVdeFESJLqPJuYtyeZnOMH_Ny3jXOSKogJe5G5VmF16aTBO8i0YbV4nbe3s6TRMTlvmnjeg4ny2Pef_wMiQcUwu-rJZRXX5nBkjjsVvYzWuo64_PCemXMgVUAV/s640/DSC_9191.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j3_OHL-9mkn89_VrsgNPAkBrAuwg0bj5uEe_yOLb0FNLtKOGrveKwfLmHL2AeAp5guxjJfQ3qqR6SaLg8__pRc7foZX01sUxP3JXpgWPVhyjCguOBZQjeiDOaKcGFdLVXpOjXwvPiVjH/s1600/DSC_9192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j3_OHL-9mkn89_VrsgNPAkBrAuwg0bj5uEe_yOLb0FNLtKOGrveKwfLmHL2AeAp5guxjJfQ3qqR6SaLg8__pRc7foZX01sUxP3JXpgWPVhyjCguOBZQjeiDOaKcGFdLVXpOjXwvPiVjH/s640/DSC_9192.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5zMPHJSBMDrixGW3xC8JFRkz5FMWLZpeijCqHW8i3iASuTvI-iAc6PmL0L5kgcvbBNVbgNtQCpfNK2s4fgkYSqBOuOQJhH00VlqaapYMX2kiNyXUN2n1qSV1TgNMFgDLnv1wXPbWdJsH/s1600/DSC_9193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5zMPHJSBMDrixGW3xC8JFRkz5FMWLZpeijCqHW8i3iASuTvI-iAc6PmL0L5kgcvbBNVbgNtQCpfNK2s4fgkYSqBOuOQJhH00VlqaapYMX2kiNyXUN2n1qSV1TgNMFgDLnv1wXPbWdJsH/s640/DSC_9193.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrga2DgreikVUqdY20DLRFtuCxpQPfzQLRmu4pxdbn8E6Bhyphenhyphenyl79-BSDMxgCCLaeTdgIfqn6baH_nUdJHlqCx15ZTxy5kX_YQ5hXegltMwi5bUVaHrqRknmvfGdW5R4V24ty4hWSmU3lbB/s1600/DSC_9195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrga2DgreikVUqdY20DLRFtuCxpQPfzQLRmu4pxdbn8E6Bhyphenhyphenyl79-BSDMxgCCLaeTdgIfqn6baH_nUdJHlqCx15ZTxy5kX_YQ5hXegltMwi5bUVaHrqRknmvfGdW5R4V24ty4hWSmU3lbB/s640/DSC_9195.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJRcLhy8GXvQSrelxbzWY7s6h6Uh2zmrR8VAaJOu3a7U6Mio20Noe_naDzL49Xo3WFyQSjcr5_6z1ieIRHuUfmQqZZYj7BvwM-ZzQegs9pOqA284JWqQeyaVPUJspXF09Eh61qcTaJetY/s1600/DSC_9196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJRcLhy8GXvQSrelxbzWY7s6h6Uh2zmrR8VAaJOu3a7U6Mio20Noe_naDzL49Xo3WFyQSjcr5_6z1ieIRHuUfmQqZZYj7BvwM-ZzQegs9pOqA284JWqQeyaVPUJspXF09Eh61qcTaJetY/s640/DSC_9196.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKdIPLszCzFA4Peu_2uTxmxGdIHuZKKqAxxIzgapqfqXPCZdSKzptWsJJWJloC6lWRFaIOzMzdsS3HC9JihyphenhyphenLn3qPeJAT2273umvVn1ec2se43w75oO3hhrvPRX6FEWcREKlQh9E6YfOu/s1600/DSC_9197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKdIPLszCzFA4Peu_2uTxmxGdIHuZKKqAxxIzgapqfqXPCZdSKzptWsJJWJloC6lWRFaIOzMzdsS3HC9JihyphenhyphenLn3qPeJAT2273umvVn1ec2se43w75oO3hhrvPRX6FEWcREKlQh9E6YfOu/s640/DSC_9197.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3xnnOLFP1ge0xhEYDYmOJ_813dK4xxMfnLL47FxRmKqazJUXPi5vl7t79r4DJlH-5InRIFg4QDEorTY036i56Mj0TNuAnQ7dURYuq_BZLEg34q_ok-qv47qXpA1vW88jw6VkiYSoTXFj/s1600/DSC_9198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3xnnOLFP1ge0xhEYDYmOJ_813dK4xxMfnLL47FxRmKqazJUXPi5vl7t79r4DJlH-5InRIFg4QDEorTY036i56Mj0TNuAnQ7dURYuq_BZLEg34q_ok-qv47qXpA1vW88jw6VkiYSoTXFj/s640/DSC_9198.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3qIfFRQ-VqkVrGYs0OmOVBaxWOrKxEVldFZxT0uda6WmuhjGzxcH5sUlLT4yR42GojN-rAhY6Mc3sFrSCtsGZGFSfxrxPU0JcRGuC8y9LHV1j4TRhEzyAQwWDS-Sb9jPs8IieLthaj3A/s1600/DSC_9200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3qIfFRQ-VqkVrGYs0OmOVBaxWOrKxEVldFZxT0uda6WmuhjGzxcH5sUlLT4yR42GojN-rAhY6Mc3sFrSCtsGZGFSfxrxPU0JcRGuC8y9LHV1j4TRhEzyAQwWDS-Sb9jPs8IieLthaj3A/s640/DSC_9200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlEwgEDTHPyUtsHT-8LCK_acmIGJFJQcQMCIFSN_ho1KK5a_i-gU2fGI75K7zoK8be8wJJpucF9P0hxuPlWyCmvh6lpIEPGVnL-YBpilfED926MRBqYwDuijfI7IRfmHbr_rsDSH4FEy3/s1600/DSC_9202+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlEwgEDTHPyUtsHT-8LCK_acmIGJFJQcQMCIFSN_ho1KK5a_i-gU2fGI75K7zoK8be8wJJpucF9P0hxuPlWyCmvh6lpIEPGVnL-YBpilfED926MRBqYwDuijfI7IRfmHbr_rsDSH4FEy3/s640/DSC_9202+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBvuUUTpQqkmvf3Ffn5q3jo3jXFeYj0iRFdYJCl6jg3QgIulwXd38LqlSYXFkNbS5lVKXKF9yIqkLzMRK-kjC8XloJSxSCj8eq2i-9aVyjHm_SeYvQXTx2_6Ytpn8z1GviCsKVhBv05Ad/s1600/DSC_9204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBvuUUTpQqkmvf3Ffn5q3jo3jXFeYj0iRFdYJCl6jg3QgIulwXd38LqlSYXFkNbS5lVKXKF9yIqkLzMRK-kjC8XloJSxSCj8eq2i-9aVyjHm_SeYvQXTx2_6Ytpn8z1GviCsKVhBv05Ad/s640/DSC_9204.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdLAPyfoj-fVvuz-m7KHos39a6AL_5KtufEVZUH714kQQhO07uLP1Rb-afI_T-G55dteAoW30BU1-9cHPyp68i6M27wWqYpDG6rVv79Av2Z1xfzlzqj8PSEf_fq7Impfu5DgoP6Sh-QF9/s1600/DSC_9211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdLAPyfoj-fVvuz-m7KHos39a6AL_5KtufEVZUH714kQQhO07uLP1Rb-afI_T-G55dteAoW30BU1-9cHPyp68i6M27wWqYpDG6rVv79Av2Z1xfzlzqj8PSEf_fq7Impfu5DgoP6Sh-QF9/s640/DSC_9211.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55e1o_hbwwAYhM26Y__wkzGwYmmmyVdiIPhp3c-7HlymD5nihh6zFZA3oSLXzIPFftrjAjFa7AQQIfGki3g8YPunpX3QaTU-ORrPha3v-fleRHBTmSbsuCaAO0dBE0jtUzS61SWiQY17i/s1600/DSC_9219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55e1o_hbwwAYhM26Y__wkzGwYmmmyVdiIPhp3c-7HlymD5nihh6zFZA3oSLXzIPFftrjAjFa7AQQIfGki3g8YPunpX3QaTU-ORrPha3v-fleRHBTmSbsuCaAO0dBE0jtUzS61SWiQY17i/s640/DSC_9219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hEyNEoiyMw0fKSsWJOx4OOYWSJVXuGU44vkGBZIcpI0NzHZIwqukSGamWqzcK2KSeEKt5Vtw6sv4S634ed_h0MqAmzh9fw5w0_Lu9vZl7dH5OdodVG4xLQaRhqzdhxqgtc1o5r6DPMCp/s1600/DSC_9232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hEyNEoiyMw0fKSsWJOx4OOYWSJVXuGU44vkGBZIcpI0NzHZIwqukSGamWqzcK2KSeEKt5Vtw6sv4S634ed_h0MqAmzh9fw5w0_Lu9vZl7dH5OdodVG4xLQaRhqzdhxqgtc1o5r6DPMCp/s640/DSC_9232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnMa97YfW0y-SKp5OyhCA-5nyKJlierYGRasFoDm73s148mtiHYc5WmjjRWGYdtxjfMho7KCkbawmv6D39NNOgnW4e40h3wT78AMpSpwUgWO1YoGhtekTpuKExl47tXa9Skdn5WrKX2-R/s1600/DSC_9235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnMa97YfW0y-SKp5OyhCA-5nyKJlierYGRasFoDm73s148mtiHYc5WmjjRWGYdtxjfMho7KCkbawmv6D39NNOgnW4e40h3wT78AMpSpwUgWO1YoGhtekTpuKExl47tXa9Skdn5WrKX2-R/s640/DSC_9235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DWFjhrCZ-MRpDG3A68j2DVNK0TFDK1SMkQ3OVskX2ybBQPXIFxrNameEklPGhWAMqVb7qffchoIVTnSdmWxWoPaURr9p7-jU_SHw1k_NAWQTuLe9Tf13PQH05nU9C0Zmr6MN0F_fHou2/s1600/DSC_9234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DWFjhrCZ-MRpDG3A68j2DVNK0TFDK1SMkQ3OVskX2ybBQPXIFxrNameEklPGhWAMqVb7qffchoIVTnSdmWxWoPaURr9p7-jU_SHw1k_NAWQTuLe9Tf13PQH05nU9C0Zmr6MN0F_fHou2/s640/DSC_9234.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ORh4ycrN32Ayl98opcYiwx19ObUd-mf4dyV4ygEuYCSiWzuySAbOljo1hj45U-hiRH2Ge71TyitxJeCCQxE-Yc_maEvNY5ShRllppuHJxBKeVphMzNTp6Kj2DJ8JaGng-1g5X-SuqBLG/s1600/DSC_9237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ORh4ycrN32Ayl98opcYiwx19ObUd-mf4dyV4ygEuYCSiWzuySAbOljo1hj45U-hiRH2Ge71TyitxJeCCQxE-Yc_maEvNY5ShRllppuHJxBKeVphMzNTp6Kj2DJ8JaGng-1g5X-SuqBLG/s640/DSC_9237.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4tz-L_dD3e8MybIvIWeLS9RMUC-1t399W6x61HUOaMN8typjH4vKJkW5QcXca1Z36PH_A8z_I3RT5GcGAmv8LId_xjhrdNQ4z48GgVSMFlHoOD4FlPTu7AdIz7G7AAuWg2kXt1KflCUA/s1600/DSC_9239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4tz-L_dD3e8MybIvIWeLS9RMUC-1t399W6x61HUOaMN8typjH4vKJkW5QcXca1Z36PH_A8z_I3RT5GcGAmv8LId_xjhrdNQ4z48GgVSMFlHoOD4FlPTu7AdIz7G7AAuWg2kXt1KflCUA/s640/DSC_9239.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Lookout!</h3>
The telecoms towers are just a few hundred metres up the road but it’s narrow and you’ll have to reverse down again so it’s best to walk up form here if you wish to have a look.<br />
<br />
But you don’t really have to as there’s a fantastic lookout point just to the right of the Padang. Go through to the right from the small minaret and you’ll come to a spot where you get a fantastic view of the surrounding environs. Much the same view as from the resort, but form an even higher elevation. A strange visual distortion caused by the shape of the coastline may cause you to feel the land beneath actually curves upwards in a surreal and mildly disconcerting manner. On the day we were there, there was a bit of haze in the sky so the shots are not too sharp. We could make out most details though and even spotted some birds of prey gliding high above the land.<br />
<br />
This is a fantastic spot to have a picnic, I reckon, but we’d not packed any food and besides, were still stuffed from our lunch a little before. So we headed back down to the campsite instead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFvbE7VrbWwRRNmyGthsP7jA1Ds8vSYn0gtkCETLOt-fCYuZ6Is7hFKdC5D04OC70pY-WVnXmUUipTIrNdAd-11UuDG5PIU4OBkmbywkc-SMUmOFWHGZdLECO8dLQ52Hdu0Pu9XmzAWDS/s1600/DSC_9226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFvbE7VrbWwRRNmyGthsP7jA1Ds8vSYn0gtkCETLOt-fCYuZ6Is7hFKdC5D04OC70pY-WVnXmUUipTIrNdAd-11UuDG5PIU4OBkmbywkc-SMUmOFWHGZdLECO8dLQ52Hdu0Pu9XmzAWDS/s640/DSC_9226.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5fQSSc-KsEnBzXQ4ZVF6puBqja8rnT2DkZlGManGn31YVKlsG7tIahfE0jc_xw_4pGejg-JEF_k-D6Bb9-kZkQbUyKOqfZq58TY0YwWway0TVrRfRy4gSI3aTNVvJCbfHaBYIGMxIuUD/s1600/DSC_9229+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5fQSSc-KsEnBzXQ4ZVF6puBqja8rnT2DkZlGManGn31YVKlsG7tIahfE0jc_xw_4pGejg-JEF_k-D6Bb9-kZkQbUyKOqfZq58TY0YwWway0TVrRfRy4gSI3aTNVvJCbfHaBYIGMxIuUD/s640/DSC_9229+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxPUYKwseAfZXoSMTv5C_heyhyMUfsYZISuRJkDjibVrX58Ec3XiGyygFcuCKkR0DGRywKFQSp0sMRkW9F-W5cmaabsGL3CH7T3IYsLPKbI_TD4FHUJ2_HQO1cNpzyAFjLnMXqd_8TENu/s1600/DSC_9221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxPUYKwseAfZXoSMTv5C_heyhyMUfsYZISuRJkDjibVrX58Ec3XiGyygFcuCKkR0DGRywKFQSp0sMRkW9F-W5cmaabsGL3CH7T3IYsLPKbI_TD4FHUJ2_HQO1cNpzyAFjLnMXqd_8TENu/s640/DSC_9221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLizUMDuTzQDj1Xj-WGn9dTtk-0TBTa-hO6AbktXhrta_8Jux8y2VtjH44f85nAP3eOoeCHmYQZCeoA67zCUbUfWL9uryp8XX3q4oysg76eNica4aXQxaJ4SHn4i3rouyhWBng16YHtpT/s1600/DSC_9231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLizUMDuTzQDj1Xj-WGn9dTtk-0TBTa-hO6AbktXhrta_8Jux8y2VtjH44f85nAP3eOoeCHmYQZCeoA67zCUbUfWL9uryp8XX3q4oysg76eNica4aXQxaJ4SHn4i3rouyhWBng16YHtpT/s640/DSC_9231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCXClfPXvHPj9A_XYw4bgrJ0LH6IDADTtvpvzlmkIY6CMtfn917w2HpsPhJgC3yFLY_LSntx0yvoydr0D87msdS2YI_-qcVkDMPMxAv2qFy9JNfQ6ktXECz56Q6M7TguXXKSMRkSEr1gL/s1600/DSC_9223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCXClfPXvHPj9A_XYw4bgrJ0LH6IDADTtvpvzlmkIY6CMtfn917w2HpsPhJgC3yFLY_LSntx0yvoydr0D87msdS2YI_-qcVkDMPMxAv2qFy9JNfQ6ktXECz56Q6M7TguXXKSMRkSEr1gL/s640/DSC_9223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EqAZxRJpH6bStCRKVJ8JpvdhUfqA4Kb0_8CRfoAnUI6fTZ_5KKFmTKSUC-zSPByB8IkeZSY-7oDWbjpTjWvzVIDpl8ewoFFy71D6q2W8BYNLPW8jMsZGnFSrhUdemBuK5HFA9KU2Vkjk/s1600/DSC_9205+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EqAZxRJpH6bStCRKVJ8JpvdhUfqA4Kb0_8CRfoAnUI6fTZ_5KKFmTKSUC-zSPByB8IkeZSY-7oDWbjpTjWvzVIDpl8ewoFFy71D6q2W8BYNLPW8jMsZGnFSrhUdemBuK5HFA9KU2Vkjk/s640/DSC_9205+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQ5-oXe2XnOKXEhyo3N4cSGmoz0CZmdC7VBPWCqkaMA-fvhJE9Xuo2VaTdBnGHqg0Cl2fL4D6cZ0vzlmnZA3NpRqZ3b9KEGYZB3sHo3Vxk0oN9qah2LQ1JFsyxgD9ac9kZ0Up-MxUbbh7/s1600/DSC_9208+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQ5-oXe2XnOKXEhyo3N4cSGmoz0CZmdC7VBPWCqkaMA-fvhJE9Xuo2VaTdBnGHqg0Cl2fL4D6cZ0vzlmnZA3NpRqZ3b9KEGYZB3sHo3Vxk0oN9qah2LQ1JFsyxgD9ac9kZ0Up-MxUbbh7/s640/DSC_9208+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJM5WJqbRrZR6HkCY1opEVS5UdSesVKUMtjkYMR8EUAOHOSjizJLXlbD77BrGqBZwJVaP0-R1e0yQbNEwvehgNRODG7zfJmO5ISpYKTnPAtZ_At5as70oMbDb4WSJplDjCTdnS52YAk1_/s1600/DSC_9210+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJM5WJqbRrZR6HkCY1opEVS5UdSesVKUMtjkYMR8EUAOHOSjizJLXlbD77BrGqBZwJVaP0-R1e0yQbNEwvehgNRODG7zfJmO5ISpYKTnPAtZ_At5as70oMbDb4WSJplDjCTdnS52YAk1_/s640/DSC_9210+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A Campsite, the edge of a waterfall and a fatty river</h3>
This campsite was opened in 1988 and though there are signs of wear here and there, it seemed to be in generally OK condition. Not too much garbage about - something becoming all too rare nowadays, unfortunately. The paths were in pretty decent condition and though we walked past an abandoned orchid garden, the structure that contained it seemed to be used now as a storage place and wasn’t falling to bits unlike the structures at Telaga Tok Sheikh earlier.<br />
<br />
Beyond this the area opened up and a few concrete structures were dotted about. On our right was a large concrete-walled pool in which a few guys were splashing about. The water looked decidedly murky though. Ahead of us, a river ran from the left and across to the right where it spilled over rocks then over a cliff edge. A set of concrete balustrades was built across the lip to prevent any mishap.<br />
<br />
A couple of concrete bridges spanned this river though one was in a state of disrepair. The other was fine and we crossed then walked up the sodden bank to where a few benches and tables were placed.<br />
<br />
The water in the river had the same dark red-brown colour of the pool and the surface was streaked with a filmy and foamy substance. I have seen this before and know it is not pollution but instead the lipid excretions of dead plants. Essentially these are the fats and oils from plants and they do give a yucky appearance but are not generally harmful.<br />
<br />
The water in the pool was indeed from the river and flowed in endlessly and overflowed back into the river to spill over the edge of the waterfall, so the water, though looking dire, is actually fresh mountain water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2kgTRciadKdz1oBamNwHyuvcivlY85EnSdckmIF9Kfuy5Vlpy5kQc6Uu1HsRTwd-6AbkguQejhbDuaCrUj7Ua8T3upOpKljzZwyF7YNTF6qhVVoJoQQQH5j1C93nIcJWoCsfij_ZL8rt/s1600/DSC_9243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2kgTRciadKdz1oBamNwHyuvcivlY85EnSdckmIF9Kfuy5Vlpy5kQc6Uu1HsRTwd-6AbkguQejhbDuaCrUj7Ua8T3upOpKljzZwyF7YNTF6qhVVoJoQQQH5j1C93nIcJWoCsfij_ZL8rt/s640/DSC_9243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsoxUy4kmeUxuNr5QAw9uWYi6zKwT_SZHgNQrVK_lbssMgmDDJtQUWqP8FIA7QyLno6fWCFZWay5WvilUYVo-mCA1fSqDbWzuovWVQPe05Ugqj95sMDKdQAXjO8aEeebot21_k1DY03EQ/s1600/DSC_9242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsoxUy4kmeUxuNr5QAw9uWYi6zKwT_SZHgNQrVK_lbssMgmDDJtQUWqP8FIA7QyLno6fWCFZWay5WvilUYVo-mCA1fSqDbWzuovWVQPe05Ugqj95sMDKdQAXjO8aEeebot21_k1DY03EQ/s640/DSC_9242.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QeKr7CypsixXhzHRaoO_EE5PZKhTVP9QMnh667VRV3B5o_cO7G3Ea_wtQcGrnH4LbTdJ_oeWwAqYLPp1YnhY2rM_qfkqqitQ2HeOpV_Gs836RHnxUru-i_qyVM_RVP3s8tZ4ZeK__yye/s1600/DSC_9244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QeKr7CypsixXhzHRaoO_EE5PZKhTVP9QMnh667VRV3B5o_cO7G3Ea_wtQcGrnH4LbTdJ_oeWwAqYLPp1YnhY2rM_qfkqqitQ2HeOpV_Gs836RHnxUru-i_qyVM_RVP3s8tZ4ZeK__yye/s640/DSC_9244.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zz3JvDO6cyoJbCw_YEjCf38r7WcetlW6NGQFbPSSZerwfhgP-IYPQykvn9g3KEohsLsR1Nt3OnVayGtVG63V1PQdAA-01Ml8DMUYtj8sbnv-cSDyPsBZXSw4wQOC4US9P6kpGXV-SfGd/s1600/DSC_9246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zz3JvDO6cyoJbCw_YEjCf38r7WcetlW6NGQFbPSSZerwfhgP-IYPQykvn9g3KEohsLsR1Nt3OnVayGtVG63V1PQdAA-01Ml8DMUYtj8sbnv-cSDyPsBZXSw4wQOC4US9P6kpGXV-SfGd/s640/DSC_9246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_p1u84huDTYNg1yV_5J3awkZ1X1SsSskDaEkP2zNRPBRyLGZYYdgBRqk8WaiXnwXaGBouXZs1ISLsVtaoTdjfjH1Uo-9T-E-FM7LtUdMcsbWx3jVvEq4_a81RCDLKWrbEyEppRZc5ua6/s1600/DSC_9249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_p1u84huDTYNg1yV_5J3awkZ1X1SsSskDaEkP2zNRPBRyLGZYYdgBRqk8WaiXnwXaGBouXZs1ISLsVtaoTdjfjH1Uo-9T-E-FM7LtUdMcsbWx3jVvEq4_a81RCDLKWrbEyEppRZc5ua6/s640/DSC_9249.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ReXoDqLr19LMP8CbfRPoAFNDVOwpM1OkENURLOl655XkO7xL8n1q_jb_iGpT6fqrJjgUnyNZZuP-tLtRtZAAcOf5-RGKyKT9efWgkr22k8PpAvZtjqSZ7jqL_mQNlUdSdiLJqHGJiDqf/s1600/DSC_9252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ReXoDqLr19LMP8CbfRPoAFNDVOwpM1OkENURLOl655XkO7xL8n1q_jb_iGpT6fqrJjgUnyNZZuP-tLtRtZAAcOf5-RGKyKT9efWgkr22k8PpAvZtjqSZ7jqL_mQNlUdSdiLJqHGJiDqf/s640/DSC_9252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIez4HjJy5sMeWUGGZ-We2a_uUK8PuHTqPiFMCSwh8Z9BPblLSQA55pfQup9c3C1xMqW8hK-3BRF_CFDQEvmnEV1MrwfQ9KG0Eh5GFOqnnKDhmlB8a7QT1Pgr_BfbJK7UUconSS925PVpu/s1600/DSC_9257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIez4HjJy5sMeWUGGZ-We2a_uUK8PuHTqPiFMCSwh8Z9BPblLSQA55pfQup9c3C1xMqW8hK-3BRF_CFDQEvmnEV1MrwfQ9KG0Eh5GFOqnnKDhmlB8a7QT1Pgr_BfbJK7UUconSS925PVpu/s640/DSC_9257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fiJrXPMuLNKZkpzZaJdcJI-yILQk2CCPsZiJJl2pqrxkV5hpoLq-rhibStw6UZqOybYU8FFHZFXmaKyK1vVOWKdjDLzfWVnZJB-LVb-OeO_BRErZAwsD0fKtxYEvZLZMvoTH-251Y9t2/s1600/DSC_9260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fiJrXPMuLNKZkpzZaJdcJI-yILQk2CCPsZiJJl2pqrxkV5hpoLq-rhibStw6UZqOybYU8FFHZFXmaKyK1vVOWKdjDLzfWVnZJB-LVb-OeO_BRErZAwsD0fKtxYEvZLZMvoTH-251Y9t2/s640/DSC_9260.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgidQKJ94m1w3FeQtbYgN8PBVh0qLfwE8x2-GhQwsoOWbNn9EM7I52Eh94GI5QLTiGEb3dFDVeWdQjDQ8hrLCNPenmFuy-FlWT5ft51g1w_S-WkRFgRQnRtTh1SRQq0sL6phBJymgZuyB/s1600/DSC_9262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgidQKJ94m1w3FeQtbYgN8PBVh0qLfwE8x2-GhQwsoOWbNn9EM7I52Eh94GI5QLTiGEb3dFDVeWdQjDQ8hrLCNPenmFuy-FlWT5ft51g1w_S-WkRFgRQnRtTh1SRQq0sL6phBJymgZuyB/s640/DSC_9262.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-x6PiEQOYdNvCa7fy1SICzbGUHbRdtu2_XUVusY7AIQEgc4wubaQxsEUhq2j6i3Qz_oTfadUKVhneAraNG1g2m5HQPNyiy0eSwsDTBnyGwlia_SK7F0z4LhzEP58Tm605MkuoRlLLrL2/s1600/DSC_9265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-x6PiEQOYdNvCa7fy1SICzbGUHbRdtu2_XUVusY7AIQEgc4wubaQxsEUhq2j6i3Qz_oTfadUKVhneAraNG1g2m5HQPNyiy0eSwsDTBnyGwlia_SK7F0z4LhzEP58Tm605MkuoRlLLrL2/s640/DSC_9265.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Qem-mDATwhfT1CWrF6l0X4nMmksOFdJ62TBn02cyZWtH-CXn3Rky5RZpzcxHeM4yMq571ZWU948MuGlLnZ7mr-BjTZVLLEUcncrd_1h0afqSsmQU9EjlXMBwo3bH6-87GQbK1MDxyDFI/s1600/DSC_9254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Qem-mDATwhfT1CWrF6l0X4nMmksOFdJ62TBn02cyZWtH-CXn3Rky5RZpzcxHeM4yMq571ZWU948MuGlLnZ7mr-BjTZVLLEUcncrd_1h0afqSsmQU9EjlXMBwo3bH6-87GQbK1MDxyDFI/s640/DSC_9254.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvdWVvjYyjZ2FvgOEBEsSXR_QwcPQhNDSHDfmnV3eVbXRjFtQF2dyzFQEycli2CheBVnGGXlx0tsvVjoEBPLUV8gdcd4kwEC_z6-gM5FXy9yWc_iA6PrTm3yprA2YbsKIEy1x-T6YCTJq/s1600/DSC_9268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvdWVvjYyjZ2FvgOEBEsSXR_QwcPQhNDSHDfmnV3eVbXRjFtQF2dyzFQEycli2CheBVnGGXlx0tsvVjoEBPLUV8gdcd4kwEC_z6-gM5FXy9yWc_iA6PrTm3yprA2YbsKIEy1x-T6YCTJq/s640/DSC_9268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPzGSEW9isXRRdfw8bLIxtuZdHAM1qPz299ZatQnxvLAqsfvejDafX-S-dvTRm0ty_AcqlJ7TpYn7kfq1hFz5i-4GWeFjDWzEJXu9IVCe8b_X4LlBDeghVgzrcJ4X1dRseXCKve77rL38/s1600/DSC_9273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPzGSEW9isXRRdfw8bLIxtuZdHAM1qPz299ZatQnxvLAqsfvejDafX-S-dvTRm0ty_AcqlJ7TpYn7kfq1hFz5i-4GWeFjDWzEJXu9IVCe8b_X4LlBDeghVgzrcJ4X1dRseXCKve77rL38/s640/DSC_9273.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyj_pjRmBgoC_pKqsU0KSdHpOZVng91SiHQmVx9SrH1Ix6TgUbDmjFrr86M3CaIFCWfy7vuSi3zua1bGdyudJUk1KKYxocDlT6oAaVE_SQvOtZejpMk4zXo4lEgGNMr0JxPN90Dnzwm4d/s1600/DSC_9274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyj_pjRmBgoC_pKqsU0KSdHpOZVng91SiHQmVx9SrH1Ix6TgUbDmjFrr86M3CaIFCWfy7vuSi3zua1bGdyudJUk1KKYxocDlT6oAaVE_SQvOtZejpMk4zXo4lEgGNMr0JxPN90Dnzwm4d/s640/DSC_9274.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc17Juf5oeRl8BcBfXN2CZ5WE6mkk07zeg_a7RSpf-DcNeAqEIN070Uyn5rjkr86vR_HQ62pUvp_rlTkm3Gpk4QaXEF2eiFnY-FXiuPUxp5KlChz31ip7rqv4ULnwV-d_En8ZT6hrIcMb/s1600/IMG_7490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="1600" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc17Juf5oeRl8BcBfXN2CZ5WE6mkk07zeg_a7RSpf-DcNeAqEIN070Uyn5rjkr86vR_HQ62pUvp_rlTkm3Gpk4QaXEF2eiFnY-FXiuPUxp5KlChz31ip7rqv4ULnwV-d_En8ZT6hrIcMb/s640/IMG_7490.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaiFDYIIqJE-UZ4VcyT6-q3oGjVTfkexMREyzthh7JIj-_oBcpispT3Xx77-RrYJ8ZJ399XY5uGB7IvSc-9V2GmPtSdl-o23nxmXLQnGi2aXe_VJXd8qsy3a20OJdFx2G9kYuTjmRa0QN/s1600/IMG_7492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaiFDYIIqJE-UZ4VcyT6-q3oGjVTfkexMREyzthh7JIj-_oBcpispT3Xx77-RrYJ8ZJ399XY5uGB7IvSc-9V2GmPtSdl-o23nxmXLQnGi2aXe_VJXd8qsy3a20OJdFx2G9kYuTjmRa0QN/s640/IMG_7492.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Someone had brought along a hammock and had strung it up in one of the concrete shelters - something I must do one day. Indeed I have a hammock in the car. It rolls up into a very bundle that fits in the hand and can easily be brought along in my backpack. I’ll do this one day…<br />
<br />
Being a weekday, the place was deserted except for 4 or 5 guys and some workers cutting grass. I suspect it gets busier on weekends but there’s quite a lot of space so might still be comfortable.<br />
<br />
Leaving Jerai, we descended back into the heat below. We’d spied an island connected to the mainland with a long and straight road bridge and wanted to find out more about this Pulau Bunting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7TACBvp3hCYYaDd4vPLtzCXEwxRl42lqX-nmLnvhEJtyHsJildNpSZzHiLrtOnsJM1-g76wfAhXUIYQzr97iO6of71sAuodwxELDHGDpsFi5g8qjcKmpbIcufMaomUV4Y5PQJ3mlcWVk/s1600/DSC_9280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7TACBvp3hCYYaDd4vPLtzCXEwxRl42lqX-nmLnvhEJtyHsJildNpSZzHiLrtOnsJM1-g76wfAhXUIYQzr97iO6of71sAuodwxELDHGDpsFi5g8qjcKmpbIcufMaomUV4Y5PQJ3mlcWVk/s640/DSC_9280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislkp6px-zM_xKkV5uHmy4TFVkbQZOBfsjj0vcgwiZ39mfYJZHv4DdIN-XPjb1g9O52rehh8tn2iv9jCgqGQr3p_mohOSVnwpf17sFqqCJU09VCKH0fBT6Mt40tjDiudGHzTzl1q5SwoH7/s1600/DSC_9277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislkp6px-zM_xKkV5uHmy4TFVkbQZOBfsjj0vcgwiZ39mfYJZHv4DdIN-XPjb1g9O52rehh8tn2iv9jCgqGQr3p_mohOSVnwpf17sFqqCJU09VCKH0fBT6Mt40tjDiudGHzTzl1q5SwoH7/s640/DSC_9277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF0ekV-FUUEv4bEywH8wi8bII8r84mywPiiLFm-9i48lw7Re_BOq-zEn0zae1SmopRwB27o1yAmby3LePRrZUF-cZpOrM3tzlFUmtQnD1Tct4irhgeAz5UcbcwelUcpzLmWaVG5XRjSij/s1600/DSC_9275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF0ekV-FUUEv4bEywH8wi8bII8r84mywPiiLFm-9i48lw7Re_BOq-zEn0zae1SmopRwB27o1yAmby3LePRrZUF-cZpOrM3tzlFUmtQnD1Tct4irhgeAz5UcbcwelUcpzLmWaVG5XRjSij/s640/DSC_9275.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7MsBpKF__ttk2g0mR9ekI1MF4LhN7v6iok5mzvpHIW8Unwe2nabVZEWzpy9vOde21BRNfjnMyPvwwJFDXrfRLOPiCJGFzMEaiYnZG0YCP312BAgGSjLinXLp2tPckkJWp2t2h7qCKiXA/s1600/DSC_9283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7MsBpKF__ttk2g0mR9ekI1MF4LhN7v6iok5mzvpHIW8Unwe2nabVZEWzpy9vOde21BRNfjnMyPvwwJFDXrfRLOPiCJGFzMEaiYnZG0YCP312BAgGSjLinXLp2tPckkJWp2t2h7qCKiXA/s640/DSC_9283.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately, we could not travel along the bridge as it was blocked off and in fact a couple of police cars were stationed there just then. The island didn’t look inhabited and might instead be a project in progress, or an abandoned one. We’ll find out one day.<br />
<br />
We drove around Yan for awhile, watching tractor-ploughs working in the padi fields and checking out the small kampungs in the area we’d been looking at from 1200 metres up a little earlier. I think we’ll come back again when the padi is tall and the fields glisten gold in the sun. That’ll be something to see.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sg Teroi Forestry Museum is at 5°48'20"N 100°26'6"E<br />
Kem Rekreasi Gunung Jerai is at 5°48'22"N 100°25'57"E<br />
Geotapak Padang Tok Sheikh is at 5°47'14"N 100°26'9"E<br />
<br /></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-24049849363660910252018-10-22T08:16:00.000-07:002018-10-22T08:16:03.762-07:00Lenggong: double storey rivers, automatic tin dredging and a very old man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Looking for a very old man...</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgkoOXdM4f3xe-esf7aIUf8hzsdmG75fpuZhjzkEB5iSoTV8Z2yRwlKJcD46aMvOBZirj2Q2DHTc6eUC7Vxce8xi4ggndi8Z8hZJ6zvyc14FNr56fkkDVjLRMhTWAO6EBaRguRQvW-HU5/s1600/DSC_9306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgkoOXdM4f3xe-esf7aIUf8hzsdmG75fpuZhjzkEB5iSoTV8Z2yRwlKJcD46aMvOBZirj2Q2DHTc6eUC7Vxce8xi4ggndi8Z8hZJ6zvyc14FNr56fkkDVjLRMhTWAO6EBaRguRQvW-HU5/s640/DSC_9306.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
More exploring! One would think we’re amateur archaeologists what with our interest in the various digs around this northern region. Having visited the Bujang Valley and seen digs dating back 1000 years, we thought we’d have a look at Lenggong where the remains of Perak Man were found.<br />
<br />
The oldest human remains found in the Peninsula, Perak Man dates back about 11,000 years and is usually displayed at the Lenggong Archaeological Museum & Gallery. I’d wanted to come by when Mei, the kids and I made a trip to Belum a few years ago, but we were in a rush to get back to KL and skipped the visit. Time now to fill in that gap and meet the man…<br />
<br />
As we have done a few times now, we set off from Penang and went across the second bridge and onto the North-South before exiting at Bagan Serai and then onto the A6 which makes a slight northern loop before coming back south past Lenggong as Route 76.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjM9BH7TeXPzX3Df-R6Kcr6Uoos_ZKtMMAhb5RRmg2VSOEvX5VIgiQe3S4rLWImoXvKHCKoE5CpB0s-KpouN7INBY5kq5dd4rJk_Vh3fOKrb5_KhmtmYEWEEtaW0o5ZM2HL_TSP1iH0N6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-19+at+5.31.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="826" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjM9BH7TeXPzX3Df-R6Kcr6Uoos_ZKtMMAhb5RRmg2VSOEvX5VIgiQe3S4rLWImoXvKHCKoE5CpB0s-KpouN7INBY5kq5dd4rJk_Vh3fOKrb5_KhmtmYEWEEtaW0o5ZM2HL_TSP1iH0N6/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-10-19+at+5.31.17+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDVBnHYo3qvxYlRn6kbR8Ax6AwuDwBJmZ9x6XOQqBP7hsIHJm5DL-13oiRh8VXtWVdYX5teWZEKMNvrd3rme7SV8GT9WXxsQKxL4BCXXDIR3f2fyGikTGvil_37nec7kFEHqM7MHDFRxq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-19+at+5.52.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="935" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDVBnHYo3qvxYlRn6kbR8Ax6AwuDwBJmZ9x6XOQqBP7hsIHJm5DL-13oiRh8VXtWVdYX5teWZEKMNvrd3rme7SV8GT9WXxsQKxL4BCXXDIR3f2fyGikTGvil_37nec7kFEHqM7MHDFRxq/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-10-19+at+5.52.01+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maps are screen captures from Google Maps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iXXlh9l5HY9wxTI197MNHqclHPkIMevPIyXTgVwq0c6HQ4CKEcsxbizyX0Rv7Z58Di9tsf8ecoN_YQ89k2zBbilGO107EGFZXpE1wb0wyxxV0JjVWB719-r0z8ZXYzWn8-4D35gQDpiz/s1600/IMG_7565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iXXlh9l5HY9wxTI197MNHqclHPkIMevPIyXTgVwq0c6HQ4CKEcsxbizyX0Rv7Z58Di9tsf8ecoN_YQ89k2zBbilGO107EGFZXpE1wb0wyxxV0JjVWB719-r0z8ZXYzWn8-4D35gQDpiz/s640/IMG_7565.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This part of Perak has many quiet, well-paved roads and we could cruise at a very slow 65-70, a speed that allowed us to have a better look at the kampungs we went through and the road signs that sometimes pointed out interesting spots.<br />
<br />
Along this route you might see large brown signboards listing multiple places of interest, the majority of which are waterfalls. We spied one called Lata Buluh and also had our curiosity piqued by two other names: Telaga Gergasi and the very oddly named Sungai Atas Sungai.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Bamboo Waterfall and a nice old man, but not THE old man.</h3>
To get to Lata Buluh (Bamboo Waterfall) you have to get off the A6 at Kampung Ayer Jerneh and drive up a very narrow but well-surfaced kampung road. The road runs beside a river for the most part then shortly after you see a small dam, it takes a left across a narrow metal bridge before climbing right past a few houses. A short distance later the road ends in a small cleared area beside a house and this is where we parked to explore. The owner smiled his agreement when I asked if we could park there and we then wandered down to have a look. A nice enough spot for a picnic actually, though this wasn’t our intention.<br />
<br />
A low waterfall that was more a series of rapids than anything else, this area had quite a few pools that probably lent themselves well to wading and splashing about. Lots of rocks, not too much rubbish though enough to indicate that it was a reasonably popular spot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNywkkWD_klBvpoOXsvhKp2sD20oYnx8l_VodxqEHt0hKMH53UgQ6KXvgcCL1EzA6oluecuvcNdD2FTuN43CmcapwPf-gW8ZWZUQb6_HaiTLMn_br62nyiNakgIoizjPhS5WfOlufWqv5/s1600/DSC_9288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNywkkWD_klBvpoOXsvhKp2sD20oYnx8l_VodxqEHt0hKMH53UgQ6KXvgcCL1EzA6oluecuvcNdD2FTuN43CmcapwPf-gW8ZWZUQb6_HaiTLMn_br62nyiNakgIoizjPhS5WfOlufWqv5/s640/DSC_9288.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvDZKiZ76iCne7wNfWePTwYNP2_CAVJgRa5MvxixWXIuSXc3eTOAEHiaXn03oOpod4Lveqlnox-Tl0ay9K-zIiqOk5Vjb2LAscUmsWOrezr-lsMNalwhxSm7tTG1r2oX8QX6NZAv_U3_W/s1600/DSC_9289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvDZKiZ76iCne7wNfWePTwYNP2_CAVJgRa5MvxixWXIuSXc3eTOAEHiaXn03oOpod4Lveqlnox-Tl0ay9K-zIiqOk5Vjb2LAscUmsWOrezr-lsMNalwhxSm7tTG1r2oX8QX6NZAv_U3_W/s640/DSC_9289.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOKt2S9nWw6vr9yNdi06DIvMxUYfuShOu61GPzN6LZEX8S_UkT-JgQQyzd2q_010yGOBaKjPPJiHZYkGaQ1aVVhkR-0cSZRfEh3UGojgYbmqzLvzxVGO56BFpyxTUJxEj23HddALcAXlC/s1600/DSC_9290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOKt2S9nWw6vr9yNdi06DIvMxUYfuShOu61GPzN6LZEX8S_UkT-JgQQyzd2q_010yGOBaKjPPJiHZYkGaQ1aVVhkR-0cSZRfEh3UGojgYbmqzLvzxVGO56BFpyxTUJxEj23HddALcAXlC/s640/DSC_9290.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNVjA6mMnE8rLRUwoWU3cwQ9R4p6NkHMnuWwz9_Q6GAw9yFhuJfnlAIF7IlEUqYVrNhSs37V1-cbLSJoyQHtx4ARTg-FyGXxs_CLrm0T7YZmx8V_-DODTcmpA7f1eQ8lQRrbW-Ch__l_A/s1600/DSC_9292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNVjA6mMnE8rLRUwoWU3cwQ9R4p6NkHMnuWwz9_Q6GAw9yFhuJfnlAIF7IlEUqYVrNhSs37V1-cbLSJoyQHtx4ARTg-FyGXxs_CLrm0T7YZmx8V_-DODTcmpA7f1eQ8lQRrbW-Ch__l_A/s640/DSC_9292.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3023qbRxQOeOqChaiw1m38TrmVN36AdxEZAEzMAmZT-ARNNFAnSwumDYpD-PhPbykUJcATqtKp3oPKtgpf0TcMWDVhK7CeYh2Bb-Nzgk_t2aGr8Nm2S14bOyQuZC7AfOp2Lbl_mOo0oh/s1600/DSC_9293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3023qbRxQOeOqChaiw1m38TrmVN36AdxEZAEzMAmZT-ARNNFAnSwumDYpD-PhPbykUJcATqtKp3oPKtgpf0TcMWDVhK7CeYh2Bb-Nzgk_t2aGr8Nm2S14bOyQuZC7AfOp2Lbl_mOo0oh/s640/DSC_9293.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXADu-8GiONiv1f0X46JAL5ahNfXx2uaJAqaBcdv52-d1bTIqaXRkgTeB3RopbDeeDTPDYty9ZONJSxCWj17RX_gakLRdtTDt7uhyPKshGtSckTVbzTDH-4MEGrXtRwvQgyrDtBIH6DaY/s1600/DSC_9296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXADu-8GiONiv1f0X46JAL5ahNfXx2uaJAqaBcdv52-d1bTIqaXRkgTeB3RopbDeeDTPDYty9ZONJSxCWj17RX_gakLRdtTDt7uhyPKshGtSckTVbzTDH-4MEGrXtRwvQgyrDtBIH6DaY/s640/DSC_9296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtvZ9dc7IZbKQCX5mCD4tA5mUWiYFjXFUSc7O7nIavVPdW46B6ES3Xd1ESPacghquG5PqXXHE8KGRIzrlECwPQ_pII-OBzObcDOEqpAkvMNeV0v8ij2JvCQ-gTW5MGMDud2j1reboNnBA/s1600/DSC_9298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtvZ9dc7IZbKQCX5mCD4tA5mUWiYFjXFUSc7O7nIavVPdW46B6ES3Xd1ESPacghquG5PqXXHE8KGRIzrlECwPQ_pII-OBzObcDOEqpAkvMNeV0v8ij2JvCQ-gTW5MGMDud2j1reboNnBA/s640/DSC_9298.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5_jF9nOVupKAU81GhUicZaZPnrORSE_vKH0yJw2UKDqFetoBE6SDKB697nbFt18xpgHZ5kJ41KFBcd7M_BAh3PGUsJdau9ulaqPfa8R6m3exG9TtFZ8C678J5ukRX8zW9Q-cg30HTepq/s1600/DSC_9299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5_jF9nOVupKAU81GhUicZaZPnrORSE_vKH0yJw2UKDqFetoBE6SDKB697nbFt18xpgHZ5kJ41KFBcd7M_BAh3PGUsJdau9ulaqPfa8R6m3exG9TtFZ8C678J5ukRX8zW9Q-cg30HTepq/s640/DSC_9299.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely curls in the roots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UpO33Tg2HE6i3PCJilbU-3tpGFOKg9m3lqWYXJ-MBIveRIg0DYqrR0idOfU-asIzpDYFQpLlVM5eLFKXarxLwxYdvRB0XPZTtppgP4pA4EHQVuMC3mHAAUgDOFY-sEEPjcuJg48GN59A/s1600/DSC_9300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UpO33Tg2HE6i3PCJilbU-3tpGFOKg9m3lqWYXJ-MBIveRIg0DYqrR0idOfU-asIzpDYFQpLlVM5eLFKXarxLwxYdvRB0XPZTtppgP4pA4EHQVuMC3mHAAUgDOFY-sEEPjcuJg48GN59A/s640/DSC_9300.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa-rDn5cpan2B9mfB1hJtlu-lzmHu9aYsMudINWnz2leAZ63q5mw2jD3JX6FEjWF0WVlz4NvcCycNTylXNDHBZXEse89cP3Mb12TK6VueCV8PgQG8VwuJw6ThF_Fi3rMmI8tZdxYOYyRs/s1600/DSC_9301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa-rDn5cpan2B9mfB1hJtlu-lzmHu9aYsMudINWnz2leAZ63q5mw2jD3JX6FEjWF0WVlz4NvcCycNTylXNDHBZXEse89cP3Mb12TK6VueCV8PgQG8VwuJw6ThF_Fi3rMmI8tZdxYOYyRs/s640/DSC_9301.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked up a short distance then decided not to carry on. Would it go to the top of the falls? Maybe we'll find out on our next visit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6emYhHqTG7pvkPEAMr4tf-odtlx8zeal6y_-ldjAg4jlaZlbDCgSsYgnFnGiKcRz2kG6MgJSERdQ-aU_FIZ00qBiRRkTQV7XUEByGNhbemSrkZUM7zn2Sg_wTLpnRAisHcYdFKtVhUrM7/s1600/DSC_9305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6emYhHqTG7pvkPEAMr4tf-odtlx8zeal6y_-ldjAg4jlaZlbDCgSsYgnFnGiKcRz2kG6MgJSERdQ-aU_FIZ00qBiRRkTQV7XUEByGNhbemSrkZUM7zn2Sg_wTLpnRAisHcYdFKtVhUrM7/s640/DSC_9305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
A concreted path ran up on the right of the rapids. This in itself is not unusual as many areas here are actually estates and these paths give access for the workers. Concreting them make them more accessible to motorbikes that may be carrying rubber or other produce.<br />
<br />
We didn’t go up very far and it seemed to deviate a little from the path of the rapids so we walked back down and headed back to the car. The area itself is quite pretty and would make a nice spot to have a picnic, though there aren’t many clearings to set a mat down.<br />
<br />
I looked out for the gentleman who had let us park in his garden, to thank him, but found that he was instead looking out for us, to tell us that if we went up the hill past the carpark, the waterfall was even more impressive.<br />
<br />
And so we drove up the 100 metres or so to a place where we could park and walk down. Impressive indeed!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv-b2PxFSR2mPJdC99Tilu_t1FPOApmtsea4q7DM11YGvNsgRsmaAX8QUKTz4pZgQR5Rj8kl2CIPd7CLSagSpoCSX6Zx0xsB_Vr97at-nHCFSy4SmjztDMBMF3o2bhPC0K97mUPzuLg2E/s1600/DSC_9307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv-b2PxFSR2mPJdC99Tilu_t1FPOApmtsea4q7DM11YGvNsgRsmaAX8QUKTz4pZgQR5Rj8kl2CIPd7CLSagSpoCSX6Zx0xsB_Vr97at-nHCFSy4SmjztDMBMF3o2bhPC0K97mUPzuLg2E/s640/DSC_9307.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_t7XMEzdcnFXcMNywhlAhg6hmc-guQ2uXSeB6Mz43qDTpypMxcHIPHtBBwJQ8u5_TRr7mlk_B7nwqU_7UxrFe4gsCezWYkwximxh7yYTWyL0sMD3Jd0GLP5HslOBaH-ffzIAvnDWsw4J/s1600/DSC_9314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_t7XMEzdcnFXcMNywhlAhg6hmc-guQ2uXSeB6Mz43qDTpypMxcHIPHtBBwJQ8u5_TRr7mlk_B7nwqU_7UxrFe4gsCezWYkwximxh7yYTWyL0sMD3Jd0GLP5HslOBaH-ffzIAvnDWsw4J/s640/DSC_9314.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ASFqDoTz4-NrG1IZJ-XITkpkdrNqO17rsT9fXapvUvDlvtHUr_ffTwPvpGxCc1HCMtrdNhyddyUaPi-6neffoLx1ZUCeIGKSVlzrZWjyND_7bdar21xmypsNCvDEtcNXdKx9ese4qgSB/s1600/IMG_7548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ASFqDoTz4-NrG1IZJ-XITkpkdrNqO17rsT9fXapvUvDlvtHUr_ffTwPvpGxCc1HCMtrdNhyddyUaPi-6neffoLx1ZUCeIGKSVlzrZWjyND_7bdar21xmypsNCvDEtcNXdKx9ese4qgSB/s640/IMG_7548.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Much higher than the low rapids we’d seen, this was a good 2 or 3 stories high, the water crashing down over a rock face and into a large pool in which a family were splashing about. The water ran off to the right, down to the rapids we’d been at earlier.<br />
<br />
On this side of the bank was a small clearing where people have set campfires and so on. A few large rocks gave a clean surface to rest or place one’s belongings, as this family had done. The clearing itself was just bare earth and grass and I cast a wary eye out for leeches…<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
The Old Man hides from us</h3>
On the A6 and heading northwards, we crossed a few bridges, one of which had been laid across a gorge. To the left of the road was a tall, meandering waterfall, the water cascading down a hundred or more feet of foliage-fringed rockface, disappearing beneath the bridge and then continuing on the right, as a much quieted river weaving through a verdant countryside. Quite pretty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJiNIgiTb94lhjmFTj8ve6f2wE7X84U4hTnrCNOHFf6DxPodRGT6BJE4KeaiEcK7KlZW6xobZu-YeH98D7-4O-Fm-1iHrpFm0FwdAdLpVQ5yXJ3tw-Kjw_2j-FRRwClulxN4IIAMgL6TV/s1600/DSC_9315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJiNIgiTb94lhjmFTj8ve6f2wE7X84U4hTnrCNOHFf6DxPodRGT6BJE4KeaiEcK7KlZW6xobZu-YeH98D7-4O-Fm-1iHrpFm0FwdAdLpVQ5yXJ3tw-Kjw_2j-FRRwClulxN4IIAMgL6TV/s640/DSC_9315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tm0K9empfvGw4gt_YnYxzpc_7N1uJiu9qOTco1uJ8npKocpOxoDnPj3zsrbywJA70Tr_U6lOQOFAICt2F-yAvz-x0xG1gFFYkcwalJ-zdqHKMQumPvIqKipNMrNDC1852d8ASAIi7zUA/s1600/IMG_7562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tm0K9empfvGw4gt_YnYxzpc_7N1uJiu9qOTco1uJ8npKocpOxoDnPj3zsrbywJA70Tr_U6lOQOFAICt2F-yAvz-x0xG1gFFYkcwalJ-zdqHKMQumPvIqKipNMrNDC1852d8ASAIi7zUA/s640/IMG_7562.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRtFhdbhrgQ-gF8iEQt3aNuQ5SNh6EVbwvRxaD-6pRk_Hs3PefhUHOmojfQiAeO9oPu0nkiuN8LljgxLfQJ5d_6XcltOvfDfPPRkaLLip_Nle_ZWZ-6G_U0P58VOSRyR5WUiPiL0kzhrm/s1600/DSC_9316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRtFhdbhrgQ-gF8iEQt3aNuQ5SNh6EVbwvRxaD-6pRk_Hs3PefhUHOmojfQiAeO9oPu0nkiuN8LljgxLfQJ5d_6XcltOvfDfPPRkaLLip_Nle_ZWZ-6G_U0P58VOSRyR5WUiPiL0kzhrm/s640/DSC_9316.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBy8QvmrEpPSG6noSvPrxvqBV1yBX2V_RYWeidyk0gfi3NoE7nj-x-86m7NNji5B_ACaelZT3PVg8Hb7VbFv09tDkkQwnbj6RNhTBsFb-X1Ld65t3mL3M-1YOMr8poH9LYL6IBx8Zypqk/s1600/DSC_9318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBy8QvmrEpPSG6noSvPrxvqBV1yBX2V_RYWeidyk0gfi3NoE7nj-x-86m7NNji5B_ACaelZT3PVg8Hb7VbFv09tDkkQwnbj6RNhTBsFb-X1Ld65t3mL3M-1YOMr8poH9LYL6IBx8Zypqk/s640/DSC_9318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The A6 makes a curve southwards whereupon we turn onto Route 76 and continued south, going through Lenggong town. We had no difficulty locating the Lenggong Archaelogical Museum a little distance away. It is well sign-posted with even a big stone sign on the main road. The road in is also well paved and the building looks brand spanking new. But the gate was shut…<br />
The guard at the guard house told me the museum is being renovated.<br />
‘When will it open again?’ I asked.<br />
‘Don’t know’<br />
‘So where are the exhibits and all that now?’<br />
‘Don’t know. But I think there’s a temporary gallery.’<br />
‘Where is that?’<br />
‘Don’t know…’<br />
<br />
I could see this was going nowhere so we headed off, leaving Mr Don’t Know to his work. It seemed a shame as the museum building looked quite ready, from the outside. It had been painted and was actually quite stylish. So, after all these years, it seems I was still to be denied my introduction to Perak Man.<br />
<br />
Back on the main road, we turned left and headed south. And what do you know… a short distance down the road we spied a small signboard, stuck in the ground, and pointing right to ‘Temporary Gallery’… Further up were a couple of right turns and we took the second one which led us through a large Chinese village only to come back to the main road a the first right turn. Maybe we’d missed it, so we went around again. Nothing.<br />
<br />
On our third pass, locals were beginning to stare at us… and, nothing. We could find no building or structure that could have been a temporary gallery for Perak Man. This old guy was proving to be very elusive indeed!<br />
<br />
We headed back north towards the gallery, keeping an eye out for maybe a small road that we’d missed. Just a little south of the small signboard was a turning on the left side of the road and it led to a bungalow about 200 metres in. Frustrated after a number of loops, we decided to drive in and ask if anyone knew of the temporary gallery.<br />
<br />
Quite a modern single storey bungalow, there was a small guard house clad in corrugated plastic sheeting and in the porch was a sofa set and a desk manned by a guard. Out front were the 3 flagpoles denoting a government or official function. We stopped and I wandered over to the guard to ask him.<br />
‘Hi, sorry but we were at the Archaelogical Gallery and the guard there said it’s closed for renovations, and there’s a temporary one which he didn’t know the location of. On the road though, we saw a sign but can’t find it. I wonder if you know where it is?’<br />
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘This is it…<br />
<br />
Turns out a left arrow had been pasted over a right arrow on the signboard but had fallen off…<br />
And so we spent the next hour in this small and rudimentary home to a replica of Perak Man. So we still have not actually met, as it turns out…<br />
<br />
There were a few young archaeologists preparing for an official visit the next day but one of them took time off arranging display boards and so on, to explain a few things to us.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
We finally meet. But it's not really him</h3>
Through him we realised the skeleton on display was really a replica and that the original would be in the gallery when it reopened. He also explained that Perak Man was unusual as he was around 45 years of age when he died, almost double the normal life expectancy pf the time. He was also deformed and that, together with the fact he was buried with a lot of tools and decoration - shells and so on - indicated that he had special social standing and was probably a shaman or something similar.<br />
<br />
The remains were actually found in a cave, Gua Gunung Runtuh, in a limestone massif called Bukit Kepala Gajah, a little distance away. Lenggong itself is the site of the oldest known human activity in the Peninsula with prehistoric stone tool workshops dating back 74,000 years. Other sites in the area have stone tools dating back 100,000 years!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW3ZxG0T_uS_IoyFhNIUo2tsFAUD59zIchzpnGIjPdOSxvVN4PMxoHJaZyt6aKF6wLcumB6ddFXuEQ8a6JE8pA-ezuA7asQ_bi71ah2vkqJ8lpaWbaKnCsmUg-bM9RWFA2_NEXSSnj7F1/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-22+at+9.58.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1199" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW3ZxG0T_uS_IoyFhNIUo2tsFAUD59zIchzpnGIjPdOSxvVN4PMxoHJaZyt6aKF6wLcumB6ddFXuEQ8a6JE8pA-ezuA7asQ_bi71ah2vkqJ8lpaWbaKnCsmUg-bM9RWFA2_NEXSSnj7F1/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-10-22+at+9.58.49+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of the new Gallery as taken from Google Streetview</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm7L270nAeuy-GddKrPAX1X3G_rbM6wlL0Gt76k3xDQ42J1xm_PZ33rzl0tWJp0XGy0o-sCgfI1j1wHFndMvVJWGeVHY2fpnfBiTiS9Tgw8ViVoZxeB-bGmHyttZ06qWFoAxeWrl1tqxg/s1600/DSC_9322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm7L270nAeuy-GddKrPAX1X3G_rbM6wlL0Gt76k3xDQ42J1xm_PZ33rzl0tWJp0XGy0o-sCgfI1j1wHFndMvVJWGeVHY2fpnfBiTiS9Tgw8ViVoZxeB-bGmHyttZ06qWFoAxeWrl1tqxg/s640/DSC_9322.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replica of Perak Man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJmKk1FB1McMbgY2gpK7UHMh3YMzZh1WNzugqsXAwECZ6OsFyy8hGCTA6kVohIrBXM5wSjebve5NEmMGO7xnUKXV-vctLhL7MckHwYHeMQsW5IBv5Psak9KeSx2YKz0Lkgz8txv1b_OkP/s1600/DSC_9324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJmKk1FB1McMbgY2gpK7UHMh3YMzZh1WNzugqsXAwECZ6OsFyy8hGCTA6kVohIrBXM5wSjebve5NEmMGO7xnUKXV-vctLhL7MckHwYHeMQsW5IBv5Psak9KeSx2YKz0Lkgz8txv1b_OkP/s640/DSC_9324.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various stone tools</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QQP6iKH3N6CLD8ww0l7yHZumBV7WsEMsxPGE5IsFD7PITbMKa-uC2JO1QxZe_OohMn5cLJ18OJ8SIgxo1XckhP3nMnxAq6xSRBsTZTcZiOMhXxNX-GdBjTH34ePtZLi-5p_32xe6-52u/s1600/DSC_9319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QQP6iKH3N6CLD8ww0l7yHZumBV7WsEMsxPGE5IsFD7PITbMKa-uC2JO1QxZe_OohMn5cLJ18OJ8SIgxo1XckhP3nMnxAq6xSRBsTZTcZiOMhXxNX-GdBjTH34ePtZLi-5p_32xe6-52u/s640/DSC_9319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">An Axe Head can be seen on the top right corner of this chunk of stone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On display is a rock blasted out by a falling meteorite. In this rock is clearly embedded a stone axe head. I asked if this was a replica but it seems it’s the real deal. Also on show are some stone tools.<br />
The temporary gallery is hardly visited by the public (perhaps the sign has something to do with it… Having said that I am looking forward to dropping by the gallery when it is open again, which they told me is scheduled for the new year.<br />
<br />
I hope then to finally meet the Old Man in person.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A Double-storey River?</h3>
Back out on the road again, we headed north, retracing our steps and when we once again saw the signs for Sungai Atas Sungai and Telaga Gergasi, we swung off the main road and went down a very narrow kampung road. On one side was a canal and on the left were a few kampung houses. A few hundred metres in, the road curved left and then ended at a concrete structure that looked like a bridge but rather smaller.<br />
<br />
The bridge was of concrete and had an arch on either side, giving the impression it was a suspension bridge which it clearly was not. Beneath the bridge ran a river, its brown waters running between two heavily foliaged banks.<br />
<br />
The bridge span was also of concrete and wide enough for a car though a sign on the left proclaimed it not to be designed for vehicular traffic and anyone attempting to traverse it by vehicle was doing so at his own risk. Strangely, along the length of the span, set in the middle of the concrete surface was metal grating, painted blue to match the concrete arches. A canal ran right up to the concrete span, perpendicular to the river beneath.<br />
<br />
And then it struck us! This is why it’s called Sungai Atas Sungai - the canal continued WITHIN the span, running merrily along under the blue grating, to emerge on the other end and continue on its way above ground. Here really, was a river above a river!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vUtBLvanfEMk763ByyUYm94o7UkpXaeZqsH7QTLPw1dT5vN9_qXiyWB_1tHT68Yax7c27CZ_GUZ_nDhGsY5IVE5l48b-nG_eTNYRJG-E5s_IKrYruS9-74sR7VhBv1WStxzK8OFtqkW9/s1600/DSC_9333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vUtBLvanfEMk763ByyUYm94o7UkpXaeZqsH7QTLPw1dT5vN9_qXiyWB_1tHT68Yax7c27CZ_GUZ_nDhGsY5IVE5l48b-nG_eTNYRJG-E5s_IKrYruS9-74sR7VhBv1WStxzK8OFtqkW9/s640/DSC_9333.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4GCxIy-s3EhFwU053-GL1Q8CwXiyag-AaYszDtb-Q6zfDVmCe_yzv0khE9V_rvb90PLeUmfMduX3nxiXrM1e1HgESz1_zKPUrmXP3IO19dqYwb-mxxbhSWsUli6r0ogxyHCP66EgY6Yd/s1600/DSC_9335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4GCxIy-s3EhFwU053-GL1Q8CwXiyag-AaYszDtb-Q6zfDVmCe_yzv0khE9V_rvb90PLeUmfMduX3nxiXrM1e1HgESz1_zKPUrmXP3IO19dqYwb-mxxbhSWsUli6r0ogxyHCP66EgY6Yd/s640/DSC_9335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYjXDfAyC3Opy3mrJ8c0w-AkVxjNbwEeQqWmV5u5w_VVTjI3cTfXwVztuCPLz8FmahYEnT2c_sKFitlHlHK1IKSLcdvnTOZ2lAAJwPS0b93hrecO_bnrpsaMfpzD5PQcFQg42VvL_u1i-/s1600/IMG_7569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYjXDfAyC3Opy3mrJ8c0w-AkVxjNbwEeQqWmV5u5w_VVTjI3cTfXwVztuCPLz8FmahYEnT2c_sKFitlHlHK1IKSLcdvnTOZ2lAAJwPS0b93hrecO_bnrpsaMfpzD5PQcFQg42VvL_u1i-/s640/IMG_7569.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo9FVQbw1KIzxF4WzWbHD5qSLElWYfn-VhZsYEiHBcC4Hv-FLLKC98ga4QivVykMvfP4gDAbr-pN0wnTQZBc0WfHOS4J2IaNPgbUrcfqkhMqIn2tzhunnU0jigY81gHNF37RWzgFj_L0M/s1600/DSC_9336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo9FVQbw1KIzxF4WzWbHD5qSLElWYfn-VhZsYEiHBcC4Hv-FLLKC98ga4QivVykMvfP4gDAbr-pN0wnTQZBc0WfHOS4J2IaNPgbUrcfqkhMqIn2tzhunnU0jigY81gHNF37RWzgFj_L0M/s640/DSC_9336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The sign, in very poor English, but better Malay, detailed that this irrigation structure was built by the British in 1936 to irrigate padi fields as well as to run stream water through the Telaga Gergasi 5km away.<br />
<br />
I’m writing this a few weeks after our drive, and am still amazed at how this structure was even conceived and executed. Surely one of the stranger feats of engineering I’ve ever seen.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Well, well, well</h3>
To get out we had to reverse the car onto the bridge and it held. Good - I would have been very embarrassed to have effected the destruction of a very quirky piece of engineering.<br />
<br />
Across the main road and a few kilometres up a narrow gravel road running alongside the canal, we found an even stranger sight. Telaga Gergasi or Ogre’s Well. The canal ended abruptly in a fenced-off circular metal structure, water pouring down the throat of this well in a continuous thunder. The bottom of the well could not be seen and I had no wish to sneak around the fence to have a peek.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXlXquCllSd0T4ZaaxRO3Sj-KGjhxa9BRGkkPl91OgGIqYUaVXSxJhkwU84UXFxVsYC6ambdXpmkN8N8ABAwHAco0aoOLUDnQkwz6GG8fhVgX-0HagQTav4EG1aF_QhQcOJ1AohJ7L6Bg/s1600/DSC_9326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXlXquCllSd0T4ZaaxRO3Sj-KGjhxa9BRGkkPl91OgGIqYUaVXSxJhkwU84UXFxVsYC6ambdXpmkN8N8ABAwHAco0aoOLUDnQkwz6GG8fhVgX-0HagQTav4EG1aF_QhQcOJ1AohJ7L6Bg/s640/DSC_9326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KZ7L_Yb6awMHVqWrFCRF7L3Cf2vsTAaWTV2xs9nMIooc-0Wdw0HI5abdp82Fc_uUmP_APJbaT5wBHTWk7FTInsUurdE_ec0rfBZtlLixPm3RtXILS8NgwVaYr4hC4xoAd_HzkHlGnBat/s1600/DSC_9329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KZ7L_Yb6awMHVqWrFCRF7L3Cf2vsTAaWTV2xs9nMIooc-0Wdw0HI5abdp82Fc_uUmP_APJbaT5wBHTWk7FTInsUurdE_ec0rfBZtlLixPm3RtXILS8NgwVaYr4hC4xoAd_HzkHlGnBat/s640/DSC_9329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEAarcJIjwDtjg1ifSglQ8O2MRy88oJ1mb_j-r2Qg3ZHDrshVdpoLkW28iY9iNpWkuMu_A1vVDYu-olJo8r7OZhEoazaJMykWHE06XXifD5j0_B5iwSwaymrf9U-6yl3Vf32wdJQHYwuR/s1600/DSC_9332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEAarcJIjwDtjg1ifSglQ8O2MRy88oJ1mb_j-r2Qg3ZHDrshVdpoLkW28iY9iNpWkuMu_A1vVDYu-olJo8r7OZhEoazaJMykWHE06XXifD5j0_B5iwSwaymrf9U-6yl3Vf32wdJQHYwuR/s640/DSC_9332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM-DrEXr_zWhrntw6YHm6FWVYJpxaFMtB_2J2fwcX8xiRsupKMcQOXBxP74-Iegdq6J07hiOjE9p_wv8IEhS2k9H_t5TSxyqInSbkgpRfUZj0AM1pbC2DufKU97njzeFo6PtpXX_mb_82/s1600/DSC_9328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM-DrEXr_zWhrntw6YHm6FWVYJpxaFMtB_2J2fwcX8xiRsupKMcQOXBxP74-Iegdq6J07hiOjE9p_wv8IEhS2k9H_t5TSxyqInSbkgpRfUZj0AM1pbC2DufKU97njzeFo6PtpXX_mb_82/s640/DSC_9328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A sign said the well was 100 feet deep though I suspect it is a bit shallower. The water went down this structure then spilled over a lip below to run off down to the river behind us and maybe about 2 storeys lower down. A set of concrete steps could be seen, heading towards the river, but we didn’t explore that.<br />
Presumably the lip allowed heavier tin deposits to lie trapped at the bottom of the well and this is apparently its purpose - a sort of automatic tin dredge. Very clever indeed!<br />
<br />
This was built at the same time as Sungai Atas Sungai, and I can’t help but wonder at the imagination and cleverness of the engineers back then. They certainly had created two very quirky, clever and innovative solutions to some basic problems.<br />
<br />
Very clever, these British fellas…<br />
<br />
<br />
Lata Buluh is here: <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;">5°7'45"N 100°52'34"E</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;">Telaga Gergasi is here: </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;"> </b><span class="numbers" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;">5°6'12"N 100°45'26"E</span><br />
<span class="numbers" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;">Sungai Atas Sungai is here: </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;">5°7'9"N 100°46'27"E</span><br />
<br />
You can read more about Perak Man here:<br />
<a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/data/archives/2013/07/04/16/20/perak-mans-bones-tell-his-story/">https://www.thestar.com.my/data/archives/2013/07/04/16/20/perak-mans-bones-tell-his-story/</a></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-43726241057175581882018-10-01T00:03:00.000-07:002018-10-01T00:42:51.463-07:00Sg Sedim: Plunging into rivers and walking among the treetops<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Where could you go and what could you do, in one day?</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rCu-qq0GQzVFCO3exuJUcrfidEM-McitXznKF5g6h_9wmTVjoMY5o4qE8Gm8KXNjXcJA28pKL-JBgTquGTx8HaZUE4CVOmsWGHZ8qFbPU_NNxGYp_UQoYbk2XxNcwo_iabCI9pyicwCV/s1600/DSC_8854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rCu-qq0GQzVFCO3exuJUcrfidEM-McitXznKF5g6h_9wmTVjoMY5o4qE8Gm8KXNjXcJA28pKL-JBgTquGTx8HaZUE4CVOmsWGHZ8qFbPU_NNxGYp_UQoYbk2XxNcwo_iabCI9pyicwCV/s640/DSC_8854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that we no longer have to feed kids at the school canteen we ran for two and a half years, Mei and I have a bit more time to explore. I’ve always maintained that there’s an abundance of things to see and do in Malaysia and so we set about looking for places we could go to on day trips, as a start. Day trips are great as you can see things at relatively low expense. You won’t have to spend too much on food and nothing on accommodation, and if you don’t like where you end up, you can leave pretty quickly.<br />
If, on the other hand, you do like what you find, you could always scout around and come back again for an extended stay. So all in all, a great way to explore.<br />
<br />
Mei and I have done a few day trips out from Penang recently, and we constantly search for new places to check out. We’d done the <a href="http://john-budakkampung.blogspot.com/2018/07/day-trip-to-3-northern-lakes-beris-muda.html" target="_blank"><b>northern lakes trip</b></a> and the <a href="http://john-budakkampung.blogspot.com/2018/09/a-single-day-at-lembah-bujang.html" target="_blank"><b>Bujang Valley and Sungai Batu</b></a> one, both of which I’ve written about here, and then while idly scrolling Google Maps one day I came across a name I’d never seen before: Sedim.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Why have I never heard of this place before?</h3>
According to the various maps I looked at, along Sungai Sedim lay a string of resorts, waterfalls and other natural features as well as man-made attractions, including a tree-top walk. Wikimapia even listed white-water rafting and hiking to nearby mountains. Why had I never heard of this place before? Intrigued we decided to go explore Sedim.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigixbDRkcSc4NqISBZVhM6vN9T4YYOb33QvbEvVEvpCxO9kzX_za7b5_KgwjMiOy4UY3LFLlo1pHiCUKEKt20gbrDnDY4P-K11dKirR7014GY6h_sg9Im1cRUx4s4kdzRzI8ZkHt63Dmgc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-30+at+11.16.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1430" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigixbDRkcSc4NqISBZVhM6vN9T4YYOb33QvbEvVEvpCxO9kzX_za7b5_KgwjMiOy4UY3LFLlo1pHiCUKEKt20gbrDnDY4P-K11dKirR7014GY6h_sg9Im1cRUx4s4kdzRzI8ZkHt63Dmgc/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-30+at+11.16.56+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-x3yLMxn_28zB7ijH2-uyZolBwp2_FYHtU17cTrNVD9oRd8oJgRsxprp0_hnFmAXVtzfOVcFBKR3gPeGo1Ce5iM0btUy58pHBH07jJrmVQe2KcDIw797lzP4seWfL_tFcgjSJ41AgR_D/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-30+at+11.18.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1431" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-x3yLMxn_28zB7ijH2-uyZolBwp2_FYHtU17cTrNVD9oRd8oJgRsxprp0_hnFmAXVtzfOVcFBKR3gPeGo1Ce5iM0btUy58pHBH07jJrmVQe2KcDIw797lzP4seWfL_tFcgjSJ41AgR_D/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-30+at+11.18.07+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It isn’t too far away - just to the east of Kulim HiTech Industrial Park, and a little over an hour’s drive away. The road to Sedim is well signposted and that’s an indication it is popular and/or noteworthy. After the main highways, the last few kilometres are winding and lightly trafficked. You go past the usual kampungs, plantations and orchards, and it’s a pleasant drive. In fact, I do like the kampungs in this area. The houses are generally well kept and the compounds quite well tended. Various little visual cues like these indicate the people here have a sense of pride in their homes and surroundings and this makes the drive an unhurried pleasure.<br />
<br />
A few branches off the main road towards the end have signs pointing towards attractions and resorts. One resort, Sedim Vista, sited right next to the road, looked promising enough - what we could see of it looked well maintained. We marked this and the other branches off for further exploration on another day as we were running a trifle late and needed to press on.<br />
<br />
We eventually came to an archway with a table manned by two people selling entrance tickets, beyond which the road narrowed noticeably. I can’t remember now how much we paid to drive in but it wasn’t more than 2 or 3 ringgit. The road thereafter is narrow and is well-surfaced, but has a shoulder almost a foot below, so you can’t pull over to let a car pass in the opposite direction. Occasional wider stretches allow for this but may mean someone’s got to back up a hundred metres or so sometimes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpP57-HIR11SEUIn4-42W0wgyt1Up4eeEYAxN63U76aOb8acgvuzR7MTaugdRvTyC4cvsIOlyXyM0x33d8tBHxrVpIGdnoq1OdWwC0xGXktq1hFTW2oBPPF4SMaGlU_ACN1FKEnihgp_g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-30+at+2.05.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1047" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpP57-HIR11SEUIn4-42W0wgyt1Up4eeEYAxN63U76aOb8acgvuzR7MTaugdRvTyC4cvsIOlyXyM0x33d8tBHxrVpIGdnoq1OdWwC0xGXktq1hFTW2oBPPF4SMaGlU_ACN1FKEnihgp_g/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-30+at+2.05.50+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Google Streetview.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sg Sedim is, unlike what some online commenters have declared, actually quite well appointed. There are two resorts/accommodation choices within this area, and quite a few small food and drink stalls too. There’s a toilet and shower complex though I had no chance to check the condition of that. It was very busy when I glanced at it so I suspect it may not be quite pristine… Then there’s even a multi-purpose hall and two car park areas.<br />
<br />
At the far end, the road continues and there appears to be some sort of adventure area on the right - 4WDs and that sort of thing. This may be where the white water rafting groups set off from as well but I did not verify this.<br />
<br />
On the right, a road leads off, beneath an arch that announces it to be the entrance to the tree-top walk. We head first in the opposite direction, near where we’ve parked beneath some trees.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A river to leap into…</h3>
A concrete and metal bridge spans a gorge maybe about 2 storeys deep. At the bottom the river flows over a wide plateau of rocks in a series of pools and rapids, walled on the right by a high slope of lush green vegetation. The left has a gentle slope down from near the carpark and access is easy. Quite a few people - families or groups of friends - are on the rocks or splashing about in the water here. It’s a nice spectacle and the laughter, shouts and squeals of adults and kids alike is a very happy accompaniment to the forest sounds around us.<br />
<br />
Across the bridge is the Sedim Rainforest Resort. The chalets dot the hillside here, all facing the river, serviced by a concrete path that runs parallel to the river. This resort has a cafe area and has a separate entrance at the far end, more convenient for those arriving by bus. The brick-and-cement chalets are in perpetual shade and thus suffer from a bit of damp on the walls, inside and out. They’re clean enough and the fittings seem alright though at the asking offer price of RM138 (more if you want breakfast included) I would probably be tempted to check the other place out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGVa0XLHFXsWYwCCxnCcaenGvi2L7x0b2JhdhNVzN_7XnK1W0NJSVcVmDwE2BeOiLgzCBlgUUlTQqTO00f5VxRwmxD6apc66FtW6jSobRPRXnmyfKL6pTi2ph0ybd4rmjom7Mh50LM_Az/s1600/DSC_8832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGVa0XLHFXsWYwCCxnCcaenGvi2L7x0b2JhdhNVzN_7XnK1W0NJSVcVmDwE2BeOiLgzCBlgUUlTQqTO00f5VxRwmxD6apc66FtW6jSobRPRXnmyfKL6pTi2ph0ybd4rmjom7Mh50LM_Az/s640/DSC_8832.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river narrows on the right of the bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIfceVVL9xsYv4f8DmqIlu8WKQ6Gs60iqe_5SIEyjyJlXN_r92lLqz-Z8lUleXyuSQ19L3FvSFEA8ctdOaVEktqkyJbyibfH9w_HCrrjaYg6bNdwjeDWAnqSj2R0Xkx47_RL41bruZzIj/s1600/DSC_8833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIfceVVL9xsYv4f8DmqIlu8WKQ6Gs60iqe_5SIEyjyJlXN_r92lLqz-Z8lUleXyuSQ19L3FvSFEA8ctdOaVEktqkyJbyibfH9w_HCrrjaYg6bNdwjeDWAnqSj2R0Xkx47_RL41bruZzIj/s640/DSC_8833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7qWnGtwUiGwfbwjxiZ8VxvlD6ur2_8kan-Z-k3Jsh1TQWgsf8k6yBVImEGKHoBB5mR_Hj87Gt8jESar8UtCV1RFiArQ7xwwXw2u1228ePqnM5dA8cAtus8IuV0fOuEpBE3RD5oAVbRpB/s1600/DSC_8834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7qWnGtwUiGwfbwjxiZ8VxvlD6ur2_8kan-Z-k3Jsh1TQWgsf8k6yBVImEGKHoBB5mR_Hj87Gt8jESar8UtCV1RFiArQ7xwwXw2u1228ePqnM5dA8cAtus8IuV0fOuEpBE3RD5oAVbRpB/s640/DSC_8834.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz66y6qtwdrk73HKoX3MsSFW7ar7dKQG5soA4IM4pzel9VxbDA5Wqw3kJJNaAWBBSFT5943UrDaZiSVxP7BKtITLxzywSYzJz1LnYI4sjU8S6lQbayaCUkXaiE1oLz2GajRE8j-Wk-z3-B/s1600/DSC_8835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz66y6qtwdrk73HKoX3MsSFW7ar7dKQG5soA4IM4pzel9VxbDA5Wqw3kJJNaAWBBSFT5943UrDaZiSVxP7BKtITLxzywSYzJz1LnYI4sjU8S6lQbayaCUkXaiE1oLz2GajRE8j-Wk-z3-B/s640/DSC_8835.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chalets at Sedim Rainforest Resort.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWqz8ZotX1IMq3sOaUGqu7BxiYva9hZyaJxfHF6ol0VoFziEtU8QiXVpw3AOBobZVu_91I3MRM1k6L2xz3Odg5dbViXu6ywPibsy0jI7WhxbjZZ_yG0y_3etlsuJr-kLRhGgHvXWSLwo5/s1600/DSC_8836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWqz8ZotX1IMq3sOaUGqu7BxiYva9hZyaJxfHF6ol0VoFziEtU8QiXVpw3AOBobZVu_91I3MRM1k6L2xz3Odg5dbViXu6ywPibsy0jI7WhxbjZZ_yG0y_3etlsuJr-kLRhGgHvXWSLwo5/s640/DSC_8836.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9Bm0A535EKNkDxJ_U3yCB_LHz-dpGTs0YhVz2-a8i4_of5cT99kizjY2HRg3dCXRuSt_QoPKN7opho2aIOWxzW7SgbMQBzKQUmiNMwuNgPZ-7mb1fnBEibzT92dmSR8DTeHrbC2tMpWv/s1600/DSC_8837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9Bm0A535EKNkDxJ_U3yCB_LHz-dpGTs0YhVz2-a8i4_of5cT99kizjY2HRg3dCXRuSt_QoPKN7opho2aIOWxzW7SgbMQBzKQUmiNMwuNgPZ-7mb1fnBEibzT92dmSR8DTeHrbC2tMpWv/s640/DSC_8837.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Resort has a back entrance closer to the carpark.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7BqHhjhVJu17GC-TaarIARB8VwXtUR0tyjmwwjUCCDbxcDO3SqELYV0MS5V-Py9ODOLfiJ_fuYiwit0rM6dGjK7DEiRypjI3s9_TPrqmg3qW210c1s5e76xok_Ne9l0xxhpPfRxmtdOI/s1600/DSC_8839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7BqHhjhVJu17GC-TaarIARB8VwXtUR0tyjmwwjUCCDbxcDO3SqELYV0MS5V-Py9ODOLfiJ_fuYiwit0rM6dGjK7DEiRypjI3s9_TPrqmg3qW210c1s5e76xok_Ne9l0xxhpPfRxmtdOI/s640/DSC_8839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The manager says the cafe is open when there are guests and they can do catering for groups so if you have a retreat or workshop here, you can have all your meals taken care of.<br />
<br />
And it is a nice enough setting, to be honest. It’s not particularly noisy or busy and I’m sure weekdays are even quieter and suited for silent reflection if that’s what’s needed.<br />
<br />
Back on the bridge, we watched in amazement as some young chaps leapt into the water below. A deep pool below was what these young men were aiming for and we watched with our jaws hanging open as one after the other leapt off, landing safely in a loud splash moments later.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohucs1shBwGs4pPzl3ytlnQ5PrhHm7AtGf9Axqu0SL456QaT3c5DXkPJZfPAjPGMXkDYNGzenQ4G2QfxdSvDIyt3qcp7HpPtQ0IKBsDqEpd5MNZCRh_HU0saN1D5WQSaPbtksutGIgAjf/s1600/DSC_8903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohucs1shBwGs4pPzl3ytlnQ5PrhHm7AtGf9Axqu0SL456QaT3c5DXkPJZfPAjPGMXkDYNGzenQ4G2QfxdSvDIyt3qcp7HpPtQ0IKBsDqEpd5MNZCRh_HU0saN1D5WQSaPbtksutGIgAjf/s640/DSC_8903.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice spot and seems clean enough.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUMHF-a5mUD2xpi0VNKyfBq5Nx_Q2KTnMPtKId-DHsrQSY5DpB4DBe6dp5O-RnOVJtz_Cao8OcS8GeyUknJGrBLTUErCa5BAMHEU-oPbrSQkPn1XOGwkZ07Lu99nCaE4frJmgZC8etYMJ/s1600/DSC_8906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUMHF-a5mUD2xpi0VNKyfBq5Nx_Q2KTnMPtKId-DHsrQSY5DpB4DBe6dp5O-RnOVJtz_Cao8OcS8GeyUknJGrBLTUErCa5BAMHEU-oPbrSQkPn1XOGwkZ07Lu99nCaE4frJmgZC8etYMJ/s640/DSC_8906.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqszad4RWY_19dm9CXnpA-atXOhp1f1ecpJGYsQw84qDw479KhY-ec6w7LNqBZec8S7bsw1adLusjsQH1N-fp4bPeg6BRYtOLy338xn103iM6XnVlzhdxVD5pBXMAyFS9MN1apc6H1bpAl/s1600/DSC_8907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqszad4RWY_19dm9CXnpA-atXOhp1f1ecpJGYsQw84qDw479KhY-ec6w7LNqBZec8S7bsw1adLusjsQH1N-fp4bPeg6BRYtOLy338xn103iM6XnVlzhdxVD5pBXMAyFS9MN1apc6H1bpAl/s640/DSC_8907.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then these young chaps started leaping off the bridge...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7GjkojHrJQ6ySbJk8JizBOXyBY6VnNDcTm57ruqTvfJ2hf-BAiT2jfKjI43wXS5sXmrQmLKifQJdtTnnLglmHViG_gnk2avL_hsrhpt_lEMwz9JYARziv654Mt_JHBAEZ6Pqnmva556D/s1600/DSC_8909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7GjkojHrJQ6ySbJk8JizBOXyBY6VnNDcTm57ruqTvfJ2hf-BAiT2jfKjI43wXS5sXmrQmLKifQJdtTnnLglmHViG_gnk2avL_hsrhpt_lEMwz9JYARziv654Mt_JHBAEZ6Pqnmva556D/s640/DSC_8909.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were aiming for the deep pool but I shudder to think how it would turn out if they missed...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUYW8qQuiV-9gBX68gs974LWEkVXBjMZSMMmufNFrP3lEk1sdDDH4ZDplc4JZelcd4fFCn_8r5GPCqMPoJ2bPd6gu2yvlKLaAh4Y7hMLQx_WNDTxGKsC3LPc4eFQ_VYM-s1X_F3cDNO4O/s1600/DSC_8912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUYW8qQuiV-9gBX68gs974LWEkVXBjMZSMMmufNFrP3lEk1sdDDH4ZDplc4JZelcd4fFCn_8r5GPCqMPoJ2bPd6gu2yvlKLaAh4Y7hMLQx_WNDTxGKsC3LPc4eFQ_VYM-s1X_F3cDNO4O/s640/DSC_8912.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did Pandelela Rinong have her start in diving doing this?<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtaL38SrINGZ9OCExvA2MwmjVZWGq1yXtDLz86apuxhAIQVtUHZgF3lPA006avFJwNSxbZYbwIOx7shUfCSgsxs0UtUAWMBlO58pBKWeri_YhRtvPXRy3k1zL3R0pczOp_NzB3OFWBfrL/s1600/DSC_8916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtaL38SrINGZ9OCExvA2MwmjVZWGq1yXtDLz86apuxhAIQVtUHZgF3lPA006avFJwNSxbZYbwIOx7shUfCSgsxs0UtUAWMBlO58pBKWeri_YhRtvPXRy3k1zL3R0pczOp_NzB3OFWBfrL/s640/DSC_8916.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6MIIddbgn1c3bttIGBoyhndokC9s9EG2EpCydn3etOrUyECk2L_TAdNC2NGo4eBWpQPhAonHDSzB_G-kxZD0I0RoUCXPxVPmyySk6hBv9QMcEy6QbJxZNqKeiDuF9VSpq2_DVYa58fKT/s1600/DSC_8918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6MIIddbgn1c3bttIGBoyhndokC9s9EG2EpCydn3etOrUyECk2L_TAdNC2NGo4eBWpQPhAonHDSzB_G-kxZD0I0RoUCXPxVPmyySk6hBv9QMcEy6QbJxZNqKeiDuF9VSpq2_DVYa58fKT/s640/DSC_8918.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splashdown!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Among the treetops</h3>
We headed off to the tree-top walk, fighting off the temptation offered by the fried foods on display at the stalls. Why is it that holidays spent near water are never complete unless one digs into some fried chicken, pisang goreng or fried nangka/cempedak? Think back to your childhood holidays by the sea. Didn’t you gorge yourself on fried chicken, fried sausages and so on? Whatever the reason for this pairing, we ignored it (me with some difficulty) and made for the tree-top walk instead.<br />
<br />
RM10 per person gets you entry via a little gallery area. The steel structure of the walk is solid and rises to 20m above the forest floor. The floor of the walkway is a metal mesh which gives you a clear view of what’s below. This mesh is anchored to and rests on a very sturdy galvanised steel frame, itself supported by large pillars sunk in concrete. Yet, despite the girth of the beams and supports, there’s always a little bounce as you walk along. You can even see it and to those less accustomed to heights, it may be a little unnerving.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJYA7Mt2tca1vwhcsH7niXvc1MA7ttM1eZhZhBiJsHiAWRSB0jwdrGRn2I-MtQ9nyK7gckU5IiupDOZ5TF5zHz9eXdkImc8ik3Jq2tkQgEZ6sNNuI0BEbwFNCXS9P-ZrZF4bQ9aQpnTbv/s1600/DSC_8841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJYA7Mt2tca1vwhcsH7niXvc1MA7ttM1eZhZhBiJsHiAWRSB0jwdrGRn2I-MtQ9nyK7gckU5IiupDOZ5TF5zHz9eXdkImc8ik3Jq2tkQgEZ6sNNuI0BEbwFNCXS9P-ZrZF4bQ9aQpnTbv/s640/DSC_8841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7Wnzzx32tys2c-4i19ezG2UPx0itIN8zQ6dOPnwt6TST-wfL-MG2K5bZPbl130SVFkrSXFoAQpgtAayGjBC5CaMqE-Mry5h_E9CxpDbDqcyOUJYV2xVmaqxnpWD21TbauPG2MvFDhBGb/s1600/DSC_8844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7Wnzzx32tys2c-4i19ezG2UPx0itIN8zQ6dOPnwt6TST-wfL-MG2K5bZPbl130SVFkrSXFoAQpgtAayGjBC5CaMqE-Mry5h_E9CxpDbDqcyOUJYV2xVmaqxnpWD21TbauPG2MvFDhBGb/s640/DSC_8844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxYj8OnlndN1p5uHCqB54m9m61JzM0-Bl8meqj5cMRbERnqZVaEAzsd9XIkz3r5hvVI3uvqAnJRoQwBWjDVzhS6zu24At-10M_SNDNctxeHfHnOTgJbZHdwR1PdtJ8D7mBsBfnMWapBSO/s1600/DSC_8898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxYj8OnlndN1p5uHCqB54m9m61JzM0-Bl8meqj5cMRbERnqZVaEAzsd9XIkz3r5hvVI3uvqAnJRoQwBWjDVzhS6zu24At-10M_SNDNctxeHfHnOTgJbZHdwR1PdtJ8D7mBsBfnMWapBSO/s640/DSC_8898.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the walk is almost a kilometre around.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ffR9Weo95CLrnngg9w6l7LKN2z9oh3uVu-HkCVcWSp7M97Pmpx741uhk3PaoGRAitP-HuoS0sFr4_JgGVOe_sG70B_Yxu9ufK_d7iwsYj3IoJGXWizSl-El1s3z0fx9CevlD7eY75LD7/s1600/DSC_8852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ffR9Weo95CLrnngg9w6l7LKN2z9oh3uVu-HkCVcWSp7M97Pmpx741uhk3PaoGRAitP-HuoS0sFr4_JgGVOe_sG70B_Yxu9ufK_d7iwsYj3IoJGXWizSl-El1s3z0fx9CevlD7eY75LD7/s640/DSC_8852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhkl1C7Nm5H5j2NFAFlxpafGQmueiV89_B7ZY9QsdzQHcjmUtXxE2pojMpwI7Pqan1qNCADEnKpyNzvsWgFm-TYyUewVTBwcnXkMusd6Om3FZ0q8TpToUlI836pfDfg2NmORlfKmR0nQZ/s1600/DSC_8848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhkl1C7Nm5H5j2NFAFlxpafGQmueiV89_B7ZY9QsdzQHcjmUtXxE2pojMpwI7Pqan1qNCADEnKpyNzvsWgFm-TYyUewVTBwcnXkMusd6Om3FZ0q8TpToUlI836pfDfg2NmORlfKmR0nQZ/s640/DSC_8848.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w_4waYxGXJMvWfbgEjvfjDgS7HAxv-galdPqSnHPpepH7qCaT54TvX0PMshufHtpWidAnNzhAoVJyCDSsZbaLE5PI3SdxmMF9bPUquv9mDdY5E71QpysJjAhgAHHAEvlXXsHMUnurgJ2/s1600/DSC_8849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w_4waYxGXJMvWfbgEjvfjDgS7HAxv-galdPqSnHPpepH7qCaT54TvX0PMshufHtpWidAnNzhAoVJyCDSsZbaLE5PI3SdxmMF9bPUquv9mDdY5E71QpysJjAhgAHHAEvlXXsHMUnurgJ2/s640/DSC_8849.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-_14V4RIAmqYsqZ_8momkAbqMwkYEJrp8eMcsyK2CeGjLj-SA-XXiW-CCVqhJhn7YzgLA444cAEG0jY35WsGKR28cmVNU2IbTnUUkj9BQp9BCatdtT8m8PQAHH6dzc-zELdhl7qEt5kV/s1600/DSC_8851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-_14V4RIAmqYsqZ_8momkAbqMwkYEJrp8eMcsyK2CeGjLj-SA-XXiW-CCVqhJhn7YzgLA444cAEG0jY35WsGKR28cmVNU2IbTnUUkj9BQp9BCatdtT8m8PQAHH6dzc-zELdhl7qEt5kV/s640/DSC_8851.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwZVN56TjjJ-GyjZnxtqwSWFqsrpBOKmR-OIC-2IzFenrDiI8tM0KMk6hThX09-r6aPYweMRaTSU3lMpT-Rxo7kmqj25pAIFXuIsj5GzRs80CNsEqSP8pLbBvN8oytbJMSeKmD121TJsm/s1600/DSC_8855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwZVN56TjjJ-GyjZnxtqwSWFqsrpBOKmR-OIC-2IzFenrDiI8tM0KMk6hThX09-r6aPYweMRaTSU3lMpT-Rxo7kmqj25pAIFXuIsj5GzRs80CNsEqSP8pLbBvN8oytbJMSeKmD121TJsm/s640/DSC_8855.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqY1qcVU5wdLh0JRbu37drfCMvHm5hEHXywCdbnoTaNPLyNlSGOhxLxiSMHL6nZyyKO36HVLK5oM47b604Qoggm5UGMKEjPNhUBbASr70H5-Uh_cyMF-97QI5lThfSVyaUrpiDaiNqCCU/s1600/DSC_8843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqY1qcVU5wdLh0JRbu37drfCMvHm5hEHXywCdbnoTaNPLyNlSGOhxLxiSMHL6nZyyKO36HVLK5oM47b604Qoggm5UGMKEjPNhUBbASr70H5-Uh_cyMF-97QI5lThfSVyaUrpiDaiNqCCU/s640/DSC_8843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-LZyD2lmC9PJxHDZkLbX0vvmbxZQX8lDuqsKT6ZG4s1Kw0Jdx6f9fYZroJnZEjEpAUCBiBQpHoEzivSJ4e4O8zNGnDcqzg7xA6zHJKtZOG897ozElE5bu9J1ytl6Z3Im3ZTKkvEIeTbm/s1600/DSC_8856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-LZyD2lmC9PJxHDZkLbX0vvmbxZQX8lDuqsKT6ZG4s1Kw0Jdx6f9fYZroJnZEjEpAUCBiBQpHoEzivSJ4e4O8zNGnDcqzg7xA6zHJKtZOG897ozElE5bu9J1ytl6Z3Im3ZTKkvEIeTbm/s640/DSC_8856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting colour in the leaves and trunk of this plant.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u-SqCUTisx63G_zTWtwvHM2lfzLxEaDyHFk9yn4HBhFMW4NzvIV9QS8RWnQ59rgH2kmc05QKNGtC_g34McVw3Wae2nEtGiXcvCdnKLeKrlPrtH8q8HM6iDvXmmFMi8m-Hgr39oi2BYd4/s1600/DSC_8857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u-SqCUTisx63G_zTWtwvHM2lfzLxEaDyHFk9yn4HBhFMW4NzvIV9QS8RWnQ59rgH2kmc05QKNGtC_g34McVw3Wae2nEtGiXcvCdnKLeKrlPrtH8q8HM6iDvXmmFMi8m-Hgr39oi2BYd4/s640/DSC_8857.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB43SQX5BID0Flz-8RAXgow8JmIqRiJoervDF3G7JwRXMpt_8uWrVnvz3g_G72viMK8iJ662AMeYeoEVvC5yvR8bW3WbR_SNWJQTO6ocGcacj1FXkVdmmjH05uO31oFDQmMwZ1s_pNCrE/s1600/DSC_8864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB43SQX5BID0Flz-8RAXgow8JmIqRiJoervDF3G7JwRXMpt_8uWrVnvz3g_G72viMK8iJ662AMeYeoEVvC5yvR8bW3WbR_SNWJQTO6ocGcacj1FXkVdmmjH05uO31oFDQmMwZ1s_pNCrE/s640/DSC_8864.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxx8T-syWyF0WlQXTYY47cfV2RIC1o87v_xQrOjTLnQrsgNGS3KFSvldDNvtdyHhr18ezTw-EHab_cHtTIBWBtLGyb8GtNxmvsIuYllohEwfkZd_8ZMYO97XPiav4ahyphenhyphenYf3uRGhSjozmI3/s1600/DSC_8866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxx8T-syWyF0WlQXTYY47cfV2RIC1o87v_xQrOjTLnQrsgNGS3KFSvldDNvtdyHhr18ezTw-EHab_cHtTIBWBtLGyb8GtNxmvsIuYllohEwfkZd_8ZMYO97XPiav4ahyphenhyphenYf3uRGhSjozmI3/s640/DSC_8866.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBJ2005XrO5fJYQyJMh1CeoZnRd5R3UKjq5J5xnSQ0cgO7OOcchlXSbqPnJYxhh2AG5zo6ELOwPTUe7nFkQes6aBL3YZYspN-8GU_5SEFSJkeE9iIbP6QgF9hLdmVZujUZBSgBr4HRGCV/s1600/DSC_8867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBJ2005XrO5fJYQyJMh1CeoZnRd5R3UKjq5J5xnSQ0cgO7OOcchlXSbqPnJYxhh2AG5zo6ELOwPTUe7nFkQes6aBL3YZYspN-8GU_5SEFSJkeE9iIbP6QgF9hLdmVZujUZBSgBr4HRGCV/s640/DSC_8867.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIiga9mA5zDfv2k5wcsCOAZWV-M0SCB_BQkwudxbcII0jGvHwPxymC85mzMYkuvPAqlID53LdKeY2NG0oJv5EqSRCyV2ppFV2FC7OdUl5ZJ50w6wc-UVFfGMSqfPHPvk_zZPXYz0-UDOd/s1600/IMG_7357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIiga9mA5zDfv2k5wcsCOAZWV-M0SCB_BQkwudxbcII0jGvHwPxymC85mzMYkuvPAqlID53LdKeY2NG0oJv5EqSRCyV2ppFV2FC7OdUl5ZJ50w6wc-UVFfGMSqfPHPvk_zZPXYz0-UDOd/s640/IMG_7357.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhux3e3-4ldWYkvSltcFfPgio5PVYYbk0sUy4H1Tcn2q0ov5uHjBjlIBCCXpHq9mxmWjSNX3asqFl2tLNIvUeilB1XTajrR22CVF4JDh5-PaBxRkIZfGuNUhQdrh5l96i7A7mpoK0owhB9/s1600/DSC_8870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhux3e3-4ldWYkvSltcFfPgio5PVYYbk0sUy4H1Tcn2q0ov5uHjBjlIBCCXpHq9mxmWjSNX3asqFl2tLNIvUeilB1XTajrR22CVF4JDh5-PaBxRkIZfGuNUhQdrh5l96i7A7mpoK0owhB9/s640/DSC_8870.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekOIk3c4H3_APIQ6268c_Ph9LY_8zWj1ovKbj5P4pFC7ICPaR6_n_nBUGFxdbbHJD1scUTXQWK5u_sfaEyQbzxzqu3UWyh3jg9U9ilU0thlDsuua-_OuoFP_xBoeiYQLJE2jGSNvpPcXn/s1600/DSC_8872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekOIk3c4H3_APIQ6268c_Ph9LY_8zWj1ovKbj5P4pFC7ICPaR6_n_nBUGFxdbbHJD1scUTXQWK5u_sfaEyQbzxzqu3UWyh3jg9U9ilU0thlDsuua-_OuoFP_xBoeiYQLJE2jGSNvpPcXn/s640/DSC_8872.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zhKpkQq5lw9yja8CAZrvP4HUeoaD0BHXZ42CHmAyLBl4crqwoObA8-0cWpzoalKo2FtK5o0Yf1WUVUWtd0tU3GMoSZAf50BUW5i1rF00SW3iXjtFGGPK3Y7Xe2rl-TNrc3FUXEZW4in7/s1600/DSC_8873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zhKpkQq5lw9yja8CAZrvP4HUeoaD0BHXZ42CHmAyLBl4crqwoObA8-0cWpzoalKo2FtK5o0Yf1WUVUWtd0tU3GMoSZAf50BUW5i1rF00SW3iXjtFGGPK3Y7Xe2rl-TNrc3FUXEZW4in7/s640/DSC_8873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_c8RZECv25HgT4K7gfKcx1ebl1bbdR65gN91l7Og220ZB_uvFbHQ4kabI-PPXnJmGIxkJW80nhBS4N2Tc3XvNZkpJEOvFvjaNscam_eOCxKW2rf5RFCreiwi-vVutPpx4l8oKXmL-DcW/s1600/DSC_8877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_c8RZECv25HgT4K7gfKcx1ebl1bbdR65gN91l7Og220ZB_uvFbHQ4kabI-PPXnJmGIxkJW80nhBS4N2Tc3XvNZkpJEOvFvjaNscam_eOCxKW2rf5RFCreiwi-vVutPpx4l8oKXmL-DcW/s640/DSC_8877.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFGUKSstWem4dASW2SNFJ8KZ8ixexgppw8pLpouzMSQtsHUQt_HUUYlBpQDPaD9OlIt9aYI3gWVIB6L6OuQxn04_LikoBiPMmnJf0Bv7PSAL3cWQRYnbBoltkZZ8tD8o9UVo7WloYgDMZ/s1600/DSC_8884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFGUKSstWem4dASW2SNFJ8KZ8ixexgppw8pLpouzMSQtsHUQt_HUUYlBpQDPaD9OlIt9aYI3gWVIB6L6OuQxn04_LikoBiPMmnJf0Bv7PSAL3cWQRYnbBoltkZZ8tD8o9UVo7WloYgDMZ/s640/DSC_8884.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTyb0tZS-4h9ClKCeOgeeFhiG8vo2w85kx7DnY7cvCS-wvoEG2KOFYyFHNwu9uLBkikCF9iLnJ5W9Su2G2XO0fsL5VLzSxox_5Q8E4oubGDCAIufejkZgykqMZTitbHpZ-Nj9ZE2eDHO3/s1600/DSC_8885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTyb0tZS-4h9ClKCeOgeeFhiG8vo2w85kx7DnY7cvCS-wvoEG2KOFYyFHNwu9uLBkikCF9iLnJ5W9Su2G2XO0fsL5VLzSxox_5Q8E4oubGDCAIufejkZgykqMZTitbHpZ-Nj9ZE2eDHO3/s640/DSC_8885.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBO7Pwu2dXwaELokOxQkvP9WNR2Qqij0NlIL3PwCLu53YikproicdkolL2WavgbXPXsXtqSje7mITjY-4XF0Q7FikipDEIu_mN2lOGQSHI2GLR42LEmI-uTUSgK6b_22cstKx5OKnar2F/s1600/DSC_8887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBO7Pwu2dXwaELokOxQkvP9WNR2Qqij0NlIL3PwCLu53YikproicdkolL2WavgbXPXsXtqSje7mITjY-4XF0Q7FikipDEIu_mN2lOGQSHI2GLR42LEmI-uTUSgK6b_22cstKx5OKnar2F/s640/DSC_8887.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUw2IGUtedH3EWRcoAWHZBnf8CxCMBsy7Lv2oxF-zHhheXoFhQhxrWn9TuB2tDFdwrniQ5TpKOv3pzEsUi94EjZsycNZKQKbf-ThKZpC89q1nCvZ5xDjAMo-EbQ56whK4iCWicsnK5N8n/s1600/DSC_8888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUw2IGUtedH3EWRcoAWHZBnf8CxCMBsy7Lv2oxF-zHhheXoFhQhxrWn9TuB2tDFdwrniQ5TpKOv3pzEsUi94EjZsycNZKQKbf-ThKZpC89q1nCvZ5xDjAMo-EbQ56whK4iCWicsnK5N8n/s640/DSC_8888.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt8Adk7DEe-htju15PbvYJeSEpo2kJqpoXJh9WnbKipekw-xowpglA3atCBeXGzCmVRXMMwV0mO-BT2dec64jQQfa9qWIBuJPu3Pw13wuOOnU_ucVbsWr9fw_AsebqkHL3Cnh7B21xORF/s1600/DSC_8894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt8Adk7DEe-htju15PbvYJeSEpo2kJqpoXJh9WnbKipekw-xowpglA3atCBeXGzCmVRXMMwV0mO-BT2dec64jQQfa9qWIBuJPu3Pw13wuOOnU_ucVbsWr9fw_AsebqkHL3Cnh7B21xORF/s640/DSC_8894.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHuYKMMKwFD-lfX6dqe4t2G8yXX4o-LoUeIh4h0nqLDukiG3AqpZuBFlm7OXwrJo36wpC0dXcXVgZckYPdT51Vl5HU89jGf34TAcbh_YvHqdJLPpZsrTbiQ4A2HktiCqnRFiUCujNaSWJ/s1600/DSC_8896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHuYKMMKwFD-lfX6dqe4t2G8yXX4o-LoUeIh4h0nqLDukiG3AqpZuBFlm7OXwrJo36wpC0dXcXVgZckYPdT51Vl5HU89jGf34TAcbh_YvHqdJLPpZsrTbiQ4A2HktiCqnRFiUCujNaSWJ/s640/DSC_8896.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6dIyNWMngLKN4luGQw0LcN3yaHXWRiQj1vX0IpMxJZzYDTuyer2vOfaIfazn5OeAF3cNxXMYev3ZR2n6Cm6DPKM5itmsI6mJMHjsrwLxi_s3XHq5LJkPUzULHTNnJXmAhFXX6OyNbJ0l/s1600/IMG_7349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="1600" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6dIyNWMngLKN4luGQw0LcN3yaHXWRiQj1vX0IpMxJZzYDTuyer2vOfaIfazn5OeAF3cNxXMYev3ZR2n6Cm6DPKM5itmsI6mJMHjsrwLxi_s3XHq5LJkPUzULHTNnJXmAhFXX6OyNbJ0l/s640/IMG_7349.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9WthAksq5itc22vccMgdcXhBRRsP1nPXUtKENyNbvMSdey4vhQo-yuGpV9dJWlX27MG8atNRWMgr-Uiv9yCNiZcw2GJN0_GIZLcTVzpu8VafSQNsN6OMdyoxd3sXifcc8CPuzZoMAzbG/s1600/IMG_7355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9WthAksq5itc22vccMgdcXhBRRsP1nPXUtKENyNbvMSdey4vhQo-yuGpV9dJWlX27MG8atNRWMgr-Uiv9yCNiZcw2GJN0_GIZLcTVzpu8VafSQNsN6OMdyoxd3sXifcc8CPuzZoMAzbG/s640/IMG_7355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We had to keep looking ahead for the first 100 or so metres but soon got accustomed to the height and began to enjoy the view and could even peer through the mesh beneath our feet to look at the river or forest many metres below. The trees sometimes lean in and over but are otherwise close at hand and I reckon if we had come earlier in the morning, there’d be more wildlife visible. As it is, you hear a multitude of insects and quite a lot of birdcall too, though they mostly remain hidden from sight.<br />
I love this tree-top walk. Despite its stout construction, it blends in quite well with the surroundings. And the surroundings are very nice too. You walk over forest floor and river and there are a few signboards along the way proclaiming the height you are at. For those who are not comfortable with heights, this is a nice touch that gives one a sense of accomplishment.<br />
<br />
The tree-top walk is open daily from 8am to 5pm. It is only shut during inclement weather. In my opinion, it is well worth a visit and if you have someone who knows a bit about flora and fauna, drag him along so you can have a greater appreciation of what you see around you. We spotted a tree marked as the Kulim Tree and wonder if the area was named after this species.<br />
<br />
On the way back down from the tree-top walk, we stopped at the building next door. Here are facilities for seminars and talks as well as accommodation. We did not check rates but I have attached the website below if you are interested. They do organise a whole heap of activities so if you have a group staying over you can go kayaking, go on a guided nature walk or play paintball. Of these of course I would suggest the first two but I understand that for some people, activities like paintball, which have absolutely nothing to do with the wonder and beauty of the surroundings you are in, are a desired activity. To each his own I guess.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I’ll come back again one day - maybe for a riverside picnic. Hopefully I’ll be able to explore the surrounding area more. Stay tuned…<br />
<br />
<br />
For <b>Sedim Rainforest Resort</b>, you can contact the manager, Jasman Jaafar on 016-419 4166. The website is no longer active though the <a href="http://sedimrainforests.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>blog</b></a> still is.<br />
The <b>Tree Top Walk</b> website is <a href="http://treetopwalk.com.my/index.php" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
<b>Wikimapia</b> link to Sedim is <a href="http://wikimapia.org/15322332/Sedim" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
<br /></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-42317590059641460612018-09-13T21:27:00.000-07:002018-09-14T02:47:07.556-07:00We landed at The Nest at Maxwell's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiUm7p6IWyrPUIurysOo2M0oJhIRg77giM4Hv2NUnFad0eklh5qnOl2I9d2IEhYiZLQTxQnzm3wOZDWoeOj4PhO2nUYZcWPKR3PZviPvpDQ5gzyDxFfpmXFkSE5CudsMJDWJs5fv2oG5P/s1600/DSC_8680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiUm7p6IWyrPUIurysOo2M0oJhIRg77giM4Hv2NUnFad0eklh5qnOl2I9d2IEhYiZLQTxQnzm3wOZDWoeOj4PhO2nUYZcWPKR3PZviPvpDQ5gzyDxFfpmXFkSE5CudsMJDWJs5fv2oG5P/s640/DSC_8680.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The English are a funny lot. Completely unsuited for the tropics and yet they set off to colonise whole swathes of it and then to impose their laws, administration and more. These pasty-faced peoples suffered gamely in the heat, braving malaria, dysentery and all manner of maladies, and yet they stuck at it for a couple of hundred years.<br />
<br />
They were rather clever in some ways though. They certainly knew how to build houses for the tropics, for one. Wide verandahs, long roofs, high ceilings - they all helped to make life indoors that little bit more bearable in heat that was a good 15ºC more than they were used to in the home country.<br />
And when they could not quite deal with the heat and humidity and needed some respite, they established their hill stations. Yes, of course off the backs of local labour. Told you they were smart in many ways…<br />
<br />
They marked out some hills around the peninsula and built holiday and convalescent homes at relatively high altitude, allowing themselves some slight reminder of home. And they named these Hill Stations after some prominent Brits. There was Fraser’s Hill, named after Louis James Fraser, a Scotsman who found tin, set up a mine and also a gambling and opium den, then disappeared some years later.<br />
<br />
It took C J Ferguson-Davie, the Bishop of Singapore, no less, to realise the hill’s potential as a hill station and by 1922 a road had been built up and the hill was opened to visitors.<br />
<br />
The Cameron Highlands, named after William Cameron, a geologist, covers a much larger area than Fraser’s and is one of the oldest holiday places in Malaysia. It has expansive tea plantations, vegetable farms and orchards.<br />
<br />
I’ve been to both of these hill stations a number of times but only visited the third hill station, Maxwell’s Hill, for the first time just a couple of weeks ago. In fact, it is only now that I refer to it as Maxwell’s rather than the more popular Maxwell Hill. It is, after all, named after another British person of note so should have followed the convention set by Fraser’s Hill.<br />
<br />
This particular person is William Edward Maxwell who was the Assistant resident in Perak. Although the Hill is officially now called Bukit Larut, Maxwell’s name is the one on most people’s lips. Well, most people around my age, anyway.<br />
<br />
Mei and I had planned to go many years ago but one thing led to another and we never made it. Since then, Maxwell’s has faded from the spotlight. Many of the old chalets are no longer occupied or even managed and the hill has fallen on some pretty barren times.<br />
<br />
There’s been a bit of a recent resurgence, however, and facilities further down the hill have been revamped and upgraded. Nearer the top, things have been slower to change though one of the bungalows is now occupied - apparently the only one on the hill permanently so - and open to bookings for vacations. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYHIiy8uYSldUzWWSdqntoXvzHW5XZr_u8tkW0o629_zuWvAqwnGMRR2kHQqtsXt14Z04Wnl61k8Yyt2f3pylXWULG81siuQxTVXSagfW605FpJo50f-TRLGMw1Dc0nErhmlp8Ir2nFkV/s1600/IMG_7280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYHIiy8uYSldUzWWSdqntoXvzHW5XZr_u8tkW0o629_zuWvAqwnGMRR2kHQqtsXt14Z04Wnl61k8Yyt2f3pylXWULG81siuQxTVXSagfW605FpJo50f-TRLGMw1Dc0nErhmlp8Ir2nFkV/s640/IMG_7280.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only one way to get up Maxwell's Hill - Land Rovers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KjnabBavXC3iLjaj4HgYz4XoLFur-dVBYbwPnh9rOjUTBg2pBWbQsyM7bA5I7RLRH0kiUG4CMemYfyIvixeR55BGjJ2fvUr9-AXUyXIKczI5xW9xJsGnurZhoL7S6rRJNXUz6dyW2Kqd/s1600/IMG_7278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KjnabBavXC3iLjaj4HgYz4XoLFur-dVBYbwPnh9rOjUTBg2pBWbQsyM7bA5I7RLRH0kiUG4CMemYfyIvixeR55BGjJ2fvUr9-AXUyXIKczI5xW9xJsGnurZhoL7S6rRJNXUz6dyW2Kqd/s640/IMG_7278.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZNPGRqEo4RLlzKS1eCmdqCoGiJRnfCpqtbIfRs9sM4ScT06TO0azezaiZjPICx-MQFL7UfLdQ1URjTaLEoeOzYqs3gsQh0ElN4ddNdoju2JrlHkKyW7jPNUNP6AZfnKhoyxNOe_e4kFB/s1600/IMG_7279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZNPGRqEo4RLlzKS1eCmdqCoGiJRnfCpqtbIfRs9sM4ScT06TO0azezaiZjPICx-MQFL7UfLdQ1URjTaLEoeOzYqs3gsQh0ElN4ddNdoju2JrlHkKyW7jPNUNP6AZfnKhoyxNOe_e4kFB/s640/IMG_7279.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I watched fascinated as these guys changed tyres by hand. <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiwjV1Iiu_sDQb56CHVlZtuLtIIybNLW-BOSQqUaVX85555eqa3pNrAa9jHxm1uEIp2U2_lxHJL9brH1s4N5vkbwMYLdqpoSgmaCMfgbOfJaZWH_UxOxHSWz6tgkwAzLkq_5Lvsg75cP5/s1600/IMG_7281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiwjV1Iiu_sDQb56CHVlZtuLtIIybNLW-BOSQqUaVX85555eqa3pNrAa9jHxm1uEIp2U2_lxHJL9brH1s4N5vkbwMYLdqpoSgmaCMfgbOfJaZWH_UxOxHSWz6tgkwAzLkq_5Lvsg75cP5/s640/IMG_7281.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK One hydraulic press to release the bead of the wheel, but everything else was by hand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycNKdjHNJBk3gyPUnQS1YC4IHoqL8dpnxmt1mbw_IPeh0HbRuMjvX9XY2ZyDbRFF937VmPD5JRDVsbSRlqROPEFvIZgeNkkeQgNWixnVICwGxL6Eqj6YWjDYIg0qPaO_xUuAVE4PwLSgw/s1600/DSC_8548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycNKdjHNJBk3gyPUnQS1YC4IHoqL8dpnxmt1mbw_IPeh0HbRuMjvX9XY2ZyDbRFF937VmPD5JRDVsbSRlqROPEFvIZgeNkkeQgNWixnVICwGxL6Eqj6YWjDYIg0qPaO_xUuAVE4PwLSgw/s640/DSC_8548.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaU58lk6xJbctWgLJM1fHg00OQpq1y-1fWneQUgcsfI-RaNidOqfEsUKrDoO4Q8sRlPXkq_b58QTi7iYMr6G4aBthlWy7zs7RPGCUV8u62DJ9w_NVNPOfv4OBo0hdoiC8KD6qQYXCJC8Um/s1600/DSC_8569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaU58lk6xJbctWgLJM1fHg00OQpq1y-1fWneQUgcsfI-RaNidOqfEsUKrDoO4Q8sRlPXkq_b58QTi7iYMr6G4aBthlWy7zs7RPGCUV8u62DJ9w_NVNPOfv4OBo0hdoiC8KD6qQYXCJC8Um/s640/DSC_8569.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHGXAKrQQfUGPgfMwwjsuWaUkPVQTahSTJuhqp0Ctvv3xMcWbsK1fGC56EvWMoLfP-6CzaO0MrMZqLGFKc1JUXrZLYqvAWLQTIocMfypxr21I4HHggU8_hyphenhyphentSt_ByFDmMQ3xC2w_OG32N/s1600/DSC_8575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHGXAKrQQfUGPgfMwwjsuWaUkPVQTahSTJuhqp0Ctvv3xMcWbsK1fGC56EvWMoLfP-6CzaO0MrMZqLGFKc1JUXrZLYqvAWLQTIocMfypxr21I4HHggU8_hyphenhyphentSt_ByFDmMQ3xC2w_OG32N/s640/DSC_8575.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a set of concrete steps, the rest of the trail to The Nest is like this. Quite easy if you go steadily.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEff4gPrGRvFR6C9I_zyfStsnUfVibre0KbpgjAwlaFMxUMFSNNHOCOJegHY6err7Vw27vleZWpEHaRrZT2hLXkxTNTB0p3U4G8oGqYNYxtOlLzyBsMuHfjOx2h3svdhDXAcc0eINOY99I/s1600/DSC_8579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEff4gPrGRvFR6C9I_zyfStsnUfVibre0KbpgjAwlaFMxUMFSNNHOCOJegHY6err7Vw27vleZWpEHaRrZT2hLXkxTNTB0p3U4G8oGqYNYxtOlLzyBsMuHfjOx2h3svdhDXAcc0eINOY99I/s640/DSC_8579.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
The Nest is a 130+ year-old bungalow of brick and wood previously managed by the Methodist Church and used for retreats and so on. Suet Fun and Peter took on the lease a couple of years ago and had to do quite a bit to bring the bungalow up to hospitality standards. They’ve largely succeeded, and since then have indeed cemented a decent reputation as hosts.<br />
<br />
We recently spent a night there and had a wonderful time. Starting with the thrilling RM10 per pax half-hour Land Rover ride up along the narrow tarmac road where you are bumped and swung around as the driver attacks each hairpin with nonchalant vim and undiminished pace… I’ve always loved Landies and this trip up was a pleasure and incentive to maybe some day own one of these iconic and very capable offroaders.<br />
<br />
There were four of us staying over at The Nest. Mei and I just for the night and two gentlemen, Lam & Leong who were staying another night. The Nest is a 300 m walk up from the point where the Landie had dropped us off and it gave us a chance to enjoy a view of Taiping from on high, as well as a peek at Speedy’s Bungalow whose glory days were now passed. Perhaps it will one day be refurbished as The Nest has been.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK4l3pK1rkcFJATQinLSrRfsBXeEYS0zzvCfyhQxkzNXqo466VWWWDv8jRw8quQxP57eE43wkkh7A-YIGz1bBmS58EMnvzwGqmxhnUo1qBtmK3-6-yjC-3ZFZqWV6HNQntPFr4UVj1JQb/s1600/DSC_8732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK4l3pK1rkcFJATQinLSrRfsBXeEYS0zzvCfyhQxkzNXqo466VWWWDv8jRw8quQxP57eE43wkkh7A-YIGz1bBmS58EMnvzwGqmxhnUo1qBtmK3-6-yjC-3ZFZqWV6HNQntPFr4UVj1JQb/s640/DSC_8732.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left is the steps to a now-ruined bungalow while beyond that is Speedy's which is being used as a store of some sort.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0zXt9CHK56qvaH_xkpmNO2PVpmiDtO2-L-lsKM3H3EqY2IfuCJYA9vOFD6YT4okLBIkvKC1fhDB2wPZCaPxRMqfzaKjMpRLmCsJ6XdZblf3LBYY_jC5_gbHyx_yDblq4sinx13HId9x/s1600/DSC_8734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0zXt9CHK56qvaH_xkpmNO2PVpmiDtO2-L-lsKM3H3EqY2IfuCJYA9vOFD6YT4okLBIkvKC1fhDB2wPZCaPxRMqfzaKjMpRLmCsJ6XdZblf3LBYY_jC5_gbHyx_yDblq4sinx13HId9x/s640/DSC_8734.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speedy's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8_FMEU5r4AV53w_AB7EmCnPidPLYVtcV5X7OO6E5LMX0gJ4QRy0DyGvBJgSxMuQkmSKImVCr2fEZElPJLO00noJAbFYIsYO5UqJTI4OFpdBdgT7ccc4CrFJvOnzfXA1Y8QoDmYj4rTzt/s1600/DSC_8735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8_FMEU5r4AV53w_AB7EmCnPidPLYVtcV5X7OO6E5LMX0gJ4QRy0DyGvBJgSxMuQkmSKImVCr2fEZElPJLO00noJAbFYIsYO5UqJTI4OFpdBdgT7ccc4CrFJvOnzfXA1Y8QoDmYj4rTzt/s640/DSC_8735.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmuvuRc83QGlicPXMHhRGBwgzVfc1L3BMzdE3_rcVMmcHKpKReCxj9gUDk3GwzlpkjDyPBZkX9wUR8BBjTDaUODJyVAj_24ji5T68Kpmcb0SnbvKoM3lVTHIYmleieOUpo8y9XWdXzHGj/s1600/DSC_8736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmuvuRc83QGlicPXMHhRGBwgzVfc1L3BMzdE3_rcVMmcHKpKReCxj9gUDk3GwzlpkjDyPBZkX9wUR8BBjTDaUODJyVAj_24ji5T68Kpmcb0SnbvKoM3lVTHIYmleieOUpo8y9XWdXzHGj/s640/DSC_8736.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speedy's Bungalow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3neIBg-A-2k37oFBpfDT2KI2eQ8HrHjIBQlonFuW4y5w75SRBMFCQ_SiskYbSdXLyc3Cf_gz-C9Vs7_ZqeTAjLD3bGACqZ9m5mBGOnBUWBBsUTFWiiZ0Ap3zcRt9jaVmxDgJTwfzFUjEc/s1600/DSC_8739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3neIBg-A-2k37oFBpfDT2KI2eQ8HrHjIBQlonFuW4y5w75SRBMFCQ_SiskYbSdXLyc3Cf_gz-C9Vs7_ZqeTAjLD3bGACqZ9m5mBGOnBUWBBsUTFWiiZ0Ap3zcRt9jaVmxDgJTwfzFUjEc/s640/DSC_8739.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's still used, apparently.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGoaIU6prv-S9VstqU52voHLKCaydI2wxpcAmKXymv7W2a7Xq18KoyvyOYXKQzg8JqKHCxX2H6_jMvYArwJkmCEfBuFAaJuckC1CW23RZyJc_fd3AfGC4Q7IFT9nRFX3Jt0ZCtXPeuR7T/s1600/DSC_8740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGoaIU6prv-S9VstqU52voHLKCaydI2wxpcAmKXymv7W2a7Xq18KoyvyOYXKQzg8JqKHCxX2H6_jMvYArwJkmCEfBuFAaJuckC1CW23RZyJc_fd3AfGC4Q7IFT9nRFX3Jt0ZCtXPeuR7T/s640/DSC_8740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the verandah at Speedy's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSb20JhvVoxaS6p7ppVrTbWnHS-egtJ0oKqdiQa8rK7dP5xsGK7RPswGa7ykVAj3Ro_buGk3wfrMCMVKDfSRpPsRqHetnD4tQoTbwraKP9oLkS95CzDREsGk1v0hJ88Y1KmwKAx1PeXNU/s1600/DSC_8742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSb20JhvVoxaS6p7ppVrTbWnHS-egtJ0oKqdiQa8rK7dP5xsGK7RPswGa7ykVAj3Ro_buGk3wfrMCMVKDfSRpPsRqHetnD4tQoTbwraKP9oLkS95CzDREsGk1v0hJ88Y1KmwKAx1PeXNU/s640/DSC_8742.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of Speedy's.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTtVDVubPdy6SUhVMq1YLH8MF2vpoSsBtzwotjccNOuhZ-O13ZhexRFzFXv2_2Uex6t8xSATs6KpGzcu2OKpwEjSkfir5nJBfPFk_g5XcsXswlpJ_ZktPQCoo4T31UUC0hEkVomLWhsxP/s1600/DSC_8743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTtVDVubPdy6SUhVMq1YLH8MF2vpoSsBtzwotjccNOuhZ-O13ZhexRFzFXv2_2Uex6t8xSATs6KpGzcu2OKpwEjSkfir5nJBfPFk_g5XcsXswlpJ_ZktPQCoo4T31UUC0hEkVomLWhsxP/s640/DSC_8743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The forest trail introduced us to the flora as well as leeches. Mei picked up two and I had one. At The Nest, Peter brought out a little pump spray which contained a mix of vinegar and salt water and that got rid of the little suckers quickly enough - the solution irritates them and they disengage immediately.<br />
Suet and Peter are a lovely couple. The very best relationships are balanced ones. It may seem a cliche but this, in my experience, is true. Volubility needs quietude. Vim and vigour needs some placidity. Thinkers need doers. And in many ways Suet and Peter seemed balanced in that way.<br />
<br />
She is the talker, introducing us to the bungalow and its history with fluency and smoothness. She guided meal-time conversations with a fluidity that surely had her years in Public Relations to thank for.<br />
He, on the other hand, seemed more thoughtful in approach, preferring, perhaps, activity to dialogue. It’s not that words seemed difficult to come by, but more that Peter needed to be comfortable with his audience before he opened up.<br />
<br />
Suet is a writer who is rather adept behind the camera lens too. Peter is a Kelabit from Bario in Sarawak and in fact the two lived there for some time before trading that hilly region for this one closer to her native Taiping.<br />
<br />
Stays at The Nest include all meals and every one is a delight. Commenters and reviewers have all said that Suet’s cooking is marvellous. And trust me - it is. Even simple dishes have that little extra zing in them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5MoJSSv2gLfAWZiycCi32-LcEix70W5mIbmpBsolEDWYcMVoTk538uFQxpqoJZv8ycpFLqOmEmPkBUeb-PcH1eAxKIx9h9Bigse_3phrfQk8sYRJuqBSSV5GnyqEoxhmfyzgiJBc-frm/s1600/DSC_8589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5MoJSSv2gLfAWZiycCi32-LcEix70W5mIbmpBsolEDWYcMVoTk538uFQxpqoJZv8ycpFLqOmEmPkBUeb-PcH1eAxKIx9h9Bigse_3phrfQk8sYRJuqBSSV5GnyqEoxhmfyzgiJBc-frm/s640/DSC_8589.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streaked Spider Catcher seen from the dining table.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOgrmk5ukG2oGV5oiWU1zd6R4v2Ur7xZY6YQCBZN9uCItbTM1MRmkki13cfzADL_ajY4NR7rmM6SfSVM4ta_KUG0eD7apx-tGJWoLlfjJX3IRlt1rvrkI-6XwIPDQa-ejclj00ZvOdiwJ/s1600/DSC_8618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOgrmk5ukG2oGV5oiWU1zd6R4v2Ur7xZY6YQCBZN9uCItbTM1MRmkki13cfzADL_ajY4NR7rmM6SfSVM4ta_KUG0eD7apx-tGJWoLlfjJX3IRlt1rvrkI-6XwIPDQa-ejclj00ZvOdiwJ/s640/DSC_8618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqD3np4dc08NA2hwmvjOEHbKWN1WW0pScTjXc9KCwdcYN6AdKP9V4CwcGBMTFt0rtrNcDi3a7x0C-zBEfprvN4XnZ_sggmxjFc8tPGFGKd2A0BQcuYDludG-wToD44YVy1K11DPnaRRQd/s1600/DSC_8631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqD3np4dc08NA2hwmvjOEHbKWN1WW0pScTjXc9KCwdcYN6AdKP9V4CwcGBMTFt0rtrNcDi3a7x0C-zBEfprvN4XnZ_sggmxjFc8tPGFGKd2A0BQcuYDludG-wToD44YVy1K11DPnaRRQd/s640/DSC_8631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2NvtAbBV0ePnjb4sPChpqB5EYGUjen3GUJjTaeQwoghqaFNUpnceKmlO6aKGw_l06U2PWKJIopIkc1UyeXOhtkhUK2T46NGBe8p63ATWsiN1v-JD7_ATNya7hoMMOStr553jSPCRhCXh/s1600/DSC_8643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2NvtAbBV0ePnjb4sPChpqB5EYGUjen3GUJjTaeQwoghqaFNUpnceKmlO6aKGw_l06U2PWKJIopIkc1UyeXOhtkhUK2T46NGBe8p63ATWsiN1v-JD7_ATNya7hoMMOStr553jSPCRhCXh/s640/DSC_8643.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oGPen5GqlOG3cAywrIJzueNf7W1LcpSan9YQ9XSInmjlnnBEFZ-H5b5EkgEFiNTK9aLwfjA5gouKuypbahiN28fQTcWi39oixxZ_ijI9Ak_C-xFL51PqENS5YPo7jf08flp4pRqJPXlQ/s1600/DSC_8676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1188" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oGPen5GqlOG3cAywrIJzueNf7W1LcpSan9YQ9XSInmjlnnBEFZ-H5b5EkgEFiNTK9aLwfjA5gouKuypbahiN28fQTcWi39oixxZ_ijI9Ak_C-xFL51PqENS5YPo7jf08flp4pRqJPXlQ/s640/DSC_8676.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Eo6kMDcOBEYX5ZxrDWRyXtGBItRcSjEQwVXsikCL44t9roY3vBnLNA0zCHsugIWpKg5d_LxoAhj6kdQy3qP4R8vK8xZ-tA5E7XNNHwzOj1w9tG0yhhtGQgB1HmEdcXKVtgbMidyCL_Wi/s1600/DSC_8721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Eo6kMDcOBEYX5ZxrDWRyXtGBItRcSjEQwVXsikCL44t9roY3vBnLNA0zCHsugIWpKg5d_LxoAhj6kdQy3qP4R8vK8xZ-tA5E7XNNHwzOj1w9tG0yhhtGQgB1HmEdcXKVtgbMidyCL_Wi/s640/DSC_8721.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hall of The Nest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKiR3AvQqB78jYfB8FCyVre1BgYZQRbr0Jjobl_GbuMAwBrkPvU9AKKyvK2rotM8i0M1bHajTFIHtUQowc5IlZJ8lFbgg4Q7k72LFiievvpyQtwKmr8GkhCuqy9Di8Ocycrksq5Zb3ZtX/s1600/DSC_8728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKiR3AvQqB78jYfB8FCyVre1BgYZQRbr0Jjobl_GbuMAwBrkPvU9AKKyvK2rotM8i0M1bHajTFIHtUQowc5IlZJ8lFbgg4Q7k72LFiievvpyQtwKmr8GkhCuqy9Di8Ocycrksq5Zb3ZtX/s640/DSC_8728.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIzQhogyTLu0eNY0GMGyohp_vfa9kg3tr2LJfu_JjFuLXrUhItibIGKFXc4KC7QpTS583yjqt4JER9P8hC806Qb2ehhhpfTzhLQ8wsKa7c73szN7Iq9nHlB7MISgHgn2SM7HZRHJjVFvR/s1600/IMG_7284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIzQhogyTLu0eNY0GMGyohp_vfa9kg3tr2LJfu_JjFuLXrUhItibIGKFXc4KC7QpTS583yjqt4JER9P8hC806Qb2ehhhpfTzhLQ8wsKa7c73szN7Iq9nHlB7MISgHgn2SM7HZRHJjVFvR/s640/IMG_7284.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bOkG_0te8EmJ5u2ueqOa3lY0rBi0DKflmbGd4TO-u0PYIFymriY3mNswzbyMv2xSELX95fwMTO0LWYPU1711RwrfqWbdaS7orQ_IAydLiviSxG3oD9WMcpP6QU6QeTqN4MC8TDhrciGq/s1600/IMG_7285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bOkG_0te8EmJ5u2ueqOa3lY0rBi0DKflmbGd4TO-u0PYIFymriY3mNswzbyMv2xSELX95fwMTO0LWYPU1711RwrfqWbdaS7orQ_IAydLiviSxG3oD9WMcpP6QU6QeTqN4MC8TDhrciGq/s640/IMG_7285.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SE84B0VYSdX4y95mEhyphenhyphenlvC6_AZ14jWqInBANGR3aIw-f4fV7t3Re9r4OVNtpG77Awr-GA8vmrkQ75kmkk6V5pk3tub0PDhzNfuk1WxYFjoStdfr8AZQevSy_djnCEkF9LdZPpKK_wjPm/s1600/IMG_7286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SE84B0VYSdX4y95mEhyphenhyphenlvC6_AZ14jWqInBANGR3aIw-f4fV7t3Re9r4OVNtpG77Awr-GA8vmrkQ75kmkk6V5pk3tub0PDhzNfuk1WxYFjoStdfr8AZQevSy_djnCEkF9LdZPpKK_wjPm/s640/IMG_7286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_1DJnnoDJJSmGhCgz92pb-AMPjnGgGphE1F1xtpxMl7hBc_9WTrdcohXcVtPW1zXrzhIDBI74EQgvakmZlGhifcQt4QSdCmTybHD-AVDDjo9GJpZKcRbbaIs9xqrHAjytj-Cu9ButKA6/s1600/IMG_7287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_1DJnnoDJJSmGhCgz92pb-AMPjnGgGphE1F1xtpxMl7hBc_9WTrdcohXcVtPW1zXrzhIDBI74EQgvakmZlGhifcQt4QSdCmTybHD-AVDDjo9GJpZKcRbbaIs9xqrHAjytj-Cu9ButKA6/s640/IMG_7287.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon, drying.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-x46Q_mRISif0w4t5ic5zYWLr9Kbz_slVwAeQ8sE63wZC3VlPOUtgRV05v32kDKgFsUE1Qpuy0IL42wbGO3W1gFZqUfbNshgUlBSc6NcDDBHa8jsCwTC_V-av5d6lN3SNB5as6U_P57B/s1600/IMG_7288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-x46Q_mRISif0w4t5ic5zYWLr9Kbz_slVwAeQ8sE63wZC3VlPOUtgRV05v32kDKgFsUE1Qpuy0IL42wbGO3W1gFZqUfbNshgUlBSc6NcDDBHa8jsCwTC_V-av5d6lN3SNB5as6U_P57B/s640/IMG_7288.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL3Y5U_mf3F3Y03o-IcJWxvzfXGSRpNDwlUCNUsD4G_4Q3rJKw_ZgUmj1U2faGPt2Fj7kCQqfqOOj7yAhE8dS5Rzc2ZfT-Q9GXdo9fquirZIXXzcND5DWT1gC1JZLhEOdjcctTeqRqiLX/s1600/IMG_7290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL3Y5U_mf3F3Y03o-IcJWxvzfXGSRpNDwlUCNUsD4G_4Q3rJKw_ZgUmj1U2faGPt2Fj7kCQqfqOOj7yAhE8dS5Rzc2ZfT-Q9GXdo9fquirZIXXzcND5DWT1gC1JZLhEOdjcctTeqRqiLX/s640/IMG_7290.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5duZLFaj8H2kkYdOKb5Dn5fPoPmoO_D5tIHXW87FAI9crod4baOU1l1CUMLWRoFcu5ngqIaefuEZh0NuS9oHFTK5pW1aqUXiyba_R9pw6VargekMQSgocWiSkUqyvT5Wjq86-QugwAxl/s1600/IMG_7295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5duZLFaj8H2kkYdOKb5Dn5fPoPmoO_D5tIHXW87FAI9crod4baOU1l1CUMLWRoFcu5ngqIaefuEZh0NuS9oHFTK5pW1aqUXiyba_R9pw6VargekMQSgocWiSkUqyvT5Wjq86-QugwAxl/s640/IMG_7295.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvijbiyHU-ZRr-MDuP-NIeQledAiegvDi0q6OprVbw-TEh2KoP8c_zaVY6EqOsVeLtLjC6KFSrVi5jCe_DX2mG0-h28MkEDVzpaMUzr-6Up85SyXKrBBoSgo9a_yq-A5SwgDRQBb4ACVdF/s1600/IMG_7296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvijbiyHU-ZRr-MDuP-NIeQledAiegvDi0q6OprVbw-TEh2KoP8c_zaVY6EqOsVeLtLjC6KFSrVi5jCe_DX2mG0-h28MkEDVzpaMUzr-6Up85SyXKrBBoSgo9a_yq-A5SwgDRQBb4ACVdF/s640/IMG_7296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Nest is set in and surrounded by nature. You will hear birdcall, incessant insect noise and even see birds and other wildlife come up near the bungalow. Or you can take walks up- or downhill. Bring binoculars, and/or a camera with a long lens. In fact, keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked for you’ll see and hear sights and sounds that have become alien in an urban setting. Birds, squirrels, cicadas, spiders and more will be everywhere.<br />
<br />
A little downhill is a cluster of huts among which is the Cendana which used to have accommodation as well as a cafe open on weekends but it now also seems to be closed. Further on from that is the Rest House which also seems not to be operating, then the midway point which is a busy place with a cafe and garden areas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO3BCqEdTEgxiemIdwl8Z0pwC_-RXFz2WWfFe9e2UXqIVEfvZLodhPKbi-jBznCFHgD8RFcWMs26hTwZG-5jvYUuhrL21sT6umPMXpsvuqdKPWe7uax3ti69LWHspihE97kSRh03Nrata/s1600/DSC_8741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO3BCqEdTEgxiemIdwl8Z0pwC_-RXFz2WWfFe9e2UXqIVEfvZLodhPKbi-jBznCFHgD8RFcWMs26hTwZG-5jvYUuhrL21sT6umPMXpsvuqdKPWe7uax3ti69LWHspihE97kSRh03Nrata/s640/DSC_8741.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gcBCS2ZIV005Ln4rAXlOTRxTqi7EyKXGncA0dZfObrb58LLkGHuzS8I_8cFCi9a4MxivJkpCytTsmk4kPGi1UTF1f8Sv3MzOP6v7ChiLgxBk2MS_53pmIAzVYImUVuZ23svQaCIuxHck/s1600/DSC_8747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gcBCS2ZIV005Ln4rAXlOTRxTqi7EyKXGncA0dZfObrb58LLkGHuzS8I_8cFCi9a4MxivJkpCytTsmk4kPGi1UTF1f8Sv3MzOP6v7ChiLgxBk2MS_53pmIAzVYImUVuZ23svQaCIuxHck/s640/DSC_8747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZqinGX4s8ChRgdSkcJb_ntBOXcyd6yMeUm0bvhsmFf56V3KAI5iFTw69Emxk9LrkGM3ine-LzrktCIlfbznd7q03mtBp3OGzCc443Xt-uNAytC0xYQEzq29b_ny6gsdI4JmT04_P6hvL/s1600/DSC_8748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZqinGX4s8ChRgdSkcJb_ntBOXcyd6yMeUm0bvhsmFf56V3KAI5iFTw69Emxk9LrkGM3ine-LzrktCIlfbznd7q03mtBp3OGzCc443Xt-uNAytC0xYQEzq29b_ny6gsdI4JmT04_P6hvL/s640/DSC_8748.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patterns in nature...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyEkf2Z5wWU7c8T1JrQSqSB0a3X4BRwj03HfF-OS1So1viOD5HLvLkRuLenZgyCI1w7_xV7QPyjUNaTl9xqhmPF6FixjwSqEO5XKiDIY8kJpHX3M-rTSgD-tcG0KFKvMq9VmyZFEuJ3bJ/s1600/DSC_8749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyEkf2Z5wWU7c8T1JrQSqSB0a3X4BRwj03HfF-OS1So1viOD5HLvLkRuLenZgyCI1w7_xV7QPyjUNaTl9xqhmPF6FixjwSqEO5XKiDIY8kJpHX3M-rTSgD-tcG0KFKvMq9VmyZFEuJ3bJ/s640/DSC_8749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfrlX5F7A3h65J0_OW5QDed7Fjkpv11U-2u2Yc1za8c0VmFr1zoBSc_cxsfY_eA8TYmdiscD3DnWfzY-0PvMHucslRQswJLAROMTAEoS31RZ2GlBszY2Ay4MStGZTmeQIfwIMx2vCQcKd/s1600/DSC_8750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfrlX5F7A3h65J0_OW5QDed7Fjkpv11U-2u2Yc1za8c0VmFr1zoBSc_cxsfY_eA8TYmdiscD3DnWfzY-0PvMHucslRQswJLAROMTAEoS31RZ2GlBszY2Ay4MStGZTmeQIfwIMx2vCQcKd/s640/DSC_8750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnXQ6XLNzEqB-tAEiq_KM_5fZkO-M6tDFsYRNFrsJk8XMi9zu-S4_ObTKXWVIE-rC9DOKG4K55hl-EkAhwGvcZKdssWiwj6locSEwpmWBdIy43IIMe8j-W7HVO961Lk4wGMN3lzQh-6ZT/s1600/DSC_8752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnXQ6XLNzEqB-tAEiq_KM_5fZkO-M6tDFsYRNFrsJk8XMi9zu-S4_ObTKXWVIE-rC9DOKG4K55hl-EkAhwGvcZKdssWiwj6locSEwpmWBdIy43IIMe8j-W7HVO961Lk4wGMN3lzQh-6ZT/s640/DSC_8752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6o5bHu7Sho07kEm2cwbppYK75MXNjZdriXQNlb1mqU6OLECzPj9CTLnB5L76X5Qq9_UxJT_HfqCph_derQu3BoZ-x9gRxT7TWvyfTkz3nKxVAdtAQ5JxxwWt1ehDG7D-aRc5WbcxXI7_/s1600/DSC_8754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6o5bHu7Sho07kEm2cwbppYK75MXNjZdriXQNlb1mqU6OLECzPj9CTLnB5L76X5Qq9_UxJT_HfqCph_derQu3BoZ-x9gRxT7TWvyfTkz3nKxVAdtAQ5JxxwWt1ehDG7D-aRc5WbcxXI7_/s640/DSC_8754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf4Nntec-puVPbcp90Hph7W0SH-Sx44T4UviPvcDU2qAtm66q0TNHN-WFdXTDekTG_AtqWopzV1TYWrqMcBTYeUKmj7seFiFmOJxo5SI-1WLr8Qfl-EDc-bQpdALh0KOghNk148MQbu_5/s1600/DSC_8759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf4Nntec-puVPbcp90Hph7W0SH-Sx44T4UviPvcDU2qAtm66q0TNHN-WFdXTDekTG_AtqWopzV1TYWrqMcBTYeUKmj7seFiFmOJxo5SI-1WLr8Qfl-EDc-bQpdALh0KOghNk148MQbu_5/s640/DSC_8759.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2z44tCvULMNuBr7Y7cJgKOa5roHayavVpckXd0Gku08D09T21Bwq_TJRBZL46HJhbGo2EwY-sysPBcvCzrM3m-2V4bj8dIfLN2uwuwJybmeqTzdCgf1vIF0cEjOvyTCWiWGxKVv_s3Mo/s1600/DSC_8762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2z44tCvULMNuBr7Y7cJgKOa5roHayavVpckXd0Gku08D09T21Bwq_TJRBZL46HJhbGo2EwY-sysPBcvCzrM3m-2V4bj8dIfLN2uwuwJybmeqTzdCgf1vIF0cEjOvyTCWiWGxKVv_s3Mo/s640/DSC_8762.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXqI-X0QYmjUxbH4rGo-LHCaqVCDSSYnrHFI2IPsSSOx5u68l6Qn-AQZXNnMTnpLosNG-7FuYpC0DmpPSMg1ReBQghrpyDwcP33JPhNNt0LKtMTaTp1HvskwDvHpj9JWyLJ-fQ9QCctK0/s1600/DSC_8763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXqI-X0QYmjUxbH4rGo-LHCaqVCDSSYnrHFI2IPsSSOx5u68l6Qn-AQZXNnMTnpLosNG-7FuYpC0DmpPSMg1ReBQghrpyDwcP33JPhNNt0LKtMTaTp1HvskwDvHpj9JWyLJ-fQ9QCctK0/s640/DSC_8763.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near The Cendana.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCsv35U1-iI5F_0nDnTvoHlJJqbfOhb8gaNAwRlCHzk14P7sIkHraKSZTqa-OWSBQ4OG4SBpG3gHmuY-4Mm3fXsZdWbRak-BqeHe9Vr3y_exbg0npXgcwnslsEUL8hwdRKCTWrM6KTE9-/s1600/DSC_8765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCsv35U1-iI5F_0nDnTvoHlJJqbfOhb8gaNAwRlCHzk14P7sIkHraKSZTqa-OWSBQ4OG4SBpG3gHmuY-4Mm3fXsZdWbRak-BqeHe9Vr3y_exbg0npXgcwnslsEUL8hwdRKCTWrM6KTE9-/s640/DSC_8765.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25iyaGalJGc2HfcRveM6qQBKNDikPRpeHUY_Z7ifFuqs-s6LJi9VqCydWJ9dypIkhXrTyxCmaYlrQIESjNj47j-pa0pax17isTrrVhfKFRRasuZ0-z5LvG5opbxD53BwmcApC4_3RvWyo/s1600/DSC_8768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25iyaGalJGc2HfcRveM6qQBKNDikPRpeHUY_Z7ifFuqs-s6LJi9VqCydWJ9dypIkhXrTyxCmaYlrQIESjNj47j-pa0pax17isTrrVhfKFRRasuZ0-z5LvG5opbxD53BwmcApC4_3RvWyo/s640/DSC_8768.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToHUNeZUVFF1AWTv-QXNerJ03tN2zlceaNncq9mb1ZsbjYZNQUWOnIMKvXaCroNnNTxouHF9oiC42PwpnrYgAZog98EEiH-k8jjHqyuLUknxOQ4XsOqEwnk8uOLBZA1opV5IdQVl9Wmfy/s1600/DSC_8778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToHUNeZUVFF1AWTv-QXNerJ03tN2zlceaNncq9mb1ZsbjYZNQUWOnIMKvXaCroNnNTxouHF9oiC42PwpnrYgAZog98EEiH-k8jjHqyuLUknxOQ4XsOqEwnk8uOLBZA1opV5IdQVl9Wmfy/s640/DSC_8778.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhZaRM95V6B8j4fWncuWhVOfu8fUFUjHmaZshrijRmvXBnd_Dmu4uR-st4r8riJNYH8liZ0FPb7dnux-DXcJ1mr0Bbs4AzdP87BuboKa4EN38TXczBHM81bDTLbPpraoTxa7requFixR-/s1600/DSC_8780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhZaRM95V6B8j4fWncuWhVOfu8fUFUjHmaZshrijRmvXBnd_Dmu4uR-st4r8riJNYH8liZ0FPb7dnux-DXcJ1mr0Bbs4AzdP87BuboKa4EN38TXczBHM81bDTLbPpraoTxa7requFixR-/s640/DSC_8780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-kSx2qJa56255QIXH7tMIf7PeEm_EGajr7sb1Ll09Yt6JtLqWmSdQjQY0Dy280EOhzAYus6KJtJ8s11BpU89KtSDDYdRaeVnUfpApWcu_kO_NXA72pX3tl55EBPgjFPaZ1BEbNuKJyBc/s1600/DSC_8788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-kSx2qJa56255QIXH7tMIf7PeEm_EGajr7sb1Ll09Yt6JtLqWmSdQjQY0Dy280EOhzAYus6KJtJ8s11BpU89KtSDDYdRaeVnUfpApWcu_kO_NXA72pX3tl55EBPgjFPaZ1BEbNuKJyBc/s640/DSC_8788.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was maybe 15 feet away from this and with a slight breeze blowing, could hardly focus on this large spider web.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpMsMdHmqaHTZDDF7-W6oTuCezhbHOCxFjWtD-3DGhEDPoo_ObFmdyq-25hcm6jOTkaQiPr46szyqaoRLpzgxirdY9eeiZb6wB8atJ81pcGGeJ16MkJ9g4dCI2c-PxVPuxeG_hE4ckQtg/s1600/DSC_8789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpMsMdHmqaHTZDDF7-W6oTuCezhbHOCxFjWtD-3DGhEDPoo_ObFmdyq-25hcm6jOTkaQiPr46szyqaoRLpzgxirdY9eeiZb6wB8atJ81pcGGeJ16MkJ9g4dCI2c-PxVPuxeG_hE4ckQtg/s640/DSC_8789.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYArlhc-chrUeLaogOcDrSsawq54vN4Nff4kKhcWRr621lCYDLsy71QZ7ytzyRs-Ovruo89LtLNSADBgWhq5uqQofk8fGOK7P6olU1733J3_GTlWkgO2aHD2PksHCu2QzLiBjDmydyE1b/s1600/DSC_8799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYArlhc-chrUeLaogOcDrSsawq54vN4Nff4kKhcWRr621lCYDLsy71QZ7ytzyRs-Ovruo89LtLNSADBgWhq5uqQofk8fGOK7P6olU1733J3_GTlWkgO2aHD2PksHCu2QzLiBjDmydyE1b/s640/DSC_8799.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The country's smallest roundabout?<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wRIfOi1vD1M2up9X0N1FdXf5agwWUHYDmxrj5KCWToPtnoKsyOgrKn084yEXkX6Wnp0MqMKol4ZxlGYSlrKj0MoJL0KlAxh3kum7fiKLeL3BbTRA27oEnT-gs7SsNCo8VAvmqIh3R6Yl/s1600/DSC_8800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wRIfOi1vD1M2up9X0N1FdXf5agwWUHYDmxrj5KCWToPtnoKsyOgrKn084yEXkX6Wnp0MqMKol4ZxlGYSlrKj0MoJL0KlAxh3kum7fiKLeL3BbTRA27oEnT-gs7SsNCo8VAvmqIh3R6Yl/s640/DSC_8800.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember your school lessons? Spores on the underside of a fern leaf.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG43Ayj2ku1dTu09Ag5aMl0uJW5hQQwEMcvSCFgTm52813-1r9UgREg_CICXy2FfzbsxfRcI3Zcz58XGvDoX4WwnBwgJ4QAtyRNFl0FJFcrUmFCgop52fZ6I7O-xBriEtpimkubOwD06Nn/s1600/DSC_8804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG43Ayj2ku1dTu09Ag5aMl0uJW5hQQwEMcvSCFgTm52813-1r9UgREg_CICXy2FfzbsxfRcI3Zcz58XGvDoX4WwnBwgJ4QAtyRNFl0FJFcrUmFCgop52fZ6I7O-xBriEtpimkubOwD06Nn/s640/DSC_8804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqhc7-isWH5SxfE-Thjg2h_VApelVKsMqgTUyQ1Q_jLwqGK9z6fPfJFl-JjyS9vanMyR-EstgFdAXQxltn-diZZBz6NB0nJ3H69o-7u-IkDjV-aaLpLj7F3iGX46UBCLdLHVvjM4O2ytw/s1600/DSC_8805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqhc7-isWH5SxfE-Thjg2h_VApelVKsMqgTUyQ1Q_jLwqGK9z6fPfJFl-JjyS9vanMyR-EstgFdAXQxltn-diZZBz6NB0nJ3H69o-7u-IkDjV-aaLpLj7F3iGX46UBCLdLHVvjM4O2ytw/s640/DSC_8805.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open your eyes and you'll see fauna everywhere.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsOwRE4VTEhLeogQ8cDuopQjV3t1E1OP5OIv48SCFgLunJPpPO_sUf7oVOYFoZU8mQv9y2Z3xlnm8C_3E9z4pGuzXnDQ_5mzE9uepXA6cM3zXrP_XE4rcWiMi7zQgCQXdFajaygM1GG7H/s1600/DSC_8811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsOwRE4VTEhLeogQ8cDuopQjV3t1E1OP5OIv48SCFgLunJPpPO_sUf7oVOYFoZU8mQv9y2Z3xlnm8C_3E9z4pGuzXnDQ_5mzE9uepXA6cM3zXrP_XE4rcWiMi7zQgCQXdFajaygM1GG7H/s640/DSC_8811.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite busy here and the cafe seems open. Don't know the hours, though.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WVTnDt0pYLIOr2T_Uq970fRNBpzvYv0DqXhDu94Suq-CFuV68YtwHnnfxF4ca3g9GHOFRwePvstDctPkUW3FZkIG3aGlH-Ee0KXkkBAN0mnEsz17SrcjnsBa7gre_kCEAlBqiZMVf-a5/s1600/DSC_8818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WVTnDt0pYLIOr2T_Uq970fRNBpzvYv0DqXhDu94Suq-CFuV68YtwHnnfxF4ca3g9GHOFRwePvstDctPkUW3FZkIG3aGlH-Ee0KXkkBAN0mnEsz17SrcjnsBa7gre_kCEAlBqiZMVf-a5/s640/DSC_8818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsRKEEGCDb6fhrpjYJLtJLyYwsMNgrTKXmfSJI04Y4iksoryhnISq9K68nJOslQZvwIKEBDmYc_PLTDH92Y9fhRrHIf-USWd2-Ycf9Tcxu3v41V_bvuAupz399iT-IAzegDJNmvvIq1Yv/s1600/DSC_8821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsRKEEGCDb6fhrpjYJLtJLyYwsMNgrTKXmfSJI04Y4iksoryhnISq9K68nJOslQZvwIKEBDmYc_PLTDH92Y9fhRrHIf-USWd2-Ycf9Tcxu3v41V_bvuAupz399iT-IAzegDJNmvvIq1Yv/s640/DSC_8821.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At night, if you’re lucky, the skies will clear and you can see a night sky undisturbed by light pollution. We were indeed lucky to have about an hour of relatively clear skies - you can see the pictures I managed to take.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyxIkVG6y_WWvSmB_B6_0FnmtJ7NoPgDH8nrUvHsTtHIFJWdICjhyphenhyphengSaS6oqyRvtTwds0yv7nZXrI8oSV0VBbIcpei_iNj3O-qQA6-lOQeRJt2hA9gPoo6CNOCfIMcqIWSf1M60Zfpfku/s1600/DSC_8707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyxIkVG6y_WWvSmB_B6_0FnmtJ7NoPgDH8nrUvHsTtHIFJWdICjhyphenhyphengSaS6oqyRvtTwds0yv7nZXrI8oSV0VBbIcpei_iNj3O-qQA6-lOQeRJt2hA9gPoo6CNOCfIMcqIWSf1M60Zfpfku/s640/DSC_8707.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dotted line is a plane flying overhead in this 30 second exposure.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf04sT2EssaZA7iFVMb2GidmVKG25svLoURCeFIosyvYUUpOVZLCwjYNCJAUSISnbW7SEj4cby9Kn35OnwNi29EKkXFwQHhhIZBGMTxMuW5OWlpqXEGFPcD6DnVgHq4_LUAIdVsdolA47p/s1600/DSC_8719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf04sT2EssaZA7iFVMb2GidmVKG25svLoURCeFIosyvYUUpOVZLCwjYNCJAUSISnbW7SEj4cby9Kn35OnwNi29EKkXFwQHhhIZBGMTxMuW5OWlpqXEGFPcD6DnVgHq4_LUAIdVsdolA47p/s640/DSC_8719.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
The drive down the next day was almost as quick as the drive up the day before. We were slowed by a Toyota Hilux and our driver was frequently on the brakes, inches from the other car’s rear bumper. I told you Landies were good…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V2vJWrt4jzQVdyddt93HGNtdlKHetMn1t7QgyavMjjGLgik3uRTtWuP8EFYImYBXC3luVQlPpHCy1Ih2bx2_-0xkQysghHGugd7s1PISUIkpt0xm7G9S8ICIG40SXxeHl5BFOxVDEx0b/s1600/DSC_8826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V2vJWrt4jzQVdyddt93HGNtdlKHetMn1t7QgyavMjjGLgik3uRTtWuP8EFYImYBXC3luVQlPpHCy1Ih2bx2_-0xkQysghHGugd7s1PISUIkpt0xm7G9S8ICIG40SXxeHl5BFOxVDEx0b/s640/DSC_8826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCUqF_9dvHFTQ5nvtZtr851flt-6OSqLbdHQCKDcwJ_PBHwdvWvfrvjUp2S0EWfturBqdx0GjhyKWNsjp_5-pZdPTOWzkRVsKEqJVwtvtF56yHONN74R47vGujAkwIAwWqTlg35awWTaY/s1600/DSC_8829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCUqF_9dvHFTQ5nvtZtr851flt-6OSqLbdHQCKDcwJ_PBHwdvWvfrvjUp2S0EWfturBqdx0GjhyKWNsjp_5-pZdPTOWzkRVsKEqJVwtvtF56yHONN74R47vGujAkwIAwWqTlg35awWTaY/s640/DSC_8829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Maxwell’s Hill is only an hour or so from Penang and is a wonderful getaway form the hustle and bustle of urban life. You’ll be surrounded by nature (though expect leeches as they are part of nature too) and will have a wonderful time. Don’t expect activity by the bucketful. Do expect leisurely walks, cool air, great conversation, delicious food and a comfortable setting you’d be happy to spend a few days in.<br />
<br />
I love small owner-operated vacation destinations and I rate them highly if I arrive a guest and leave a friend. We rate The Nest highly indeed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprI13b8f9YozWaqgpVKaosJazjkAYoxAX0I6TLelF_AIAJQRu2cI9TgGwaFP5FPE-Rzc3pv1Elyh856NkFg1kVzjXVg-Zd3O-9U_kHjMKMGWdT2_BxIIz6O4pN2OAK1ye7J8O3qU5iEjA/s1600/IMG_7294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprI13b8f9YozWaqgpVKaosJazjkAYoxAX0I6TLelF_AIAJQRu2cI9TgGwaFP5FPE-Rzc3pv1Elyh856NkFg1kVzjXVg-Zd3O-9U_kHjMKMGWdT2_BxIIz6O4pN2OAK1ye7J8O3qU5iEjA/s640/IMG_7294.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Luke, I am your father....' The mist and my LED torch allowed me to play the fool a bit. Something I do rather often, admittedly...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJR1mIx3nJ9NudQ6AogAc-hml38IT59oVfL-cegIYeS25s09WxSsQTPrMlREvaMX3yzaWdabK-lr7kdAXL3k-9QpaC6JMA_7hAJumXtrA3hnHqSbJIiOY0hv6F7F1zkfJ1r5X945Og0jH/s1600/IMG_7289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJR1mIx3nJ9NudQ6AogAc-hml38IT59oVfL-cegIYeS25s09WxSsQTPrMlREvaMX3yzaWdabK-lr7kdAXL3k-9QpaC6JMA_7hAJumXtrA3hnHqSbJIiOY0hv6F7F1zkfJ1r5X945Og0jH/s640/IMG_7289.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maxis? Sorry lah... no coverage unless you walk down a little ways...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
For stays at The Nest you'll need warm clothing as the night time temperatures will drop into the low teens. Be prepared for encounters with flora and fauna including leeches. Get leech socks if you don't like the little suckers clamping onto you on your walks. And yes, walk. That way you'll get to see stuff.<br />
<br />
The Nest is contactable on Facebook here:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Nest-at-Maxwells-156712068103599/">https://www.facebook.com/The-Nest-at-Maxwells-156712068103599/</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Nest-at-Maxwells-156712068103599/"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-36909095727298409232018-09-05T23:58:00.001-07:002020-10-20T00:58:33.408-07:00A single day at Lembah Bujang<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have an interest in history, specifically the movement of peoples across regions and the settlements they founded. Sometimes when I am in a very old or ancient place, I try to imagine the sights and sounds of the place when it was thriving. On a visit to the Colosseum in Rome, I stood and looked around and somewhere in the back of my mind I could see and hear the crowds, the noise, the activity… One of my favourite photos from that visit was a picture of my feet and the feet of a few people around me - coincidentally all clad in sandals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr9f7q1J_ec1yRDyp4a4FUvyRbLuXPixK0K0-OfAJ23GMMd-XFF54fde1mXwe8A_lamAQJFF8L2tmP7OcXzZbOhIIxQQkU5vYxcnTU5zUF_89sy7UJI7o4d4FEnkm5Ahpp0y65YenDIOe/s1600/293374_10150515545899128_1828154637_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="960" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr9f7q1J_ec1yRDyp4a4FUvyRbLuXPixK0K0-OfAJ23GMMd-XFF54fde1mXwe8A_lamAQJFF8L2tmP7OcXzZbOhIIxQQkU5vYxcnTU5zUF_89sy7UJI7o4d4FEnkm5Ahpp0y65YenDIOe/s640/293374_10150515545899128_1828154637_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I had looked down at my feet for a moment and saw the symmetry with 2000 years before when other feet, similarly shod, stood on those very steps too, their owners watching Gladiators face imminent death in battle against man or beast.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Before the time of Christ or the Romans, there were people here.</h3>
Long before the Roman Empire was even a bright idea in a hunter-gatherer’s limited mind, there were people already settled in the Malay Peninsula. The earliest visitors and colonisers were people form South Asia, who’d travelled through what is now Burma and Thailand to settle in the northern part of the Peninsular.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91v5tHDIgYTawTstuAhFY8JPXm9DWyacBJnyeOjPuXHUfz96Lil6LYau3yMMPvdpmuUt59tgpJ_8Lh0TmUGDi_PuGzvDkzFYcVU17yTk7lBqpt-OlTDPBsAEvr8izjXkoDvvRNU8p_zuL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-06+at+2.41.29+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="985" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91v5tHDIgYTawTstuAhFY8JPXm9DWyacBJnyeOjPuXHUfz96Lil6LYau3yMMPvdpmuUt59tgpJ_8Lh0TmUGDi_PuGzvDkzFYcVU17yTk7lBqpt-OlTDPBsAEvr8izjXkoDvvRNU8p_zuL/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-06+at+2.41.29+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDLfSxy5jRQe_u3eV5dXVTudAjPOcZGVGwxaYl8yQiCPRKq8DQUF_DYdq3bM8HciWGs7hV_IdlP9ZAVBR1Op0aHX3jycKsC4Djt7dUenAM7daqBRP5p7pAtG3YpkkEm00J5ItBJRlnCKl/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-06+at+2.41.51+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDLfSxy5jRQe_u3eV5dXVTudAjPOcZGVGwxaYl8yQiCPRKq8DQUF_DYdq3bM8HciWGs7hV_IdlP9ZAVBR1Op0aHX3jycKsC4Djt7dUenAM7daqBRP5p7pAtG3YpkkEm00J5ItBJRlnCKl/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-06+at+2.41.51+PM.png" width="491" /></a></div>
<br />
One of these areas is Lembah Bujang, or the Bujang Valley. I’d come across it in 2007 when I was cycling through the area. I had then made a detour to check out the Museum, regularly signposted on my route. I had, for some reason, expected an easy ride down into a valley but instead faced the steepest climb of my ride. It was then that I realised valleys could be at a high altitude - they were, after all, simply the gap between two or more mountains.<br />
<br />
And so Lembah Bujang turned out to be. The Museum was not a very inspiring place and as I could not then lock the bicycle and my bags anywhere safe, I could not explore the Chandis (burial structures) scattered around. I swore then that I would make a return trip but it wasn’t until 11 years later that I did. This time by car, and with my wife in tow.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
I remembered a beach...</h3>
We drove northwards from Penang one morning, taking a detour to a little beach area called Pantai Merdeka, hoping to stop there for lunch. I’d spent an afternoon here on my ride and I hoped there’d still be a hawker centre we could have lunch at.<br />
<br />
Pantai Merdeka is at the mouth of the Merbok River and when I went there in 2007, there was a set of chalets which were being renovated, a large hawker centre, a broad expanse of beach and a seawall upon which I dozed through the hottest of the midday sun, as an endless line of fishing boats chugged past, bringing their catch up river.<br />
<br />
We drove along a familiar hilly road and arrived at a place that tickled some memories though some changes were evident. The chalets were now a medium-sized resort and the hawker centre was still there. Even larger than I remembered, actually. There was a seawall still, but as it was high tide, I could not see if the beach still remained. I could see a narrow strip of sand not inundated by seawater so perhaps the wide expanse was still there. Across the river we could see some buildings, though overall the area did not appear over-developed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SusO1oRYgL-d8ozYMnZ6S3Qtab202xm_4ha3kIK4563TKJttG5VLPXs7ZMmUoe86aWsv4O0J_ZI1lNedCWNU6zapzhJwa9lkbGdBNbvcyYSThRBYHYN2AzggzbVVycS_2gN6Z5jBY30J/s1600/DSC_8938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SusO1oRYgL-d8ozYMnZ6S3Qtab202xm_4ha3kIK4563TKJttG5VLPXs7ZMmUoe86aWsv4O0J_ZI1lNedCWNU6zapzhJwa9lkbGdBNbvcyYSThRBYHYN2AzggzbVVycS_2gN6Z5jBY30J/s640/DSC_8938.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEibeCIAItxT2LzPiw7tx3h2CbamH0MAAsi8Y7l6y-08y0mqUeZzDvW_gpDxTMHhUfesfgEdUUZAV8b140b-KSTsfZYYF5pLuNRWzaNXdtYLwW94XstYLP60dTf2UkH0FMHYsWC4z7BjD/s1600/DSC_8940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEibeCIAItxT2LzPiw7tx3h2CbamH0MAAsi8Y7l6y-08y0mqUeZzDvW_gpDxTMHhUfesfgEdUUZAV8b140b-KSTsfZYYF5pLuNRWzaNXdtYLwW94XstYLP60dTf2UkH0FMHYsWC4z7BjD/s640/DSC_8940.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECvad5LgjCqPZmyhubLhKmjKqxkEWlnrmP4yR_Te9DZs4WeYcfI4YGjIAV1j4dDXSbqHixF8uS7jraWtACdeuWi6_FZK3sgRFihji_nRpA-VHha25uMEkUi9TmDPhvmmZ8BDkgZnn0qhn/s1600/DSC_8943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECvad5LgjCqPZmyhubLhKmjKqxkEWlnrmP4yR_Te9DZs4WeYcfI4YGjIAV1j4dDXSbqHixF8uS7jraWtACdeuWi6_FZK3sgRFihji_nRpA-VHha25uMEkUi9TmDPhvmmZ8BDkgZnn0qhn/s640/DSC_8943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzisGSYOUSA_NweqNnwmGdUuCShf6G63xz0PJEc3hEHsQvFVFqYNN95IhbGwbqD_lBkvFOzCUO-R7U5ByPPAakJxcFKXrlsbv4ILnF5L9xJZH0LggAgKuiQ4-8uvq5WOp88StYpVfRf6L/s1600/DSC_8944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzisGSYOUSA_NweqNnwmGdUuCShf6G63xz0PJEc3hEHsQvFVFqYNN95IhbGwbqD_lBkvFOzCUO-R7U5ByPPAakJxcFKXrlsbv4ILnF5L9xJZH0LggAgKuiQ4-8uvq5WOp88StYpVfRf6L/s640/DSC_8944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTXKfDvCMNDoKksC5bYiOklmzA7M8iR9eNcc3yzVGoNoQ1afAo9MNXN2PNwsPXjgFxvjjbV3xDKVWfVqdTtIFbvnfhn2uRxuhcvjf-EcvE4ImQgoW8zdWJsv6FLmJw0nO_aE-bAZzeJtK/s1600/DSC_8945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTXKfDvCMNDoKksC5bYiOklmzA7M8iR9eNcc3yzVGoNoQ1afAo9MNXN2PNwsPXjgFxvjjbV3xDKVWfVqdTtIFbvnfhn2uRxuhcvjf-EcvE4ImQgoW8zdWJsv6FLmJw0nO_aE-bAZzeJtK/s640/DSC_8945.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little kitten ambled along with us for a couple of hundred meters.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget8thhIHppCTBB9bx17n189YlgDaiJmCxADzTQiGxhy2rPJTVjY9_jxmltiGuz1GdpEBY4dBwfC0KEXfHoxYJI3FJ8tOExmzz15WA2gPzRuXxusnPls_FgKyQ6KwOsRSKaOqx36TTpKJk/s1600/DSC_8947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget8thhIHppCTBB9bx17n189YlgDaiJmCxADzTQiGxhy2rPJTVjY9_jxmltiGuz1GdpEBY4dBwfC0KEXfHoxYJI3FJ8tOExmzz15WA2gPzRuXxusnPls_FgKyQ6KwOsRSKaOqx36TTpKJk/s640/DSC_8947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha702I3z4xclja5n5tbJIrbrm2f1h95eIizZg3QVvsA8QiHE3fDUFH4QZVVSzR-v486I9BKT4eDH1fpZwa5WiCCraoYcVDE86VUadwp72jt8a1MSCTlFhKvmw2UNakyrdheTmBjoqBoDwu/s1600/DSC_8950.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha702I3z4xclja5n5tbJIrbrm2f1h95eIizZg3QVvsA8QiHE3fDUFH4QZVVSzR-v486I9BKT4eDH1fpZwa5WiCCraoYcVDE86VUadwp72jt8a1MSCTlFhKvmw2UNakyrdheTmBjoqBoDwu/s640/DSC_8950.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything was shut and mostly devoid of life, except for these two girls zooming around on an electric scooter.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD7vfMF-9UyhZVt6qnGVJyEFPLuh7Ly00RmA7cDqxAuo438TWHApfsHIAfb3lEXipR9F92-JnnTM2ooEYogIjYrf0fR9NQrUA83QYeHU1f5-1cwCNu9tsg8Fun7JZzaB_OgCRmymh5ztW/s1600/DSC_8953.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD7vfMF-9UyhZVt6qnGVJyEFPLuh7Ly00RmA7cDqxAuo438TWHApfsHIAfb3lEXipR9F92-JnnTM2ooEYogIjYrf0fR9NQrUA83QYeHU1f5-1cwCNu9tsg8Fun7JZzaB_OgCRmymh5ztW/s640/DSC_8953.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat ramp for launching the life guard vessel.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrCLfmEj_7pjPNWXsWrT0naMBuoeTpOiOZzSHQ5fiXh11MfApHfjCgh5GfeQdOFKVy4q370N2Wlg0XPmdpwrZ6d8_6vWCM26_wl_xzVlEKEjqhTLkjK_iVmELarrUqsYhAwKl8Q4gp3cA/s1600/DSC_8954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrCLfmEj_7pjPNWXsWrT0naMBuoeTpOiOZzSHQ5fiXh11MfApHfjCgh5GfeQdOFKVy4q370N2Wlg0XPmdpwrZ6d8_6vWCM26_wl_xzVlEKEjqhTLkjK_iVmELarrUqsYhAwKl8Q4gp3cA/s640/DSC_8954.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
What we could not find, though, was food and drink of any kind. It was Ramadhan and every single shop was closed. We walked around a little, looking for something, anything that might be open. A few workmen renovating some of the facilities were resting under a shelter and as we walked past I asked if there was anywhere we could have lunch and their answer was in the negative. And so, after walking around the entire area, we decided to drive back the way we’d come and hoped to find something to eat somewhere.<br />
<br />
Perhaps Pantai Merdeka’s target audience is mainly Malay. I can’t help but think though that this is an opportunity lost - that there is here some potential for local or foreign tourism and if so, then services need to cater for all.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Past Padi fields and into the valley</h3>
We headed back out past the beautiful padi fields, full of young green padi, poking up through the surface of the irrigated plots. This part of the country is really the rice-bowl of the nation and the miles and miles of padi fields can be exquisitely picturesque, depending on the season.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Do8Ux34rxPlszSgd_jJuQSa8gK2XhdC48ZiT1zYSkPUabiDZ9VruYZkbFpGsTRWq-YcjOeKK-84VsDe-fYMTFgG_iolBoCmg59oDAWKVMBEt8w_QKq6HrG2-B2suIzUfT9cbqdcrOLFI/s1600/DSC_8955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Do8Ux34rxPlszSgd_jJuQSa8gK2XhdC48ZiT1zYSkPUabiDZ9VruYZkbFpGsTRWq-YcjOeKK-84VsDe-fYMTFgG_iolBoCmg59oDAWKVMBEt8w_QKq6HrG2-B2suIzUfT9cbqdcrOLFI/s640/DSC_8955.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQV6Dh3BtARYM7RlU1-5Px2S7mc0WwyeyqrIMeqISunW0BCTu-474n3Epa5t9IMQJtxJm8BvFOArGDPdnn0h6iJwuF2zS1p7Q7uokOyvqgEBhZz0aF0trrXnIrAoqbGB1469M8NROUorf/s1600/DSC_8959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQV6Dh3BtARYM7RlU1-5Px2S7mc0WwyeyqrIMeqISunW0BCTu-474n3Epa5t9IMQJtxJm8BvFOArGDPdnn0h6iJwuF2zS1p7Q7uokOyvqgEBhZz0aF0trrXnIrAoqbGB1469M8NROUorf/s640/DSC_8959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuemBZv4XmT0cEKaAgsKMkL2g-hYqPnQseqXaScial0I0mcy5sN422HchpyZFKIQhB959mEbWRkns7tcgm1IQAdX_16BI59xTOZ8LrouJqRJ3xJo-ZJdIasGFzh8qxUlYwDjXGrwmkYl2C/s1600/DSC_8961.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuemBZv4XmT0cEKaAgsKMkL2g-hYqPnQseqXaScial0I0mcy5sN422HchpyZFKIQhB959mEbWRkns7tcgm1IQAdX_16BI59xTOZ8LrouJqRJ3xJo-ZJdIasGFzh8qxUlYwDjXGrwmkYl2C/s640/DSC_8961.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We eventually drove in to Sg Petani and found a fantastic lunch stop. An Indian Rice stall that looked unremarkable but the food turned out to be anything but. If you’re ever in Sg Petani, look for the Hong Leong Bank at Jalan Kampung Baru, Taman Patani Jaya.The stall is in the block next to it, along the main road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCk2WyN_EJ_Plr5pHrgIuIxPCaccqA7kgCiTfwmUBur1G4FFI0zLNlcvQ3T5h1q_P8Bo5SqQBNExI7QRzedUbffZVD-W_xSujVrAf_RXzHYAECUkmN00pWI8i63hn3Mp1_XV8fXS42am7/s1600/IMG_6420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCk2WyN_EJ_Plr5pHrgIuIxPCaccqA7kgCiTfwmUBur1G4FFI0zLNlcvQ3T5h1q_P8Bo5SqQBNExI7QRzedUbffZVD-W_xSujVrAf_RXzHYAECUkmN00pWI8i63hn3Mp1_XV8fXS42am7/s640/IMG_6420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHwEnxCNQzIPW0LucSBlO8D7SyZldMY53c2x7lHWsLNBF3rtaFllAUqSspT6vAMtoJQ9kD3YWhZDmX1d44lhXwL3PnIPrkAbwHDpx2KcWQRLMmHQ8haio4bhNVNTYx3_lgH4gHepMqgu-/s1600/IMG_6414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHwEnxCNQzIPW0LucSBlO8D7SyZldMY53c2x7lHWsLNBF3rtaFllAUqSspT6vAMtoJQ9kD3YWhZDmX1d44lhXwL3PnIPrkAbwHDpx2KcWQRLMmHQ8haio4bhNVNTYx3_lgH4gHepMqgu-/s640/IMG_6414.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFbDwyaso95XhGTXoKM3CY1UShnnYidmclIO_6qRMp2zAfIXxjjHyDy9W7D0NRpSg4IaAeMsOKSZ5OYxdlc0BbaGgmHCUpSrjQNY7kq-d4juLxDEyo-E8ILjX2CrhYH_2YGzzv7kVQCPY/s1600/IMG_6415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFbDwyaso95XhGTXoKM3CY1UShnnYidmclIO_6qRMp2zAfIXxjjHyDy9W7D0NRpSg4IaAeMsOKSZ5OYxdlc0BbaGgmHCUpSrjQNY7kq-d4juLxDEyo-E8ILjX2CrhYH_2YGzzv7kVQCPY/s640/IMG_6415.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIO7AJkieq7uuwscX5llm85PKRbJ8Pp-NmzkKUZivklFfVCzKzMGH6DGoI3b4_O8Gn6-bQKeXNpugFVb4RQEZIu2drX6RLP6u_k6xHiZ99NHjSvRY-1hrKwTquenhc1uQ-hMY6ZGf6qI6/s1600/IMG_6417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIO7AJkieq7uuwscX5llm85PKRbJ8Pp-NmzkKUZivklFfVCzKzMGH6DGoI3b4_O8Gn6-bQKeXNpugFVb4RQEZIu2drX6RLP6u_k6xHiZ99NHjSvRY-1hrKwTquenhc1uQ-hMY6ZGf6qI6/s640/IMG_6417.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTHi64o07MYjKEzVl2oIXW41fl7QFllKfJMg4Y6rzEK2uf3qsT9xQh4N08QUg3NEMbBkEdXNa2PTyRavvP3tE7i9dRRlrIQq9yG2K1zIdmYkXMHZZwoeXB33IW7w2475cZ45wH0iYMfxp/s1600/IMG_6418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTHi64o07MYjKEzVl2oIXW41fl7QFllKfJMg4Y6rzEK2uf3qsT9xQh4N08QUg3NEMbBkEdXNa2PTyRavvP3tE7i9dRRlrIQq9yG2K1zIdmYkXMHZZwoeXB33IW7w2475cZ45wH0iYMfxp/s640/IMG_6418.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKttIBvh0uYMpcpLBnb0UgkWtqiptyNzoWU0HHYyHEU9QRuDQjJ9pRPYHeDlqrKqCyF-aYMAQ0w2dpqS7OBFYF_qS3wB4JpeKNEg-MGRUoXPB_L3G7cOp7hEk8KYuXS2elSP6ehuwYALQb/s1600/IMG_6419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKttIBvh0uYMpcpLBnb0UgkWtqiptyNzoWU0HHYyHEU9QRuDQjJ9pRPYHeDlqrKqCyF-aYMAQ0w2dpqS7OBFYF_qS3wB4JpeKNEg-MGRUoXPB_L3G7cOp7hEk8KYuXS2elSP6ehuwYALQb/s640/IMG_6419.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's responsible for the great lunch we had.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
An 'ancient' museum of ancient stuff</h3>
Lunch done, we drove up that steep road to the museum, parked the car and walked in. No entrance fee is imposed and I am glad because the quality of the museum and the exhibits leaves a lot to be desired. Lighting is poor, the exhibits are poorly curated, the airconditioning is not switched on and on this sweltering day this was severely uncomfortable. We didn’t stay long.<br />
<br />
Around the back of the museum, scattered in a large well-tended garden area are a few sets of Chandis, reassembled on this spot for visitors to look at. Also on display are some artefacts from the era. There were a few heavy stone presses which we thought were for threshing or husking grain but turned out to be for squeezing juice.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkX_RQ_fAAdN_qD6wmtzcx9xxR7LD4diDnUidkmgtEWKWMuJPpvVw6b55jHazBPh1B2muuVRQWsR_10O_7nf9QhQZqaPxSFx1floNsNGdYE_-JihOfRiTkyoL0T1m9u5XT_Xlx4YsLaJ3/s1600/DSC_8962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkX_RQ_fAAdN_qD6wmtzcx9xxR7LD4diDnUidkmgtEWKWMuJPpvVw6b55jHazBPh1B2muuVRQWsR_10O_7nf9QhQZqaPxSFx1floNsNGdYE_-JihOfRiTkyoL0T1m9u5XT_Xlx4YsLaJ3/s640/DSC_8962.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're at the Museum when you see this weird sculpture in the carpark.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzoa237Uf9NUAe9PxB7SOjWEsqpIleVzpuVR3RC7eao4ZrF_oki6IkxkqTMEq0u6UWPFjhEaouJgt1_1owJfhNa-THePtmQGD0_Zp-7gZ1f2MBHnRFciV2b72FacztS62vTic4PyqOf5N/s640/DSC_8964.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large diorama showing the surrounding area. In 2007, I saw the hills and my blood froze - I hate cycling up hills...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzoa237Uf9NUAe9PxB7SOjWEsqpIleVzpuVR3RC7eao4ZrF_oki6IkxkqTMEq0u6UWPFjhEaouJgt1_1owJfhNa-THePtmQGD0_Zp-7gZ1f2MBHnRFciV2b72FacztS62vTic4PyqOf5N/s1600/DSC_8964.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzoa237Uf9NUAe9PxB7SOjWEsqpIleVzpuVR3RC7eao4ZrF_oki6IkxkqTMEq0u6UWPFjhEaouJgt1_1owJfhNa-THePtmQGD0_Zp-7gZ1f2MBHnRFciV2b72FacztS62vTic4PyqOf5N/s1600/DSC_8964.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0HttBK8lEGlJVYUeQBxazHlY7GdFyh1ZXT5tr5vWzWG2qi4XeZA2lYSfgNmFugHBYdNtKzX54yJmZo0vLakPKU2EzmNw6hJumfSfz3vTEYxxcuVcK9u9bMkHpF6Jqc4cwv3J5kmFms6F/s1600/DSC_8965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0HttBK8lEGlJVYUeQBxazHlY7GdFyh1ZXT5tr5vWzWG2qi4XeZA2lYSfgNmFugHBYdNtKzX54yJmZo0vLakPKU2EzmNw6hJumfSfz3vTEYxxcuVcK9u9bMkHpF6Jqc4cwv3J5kmFms6F/s640/DSC_8965.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU_RHydr30wzzyWJ23T8lnTnJ47pFTgyWnsO4hgpBOFd46ZCds7hPMMc4Ah4MKKTtyig2KokS-9k2kdaeYbnpj7IgjZhShyphenhyphenSmY5ADjb4pleFkddd1lG2bn0QpZlQ4vdkDhQqEua5TlILe/s1600/DSC_8966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU_RHydr30wzzyWJ23T8lnTnJ47pFTgyWnsO4hgpBOFd46ZCds7hPMMc4Ah4MKKTtyig2KokS-9k2kdaeYbnpj7IgjZhShyphenhyphenSmY5ADjb4pleFkddd1lG2bn0QpZlQ4vdkDhQqEua5TlILe/s640/DSC_8966.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94GAo_Ts6bA67xe-wpzuuocZKD089vkDu2v1kGOZHXgG8TpVCOM3O4MxvUpzVNgofZ1ChN7S1klIQDAu44YiJGAuX3LI9QAjvx9epH8pVSVHtyXg5W_ReBIRTn2xzC9Wj99XrO0Jc7N2X/s1600/DSC_8967.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94GAo_Ts6bA67xe-wpzuuocZKD089vkDu2v1kGOZHXgG8TpVCOM3O4MxvUpzVNgofZ1ChN7S1klIQDAu44YiJGAuX3LI9QAjvx9epH8pVSVHtyXg5W_ReBIRTn2xzC9Wj99XrO0Jc7N2X/s640/DSC_8967.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were a pretty advanced civilisation even all those years ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdicbYLXobBna4xSpRrdu6QJnnjyfCBppcBQfVkiW4f6b9G_zWd71ufeJ8Go1psCVbqbOGgYc-MiHi9lFruDX-MhTNKmF_EhfCdI2etfSaagJwfUI3s-Axz1_n7MvgNoVLDWAmGA4xDUz/s1600/DSC_8968.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdicbYLXobBna4xSpRrdu6QJnnjyfCBppcBQfVkiW4f6b9G_zWd71ufeJ8Go1psCVbqbOGgYc-MiHi9lFruDX-MhTNKmF_EhfCdI2etfSaagJwfUI3s-Axz1_n7MvgNoVLDWAmGA4xDUz/s640/DSC_8968.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WG3V4Z1UJTM-szjfTtYdhmuqxT7G-tID52zRcO7H-67ass0zxf5s_Wy7ERSqgeh2ITUowMaBqtfLg3RPuFuK1IyQE0VMSZANvDa2O8B9m6ibEPviI55rabDr2lNAv0TBlE9_lo4ROkRs/s1600/DSC_8969.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WG3V4Z1UJTM-szjfTtYdhmuqxT7G-tID52zRcO7H-67ass0zxf5s_Wy7ERSqgeh2ITUowMaBqtfLg3RPuFuK1IyQE0VMSZANvDa2O8B9m6ibEPviI55rabDr2lNAv0TBlE9_lo4ROkRs/s640/DSC_8969.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign says that big stone wheel was used to press cane juice. A mistake?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-FOG35NQ6Btk1mxxZlQw9QrUVH9xSxQuMh8-WZdzdD_5miMeNgkQwd_6ntT1z_G78E4OC274GkTXm43UaAEdogD0LPONrJGK_SOCrXLDQ6NJq2t656nxAnEt8knhgoRUaAe0_pC2EZxV/s1600/DSC_8972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-FOG35NQ6Btk1mxxZlQw9QrUVH9xSxQuMh8-WZdzdD_5miMeNgkQwd_6ntT1z_G78E4OC274GkTXm43UaAEdogD0LPONrJGK_SOCrXLDQ6NJq2t656nxAnEt8knhgoRUaAe0_pC2EZxV/s640/DSC_8972.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV1JBypRh3_NXaiQcwqO9pizZMlwkmwC-tc1te_E9BS3_0aWDM0pYz2rTC7AtgYgH3Wtgd6iFfIx_STFWDokaNMCne6lZWm_eFTW0Nan__Anxu4sa8PLjx2e7dzYrKfoRt5MkgPUApYmt/s1600/DSC_8974.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV1JBypRh3_NXaiQcwqO9pizZMlwkmwC-tc1te_E9BS3_0aWDM0pYz2rTC7AtgYgH3Wtgd6iFfIx_STFWDokaNMCne6lZWm_eFTW0Nan__Anxu4sa8PLjx2e7dzYrKfoRt5MkgPUApYmt/s640/DSC_8974.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT9UN_Bbn_7-89tvIbbnkiVq8qRCzDmR3HmuyySL8uvcxlVmPHigfHaEIlCYb-QOcLoINmLQ3mcyK021HS6wI65R3_8e3n1_ng_MxuAVZf6ja9EBdUgYo90ck8EmA0zBzKX9s44nD7x9B/s1600/DSC_8975.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT9UN_Bbn_7-89tvIbbnkiVq8qRCzDmR3HmuyySL8uvcxlVmPHigfHaEIlCYb-QOcLoINmLQ3mcyK021HS6wI65R3_8e3n1_ng_MxuAVZf6ja9EBdUgYo90ck8EmA0zBzKX9s44nD7x9B/s640/DSC_8975.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The name Bujang is based on the Sanskrit <i>Bhujanga</i> which means Serpent and so this area could be called Serpent Valley. It is the site of a Hindu-Buddhist settlement that dates back more than 2500 years. Like the museum, the Chandis we looked at here were not inspiring - poor signage and the fact they’ve been displaced somehow diminished the sense of wonder that we were looking at some very old structures.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
We dug up something much more interesting</h3>
We got back in the car and drove off to Sg Batu some kilometres away, along Highway 253. We’d seen signs for the digging sites there so thought we’d see more interesting things there.<br />
<br />
And boy did we…<br />
<br />
As we drew up to the only site with a carpark, a young man on a motorbike was dragging a barrier across the entrance. When I mentioned what we wanted to do though, he happily dragged it back and let us in, inviting us to take our time.<br />
<br />
We left the car in the carpark which was big enough for a few coaches. There was even a public toilet structure as well as a ticketing booth. It was now near closing time though so the place was deserted save for those who worked on the site and who stayed overnight to protect the area.<br />
<br />
We wandered in past the open gate. All around the site was oil palm estate but within it lay bare earth under a number of shelters. The various excavation plots were marked off with string so we could not get too close. The first one on the left had a sign that explained it was last an iron foundry and dated back to 100AD!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4ON78f7bxQFbfaM7GO510hAAkRVNtEqClm8s6dl5SKKPuHKF0ZcM0ZjjMs51aX5dNMHJLkufmepll-u3RwbRpI1zIFMxea3sVmFl0Kwp8Jx3aWiLkBeJMqDKrHVe-583cTQMImjWAktV/s1600/DSC_8980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4ON78f7bxQFbfaM7GO510hAAkRVNtEqClm8s6dl5SKKPuHKF0ZcM0ZjjMs51aX5dNMHJLkufmepll-u3RwbRpI1zIFMxea3sVmFl0Kwp8Jx3aWiLkBeJMqDKrHVe-583cTQMImjWAktV/s640/DSC_8980.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuABFCLR3Dlrh-2turU1pYy9EyOBRm1BsSN8OnhVSH0Vv_h-C2tH9RcNpld3u623sBlbWjw5zF0xv6Xr-6dQ7GSdXG4ffjaiq-xxgubKmGu4Vw6s27nnKmI0Rz4hVKFzKpqo0J5an9Upb/s1600/DSC_8982.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuABFCLR3Dlrh-2turU1pYy9EyOBRm1BsSN8OnhVSH0Vv_h-C2tH9RcNpld3u623sBlbWjw5zF0xv6Xr-6dQ7GSdXG4ffjaiq-xxgubKmGu4Vw6s27nnKmI0Rz4hVKFzKpqo0J5an9Upb/s640/DSC_8982.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43qDbpHnzJpRZdCb1tmQfpmV5n-zgJ5md9luH-ZPrKk7GeIZ5lBEEqmHZbS89QuOwGDeCoG2aIVmeNXnKJIjLvPMsEcVv3Hv6p_sd_zY_nY1-xKJJLGIwWGvluvVgOCtSFQWutoBxADuK/s1600/DSC_8983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43qDbpHnzJpRZdCb1tmQfpmV5n-zgJ5md9luH-ZPrKk7GeIZ5lBEEqmHZbS89QuOwGDeCoG2aIVmeNXnKJIjLvPMsEcVv3Hv6p_sd_zY_nY1-xKJJLGIwWGvluvVgOCtSFQWutoBxADuK/s640/DSC_8983.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRvcH3ikDIRgVVAIYGOd2Q1hWeLjSY22SuN0bprtOd97orOZlUbAwEOdJI5Is5AbV21VuBRP_8nkBLkjKRgp2XQu9OnOb9xaZc5WbConSBvk0SMmhK-FxmD2_VbEcAwcUcZjZmQYRGLBF/s1600/DSC_8984.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRvcH3ikDIRgVVAIYGOd2Q1hWeLjSY22SuN0bprtOd97orOZlUbAwEOdJI5Is5AbV21VuBRP_8nkBLkjKRgp2XQu9OnOb9xaZc5WbConSBvk0SMmhK-FxmD2_VbEcAwcUcZjZmQYRGLBF/s640/DSC_8984.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq0q4C0ooijHU2SWrXIY__XcBTpEZy9gb_U1QPv7ufwyT9QAB7r3TvMNp7MJEwOjZNOAK9vWcBrm9akWujqBuKP8M5jH6vMusKd90YRlFCVSZTvlInQaK-I0DTszFesdxNGOKylvmRhAo/s1600/DSC_8985.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq0q4C0ooijHU2SWrXIY__XcBTpEZy9gb_U1QPv7ufwyT9QAB7r3TvMNp7MJEwOjZNOAK9vWcBrm9akWujqBuKP8M5jH6vMusKd90YRlFCVSZTvlInQaK-I0DTszFesdxNGOKylvmRhAo/s640/DSC_8985.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyuk2mc3HR_0LbA3hAy2sMrChmMjl0K39HCXZQV24HUrPY18zgB91rKd4AjIIL49JFoA84czlu3KkujCx0A7GRkX6gDzPjDEK2Tzxp4XwWVN0y34siisVMwTIkzS0ue41vdiGM6HMr5nW/s1600/DSC_8987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyuk2mc3HR_0LbA3hAy2sMrChmMjl0K39HCXZQV24HUrPY18zgB91rKd4AjIIL49JFoA84czlu3KkujCx0A7GRkX6gDzPjDEK2Tzxp4XwWVN0y34siisVMwTIkzS0ue41vdiGM6HMr5nW/s640/DSC_8987.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDrhcpr64J4zAGhimJpmbvILV7OfZ4plACJm0EUhLvggXbAt0g4MCgTgABeuN9LOyeb9yigIrAgyfitkoGUNgu94yGTEZM9Bt_s0K6Ne1CLmaZteNeudZ039PikvfRXxgmeKyqBZ5Qu4A/s1600/DSC_8988.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDrhcpr64J4zAGhimJpmbvILV7OfZ4plACJm0EUhLvggXbAt0g4MCgTgABeuN9LOyeb9yigIrAgyfitkoGUNgu94yGTEZM9Bt_s0K6Ne1CLmaZteNeudZ039PikvfRXxgmeKyqBZ5Qu4A/s640/DSC_8988.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEVcJAXyIXYmTGzl-Q0-nY9yxLX7sXcXUdTpxGevdls4mV7CbMgC1yD_zI4hLC3cubnbAcIQsH55_bM5VheMEhO8VuwibbA2yvU3QVYPASZr4DbGjPZuls4OMzC4KwKkd1y0vfdJCRFKG/s1600/DSC_8997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEVcJAXyIXYmTGzl-Q0-nY9yxLX7sXcXUdTpxGevdls4mV7CbMgC1yD_zI4hLC3cubnbAcIQsH55_bM5VheMEhO8VuwibbA2yvU3QVYPASZr4DbGjPZuls4OMzC4KwKkd1y0vfdJCRFKG/s640/DSC_8997.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Around us were other plots with signage indicating what it was and when it dated back to. One further in was a large mound which had now been excavated to reveal a large circle of bricks with a circular opening in the centre. A large mirror hung from the roof, allowing us a glimpse into this hole. A banner hanging further back also showed a colour photograph with an overhead view of this structure.<br />
<br />
Another plot was laid out in a checkerboard pattern and gave us some insights into the process of excavation. This plot had been divided into roughly one square meter sections. Each alternating square was then slowly excavated. As the hole grew, so did the walls around them. Artefacts could thus be found as the square was dug up, or revealed in the walls of the adjoining square, in 3D. Notes marking out discovered artefacts were pinned here and there.<br />
<br />
This area had been an oil palm estate and oil palm trees had been grown over these plots until the significance of the area became known and there was commitment to doing an archaeological dig. In the last few years, quite a few areas have been marked off for digs and they were similar to the one we were now in, save for not having any visitor facilities.<br />
<br />
On a normal day I guess there would be a guide here to explain things. On this evening we had only the signs and a few quick questions asked of the young man who’d let us in.<br />
<br />
From what we could tell, the Sg Batu area has been populated since around 100AD and was settled for at least a thousand years. Quite remarkable. Sg Batu itself is a small river just at the back of this site we were in. It fed into the much larger Sg Merbok which headed out to the sea where we were earlier in the day - at Pantai Merdeka. Abundance of fresh water was probably the reason this area could remain populated for such a long time.<br />
<br />
As I looked around at the oil palm plantations surrounding us, I wondered what else it was about this place that compelled a little knot of civilisation to plant itself here for over a thousand years. What manner of man had trudged through jungles to reach this point? Why had they wandered these hills and how did they live?<br />
<br />
We spent an hour or so wandering around the site then told the young man we’d seen earlier we were leaving and we dragged the barrier across behind us as we drove out. I’d certainly like to come back again one day when there is a guide we can pose some of our questions to. There’s so much of our history that’s been buried (pun intended) and I’d like to know more about the Peninsular’s early inhabitants.<br />
<br />
I'd encourage you to go have a look at Sg Batu as well. A lot of our history has been hidden by historians and educators who favoured an Islamic slant, ignoring the fact a Hindu and Buddhist empire once had an outpost here.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-72512188666438968562018-07-09T10:01:00.001-07:002018-09-10T21:19:42.460-07:00Day trip to 3 northern lakes: Beris, Muda and Pedu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wow, it’s been a few years since I updated this blog. There’s actually been quite a bit of travelling in the meantime, but I’ve just gotten so used to the more concise and immediate form of Facebook posts that I’ve neglected this blog. </span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think I need to post more here so will start with a simple one-day drive that Mei and I took just yesterday. Eager to leave the island (Penang lah - I’ve been living here since the end of 2014) and explore a few more lakes to add to the list of lakes we visited last year, we headed north towards Pedu.</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
Lunch at Sik turned out very well.</span></h3>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We took the highway up to Gurun then headed east along Highway 175 towards Sik where we figured we’d stop for lunch. As it turned out, I needed the loo rather urgently and so when we arrived in Sik, we had to look for a clean enough restaurant or coffeeshop rather than just a tree-shaded gerai. Around the back of a block of shops we found a little place which seemed to fit the bill. The food in the bainmarie was all covered which was a good sign. The shop was also pretty clean and so we decided to stop there.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnL16cp4EAZWES69dwpl1nh9NHEDoxXI-fzykRu26fZU-yDJ_hW2i8xo_8YGG77g7iQLABe7zKHz8MQR77F94A-YeErRz0v1wrekPL8FQ0tXyipnAWdrBHaO-RMa-xXgQvBcmJUUJwiKV/s1600/IMG_6762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnL16cp4EAZWES69dwpl1nh9NHEDoxXI-fzykRu26fZU-yDJ_hW2i8xo_8YGG77g7iQLABe7zKHz8MQR77F94A-YeErRz0v1wrekPL8FQ0tXyipnAWdrBHaO-RMa-xXgQvBcmJUUJwiKV/s640/IMG_6762.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Rosmani with her grandaughter and her husband is the one in green behind her.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Toilet needs sorted out, we had our lunch and it turned out that the food was not only hygienically displayed, but also delicious. We hung around a few minutes then when I got up to pay at the cashier, the Malay proprietress sat down to chat with Mei. My first thought was that this was going to be fun as Mei’s Malay is virtually non-existent. But then I thought I heard a smattering of English and when I went back to the table, true enough, they were having a jolly conversation in English.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYk3TmzBQ6XIzOo-rK4nwksV0E2wghyjTSmNzfH-lRO1ULy-B96hnQI20nFTjpdoxbiFaOwN4ji3vSp2A-eosha027rZS8BtCKoDp_HD4LqTfQCwTgMErv8_F3VSmeQ6fXZ7ULcADgyzr/s1600/IMG_6763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYk3TmzBQ6XIzOo-rK4nwksV0E2wghyjTSmNzfH-lRO1ULy-B96hnQI20nFTjpdoxbiFaOwN4ji3vSp2A-eosha027rZS8BtCKoDp_HD4LqTfQCwTgMErv8_F3VSmeQ6fXZ7ULcADgyzr/s640/IMG_6763.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKZnopLvMUzeB5ZWvP58FrRSgEGDZSutEwhdiAI40rvm-fy5strknfA2PdOMp6uKrIl3GXArBUTYRTNKQ0skWw8OXDAKwlWIJcu5fTr-99GWS29gTkmVSs0-r1tr9PCFlRFOMfORbvO44/s1600/IMG_6775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKZnopLvMUzeB5ZWvP58FrRSgEGDZSutEwhdiAI40rvm-fy5strknfA2PdOMp6uKrIl3GXArBUTYRTNKQ0skWw8OXDAKwlWIJcu5fTr-99GWS29gTkmVSs0-r1tr9PCFlRFOMfORbvO44/s640/IMG_6775.jpg" width="361" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rosmani was now retired, as was her husband who did most of the cooking. She had been with RTM for 31 years and her husband had been an Inspector in the CID. They used to live in Penang until their retirement whereupon they returned to his hometown, Sik. A catering contract with a school and some government departments provided for them and some family members and when those contracts lapsed, they looked around and finally found this little shop to set up.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we’ve been in F&B for the last few years too, we found a lot in common with Rosmani and so lingered chatting and sharing thoughts and ideas for some time. She was very keen to get some feedback and was happy we liked what we’d eaten, and also that we appreciated her attention to detail - the cleanliness was something she was especially proud of.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So if you’re ever in Sik, do give her place a try. I’ve included the map and a picture of the storefront. It’s off the main road and facing in so is not obvious.</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
Lots of Resorts, mostly closed or rundown.</span></h3>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After lunch we headed up north towards the Beris Lake, still on Highway 175. The road was lightly trafficked and very pleasant to drive on. For some reason Mei was quite drowsy so I drove for the most part mainly deep in my thoughts. Beris lake and Dam are only about 12-15 km away form Sik and there are quite a few signs for resorts and chalets here. A few we saw were in some state of disrepair though so proceed at your own peril. At a scenic spot we found what looked like an RnR and stopped to have a look. Some of it was cordoned off and it looked to be generally abandoned though in the same car park, a car was stationary with its engine running, the occupant busy on her phone.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We got out, stepped over a cable laid across a service road and had a look around. Behind us, and along the main road was the RnR, empty and quiet. To our left was a large roofed structure which at some point must have been a dining hall with two stall spaces at the far end. The long side was open to a panoramic view of the lake. Grey green in the afternoon haze, it was nevertheless quite spectacular. An island lay out a little to the right and beyond that on the far shore we could see some structures mid-construction. On our left was a promontory upon which some buildings could be seen. Obviously a resort of some sort.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The hall we stood in had a lower floor, the stairs to which was blocked off by tape and a warning sign. In the open area below was a tarmacked area which could have been a car park or something similar.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At this point the car in the car park was driven off and then we heard a female voice calling to us. It turned out the RnR was not abandoned after all. The lady suggested very politely that we should not go beyond where we were and we assured her we would not. When asked, she explained that there were a few stalls still operating and that they were open at night. Her own stall had Thai food cooked by Thais who’d come from across the border nearby. The low structure was also chalets and I later discovered this was called Tasik Beris Inn. It all looked a little sorry though so I can’t imagine who would stay here. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasT9bmTEDlzIGLrlCYNCDfyxwo809S_DuzL9y8FeQhIpZA2lAwOOWEgG0K4VcLNqKDiOcqho77QDgk0Fg2NrS7MsxXknKlDi5Jr9SWju39agu2Oi5o8HHfnIOERMAyO7hspzUinXeyKAd/s1600/DSC_8445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasT9bmTEDlzIGLrlCYNCDfyxwo809S_DuzL9y8FeQhIpZA2lAwOOWEgG0K4VcLNqKDiOcqho77QDgk0Fg2NrS7MsxXknKlDi5Jr9SWju39agu2Oi5o8HHfnIOERMAyO7hspzUinXeyKAd/s640/DSC_8445.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">We stopped every now and then to take pictures. The old CRV ran very well.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwdTAZoPjE5ebyxp7JdUnhyFyymBGP-_RkN7m-4WIrZbTr08qCWHJ4jGu7vFwBH9Qtzq3sSKb15eWGYpoaFmypM0th0Nro6tVAD4Oxla0ATfSZIqQ8nEzo0j3kpmPKuUJo49Yu9xnWiUp/s1600/DSC_8447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwdTAZoPjE5ebyxp7JdUnhyFyymBGP-_RkN7m-4WIrZbTr08qCWHJ4jGu7vFwBH9Qtzq3sSKb15eWGYpoaFmypM0th0Nro6tVAD4Oxla0ATfSZIqQ8nEzo0j3kpmPKuUJo49Yu9xnWiUp/s640/DSC_8447.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1nhgBChHtMXcMqH3w1oeNMeAC8ul-aIYZiuBxVI4H-OBh-Cp5u9q786JByTZ67f6Hb_NGNewLi5PSo2FsDfgjmOOekf7FvgEeC21NcdEDuT1TPXKM3I6ZclpIK2tIg7gfsf2mCkg47mK/s1600/DSC_8448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1nhgBChHtMXcMqH3w1oeNMeAC8ul-aIYZiuBxVI4H-OBh-Cp5u9q786JByTZ67f6Hb_NGNewLi5PSo2FsDfgjmOOekf7FvgEeC21NcdEDuT1TPXKM3I6ZclpIK2tIg7gfsf2mCkg47mK/s640/DSC_8448.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc_DhZIolXQiFiyRl1gu3FK084B5NR3VezYneUh4ogcIT3986a1N6Lp-mPWjx9idcf3Reuvq1au22TAQ2Qa9qxVGt5MCOGuoa8AvZ-1TO_B-eRQfJxA63sGq4mg_z0omWnvsSHVBwJF8Y/s1600/DSC_8449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc_DhZIolXQiFiyRl1gu3FK084B5NR3VezYneUh4ogcIT3986a1N6Lp-mPWjx9idcf3Reuvq1au22TAQ2Qa9qxVGt5MCOGuoa8AvZ-1TO_B-eRQfJxA63sGq4mg_z0omWnvsSHVBwJF8Y/s640/DSC_8449.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MvVGL41Oc4wlQ-URmrcsdzXWGxriY04T0lX7_l_rzDvnnCRWiyDfHPCnhLeGNA2e0jxHdTAX702CcrxCKE2P1-BtB5KvO82lQi7sWVAEJtLh8Ho1z29GeCQ7WKiUKNBaeyXz_wUApjE7/s1600/DSC_8450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MvVGL41Oc4wlQ-URmrcsdzXWGxriY04T0lX7_l_rzDvnnCRWiyDfHPCnhLeGNA2e0jxHdTAX702CcrxCKE2P1-BtB5KvO82lQi7sWVAEJtLh8Ho1z29GeCQ7WKiUKNBaeyXz_wUApjE7/s640/DSC_8450.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q0vkVpx8YFd6geg0chpASt6BDI7BJe_M0qlXyf-x3bnZ7L7u5QAdJEoOQbOChJyqn-XPRXg2T1zK_JaxM04wwj1cGXc3MEocQvoWeQPUojnVzoZIE0Wcg2p1yb1OsKOOmqHzl1JO7DLj/s1600/IMG_6764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="1600" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q0vkVpx8YFd6geg0chpASt6BDI7BJe_M0qlXyf-x3bnZ7L7u5QAdJEoOQbOChJyqn-XPRXg2T1zK_JaxM04wwj1cGXc3MEocQvoWeQPUojnVzoZIE0Wcg2p1yb1OsKOOmqHzl1JO7DLj/s640/IMG_6764.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Still, the view was quite nice and if this place was tidied up a bit and made more festive, it would be a very pretty place to sit down for a meal and drinks in the evenings. The lady who’d called to us was back at the front with her husband and both waved to us in a very friendly manner as we drove off so perhaps this place is not a lost cause.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We continued north past the resort next door called D’Puncak Beris Lake Resort. Not even at a last resort I think for it looked in even more parlous a state than the one we’d just seen. </span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
Small town honesty</span></h3>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A little after passing the next town of Gulau and taking the northeast road towards Pedu, I realised I’d forgotten to fill up at Sik. We’d been so happy to chat with Rosmani we’d just driven off, forgetting our plan to top up. Though I had maybe about 90km of fuel left in the car I decided not to chance it so made a loop back to Gulau and found a small petrol station just as another guy in an old Proton turned up.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was a tiny 2-pump station which seemed bereft of life. One side of the double glass door to the station office and shop was shut and the other half was blocked by a snacks shelf on wheels. Inside a TV set was screening some daytime cartoon but no one responded to my ‘hellloooo’. The guy in the Proton stepped out of his car and brought out a small plastic jerry can and waited patiently. We both did, then 2 minutes later, a scooter whizzed into the station, a woman on board with two young school-age children. The owner of the station, she’d obviously popped out to pick up her kids from school. Leaving the station virtually unlocked. Small towns are much better on honesty than big ones I guess.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just as suddenly as she’d appeared, a whole mob of motorcyclists converged on the station. It’s almost as if they knew she’d be away and would be back at a certain time. They all waited quietly in turn and it was quite nice to observe, actually.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next stop - Muda Lake and Dam. A little road off to the right gave us a view of the small dam and as we proceeded along it and up a slope, a better view of the lake behind the dam. That road ended in a steel gate, a barbed wire fence and an armed guard at the guardhouse next to it. When asked he explained the dam was a regular dam, not hydro and after a quick look, we carefully reversed the couple of hundred meters back down the narrow road.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another exit a few kilometres further along Highway 175 indicated some sort of recreation area with boating or other water sports. Whether this was still in use is not certain.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj4tFYAPFrvUlyiEf-KaW2nUGU0DksAJEKNXehJTK7abxLmpaGB5Xmp_CRnId0E53Lf1Njjxf7QQE9XJ6lUvNF3zKalLoZ-YWYpsiG9YSGRYrN9tdpa60Uk5HSS39fNkHOhwLY7rM8P_o/s1600/DSC_8452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj4tFYAPFrvUlyiEf-KaW2nUGU0DksAJEKNXehJTK7abxLmpaGB5Xmp_CRnId0E53Lf1Njjxf7QQE9XJ6lUvNF3zKalLoZ-YWYpsiG9YSGRYrN9tdpa60Uk5HSS39fNkHOhwLY7rM8P_o/s640/DSC_8452.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">The Muda Dam</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dXtyGn4YwBDlHs3UFdQ2AV8zlgZw-KVFEchHSLYZ0F7ZmN6XkFdlUIFu3m8eOxhlXk37hgH5E-tWLuNoRy8EO5bg8xnFs6LI8mF1cIraOzU2GfPXHC7RCQ9UvQtVj94LUZTo-neLO9-U/s1600/DSC_8455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dXtyGn4YwBDlHs3UFdQ2AV8zlgZw-KVFEchHSLYZ0F7ZmN6XkFdlUIFu3m8eOxhlXk37hgH5E-tWLuNoRy8EO5bg8xnFs6LI8mF1cIraOzU2GfPXHC7RCQ9UvQtVj94LUZTo-neLO9-U/s640/DSC_8455.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Rubber Trees look so much better than Oil Palm</span></h3>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And so on we continued, enjoying the sweeping curves along gently undulating terrain with occasional views of lakes to our right or rivers beneath bridges. A really nice road to drive on. Light traffic, hills and mountains and lakes. Agriculture in this part of the country - besides the hectares of rice in the lower plains - is mainly rubber. I’ve always preferred the sight of rubber plantations to Oil Palm. The latter seems to denude the surroundings in a voracious way, whereas rubber presents in a less aggressive way. Well, this is the way I see it anyway. There is a certain beauty and aesthetic quality about rubber that is missing from Oil Palm and I am glad to be living in the northern states where there is less Oil Palm.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdWFQKpsg43OJsSHzH8LgN15bWMP0mNDGAile0sMPwWzxYs3TzZ9IgO_DRoQfruhKnHQmElCLO-N6yxz0OFw0sdvH6jQDMilG0TPBL66mTS8nqC7Wh64I90i5zBQGCT-GX9QajBFIsn4j/s1600/DSC_8483+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdWFQKpsg43OJsSHzH8LgN15bWMP0mNDGAile0sMPwWzxYs3TzZ9IgO_DRoQfruhKnHQmElCLO-N6yxz0OFw0sdvH6jQDMilG0TPBL66mTS8nqC7Wh64I90i5zBQGCT-GX9QajBFIsn4j/s640/DSC_8483+%25281%2529.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is a road that runs along a long section of Pedu Lake and we drove down this undulating road. Narrow and not well used anymore, it nevertheless remained clear enough to suggest something was at the end.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Along the way we spied a ruined entranceway - perhaps to a resort of sorts - down one branch off the main road. Some other branches were overgrown and didn’t invite exploration. We continued down this long road and eventually reached the end where we faced a closed gate with a No Entry sign on it. To the right of this was a signboard proclaiming it to be the Mutiara Pedu Lake Golf and Lake Resort. The guard house on the left was not currently manned but was clearly still in use.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We could see far beyond, some evidence of the resort but it was clear that like the others we’d seen all around these three lakes, disuse and disrepair were the order of the day.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eymvt4uZ3myKfRGJEdpDNUGA9YwIvHGODtRlXNZiUz-_5ssbl8ub3LcROZXSaBfo4oFzTYTy7bFg7F0ct79pvH9LlWjbeKVT5AVWNce33Qbo6w-dDgvkCq35RlIlpvp3cjT2bSzlT1mu/s1600/DSC_8462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eymvt4uZ3myKfRGJEdpDNUGA9YwIvHGODtRlXNZiUz-_5ssbl8ub3LcROZXSaBfo4oFzTYTy7bFg7F0ct79pvH9LlWjbeKVT5AVWNce33Qbo6w-dDgvkCq35RlIlpvp3cjT2bSzlT1mu/s640/DSC_8462.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Far off in the distance you can just make out bits of the resort.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7qk8SeCgIw6HGBLswufuaD_zF66zseaZHs8wEKlG9bV1Edet3sdgGazTUN_9DS8x1RJe5qPkHzwW6TX0Igwa_siTma_Wd6X3HFmQ7uML9qpIpYPAlSOGo1KHqRWyKMzWtfl4eDEX-e-4/s1600/DSC_8465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7qk8SeCgIw6HGBLswufuaD_zF66zseaZHs8wEKlG9bV1Edet3sdgGazTUN_9DS8x1RJe5qPkHzwW6TX0Igwa_siTma_Wd6X3HFmQ7uML9qpIpYPAlSOGo1KHqRWyKMzWtfl4eDEX-e-4/s640/DSC_8465.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">What a strange clump of trees. One has leaned in on the main tree (banyan?) and been absorbed into its trunk. And the main tree itself has a few trunks so you're not quite sure which was the original.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHClY3z95lhxBVm9PBJBV4WihbuG9AnNHEIKu2B4cT1b5K0_9X8ROsjG7rK54MkZjwvPoAZFsfLXfDUP4VD3cNsY7gj9f_ZvxBl9L5i2FZaSwRGkJ6W2emYzB_THL8-2HXKlVEViKa_fv/s1600/DSC_8468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHClY3z95lhxBVm9PBJBV4WihbuG9AnNHEIKu2B4cT1b5K0_9X8ROsjG7rK54MkZjwvPoAZFsfLXfDUP4VD3cNsY7gj9f_ZvxBl9L5i2FZaSwRGkJ6W2emYzB_THL8-2HXKlVEViKa_fv/s640/DSC_8468.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The lake was bathed in a blue-gray afternoon haze but looked quite inviting nonetheless. I’m not sure why this area’s tourism didn’t take off. Like so many other things, the system is a complex one with many interlocking components and a failure along one branch can lead to the collapse of the whole.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Malaysia’s tourism scene is such that there are no guarantees of success even when the offering is exceptional. There are so many other factors at play. This area has a lot of natural beauty and potential and perhaps there will be a time when it will once again be a favoured destination. It isn’t that far from a major airport and is easily driveable as our day trip shows.</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
Pedu - all gone bar the fishing</span></h3>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After leaving Pedu, we headed back along the road and nipped in the branch that had the abandoned structures. Right at the end was an abandoned building and a boatslip. A couple of cars were parked here and a few people sat around fishing. They weren’t especially warm so we wandered around this abandoned chalet complex a bit and then headed back out to the main road. Along the way we stopped to take some pictures next to wild elephant dung.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pr7BDyCHxZahyphenhyphenxGRE028JxGODgdlRK4wZeDofo2P2McVhyphenhyphenJXoYBmiZbPHu29p9_lMdlo-JN-lA5UH_DCRGhqVsHU0zILihIETSMovrm839j5hYZ4zBwDsfB11E8-c4iyNOeUDrvBQmvt/s1600/DSC_8469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pr7BDyCHxZahyphenhyphenxGRE028JxGODgdlRK4wZeDofo2P2McVhyphenhyphenJXoYBmiZbPHu29p9_lMdlo-JN-lA5UH_DCRGhqVsHU0zILihIETSMovrm839j5hYZ4zBwDsfB11E8-c4iyNOeUDrvBQmvt/s640/DSC_8469.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorKYVy5-8RIYSz_usH12S-0FFKcTdD16q9cLAp-pCQHMhU_iWJHNj53jPsz8cTLVvy85O9nPv1YDG6HzDUi8GFk7NITu1cgz0359D_UAPF_G3wpDjbUl1-ACzcvnQNvHwNF8iXlQXuzzX/s1600/DSC_8470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorKYVy5-8RIYSz_usH12S-0FFKcTdD16q9cLAp-pCQHMhU_iWJHNj53jPsz8cTLVvy85O9nPv1YDG6HzDUi8GFk7NITu1cgz0359D_UAPF_G3wpDjbUl1-ACzcvnQNvHwNF8iXlQXuzzX/s640/DSC_8470.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkxt5WZSMQZVSm5eA0xln38pK3jRTlF-lCfT9GKe87EugyR6YEpBVsn7l8nGD084qPxcZGYQsoout3fDPuHJtSG05cZYk_ivdjp0LIGDVJFE0Ak-4GLJgD8RNTSXGf8qOV9Z6Wl5hHxq3/s1600/DSC_8472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkxt5WZSMQZVSm5eA0xln38pK3jRTlF-lCfT9GKe87EugyR6YEpBVsn7l8nGD084qPxcZGYQsoout3fDPuHJtSG05cZYk_ivdjp0LIGDVJFE0Ak-4GLJgD8RNTSXGf8qOV9Z6Wl5hHxq3/s640/DSC_8472.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNr2dVpis_qPRXDeH4bVWR4n4lIw-pJEwU4sxEG_CsLSd0rXlb5OnMiNS0cibNV_tupNb3UWntbxksPLWlKzDUMgYNIdC_ow7lA_Py0_GaU69DD1J-aurtXHbbrr7xyxhiHyXf49Tm83b/s1600/DSC_8473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNr2dVpis_qPRXDeH4bVWR4n4lIw-pJEwU4sxEG_CsLSd0rXlb5OnMiNS0cibNV_tupNb3UWntbxksPLWlKzDUMgYNIdC_ow7lA_Py0_GaU69DD1J-aurtXHbbrr7xyxhiHyXf49Tm83b/s640/DSC_8473.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHQBM8R12Ycaq2ncjD5MNWjaGR_vsFvKFqboHtyjYR8vams9W-B5dbd-ELW1__Xyt3p_LbaQgnIPomy_albtme4ySxaxH-agwtSHgenG3Zw5W_dXsimKSvBpPquTqpuD3cTrjcfaXqD9T/s1600/DSC_8474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHQBM8R12Ycaq2ncjD5MNWjaGR_vsFvKFqboHtyjYR8vams9W-B5dbd-ELW1__Xyt3p_LbaQgnIPomy_albtme4ySxaxH-agwtSHgenG3Zw5W_dXsimKSvBpPquTqpuD3cTrjcfaXqD9T/s640/DSC_8474.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoPW2otfgTIecs3T3ZYyYEwarp7K55pkk0tb0sWP9fk7rz4e9nHKgGnoVWlaEqEVBXs1yb72Q3diX-MYV0hMcwWznif6COTQa1L6a90Ogr_sOT7m3gr6-hcemrt1sxm8amq4pkm1XaxFW/s1600/DSC_8475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoPW2otfgTIecs3T3ZYyYEwarp7K55pkk0tb0sWP9fk7rz4e9nHKgGnoVWlaEqEVBXs1yb72Q3diX-MYV0hMcwWznif6COTQa1L6a90Ogr_sOT7m3gr6-hcemrt1sxm8amq4pkm1XaxFW/s640/DSC_8475.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTtSJgTAH3TEan4R47UTTI9OHNuXTDY7ddtT5qwTjTQpPyVDqBo01JoOk46CKVBF3uAjBW1NvHK8A8_DL0g0kVE27zHrqc0zRyROHLxsXqZVfS-No-7erwlVCIKGltkw-5awjjagDJOzR/s1600/DSC_8477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTtSJgTAH3TEan4R47UTTI9OHNuXTDY7ddtT5qwTjTQpPyVDqBo01JoOk46CKVBF3uAjBW1NvHK8A8_DL0g0kVE27zHrqc0zRyROHLxsXqZVfS-No-7erwlVCIKGltkw-5awjjagDJOzR/s640/DSC_8477.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5AxPpU9PsJUqnccZ5Jebl-rJCJUE-upDWMqkSptCHEsM5MPuLttxCgffNIieES8mpEaAW5sAv96_56gjBkzjkY7X_SwIYdzBddmVezk-qeLIyr2MZ6H0gw9rUj8MRsLAn_lXUpGYWMco/s1600/DSC_8478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5AxPpU9PsJUqnccZ5Jebl-rJCJUE-upDWMqkSptCHEsM5MPuLttxCgffNIieES8mpEaAW5sAv96_56gjBkzjkY7X_SwIYdzBddmVezk-qeLIyr2MZ6H0gw9rUj8MRsLAn_lXUpGYWMco/s640/DSC_8478.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">This was not the main road but instead what's left of a network of service roads for the abandoned chalets in this area.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolgoz3v19JpS-m8J_W330qhHhfufV7md0YAS8oMdW3vWZamFGiOXdNQ1tiut9N9y8pBrEM0TyCoxGPg5JLEpMsGdMR2wCfPJoYptS4kQnFJh31hSfKBGBTOxJV1FV_szoYuIcJfjwdVz2/s1600/DSC_8479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolgoz3v19JpS-m8J_W330qhHhfufV7md0YAS8oMdW3vWZamFGiOXdNQ1tiut9N9y8pBrEM0TyCoxGPg5JLEpMsGdMR2wCfPJoYptS4kQnFJh31hSfKBGBTOxJV1FV_szoYuIcJfjwdVz2/s640/DSC_8479.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Oooh Poo!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVeW302lC_my0GXlNIN3qjkvxR3PNryMdOU3015HT5ag9yWQiGeFjrbCwYKScv28wSAuNqSDnxxrff3fO5ONdvp6FcorsMc2fLewuxSxFLIenneRQ4I4mNQeRgCMxaPap2B8O9Xl2rLQl/s1600/DSC_8481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVeW302lC_my0GXlNIN3qjkvxR3PNryMdOU3015HT5ag9yWQiGeFjrbCwYKScv28wSAuNqSDnxxrff3fO5ONdvp6FcorsMc2fLewuxSxFLIenneRQ4I4mNQeRgCMxaPap2B8O9Xl2rLQl/s640/DSC_8481.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For years I’ve tried to sight these creatures but despite hundreds of kms driving along roads they are frequently sighted crossing, I have had no luck. Yet again I have to be content with evidence of the creatures, but no actual sighting.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We took a parallel course back to Highway 175 and ended up in Sg Petani for dinner. We’d had a wonderful Indian Food lunch in the old part of town some months back and this time as we drove around, we sighted something else ‘Ribs’ and the idea of some pork ribs suddenly seemed very inviting.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0qzku55juX6Y805LpMylAkS1aIPP_h9JWb7aP6j43JLNvbMfqA90YuBE9nJBVDRHWMZGHhVc1_IZ3Ns55WEB7q1Inv5t7Vf05FmiJL55D0GORwRAinE0HouA9KmXIw4yHW67215dHWmn/s1600/DSC_8487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0qzku55juX6Y805LpMylAkS1aIPP_h9JWb7aP6j43JLNvbMfqA90YuBE9nJBVDRHWMZGHhVc1_IZ3Ns55WEB7q1Inv5t7Vf05FmiJL55D0GORwRAinE0HouA9KmXIw4yHW67215dHWmn/s640/DSC_8487.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">This is the rice bowl of Malaysia of course so beautiful rice fields lay on either side of the road for miles and miles. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbgYn-B0IJc6IUBjGd-y2WQ3W0XI-dr7atZUWZoijfZyQseDyzbT3-JWnzZeqLtA-b7L_L_v2uzOdyZ-2RdPr6LTu1BkbIzKSqZej2HM_VsTosy8VLUsb9kb6t9qjmv3ozwKM8VKyuf7D/s1600/DSC_8489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbgYn-B0IJc6IUBjGd-y2WQ3W0XI-dr7atZUWZoijfZyQseDyzbT3-JWnzZeqLtA-b7L_L_v2uzOdyZ-2RdPr6LTu1BkbIzKSqZej2HM_VsTosy8VLUsb9kb6t9qjmv3ozwKM8VKyuf7D/s640/DSC_8489.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY409JW9p0gfrSrwPu7QwwhMx-sZtNw1tFKQizeQIAMMmux_jRCY4r5CQq4RkshmjJDPLcgL9aBvlHAWKsIpxwm33kQLloKwbsI_TbaVnwj_1YxJbMh2D49Zs3KPCxpDVu77WE103kX6Wm/s1600/DSC_8495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY409JW9p0gfrSrwPu7QwwhMx-sZtNw1tFKQizeQIAMMmux_jRCY4r5CQq4RkshmjJDPLcgL9aBvlHAWKsIpxwm33kQLloKwbsI_TbaVnwj_1YxJbMh2D49Zs3KPCxpDVu77WE103kX6Wm/s640/DSC_8495.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">We're close to the Thai border and everywhere is evidence of that - including this temple complex we paused at.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ml7vv__I5UC9Ps2msdAM0goOMcX34C8EtCQouiOxM3pd4dokR_ZyAW3HlqRhljhtJMGUU2CctLcEa_9lrIA2eRCpZIHoB2Ac-6ulvwJV7elZwyROdmHvjoODKUKvZZUECXG3kPoWfbml/s1600/DSC_8496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ml7vv__I5UC9Ps2msdAM0goOMcX34C8EtCQouiOxM3pd4dokR_ZyAW3HlqRhljhtJMGUU2CctLcEa_9lrIA2eRCpZIHoB2Ac-6ulvwJV7elZwyROdmHvjoODKUKvZZUECXG3kPoWfbml/s640/DSC_8496.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESv10TOlALhgtVCaw77tRkUYqbbKGjduLAcopEynRKi5pq-Kymc4Dwq0BNb3JB4gwqvQZpym6WiMs3y7US17T2YIuQIjxObtNtAYQ5-xuAK2leN5nEG1mvVXMeiWm56ykecXpoOkS4XK_/s1600/DSC_8498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESv10TOlALhgtVCaw77tRkUYqbbKGjduLAcopEynRKi5pq-Kymc4Dwq0BNb3JB4gwqvQZpym6WiMs3y7US17T2YIuQIjxObtNtAYQ5-xuAK2leN5nEG1mvVXMeiWm56ykecXpoOkS4XK_/s640/DSC_8498.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfptyL4Ey9JJCU25STrHHfV4ySv_wsajmsl5zKaN7mXtbueCTuq3xkph4WgpJoad82mpFElqaXJ-cTCnl_LOVy_2ux_ycAE4cqpGlNSriWeB1s0QB9WQlKnPSd9OpMiUnZMxTtswY9CodA/s1600/DSC_8500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfptyL4Ey9JJCU25STrHHfV4ySv_wsajmsl5zKaN7mXtbueCTuq3xkph4WgpJoad82mpFElqaXJ-cTCnl_LOVy_2ux_ycAE4cqpGlNSriWeB1s0QB9WQlKnPSd9OpMiUnZMxTtswY9CodA/s640/DSC_8500.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSt0xAvwZoOwImc03UJgYTmzA6jhGzfSQ6PobEIY1H-3bJbwGOGOC-RaQXZvBOwsS2N9jwCNuqHK0KTIvicEyTAjGuxx0lKRiMIhr_hIs3BUevKbiAPM0xLdT9WpA1Ko47GkTDX4OwjDq/s1600/DSC_8501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSt0xAvwZoOwImc03UJgYTmzA6jhGzfSQ6PobEIY1H-3bJbwGOGOC-RaQXZvBOwsS2N9jwCNuqHK0KTIvicEyTAjGuxx0lKRiMIhr_hIs3BUevKbiAPM0xLdT9WpA1Ko47GkTDX4OwjDq/s640/DSC_8501.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZh3fGcqIgkOwaBud5aroqXWZweue-G917-w2NXo_2i2sQoHksNJdcpo5zSaMuft-hY0krAcYfz7P8G1Le12F2DANQ1ur0XUK1yBCncBgKXrsb_5ZZedrbtpa_NIpUUzKPLvw06Y7Czgq/s1600/IMG_6765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZh3fGcqIgkOwaBud5aroqXWZweue-G917-w2NXo_2i2sQoHksNJdcpo5zSaMuft-hY0krAcYfz7P8G1Le12F2DANQ1ur0XUK1yBCncBgKXrsb_5ZZedrbtpa_NIpUUzKPLvw06Y7Czgq/s640/IMG_6765.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">We stopped for a cup of tea and a toilet break at a small town called Kuala Nerang. Beautiful riverside facilities.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBFcwTGZCdZ18sgjE9T3c5dmBFeR16epbYLgdJBXH6FQb2O_XIuEwL0bD67eQFAInwcLoWBGe5xh9JtkSPK0F881cEdKgRPUuWN5zgO0EfDbXhJQbdw3GuGnS0VH1O8w9x8pS6CIVJX84/s1600/IMG_6768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBFcwTGZCdZ18sgjE9T3c5dmBFeR16epbYLgdJBXH6FQb2O_XIuEwL0bD67eQFAInwcLoWBGe5xh9JtkSPK0F881cEdKgRPUuWN5zgO0EfDbXhJQbdw3GuGnS0VH1O8w9x8pS6CIVJX84/s640/IMG_6768.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJlv_WoGUKZB2d5fGrQY0LyWXC6WI_3nX1RUU3tUKBZCuAMbBz396p8hYsOmdpbIZqzu-nb9WYONrdna_AeslVc54kJE5Bza7iJh61gFnw6S9ybjkd-jrdB3zqxZhOARA7vrdpS8QGLyj/s1600/IMG_6769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJlv_WoGUKZB2d5fGrQY0LyWXC6WI_3nX1RUU3tUKBZCuAMbBz396p8hYsOmdpbIZqzu-nb9WYONrdna_AeslVc54kJE5Bza7iJh61gFnw6S9ybjkd-jrdB3zqxZhOARA7vrdpS8QGLyj/s640/IMG_6769.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">The river here is very fast flowing indeed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM70lNAv9-RGpkXQZpJ6Zde9np3XvbfaXbvbnRMkb8wO2RBbcfir4KAkbE9bgOR79ihFZQoyVNguosAONAcOiw0XShLPAn-4YVHPYR_AIGhQsKdlZ9x3N2ZLTXp_a8g-CypoSK9PxfBC1/s1600/IMG_6773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM70lNAv9-RGpkXQZpJ6Zde9np3XvbfaXbvbnRMkb8wO2RBbcfir4KAkbE9bgOR79ihFZQoyVNguosAONAcOiw0XShLPAn-4YVHPYR_AIGhQsKdlZ9x3N2ZLTXp_a8g-CypoSK9PxfBC1/s640/IMG_6773.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">A sadly frequent sight...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7yaVH45UGFluNDJ-1APRw9u4DpGK4fkrAHh2mQBqAgLRtX06K08s15eBmU_cOe2HBAiNzyoUdXdZUiJna4c1cHf4uhaYbOgox4pw_DIYP6DC65MxDiVEqWtv02uxvBnNpAEVQt6Gvnrw/s1600/IMG_6776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7yaVH45UGFluNDJ-1APRw9u4DpGK4fkrAHh2mQBqAgLRtX06K08s15eBmU_cOe2HBAiNzyoUdXdZUiJna4c1cHf4uhaYbOgox4pw_DIYP6DC65MxDiVEqWtv02uxvBnNpAEVQt6Gvnrw/s640/IMG_6776.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Dinner in Sg Petani. A Rib set for me and a Meatball Spaghetti for Mei. Some weird things happening here but the overall experience was pleasant.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTdQY9JeMJhJNL30h_79ONnPRYHcTO1AtOEd2pZC5sW9XJ-c4MVjDHLG-BTMdnZAexFYfva_9Ka6OUON7dZ5zM5kbMJgqDqDp1Ih8p2qv8itQSwQW5sLbk6wHgSCFIfDHGECDPuIMo_v7/s1600/IMG_6777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTdQY9JeMJhJNL30h_79ONnPRYHcTO1AtOEd2pZC5sW9XJ-c4MVjDHLG-BTMdnZAexFYfva_9Ka6OUON7dZ5zM5kbMJgqDqDp1Ih8p2qv8itQSwQW5sLbk6wHgSCFIfDHGECDPuIMo_v7/s640/IMG_6777.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieWyGd_0eB_anmvrHI7rCQzihZtGRBY5r_CSyHbb7B6gYz_56v7mTh6zpSQGB15XjPhPpNB5m08T0UmaAlf0pU53jjdUj4UJJ-dl6fiRZW4ElX_y0o9C29UGfcoAUzV_s1LRqKDqH8isY/s1600/IMG_6778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieWyGd_0eB_anmvrHI7rCQzihZtGRBY5r_CSyHbb7B6gYz_56v7mTh6zpSQGB15XjPhPpNB5m08T0UmaAlf0pU53jjdUj4UJJ-dl6fiRZW4ElX_y0o9C29UGfcoAUzV_s1LRqKDqH8isY/s640/IMG_6778.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">The topiary appears to be a victim of an overzealous pruner.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We circled around and discovered the place was open, but it was a Halal joint and so it would be Beef Ribs. Which turned out rather nice, actually. Mei had a pasta which was quite pleasant in a very local way - strange sauce but pasta done quite al dente.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-top: 8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All in all, a nice day’s trip, capped off with an unexpectedly nice dinner. </span></div>
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-13376810106051078162014-01-05T05:55:00.006-08:002014-01-05T05:55:56.899-08:001st January 2014 Nibong Tebal ExploRide Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here are more pictures from the ride.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla3sNoj4IzfCsiSzB4SOjKzq1M9j3a9wcRhn-CWXOqTblblsItkmozQlysICc-KGe8yWrDCB-4MbeJEXRT0JwqFlyvE3y-ArTL8WNecw-nLTSRobaAzF8PAw8yrlV8kFgWT5K7Z3FtAW5/s1600/DSC_2410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla3sNoj4IzfCsiSzB4SOjKzq1M9j3a9wcRhn-CWXOqTblblsItkmozQlysICc-KGe8yWrDCB-4MbeJEXRT0JwqFlyvE3y-ArTL8WNecw-nLTSRobaAzF8PAw8yrlV8kFgWT5K7Z3FtAW5/s640/DSC_2410.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padi waiting to be harvested</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ_ry_G5NY8hJLyC6PGSjtc1BWwQh4JWQ_BlVMR9ZmAjCsXu_0ZHFgW1N7wNu0A33yhd1A3iJHYFi7ZynPKshKxBBU3VnLwEoSy9_0_26sy8j330ZGOjdvyawnc3m4GFkYUSUlkWLPqSJ/s1600/DSC_2411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ_ry_G5NY8hJLyC6PGSjtc1BWwQh4JWQ_BlVMR9ZmAjCsXu_0ZHFgW1N7wNu0A33yhd1A3iJHYFi7ZynPKshKxBBU3VnLwEoSy9_0_26sy8j330ZGOjdvyawnc3m4GFkYUSUlkWLPqSJ/s640/DSC_2411.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's a Kapok pod bursting and spreading its seed all around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-E8WftQZ4c58NwuctnCreWX7HWHMS-j-RC0ouAzdlA7KBtOojPHONw_4_nhHSwQ7pEUZ7uYmWUBkepls9iKA3iCpGt-RcWXnb6CdOJD4GCZsc7jhbLH_VxEju-q6BvQsM3HJQcCkDO3x/s1600/DSC_2413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-E8WftQZ4c58NwuctnCreWX7HWHMS-j-RC0ouAzdlA7KBtOojPHONw_4_nhHSwQ7pEUZ7uYmWUBkepls9iKA3iCpGt-RcWXnb6CdOJD4GCZsc7jhbLH_VxEju-q6BvQsM3HJQcCkDO3x/s640/DSC_2413.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pod.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbRi8582HSXs9Po_zcfBEF-5K2caX5aVR5fAHtxlo2meIunSj7P7pRqUc13bMbDgYZ-8_jBl2crHmUoCeLSdHB_ROmgZlU-CK8Y5nwAnDSWEdBj89qkWp8vEQMDJCoSZEYyA3xUkThm5M/s1600/DSC_2414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbRi8582HSXs9Po_zcfBEF-5K2caX5aVR5fAHtxlo2meIunSj7P7pRqUc13bMbDgYZ-8_jBl2crHmUoCeLSdHB_ROmgZlU-CK8Y5nwAnDSWEdBj89qkWp8vEQMDJCoSZEYyA3xUkThm5M/s640/DSC_2414.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And in the background, the burst pod.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgE0ti94A3EzLzwsQjHCQJBmwgCunufKuTVPWWJSjSigBzsUC-jGg8S7fSGAiUmeQqUz1aqTpnpJNdcTGDmbsPq-19wVuqiXJtwclmJXSOIjBYc1jlrErMSAmSdqZMcpWzME86PAgLzK3/s1600/DSC_2415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgE0ti94A3EzLzwsQjHCQJBmwgCunufKuTVPWWJSjSigBzsUC-jGg8S7fSGAiUmeQqUz1aqTpnpJNdcTGDmbsPq-19wVuqiXJtwclmJXSOIjBYc1jlrErMSAmSdqZMcpWzME86PAgLzK3/s640/DSC_2415.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven of The Pedal Inn posing with some kapok.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPw4oF2-5ZSsSL8CKqybV6tgTeTfDwnhuxAYyEnqxNQpCSO_BhxwqsuR6udatQHqq9lYZByrOM0xReZwn_Fa5tRY-U0f48ZBLnYNemBcI5qzrLsdzyasa2JFUqY6dYPi9VHKUQyP0ZW83/s1600/DSC_2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPw4oF2-5ZSsSL8CKqybV6tgTeTfDwnhuxAYyEnqxNQpCSO_BhxwqsuR6udatQHqq9lYZByrOM0xReZwn_Fa5tRY-U0f48ZBLnYNemBcI5qzrLsdzyasa2JFUqY6dYPi9VHKUQyP0ZW83/s640/DSC_2416.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wouldn't do that, Steven...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgydKSRj9jkMtdVPRtq2jM1Lp_-wikulWzhjwtCU54EE2YEMIcw3Cg87XHmIHXNk5wEkmjgtVLSL6NiTx0NaLtIQG-jwPtl-PMV4yOAmzqwfwF02NNqf1C3ySlBW82T8AUufzzOnMcPeq/s1600/DSC_2419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgydKSRj9jkMtdVPRtq2jM1Lp_-wikulWzhjwtCU54EE2YEMIcw3Cg87XHmIHXNk5wEkmjgtVLSL6NiTx0NaLtIQG-jwPtl-PMV4yOAmzqwfwF02NNqf1C3ySlBW82T8AUufzzOnMcPeq/s640/DSC_2419.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burst kapok pod.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MkgYDlhFct7EkPs4kai8gFTOKL0DtqtSn7hMGPMbnH7USvzEL30Nyw8Bv_gIYZtYqpfjRwdR1OxZIJTYANB0JsvuJPYOKlVU5OyhsoMcPTrqr12n7zP3KeEdMoiff-8OaecwrxfdZcvk/s1600/DSC_2422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MkgYDlhFct7EkPs4kai8gFTOKL0DtqtSn7hMGPMbnH7USvzEL30Nyw8Bv_gIYZtYqpfjRwdR1OxZIJTYANB0JsvuJPYOKlVU5OyhsoMcPTrqr12n7zP3KeEdMoiff-8OaecwrxfdZcvk/s640/DSC_2422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvested fields.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMPnVrJKHBDjrzUu4L-z9XmmPO893v24rwbGsC_qcVotRkJIF6H1bWPxo1ooZfUYsGqkJRTP0VMVKFUgw8MsN6aabc3lsorzsyp7kaHAHq_xXEtL5XfyTfGSbzO8hREfHIt8ynCjHRY_8/s1600/DSC_2425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMPnVrJKHBDjrzUu4L-z9XmmPO893v24rwbGsC_qcVotRkJIF6H1bWPxo1ooZfUYsGqkJRTP0VMVKFUgw8MsN6aabc3lsorzsyp7kaHAHq_xXEtL5XfyTfGSbzO8hREfHIt8ynCjHRY_8/s640/DSC_2425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8CTduiNbokney0mgV0gWAkU9pF16lzbPcn0GSKKy2borCTUMpSENRpi6m1KV4Lys3SGYJe_PUlCY56U4QZcwCNg5867Bhgosdbj-Ry94rPhVd4UC95z8KwQw4zTgQxuK34Ulc67Wkihg/s1600/DSC_2432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8CTduiNbokney0mgV0gWAkU9pF16lzbPcn0GSKKy2borCTUMpSENRpi6m1KV4Lys3SGYJe_PUlCY56U4QZcwCNg5867Bhgosdbj-Ry94rPhVd4UC95z8KwQw4zTgQxuK34Ulc67Wkihg/s640/DSC_2432.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A harvester loading up a truck with rice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPT-j_bAEy3h5wlbrYsATRVmBp1NM9QzctbeXAMpCLv6th250sgPy6fRNzBqAxlvyMO8QUOkx7OZTbyjD2NJMNEzW-17mcKx59s-rEf8TBsWxGkhpEwyJHhRuY-ips0mCGLzhsSwzW2UQ/s1600/DSC_2437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPT-j_bAEy3h5wlbrYsATRVmBp1NM9QzctbeXAMpCLv6th250sgPy6fRNzBqAxlvyMO8QUOkx7OZTbyjD2NJMNEzW-17mcKx59s-rEf8TBsWxGkhpEwyJHhRuY-ips0mCGLzhsSwzW2UQ/s640/DSC_2437.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPW8wB4W8LZyeRUXw4ljVtuDbZARK755zTAfBbmp2lERwncIXlzfLL0A69c4HleDNnRDpsTOTzTDow2wGdlb-pm1SZ5qkuH6yy-pkUQ3qi6sp-vTbZw6i5nMcMeO6sFJtYQtblDNASATV/s1600/DSC_2438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPW8wB4W8LZyeRUXw4ljVtuDbZARK755zTAfBbmp2lERwncIXlzfLL0A69c4HleDNnRDpsTOTzTDow2wGdlb-pm1SZ5qkuH6yy-pkUQ3qi6sp-vTbZw6i5nMcMeO6sFJtYQtblDNASATV/s640/DSC_2438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYnQ30MOaAHzHDMYZCncZKfpp_n30IghlrxWoSeWJXNSPB3ZkmZ7VERve6Iy8FVN4vpi1sr4CoFzIegsrMv5IQZYfAfRRoByVx9XiJkMvl0qh5vyqwE50C2t2nUBJmfsXBYgrHhcdV3bo/s1600/DSC_2441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYnQ30MOaAHzHDMYZCncZKfpp_n30IghlrxWoSeWJXNSPB3ZkmZ7VERve6Iy8FVN4vpi1sr4CoFzIegsrMv5IQZYfAfRRoByVx9XiJkMvl0qh5vyqwE50C2t2nUBJmfsXBYgrHhcdV3bo/s640/DSC_2441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vgAiuPjnvxR8dk2q2p8QQrmNRbpJe9ZFr_6nPsbGS9ZBWr_JNBcTWlYKo6xivvJrEJfMn-ZaAUIh2zWjXiV9clqa0FGzYn9UWx08jD-dp45iQ8N9IfrasfeL8nsO5OyuW6alFPMaWB77/s1600/DSC_2443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vgAiuPjnvxR8dk2q2p8QQrmNRbpJe9ZFr_6nPsbGS9ZBWr_JNBcTWlYKo6xivvJrEJfMn-ZaAUIh2zWjXiV9clqa0FGzYn9UWx08jD-dp45iQ8N9IfrasfeL8nsO5OyuW6alFPMaWB77/s640/DSC_2443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPPEilYQB1so78E2uZARvUZ5qsSwET_MRbMUfJm_Q2Rtd1SgQkWzt_z7ZLXlkG6iKXF6ZD2P3yArbsrc2lIQvC7p250dzYvrZvQUb9x0ZhALpoPazF1jh7S-KvKzmiZRkk7Zlsb7SYi58/s1600/DSC_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPPEilYQB1so78E2uZARvUZ5qsSwET_MRbMUfJm_Q2Rtd1SgQkWzt_z7ZLXlkG6iKXF6ZD2P3yArbsrc2lIQvC7p250dzYvrZvQUb9x0ZhALpoPazF1jh7S-KvKzmiZRkk7Zlsb7SYi58/s640/DSC_2446.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They must get a little bored, seeing as how ready they were to pose for pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBvbcaw0Eb-2C_tQqu-DLNwOeGqc_ocKpNahuYoXw73S_5QmVMKzcE9wxq0KnnHJhuD1XrYTM4MbowqAuIl71yd0A2_qoz0epZi8CIMuYFMYEm6vgVCnvr63wLnsbXp-gI2pf66DY8G1t/s1600/DSC_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBvbcaw0Eb-2C_tQqu-DLNwOeGqc_ocKpNahuYoXw73S_5QmVMKzcE9wxq0KnnHJhuD1XrYTM4MbowqAuIl71yd0A2_qoz0epZi8CIMuYFMYEm6vgVCnvr63wLnsbXp-gI2pf66DY8G1t/s640/DSC_2448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3wWwGpLd0iod8AQ1w6Ns77qEed9_QgwI4FXtH9GMGgGsgTN5MdmzgFLWFpO6g7NyZj3uGyidXVSPrwsjR_mna3_RhfKDmF0uUHdvYaGNeSgZnowycc88Ln2Wm4LMBBCA6hhYhzsRopRX/s1600/DSC_2455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3wWwGpLd0iod8AQ1w6Ns77qEed9_QgwI4FXtH9GMGgGsgTN5MdmzgFLWFpO6g7NyZj3uGyidXVSPrwsjR_mna3_RhfKDmF0uUHdvYaGNeSgZnowycc88Ln2Wm4LMBBCA6hhYhzsRopRX/s640/DSC_2455.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to the sauna set amongst padi fields but I didn't take too many pictures here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtTU4ZUG0fwEkFKFVwSwvBpQB7O4nn6NRSLvnCt_qOSP25jqOnNed0sLq3lfx-4YY3pMkuA_JUgVuuq-uZ9-8FDyWOpMrSBgbgdqf-qjKJctRybksMbXLAPK6xluTIK0byanzubLhWlfm/s1600/IMG_4370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtTU4ZUG0fwEkFKFVwSwvBpQB7O4nn6NRSLvnCt_qOSP25jqOnNed0sLq3lfx-4YY3pMkuA_JUgVuuq-uZ9-8FDyWOpMrSBgbgdqf-qjKJctRybksMbXLAPK6xluTIK0byanzubLhWlfm/s640/IMG_4370.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Sauna, we enjoyed a very hot foot bath. The water has wild ginger, lemongrass and some other herbs. Very hot but very relaxing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmV62YKdGMsmcsIISHBTM6LycoD2txbFCZJhIuR1iUtZe5H8hP-v9tR5GjsduEb5mBNVPIVqblqfJ_gu0kDh_XthkzOGnEXdb5K1Dz2QzNbfHXvlxps5BtB8QcuhyDQqcBVUWSdsuadYj/s1600/IMG_4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmV62YKdGMsmcsIISHBTM6LycoD2txbFCZJhIuR1iUtZe5H8hP-v9tR5GjsduEb5mBNVPIVqblqfJ_gu0kDh_XthkzOGnEXdb5K1Dz2QzNbfHXvlxps5BtB8QcuhyDQqcBVUWSdsuadYj/s640/IMG_4371.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU67Yiz5j0OGA14VB_45sPLB4lKGEA0D1K67zs1kLKuuEYy_8FyKpHRFzrstalhYKOIwgt3x-A12r2FJQGTLoTbyZxfB_lDnYuZJI99gDzmRcs2OjNI3hWyUuloZaWjcMPcR3Uocv0u-P/s1600/IMG_4372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU67Yiz5j0OGA14VB_45sPLB4lKGEA0D1K67zs1kLKuuEYy_8FyKpHRFzrstalhYKOIwgt3x-A12r2FJQGTLoTbyZxfB_lDnYuZJI99gDzmRcs2OjNI3hWyUuloZaWjcMPcR3Uocv0u-P/s640/IMG_4372.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David getting a refill of hot water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6avVxliBQjWEDUwPqWtmVkhH8KZcWc3LR9K7NqMNGH_AHwkakZU3bjiWybF-KaD7h5LTDIQV1k63evrZMR-hsohORypF5gQZckuThRze0mAjhR6PQiv_-N5Y-BTTkc3XnPHSyTFrwory/s1600/IMG_4375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6avVxliBQjWEDUwPqWtmVkhH8KZcWc3LR9K7NqMNGH_AHwkakZU3bjiWybF-KaD7h5LTDIQV1k63evrZMR-hsohORypF5gQZckuThRze0mAjhR6PQiv_-N5Y-BTTkc3XnPHSyTFrwory/s640/IMG_4375.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrie and Mei enjoying their foot baths.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GRE1LaFytwxdFKN7TWmekQk2N9TSEym8dtEvYITNwsiQd_JpNvidlJFIdikjb1tWAcb_3GgZe5AGbWQhNnNNt9XeP5ShEXlQqRWR6-BPj9GzqcsoOMufzHSyE463J8lWx8c01NO4yYDJ/s1600/IMG_4383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GRE1LaFytwxdFKN7TWmekQk2N9TSEym8dtEvYITNwsiQd_JpNvidlJFIdikjb1tWAcb_3GgZe5AGbWQhNnNNt9XeP5ShEXlQqRWR6-BPj9GzqcsoOMufzHSyE463J8lWx8c01NO4yYDJ/s640/IMG_4383.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then off again back to Nibong Tebal and our cars to go back to the Pedal Inn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_wcPt2ul6HjPhG4l_zxaO61IufUDdwXcJZO4vmAHNpSHlxE5dgW2Isge29OubDccOvnLucCMfKBcGdfpq4Tn-_8Ok0-CRNLnqs0zwFKJy1VwlZ9EPbe6nhWFFIANblQT7VjWwPvMjsa0/s1600/IMG_4385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_wcPt2ul6HjPhG4l_zxaO61IufUDdwXcJZO4vmAHNpSHlxE5dgW2Isge29OubDccOvnLucCMfKBcGdfpq4Tn-_8Ok0-CRNLnqs0zwFKJy1VwlZ9EPbe6nhWFFIANblQT7VjWwPvMjsa0/s640/IMG_4385.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE-SoSoQA0M5eV7f0nHS15fc5tbxn-wHyfVghjYCBoVwkmsPRvIDh41GhoOS3k4jwOHgZTv7JcXghhioU3QtzLL-rY_1KyXBVLtLq6-hgk42lbj0TC097lrISduqARUDg8MOE0vmxKvOJ/s1600/IMG_4387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE-SoSoQA0M5eV7f0nHS15fc5tbxn-wHyfVghjYCBoVwkmsPRvIDh41GhoOS3k4jwOHgZTv7JcXghhioU3QtzLL-rY_1KyXBVLtLq6-hgk42lbj0TC097lrISduqARUDg8MOE0vmxKvOJ/s640/IMG_4387.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a great day out it was!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you'd like more information about this ride and other ExploRides which set off from Penang, do contact me.</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-71755043727729400942014-01-05T05:40:00.005-08:002014-01-05T05:40:51.435-08:001st January 2014 Nibong Tebal ExploRide Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here are more pictures from our first ride of the new year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44bjuQtoj8rRb3t8-yx6OLbT9XBigAYNGI9gZWzhLv1IGbHe_0zhnYiYQYcf8kXz06iKDJlhDGVO174oPBwM5HSbBx1kSRaH1NoJmZ1HFVhpAxtWVCei0pWDMqln7ax00SIRe4eLDkkJi/s1600/DSC_2307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44bjuQtoj8rRb3t8-yx6OLbT9XBigAYNGI9gZWzhLv1IGbHe_0zhnYiYQYcf8kXz06iKDJlhDGVO174oPBwM5HSbBx1kSRaH1NoJmZ1HFVhpAxtWVCei0pWDMqln7ax00SIRe4eLDkkJi/s640/DSC_2307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to a nearby coffeeshop for our lunch. The owner had this on display. It's a 250cc Suzuki but I have no idea what model it is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs1xpMKUvdwu8jeXCW7K2reppgzdbQrRnPcAL9bjNr3Zh-zHS3UZW51cPhGOUSSzgxdDIhYI99U3Ic4k9xBiw8rkVGWraZe6Gw8xXUi9n-rPwfWir-c-0FJnAu-oWuCF59JySW5BeLWGh/s1600/DSC_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs1xpMKUvdwu8jeXCW7K2reppgzdbQrRnPcAL9bjNr3Zh-zHS3UZW51cPhGOUSSzgxdDIhYI99U3Ic4k9xBiw8rkVGWraZe6Gw8xXUi9n-rPwfWir-c-0FJnAu-oWuCF59JySW5BeLWGh/s640/DSC_2309.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coffeeshop owner preparing to steam half the fish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTj2SAXolr4nzNrOhpEy39SHmEr2vedYMRRQzxX20X6kuCH1J4DkZSIrHFyp9XHmLtMTNghOsK-QFa5o6CnAdiMkJBG0cSiaDLMb7-0N4onLjDhZ-7Ursqa3P5_BJ_er5ZxFcIglH-j1F/s1600/DSC_2313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTj2SAXolr4nzNrOhpEy39SHmEr2vedYMRRQzxX20X6kuCH1J4DkZSIrHFyp9XHmLtMTNghOsK-QFa5o6CnAdiMkJBG0cSiaDLMb7-0N4onLjDhZ-7Ursqa3P5_BJ_er5ZxFcIglH-j1F/s640/DSC_2313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are getting ready for lunch. Which basically means we're all looking a little sweaty and a lot hungry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiij7hA37fInyuF0xgKtTE-pW_2zzdKljlM2ilvTCRi1B1O2XxTaRW8fqc_D07WW58ol6fqgyFIbNird75SfgW8yZ2CABy6g8Gk9MuukZWN8yqGvg2RsHv_n8hcxdbOmNS9NrQtZunm7t9y/s1600/DSC_2316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiij7hA37fInyuF0xgKtTE-pW_2zzdKljlM2ilvTCRi1B1O2XxTaRW8fqc_D07WW58ol6fqgyFIbNird75SfgW8yZ2CABy6g8Gk9MuukZWN8yqGvg2RsHv_n8hcxdbOmNS9NrQtZunm7t9y/s640/DSC_2316.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boss' kids. Cheeky and a handful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELWLSqXsxUmnvuNnr_vlYHe6HmY-DjtepAV0h5U8H4n7hLZdj4BJMRiwXYY4JxqGZyzhKSHLwp4T-CXxCzgDAjDPpaU1idrQJX0-kYWtoRahSnyazA9x5Ot74-aYWKJmG4rTEt8vO06kX/s1600/DSC_2320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELWLSqXsxUmnvuNnr_vlYHe6HmY-DjtepAV0h5U8H4n7hLZdj4BJMRiwXYY4JxqGZyzhKSHLwp4T-CXxCzgDAjDPpaU1idrQJX0-kYWtoRahSnyazA9x5Ot74-aYWKJmG4rTEt8vO06kX/s640/DSC_2320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfYC9jhWCtKYb58YAp4CwId2eI_kX41NOXXGybkTQVh6-zLDM-5A_E8wbranTbRyI1p_e9RLwGkAzfeEUkhJ45q7ZbkXdIp61kEj78xl987iun4tu_y1JR_E243qESpIfosRFX71D_kCu/s1600/DSC_2324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfYC9jhWCtKYb58YAp4CwId2eI_kX41NOXXGybkTQVh6-zLDM-5A_E8wbranTbRyI1p_e9RLwGkAzfeEUkhJ45q7ZbkXdIp61kEj78xl987iun4tu_y1JR_E243qESpIfosRFX71D_kCu/s640/DSC_2324.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the steamed front half of the fish, teochew style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxVzZ1_4PAKP7_sIwHUG_DANQ6nSS4TqkdbwKLW2rLLzLVtw2KMUNkK_bUgTXeaqUfjHLInHFzc_c6KvNjARzzo5BZdlQ9Bwgf4cHHQFuPDKVzxqh0U6dhwy6CEyjH09Jy0-c2wLeTgrm/s1600/DSC_2327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxVzZ1_4PAKP7_sIwHUG_DANQ6nSS4TqkdbwKLW2rLLzLVtw2KMUNkK_bUgTXeaqUfjHLInHFzc_c6KvNjARzzo5BZdlQ9Bwgf4cHHQFuPDKVzxqh0U6dhwy6CEyjH09Jy0-c2wLeTgrm/s640/DSC_2327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpQJ4VrFYhJiaT9xMNfIXSy0NsNbGMNocp9dzX9-MWhbPLDt1pfadJfl-VTVgQKvx7WQ9wle9NA2aSXKnxwluOVzJZ6fQgrDBpBu2kD3IOs3SERfzu-Z3M9rZkz8Ms_9_L8X-WU10Nflo/s1600/DSC_2331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpQJ4VrFYhJiaT9xMNfIXSy0NsNbGMNocp9dzX9-MWhbPLDt1pfadJfl-VTVgQKvx7WQ9wle9NA2aSXKnxwluOVzJZ6fQgrDBpBu2kD3IOs3SERfzu-Z3M9rZkz8Ms_9_L8X-WU10Nflo/s640/DSC_2331.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back half of the fish was fried. We also had some slightly curried prawns. I'm no foodie so you figure out what the dishes were, but be assured they were very yummy indeed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ypu0yJzcw1ZItumjp6SncToCgsnqFs-BxxcbzyB69fPKp3eOLNhpqVLq47HE_KwmzEkD9g1iiTfK9imNSz6qKAKUqUSPkZ6BpX86P-aug9BY2uHWh059nG2A07YtSGkW9Yiy4X4ArV05/s1600/DSC_2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ypu0yJzcw1ZItumjp6SncToCgsnqFs-BxxcbzyB69fPKp3eOLNhpqVLq47HE_KwmzEkD9g1iiTfK9imNSz6qKAKUqUSPkZ6BpX86P-aug9BY2uHWh059nG2A07YtSGkW9Yiy4X4ArV05/s640/DSC_2332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhu4dXsdYwPqW18ovbkBLLKBRqX9BOpUNu1A_avb4D6RmONbC5OX-7Y-eG8CBpmGBoMYh7PqbDtBNhxRfJ_S1D7YHOwlWx7lexnPegjb4DYlBnNIQJuIT4Ne27tmoI8uw-nqEMmexbSSu/s1600/DSC_2333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhu4dXsdYwPqW18ovbkBLLKBRqX9BOpUNu1A_avb4D6RmONbC5OX-7Y-eG8CBpmGBoMYh7PqbDtBNhxRfJ_S1D7YHOwlWx7lexnPegjb4DYlBnNIQJuIT4Ne27tmoI8uw-nqEMmexbSSu/s640/DSC_2333.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO0KHmGuEbVixUB_flAZHtgqh-lk7KbbiLEPleTa7f6uIMx6titqZyAajntqcIrCZqHCPegT_ACIr2vUWIViCInu0jd8139S2vfphT_Ks0UrDuIi2Du1L-EhySBdxw9_SZakDPnivcSj1/s1600/DSC_2335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO0KHmGuEbVixUB_flAZHtgqh-lk7KbbiLEPleTa7f6uIMx6titqZyAajntqcIrCZqHCPegT_ACIr2vUWIViCInu0jd8139S2vfphT_Ks0UrDuIi2Du1L-EhySBdxw9_SZakDPnivcSj1/s640/DSC_2335.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We later continued riding, enjoying the seaside scenery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9cR3StShbmaZmEb64yq2kBrNnRXYfPQlbZYT9o9BY1FwPRTjh6XC-yJ8Smdw6ncfcC-AnfjB7eDZSWB7hHvHfib82Lg95W5-ITba8KOdpR7D_ICNcHotdVEF_xLYKNthLIisSl8V_mlL/s1600/DSC_2338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9cR3StShbmaZmEb64yq2kBrNnRXYfPQlbZYT9o9BY1FwPRTjh6XC-yJ8Smdw6ncfcC-AnfjB7eDZSWB7hHvHfib82Lg95W5-ITba8KOdpR7D_ICNcHotdVEF_xLYKNthLIisSl8V_mlL/s640/DSC_2338.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one point we encountered cows. Many of them. This, after we'd cycled about a kilometre or two avoiding cow pats. Many of them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA3KPUBRzAsIVRUgMvQBb6eN9ZnY_m4Q6tp8Y0Q9_CoDGWTSswabMqzf5G3oKOT1mpVWgrlCDjDFaBCTwsc6rUNKnvnh7gKWnfYnQv49ihBcitvbiFiANjJM_-rXJkHgvuBic3sV4tbOY/s1600/DSC_2340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA3KPUBRzAsIVRUgMvQBb6eN9ZnY_m4Q6tp8Y0Q9_CoDGWTSswabMqzf5G3oKOT1mpVWgrlCDjDFaBCTwsc6rUNKnvnh7gKWnfYnQv49ihBcitvbiFiANjJM_-rXJkHgvuBic3sV4tbOY/s640/DSC_2340.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The owner of the cows said he had about 50. From the number of cow pats we'd had t avoid, I would have thought the actual number of cows to be closer to 500...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpUpbuISlKa1QwedIoTWIKjRP9cnoKTsVbkxK4xWTYvuhfnFYnbU5ntQiJybq1jKPPXQXhc0pxmpbAXEKAO9UDqsV0y1HsF5WDWkpWx6jHOfFvS6rJ2YWixnTXeL6JRQR7qmwM0zx4Om8/s1600/DSC_2342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpUpbuISlKa1QwedIoTWIKjRP9cnoKTsVbkxK4xWTYvuhfnFYnbU5ntQiJybq1jKPPXQXhc0pxmpbAXEKAO9UDqsV0y1HsF5WDWkpWx6jHOfFvS6rJ2YWixnTXeL6JRQR7qmwM0zx4Om8/s640/DSC_2342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc-LKnSVWLYH3YN1ChVf1PmYINXu6rlRr3Z2WFD-jrsjjTG761wb2MpWs4HLQsF_MoH0zqk5XlaLdP7wypeXhcNvQj1QpkHBcoGIc8oswKnm7fj_rbFlHeYfNYaXYF6phz8Na8j1mCPbK/s1600/DSC_2345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc-LKnSVWLYH3YN1ChVf1PmYINXu6rlRr3Z2WFD-jrsjjTG761wb2MpWs4HLQsF_MoH0zqk5XlaLdP7wypeXhcNvQj1QpkHBcoGIc8oswKnm7fj_rbFlHeYfNYaXYF6phz8Na8j1mCPbK/s640/DSC_2345.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib97wgtPGnmhdwJR_pxSq4CRmlEy3a50riNTNSaaazujaa-Seha10xEskpT-KzOAU-i2Xy0lJ4kHP-ZjzURv_vkl7LtQlc-2V6CrZ4R9XHM0tFS_Bbgi1j_kAeHZ6A2IxFkiBXaWGhO0Em/s1600/DSC_2346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib97wgtPGnmhdwJR_pxSq4CRmlEy3a50riNTNSaaazujaa-Seha10xEskpT-KzOAU-i2Xy0lJ4kHP-ZjzURv_vkl7LtQlc-2V6CrZ4R9XHM0tFS_Bbgi1j_kAeHZ6A2IxFkiBXaWGhO0Em/s640/DSC_2346.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came to a mangrove area and I marvelled at how many tiny crabs there were. Stare at this picture and you can count quite a few</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpYK9vFy5VJUZhUF1-1eRr2SR2CUVPJAaITRJRGoM7TH6j3rPkVdivzfY7NNPhnq4P4vcBxrrgYG553L0kZ9vSEyQLLc8YP2AhqI3PVLRRc-0hp9Q4FOrh1UjnrMKtQ4IT8cPlClTnL1v/s1600/DSC_2348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpYK9vFy5VJUZhUF1-1eRr2SR2CUVPJAaITRJRGoM7TH6j3rPkVdivzfY7NNPhnq4P4vcBxrrgYG553L0kZ9vSEyQLLc8YP2AhqI3PVLRRc-0hp9Q4FOrh1UjnrMKtQ4IT8cPlClTnL1v/s640/DSC_2348.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David explaining mangrove ecoology to Terrie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3ty25azU2j65mt_dgaZlviMnMq3G8Ocnc-fMvugB036So-akhwb9KMnAmUAY7-hA-pqD4TkDTWpTCMHcIir6FZq-858asSvqTF-0Hj5hEZps0D4QZtkn8QylW8MEbcIbcH2JRgvTRwnd/s1600/DSC_2349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3ty25azU2j65mt_dgaZlviMnMq3G8Ocnc-fMvugB036So-akhwb9KMnAmUAY7-hA-pqD4TkDTWpTCMHcIir6FZq-858asSvqTF-0Hj5hEZps0D4QZtkn8QylW8MEbcIbcH2JRgvTRwnd/s640/DSC_2349.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEWjsD-cJ1ocDlCfY8A1egrf8fmmdDY9tpSOE3YPkUlwgjZ3njrAftWJ7-22TXlHJRftaPrR2zIPZNsCMg1BuAoWkfp3ouIngpDcLZWbEMrqAnOji6J4TJAXsKybhGkGlWh6G1RLFthLp/s1600/DSC_2352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEWjsD-cJ1ocDlCfY8A1egrf8fmmdDY9tpSOE3YPkUlwgjZ3njrAftWJ7-22TXlHJRftaPrR2zIPZNsCMg1BuAoWkfp3ouIngpDcLZWbEMrqAnOji6J4TJAXsKybhGkGlWh6G1RLFthLp/s640/DSC_2352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX3eE6z5TqCeiOZjAlIAPi88d49CTApIimRFZcn7kRNyeH-sZNAbaCF5dOm4nbBcABCuR5wm2KRpHncmIwOTvA0aAqBGeLipOcvBsLnTFyfOdangouNKYsbukLFpkhrKvjXkzfztkI_fY/s1600/DSC_2355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX3eE6z5TqCeiOZjAlIAPi88d49CTApIimRFZcn7kRNyeH-sZNAbaCF5dOm4nbBcABCuR5wm2KRpHncmIwOTvA0aAqBGeLipOcvBsLnTFyfOdangouNKYsbukLFpkhrKvjXkzfztkI_fY/s640/DSC_2355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this one is a Fiddler Crab with one huge claw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqFmSzc71-_76NqKvaQhKpjAgP3YqamC7inlCjuVnSwDbtEfYBCYY2uG1WxtLFO4y2zUYTbMXm4rY1WwatKjzj-PiHIXXKFWm5N85EuuZWwPeE3OJrfRPuj2M51UTqgT-EMrtHgnbyaaR/s1600/DSC_2356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqFmSzc71-_76NqKvaQhKpjAgP3YqamC7inlCjuVnSwDbtEfYBCYY2uG1WxtLFO4y2zUYTbMXm4rY1WwatKjzj-PiHIXXKFWm5N85EuuZWwPeE3OJrfRPuj2M51UTqgT-EMrtHgnbyaaR/s640/DSC_2356.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the little mudskippers?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixwb7T1LQBiRd2vH1vbSmLizgxm2pWLeV3KLtpWcdvMS7LxsdgejX3lCLPS5cgUg0GmSMYVXuEV_HT7oXnp4I48iBkryxZx_ybERap9HHuBXC6eYx-n1Vl3Yi8fMPSRLluuZDV7CJF3q7/s1600/DSC_2357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixwb7T1LQBiRd2vH1vbSmLizgxm2pWLeV3KLtpWcdvMS7LxsdgejX3lCLPS5cgUg0GmSMYVXuEV_HT7oXnp4I48iBkryxZx_ybERap9HHuBXC6eYx-n1Vl3Yi8fMPSRLluuZDV7CJF3q7/s640/DSC_2357.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a claw of another Fiddler Crab.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu7aGpVnrp1gP_MgV4FGP4dKRLY2wY1HuvhDkn0ednk4nivIUz_6QHeo0SLUqLYtUf7aNIrVLmVhWT0FoyVpD4kLndUvGnQK6qZ3OpY_IXI1rq8SLQ0mHt9nXshXGiX2P3wHkCZaCgYsi/s1600/DSC_2359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu7aGpVnrp1gP_MgV4FGP4dKRLY2wY1HuvhDkn0ednk4nivIUz_6QHeo0SLUqLYtUf7aNIrVLmVhWT0FoyVpD4kLndUvGnQK6qZ3OpY_IXI1rq8SLQ0mHt9nXshXGiX2P3wHkCZaCgYsi/s640/DSC_2359.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a new house for a Malay fishing village nearby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zJ1z5wZKI0Hrg6ZuKprkswwBrEV0tQNj5yOQ1cM8ykPOGBBW98ZZ1b5IKdYEYBGeZxgb41R919wnlhPI6fI7ug0Ma1BE1uTFEsTY7TyoxuX-yabZs3z2s_jpmyRQ1RaDmEmRrY2u55Nn/s1600/DSC_2362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zJ1z5wZKI0Hrg6ZuKprkswwBrEV0tQNj5yOQ1cM8ykPOGBBW98ZZ1b5IKdYEYBGeZxgb41R919wnlhPI6fI7ug0Ma1BE1uTFEsTY7TyoxuX-yabZs3z2s_jpmyRQ1RaDmEmRrY2u55Nn/s640/DSC_2362.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spied some curious very black chickens and a rooster. According to a local, these are a breed form Thailand and even their skin and tongue are black. He claims their flesh and blood are dark too but we dared not verify this, even though I do carry around a little pocketknife...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0cDEPmUacW48cwvQEtJZJJxzLxfD1iFogxcJJxE_WaZyfVSfw5s4NTCVtKzdy6DR0LU9PBXVRZIPwTYXcDfVV32e9kiHu8wdY8zQAlf3KWi2oOpXJI_VdZPGuySM0v_QIG8esH75nett/s1600/DSC_2367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0cDEPmUacW48cwvQEtJZJJxzLxfD1iFogxcJJxE_WaZyfVSfw5s4NTCVtKzdy6DR0LU9PBXVRZIPwTYXcDfVV32e9kiHu8wdY8zQAlf3KWi2oOpXJI_VdZPGuySM0v_QIG8esH75nett/s640/DSC_2367.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These will be bananas one day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM0iZVIro1I6B0SSizNoERkKAbFlZj1-rTnoDWd65-Q2C4gwKhLSQGlY19PgcWjTBlMchW-dXTTlNVYzZZORMgwaPEmSUtZqQ-EGuCMZUlVMDwT3SMRHatV33MugjOu7V-3LXO-89dsLX/s1600/DSC_2369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM0iZVIro1I6B0SSizNoERkKAbFlZj1-rTnoDWd65-Q2C4gwKhLSQGlY19PgcWjTBlMchW-dXTTlNVYzZZORMgwaPEmSUtZqQ-EGuCMZUlVMDwT3SMRHatV33MugjOu7V-3LXO-89dsLX/s640/DSC_2369.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">David holding up a Kapok pod. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6dt23KnWcvz00JSs0Xrv7DtCbxnh7c-iBxHZqWKqlGsjWpO2TWbZdrQwhJUq92Zh5N2eYrV6GOvdKWAVKDSdziCJC9jWu2KckiKnokmYqtM4V2l0-1-BjNR-Oo0U1U6uQE4EDm4HIeap/s1600/DSC_2374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6dt23KnWcvz00JSs0Xrv7DtCbxnh7c-iBxHZqWKqlGsjWpO2TWbZdrQwhJUq92Zh5N2eYrV6GOvdKWAVKDSdziCJC9jWu2KckiKnokmYqtM4V2l0-1-BjNR-Oo0U1U6uQE4EDm4HIeap/s640/DSC_2374.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kapok tree can be quite large. Kapok used to be used as stuffing for mattresses and pillows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiB2ne7NQ82pdAkNBmqn_4JDgkKD_J9Cqvwp34LNchwK8RE89vCgIC7T89BrufFvEuhJm-kxPoW67AH2yHMNocbma7zScCwmUnbm6fpjtnQNxvCZs1GA8k2il8aV0bMKXMWZriekCk2Ay/s1600/DSC_2377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiB2ne7NQ82pdAkNBmqn_4JDgkKD_J9Cqvwp34LNchwK8RE89vCgIC7T89BrufFvEuhJm-kxPoW67AH2yHMNocbma7zScCwmUnbm6fpjtnQNxvCZs1GA8k2il8aV0bMKXMWZriekCk2Ay/s640/DSC_2377.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You like see-hum (cockles)? This is how they're cleaned and sorted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGhyphenhyphenp3sAuqU3h8nqizAx2Wgo5UanIW_fBo5zLCCiHW7ySw7JxFbcTPQBm52g4KN5wXvx0uJqT8LlyKxIVqqFBiILR7iRkTOnDgg6zmLQanCyGSr_qDb5NM0_fO019XmNZSCV0PumZu7gk/s1600/DSC_2380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGhyphenhyphenp3sAuqU3h8nqizAx2Wgo5UanIW_fBo5zLCCiHW7ySw7JxFbcTPQBm52g4KN5wXvx0uJqT8LlyKxIVqqFBiILR7iRkTOnDgg6zmLQanCyGSr_qDb5NM0_fO019XmNZSCV0PumZu7gk/s640/DSC_2380.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTsGrkZgJSiv0mvYqzM1rqjsHikb3nfJaOCPrLRq_yRtCIUB_O7kcRhbk7-OoZgOWJQI6t_AXJctDfEeraWb1wBh4cdhBtTcoPQ5C_GghG4O_IeOk_NHRt2k1VWcP5Pg5WfAvTZMvgGdZ/s1600/DSC_2383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTsGrkZgJSiv0mvYqzM1rqjsHikb3nfJaOCPrLRq_yRtCIUB_O7kcRhbk7-OoZgOWJQI6t_AXJctDfEeraWb1wBh4cdhBtTcoPQ5C_GghG4O_IeOk_NHRt2k1VWcP5Pg5WfAvTZMvgGdZ/s640/DSC_2383.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're placed in one end. The lighter half-shells fall through the first section of the sorter while the heavier ones continue. Empty one fall through too and heavier, full cockles go right through to the end where they're hand sorted. Some fall through at the third section and are run through the sorter again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hB9Odaq62avLLQsBQaKuyGB1zzCf7bxXs9G4ya7U8CP2FePU72CjCTX21RYRewuNd-Q10_U-aEaIoXr6AmInsUlQyVynud1keD9AzES-KFR6HQHzcV4b3Xk5hvavbSMTLDCGuDptaLUD/s1600/DSC_2385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hB9Odaq62avLLQsBQaKuyGB1zzCf7bxXs9G4ya7U8CP2FePU72CjCTX21RYRewuNd-Q10_U-aEaIoXr6AmInsUlQyVynud1keD9AzES-KFR6HQHzcV4b3Xk5hvavbSMTLDCGuDptaLUD/s640/DSC_2385.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsJ5QsURGdlYDuGdkDNckAHI6vdODgy7BB_b__xKVBneHrPy3qJn8szD03G6iQzGzantJKKrhYHPfTVV7QXDhyphenhyphenVGyYXGoFs81aiSiUZTo_OSpDvGAjZpupCM7N5cxYi4dSYMGsxBIDcBO/s1600/DSC_2392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsJ5QsURGdlYDuGdkDNckAHI6vdODgy7BB_b__xKVBneHrPy3qJn8szD03G6iQzGzantJKKrhYHPfTVV7QXDhyphenhyphenVGyYXGoFs81aiSiUZTo_OSpDvGAjZpupCM7N5cxYi4dSYMGsxBIDcBO/s640/DSC_2392.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
In the next part: Pictures of padi and padi harvesting.</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-81130545527179160842014-01-05T05:21:00.000-08:002014-01-05T05:22:56.497-08:001st January 2014 Nibong Tebal ExploRide Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy New Year everyone!</div>
<br />
As mentioned previously, I've been busy in Penang with Senyum Sajalah which wrapped up on 31 December. With some free time for the first time in some weeks, we celebrated the new year with a ride in nearby Nibong Tebal. You remember my good friend David Munusamy? Well, I, together with him and Pedal Inn Penang organised a simple ride for half-a-dozen people around some of the places I so enjoyed visiting in 2007 when I cycled through Malaysia.<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures of a very enjoyable first day of the new year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcSmscVVw8ddYCe8tYsk0Y5IMSMp9yXu3rNZdQpK1Z4KL1xsq4RicH1sqwnGsB6eGGPHg3oYXjnvql_mQRkpLKCn-jay1PPx3MqSzG3EgsOHg5fu8ffwDYCLKeW25g-eCIeyO7O15EKS4/s1600/IMG_4306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcSmscVVw8ddYCe8tYsk0Y5IMSMp9yXu3rNZdQpK1Z4KL1xsq4RicH1sqwnGsB6eGGPHg3oYXjnvql_mQRkpLKCn-jay1PPx3MqSzG3EgsOHg5fu8ffwDYCLKeW25g-eCIeyO7O15EKS4/s400/IMG_4306.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are setting off from Nibong Tebal town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG-jD-tfNuDZ9ANHnuYZ6A5-sfcE1GAEysCSK_GV8hKYQbE14ofUtIwav1AGZ1QM1dqkhiS0MVeAnH_Xgwop40lZ7YSgEPm4JgOEKK5zZq5eDa8k7p9hvyyhFCti2JeH9FgOJdZK6KJyt/s1600/IMG_4309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG-jD-tfNuDZ9ANHnuYZ6A5-sfcE1GAEysCSK_GV8hKYQbE14ofUtIwav1AGZ1QM1dqkhiS0MVeAnH_Xgwop40lZ7YSgEPm4JgOEKK5zZq5eDa8k7p9hvyyhFCti2JeH9FgOJdZK6KJyt/s640/IMG_4309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu29Op3BHKfvsKr5o16raTwa3KdzZSpeh6FB6rXQXSsF5-77muys_8J8Wj3idp1kv5f71lCvuChknGvg7aOuy_M2lh_oiKfKJePixlSR7zWTTYQu2APYzIGgjNNGyfH79r8wsxBWU7xK9v/s1600/IMG_4310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu29Op3BHKfvsKr5o16raTwa3KdzZSpeh6FB6rXQXSsF5-77muys_8J8Wj3idp1kv5f71lCvuChknGvg7aOuy_M2lh_oiKfKJePixlSR7zWTTYQu2APYzIGgjNNGyfH79r8wsxBWU7xK9v/s400/IMG_4310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RpG1NsJYI1MVaZJpen5sIgt_7e1qhzlfaH34fSbJ4N_Wt3qjQl5NWHRmo3AynSaL_nWp5_m0tw84vMFUdTq7Byr_1ELS0pIe91f9WKm_cBLVZ16NviwfK53rMubk7Hz0q13Cw3t5hjgb/s1600/IMG_4312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RpG1NsJYI1MVaZJpen5sIgt_7e1qhzlfaH34fSbJ4N_Wt3qjQl5NWHRmo3AynSaL_nWp5_m0tw84vMFUdTq7Byr_1ELS0pIe91f9WKm_cBLVZ16NviwfK53rMubk7Hz0q13Cw3t5hjgb/s640/IMG_4312.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrie, our English friend who turned out to be super fit, even if she was not so used to cycling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzX8icVFOwcvw_XEMwyU4DVIIyXYy67bhl4C5JhWoqmguZLX9m7fKMPho-BBckSak83dMDlO9a4lG8hfz6-yILwT-YKzA-RSC4izMrOB7D2_004TtrO0d1qwGsFykruaMfMEihnpqHvvY/s1600/IMG_4322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzX8icVFOwcvw_XEMwyU4DVIIyXYy67bhl4C5JhWoqmguZLX9m7fKMPho-BBckSak83dMDlO9a4lG8hfz6-yILwT-YKzA-RSC4izMrOB7D2_004TtrO0d1qwGsFykruaMfMEihnpqHvvY/s640/IMG_4322.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing a narrow bridge - and looking a little worried apparently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv29rZSBBlLBB6mHnkrjdQtskZP24D6j7qJ62yRPrh6gw9aqXvk3vxiF8gdjJOyaY1x-XMjg65tjd0iUugsAFC7pEFx1QBAEN7rJ6fLOX6pfiKBFWjCzc2f4eqOMGeNFfoDuOZlxub1opw/s1600/IMG_4326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv29rZSBBlLBB6mHnkrjdQtskZP24D6j7qJ62yRPrh6gw9aqXvk3vxiF8gdjJOyaY1x-XMjg65tjd0iUugsAFC7pEFx1QBAEN7rJ6fLOX6pfiKBFWjCzc2f4eqOMGeNFfoDuOZlxub1opw/s640/IMG_4326.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kampung kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43L4qkKoC8cSDLxvAZHkEX2X9SmvCbSTIQBrR226NS1m4uZ9U4xTUPBX1C81rp8aw19xgIRPbHF9wQhZu1fHwE42S-6h738ErhBI9ziiznbx9o3TP1dhWb2e6qjGZMHrvzfbi6wH9bED0/s1600/IMG_4329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43L4qkKoC8cSDLxvAZHkEX2X9SmvCbSTIQBrR226NS1m4uZ9U4xTUPBX1C81rp8aw19xgIRPbHF9wQhZu1fHwE42S-6h738ErhBI9ziiznbx9o3TP1dhWb2e6qjGZMHrvzfbi6wH9bED0/s640/IMG_4329.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We cycled along parits (canals) in the bright morning sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtbGw6Dor_G-xc8iGGtW0JpGIo1845pV-9xiLCGwWR3Fxd7VneFN4tqmH8LiDwkbIrCIhJPrIijWAplX_29rfOUaDWFWaSVcvnG1puICqQBSjnuNmSU-Mj_4kGz_ErYfOcv1yKc5i4Y2H/s1600/IMG_4333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtbGw6Dor_G-xc8iGGtW0JpGIo1845pV-9xiLCGwWR3Fxd7VneFN4tqmH8LiDwkbIrCIhJPrIijWAplX_29rfOUaDWFWaSVcvnG1puICqQBSjnuNmSU-Mj_4kGz_ErYfOcv1yKc5i4Y2H/s400/IMG_4333.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar cane on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh28jm9RWz4Hzkg6D0cyMV5t6V-MQ72b5TwAzbOYDf6qIT9QI6wfWr18Dvu0LxTiT8aGqONmP9C9eSxN-d9Ok-kk06-oX1cdOgbGEm77oAR1ihsC8p134HuzSeYjTL9Jhf8gcE8Vft1y0/s1600/IMG_4355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh28jm9RWz4Hzkg6D0cyMV5t6V-MQ72b5TwAzbOYDf6qIT9QI6wfWr18Dvu0LxTiT8aGqONmP9C9eSxN-d9Ok-kk06-oX1cdOgbGEm77oAR1ihsC8p134HuzSeYjTL9Jhf8gcE8Vft1y0/s640/IMG_4355.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a flat ride, sometimes through town areas which were easy to navigate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MP2RSzJZsa3qsAByT5pD1taZlpsf1Lql9k2OqNkhzyoRSU4SYmN4OVZRH_2aY75P2vs0YzvLPSBADQXdDetWtsOlMz7Sb7pz_L0GkX7Y3kULOBaNPQNDhGzdKq_xhggV4CmEJoyuXHO8/s1600/DSC_2224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MP2RSzJZsa3qsAByT5pD1taZlpsf1Lql9k2OqNkhzyoRSU4SYmN4OVZRH_2aY75P2vs0YzvLPSBADQXdDetWtsOlMz7Sb7pz_L0GkX7Y3kULOBaNPQNDhGzdKq_xhggV4CmEJoyuXHO8/s640/DSC_2224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We passed a lot of fish farms. These machines aerate the water to ensure sufficient levels of oxygen.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoqYzyjwet7vs7FXiQ7HEeRAXtwI36xa3gnQV8C04Gwg1CO7c_nMjnDHOKvG88AlqdI_MPkTA5s33qOO29bZbuBCU8_rrC22iAu0ayBOsrmhH0SYiswtpiJ547RVuZJkhls5o0noIqe36/s1600/DSC_2226.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoqYzyjwet7vs7FXiQ7HEeRAXtwI36xa3gnQV8C04Gwg1CO7c_nMjnDHOKvG88AlqdI_MPkTA5s33qOO29bZbuBCU8_rrC22iAu0ayBOsrmhH0SYiswtpiJ547RVuZJkhls5o0noIqe36/s640/DSC_2226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoT_as3BRU7BMsPI_Sr0Rs5TY4kR_sP5llQ2Eek9YO4JucN1dUXL9AAOwj9CyGEbgvxvBsVaVdZWRHG3PWZiWpFmUdMfzoHWkXnKdw2OwXuWjh8XrE3Oi6JnMFmOubbfRJINslGtpRWl7S/s1600/DSC_2228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoT_as3BRU7BMsPI_Sr0Rs5TY4kR_sP5llQ2Eek9YO4JucN1dUXL9AAOwj9CyGEbgvxvBsVaVdZWRHG3PWZiWpFmUdMfzoHWkXnKdw2OwXuWjh8XrE3Oi6JnMFmOubbfRJINslGtpRWl7S/s640/DSC_2228.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aerator are simple machines driven by a motor. Here's one with a scarecrow keeping an eye on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhNz_K5ehTICNvV_63aUpPQmuHTBZ4xcdbt0am9pqLCpAb4aaIeVMP-rGuoPbRV-HbN9Xl42Skq3atrAijXYEKRiaB-QvIv2KTmbv2TCAcqPMkM2kM0s-kyrNE2R8Y1_ACqCrdiWOgYeR/s1600/DSC_2243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhNz_K5ehTICNvV_63aUpPQmuHTBZ4xcdbt0am9pqLCpAb4aaIeVMP-rGuoPbRV-HbN9Xl42Skq3atrAijXYEKRiaB-QvIv2KTmbv2TCAcqPMkM2kM0s-kyrNE2R8Y1_ACqCrdiWOgYeR/s640/DSC_2243.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to a jetty where some fishing boats were coming in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuULbCr3IuQdWHvqoA43-foljh9k3fe57oWiP141eOZQM5cOsdFLpN0WMZKTU-OgF0QUTwriz2I6k5cpUCrHiUPUOVRVk4s9GeEGT_aC_fP2czYDk_06G6eIN9RNvSoCvZgmFQEydJwbX/s1600/DSC_2245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuULbCr3IuQdWHvqoA43-foljh9k3fe57oWiP141eOZQM5cOsdFLpN0WMZKTU-OgF0QUTwriz2I6k5cpUCrHiUPUOVRVk4s9GeEGT_aC_fP2czYDk_06G6eIN9RNvSoCvZgmFQEydJwbX/s640/DSC_2245.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mei, looking interested in the goings on...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVkymapfwTOEkAvctdfWzS2hkvNiUfh0_e-9q5d7zZdjFDNJqFgfuVKLu4goyifNF7MZSdC9OLJijKDtAQ4TdYF15W1rtcZ0ipWx8XBaHP_yggfTZEi2oTiU2GRDnTBCujwIaGSnsHCkr/s1600/DSC_2251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVkymapfwTOEkAvctdfWzS2hkvNiUfh0_e-9q5d7zZdjFDNJqFgfuVKLu4goyifNF7MZSdC9OLJijKDtAQ4TdYF15W1rtcZ0ipWx8XBaHP_yggfTZEi2oTiU2GRDnTBCujwIaGSnsHCkr/s640/DSC_2251.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The motorbike/sidecar combinations scurry about, transporting catch from jetty to wherever.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKGfXpRVQ4IN-Joj_k6le4XNoDltIgDBI6-pCeBijy732fwOZhc0gtZM3WCZsf61PKXCtD_vZyCjl73v0975nLQ2kz2tu5QAAC44mUXFoCLDrR1v68ADz368aEnqfL1DdfyAs5UAtrr1A/s1600/DSC_2252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKGfXpRVQ4IN-Joj_k6le4XNoDltIgDBI6-pCeBijy732fwOZhc0gtZM3WCZsf61PKXCtD_vZyCjl73v0975nLQ2kz2tu5QAAC44mUXFoCLDrR1v68ADz368aEnqfL1DdfyAs5UAtrr1A/s640/DSC_2252.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very fresh fish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0Sm97h7spAShzNtDWi4iHXFCSrv37AZb9422OTJzd-1ryfLqydoNiMQn7dFnu9uXLBOn3dOw1nv1ZZ70tcXZa6evyAZP1yvwTObxYLZNJKRiCvbJ-_s9WIV2-rzYmDMl_uzNygEBD3Am/s1600/DSC_2253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0Sm97h7spAShzNtDWi4iHXFCSrv37AZb9422OTJzd-1ryfLqydoNiMQn7dFnu9uXLBOn3dOw1nv1ZZ70tcXZa6evyAZP1yvwTObxYLZNJKRiCvbJ-_s9WIV2-rzYmDMl_uzNygEBD3Am/s640/DSC_2253.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some huge fellas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXfQIQIiwXivz4ymoeBxgUcSAQhD_uYKCzG30MhcNZBhHum9t4e0A8uDy_O7HwwlhyQ0sjF6C5ErWQS1MhpE5vnNpM31TvJcElvgbwcZFzAKqpUTbV2gwJCTBupIfvCx2YtAwLGRGz9kP/s1600/DSC_2256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXfQIQIiwXivz4ymoeBxgUcSAQhD_uYKCzG30MhcNZBhHum9t4e0A8uDy_O7HwwlhyQ0sjF6C5ErWQS1MhpE5vnNpM31TvJcElvgbwcZFzAKqpUTbV2gwJCTBupIfvCx2YtAwLGRGz9kP/s640/DSC_2256.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trading begins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YljycxRiSMwUu_R4hBQOrEAIL_sYN3e9MYTR21zHvLu8LF61JpMU4I8Evd69GRiKg_Kss3umUrS3vuRz4-Vf1PogUKUrJ1EVgerqYslLQqGQRTYmYAUqCIPYUrkVhUdtFmTtJ1a0FU86/s1600/DSC_2263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YljycxRiSMwUu_R4hBQOrEAIL_sYN3e9MYTR21zHvLu8LF61JpMU4I8Evd69GRiKg_Kss3umUrS3vuRz4-Vf1PogUKUrJ1EVgerqYslLQqGQRTYmYAUqCIPYUrkVhUdtFmTtJ1a0FU86/s640/DSC_2263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some people at one of the jetties.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1r2DFlRPB8fVJnp59-gBx5rgJxzjD63LITSzCEBOk-vwckeCVCVcoQGuZsXtH0MSL3hgC6riXxb5X7szHGdxevaMFfkmzwQ0fF5uzCd3gH4glL6LVd3-2iQjBQIaaJ-vcCS8OfN0sM2I/s1600/DSC_2268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1r2DFlRPB8fVJnp59-gBx5rgJxzjD63LITSzCEBOk-vwckeCVCVcoQGuZsXtH0MSL3hgC6riXxb5X7szHGdxevaMFfkmzwQ0fF5uzCd3gH4glL6LVd3-2iQjBQIaaJ-vcCS8OfN0sM2I/s640/DSC_2268.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats zoom in and out, quickly and expertly piloted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B9ZVppT31jPYZmSsvh3viGeiYq5WJMbSxyWmUzck_-ufi1Xjq6Cxx4xaEqzvHPE9J3_gC_hAr1wCXUq2i3iC8QCeJ3y1AiayuL9Y8ZoR6LT0qJ0sifEx09TmcGq7LOecxM2VB7AF9rfB/s1600/DSC_2272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B9ZVppT31jPYZmSsvh3viGeiYq5WJMbSxyWmUzck_-ufi1Xjq6Cxx4xaEqzvHPE9J3_gC_hAr1wCXUq2i3iC8QCeJ3y1AiayuL9Y8ZoR6LT0qJ0sifEx09TmcGq7LOecxM2VB7AF9rfB/s640/DSC_2272.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David choosing a fish for our lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXWs39UuQBbsEx6Smf93T2zKg94e7tXD2ieo6LNdm0vNsdH6JnUWRgxBp8Wu73is36OrhyphenhyphenzlVvTORCl1AokhbbdhpJm9nZB0hxAfaeoj7-5ftrWCGGobfU_GUo8SVR4cnXq57UKJVZLej/s1600/DSC_2277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXWs39UuQBbsEx6Smf93T2zKg94e7tXD2ieo6LNdm0vNsdH6JnUWRgxBp8Wu73is36OrhyphenhyphenzlVvTORCl1AokhbbdhpJm9nZB0hxAfaeoj7-5ftrWCGGobfU_GUo8SVR4cnXq57UKJVZLej/s640/DSC_2277.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And striking a deal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8upiUYvgNSSxUOEVx6aIT0TYrBM9x_akwv7BNrdo4sJPfP6snJb9q1Ko5-FKlZbCqmEjxYg7XW6Lda2PTCVCFfuhxHW2wQkZiDqHCcjg3w23UivSAHKMgDxg2YLAkjmD6krCLBCyT3tIz/s1600/DSC_2274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8upiUYvgNSSxUOEVx6aIT0TYrBM9x_akwv7BNrdo4sJPfP6snJb9q1Ko5-FKlZbCqmEjxYg7XW6Lda2PTCVCFfuhxHW2wQkZiDqHCcjg3w23UivSAHKMgDxg2YLAkjmD6krCLBCyT3tIz/s640/DSC_2274.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some rays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5PpnUzLwJR8_sDVsIkNb4V8PpfC9SDX7nOZD4QIhHORUVtdHS15XXSpGJUSpdZsKV-Hx9Win0-9R_A6frwkxVsWW1pWI-Y4E44Z7aM2RyhOexBWUqLL-v9Lgvz1PR7UUyq5oTlFLRlOL/s1600/DSC_2282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5PpnUzLwJR8_sDVsIkNb4V8PpfC9SDX7nOZD4QIhHORUVtdHS15XXSpGJUSpdZsKV-Hx9Win0-9R_A6frwkxVsWW1pWI-Y4E44Z7aM2RyhOexBWUqLL-v9Lgvz1PR7UUyq5oTlFLRlOL/s640/DSC_2282.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7aG7SVk9m3JTda9W_YbxGJlK2HpCW-N6vg8GyXop8JO0rOo9D6sfF59GhYcuTYD71Lsg2jsvCxHjlIHLgQFjn_Pn7gIQO5fx5p69YdqjSIXGqJzeSOue9k8AJ7oJRasUBCJdQVGnQFuJ/s1600/DSC_2290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7aG7SVk9m3JTda9W_YbxGJlK2HpCW-N6vg8GyXop8JO0rOo9D6sfF59GhYcuTYD71Lsg2jsvCxHjlIHLgQFjn_Pn7gIQO5fx5p69YdqjSIXGqJzeSOue9k8AJ7oJRasUBCJdQVGnQFuJ/s640/DSC_2290.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two gentlemen record details of each batch of fish being transacted. The one with the book records everything while the one on the left writes the official weight on a piece of paper which then goes with the batch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvPbuejnWTkotU6FMFYx52mbbZ02wiPak5WD4N-JqhqKGB6_GG_kxyv8dI18WmRoim04TqcEZdRbhIpEWuBJ8FjTAbvd5Ie0HZkBtKpNnOc_55Q3EHHwsN8MwPcZDsnbcxF-hF0AL4mKL/s1600/DSC_2294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvPbuejnWTkotU6FMFYx52mbbZ02wiPak5WD4N-JqhqKGB6_GG_kxyv8dI18WmRoim04TqcEZdRbhIpEWuBJ8FjTAbvd5Ie0HZkBtKpNnOc_55Q3EHHwsN8MwPcZDsnbcxF-hF0AL4mKL/s640/DSC_2294.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real boss is the man controlling the scale. He calls out each weight in a loud booking voice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iSmXv7aV-bYEaLmKQO4TDYk9-4FseJ_G4dTN7UlNq2uUndJ-k8F-s1bVQw_aBAcUjPROOIllvTgDpjwdz_GvD-ArZPfIaB9L6ivxaJZhIOGVXTr0cwmLuqvswSumPZlqFWNBmBcSRov-/s1600/DSC_2296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iSmXv7aV-bYEaLmKQO4TDYk9-4FseJ_G4dTN7UlNq2uUndJ-k8F-s1bVQw_aBAcUjPROOIllvTgDpjwdz_GvD-ArZPfIaB9L6ivxaJZhIOGVXTr0cwmLuqvswSumPZlqFWNBmBcSRov-/s640/DSC_2296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa2dVk2FDG_5oMMPG4HssqXdyVwl-nuaOQOtopoO7JQxQaKU5HlboagrQK-mgHEM9QftQC6SRhggfpC-jRIrJaWaCyxG6xXbWte8wAeqiQZSzRJx9VaXjH5iNQvPY5C7njSl5gKtN6q4k/s1600/DSC_2297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa2dVk2FDG_5oMMPG4HssqXdyVwl-nuaOQOtopoO7JQxQaKU5HlboagrQK-mgHEM9QftQC6SRhggfpC-jRIrJaWaCyxG6xXbWte8wAeqiQZSzRJx9VaXjH5iNQvPY5C7njSl5gKtN6q4k/s640/DSC_2297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2f_GN84AcKY3FU6MMHWNjSIcW3GHOwwoW_CQtt-Qim3eRBnF4RzRmh5XnEM1xgbV2648NTJx5Vs4uRg0AycooMDgKaIWlIgdPoVCj8VrB_bNMtR8DQ7kx8eR5c_N_mFzMvxDK-XhyJdcN/s1600/DSC_2305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2f_GN84AcKY3FU6MMHWNjSIcW3GHOwwoW_CQtt-Qim3eRBnF4RzRmh5XnEM1xgbV2648NTJx5Vs4uRg0AycooMDgKaIWlIgdPoVCj8VrB_bNMtR8DQ7kx8eR5c_N_mFzMvxDK-XhyJdcN/s640/DSC_2305.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mei pointing at a huge ray.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More to come in the next post, including our huge lunch of fish and prawns.</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-15001183220560292032013-08-27T16:10:00.001-07:002013-08-27T16:10:56.169-07:00Senyum Sajalah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I have much to update. Trips to KL, Melaka and around Johor being key but also my now-not-so-new touring bike and a few other things too.<br />
<br />
However, I am now doing a project in Penang whose update is more important than the others.<br />
<br />
The Camera Museum is a new museum dedicated to cameras and photography and I’ve been offered a month-long slot to exhibit there later this year. I decided to do a dedicated exhibition and came up with Senyum Sajalah, or ‘Just Smile’ in the Malay language.<br />
<br />
It will be both pictorial as well as experiential to some extent and you can see some of the progress here: <a href="http://www.senyumsajalah.tumblr.com/">www.SenyumSajalah.tumblr.com</a>.<br />
<br />
Soon I will open it up to contributions and I hope you not only follow the project, but contribute too. And yes, I hope you do keep Smiling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0vsn1Vgc0nudaKv05pS9ldQ0Df6BsKRy-D2qRDFmpSPAH486Y7kEEsG-NVtMAzRYUwks0cK8WMXKVr6nONkPC7TViPXu-PM0cpGkm7puGFLNe3ecw_r07WCEZOqkELBh4J9p1LqXqlmi/s1600/DSC_9336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0vsn1Vgc0nudaKv05pS9ldQ0Df6BsKRy-D2qRDFmpSPAH486Y7kEEsG-NVtMAzRYUwks0cK8WMXKVr6nONkPC7TViPXu-PM0cpGkm7puGFLNe3ecw_r07WCEZOqkELBh4J9p1LqXqlmi/s320/DSC_9336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqr2RtbvBjzx6578SODkyuE6x49emiGN45JByZSIFgZIRbIO1HG4WwMLEJCW-UQRXIuYulBOOlmXQ5FNPNgNFaS08NGzzUVBpS2QN9HqLXMvJhFOS6N7hMg-YroCyjcJCJasobEY3ZhyP/s1600/DSC_9438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqr2RtbvBjzx6578SODkyuE6x49emiGN45JByZSIFgZIRbIO1HG4WwMLEJCW-UQRXIuYulBOOlmXQ5FNPNgNFaS08NGzzUVBpS2QN9HqLXMvJhFOS6N7hMg-YroCyjcJCJasobEY3ZhyP/s320/DSC_9438.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC0McjcHN2IHzYFeCCQAkybCqJhF-8HITjJGw2TmaPsdftWlnR_mVgOJ5vM7qjLdkAG6oqUz5WxpL9g4rJFaR1PtH-NikL9pB-fbVSonfxiQ4Qy3XkABILgWyECExMhb63AmNIT6B6OEy/s1600/DSC_9557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC0McjcHN2IHzYFeCCQAkybCqJhF-8HITjJGw2TmaPsdftWlnR_mVgOJ5vM7qjLdkAG6oqUz5WxpL9g4rJFaR1PtH-NikL9pB-fbVSonfxiQ4Qy3XkABILgWyECExMhb63AmNIT6B6OEy/s320/DSC_9557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWVcTrXVzErOXBSVkPK6qIwRLHRVoGs5XCJS5bmC01PGWS1HWIvk4V2RUvx7iI-WFgQdJ0sru5W4nRJ08C48ysrsWM_tMbt-1yffS9O0sdpb06L6A8BAK11rQL_Z23ftEo_hJTHQwJDlD/s1600/Senyum+1+Orange+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWVcTrXVzErOXBSVkPK6qIwRLHRVoGs5XCJS5bmC01PGWS1HWIvk4V2RUvx7iI-WFgQdJ0sru5W4nRJ08C48ysrsWM_tMbt-1yffS9O0sdpb06L6A8BAK11rQL_Z23ftEo_hJTHQwJDlD/s320/Senyum+1+Orange+Header.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-725355998182946362013-01-06T09:09:00.001-08:002013-01-06T09:09:52.886-08:00Kuching Final Part - Matang Wildife Centre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
We’d seen the sign for Matang every time we left or returned to The Kebun. It really was just a short distance down the road. After our trip to Semenggoh, we thought we’d pay a visit to Matang too and asked Adrian about it. What he told us confirmed that we really should make that tiny effort.<br />
<br />
And so on our penultimate day we dropped by and spent an enchanting couple of hours there.<br />
<br />
Matang is very much like Semenggoh in that it rehabilitates wild animals. Unlike Semenggoh, however, the work is very much in the forefront. It doesn’t really put up a song and dance and isn’t really set up for the spectacle. Although you can book accommodation on the premises, it is indeed very focussed on the business of healing, caring for, and reintroducing certain species to the wild where possible.<br />
<br />
Matang is part of the Kubah National Park and as such you can expect hiking trails and so on too. We were more interested in what Matang itself had to offer though. And we weren’t disappointed by any means.<br />
<br />
When we entered the centre, we first spied a few very large cages and aviaries. The wires of cages prevented any nice pictures being taken but we spied some primates as well as Hornbills. This last aviary had very fine-holed double wire fences. I asked one of the workers there if there was a reason for this - snakes perhaps? He did say the Hornbills had tremendous strength in their beaks but was less clear in his reply about snakes. I’d imagine a snake in one of these aviaries could wreak havoc, though I have seen a cobra come out the loser in a tussle with a pair of kingfishers once.<br />
<br />
There was also a large cage with a very young Sun Bear in it. This cute chap kept running back and forth, playing with various things in his space, including a large ball, and dipping himself in a water trough at one end. He left us breathless just watching his endless traipsing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKCAfHme8wjUWLCS2cS-xp7NzKRvpE9hgefM4uKADs_AaXBk6n27jtmcHVH_YKd2MJifjMxO8v9N5dge8pGT9FWeg3VaMHROpbe6wgXx6TsDTCklaN0aq8VxAswTjqAEpEUZkOETqVHj-/s1600/DSC_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKCAfHme8wjUWLCS2cS-xp7NzKRvpE9hgefM4uKADs_AaXBk6n27jtmcHVH_YKd2MJifjMxO8v9N5dge8pGT9FWeg3VaMHROpbe6wgXx6TsDTCklaN0aq8VxAswTjqAEpEUZkOETqVHj-/s400/DSC_0558.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAz-_KNkojhEvTrnmk-lj7e9Nz_DUrH7l0kEUdERDn-K5aGs2sKSh6YL_G2gLAAZPUoV05NvGVb4Tn9MPJP6CdSaaNMI6LtOHpPoazg1Ub7xtIV3GljK2oZ1zqXr97trDnuuMo0yN39fG/s1600/DSC_0569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAz-_KNkojhEvTrnmk-lj7e9Nz_DUrH7l0kEUdERDn-K5aGs2sKSh6YL_G2gLAAZPUoV05NvGVb4Tn9MPJP6CdSaaNMI6LtOHpPoazg1Ub7xtIV3GljK2oZ1zqXr97trDnuuMo0yN39fG/s400/DSC_0569.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a large crocodile enclosure and you almost couldn't see them, so well camouflaged in the mud or water were they.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYj3QbGEF73qrJ5fEAU3trrCmAelDoH-Q-WUALt0uExeQwPy2ONZE_RNkq4FfLpGBjRqAA9y_E2yAvxT5M4traFtW7691h-mZw80CaKIt7-Cu900lPoduAjUoiBnCeDvemYdt2-LzxdIA/s1600/DSC_0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYj3QbGEF73qrJ5fEAU3trrCmAelDoH-Q-WUALt0uExeQwPy2ONZE_RNkq4FfLpGBjRqAA9y_E2yAvxT5M4traFtW7691h-mZw80CaKIt7-Cu900lPoduAjUoiBnCeDvemYdt2-LzxdIA/s320/DSC_0567.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIXAroZLSiLfmBxvjcskJ_D4EJLgDYsxzntc0-fZJ2dWgKIBWxcr1HtuoA3plNheU825SfCm91XlMjoL1azVlR4sMCUpHz77ymWJYnckd4jdDGbe8v-0dCY2Nhw2Qkt4w59vfvM8kxu5v/s1600/DSC_0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIXAroZLSiLfmBxvjcskJ_D4EJLgDYsxzntc0-fZJ2dWgKIBWxcr1HtuoA3plNheU825SfCm91XlMjoL1azVlR4sMCUpHz77ymWJYnckd4jdDGbe8v-0dCY2Nhw2Qkt4w59vfvM8kxu5v/s320/DSC_0579.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXW4ayDPsfRt1icbWhQez-PSG6A4-Z_6S0pARid5E9p2-3zGU208kiW3al-CUxfYT48v8h46IyrBbMgxtEgY9EOyodJwpM67uVMIhz3NIlQhzkMd3dxpLdNcRzgsVNCCEDumr2fAarsJK/s1600/DSC_0582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXW4ayDPsfRt1icbWhQez-PSG6A4-Z_6S0pARid5E9p2-3zGU208kiW3al-CUxfYT48v8h46IyrBbMgxtEgY9EOyodJwpM67uVMIhz3NIlQhzkMd3dxpLdNcRzgsVNCCEDumr2fAarsJK/s320/DSC_0582.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq66Sg28erZ-5Ylxk1Dbk14tLTD7mlN1doH3uqdlVue-lQZuL12YRVkm9kj3bGIRZpwrwvoND2gWoipWU_51vmy17K3T0BfnpcZCnPcSDcyMEw3nB-UXW7unC-4N9Z2d2qI2L5nCHzMKP7/s1600/DSC_0575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq66Sg28erZ-5Ylxk1Dbk14tLTD7mlN1doH3uqdlVue-lQZuL12YRVkm9kj3bGIRZpwrwvoND2gWoipWU_51vmy17K3T0BfnpcZCnPcSDcyMEw3nB-UXW7unC-4N9Z2d2qI2L5nCHzMKP7/s320/DSC_0575.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjG1UWIOAlfbdHb7JW6XniC5rgYTosj0D5GM2X7LKndtovloW3D0ZpaNDTvMw0ypYv15k4vLZnM7aGyEZfhQGgT7BgQGCGmkVbBJIzxqpK1-RWJwoUqG-7fEHqDnMFEVy725RpW9SUH14/s1600/DSC_0612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjG1UWIOAlfbdHb7JW6XniC5rgYTosj0D5GM2X7LKndtovloW3D0ZpaNDTvMw0ypYv15k4vLZnM7aGyEZfhQGgT7BgQGCGmkVbBJIzxqpK1-RWJwoUqG-7fEHqDnMFEVy725RpW9SUH14/s320/DSC_0612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young sun bear kept trotting from one end of his cage to the other. It really was quite tiring watching him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then took a walk along a trail which brought us around to some very large enclosures with tall viewing platforms. The platform we climbed first afforded us a fantastic view of two enclosures. One of these had a concrete building on one side along the wall of which were a few doors. These doors opened into some sort of work area and in the enclosure were a few youngish orangutans as well as a few adult ones.<br />
<br />
Some of the staff came up the platform we were on - all caucasian ladies including one or two who seemed fairly new to Matang. They explained to us that one or two of the orangutan had just returned from some time in the jungle and were exhausted. We laughingly identified them without problem - one lay on her back with a hand over her eyes in a ‘I’ve had a rough night out and why is the darn sun so bright?’ posture while the other, a much younger fella, looked like he’d had a few too many pints of lager and really couldn’t care how he looked lying there in a crumpled heap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3opsToNjID6NF0Hv7COdnP1ldX-3sWQYFFOCpl_Ftsey3jKwgAJHXwDsFvgOTRp5j2fpIaIm7lBarM7_BAhOVbzqDcqaX3KpceBFJwdWW_48m7AUoGDCwl6_nTnmFR4cozOwOGPBv8Hub/s1600/DSC_0622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3opsToNjID6NF0Hv7COdnP1ldX-3sWQYFFOCpl_Ftsey3jKwgAJHXwDsFvgOTRp5j2fpIaIm7lBarM7_BAhOVbzqDcqaX3KpceBFJwdWW_48m7AUoGDCwl6_nTnmFR4cozOwOGPBv8Hub/s400/DSC_0622.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RK7TQloOLUySGfyR3GNwBKkI9TPw6Aw_8Zz7pPO9Q8Ne8n2lCFtelzMCSm-vuMUpdOLhufGIjy4c6eVKAKLNe7eppXHNLuvBlZUCgf65QWzKIRu9bg-v3M5i6BW-F9MImD3DMx_QkQK3/s1600/DSC_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RK7TQloOLUySGfyR3GNwBKkI9TPw6Aw_8Zz7pPO9Q8Ne8n2lCFtelzMCSm-vuMUpdOLhufGIjy4c6eVKAKLNe7eppXHNLuvBlZUCgf65QWzKIRu9bg-v3M5i6BW-F9MImD3DMx_QkQK3/s400/DSC_0620.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXn7sUIpDnbLFYOTnaKtdGHsSC571uBuJLIOa8UVamO0dE5afBut8Y9KwUVmcZaodBZeaUsQ9apUH9uKlCgt4WBXWDrDmiAfVlAoWKgj3qXq-8mIBbdF2v4PZOj47zKToU6Y83AIs9cjx/s1600/DSC_0615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXn7sUIpDnbLFYOTnaKtdGHsSC571uBuJLIOa8UVamO0dE5afBut8Y9KwUVmcZaodBZeaUsQ9apUH9uKlCgt4WBXWDrDmiAfVlAoWKgj3qXq-8mIBbdF2v4PZOj47zKToU6Y83AIs9cjx/s400/DSC_0615.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really have no idea why she was doing this, but she kept it up for a long time indeed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSuMZnUZL8-sQ9vEI8cnoMF8Wr8_yp-c9MrhJYHAjen2O5f5jujFZ-7MwCqX0jRI07n-PK8-nfl6a_XdMmax7_kgPtIWRiIfDwdWeu71kWDHXG8hfST-EDF14SpJJG937GaRoC2k3JI2Y/s1600/DSC_0626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSuMZnUZL8-sQ9vEI8cnoMF8Wr8_yp-c9MrhJYHAjen2O5f5jujFZ-7MwCqX0jRI07n-PK8-nfl6a_XdMmax7_kgPtIWRiIfDwdWeu71kWDHXG8hfST-EDF14SpJJG937GaRoC2k3JI2Y/s400/DSC_0626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_dMpWYSv4LdfsKnDZFW7R75cl926cB_VHVdX0iOsjS64aFJf5IvdP44WztMIkkW4YBHb2E0jdRpvWOGi70SWu0DLzGqRGLg0XEYU3jf2tjVO6MhoUdp6taU2qZjC61_L1wSGhybkg6JO/s1600/DSC_0628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_dMpWYSv4LdfsKnDZFW7R75cl926cB_VHVdX0iOsjS64aFJf5IvdP44WztMIkkW4YBHb2E0jdRpvWOGi70SWu0DLzGqRGLg0XEYU3jf2tjVO6MhoUdp6taU2qZjC61_L1wSGhybkg6JO/s640/DSC_0628.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRih0ZEYZSE1KJtCQsc6yY02DNNiSKE_B5ZPUstMRGZCqtBwM2hEKF6CilCXszG-xC7f1nEVH2s8L3UqSbbURZG9h31gqhoLKhDorXsK6aHobR7PbuCY0GAenG1oyM6_LhlTF1fC_irTl9/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRih0ZEYZSE1KJtCQsc6yY02DNNiSKE_B5ZPUstMRGZCqtBwM2hEKF6CilCXszG-xC7f1nEVH2s8L3UqSbbURZG9h31gqhoLKhDorXsK6aHobR7PbuCY0GAenG1oyM6_LhlTF1fC_irTl9/s640/DSC_0633.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Aman the other large male in the area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtIvYeU3l3vges6vy6hyrBmtqVfJwlIDssPbMk3n_n0S0SKNscinioi-5xNvwArHbTqqtufqyzH9j928ZzpVLYRg-FkJV1JUG0GPvWgYgaEZxDkJlWvg3pjDp4SgfrsCMIL9CgJ71Py6D/s1600/DSC_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtIvYeU3l3vges6vy6hyrBmtqVfJwlIDssPbMk3n_n0S0SKNscinioi-5xNvwArHbTqqtufqyzH9j928ZzpVLYRg-FkJV1JUG0GPvWgYgaEZxDkJlWvg3pjDp4SgfrsCMIL9CgJ71Py6D/s320/DSC_0636.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two had just returned from some time in the jungle and were clearly exhausted!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3rsVLlNqZPOoMz9ucAJo5Tj7omwkepQs2AsXHrXk70iD4cr7FLYesmtQnvyj8qOj0-ucqkbUDBS0Ueg2FihJ62GLNHyxsInHjaGzetnHBpQvBjPPpJM9wDFRfTvkC4ba2kuwlv6xa5Mj/s1600/DSC_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3rsVLlNqZPOoMz9ucAJo5Tj7omwkepQs2AsXHrXk70iD4cr7FLYesmtQnvyj8qOj0-ucqkbUDBS0Ueg2FihJ62GLNHyxsInHjaGzetnHBpQvBjPPpJM9wDFRfTvkC4ba2kuwlv6xa5Mj/s400/DSC_0641.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42js5GXxrtFE9-CsVAH1WYG8WXNfjqiatIwaS5iDpjfrTDxs3I3u5prFnDaWuMkoj7T5QqDX9OSWc_D05nDEdJIc5ZrNKLZr5ScEKfQnoYvbgzgkIcYS3citphco7rgSWpcsagsbhVbfB/s1600/DSC_0644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42js5GXxrtFE9-CsVAH1WYG8WXNfjqiatIwaS5iDpjfrTDxs3I3u5prFnDaWuMkoj7T5QqDX9OSWc_D05nDEdJIc5ZrNKLZr5ScEKfQnoYvbgzgkIcYS3citphco7rgSWpcsagsbhVbfB/s400/DSC_0644.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aF9fCIeZc1f6hzSM9tV0yEoegGtG5oFUFj-Nsfdair8XLJOZS-tDKqNljxJeP6e4oLYLTkep9kOMBl2IjJMApJkI_sL3dt5ABe8d0DI6joR9viZUCcv4-jaso-zQx0ORCcdnRKGbxPr8/s1600/DSC_0653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aF9fCIeZc1f6hzSM9tV0yEoegGtG5oFUFj-Nsfdair8XLJOZS-tDKqNljxJeP6e4oLYLTkep9kOMBl2IjJMApJkI_sL3dt5ABe8d0DI6joR9viZUCcv4-jaso-zQx0ORCcdnRKGbxPr8/s640/DSC_0653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DPbCiludRjwH2iT37mNL-RCwjpweW9SdimEknk7lx9scSIf8fX2Fv-N86-akCRLnBGKcinv25WRqjIn0ZZyZ9maZdF5LS9PfH5FXiuigpRIXe61b0qdY-8ks6ZM_iUnsGjwrUqCPQXMa/s1600/DSC_0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DPbCiludRjwH2iT37mNL-RCwjpweW9SdimEknk7lx9scSIf8fX2Fv-N86-akCRLnBGKcinv25WRqjIn0ZZyZ9maZdF5LS9PfH5FXiuigpRIXe61b0qdY-8ks6ZM_iUnsGjwrUqCPQXMa/s640/DSC_0654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPRUUBMsoTXQpWlSL4D9INVuAEF6G5NRw_wlklMN5YnxSoN2yENb6-n7F2RlcR_OYy0k68TIM440nS96xW5PmKX22cMZMmfXj_4Er0tv4ZOdgZPdkzJpQjB50bFJl_wkQbqYd98-aJL5j/s1600/DSC_0661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPRUUBMsoTXQpWlSL4D9INVuAEF6G5NRw_wlklMN5YnxSoN2yENb6-n7F2RlcR_OYy0k68TIM440nS96xW5PmKX22cMZMmfXj_4Er0tv4ZOdgZPdkzJpQjB50bFJl_wkQbqYd98-aJL5j/s400/DSC_0661.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sun bears.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9-ZkKj8c4rYvM2HXrSIPIdi-7JJp0niHCONwqUJuhtk0zsQ0yQHlhYTXdPYDbfewKjNbDxyKdwIGociEk0MRGOawCD-PxuOd8MKx52OLpCCQRXmCwVMyjk8Jh5onwEUlUzo7pUJyShfZ/s1600/DSC_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9-ZkKj8c4rYvM2HXrSIPIdi-7JJp0niHCONwqUJuhtk0zsQ0yQHlhYTXdPYDbfewKjNbDxyKdwIGociEk0MRGOawCD-PxuOd8MKx52OLpCCQRXmCwVMyjk8Jh5onwEUlUzo7pUJyShfZ/s400/DSC_0666.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNCB__aDZdgyXqf0hMfklWLCE_Oi3b7a68lymbfjoqtXes4Va0LHwr9wJH7nd6jXBg-RTFKm5wBThiJHrSIY8YMuPUYOYLkwv2K4cUBjPC3H6KbWy_6bS77CwoqJ4ZahvPeMWNYSwuT-R/s1600/DSC_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNCB__aDZdgyXqf0hMfklWLCE_Oi3b7a68lymbfjoqtXes4Va0LHwr9wJH7nd6jXBg-RTFKm5wBThiJHrSIY8YMuPUYOYLkwv2K4cUBjPC3H6KbWy_6bS77CwoqJ4ZahvPeMWNYSwuT-R/s400/DSC_0667.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We chatted with the ladies and told them of our trip to Semenggoh. They told us that Matang had a couple of large males and the one in the other enclosure had not been able to get along with Ritchie and was thus moved to Matang. The males do need a very large territory - from 500 to 4000 hectares - and this means that the area available in Semenggoh is simply not big enough to support two alpha males. The two had had some tussles and it was thought it would one day end in tragedy so the two were separated.<br />
<br />
Looking at creatures that have roughly human shapes, it’s easy to anthropomorphise. Thing is, what do we really know about how these creatures think? We look at orangutans and see furry, cuddly creatures who sometimes seem to smile at us or reach out tenderly with their so0human hands. And we forget a couple of things - firstly that these creatures are much more adapted to the wild than we are and that those gentle-looking hands can grip with astonishing tenacity and tear things apart with great strength. And secondly, we forget that despite their strength and their near-human actions, they are also very vulnerable and helpless. As we destroy their habitat - and we do so at a tragic rate - so too do we destroy their future.<br />
<br />
Places like Semenggoh and Matang, and Sepilok, exist to counter this imbalance. The people who staff these centres work very hard to help the endangered species under their care maintain their numbers. The ill are treated and the healthy are hopefully rehabilitated to be independent in the wild once again.<br />
<br />
Sadly, some will never return fully to the wild. In the case of Aman he’s had to deal with a cataract operation - the first ever on an orangutan - in May 2007 and despite his much improved eyesight, I wonder if there really is enough habitat for him. Meanwhile, there are places like Matang where they are retaught their jungle skills, and where people may come and see them and hopefully be moved to do something about slowing down the rate at which the jungles are cleared just so that the natural habitat or orangutans and many other species of flora and fauna may be safeguarded and protected.<br />
<br />
This Kuching trip was a great eye-opener in some ways. Not just to the natural beauty of Malaysia, but also to the goodness in so many of her people. Adrian and Olivia are hospitable folk, and the few people I met in and around Kuching were just the same, mixing and accepting in a warm and embracing way that we on the Peninsula seem to have largely forgotten.<br />
<br />
I think we’ll be back pretty soon…<br />
<br />
For more information about Matang, see <a href="http://www.sarawaktourism.com/en/itinerary-detail/itin-detail?catid=2&itinid=37" target="_blank">here</a> and for Kubah see <a href="http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-kubah.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
For a Matang volunteer’s record of her time helping animals, see <a href="http://orangutanheather.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
To volunteer yourself, here’s <a href="http://www.thegreatprojects.com/projects/orangutan-volunteer-experience-borneo" target="_blank">one place</a> you can start.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-65095790551282662732013-01-04T08:45:00.000-08:002013-01-04T23:23:03.569-08:00Kuching Part 5 - Semenggoh Wildlife Centre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Apologies for the long gap in between posts - a mix of work, holidays, computer trouble and being distracted took its toll and even when I had some time, the mind wasn’t much interested in writing.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here we are again, taking off from the last post when we’d gotten back to the car, were leaving Kuching headed for the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.<br />
<br />
This place certainly proved to be a spectacle. A popular destination, we parked the car at the designated car park and walked in to the main meeting area where we found a large group of school kids and a smattering of adults. We waited around for awhile and had a quick peek at a number of crocodiles in concrete enclosures, then a Ranger came out, gathered the kids in a group and began talking to them in Malay. Turns out he was giving a briefing and the tourists there (including us of course) hung on at the fringe of the group. We needn’t have feared for he later spoke to us all in English and explained that we may not get to see any orangutans and so on. Managing expectations as it were.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx4OwZvTF6XxKNT1Ka4G3flhJoTXqsb2ggae5phOTbAm4aXchB4oepb-tITsvuFbyYtSskKic2A0QYMuvLJ1Njzg38gMvKrlgtMTu0fomlvhstovx14mRIAsW3R3V8WyLcv8fS7TY4y2M/s1600/DSC_0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx4OwZvTF6XxKNT1Ka4G3flhJoTXqsb2ggae5phOTbAm4aXchB4oepb-tITsvuFbyYtSskKic2A0QYMuvLJ1Njzg38gMvKrlgtMTu0fomlvhstovx14mRIAsW3R3V8WyLcv8fS7TY4y2M/s400/DSC_0256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The crocs here were big, but quite inactive.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
He told us it was now a pretty abundant season - there were many fruiting plants and the orang-utan thus has less of a reason to visit the centre. When food was scarcer in the jungle, the supply that the rangers put out were very welcome, but this was less so now.<br />
<br />
Still, after some waiting around, it turned out we would see some action after all and at the ranger’s instruction, we all hurried off to the feeding station near the carpark.<br />
<br />
And what action! We didn’t just see one or two, but a pair of younger orangutans, a mother and child and the star of the show, Ritchie the alpha male. The younger and smaller pair came swinging along ropes laid out high above the ground. The descended in turn onto the wooden platform and helped themselves to fruit and coconuts laid out on the deck, or thrown up at them by the rangers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcOCAX99oj4U8606iGRkIeNuTQCO031N2GGUIULFhtMfbv_Hr43L8LBmuJAe0bqZuMtSwXysvJwK-7TrZ69vHafWJsm8lS-3M0jnFsMOcNOWprnEkXUN_xmN4gIdJlD_LOvy7TvG1qIEo/s1600/DSC_0285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcOCAX99oj4U8606iGRkIeNuTQCO031N2GGUIULFhtMfbv_Hr43L8LBmuJAe0bqZuMtSwXysvJwK-7TrZ69vHafWJsm8lS-3M0jnFsMOcNOWprnEkXUN_xmN4gIdJlD_LOvy7TvG1qIEo/s400/DSC_0285.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">And they came swinging through the jungle...</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWviIZS5LZ4Z50XD6RUYwTqHV1ltfqlzHowZ-xwtXpVKo2OPMJYBUvNfuDYaqked5kTSYo9IpXVhV-KI0qsvD7StkMj6P6RnmW5onkkNAh_YqeXxh1jhyphenhyphenfHUnA2Nk3Cxzt_sghVApAZHH/s1600/DSC_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWviIZS5LZ4Z50XD6RUYwTqHV1ltfqlzHowZ-xwtXpVKo2OPMJYBUvNfuDYaqked5kTSYo9IpXVhV-KI0qsvD7StkMj6P6RnmW5onkkNAh_YqeXxh1jhyphenhyphenfHUnA2Nk3Cxzt_sghVApAZHH/s400/DSC_0261.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">That's an orangutan nest up there. They sleep there at night.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkDMsBLaXKwIn8MK_o-RwbnsxAG6h4ZHuFS2lOOIsCl4s2OS69pmYVpSDNoDw8dmZQL30da_4cZcu917obDxNC458kA9iCOfDY80RHjw7gN4TFl_2qCmDrKJ-rXMMWDj7bqVII37LINRu/s1600/DSC_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkDMsBLaXKwIn8MK_o-RwbnsxAG6h4ZHuFS2lOOIsCl4s2OS69pmYVpSDNoDw8dmZQL30da_4cZcu917obDxNC458kA9iCOfDY80RHjw7gN4TFl_2qCmDrKJ-rXMMWDj7bqVII37LINRu/s400/DSC_0267.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKfnfKExxJoS2gYOL-txtZoor-qFM9lhpOrFjowhKlYsc7ep93Oys3bRh2hXmCfshyg1545L7bPtlJgxDUKkmvgA8Lx0r24hUzi6yRd42QtUI9euFxri9T0PT93biksG5wj11JJY79kJx/s1600/DSC_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKfnfKExxJoS2gYOL-txtZoor-qFM9lhpOrFjowhKlYsc7ep93Oys3bRh2hXmCfshyg1545L7bPtlJgxDUKkmvgA8Lx0r24hUzi6yRd42QtUI9euFxri9T0PT93biksG5wj11JJY79kJx/s400/DSC_0293.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXwY6nYAF9XD8EJ3fPlo2tJEhKyGvy8TwynZNFIOctZ61oEty_GwCYpKT85g2pfBP_1JKW2DUuiWL_CvhggH6RWee61HrbbcNeovysGaG-qKaLrFVBIwp6b8Na7U4BEXxLOX-IELXWV-0/s1600/DSC_0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXwY6nYAF9XD8EJ3fPlo2tJEhKyGvy8TwynZNFIOctZ61oEty_GwCYpKT85g2pfBP_1JKW2DUuiWL_CvhggH6RWee61HrbbcNeovysGaG-qKaLrFVBIwp6b8Na7U4BEXxLOX-IELXWV-0/s640/DSC_0308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Yummmmm.....</span></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DOnhrUVZcPNJlTjDzVMWwNazDbLVUpZrKis-VdBj0B5JnhCENOsR2O21F6FJvKu62R6m6s1tLFbPLrXhtQGPSAGYoidT4LUQmBuzdtkpIpjsTB-I5_1BcU87F738lmTRfaq-Am4gn4OP/s1600/DSC_0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DOnhrUVZcPNJlTjDzVMWwNazDbLVUpZrKis-VdBj0B5JnhCENOsR2O21F6FJvKu62R6m6s1tLFbPLrXhtQGPSAGYoidT4LUQmBuzdtkpIpjsTB-I5_1BcU87F738lmTRfaq-Am4gn4OP/s640/DSC_0316.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie89GKod0EJS2DpLx04h7olzkUtQNGODC0X7u-bop-YqCASKRQS6vZlgfTrDd0OhrQsb4CaoydS7LEDRSmn1ymteAkOi_rC5h2TLtuE7NedCqTmNXf_7um_fsUBzuA3V3eyVTUqaKKArFq/s1600/DSC_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie89GKod0EJS2DpLx04h7olzkUtQNGODC0X7u-bop-YqCASKRQS6vZlgfTrDd0OhrQsb4CaoydS7LEDRSmn1ymteAkOi_rC5h2TLtuE7NedCqTmNXf_7um_fsUBzuA3V3eyVTUqaKKArFq/s400/DSC_0325.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4Ajin7i6lyIMbDmQuDXVQZ4VSDxTeSAhdemWhdpgyuV66ec5fuDQhQn8BFYP7nn3-Sf5wMlQlbTN3IYiX2WDDgoKKiR4sN5j1r_ljEGOVNAxbJqFWLcQROU_9pwhLuqVcrGeXWsRwe81/s1600/DSC_0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4Ajin7i6lyIMbDmQuDXVQZ4VSDxTeSAhdemWhdpgyuV66ec5fuDQhQn8BFYP7nn3-Sf5wMlQlbTN3IYiX2WDDgoKKiR4sN5j1r_ljEGOVNAxbJqFWLcQROU_9pwhLuqVcrGeXWsRwe81/s400/DSC_0327.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Their gymnastic abilities are quite a sight to behold.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWKtDlMR63j1oUqgOUlkAR2nkFdscr92axkv5Ov_3Zb6B8rVC6ftVx-o5p0liQhTrJYwJ6954lGjxyCRG9ZAsE43qTht04clBzOwdg7WSDtsdJUf49D8ss1aIOblHxcc9nVqt8LAOyWFA/s1600/DSC_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWKtDlMR63j1oUqgOUlkAR2nkFdscr92axkv5Ov_3Zb6B8rVC6ftVx-o5p0liQhTrJYwJ6954lGjxyCRG9ZAsE43qTht04clBzOwdg7WSDtsdJUf49D8ss1aIOblHxcc9nVqt8LAOyWFA/s400/DSC_0332.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3It_LhZVuFdhehxs0NRF1UjF7rfzMREYRivygR4xMJbV3zq_iAnLibAuDuN7-KEcU__oFLlg_9wkkqVOtPg-4-pLQLWXPj9JC53OpyI_MCMfS-hvRldCU0Bbng8SK-OfGUZwK2Pv03jd/s1600/DSC_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3It_LhZVuFdhehxs0NRF1UjF7rfzMREYRivygR4xMJbV3zq_iAnLibAuDuN7-KEcU__oFLlg_9wkkqVOtPg-4-pLQLWXPj9JC53OpyI_MCMfS-hvRldCU0Bbng8SK-OfGUZwK2Pv03jd/s400/DSC_0358.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZxSqny0hQzN9ezKyI1qk8xzwhFblwXzluuRjq4g384v3hxrTJKnJEwZ6kP8xagRsSv-cL7jTo7qSMWrC4ppDEYZJehoqr3j6k1YLy8Ca7goh1ogGPbqxkOVfIPEMEXJXlIlB9JUXp504/s1600/DSC_0373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZxSqny0hQzN9ezKyI1qk8xzwhFblwXzluuRjq4g384v3hxrTJKnJEwZ6kP8xagRsSv-cL7jTo7qSMWrC4ppDEYZJehoqr3j6k1YLy8Ca7goh1ogGPbqxkOVfIPEMEXJXlIlB9JUXp504/s400/DSC_0373.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then the crowd began getting excited at something else, and I spied a mother and her young one ambling along on the ground. They came up to about 30 metres from us and stopped at a construction site where some workmen had been busy a few minutes before. The workers had been told the apes were coming so had quickly packed up their gear and moved away. It turns out they’d left a small bag of tools, nuts and bolts and the two primates found this and spent some time playing with a hammer and some long bolts.<br />
<br />
It was fascinating watching them play with tools. The mother seemed to know how to hold and use a hammer and I half-expected her to hold a bolt in one hand and drive it into the wood with the hammer in the other. She didn’t quote get there though we chuckled at her antics. The ranger who’d briefed us eventually distracted her with a newspaper which she perused with intent - enough for the ranger to quickly grab the bag of tools and take it away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B7oa0KMuF541_5rdEoOLQ9f2vPapWG25GA2w0jHw7lpXg41Nr8lJAIVkJqw9QouxV3GCSmJwSVyRlXPt6UW4Mf90R7VzszL8-9bgzRxxDrhEF_-QEf4iXnLthMhJk8ysCZuMV6PeWTvQ/s1600/DSC_0481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B7oa0KMuF541_5rdEoOLQ9f2vPapWG25GA2w0jHw7lpXg41Nr8lJAIVkJqw9QouxV3GCSmJwSVyRlXPt6UW4Mf90R7VzszL8-9bgzRxxDrhEF_-QEf4iXnLthMhJk8ysCZuMV6PeWTvQ/s640/DSC_0481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWibrNeiSx6q2O08A2-Ys2IJIyKV4RPIl-Iq0KkYCig6KB3m3yCT6MSI2zp6YdUiDCBN05rwm00dvhlVr2-MuBzTCR2gQCEOozLJEEXSFneT6auOjEj1Vz5wXiTLEcxvsMJalqelr7k5kb/s1600/DSC_0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWibrNeiSx6q2O08A2-Ys2IJIyKV4RPIl-Iq0KkYCig6KB3m3yCT6MSI2zp6YdUiDCBN05rwm00dvhlVr2-MuBzTCR2gQCEOozLJEEXSFneT6auOjEj1Vz5wXiTLEcxvsMJalqelr7k5kb/s640/DSC_0466.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbexHimlNgf4sLIoJovbJtculGW-pb2KELtyFybA8a1CNVcDLNW1qmbSnMAeVxhFZnjkb6IdQfwoARg0BSAykiPRsde79S8G-SNpYzU04ArgGYxxI33_sIaGnSPLhD5GwUsmHNbf5uaaA/s1600/DSC_0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbexHimlNgf4sLIoJovbJtculGW-pb2KELtyFybA8a1CNVcDLNW1qmbSnMAeVxhFZnjkb6IdQfwoARg0BSAykiPRsde79S8G-SNpYzU04ArgGYxxI33_sIaGnSPLhD5GwUsmHNbf5uaaA/s640/DSC_0473.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX6crcsbOGNJmIL_O008ggn8wcznjAFm0VHg7sAPWJfVgCAxxesKG8shPSdyVPqZEqiiUmQfyRKAw9YdieccFFI550oew9CVjkzO_NcDdj-4UlPHrD1427DFAl049hccTyQjhbikLTjtf/s1600/DSC_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX6crcsbOGNJmIL_O008ggn8wcznjAFm0VHg7sAPWJfVgCAxxesKG8shPSdyVPqZEqiiUmQfyRKAw9YdieccFFI550oew9CVjkzO_NcDdj-4UlPHrD1427DFAl049hccTyQjhbikLTjtf/s400/DSC_0492.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3p2JYUCEtvzlJ2qLsviSoGImu68xyL9KmdT-_tubZmBhc0SG5A8gC08hgdDe0ElQeCxFuCXIN3kxaUlQ6vI3mcRJb00vjnP9HmTQ7HepcKN8RrN6iS5muQ0jbnVQMFCn1f0tVXI474eV/s1600/DSC_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3p2JYUCEtvzlJ2qLsviSoGImu68xyL9KmdT-_tubZmBhc0SG5A8gC08hgdDe0ElQeCxFuCXIN3kxaUlQ6vI3mcRJb00vjnP9HmTQ7HepcKN8RrN6iS5muQ0jbnVQMFCn1f0tVXI474eV/s400/DSC_0497.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLI8v2bZKXaKzvbwhB8ILG2ERDY0zANHTCFrgRwzVvPgdium3zAugCqks41Lpq9oVodtT0SBHEMukpeaEEam6SMtnJ-X9-Bk6XnIPBdIW0NrJvS9Tqks68Q8KZnN35aqRuSOI8Uv9gMj2/s1600/DSC_0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLI8v2bZKXaKzvbwhB8ILG2ERDY0zANHTCFrgRwzVvPgdium3zAugCqks41Lpq9oVodtT0SBHEMukpeaEEam6SMtnJ-X9-Bk6XnIPBdIW0NrJvS9Tqks68Q8KZnN35aqRuSOI8Uv9gMj2/s400/DSC_0511.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
Then quite suddenly our attention was drawn to some calls and shouts from further back. One of the younger orangutan rapidly climbed up and disappeared into the trees. The other moved off to a discreet distance as a huge lumbering shape made its way into the open. Ritchie, all 150 kgs of him, propelled himself along the ground - knuckles before feet - with a palpable sense of power and might. He occasionally paused to cast a sweeping almost disdainful glance across his kingdom and the 50 or 60 weak fair-skinned and relatively hairless bipeds who looked on in awe.<br />
<br />
He moved with astonishing grace - astonishing because our minds had trouble wrapping themselves around the idea that something built like an army tank could move with panache and such fluidity - right up to the platform then amazingly climbed up the rope. He seemed to defy the laws of physics - not just by being his size, but by so effortlessly and adroitly casting himself up the thick rope.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcXlcvYMwgoOL5fgZVpdQK8dK_gYig-1UXZtkdXQ_XiVVmm3ddkxTVpZ1r4BbB3JjElxqmVtPCf6GLv6dVGUt-e9JBCVKCME6F1rHZRpQroTXys0IEUV0440F5e4WP5hKAG_8Dt_8PbQG/s1600/DSC_0395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcXlcvYMwgoOL5fgZVpdQK8dK_gYig-1UXZtkdXQ_XiVVmm3ddkxTVpZ1r4BbB3JjElxqmVtPCf6GLv6dVGUt-e9JBCVKCME6F1rHZRpQroTXys0IEUV0440F5e4WP5hKAG_8Dt_8PbQG/s640/DSC_0395.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQZdyp7nMzbrOlWQ2BKfaSqWq5Ug5kUzTM5_Bv0OcLVUczm234GJZq4TeHzQ0klXf0MTQgASf7cVyfDPKNHHf82t_0H8gWUNpvjERZ7v0lk_DJMu5xpYGV39_7b2bxFhkbSNPS4MYtLE2/s1600/DSC_0426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQZdyp7nMzbrOlWQ2BKfaSqWq5Ug5kUzTM5_Bv0OcLVUczm234GJZq4TeHzQ0klXf0MTQgASf7cVyfDPKNHHf82t_0H8gWUNpvjERZ7v0lk_DJMu5xpYGV39_7b2bxFhkbSNPS4MYtLE2/s400/DSC_0426.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybL6iZzqT40OXg0VNw7SUhntK4hTPcq_bhOOf1-JioB3vOuqmyFRo5Hqi-SNsmKb_k5KeXRFfBnvHzcNRG9CaZ1Qnz7upn6Idnuo5LOhYlSwe0Wyuu9syHaSoujh3iK6wN9rSxIwoZJ3Y/s1600/DSC_0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybL6iZzqT40OXg0VNw7SUhntK4hTPcq_bhOOf1-JioB3vOuqmyFRo5Hqi-SNsmKb_k5KeXRFfBnvHzcNRG9CaZ1Qnz7upn6Idnuo5LOhYlSwe0Wyuu9syHaSoujh3iK6wN9rSxIwoZJ3Y/s400/DSC_0435.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Ritchie is huge and it's astonishing how agile he is.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AZLObyljOjybjpsDdUbfeZYAlKwIxkDZwxm3KZEx66r-YyDeu5MKHQ5Ft6YKPXp6H30AnvnDlKKXsGQvdt6_eS92VuOT7BwiEfqxpWXYUsMdLgmFEACvkpA4bW-kvJox0PI8NZvm_Kl3/s1600/DSC_0442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AZLObyljOjybjpsDdUbfeZYAlKwIxkDZwxm3KZEx66r-YyDeu5MKHQ5Ft6YKPXp6H30AnvnDlKKXsGQvdt6_eS92VuOT7BwiEfqxpWXYUsMdLgmFEACvkpA4bW-kvJox0PI8NZvm_Kl3/s400/DSC_0442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKiQpiWUbnj2WF9JmdJ4E9B2Yg0poEmi_Ja0cAUIc5hCjePc2vL3kLiH4MsfLkdUzY6Is3_QG0Cv9KC1iZGDtFeVVZHSXV233Yr50lKqRoeXXHS8ChaNzhGuawFMT1J1lIVAovyrCIzP_/s1600/DSC_0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKiQpiWUbnj2WF9JmdJ4E9B2Yg0poEmi_Ja0cAUIc5hCjePc2vL3kLiH4MsfLkdUzY6Is3_QG0Cv9KC1iZGDtFeVVZHSXV233Yr50lKqRoeXXHS8ChaNzhGuawFMT1J1lIVAovyrCIzP_/s1600/DSC_0417.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Once on the platform, he was King. A bottle of milk was dispensed with in the manner a thirsty miner would down a pint of ale in an English pub. A dribble of milk went down his chin, and he went about his business polishing off fruit and coconuts. One of the pair of males came back and joined Ritchie. For some reason this fella was allowed to do so. He and Ritchie seemed to get along quite well. The ranger said the other male was not as close and would never have been allowed to share a platform with Ritchie.<br />
<br />
We spent quite a long time watching all this, and the show didn’t stop even after feeding time - as we sat at the little drinks stall later, along came the mother and child, followed closely by a couple of rangers who made sure no one disturbed them. They patiently followed this pair as they made their way to and then through the car park and back into the jungle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaGy6hwkoMQnhwLUYPFxFQ0OdEt5DlS5Oo38k5eGTBwoKL48qcVGx9BsEEwTtJ6jLsFOLH_Jr7n9Uee0mg9bygCmvg2I-buXpE4hG7_ZghmPdNk0IrEL9Nzgey2uT-ENNSXCyayMkS9jo/s1600/DSC_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaGy6hwkoMQnhwLUYPFxFQ0OdEt5DlS5Oo38k5eGTBwoKL48qcVGx9BsEEwTtJ6jLsFOLH_Jr7n9Uee0mg9bygCmvg2I-buXpE4hG7_ZghmPdNk0IrEL9Nzgey2uT-ENNSXCyayMkS9jo/s400/DSC_0537.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvJT8tmbuOcqwzb1l_gQEzYaYnuQJLvi-uzKI69kGxpXlRX8qutDtYqnlc3x9noOZgO_-KRdgZmz3vgs6K-0eDJThADjIx5PNgjaElA08dJpuwA5f9cF8gRVtwL7B_6f7ryLkvic0L0ON/s1600/DSC_0524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvJT8tmbuOcqwzb1l_gQEzYaYnuQJLvi-uzKI69kGxpXlRX8qutDtYqnlc3x9noOZgO_-KRdgZmz3vgs6K-0eDJThADjIx5PNgjaElA08dJpuwA5f9cF8gRVtwL7B_6f7ryLkvic0L0ON/s400/DSC_0524.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We got into our car and drove back to The Kebun, happy we’d seen so much today.<br />
<br />
Find out more about <a href="http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-nr-semenggoh.html" target="_blank">Semenggoh Wildlife Centre </a>here.</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-72441795760113583762012-12-04T15:03:00.004-08:002012-12-04T15:07:04.483-08:00Kuching Part 4 - Kuching Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Getting in to Kuching itself took longer than we thought. It looks like a quietist sort of town but the traffic can be worse than it at first appears. What was refreshing is the lack of aggression though and one indicator of this is the fact we only heard a horn sound after a day or so.<br />
<br />
After breakfast, we drove in, found some parking by the river, bought and set out some parking coupons and wandered off. Now a quick word about the coupon parking system in Kuching: It’s relatively cheap at 20 cents for your first half-hour, another 50 cents for the next half-hour, and 80 cents for every subsequent half-hour. I like this tariff - it encourages you to do what you need to do quickly and then move on, freeing up the space for someone else.<br />
<br />
We wandered around the Sungei Santubong riverfront along Jalan Gambir and Jalan Main Bazaar and gazed across at the umbrella-shaped roof of the State Assembly building with some wonder. This is quite a striking building visible from many points along the riverfront and indeed kept popping up in the background of quite a few of the pictures I took.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirazIRQmr2SYssio4S5aBl15peMNkylHpT8_hJ4gYrH_CjEpjEi_h1gGpFwteiYJGaBY993VNBIRQqn8ckqp9gPogmA58eihSgDiPj1XMv_eVHRABbutcNaFoQtptw43xi6RxMbf54G_28/s1600/DSC_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirazIRQmr2SYssio4S5aBl15peMNkylHpT8_hJ4gYrH_CjEpjEi_h1gGpFwteiYJGaBY993VNBIRQqn8ckqp9gPogmA58eihSgDiPj1XMv_eVHRABbutcNaFoQtptw43xi6RxMbf54G_28/s400/DSC_0137.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The State Assembly Building was in many shots.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpjQFvlkzvSuwliF05YsGFW1J4jduyMIbwIYoyV-H3aZHJNBVJ5tBWLCx-mwvmMkASK8r-0TjMVLuCx8kFXatnb5tAw5glZ2tsULEB39Qwyadb9i7nuLvY0i1V9O_CCUeDMJzPuKWh_8q/s1600/DSC_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpjQFvlkzvSuwliF05YsGFW1J4jduyMIbwIYoyV-H3aZHJNBVJ5tBWLCx-mwvmMkASK8r-0TjMVLuCx8kFXatnb5tAw5glZ2tsULEB39Qwyadb9i7nuLvY0i1V9O_CCUeDMJzPuKWh_8q/s400/DSC_0141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAMCWmhvIVjfjZieC0QC8DU_NF5kKDUTan8fDKydncte0TD2JIW91ieeJB1zrZrJ6RZwnBoBoHr7l1X-1kcQmiL8h2aHcpdcOEB_a71lJ3vVjUPxGd3uEvKvKCbuGFu1bBNHN3svpWbnY/s1600/DSC_0144+HDR+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAMCWmhvIVjfjZieC0QC8DU_NF5kKDUTan8fDKydncte0TD2JIW91ieeJB1zrZrJ6RZwnBoBoHr7l1X-1kcQmiL8h2aHcpdcOEB_a71lJ3vVjUPxGd3uEvKvKCbuGFu1bBNHN3svpWbnY/s640/DSC_0144+HDR+A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"> Here's an HDR shot of the State Assembly building.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QkbeKuOZxKH8xcKtc6BjkOlEMDhC0OoudtqNJJq99ap0eTy8j28JVOcPBnjqJyClXBBMzOKuO9BAQTQs5-ue9oXEv1GGQ8EUYlaqQaf0mng8WM7M7JqHdDW4vZTYDVqjtFUO3V-HkPod/s1600/DSC_0148+HDR+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QkbeKuOZxKH8xcKtc6BjkOlEMDhC0OoudtqNJJq99ap0eTy8j28JVOcPBnjqJyClXBBMzOKuO9BAQTQs5-ue9oXEv1GGQ8EUYlaqQaf0mng8WM7M7JqHdDW4vZTYDVqjtFUO3V-HkPod/s640/DSC_0148+HDR+A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> Here's another from an altogether more interesting angle.</span></i></div>
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy_3BdfrsKl7_YiCFVNxbNYfwJYw0JtWDICJ28zCKEYjqzfrIldwimTRI-UKptKd0dA_ijFNdmxq259tTiaH9DAfEwm6IJR-ptMtRWa-j5PIxqtjanrExcB4RGkEhCObiyAdAR1srZFWL/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy_3BdfrsKl7_YiCFVNxbNYfwJYw0JtWDICJ28zCKEYjqzfrIldwimTRI-UKptKd0dA_ijFNdmxq259tTiaH9DAfEwm6IJR-ptMtRWa-j5PIxqtjanrExcB4RGkEhCObiyAdAR1srZFWL/s400/DSC_0151.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">I have no idea what this was but it now houses some shop or other.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF9TIyNjpNO0U-HTG1Qn2C7jdOx4zYl04aaNsKH42Q1NhKe4RVdHfvh2P69pV5elyC3pl_bN-jGEU-ETvhGEG-JQRnnR3n5POXcXFgeG-xB95QS2hqsAIvfJS84g1t_qul2KJhyphenhyphenuxTdFW/s1600/DSC_0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF9TIyNjpNO0U-HTG1Qn2C7jdOx4zYl04aaNsKH42Q1NhKe4RVdHfvh2P69pV5elyC3pl_bN-jGEU-ETvhGEG-JQRnnR3n5POXcXFgeG-xB95QS2hqsAIvfJS84g1t_qul2KJhyphenhyphenuxTdFW/s400/DSC_0152.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzjP3zwcw1VKPuYnGW9X40n2MpWFXFnM6Z_JK8dgZgDVCtXta4KopzZitQRi3qA0whL6mUQYJqPb3U-0XvtPSku5zYsbBeNsx62LLYtNoe-_8jc24Bar0m1nTrwugh1hY0M8EEeGdVuaS/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzjP3zwcw1VKPuYnGW9X40n2MpWFXFnM6Z_JK8dgZgDVCtXta4KopzZitQRi3qA0whL6mUQYJqPb3U-0XvtPSku5zYsbBeNsx62LLYtNoe-_8jc24Bar0m1nTrwugh1hY0M8EEeGdVuaS/s640/DSC_0153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">This was a very interesting wall with a fable carved onto it.</span></i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss3gzoYBxIcqqd9BPfdpwdYoWTlQbCaCgIu9QhrcED3TvJB2EUqlJB2Nh7WAPkwlokfkZ4NxGALNBmAZDHKrXCZUnEeO794b0XyK1N61_2-jrkjWX8G5mf120Kqn-zhAPMuFGA6bxx5rW/s1600/DSC_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss3gzoYBxIcqqd9BPfdpwdYoWTlQbCaCgIu9QhrcED3TvJB2EUqlJB2Nh7WAPkwlokfkZ4NxGALNBmAZDHKrXCZUnEeO794b0XyK1N61_2-jrkjWX8G5mf120Kqn-zhAPMuFGA6bxx5rW/s400/DSC_0159.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I’ve said before that I don’t care for a lot of modern architecture. I do believe a lot of old architectural knowledge has been lost or at least eschewed in favour of a starker aesthetic. If nothing else, I believe the colonials knew how to build buildings that maximised comfort in the tropics and we no longer care for that same efficiency.<br />
<br />
The old Courthouse in Kuching is one example of what we’ve lost. High ceilings, wide verandahs, deep roof overhangs, all contribute to a cool environment where the afternoon tropical heat is kept at bay. The courtyards also add an element of lushness and greenery which further reduce the buildup of humidity and discomfort which I find now so common in the glass and steel developments we seem to love so much nowadays.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz6JSHzMOqJoLHDoZoLva5nYZv2DToOfGEzNQzwEyAOtP3ZqQi9Ds4oN142hUslv7hZ1pwmKet43CDT6_gnvWbJcR1llNVXTZfz3JfXKCrYP9RnlWp8rqWa3-bcpOdH4sC5U2Na0rEo7J/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz6JSHzMOqJoLHDoZoLva5nYZv2DToOfGEzNQzwEyAOtP3ZqQi9Ds4oN142hUslv7hZ1pwmKet43CDT6_gnvWbJcR1llNVXTZfz3JfXKCrYP9RnlWp8rqWa3-bcpOdH4sC5U2Na0rEo7J/s400/DSC_0175.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP7LKoymyacfxALmvhDXKlhcNyz6i0XnmEoUTlUWRCilcPqAtK7vxZ9UxJ6Cdjx66MGIkbNEd6ZzWmY-m9oXlLQ3z8VrHJs7bKl5HHcrqRjHnCvwvLZ0C_s0DtjEC3rkCZX9wLe3mILIQ/s1600/DSC_0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP7LKoymyacfxALmvhDXKlhcNyz6i0XnmEoUTlUWRCilcPqAtK7vxZ9UxJ6Cdjx66MGIkbNEd6ZzWmY-m9oXlLQ3z8VrHJs7bKl5HHcrqRjHnCvwvLZ0C_s0DtjEC3rkCZX9wLe3mILIQ/s640/DSC_0176.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_F6QRzvAiXG1OTRWvaxqmOLhIRodbIbqKfYPju3R7yn9jKiibMGexF3ddqH1RvQmwWG0CK9W3JaGwrv-t9KUP65kLIXfQZGUqXW1xZpUWFmBaimIy1F-myOLNpba9BE6wrBbqOM79soZ/s1600/DSC_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_F6QRzvAiXG1OTRWvaxqmOLhIRodbIbqKfYPju3R7yn9jKiibMGexF3ddqH1RvQmwWG0CK9W3JaGwrv-t9KUP65kLIXfQZGUqXW1xZpUWFmBaimIy1F-myOLNpba9BE6wrBbqOM79soZ/s400/DSC_0178.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Wide verandahs act as a buffer against the afternoon heat. </span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs-DFByRchKhFFIlBlQVUo_PDQM1H-3KAOSiRPQME8ZWWPDcEqyyVuxI02uKiDFC58d2YBiLYuZGn0z2PlIQeNwy5bbLjPcvYh65lGnJPO1JL2x_gTbrxDTldjfJImi19vb_EQowt03Ss/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs-DFByRchKhFFIlBlQVUo_PDQM1H-3KAOSiRPQME8ZWWPDcEqyyVuxI02uKiDFC58d2YBiLYuZGn0z2PlIQeNwy5bbLjPcvYh65lGnJPO1JL2x_gTbrxDTldjfJImi19vb_EQowt03Ss/s400/DSC_0184.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp06c_6eaEEPReNuoJZug5pxEKMj9v2SZ77yifsXJ8ilTXEMiI0m8VBAyQAa-8W1eYTXtF5Cq6jZjz6KqvX29_jjF8c7sFRPo0MZaV5ReGhFN9_VUW6hyphenhyphenKeYhPoyr3ASA_g_aVL2HKmlsC/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp06c_6eaEEPReNuoJZug5pxEKMj9v2SZ77yifsXJ8ilTXEMiI0m8VBAyQAa-8W1eYTXtF5Cq6jZjz6KqvX29_jjF8c7sFRPo0MZaV5ReGhFN9_VUW6hyphenhyphenKeYhPoyr3ASA_g_aVL2HKmlsC/s400/DSC_0186.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxS6gESDq8fAw8IPHEuRZPSyq61lmwJ8sy5wsynvimNx6CErFMVbo2yf6DWeG6JA3-3Ph02I9JT50MdzSjMPlKocAkWYahRTKwtmsS8CfItAxkOq9WxDzQ3LnV1GKFVt9UpaRTCgIvtl_/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxS6gESDq8fAw8IPHEuRZPSyq61lmwJ8sy5wsynvimNx6CErFMVbo2yf6DWeG6JA3-3Ph02I9JT50MdzSjMPlKocAkWYahRTKwtmsS8CfItAxkOq9WxDzQ3LnV1GKFVt9UpaRTCgIvtl_/s400/DSC_0187.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The shops - in this case a tour agent - housed in this Tourism building are suitably understated and keep very much to the character of the architecture.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDdIhpy3_b9OHQkxN5R72EEDAa-qfYpG8j1KxW8O7kLvURWsNyU5Q2UpoxbbE-d0rnJj_GVYFCzC54MIbD-fIEu8a7rRFNBGPfCROMTGJdvL4DDumEWCk9UlGL9tQnV09oPQGgX_dfBTd/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDdIhpy3_b9OHQkxN5R72EEDAa-qfYpG8j1KxW8O7kLvURWsNyU5Q2UpoxbbE-d0rnJj_GVYFCzC54MIbD-fIEu8a7rRFNBGPfCROMTGJdvL4DDumEWCk9UlGL9tQnV09oPQGgX_dfBTd/s400/DSC_0189.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbfSxhRUyAnjHtXCW0ZzD1roPehPE-KfYxKi_nwvgHeUg3QMy2O329qD5VniYvuSPzLzdDXSbF9jEzPxQPFVPzAbn3SnL50_j11yjAC2myBZcuYKZiuv3U0F3dJXnV4d3wFjjOSABqYzc/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbfSxhRUyAnjHtXCW0ZzD1roPehPE-KfYxKi_nwvgHeUg3QMy2O329qD5VniYvuSPzLzdDXSbF9jEzPxQPFVPzAbn3SnL50_j11yjAC2myBZcuYKZiuv3U0F3dJXnV4d3wFjjOSABqYzc/s400/DSC_0193.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZX4rSekFfhcEukHoD6-p2tafT_7qN5VGk9N3YPXojkoDzho5qJ-C8mDwGEUcXvp_FQcNRt7J0CbiOG6EG_lh3wHWkoz0EmXrLaiWJcpmv0HrbAWKn2gbyI1BsWX0ukdsM33wRi0_NorOD/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZX4rSekFfhcEukHoD6-p2tafT_7qN5VGk9N3YPXojkoDzho5qJ-C8mDwGEUcXvp_FQcNRt7J0CbiOG6EG_lh3wHWkoz0EmXrLaiWJcpmv0HrbAWKn2gbyI1BsWX0ukdsM33wRi0_NorOD/s400/DSC_0195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Enjoying a mid-morning break at the Magna Carta Cafe.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireDjiTM5DBWMWSw9IsVwYqoedJymOcUpNlPdpp0b8wyAjGJFXZEKHx2-LSQeYsIIdewlRyJ3q5dfQBrHL0AsbkX30gCZV0grFojFOwQoaPh3cBN_ezmCEMfBbHiO6ZIrt5-YqYE2i0wJf/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireDjiTM5DBWMWSw9IsVwYqoedJymOcUpNlPdpp0b8wyAjGJFXZEKHx2-LSQeYsIIdewlRyJ3q5dfQBrHL0AsbkX30gCZV0grFojFOwQoaPh3cBN_ezmCEMfBbHiO6ZIrt5-YqYE2i0wJf/s400/DSC_0196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4S14RHFZEbBEzSyeWaQP4DfFJyNeoIhgulxAshP-VX7jeLaxSchlg8EHs_s1dbJmIQAIWp-wmISTalgeWCNoMo9I7omu1wdA7J-juMz6pMDsdDlcd4kGyE-MQMYLbLFrNgPYP6P2xHVL/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4S14RHFZEbBEzSyeWaQP4DfFJyNeoIhgulxAshP-VX7jeLaxSchlg8EHs_s1dbJmIQAIWp-wmISTalgeWCNoMo9I7omu1wdA7J-juMz6pMDsdDlcd4kGyE-MQMYLbLFrNgPYP6P2xHVL/s400/DSC_0199.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QbyYuu4_S3H2THgWuX-OTUgHCfgR9m-AxlX-L7gQTrTPkwnOtPEuKOJ2MZcZQMkB6xqbwp7OBjplAPcuYiXxaz7cF30jNYU6PxrMSkAXq5DMMnGwHG-lbDMATd3woV1p5okYZ-lFN0Nn/s1600/DSC_0204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QbyYuu4_S3H2THgWuX-OTUgHCfgR9m-AxlX-L7gQTrTPkwnOtPEuKOJ2MZcZQMkB6xqbwp7OBjplAPcuYiXxaz7cF30jNYU6PxrMSkAXq5DMMnGwHG-lbDMATd3woV1p5okYZ-lFN0Nn/s400/DSC_0204.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4urSosn6UoornF7CyqNJKHIW4ES7RLq_XsAKxNJnDGacBM53yb2hwwP8GE4GqrPJUNCMp6Oz-vnOnBUSfeVA7gRiEd1FqKVVWb7hBUju0iAd6Qj5oZ5X9ayTCfv8Zanc1GpcB9Va1ap3y/s1600/DSC_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4urSosn6UoornF7CyqNJKHIW4ES7RLq_XsAKxNJnDGacBM53yb2hwwP8GE4GqrPJUNCMp6Oz-vnOnBUSfeVA7gRiEd1FqKVVWb7hBUju0iAd6Qj5oZ5X9ayTCfv8Zanc1GpcB9Va1ap3y/s400/DSC_0205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVDnJcNEAr4Vkg7DAeK2oEXupnlr37BVFK3U-DREdLFifkolvJqb85COaDL88mp-zB6Xdbf9VImWGvfiO6gq_iddzQrSbDryGV1w9ZaFt0Xq-OacfduraFCutXh4lPiz6OYZK7hcCXYol/s1600/DSC_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVDnJcNEAr4Vkg7DAeK2oEXupnlr37BVFK3U-DREdLFifkolvJqb85COaDL88mp-zB6Xdbf9VImWGvfiO6gq_iddzQrSbDryGV1w9ZaFt0Xq-OacfduraFCutXh4lPiz6OYZK7hcCXYol/s400/DSC_0207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vxp7V7i09qJwqYsoxp61YqCl2RHDHGZlGf1Ig2TIzbOvHODx9f4YUqss9o8uFRWfPY54AMoTu_001WVo_k3z9ukhyYJ6BX478nN8ohn1VL7SIw8PI1sjk4c7KUJ-KA5P5SuirX2ENEgt/s1600/DSC_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vxp7V7i09qJwqYsoxp61YqCl2RHDHGZlGf1Ig2TIzbOvHODx9f4YUqss9o8uFRWfPY54AMoTu_001WVo_k3z9ukhyYJ6BX478nN8ohn1VL7SIw8PI1sjk4c7KUJ-KA5P5SuirX2ENEgt/s400/DSC_0210.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The loo is tucked away and named The Privy Chamber...</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLEv1uIhfGowWbRnWYotrR5AcRr24CHKJR1Cx0O4pCTyE-m8KXWQuj8jqpBGJzir4iGjB4ySGnERxZNh4vcW-gJMhFTukgyS0qg_9D4bMt3VxwbXsaz7G5zf0dFJJlYC4oj8eX0cf3ss7/s1600/DSC_0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLEv1uIhfGowWbRnWYotrR5AcRr24CHKJR1Cx0O4pCTyE-m8KXWQuj8jqpBGJzir4iGjB4ySGnERxZNh4vcW-gJMhFTukgyS0qg_9D4bMt3VxwbXsaz7G5zf0dFJJlYC4oj8eX0cf3ss7/s640/DSC_0212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We spent a pleasant hour or so walking along the corridors and enjoying a cup of tea (or coffee as it were for the two ladies) in the legal-themed cafe/bar, then eventually headed out once again. The streets in this part of Kuching were for the most part narrow channels through which Kuchingites (is that what they’re called?) and tourists ambled or drove slowly. They were a blend of old and new shops of varying trades. Old tinsmiths worked next door to backpacker-inn hoteliers who were in turn neighbours to kueh lapis shops selling their confections next to fruit and vegetable shops who displayed their produce alongside colourful textiles from the merchant in the next shop lot and all punctuated by Kayu Gambir and mobile phone top-up stalls in the corridors.<br />
<br />
Along Jalan Jalan Ewe Hai or Jalan Carpenter, the streets perpendicular to Jalan Main Bazaar, we found a proper Kolo Mee shop and sat down for something more authentic than the ones we’ve been getting in Singapore. Although the dish looked plain, it turned out to be very delicious indeed. There’s something in the oil and clear sauces that belie the wondrous flavours that tickle your taste buds. In my usual fashion I had an order with most of everything and finished just about every last scarp of the liver, meat balls, char siew and whatnots that was in the bowl.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fzH4EaqLuFkvcTbu0qAcXaRd37DEy7QkmLnWXDY666dHV6t5Evd2F-TFJDvScjF0Qqp6ICZUzKol9L_dmCG9v4ZxTl249QsZXy0onTRFoCw4lIszCdbQHFtmgWEhg14OJiZiVRZB_E0b/s1600/DSC_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fzH4EaqLuFkvcTbu0qAcXaRd37DEy7QkmLnWXDY666dHV6t5Evd2F-TFJDvScjF0Qqp6ICZUzKol9L_dmCG9v4ZxTl249QsZXy0onTRFoCw4lIszCdbQHFtmgWEhg14OJiZiVRZB_E0b/s400/DSC_0166.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlUUrNbrlWj0eRPnloxMlIG57LbZMCQAQ5ikiIhKiKkm1hyphenhyphenGfg3oEx0P2RwZbR1ZPvHQ-wn5AZJ6k24_UQ21foBOMpF8Dmaek_K7quRhcvMe2BlbDq2-7ccG9KLfy6QtqVf2CVlJrH9cb/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlUUrNbrlWj0eRPnloxMlIG57LbZMCQAQ5ikiIhKiKkm1hyphenhyphenGfg3oEx0P2RwZbR1ZPvHQ-wn5AZJ6k24_UQ21foBOMpF8Dmaek_K7quRhcvMe2BlbDq2-7ccG9KLfy6QtqVf2CVlJrH9cb/s400/DSC_0170.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Yes, that's seafood sold next to fabrics.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RwD4ebIlzRJnE4DtvO5qAwQx2IUkd7yGpeahnUD5bq0N1EkH8UVfUrE8FKWToaoRSgvNZtgWvxfrs9gpLIgGU-GhPafICA8PRcX6h3l0axdC5pt_R7WVtO3We85giPwBAYtKfesoGaMw/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RwD4ebIlzRJnE4DtvO5qAwQx2IUkd7yGpeahnUD5bq0N1EkH8UVfUrE8FKWToaoRSgvNZtgWvxfrs9gpLIgGU-GhPafICA8PRcX6h3l0axdC5pt_R7WVtO3We85giPwBAYtKfesoGaMw/s400/DSC_0172.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFCyEUaPOt80YBBW0CFhqh1-i9VflyxOkDDNtTAqxePdr8mrxNUGGq4blfReQNPbkRjqBou8euC_pAFOFNZ8Rk-i8FzcdT2CeT5wK068joBVQzmTM8fWMkskpOHKR6U_LzwYD5BS2Osdc/s1600/DSC_0213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFCyEUaPOt80YBBW0CFhqh1-i9VflyxOkDDNtTAqxePdr8mrxNUGGq4blfReQNPbkRjqBou8euC_pAFOFNZ8Rk-i8FzcdT2CeT5wK068joBVQzmTM8fWMkskpOHKR6U_LzwYD5BS2Osdc/s400/DSC_0213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">There's that building again...</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA7X_kM0r2PmUEMR5PL8447DHnucF5I05io9-Q8GvfxIJYjVhgEjDsfPy6iEDgY9DZkumx3ghcqRPfdgpIlloepnzEEEDs6JxvE3N5nk6n975LfuNh_SzXWhjptWgiinJgbl3Fnwf_5Vj/s1600/DSC_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA7X_kM0r2PmUEMR5PL8447DHnucF5I05io9-Q8GvfxIJYjVhgEjDsfPy6iEDgY9DZkumx3ghcqRPfdgpIlloepnzEEEDs6JxvE3N5nk6n975LfuNh_SzXWhjptWgiinJgbl3Fnwf_5Vj/s400/DSC_0214.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmoS5U1Mgcq7yVPHn09kWJpc1pF5XkhhtRZL2DazIKqGU-8C1vymvjQzAMy5Hhcc8KmP7UmAQ2QAMK_QNhLNRekdpTTY6Y7nKbefHHKDSy2PxQazX7aRzbkkV9X954xBj8wDPmFUnCjVv/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmoS5U1Mgcq7yVPHn09kWJpc1pF5XkhhtRZL2DazIKqGU-8C1vymvjQzAMy5Hhcc8KmP7UmAQ2QAMK_QNhLNRekdpTTY6Y7nKbefHHKDSy2PxQazX7aRzbkkV9X954xBj8wDPmFUnCjVv/s400/DSC_0216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"> Here's an HDR shot of the State Assembly building.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe6GQjSOxu_tsxHIFCsUOYSkSOBpdncpZ-7zPnAmzZxVLBD-BSMFxybNHqRBgKNHatsQBeKCLAkL-xK2DoMl5p03CcfEBEED-g8JrDnC_2-c2af30-TFzDOQcus6mrPAG2sjWW4YKZdDm/s1600/DSC_0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe6GQjSOxu_tsxHIFCsUOYSkSOBpdncpZ-7zPnAmzZxVLBD-BSMFxybNHqRBgKNHatsQBeKCLAkL-xK2DoMl5p03CcfEBEED-g8JrDnC_2-c2af30-TFzDOQcus6mrPAG2sjWW4YKZdDm/s400/DSC_0217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A number of B&Bs and hostels in town, not all of them successful.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeZ5aPUaiX1BjFI-AUp5FaOtY7dxjap56gB5mDaKwT0oe6-BqNal39BNZVX9cJJLMlPPCmNW72XQDy-R_zK4zjvpgEMwp7g5X_EJgXGArmlNPChJvft_sTvIQ5ZggQGlnZKeClIWfiyce/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeZ5aPUaiX1BjFI-AUp5FaOtY7dxjap56gB5mDaKwT0oe6-BqNal39BNZVX9cJJLMlPPCmNW72XQDy-R_zK4zjvpgEMwp7g5X_EJgXGArmlNPChJvft_sTvIQ5ZggQGlnZKeClIWfiyce/s640/DSC_0220.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIny7N2T-k6G9hN1-Ws3QYmC0AplPQ-wvRiunMahz1sgPCD3onKC3VFxGeogZyUIvOMTN2Ha6jIZSkWZeukxvo3ZxUZMMAmtDSFW3VxCisxpfEewbbVGBR817ayPiOFpKeT5jvWJTnO8gF/s1600/DSC_0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIny7N2T-k6G9hN1-Ws3QYmC0AplPQ-wvRiunMahz1sgPCD3onKC3VFxGeogZyUIvOMTN2Ha6jIZSkWZeukxvo3ZxUZMMAmtDSFW3VxCisxpfEewbbVGBR817ayPiOFpKeT5jvWJTnO8gF/s400/DSC_0222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnJDA0ENPzq0w-VyLSIwS8-TfnOMhYU9-ZcHK9MWMaptfWmAyFkNMRrwW_GXE7upUcP_QDbbZ4VJgyMOabXlJK-StGGgr9j_3Ldt-atZLHfY2eXdH6eMM8ejypL5VPTWQT1uOcXjy374T/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnJDA0ENPzq0w-VyLSIwS8-TfnOMhYU9-ZcHK9MWMaptfWmAyFkNMRrwW_GXE7upUcP_QDbbZ4VJgyMOabXlJK-StGGgr9j_3Ldt-atZLHfY2eXdH6eMM8ejypL5VPTWQT1uOcXjy374T/s400/DSC_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpJy7x5WGpyQjLtmSZBaP3tM8Uesb_SEn8HoKv-RXF2h7dc9AtQZgATV-zFWKWtxoIR9x6GSy0DHXP3Z6H7tvNV4C4qrEFv7rrqYkiVmGvioafeqeGgFEWOkYxwd1HGEwebtdJiWtNe5v/s1600/DSC_0228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpJy7x5WGpyQjLtmSZBaP3tM8Uesb_SEn8HoKv-RXF2h7dc9AtQZgATV-zFWKWtxoIR9x6GSy0DHXP3Z6H7tvNV4C4qrEFv7rrqYkiVmGvioafeqeGgFEWOkYxwd1HGEwebtdJiWtNe5v/s400/DSC_0228.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_oH8jzlEvEgfRYuVsMcK6KSGyBDTw_rweU_dTrBBFMAppZHWiuyy5PjlPpj3bPDu4uzTQH36tcgOW2HRJELweA2-AHUea23VuMYGNY0MX16TI24vVOBstQ5ltLjY6UsKdFEr6MWhtMoc/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_oH8jzlEvEgfRYuVsMcK6KSGyBDTw_rweU_dTrBBFMAppZHWiuyy5PjlPpj3bPDu4uzTQH36tcgOW2HRJELweA2-AHUea23VuMYGNY0MX16TI24vVOBstQ5ltLjY6UsKdFEr6MWhtMoc/s400/DSC_0234.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Very good.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cK5p2lVCk4eOhykRuw7GytXkl2OAY3S1PQHn8PhHEpGSc1W5szwtFdosVy8o6SB3Aq2KeBKjtAtS41YRJ-IbT9MYmww6P0SCmpbQPm0Oixnz8AqGIgfS-33BQ_v1k4uuc_XT0udEFRva/s1600/DSC_0240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cK5p2lVCk4eOhykRuw7GytXkl2OAY3S1PQHn8PhHEpGSc1W5szwtFdosVy8o6SB3Aq2KeBKjtAtS41YRJ-IbT9MYmww6P0SCmpbQPm0Oixnz8AqGIgfS-33BQ_v1k4uuc_XT0udEFRva/s400/DSC_0240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Note the name...</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W9VjzehN-f9kAVT1KuYOadPNn7UZ1RzOvWKc0SKVy42iiMbVZvbjivlTIs0fgA6cSjn3F64zbdkPOBZNP10ZRHi3pQbqTjGTIVQH7lk-dkuR2bv73R3DmvKlP5BhgyJEXDmiCJ0qfe7V/s1600/DSC_0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W9VjzehN-f9kAVT1KuYOadPNn7UZ1RzOvWKc0SKVy42iiMbVZvbjivlTIs0fgA6cSjn3F64zbdkPOBZNP10ZRHi3pQbqTjGTIVQH7lk-dkuR2bv73R3DmvKlP5BhgyJEXDmiCJ0qfe7V/s400/DSC_0242.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">It's very good indeed.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr4kCvKTzir34oQ4XezPokm2a_45AOB3DlZ4LPAiZkZ1R3QGDBa05CerKClTS-236a13tw6Re-dMTqnyQKs6as0mg58GtayAlrY8SjfNFFtYDKug0NTmzdGOSzIhs8spyYgzmvhKeD0PV/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr4kCvKTzir34oQ4XezPokm2a_45AOB3DlZ4LPAiZkZ1R3QGDBa05CerKClTS-236a13tw6Re-dMTqnyQKs6as0mg58GtayAlrY8SjfNFFtYDKug0NTmzdGOSzIhs8spyYgzmvhKeD0PV/s640/DSC_0244.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Have I said it's very good?</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXXYvO6Z8sz23qWk3A1uDCxPy1LVBH3Ctv2dP-lyJOIRTR9veFnleNBx3YMTMHClbFHsHDZcwfCxXsqIAB6r7I3cDfQQpNZbxoz93ESM-UHUko7QVHIaS7tcAeqcmYrCwTDNSwROSNuDF/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXXYvO6Z8sz23qWk3A1uDCxPy1LVBH3Ctv2dP-lyJOIRTR9veFnleNBx3YMTMHClbFHsHDZcwfCxXsqIAB6r7I3cDfQQpNZbxoz93ESM-UHUko7QVHIaS7tcAeqcmYrCwTDNSwROSNuDF/s400/DSC_0246.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyfuUMC462LxmIxVnf7GOmDU8lj0E1eIqBkmx94oQTtcvZrjSlPdsf6CWfCyh6DMin5fReGPRW3cAhaqxhQ_WfVbF9xVfQYsJGUzFmA1kN_nDvYPdfP4lpeBDCc8aQ1bDS-DdhA0Nobl3/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyfuUMC462LxmIxVnf7GOmDU8lj0E1eIqBkmx94oQTtcvZrjSlPdsf6CWfCyh6DMin5fReGPRW3cAhaqxhQ_WfVbF9xVfQYsJGUzFmA1kN_nDvYPdfP4lpeBDCc8aQ1bDS-DdhA0Nobl3/s400/DSC_0247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A bit more wandering around and we eventually settled on one particular Kueh Lapis stall which we conveniently found just before a short and heavy downpour. Safely sheltered, Sharon took her time to choose and in that most Sarawakian of ways, the shop supervisor was friendly, patient and helpful.<br />
We found our way back to the car and set off for Semenggoh and Orang Utans… more in the next part.</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com121-40 Jalan Main Bazaar, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia1.5590400509413413 110.346561670303341.5580480509413412 110.34532767030335 1.5600320509413415 110.34779567030334tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-49065535757474961022012-11-22T14:52:00.000-08:002012-11-23T06:54:33.249-08:00Kuching Pt 3 - Bako National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Proboscis Monkeys. That’s what Sharon wanted very much to see. I was quite keen to see The Seastack, that rock formation in all the marketing literature for Bako national Park. In the end we did see most of what we set out to see, and with a few unexpected things thrown in too.<br />
<br />
Adrian was going to guide us on the way towards Bako, along with a Canadian couple who were staying in Adrian’s Bungalow. As things turned out, instead of following his car for a few minutes onto the new highway - he’d offered as the shortcut was not recorded on the GPS - we ended driving mile after mile behind him… right up to Bako itself. Turns out he just wanted to make sure all arrangements were made properly as the Canadian couple were staying overnight. It was really very nice of him and this is Adrian for you: perhaps a little gruff and imposing on the outside but really a very warm and generous person once you get to know him.<br />
<br />
At the town jetty we met Ismadi who was to be our guide. As we were to discover, here was a remarkable individual who’d had to deal with the constraints of a limited formal education and yet had managed to make something of his life. After Sarawak Forestry, the authority looking after the national parks in the state, mandated training and certification for tour guides, Ismadi went back to school as it were. An intensive course ensued and despite the very tight time frame and his struggle with Latin Scientific names, he passed, got his tour guide licence and could now take people around the parks.<br />
<br />
He was from the area - the kampung near the park HQ in fact - and thus lent a lot of local knowledge to his presentation. The first thing we did after paying our fee and introducing ourselves was to get into a small boat. Life jackets donned, we headed out along the river. Bako can only be accessed by sea and this has helped keep the park secure. The land borders are porous of course but not having to deal with incursions from all sides has helped keep poaching minimal. How do I know this? Ismadi of course, who kept up a regular, and not unpleasant, commentary along the way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsI0imnPbVk2exud6mN6tYTLVm9ROBFrRXIiRzTgoeAUIxqEah6_vWv-yPYTG08hpFSjEJv55Bx1nUcuMowjew_uujpgoF2LIuJis48G2X83ljLBjtYZLaJFQbEFzf1H_jqEEYgpKubNg/s1600/DSC_9825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsI0imnPbVk2exud6mN6tYTLVm9ROBFrRXIiRzTgoeAUIxqEah6_vWv-yPYTG08hpFSjEJv55Bx1nUcuMowjew_uujpgoF2LIuJis48G2X83ljLBjtYZLaJFQbEFzf1H_jqEEYgpKubNg/s400/DSC_9825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D9AZ1u-PLGrf-CVSP3fmAhaeo46nWyWbYnaG0OOToMQxXUU_FSU6EFVmOo__U5SPkZuWys5UBmuUFV2HANRMRtECGH_8CKTsD6MXddO30GGwEBZQqlS1lfHzG1zgo0C7GR2Lqor1BMvj/s1600/DSC_9827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D9AZ1u-PLGrf-CVSP3fmAhaeo46nWyWbYnaG0OOToMQxXUU_FSU6EFVmOo__U5SPkZuWys5UBmuUFV2HANRMRtECGH_8CKTsD6MXddO30GGwEBZQqlS1lfHzG1zgo0C7GR2Lqor1BMvj/s400/DSC_9827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Sharon all set to see her Proboscis Monkeys</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QP5-xaoHvefdjyuO7UPZ4prMsbyTbolloRSiO9OymGaJQLNhqJ5Is9gvq79kC3TR-RwisRz6Ka36Kiy5edrCAUm1lGgjhB4XUN87HRyAp8gddZBjThJDV69S_0c_Mq_Fc15pLgFCYSws/s1600/DSC_9829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QP5-xaoHvefdjyuO7UPZ4prMsbyTbolloRSiO9OymGaJQLNhqJ5Is9gvq79kC3TR-RwisRz6Ka36Kiy5edrCAUm1lGgjhB4XUN87HRyAp8gddZBjThJDV69S_0c_Mq_Fc15pLgFCYSws/s400/DSC_9829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Mei all set for... whatever the day had to offer.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_ntqY_ug1NNhxPsDx6kxCZ7SN0d6mz8xLwCWhumrY7EtdhH7d203KZA3OJ3qJ1SvuyZj4zquayA4LDXfveif-iI-Dp23TmnUSNQSbD_zQDByylrR9zJr9XAve-QQJdjvX_j31oLm3toc/s1600/DSC_9830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_ntqY_ug1NNhxPsDx6kxCZ7SN0d6mz8xLwCWhumrY7EtdhH7d203KZA3OJ3qJ1SvuyZj4zquayA4LDXfveif-iI-Dp23TmnUSNQSbD_zQDByylrR9zJr9XAve-QQJdjvX_j31oLm3toc/s400/DSC_9830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUC2r_a-JqTRwH4fzDyW8xiVQTHq8HB-1UhCOhhMpyAkahVH8uD0-GAnrP6mg0snWJ1TRYV-xarmRFuZujh3qDL2OBaMNuRyej59KB6CiPswNx9dLA6Hk7hsNVuWbdFs-kh9Kw5CaKB1e/s1600/DSC_9831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUC2r_a-JqTRwH4fzDyW8xiVQTHq8HB-1UhCOhhMpyAkahVH8uD0-GAnrP6mg0snWJ1TRYV-xarmRFuZujh3qDL2OBaMNuRyej59KB6CiPswNx9dLA6Hk7hsNVuWbdFs-kh9Kw5CaKB1e/s640/DSC_9831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvycOqtTAaUs0vPOpxk_Jwp7dMFZdb1voR2MQLHlO1zjV2kdO1TaYENs1eTkze9DtvRGOzcSvqrXUaCOPlFy5XccHcWT1qr-MlwK5aGKG-IIWMaznw3lTX5w9eCGk23f49hke7YUnJmeYy/s1600/DSC_9836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvycOqtTAaUs0vPOpxk_Jwp7dMFZdb1voR2MQLHlO1zjV2kdO1TaYENs1eTkze9DtvRGOzcSvqrXUaCOPlFy5XccHcWT1qr-MlwK5aGKG-IIWMaznw3lTX5w9eCGk23f49hke7YUnJmeYy/s640/DSC_9836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0kypv4r816PWklTt9iSt0zIR6Ax4HgiyobURE6pr2S50u3HdIZbEyx-h8L03I3o9xleCZcmkQ_S8zqotNJnGZPoOyJRw7-hw6C0aw2MDc54QGRwwWoBmmj-L0Hq9J0gJmHRS0ZekIFQm/s1600/DSC_9838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0kypv4r816PWklTt9iSt0zIR6Ax4HgiyobURE6pr2S50u3HdIZbEyx-h8L03I3o9xleCZcmkQ_S8zqotNJnGZPoOyJRw7-hw6C0aw2MDc54QGRwwWoBmmj-L0Hq9J0gJmHRS0ZekIFQm/s400/DSC_9838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62cf2qNyNwPWMFHPwyuw-Xb6pK-4qJkN_-GNDZJlT_6WrC9tYIa2JkO0JEYOZTiOUrzruXtAu3QvEX77MfDZ__KpJ9X_hvLJa7NQOEp-q4uyYJ0iQ9rLtCdeRcQwWf5jZv8hKgZRsmmxC/s1600/DSC_9839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62cf2qNyNwPWMFHPwyuw-Xb6pK-4qJkN_-GNDZJlT_6WrC9tYIa2JkO0JEYOZTiOUrzruXtAu3QvEX77MfDZ__KpJ9X_hvLJa7NQOEp-q4uyYJ0iQ9rLtCdeRcQwWf5jZv8hKgZRsmmxC/s640/DSC_9839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">These are fishing traps. Nets strung between the poles catch fish while the fisherman get to do other important things. Like napping in the afternoon...</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierb_Ufd7H5JNUL9Uy7f8tZMO-AIhaZCROmGzXGnXgXtmqjkbkA5zvvOZ8ufcMMnJ4BxTZxy0uxkzLsb6s39iJnfGt7FYtAJjgqc_GO0v9n0eFPwyi4Vf0B8WOcYXEeRN6QNsfX6_QbwTm/s1600/DSC_9840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierb_Ufd7H5JNUL9Uy7f8tZMO-AIhaZCROmGzXGnXgXtmqjkbkA5zvvOZ8ufcMMnJ4BxTZxy0uxkzLsb6s39iJnfGt7FYtAJjgqc_GO0v9n0eFPwyi4Vf0B8WOcYXEeRN6QNsfX6_QbwTm/s400/DSC_9840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">No, that's not a sea serpent. It's a leftover pipe used previously for dredging. It's now painted in stripes for safety reasons.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCWj6qRTffrvDurJzL7hYfmaM8JA1nLW6piNhWjY-uLoM0-kNNlhRRVYMa9zgoYo8L2okIEiX_a-vDnIAsjN7mFiydcFFmvC00OEyqQziKzeiGdQdaERZFjCcVJFnAiL_njIv5uqPoGo1/s1600/DSC_9843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCWj6qRTffrvDurJzL7hYfmaM8JA1nLW6piNhWjY-uLoM0-kNNlhRRVYMa9zgoYo8L2okIEiX_a-vDnIAsjN7mFiydcFFmvC00OEyqQziKzeiGdQdaERZFjCcVJFnAiL_njIv5uqPoGo1/s400/DSC_9843.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAohuIIltuMcpyhYiGDcjuRh3cj_sLY6N2vQhkp7DT66z1Ku252D6CeGQfAR8K8zckGFNML71f3BF31XkC9KzCJUnZWO8HLH13geFwJ0m5rxZEHsA3vpc-s0-3LaG8mgQ7mWI8jIJdfYZw/s1600/DSC_9859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAohuIIltuMcpyhYiGDcjuRh3cj_sLY6N2vQhkp7DT66z1Ku252D6CeGQfAR8K8zckGFNML71f3BF31XkC9KzCJUnZWO8HLH13geFwJ0m5rxZEHsA3vpc-s0-3LaG8mgQ7mWI8jIJdfYZw/s400/DSC_9859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbxVvCoFI6DW8BuYNRI4-0NqRQ_qj0u8X7oWgRN2q7Ql4Oq_lYy77tHe6lhbk2wO5gmIQTU9M6-WZqyItcPMi3VHrGIRPM7FgKcr7JMTI5tnN_Po0KGXvFQP8T30O5QTUjrO_VnGHF1au/s1600/DSC_9860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbxVvCoFI6DW8BuYNRI4-0NqRQ_qj0u8X7oWgRN2q7Ql4Oq_lYy77tHe6lhbk2wO5gmIQTU9M6-WZqyItcPMi3VHrGIRPM7FgKcr7JMTI5tnN_Po0KGXvFQP8T30O5QTUjrO_VnGHF1au/s400/DSC_9860.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlqk7Oj1Qn2ZudYCcFaJkcVToLH19I9_3GhNK_x86Bc0hLsBzNglxmEVrReQdMxlMt7mjHQ9S3PYMce0bKZleaeIUUHIZeWI0wc8xJ6VMQOAPmgHeHlsLz3Sjs3QeOne35dOeyCI9k6Nh/s1600/DSC_9869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlqk7Oj1Qn2ZudYCcFaJkcVToLH19I9_3GhNK_x86Bc0hLsBzNglxmEVrReQdMxlMt7mjHQ9S3PYMce0bKZleaeIUUHIZeWI0wc8xJ6VMQOAPmgHeHlsLz3Sjs3QeOne35dOeyCI9k6Nh/s400/DSC_9869.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CLJfbYwQh1nGqWtw6-yxvcapwuIY7z02SrZFPcSZ2gMKkqwZ4L7LFJrgG2Tb4G7K1Rq4fJTs8_2rEwY1nuo62oE4wAdrQA0Gus5b4P_M8qeBz0LZ-9zlDOa1b59RFXFkpAUOEx7sl9qZ/s1600/DSC_9863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CLJfbYwQh1nGqWtw6-yxvcapwuIY7z02SrZFPcSZ2gMKkqwZ4L7LFJrgG2Tb4G7K1Rq4fJTs8_2rEwY1nuo62oE4wAdrQA0Gus5b4P_M8qeBz0LZ-9zlDOa1b59RFXFkpAUOEx7sl9qZ/s400/DSC_9863.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">What shape do you see? The head of a turtle, or a dragon, perhaps?</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vd2OZF15U4fOv08Jc4lCCmNAYzAUGauFCaKUs0eeHkB7JaRt7bEC_aNBtpp7TJ64i3eLQl_FFKDbTmAiXUCzzw3uJziOszfuMSPbys8OF1zzHhEsVafBtuLw79roFuYmwQ8G5MYqmMu4/s1600/DSC_9871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vd2OZF15U4fOv08Jc4lCCmNAYzAUGauFCaKUs0eeHkB7JaRt7bEC_aNBtpp7TJ64i3eLQl_FFKDbTmAiXUCzzw3uJziOszfuMSPbys8OF1zzHhEsVafBtuLw79roFuYmwQ8G5MYqmMu4/s400/DSC_9871.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4j3VpqjNL7au-DrfqzLUdJKLZ-ADZoWDzF1YYm7ErsOW8VjSYKTkZIDWggF0XdoYX9_lR3S-eBmuxzzhIpmyZNLAtF2Nro4ux2wdWJJIgPnsDVT8T02gnCf9KR0WGLBBwky0HTxAF9nS/s1600/DSC_9873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4j3VpqjNL7au-DrfqzLUdJKLZ-ADZoWDzF1YYm7ErsOW8VjSYKTkZIDWggF0XdoYX9_lR3S-eBmuxzzhIpmyZNLAtF2Nro4ux2wdWJJIgPnsDVT8T02gnCf9KR0WGLBBwky0HTxAF9nS/s400/DSC_9873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We arrived at the Bako National Park entrance, having spotted some interesting rock formations and flora along the way. I noticed a clump of dying mangrove on one side and Ismadi later explained the reason for this. After landing, we headed to the park HQ, a well-kept semi-modern building, where we bought our tickets. The park system in Sarawak is quite good as you buy a daily ticket which allows you entry to any of the parks on the day. So if you’re doing two parks or wildlife reserves in one day you only need to buy one ticket for both.<br />
<br />
As we approached the park HQ that morning, we noticed freely roaming wild boar. They were just like stray dogs, roaming around quite unafraid of the humans who shared the grounds. I was taking pictures of one small group when one sow did a long, slow sttttrrreetttcccchhhh then suddenly lay down on her side as another pig came over and nuzzled her. She continued nuzzling her and the prone pig seemed to enjoy this. She was eventually turned through 90º by the nuzzling which I can only imagine was some sort of relaxing massage. Made me a little envious I must admit…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAp4Fiqix6gK1FtbBWLkYg1URrn01u3yxeW5XCF61WqdA7dPCA4J-6wU3cd7WxyMHgKhBPguEBvnlLtr9S7Vc1xqp2PY6kuoD3mbbMKrH0xVkvb44QaQJ2KDirOF1KOI19pjwUUxEMkk3j/s1600/DSC_9880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAp4Fiqix6gK1FtbBWLkYg1URrn01u3yxeW5XCF61WqdA7dPCA4J-6wU3cd7WxyMHgKhBPguEBvnlLtr9S7Vc1xqp2PY6kuoD3mbbMKrH0xVkvb44QaQJ2KDirOF1KOI19pjwUUxEMkk3j/s400/DSC_9880.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The wild boar are really not so wild - they're more like stray dogs.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdQKJ44HUvTereP0p2aZSMCgexhrr90EhT4gClktWJgx37w68smq4DecyKMRLaGZbjBTzW1zcxVJFlMc3zjLe8-C5FE0MGs3Jwu9u8oq52DicWEBx-2iDQ9VpCvFaQYgGhmgbu7D5g_sq/s1600/DSC_9881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdQKJ44HUvTereP0p2aZSMCgexhrr90EhT4gClktWJgx37w68smq4DecyKMRLaGZbjBTzW1zcxVJFlMc3zjLe8-C5FE0MGs3Jwu9u8oq52DicWEBx-2iDQ9VpCvFaQYgGhmgbu7D5g_sq/s640/DSC_9881.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A pit viper coiled up in some branches.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHssSzs-9XNMbU_GGHw6bISIOoA6XO55ds4QZ17W8jOaB1e8JQgcd9x36Gt9jbF_SIA_xAkB_OjN2hjdQRtALOK9jLADriD84HiPt2CE71Ke4-iPpcVHBlIEqo3o4THrvQRzba3DWehJy5/s1600/DSC_9885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHssSzs-9XNMbU_GGHw6bISIOoA6XO55ds4QZ17W8jOaB1e8JQgcd9x36Gt9jbF_SIA_xAkB_OjN2hjdQRtALOK9jLADriD84HiPt2CE71Ke4-iPpcVHBlIEqo3o4THrvQRzba3DWehJy5/s640/DSC_9885.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">This fella came ambling along with a group then suddenly stretched out and got a muzzle nuzzle massage.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbaFIEHtF9y-g4X3t2hEsa-ClPHzcXwKi1SwM70V-W7vtVbbp-Mf8VXn0fV8P8vRal3UwbY8RRQDbL7h0enDHuEIMXp8K5K3XPbq55tdTzXnWAhi83pu4MRy7DK1sy6fioyX6Gam_qo0E/s1600/DSC_9888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbaFIEHtF9y-g4X3t2hEsa-ClPHzcXwKi1SwM70V-W7vtVbbp-Mf8VXn0fV8P8vRal3UwbY8RRQDbL7h0enDHuEIMXp8K5K3XPbq55tdTzXnWAhi83pu4MRy7DK1sy6fioyX6Gam_qo0E/s400/DSC_9888.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lmMbnSKn98wMWpadk3HTAhBGMvJnt4GAqWUQ2_VQS1k-8x4m-90Q9Jiryq1h8cgXC6k43ebE2Puy5fPdWxrIAVKnXbta4kctVlQZi7g4FBONfEnJBn59lhE4bSkhN3vrnVhXQ9O3rT86/s1600/DSC_9891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lmMbnSKn98wMWpadk3HTAhBGMvJnt4GAqWUQ2_VQS1k-8x4m-90Q9Jiryq1h8cgXC6k43ebE2Puy5fPdWxrIAVKnXbta4kctVlQZi7g4FBONfEnJBn59lhE4bSkhN3vrnVhXQ9O3rT86/s400/DSC_9891.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmjo4O6sG2c-G98UBzD7O-AnotH9nVDzu-6HKw6qpLLwjiJQH4dwIKUXkqi2hcb9Ztx_X-qqWwGdi5MtMCoY9W8ZcIKdAO-SQ_CKOl7cFHmmSqfHd1FcBKP6mYpwT-PZpm72_DgutsXLN/s1600/DSC_9900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmjo4O6sG2c-G98UBzD7O-AnotH9nVDzu-6HKw6qpLLwjiJQH4dwIKUXkqi2hcb9Ztx_X-qqWwGdi5MtMCoY9W8ZcIKdAO-SQ_CKOl7cFHmmSqfHd1FcBKP6mYpwT-PZpm72_DgutsXLN/s400/DSC_9900.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">You can rent chalets which are set very prettily amongst the greenery.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3V8L_f9lOqEOuJQzKgqr7kcdZG8M2y_FB7m9kXfxVIZa6cxaAvoHQGo-2dxzqhL_8XLWa5-LvB2dSI-8SEUZsF8R2j_sy0_73HgdKI6Vx2VO7WQAxm7cqjnVUEWYQWJ-nMscw7pjnpeN/s1600/DSC_9902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3V8L_f9lOqEOuJQzKgqr7kcdZG8M2y_FB7m9kXfxVIZa6cxaAvoHQGo-2dxzqhL_8XLWa5-LvB2dSI-8SEUZsF8R2j_sy0_73HgdKI6Vx2VO7WQAxm7cqjnVUEWYQWJ-nMscw7pjnpeN/s400/DSC_9902.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8lahXHtnNHRvQv54oWkdG4kEhg_wch2GjR8EwK5ylACg2sIjY4NiP2e0kNpSZ1VjUicho6Wn6vRswzMteVHvx0PGdjtILlLd9qPVGuPOAtcWpYAW0iYM6hPGzW6so3VApS4oicHErc0x/s1600/DSC_9904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8lahXHtnNHRvQv54oWkdG4kEhg_wch2GjR8EwK5ylACg2sIjY4NiP2e0kNpSZ1VjUicho6Wn6vRswzMteVHvx0PGdjtILlLd9qPVGuPOAtcWpYAW0iYM6hPGzW6so3VApS4oicHErc0x/s400/DSC_9904.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A view of the camping ground, showing the wooden fence and gate which keeps the wild boar out.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7HJY10UgG8qk6AKzrTz9zqHsYP2Rb7Ceuhnxl83FSG0f_UdbKPvR47q3Onm3pAueFCixlxvlOPONGnJhS0X-s9pGDJSOWkb1nlNuFZO-kU45ZWDC6TkXGU1jICDh8Ov5wAZM1ky_fvMZ/s1600/DSC_9906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7HJY10UgG8qk6AKzrTz9zqHsYP2Rb7Ceuhnxl83FSG0f_UdbKPvR47q3Onm3pAueFCixlxvlOPONGnJhS0X-s9pGDJSOWkb1nlNuFZO-kU45ZWDC6TkXGU1jICDh8Ov5wAZM1ky_fvMZ/s400/DSC_9906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0rxrcn1hz9mJN4pmGe7djRNuSnOxmi-GILjuolx6uBRZoocARaPhwLNWJipKHhVVJF7rgLtbWHAx-c4sWaZRgZriGSjnTQ7Rh1RSDWVs_OQM8qnqJL-UHqEx6bbrM3DbAhaIuiwskqy_/s1600/DSC_9910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0rxrcn1hz9mJN4pmGe7djRNuSnOxmi-GILjuolx6uBRZoocARaPhwLNWJipKHhVVJF7rgLtbWHAx-c4sWaZRgZriGSjnTQ7Rh1RSDWVs_OQM8qnqJL-UHqEx6bbrM3DbAhaIuiwskqy_/s400/DSC_9910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytoVp6kUutF52-gARHe_4tqADJt_TJ98IK3sxlkGf8EOgJ27iUqrMPSBbSSNluGhe1ORBDo5puB-04aq-TM-MB8soZqm_WnCjmf6yiEZzZGLliT1WXxOYUTzCLdrETaGUtFgJaKAUY2NG/s1600/DSC_9923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytoVp6kUutF52-gARHe_4tqADJt_TJ98IK3sxlkGf8EOgJ27iUqrMPSBbSSNluGhe1ORBDo5puB-04aq-TM-MB8soZqm_WnCjmf6yiEZzZGLliT1WXxOYUTzCLdrETaGUtFgJaKAUY2NG/s640/DSC_9923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">We came across this family wandering along.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCinKGl3Z0J7CgkDu_68zjCdD-dK9ES5rWccwxScMZORQogt7tpnww5xivdIVZ4lfK2bMLsB3l7YpS9BnQ80-3aRhlLxMMPvDpUl_7ErJQjgOgdeeLtCukLEEq4I_g5bEzrUS18cYeQQH/s1600/DSC_9930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCinKGl3Z0J7CgkDu_68zjCdD-dK9ES5rWccwxScMZORQogt7tpnww5xivdIVZ4lfK2bMLsB3l7YpS9BnQ80-3aRhlLxMMPvDpUl_7ErJQjgOgdeeLtCukLEEq4I_g5bEzrUS18cYeQQH/s640/DSC_9930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The little ones are learning how to fend for themselves are were obviously less adept at digging for food.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD2JO3d8r0sJ7F_imkcmjdegwttInfwUb7OOkHOs-KC_QmpUVxE9IHKspf9sSj5j2Kdlbd6km79J-_v01VOn_nIvVOagMT_rXwx6hqKvw_3pZZh09Arn6G4m9UkXF7HlE7c_EYD17Zq_p/s1600/DSC_9934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD2JO3d8r0sJ7F_imkcmjdegwttInfwUb7OOkHOs-KC_QmpUVxE9IHKspf9sSj5j2Kdlbd6km79J-_v01VOn_nIvVOagMT_rXwx6hqKvw_3pZZh09Arn6G4m9UkXF7HlE7c_EYD17Zq_p/s640/DSC_9934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kL_TzbROKcMcl_VhukvnrnsmVl3cJKBZLtcPmZR-vrkbUrAZM159ROaUHBRcyo-QX_nO-q2uFTmVJSkl6sbayEH_AfZb6UEPsXNcL_3cQ9erHREpx_rIHBYbFPNBmaxtiGfQco_y3Jji/s1600/DSC_9936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kL_TzbROKcMcl_VhukvnrnsmVl3cJKBZLtcPmZR-vrkbUrAZM159ROaUHBRcyo-QX_nO-q2uFTmVJSkl6sbayEH_AfZb6UEPsXNcL_3cQ9erHREpx_rIHBYbFPNBmaxtiGfQco_y3Jji/s400/DSC_9936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_lcpbx4I20aGjadgUHeFQ77PrgI-ssxEKWh_toPxgUczf-lzsQ5q78eaDBLa66XD1fqrPxWQhor3WfM1aAPZVwOSiy21XWaB3DYeXbv4_NfScFHpaFI6przklaEy0qxJCEgF5q0GzwBy/s1600/DSC_9970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_lcpbx4I20aGjadgUHeFQ77PrgI-ssxEKWh_toPxgUczf-lzsQ5q78eaDBLa66XD1fqrPxWQhor3WfM1aAPZVwOSiy21XWaB3DYeXbv4_NfScFHpaFI6przklaEy0qxJCEgF5q0GzwBy/s400/DSC_9970.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A very thorny plant.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LZuk7tyVGgGt-QkRu-VZIlsz13ws97bJotE3KBkhGZq4lSW9sQG99h4iXgmhjd9eYS9V5kZsVQvlaitdfPJG2gDUDPBqeQEG7OLBY5awkhtIC4ywILBQlO9zmzcJE9eytB6bsDB8yTIe/s1600/DSC_9942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LZuk7tyVGgGt-QkRu-VZIlsz13ws97bJotE3KBkhGZq4lSW9sQG99h4iXgmhjd9eYS9V5kZsVQvlaitdfPJG2gDUDPBqeQEG7OLBY5awkhtIC4ywILBQlO9zmzcJE9eytB6bsDB8yTIe/s400/DSC_9942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Fiddler crabs - the males and females have large claws on opposite sides. I forget which is which. </span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OsKp-9oohX_eegXNBVfNW56y4yymEDXBu78H4KCqt3goPO8YH_sn4-LwJCJqJgY1ffXe3RayzhsT0IsA3mJov-XccZgErqzKg65BqSXcfbnJAAVZcUi4rlz0PuNxF1nIi6o68Y6FoDwB/s1600/DSC_9949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OsKp-9oohX_eegXNBVfNW56y4yymEDXBu78H4KCqt3goPO8YH_sn4-LwJCJqJgY1ffXe3RayzhsT0IsA3mJov-XccZgErqzKg65BqSXcfbnJAAVZcUi4rlz0PuNxF1nIi6o68Y6FoDwB/s640/DSC_9949.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ismadi showed us around the park HQ. There were chalets you can rent, and even a campsite protected from the pigs by a wooden fence and gate. As we rounded the area, we came upon a sow and her piglets. These looked really quite cute, running alongside their larger mother. We came within inches of this group shoe were unperturbed and just went about their business nonchalantly. The sow was digging in the ground with her snout, hunting for food, while the younger ones were obviously less adept at this. Quite enchanting watching them, really.<br />
<br />
After this little tour, we walked along the boardwalk where Ismadi explained one reason the mangrove we had spotted were dying was quite simply erosion. I’ve seen this phenomenon at a number of other coastal areas most notably in Kukup and Tanjung Piai in Johor where the increased shipping results in larger and more constant waves - the wash from passing ships - pounding the shore and removing sand.<br />
<br />
As we walked into the forested areas, Ismadi constantly drew our attention to various things and explained them in some detail. We saw stingless bees whose ‘honey’ encrusts into a multi-use wax-like substance. If burnt, this is apparently an like incense - but completely naturally replaceable unlike the synthetic stuff that is used nowadays.<br />
<br />
We also saw a very interesting rock face. Clearly embedded in this are hundreds of seashells and barnacles, clear evidence that all this was once under the sea and pushed up through the millennia into the mountain range it now is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgbSqUj703Xgv44hBTvk2r4aLKlGyE5w2KG7qFLWY9Sd3oKuK486VkcjF_mu8Z-jb4sF9WNJjoKE6P-sEr6c1cQXNXfd1DF5L4BXg-MDU0rA0KmqYQb4ERU754RdvMABERZTJ3NVB7DXK/s1600/DSC_9951+HDR+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgbSqUj703Xgv44hBTvk2r4aLKlGyE5w2KG7qFLWY9Sd3oKuK486VkcjF_mu8Z-jb4sF9WNJjoKE6P-sEr6c1cQXNXfd1DF5L4BXg-MDU0rA0KmqYQb4ERU754RdvMABERZTJ3NVB7DXK/s640/DSC_9951+HDR+A.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Another HDR shot - this one of the dying mangrove.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37azy7thadyDio6x61cLnSLHEGk83nNQB7lJCVF36QXdWyvOiVT_ZbRBv7_y2NZ_VpofeH4xvn7dyDGPyJf8PYkPxMhZD6llXMZMZSCuOx9ZGsSO2ZRW3UCaltqn1C5n0FWHf5Cav4lJG/s1600/DSC_9962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37azy7thadyDio6x61cLnSLHEGk83nNQB7lJCVF36QXdWyvOiVT_ZbRBv7_y2NZ_VpofeH4xvn7dyDGPyJf8PYkPxMhZD6llXMZMZSCuOx9ZGsSO2ZRW3UCaltqn1C5n0FWHf5Cav4lJG/s400/DSC_9962.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGZns0UcTdlbO8G79O48_iAQWtBWpo6MrGumTEUYe53h8VUDu3jwQ8yJRcICqjEKNEEDD1X0S3ap7Eq05Ewjs7C_y-A5Kc_uVzF1kx-CreKrnk5sbyDHpirn9s0u8Goie43DB28ZeAUZH/s1600/DSC_9964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGZns0UcTdlbO8G79O48_iAQWtBWpo6MrGumTEUYe53h8VUDu3jwQ8yJRcICqjEKNEEDD1X0S3ap7Eq05Ewjs7C_y-A5Kc_uVzF1kx-CreKrnk5sbyDHpirn9s0u8Goie43DB28ZeAUZH/s400/DSC_9964.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vnAL4TylLjAYSeoEiRUrSNKaYSBL2XiZXJPoah-9O53wEkbJXgneDhfleZp6D5LecibsYnAc87CDOi36swvDDwBnbjZI06du8aO35jCYqpeuomAX_QieT29Y8eTPvPrvtHkORL1HWtrz/s1600/DSC_9967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vnAL4TylLjAYSeoEiRUrSNKaYSBL2XiZXJPoah-9O53wEkbJXgneDhfleZp6D5LecibsYnAc87CDOi36swvDDwBnbjZI06du8aO35jCYqpeuomAX_QieT29Y8eTPvPrvtHkORL1HWtrz/s400/DSC_9967.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcWNT3Mmn-b7FlIcCEeOZXpfqTdz-heWa5H9hGwHby0_T41HPOtp1RvO3Cx6eLASn2q4BWeFYBEjNXhOKG2jUg-HiRqsXXabzat9QX6izcXA9RbejX2HPBcAwjLk2G9cVOGwH_lGteqwR/s1600/DSC_9973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcWNT3Mmn-b7FlIcCEeOZXpfqTdz-heWa5H9hGwHby0_T41HPOtp1RvO3Cx6eLASn2q4BWeFYBEjNXhOKG2jUg-HiRqsXXabzat9QX6izcXA9RbejX2HPBcAwjLk2G9cVOGwH_lGteqwR/s640/DSC_9973.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Termites having a ball.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBj57jL5jpGBNewDjmCUcD_K-Y4JVtQbvvDqA-MYMh-QQPrKns_me4uBXtY283R5R3sGSnq1S57VyfKH6F_rOxBcr00t7IWd8IFyUvGcV9pbk5Ux3fF0jOPYFpX6NoVTPj-gElBwXY0hB3/s1600/DSC_9975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBj57jL5jpGBNewDjmCUcD_K-Y4JVtQbvvDqA-MYMh-QQPrKns_me4uBXtY283R5R3sGSnq1S57VyfKH6F_rOxBcr00t7IWd8IFyUvGcV9pbk5Ux3fF0jOPYFpX6NoVTPj-gElBwXY0hB3/s640/DSC_9975.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Stingless bees whose encrusted nest makes good natural incense.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikctVcgYM2tdgie-Iivli9t3lVZvzuROaAsmKj54Az3guxnDzZqfCtvv4MLqJhPJ6vHCGy6_y0J_81bU4GLdEsAQ1aDnx3xsIUPsny6YxrrYHlbxMvYOJwDxqL-tUqS63yu9yXhwQT2KFb/s1600/DSC_9981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikctVcgYM2tdgie-Iivli9t3lVZvzuROaAsmKj54Az3guxnDzZqfCtvv4MLqJhPJ6vHCGy6_y0J_81bU4GLdEsAQ1aDnx3xsIUPsny6YxrrYHlbxMvYOJwDxqL-tUqS63yu9yXhwQT2KFb/s400/DSC_9981.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Nature lays out beautiful shapes and patterns.</i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-nk9N40TWK7w3597m0AAJiMwY-so9HnUtfMoz2VazdRP6M1km_T-BpBnITcgrVZbsDKPC5qo5V4TKw3zJ8cC9w5zmx5By7akHML1nnA19FjsuZYcY3F8W6cLQ6jP16DkUcGW8MWtJ4eU/s1600/DSC_9982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-nk9N40TWK7w3597m0AAJiMwY-so9HnUtfMoz2VazdRP6M1km_T-BpBnITcgrVZbsDKPC5qo5V4TKw3zJ8cC9w5zmx5By7akHML1nnA19FjsuZYcY3F8W6cLQ6jP16DkUcGW8MWtJ4eU/s400/DSC_9982.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A large rock balanced atop another.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfLbIYlvAAiTxgj-lLgZbof8D00U0hm6kbqUBiS12b8w6h2RLknKGJYuyR9NAwbe5JEcXEA4bhRaTG4KXZifhh2EzRJd2kNkUgpjAX2m5y_ik17m6Q3JS-ZWUXrVy_ei6aBNUimSiqkxZ/s1600/DSC_9993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfLbIYlvAAiTxgj-lLgZbof8D00U0hm6kbqUBiS12b8w6h2RLknKGJYuyR9NAwbe5JEcXEA4bhRaTG4KXZifhh2EzRJd2kNkUgpjAX2m5y_ik17m6Q3JS-ZWUXrVy_ei6aBNUimSiqkxZ/s640/DSC_9993.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">This area was once submerged beneath the sea.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBi3K8NoHL16D69bFcZ_xiyYDh86ov2hK8DhEdQULqJBm_0B8YbHr04_-4PkeiGCfLhOlZiKAiyopPi2TqfxL5gBzLT_820Aqju_XkqCqGCgUCGIAH7Hvf72xOn80YxnsngNl2B4YihKT/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBi3K8NoHL16D69bFcZ_xiyYDh86ov2hK8DhEdQULqJBm_0B8YbHr04_-4PkeiGCfLhOlZiKAiyopPi2TqfxL5gBzLT_820Aqju_XkqCqGCgUCGIAH7Hvf72xOn80YxnsngNl2B4YihKT/s400/DSC_0002.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE6445Gy6agKEJYgIHRiJduUVIE6x3yoGZOyUamTq_K_4KIsYotjfZIXNvMKAFJBwD7nTB4SGjzIPaenFUPxI2rrDgM20rHWae_NDPv9mNk6yxYjMZIP55KD14b74zgxxH5rN3RvES2IH/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE6445Gy6agKEJYgIHRiJduUVIE6x3yoGZOyUamTq_K_4KIsYotjfZIXNvMKAFJBwD7nTB4SGjzIPaenFUPxI2rrDgM20rHWae_NDPv9mNk6yxYjMZIP55KD14b74zgxxH5rN3RvES2IH/s400/DSC_0003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3orioKt4GH_ac2sPqtULJsXQHWICg0jpkP01Fy_0oKbw4hyjUyOd9Yv81JfCH-WyyZBo8nz_YkmLVhlX1WpzMs0ntkD7DDGIB-KfTD-vbZiseXiQFnZR1cOFYvMamXNNFJ4t3buFQw5fy/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3orioKt4GH_ac2sPqtULJsXQHWICg0jpkP01Fy_0oKbw4hyjUyOd9Yv81JfCH-WyyZBo8nz_YkmLVhlX1WpzMs0ntkD7DDGIB-KfTD-vbZiseXiQFnZR1cOFYvMamXNNFJ4t3buFQw5fy/s640/DSC_0004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As we hiked along we noticed how beautiful the natural shapes were - the textures and patterns of leaves, the intricate weaving of tree roots and even the criss-crossing of branches and fallen trunks. Nature certainly is not just an architect or an engineer, but also an artist creatively working both in shapes and in time.<br />
<br />
This last one we could plainly see after we sat on the beach and finally saw our only glimpse of a Proboscis Monkey sitting high atop a tree. This fella sat facing away from us, fast asleep in the midday sun. It didn’t move and wasn’t joined by any other, so Sharon’s wish only came partially true.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxP_LPomVuJm3hEyPsoz79LUmBsZfYsmD29ZW0Ao8xX_glaaidvfoXI2WZMCgFLRDAV8ccxL7y_8CSac_y3Sk6gA3RT46LSh3WZxOYYMEFzLiOxI3FwtGnng08iPKCO_u-TreaLvFo55C/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxP_LPomVuJm3hEyPsoz79LUmBsZfYsmD29ZW0Ao8xX_glaaidvfoXI2WZMCgFLRDAV8ccxL7y_8CSac_y3Sk6gA3RT46LSh3WZxOYYMEFzLiOxI3FwtGnng08iPKCO_u-TreaLvFo55C/s400/DSC_0006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQReqi158WWj5X2p0EZWkta00Wb8ILQI_LRRiA-QqBpH9BPCSufP9X0JS4_IB0WKkteBtZq0WBkVG9gOMvBvER2pZ0kHKUnwYCik19LThL56eUlrxaNamiKUT4e729WdGo18J91iRqUWU/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQReqi158WWj5X2p0EZWkta00Wb8ILQI_LRRiA-QqBpH9BPCSufP9X0JS4_IB0WKkteBtZq0WBkVG9gOMvBvER2pZ0kHKUnwYCik19LThL56eUlrxaNamiKUT4e729WdGo18J91iRqUWU/s400/DSC_0009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Our one view of a Proboscis Monkey.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Back to nature working in time - as we took to our boat and set off again, we could see the multi-layer and multi-colour cross-sections of the rock formations. Mainly crumbly sandstone, these evolve over time, shaped by the wind and waves and by geological movement. We stopped by the famous sea stack and despite slightly choppy seas managed to go around and view it from all sides. Smaller than I had originally thought, it was still a sizeable edifice but its narrow base belied the inevitable truth: that one day it will fall back into the sea, an art piece that stood for thousands of years and then was erased by nature’s hand in favour perhaps of some other creation.<br />
<br />
There certainly were many shapes to pick out among the rock formations. And we also saw a huge bird high up in the sky. I can only say the wingspan was a majestic 2 metres or so but being no ornithologist, cannot describe it much beyond that. It circled slowly overhead, with hardly a wingbeat, serenely riding the thermals with an eye out for prey I’m sure. It went around a hill then as we went further along, it reappeared and we stopped briefly to admire it once more.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjPN6MxhF_rTxRTx9_qhaa6YpNiRnDM2GJ0a7ZO9HwZgWnVs9Mksv4MlMKygYVzTwFkbUGtSxaYTbMeX_QmnGBb-DE5KZHmmHYG1hp76T2GXth4fWVK1Mu9KaZHlRwx94IsETiIMHfR82/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjPN6MxhF_rTxRTx9_qhaa6YpNiRnDM2GJ0a7ZO9HwZgWnVs9Mksv4MlMKygYVzTwFkbUGtSxaYTbMeX_QmnGBb-DE5KZHmmHYG1hp76T2GXth4fWVK1Mu9KaZHlRwx94IsETiIMHfR82/s400/DSC_0026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUKVrZA-VTP-rASsArwrfZI0KzLehBXCZeqiotbl868NvMoNkD7p9FF8yCt5TiCzm_itW8NvQFRcVirUs5EoA7zXozHNR964Yoys49QuImdYL4BhdEUbbgZ7J4mMxgh_wweHm8-ske-p-/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUKVrZA-VTP-rASsArwrfZI0KzLehBXCZeqiotbl868NvMoNkD7p9FF8yCt5TiCzm_itW8NvQFRcVirUs5EoA7zXozHNR964Yoys49QuImdYL4BhdEUbbgZ7J4mMxgh_wweHm8-ske-p-/s400/DSC_0034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSvT0CLQzeC2OfhsPaWYjimSrJXU4kgfJZCEja3HaH-4TAzwj7Lou_nJvJrgSyK6TLvIGseHO_LsBTB3ENa9fHyBt73BZAlDKaULWvSA-boD8k0wOjB3eiyRcmC2OMZShulvUIj0ugnSg/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSvT0CLQzeC2OfhsPaWYjimSrJXU4kgfJZCEja3HaH-4TAzwj7Lou_nJvJrgSyK6TLvIGseHO_LsBTB3ENa9fHyBt73BZAlDKaULWvSA-boD8k0wOjB3eiyRcmC2OMZShulvUIj0ugnSg/s400/DSC_0043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3LbdUe6o8FeUPqcsE5t94o5MtsCm8tyzS5_aROC_qjbIX8LX4BwX2IyKydYVg9khNseexkAMVCmtCDFK5yXA8NjJd0vDEe87SRC3a6DuTgsBQL4qRMzyaCFNf7cwT7B8RssurCV0EXjK/s1600/DSC_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3LbdUe6o8FeUPqcsE5t94o5MtsCm8tyzS5_aROC_qjbIX8LX4BwX2IyKydYVg9khNseexkAMVCmtCDFK5yXA8NjJd0vDEe87SRC3a6DuTgsBQL4qRMzyaCFNf7cwT7B8RssurCV0EXjK/s640/DSC_0048.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The iconic Seastack featured in all the Bako literature.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSsvol2sIA7ySZe0NdW2Mj_iTk7jqbQ0V0Z6zjta1nrSishGtPatRR8od4_BwwALwS4iVL5keXmwHVK45zD0xsgBhQ7p-Q52S0Tahp-BxpJSp14iSMgnkPYoI2UGbGluf3-pHy24pnRxQ/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSsvol2sIA7ySZe0NdW2Mj_iTk7jqbQ0V0Z6zjta1nrSishGtPatRR8od4_BwwALwS4iVL5keXmwHVK45zD0xsgBhQ7p-Q52S0Tahp-BxpJSp14iSMgnkPYoI2UGbGluf3-pHy24pnRxQ/s640/DSC_0056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkMzkUmpn1T4mgC4hf6uEnO8FUDDRSpOEb0jw9-4-dE1eyK6BX5Z4LycdnjhylCpzuuZaQ2pGD21UMMHSoRMlXrCNzsfdY9EadgwGJVN1l8MYb9y4nKmlN2kJM9UOh8IUSJP5dwvtOq4i/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkMzkUmpn1T4mgC4hf6uEnO8FUDDRSpOEb0jw9-4-dE1eyK6BX5Z4LycdnjhylCpzuuZaQ2pGD21UMMHSoRMlXrCNzsfdY9EadgwGJVN1l8MYb9y4nKmlN2kJM9UOh8IUSJP5dwvtOq4i/s400/DSC_0075.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Sharon all set to see her Proboscis Monkeys</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l3EfO_H3POnNenpzLXO-NqwSyHTNNwYqY-Mxb9oSyuaYsr8uhxETRPl0DXQ9ypAfPgJOi136cQQfd7hsIf5XhdnMHGMLmVevVJP89-t6gQLpPFYRoUZmL0t8GEcVS3iqGH2xfL9Vko9F/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l3EfO_H3POnNenpzLXO-NqwSyHTNNwYqY-Mxb9oSyuaYsr8uhxETRPl0DXQ9ypAfPgJOi136cQQfd7hsIf5XhdnMHGMLmVevVJP89-t6gQLpPFYRoUZmL0t8GEcVS3iqGH2xfL9Vko9F/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRBOni85vM6RrnR-06O0yrD-B-2PY9c2jwhsPBHEKWbkMm0ZXaH314gH98-3Z4mKXwjWljzk8-DXRXHafVhRwdFhrqQSxVgE7AqMcQr85y-wUcJz7Kb_xaYPP79pRAgfqs-Un_WwFmwdJ/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRBOni85vM6RrnR-06O0yrD-B-2PY9c2jwhsPBHEKWbkMm0ZXaH314gH98-3Z4mKXwjWljzk8-DXRXHafVhRwdFhrqQSxVgE7AqMcQr85y-wUcJz7Kb_xaYPP79pRAgfqs-Un_WwFmwdJ/s400/DSC_0092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUds7kpkhpwOQQcpks8meHo9fy28Dxo2sVlFAI6z7ER1yWGBvnu1Kz8U5drCc0OAfoKEG3ZSAG4OjQTpoaSijoNX0CQFf9S2s1VnrXAg5g8Hq2tuV0bcj-ZJuT5JEOfe_O2ZvXgz9gdt_/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUds7kpkhpwOQQcpks8meHo9fy28Dxo2sVlFAI6z7ER1yWGBvnu1Kz8U5drCc0OAfoKEG3ZSAG4OjQTpoaSijoNX0CQFf9S2s1VnrXAg5g8Hq2tuV0bcj-ZJuT5JEOfe_O2ZvXgz9gdt_/s400/DSC_0099.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvv0CuLwQUhEERfT3j8_DFDGjtVM5XNWztSKyQNTS1zdvxJnQrOeYu8I7mTUrLxA9aOnm0hQRiSlLTwrNpSFyvzJiRMrOK-LdPiXDs5xXkEtDK7Q-Je4egDVO6xWg-mt1OU_a7wiGOLgN/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvv0CuLwQUhEERfT3j8_DFDGjtVM5XNWztSKyQNTS1zdvxJnQrOeYu8I7mTUrLxA9aOnm0hQRiSlLTwrNpSFyvzJiRMrOK-LdPiXDs5xXkEtDK7Q-Je4egDVO6xWg-mt1OU_a7wiGOLgN/s400/DSC_0102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">I don't know what those tyres bound together are for.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog4LB-UX-2EZDCnYGD_x5u6qbuiUEki7-v36OIsfpgT9r8-bWfi5dqRC_IjBDbHDIYbmfRN9SylWKlmXB6dwLeA7auPwzBl9kOCY7WC69_Lbsvo8ZVsZKhSX2-ZML3byxMqkpLMSvUBKg/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog4LB-UX-2EZDCnYGD_x5u6qbuiUEki7-v36OIsfpgT9r8-bWfi5dqRC_IjBDbHDIYbmfRN9SylWKlmXB6dwLeA7auPwzBl9kOCY7WC69_Lbsvo8ZVsZKhSX2-ZML3byxMqkpLMSvUBKg/s640/DSC_0110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3VlR8WGu-LpKSdE8ovgBSzzeoYZ8oUKsmrOwg3pRT8n4DsFSYElW4X4tHt7G7SiKEWjefOGely_WzsQE9tvAvkxtflHoRiqHdpjtxNCKLXg_nVbzlSbplU277PecdGw2EIdrov2_-TA7/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3VlR8WGu-LpKSdE8ovgBSzzeoYZ8oUKsmrOwg3pRT8n4DsFSYElW4X4tHt7G7SiKEWjefOGely_WzsQE9tvAvkxtflHoRiqHdpjtxNCKLXg_nVbzlSbplU277PecdGw2EIdrov2_-TA7/s640/DSC_0084.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We eventually arrived back in the village where Ismadi told us about crocodile attacks. There is a sign at the end of the jetty warning people about this and the danger is very real. There is a gruesome poster near the jetty which shows crocodiles attacking humans, or being slit open revealing partially digested human prey. Which gruesomely set the scene for our own lunch…<br />
<br />
We bade farewell to Ismadi and were thoroughly happy with all he’d showed us, and what he’d imparted. Should you ever find yourself in Bako and in need of a guide, he comes with my recommendation. Contact me to get his number.<br />
<br />
Lunch was at a nearby restaurant jutting out over the sea, was reasonably good and fresh and we slowly wound down after some steep trails and wondrous sights.<br />
<br />
<i>More information on the <a href="http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-bako.html" target="_blank">Bako National Park can be found here.</a></i></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-42723431835936260752012-11-22T00:48:00.001-08:002012-11-22T18:11:26.777-08:00Kuching Pt 2 - Gunung Gading National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Ah the wonders of modern technology. In most of my drives around the Peninsular, maps have been the order of the day. On my bicycle ride I even mounted a map on my handlebar bag which helped me keep on course, never mind the fact that the map was not a very large scale and was proved to be erroneous on at least one occasion…<br />
<br />
The car Adrian provided was their daughter’s Proton and it came with a Garmin GPS unit which was quite useful, but as we discovered, a little off at times too. More of that later.<br />
<br />
Our first morning and we found our bag of packed lunch waiting for us on the front verandah around 7. We were going to the Gunung Gading National park for a spot of hiking and to look for the Rafflesia. We’d seen some in Perak a couple of years ago when we did a Northern Peninsular trip with Megan and Michael but this was a different species and anyway, it’s always fun to see something in the wild which is special and rare.<br />
<br />
Getting to Gunung Gading involved crossing a river by car ferry and this was a little adventure. The ferry was much larger than any I’d been on except the Penang ferry - certainly many times the size of the winch-ferry I’d been on in Lahad Datu in the 80s. This one could hold maybe 10-12 vehicles and even trucks. We drove down a steep concrete ramp and up onto the steel deck then got out of our car - something the rules said we had to do but which the ‘regulars’ casually ignored. The crew didn’t seem too fussed either and when we paid the RM1 I had a short chat with them. Turns out there are really two ferries which are docked at opposite banks and depart at the same time, passing each other mid-river.<br />
<br />
The river itself was not too wide and the crossing took just a few minutes. Despite the weather report predicting a week-full of rainy weather, the day was reasonably bright and the water was calm. I wonder what it would be like in a storm - that little 2-car winch-ferry I was on in Lahad Datu had to defer to the raging waters and floating logs rushing downstream. This ferry, I was assured, could weather any storm and ran every day, rain or shine. It did seem tough enough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ToAYeiJNL_I7DwW2sZCImPA8kZ5hVXqQvL9ZR6B2S494yCFSFc_L4zUuV2tnpas3ZjWykzKP_zo1WeBm5pLB4T9e61GLIlo6uyIUc2br4UANcPfYHl1HEQQ8EIAzNhPZ6CWFJuvFCiR7/s1600/DSC_9641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ToAYeiJNL_I7DwW2sZCImPA8kZ5hVXqQvL9ZR6B2S494yCFSFc_L4zUuV2tnpas3ZjWykzKP_zo1WeBm5pLB4T9e61GLIlo6uyIUc2br4UANcPfYHl1HEQQ8EIAzNhPZ6CWFJuvFCiR7/s400/DSC_9641.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">All aboard...</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryldwjeXm3k/UK3g7ViotTI/AAAAAAAAEY4/fF59qpR8pyo/s1600/DSC_9642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryldwjeXm3k/UK3g7ViotTI/AAAAAAAAEY4/fF59qpR8pyo/s400/DSC_9642.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Good to see inflation doesn't affect some things.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABYuC9XCjJI/UK3g8j-k8lI/AAAAAAAAEZA/JWUKdX-m-TQ/s1600/DSC_9643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABYuC9XCjJI/UK3g8j-k8lI/AAAAAAAAEZA/JWUKdX-m-TQ/s640/DSC_9643.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2nIPikz6s8/UK3g94_pT9I/AAAAAAAAEZI/I4cVbUFzCTc/s1600/DSC_9645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2nIPikz6s8/UK3g94_pT9I/AAAAAAAAEZI/I4cVbUFzCTc/s400/DSC_9645.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAENGsQArdM/UK3g_BGwD2I/AAAAAAAAEZQ/ZTQTgx7vJR0/s1600/DSC_9647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAENGsQArdM/UK3g_BGwD2I/AAAAAAAAEZQ/ZTQTgx7vJR0/s400/DSC_9647.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9G9FJ4lmQkNZmbkY7V_0oA2mCNjrQUjF4Skt3bHLOq5awQoPliifVpEP_VtDCtlmjdGKPFFJijc1OvNDWFTif32Ms-a63071ekTOgISAczknz972zEOvb_-dWEqBEm2Zbd7GE0kst5CS/s1600/DSC_9648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9G9FJ4lmQkNZmbkY7V_0oA2mCNjrQUjF4Skt3bHLOq5awQoPliifVpEP_VtDCtlmjdGKPFFJijc1OvNDWFTif32Ms-a63071ekTOgISAczknz972zEOvb_-dWEqBEm2Zbd7GE0kst5CS/s400/DSC_9648.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">That little notice was for a Karaoke competition in a nearby town. I wonder who won...</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUIi0Fp0DEU/UK3hBdXU4dI/AAAAAAAAEZg/yFvFOIGCxNo/s1600/DSC_9650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUIi0Fp0DEU/UK3hBdXU4dI/AAAAAAAAEZg/yFvFOIGCxNo/s400/DSC_9650.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlAN1PMRVHg/UK3hClW-b2I/AAAAAAAAEZo/SmpAX4mBatE/s1600/DSC_9654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlAN1PMRVHg/UK3hClW-b2I/AAAAAAAAEZo/SmpAX4mBatE/s400/DSC_9654.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwLz8cDfa0M/UK3hD7EyYJI/AAAAAAAAEZw/cB6cWK3fbwM/s1600/DSC_9657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwLz8cDfa0M/UK3hD7EyYJI/AAAAAAAAEZw/cB6cWK3fbwM/s400/DSC_9657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A floating fish farm or something.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ojhegGj5dc/UK3hFH75CaI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/LelzDnuFXRA/s1600/DSC_9659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ojhegGj5dc/UK3hFH75CaI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/LelzDnuFXRA/s400/DSC_9659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The other ferry.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j1bOR_u5klE/UK3hGHbP0iI/AAAAAAAAEaA/CYTFmgPBbq8/s1600/DSC_9660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j1bOR_u5klE/UK3hGHbP0iI/AAAAAAAAEaA/CYTFmgPBbq8/s400/DSC_9660.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nTNDil1h6FQ/UK3hHRzL6bI/AAAAAAAAEaI/bgDb3GIcJNE/s1600/DSC_9664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nTNDil1h6FQ/UK3hHRzL6bI/AAAAAAAAEaI/bgDb3GIcJNE/s400/DSC_9664.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After disembarking, we pressed on along a quiet, two-lane trunk road. The steady drive was periodically punctuated by narrow bailey bridges which we had to slow down to cross. If another vehicle happened along in the opposite direction, this was effected always with politeness and patience, and usually with a wave goodbye as we passed. I’ve learnt in the past few years that Sabahans and Sarawakians have a thing or two to teach Peninsular Malaysians about living in harmony - and here was evidence that the lifestyle here aids that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AH1aKj9KlqA/UK3hdmv8ETI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/chac8DPbCEM/s1600/DSC_9669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AH1aKj9KlqA/UK3hdmv8ETI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/chac8DPbCEM/s640/DSC_9669.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">An old Bailey Bridge, upgraded with a steel surface rather than two strips of planks.</span></i></div>
<br />
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvjXrSYhbJ4/UK3he-G_7iI/AAAAAAAAEaY/LhD2o7arfnY/s1600/DSC_9670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvjXrSYhbJ4/UK3he-G_7iI/AAAAAAAAEaY/LhD2o7arfnY/s400/DSC_9670.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A narrow bridge and patient and polite traffic on the other side.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXJtAa0rYDE/UK3hgFZsEpI/AAAAAAAAEag/LALH9FXRyts/s1600/DSC_9673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXJtAa0rYDE/UK3hgFZsEpI/AAAAAAAAEag/LALH9FXRyts/s400/DSC_9673.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We hired a guide at the Gunung Gading Park Entrance and he turned out to be a soft-spoken man of about 50 or so dressed in a casual shirt, tailored pants, hiking boots, a green vest and a baseball cap. He spoke with a slight accent which I initially thought was Filipino but I came to realise it’s the local accent. The three of us plus our guide were soon joined by Indiana Jones. Well, another guide who looked the part - he was dressed in khaki shorts, hiking boots, a khaki shirt, a belt with various implements hanging off it including a very local rattan basket containing… well, who knows what it contained? Poisoned darts? A small snake? Leeches? This chap seemed tough as nails and looked like he could hike over steep mountains before breakfast, snare and kill a wild boar for lunch, then swim down rapids to get home in time for an episode of ‘Survival with Ray Mears’ just to laugh at how much a pansy Mears was in comparison.<br />
<br />
A couple of tourists accompanied this Indiana Jones and the lot of us trekked along behind our guides. The first chap pointed out various things of interest and eventually we found not just a blooming Rafflesia (about to die though), but also rotted flowers that had already died, buds that were awaiting the next stage of their lives, buds that would miss out on that next stage for whatever reason and so on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qi7B08ebIgE/UK3hy8FXfjI/AAAAAAAAEao/8aZ5-VDnKRM/s1600/DSC_9675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qi7B08ebIgE/UK3hy8FXfjI/AAAAAAAAEao/8aZ5-VDnKRM/s400/DSC_9675.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDH1Twwrdgo/UK3h0lu4EMI/AAAAAAAAEaw/E9K9RbgouvQ/s1600/DSC_9676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDH1Twwrdgo/UK3h0lu4EMI/AAAAAAAAEaw/E9K9RbgouvQ/s400/DSC_9676.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A bit less than the 70cm they claimed I think, but still very large nonetheless.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlAIFiNNPiw/UK3h13qOCqI/AAAAAAAAEa4/7p6jSonH7vk/s1600/DSC_9679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlAIFiNNPiw/UK3h13qOCqI/AAAAAAAAEa4/7p6jSonH7vk/s640/DSC_9679.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3DxVPcfr88HMNt5tJcsm-jJqW4DX1AD_sEHca1HtfAaQh22U80d-2bqwdOWafwjS3x8lunYXps-mNHAjoUYW9Zzlh951hsenFuvOVnl9ZV85sk4Mf-Hjc-GVCZlRAdMPSzyCS844l6HF/s1600/DSC_9680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3DxVPcfr88HMNt5tJcsm-jJqW4DX1AD_sEHca1HtfAaQh22U80d-2bqwdOWafwjS3x8lunYXps-mNHAjoUYW9Zzlh951hsenFuvOVnl9ZV85sk4Mf-Hjc-GVCZlRAdMPSzyCS844l6HF/s640/DSC_9680.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">And there's a little insect attracted by the odour, doing what it's meant to do - propagate the species for the Rafflesia.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div>
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3QhVdKgsrw/UK3h369CiDI/AAAAAAAAEbI/EUowDLmdywI/s1600/DSC_9685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3QhVdKgsrw/UK3h369CiDI/AAAAAAAAEbI/EUowDLmdywI/s400/DSC_9685.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBpLmj3t92nVDZJnU-ohBp5tZuKH6ltsPgpA1auggNvXSHRFw_eTmNrLlPSmcwf5JLHdAVbqZJpg_gE05i_NJokG4v46XXC_8tN_jbOPfj-qQlbrQf9B6KIzLg1aljCaOXdIAGV-ASNdO/s1600/DSC_9688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBpLmj3t92nVDZJnU-ohBp5tZuKH6ltsPgpA1auggNvXSHRFw_eTmNrLlPSmcwf5JLHdAVbqZJpg_gE05i_NJokG4v46XXC_8tN_jbOPfj-qQlbrQf9B6KIzLg1aljCaOXdIAGV-ASNdO/s400/DSC_9688.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A strange seaweed-looking plant.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kjBZB73B_U0/UK3h7B1XcSI/AAAAAAAAEbY/0RtsZOnmD34/s1600/DSC_9691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kjBZB73B_U0/UK3h7B1XcSI/AAAAAAAAEbY/0RtsZOnmD34/s400/DSC_9691.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Here we are all gathered around the flower.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QDsAYdsaPQ/UK3h80I1cfI/AAAAAAAAEbg/accPeYiCQS8/s1600/DSC_9694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QDsAYdsaPQ/UK3h80I1cfI/AAAAAAAAEbg/accPeYiCQS8/s400/DSC_9694.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Sharon and Mei.</i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ke_2ZIDKzqA/UK3h-QwEDbI/AAAAAAAAEbo/P-1wknZxhJo/s1600/DSC_9698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ke_2ZIDKzqA/UK3h-QwEDbI/AAAAAAAAEbo/P-1wknZxhJo/s400/DSC_9698.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The vines are tagged for easy dating and identification.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHKyGM04yis/UK3iAPLXoEI/AAAAAAAAEbw/Qy07HVEIBAQ/s1600/DSC_9699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHKyGM04yis/UK3iAPLXoEI/AAAAAAAAEbw/Qy07HVEIBAQ/s640/DSC_9699.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A flower that's already expired and will soon return to the soil.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div>
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PF2vXyQgfz4/UK3iBviyIFI/AAAAAAAAEb4/aSL8s5m-R5g/s1600/DSC_9705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PF2vXyQgfz4/UK3iBviyIFI/AAAAAAAAEb4/aSL8s5m-R5g/s640/DSC_9705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">And one which is about to bloom. It looks just like a loaf of bread.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kTi2J84V10/UK3iFRQHQ5I/AAAAAAAAEcI/xrIVI-D1ZpQ/s1600/DSC_9715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kTi2J84V10/UK3iFRQHQ5I/AAAAAAAAEcI/xrIVI-D1ZpQ/s400/DSC_9715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This variety was not as smelly as I had thought it might be though the others detected a faint odour.<br />
<br />
The trails in Gunung Gading are very well marked and you get a good briefing before you set off so after we’d seen a few of the plants, including a bread-loaf looking bud about to burst into a flower, we let the guide go and wandered off on our own towards one of the waterfalls. Not only are the trails well marked, they are also in a good state of repair - the wooden bits that got slippery when wet now had little wooden strips nailed into the planks at one-step-distances. These 1 cm high slats give you better purchase on the wooden surface and prevent slipping. They were also neatly painted so you could spot them easily. Some concrete-slab steps were also being replaced. All in all, a very well run park from what we could see.<br />
<br />
The hike up was pretty challenging and even though the distance was not great, the strain was a little. We opted not to go to the higher falls which were supposedly more spectacular and stayed around Fall 1 instead. More a series of rock pools than anything, this was a nice enough spot and we stopped and had our lunch here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JawHzCLWP-o/UK3is3qZ_II/AAAAAAAAEcY/rZVMaDTUViM/s1600/DSC_9731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JawHzCLWP-o/UK3is3qZ_II/AAAAAAAAEcY/rZVMaDTUViM/s640/DSC_9731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj8BU2DR4sk8O_UWRjiakjsw1ngxcO-JL4w1sVP-25YcMmiMIXAoHOf-BY8QwQEwiKn7nLQSlJevKYR-ITTYv-WPjYBGrQWUnk24YYXSmU4lEz1mYAs33ywkftayme1ZbW-ntuvl4PHsG/s1600/DSC_9732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj8BU2DR4sk8O_UWRjiakjsw1ngxcO-JL4w1sVP-25YcMmiMIXAoHOf-BY8QwQEwiKn7nLQSlJevKYR-ITTYv-WPjYBGrQWUnk24YYXSmU4lEz1mYAs33ywkftayme1ZbW-ntuvl4PHsG/s400/DSC_9732.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltkGTlZjxmA/UK3iv82cMEI/AAAAAAAAEco/kMssiVrhsww/s1600/DSC_9734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltkGTlZjxmA/UK3iv82cMEI/AAAAAAAAEco/kMssiVrhsww/s640/DSC_9734.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzwN-yrfb3rj_ZnS-N7IwwCcdT_eEvcoJloksbku9m_VBMYKZN1JicdUFjJu2Gq1hyixI4tBzRjHezBsLAReM3sdvZXhj341bK3bMIhDh65LDovGjsj7DSf-cIfzeekGfi-lgA6zfkCL_/s1600/DSC_9743+HDR+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzwN-yrfb3rj_ZnS-N7IwwCcdT_eEvcoJloksbku9m_VBMYKZN1JicdUFjJu2Gq1hyixI4tBzRjHezBsLAReM3sdvZXhj341bK3bMIhDh65LDovGjsj7DSf-cIfzeekGfi-lgA6zfkCL_/s1600/DSC_9743+HDR+A.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_vdWqxltxw/UK3iyy0z1UI/AAAAAAAAEc4/DVr1ofl-4js/s1600/DSC_9746+HDR+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_vdWqxltxw/UK3iyy0z1UI/AAAAAAAAEc4/DVr1ofl-4js/s640/DSC_9746+HDR+A.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A couple of HDR shots - I do like the effect.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_a9m7yKBsmW7uGQ2BHNyiKTzCaY-swoY_4zzv80cWGjsumkzCtB2PCAQL4bgR_DX3AxBMEMk3WE2R9jzGed68UFuZdfMJCCUngS09eJGWVyTAe4BTq1mGH9l_LFbzmNaozPvFCuwc1zg/s1600/DSC_9752+HDR+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_a9m7yKBsmW7uGQ2BHNyiKTzCaY-swoY_4zzv80cWGjsumkzCtB2PCAQL4bgR_DX3AxBMEMk3WE2R9jzGed68UFuZdfMJCCUngS09eJGWVyTAe4BTq1mGH9l_LFbzmNaozPvFCuwc1zg/s640/DSC_9752+HDR+A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAtCuJqZtRg/UK3i3QgRPII/AAAAAAAAEdQ/6E5G2HZd5H0/s1600/DSC_9766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAtCuJqZtRg/UK3i3QgRPII/AAAAAAAAEdQ/6E5G2HZd5H0/s400/DSC_9766.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
At one point along the hike Mei and I spotted a weird multi-legged bug which was crawling on its back. Thinking it couldn’t right itself, I tried to help, but it didn’t take long before this fella was back on its back, wriggling along through the leaves right up to the water’s edge, whereupon it went straight in and was swept away. Most unusual…<br />
<br />
We also spotted some strange formations at the exposed roots of a plant - bulbous shapes which I took to perhaps be tubers but we later found out were actually termite nests.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yCT5FSll6Q/UK3i1-d5xII/AAAAAAAAEdI/JogWruPRka4/s1600/DSC_9757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yCT5FSll6Q/UK3i1-d5xII/AAAAAAAAEdI/JogWruPRka4/s320/DSC_9757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Here's the strange bug that insisted on moving along on its back.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
After leaving the park, we stopped at a nearby town for a drink. We’d wanted to visit a couple of nearby beaches which were reputed to be beautiful but the GPS unit took us some distance away and when we arrived, told us we had to turn around as we were actually in the wrong place. We gave up and eventually drove back, boarding the ferry en route once again. Dinner was enjoyed in that night, and after 2 cans of Fosters in the two days we’d been at The Kebun, I discovered the bottle of Tuak and left the Ozzie piss alone for the rest of our stay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AqnsuJwbGgY/UK3jfSZqc-I/AAAAAAAAEdY/h8LvlPEcs6I/s1600/DSC_9721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AqnsuJwbGgY/UK3jfSZqc-I/AAAAAAAAEdY/h8LvlPEcs6I/s400/DSC_9721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Bz_FRVgt8/UK3jif0rJEI/AAAAAAAAEdg/GNTt9P89_gg/s1600/DSC_9724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Bz_FRVgt8/UK3jif0rJEI/AAAAAAAAEdg/GNTt9P89_gg/s400/DSC_9724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Here's another bug which was rather large.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfCN1Gt6mic_j3lDkUcPXsFV-7lOplPtSQeIW_FmCItJWSpxTCAOM2t6zdqQbULsjh0LOYPlLq2js9epRXr6ChpoSnQjohz9zI3_Kgwg7rOP2_PbAzvwNQy4B6LVXsm5M6jmCX903Lfd/s1600/DSC_9769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfCN1Gt6mic_j3lDkUcPXsFV-7lOplPtSQeIW_FmCItJWSpxTCAOM2t6zdqQbULsjh0LOYPlLq2js9epRXr6ChpoSnQjohz9zI3_Kgwg7rOP2_PbAzvwNQy4B6LVXsm5M6jmCX903Lfd/s400/DSC_9769.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um8e6zoeuVU/UK3jwVSEsPI/AAAAAAAAEdw/qfG_bqtjsi0/s1600/DSC_9770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um8e6zoeuVU/UK3jwVSEsPI/AAAAAAAAEdw/qfG_bqtjsi0/s400/DSC_9770.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">These shapes around the roots are termite nests apparently.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EsTfWpkTB48/UK3jxmkY9lI/AAAAAAAAEd4/lKRCEi-FLK0/s1600/DSC_9771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EsTfWpkTB48/UK3jxmkY9lI/AAAAAAAAEd4/lKRCEi-FLK0/s400/DSC_9771.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMnZpELwWUM/UK3jznTbGjI/AAAAAAAAEeA/sg48xAgAiV8/s1600/DSC_9778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMnZpELwWUM/UK3jznTbGjI/AAAAAAAAEeA/sg48xAgAiV8/s400/DSC_9778.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLzKjG65zE4/UK3j1bZF0PI/AAAAAAAAEeI/R1VlwF-msE8/s1600/DSC_9782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLzKjG65zE4/UK3j1bZF0PI/AAAAAAAAEeI/R1VlwF-msE8/s400/DSC_9782.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjFzZZUWxU0/UK3j3JiVbLI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/ZFdG7Df5Jn8/s1600/DSC_9783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjFzZZUWxU0/UK3j3JiVbLI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/ZFdG7Df5Jn8/s400/DSC_9783.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-art5dx81CoY/UK3j5DTW-PI/AAAAAAAAEeY/qbHUndMV6Ok/s1600/DSC_9784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-art5dx81CoY/UK3j5DTW-PI/AAAAAAAAEeY/qbHUndMV6Ok/s400/DSC_9784.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mf-7VzZ6WG8/UK3j8a-1JaI/AAAAAAAAEeo/1hLoZMD2SbY/s1600/DSC_9787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mf-7VzZ6WG8/UK3j8a-1JaI/AAAAAAAAEeo/1hLoZMD2SbY/s400/DSC_9787.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ScxWsOsAAg/UK3j9lfAbvI/AAAAAAAAEew/oPWb8Dd3uSc/s1600/DSC_9795+HDR+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ScxWsOsAAg/UK3j9lfAbvI/AAAAAAAAEew/oPWb8Dd3uSc/s640/DSC_9795+HDR+A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">An HDR shot of the Park HQ.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WefAGTwsC64/UK3j_ZWZFWI/AAAAAAAAEe4/4g-DTW27ERM/s1600/DSC_9799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WefAGTwsC64/UK3j_ZWZFWI/AAAAAAAAEe4/4g-DTW27ERM/s400/DSC_9799.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">No, I don't know why they appear in this sequence either!</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
More information on <a href="http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-gading.html" target="_blank">Gunung Gading National Park can be found here.</a></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-45604911391962032482012-11-21T22:02:00.001-08:002013-01-18T01:52:49.850-08:00Kuching Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
In some ways this seemed to be a slightly surreal holiday. I'd come across The Kebun on Trip Advisor sometime in July and mentioned it to Mei. She was keen and contacted Adrian who said they were quite booked out until mid-October. We were quite happy to holiday then and asked a couple of friends who might be interested and finally it was Sharon who could make it.<br />
<br />
October proved to be a busy month. I was caught up with trying sort out where Chronicle People and Hypnosis Works would operate from as our lease was expiring - all this while Johann and Joe were caught up with various other things.<br />
<br />
Mei was busy at work and then we organised a Wong family lunch gathering at our place on the day before our departure and a dinner with Mei's dad and sister on the same day. So the holiday kinda crept up on us and seemed to lack some of the build up characterised by research and shopping that our other holidays have.<br />
<br />
So it was that we found ourselves still packing an hour before we were due at the airport. All was right in the end and we were at the airport with enough time to have a cup of tea and a light meal. The flight in to Kuching was uneventful and as we came in we found the weather rainy - our bags were damp from having been out in the rain on the tarmac as they were unloaded. Still, our spirits were quite sunny especially when I found a nice offer for prepaid Internet access. For RM30 I had a voice and data plan that was bound to be more than sufficient for all 3 of us.<br />
<br />
The Kebun is owned and run by Adrian and Olivia and it was she who was at the airport to pick us up. On the 45-minute drive to The Kebun on the outskirts of Kuching, we discovered that she and Adrian have owned the place for some years. It began as a weekend retreat and stayed that way for the best part of the previous decade before they decided to turn part of it into specialty lodging about 2 years ago.<br />
<br />
So what exactly is specialty lodging? Well, at The Kebun we got a kampung-style bungalow which was once part of a movie set - The Sleeping Dictionary, starring Jessica Alba in fact. There are 2 bungalows and a long house on the 10-acre plot - we got Olivia's Bungalow which is nearer the entrance and a little larger, with enough beds for 5 in 2 bedrooms. Adrian's Bungalow is a short walk away and has space for 4. The longhouse can hold 10 or so. All this is set in beautiful surroundings with vegetable and herb gardens, goat pens, chicken coops, enclosures for ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys and even a couple of small ponds. Oh, and a little stream that ran just next to our elevated back verandah.<br />
<br />
Adrian and Olivia do have a place to stay on the farm, for a farm is what it really is, though they actually have their home some minutes' drive away.<br />
<br />
Our bungalow had a TV which Sharon watched news on at night, stacks of DVDs if you wish - and we didn't (why would we when we were serenaded by insect and animal sounds at night?) - a stocked fridge (soft drinks, beer, tuak, cheese, butter etc etc), a well-equipped kitchen and bedroom air-conditioning which we hardly used.<br />
<br />
You can make your own breakfast with milk, eggs and sausages provided free. And you can have meals in as part of the package too. We usually had packed lunch which was fried noodles, fruit and vege on one day and fried rice with the same accompaniments the next, and we had dinner in too.<br />
<br />
The Kebun is kind of like a cross between a B&B, an overseas friend's house and a small hotel. Some things you do yourself, other things you get as part of a package and some other things you pay extra for like the drinks in the fridge. Well, not the tuak which was complimentary. And which was finished not long after I discovered it…<br />
<br />
What you probably wouldn't get anywhere else is a free GPS-equipped car as part of the package. We used this extensively and it made our holiday special and hassle-free.<br />
<br />
What I am getting is ahead of myself, so back to our ride in from the airport. Olivia made a slight detour to a little shop where we had our first taste of Sarawak Laksa which is not at all 'lemak' like the laksas I'm more accustomed to. But it certainly was delicious.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITj7-cWIEh8/UK2qt7eWV3I/AAAAAAAAEUY/leieVu7lX_U/s1600/DSC_9586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITj7-cWIEh8/UK2qt7eWV3I/AAAAAAAAEUY/leieVu7lX_U/s400/DSC_9586.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">I had the Sarawak Laksa which was delicious...</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
It was raining as I said and the weather report wasn't encouraging. Still, when we did get in to The Kebun, our spirits lifted and not just because the rain also did, but of course because the place is just so endearing. You turn off the main road, head towards the Matang Wildlife Centre and then turn right onto a narrow, winding, hilly road that crosses an old wooden bridge before rising up towards a peak from which you get some expansive views of the surroundings and then a metal gate and a driveway past a goat pen and a geese enclosure to your bungalow nestled amongst lush greenery. It’s a drive home I would never tire of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAgozcU1mTcdOibSTTMyVoNdXQ6wUCqenLfUPHqvSTyJ1TlXRSqF20pF-4AGlFsModiJQzbDCkqbtCGqAe5ADUnHMrW2gYubGVr_fRCNdrNpLZRPBH3qex4Ny75fXgyNd0_95XWO4SPRE/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAgozcU1mTcdOibSTTMyVoNdXQ6wUCqenLfUPHqvSTyJ1TlXRSqF20pF-4AGlFsModiJQzbDCkqbtCGqAe5ADUnHMrW2gYubGVr_fRCNdrNpLZRPBH3qex4Ny75fXgyNd0_95XWO4SPRE/s640/DSC_0119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The drive in to The Kebun.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwvrvy-Fomw/UK2qsmeTZMI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/3zJ2iCKpc9Q/s1600/DSC_0732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwvrvy-Fomw/UK2qsmeTZMI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/3zJ2iCKpc9Q/s400/DSC_0732.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A neighbour's house. We thought it was abandoned but later discovered it was not.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sTiV9fzNt94/UK2qAI6yyYI/AAAAAAAAEQo/ekJOg6E7Pys/s1600/DSC_0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sTiV9fzNt94/UK2qAI6yyYI/AAAAAAAAEQo/ekJOg6E7Pys/s400/DSC_0123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgUNsQFc2LM/UK2qpIcpBWI/AAAAAAAAEUA/lJMcqNrWFqs/s1600/DSC_0729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgUNsQFc2LM/UK2qpIcpBWI/AAAAAAAAEUA/lJMcqNrWFqs/s400/DSC_0729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Olivia's Bungalow.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuT3NM0NxQg/UK2qFjtxv9I/AAAAAAAAERI/11F1vIwfLXk/s1600/DSC_0548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuT3NM0NxQg/UK2qFjtxv9I/AAAAAAAAERI/11F1vIwfLXk/s640/DSC_0548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Olivia’s Bungalow rests on a slope with the back verandah jutting out towards a stream and the gardens and ponds behind. A deep front verandah looks up the driveway and is a comfortable place to sit and relax. A table and some chairs would be a nice place to have breakfast though we chose to have ours in the kitchen. Sitting here you’ll hear the honking of the geese and the occasional bleating of a couple of goats just a little way up the driveway - a surprisingly relaxing symphony.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The living room opens onto the verandah along one side and is a very comfortable place to sit and relax. As I mentioned, there’s a TV and music if you want, a couple of deep and ensconcing two-seater sofas and a couple of armchairs too. There are ornaments of all sorts and I suspect some of the ceramics and crockery on display are actually worth something. The ikat hanging on the wall certainly is and is protected by an acrylic sheet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELZq5ejfvl4/UK2qwjItJTI/AAAAAAAAEUo/-8A7vYz9TSQ/s1600/DSC_9590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELZq5ejfvl4/UK2qwjItJTI/AAAAAAAAEUo/-8A7vYz9TSQ/s400/DSC_9590.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The front verandah.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0-viB2dKLo/UK2qylJ1DuI/AAAAAAAAEUw/b9_kRsOHstM/s1600/DSC_9592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0-viB2dKLo/UK2qylJ1DuI/AAAAAAAAEUw/b9_kRsOHstM/s400/DSC_9592.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wz1cMm7CDFs/UK2rAxLR4gI/AAAAAAAAEV4/6yOhLGPhV6o/s1600/DSC_9614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wz1cMm7CDFs/UK2rAxLR4gI/AAAAAAAAEV4/6yOhLGPhV6o/s640/DSC_9614.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Sharon and Mei in the living room.</span></i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKuybnz2_jM/UK2rCPoxNoI/AAAAAAAAEWA/OkGQNjDHR4w/s1600/DSC_9615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKuybnz2_jM/UK2rCPoxNoI/AAAAAAAAEWA/OkGQNjDHR4w/s640/DSC_9615.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVH-4A9ZtMQ/UK2rDtH4gqI/AAAAAAAAEWI/gCvuLOgm3TA/s1600/DSC_9618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVH-4A9ZtMQ/UK2rDtH4gqI/AAAAAAAAEWI/gCvuLOgm3TA/s640/DSC_9618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Getting ready for a meal in the amply-stocked kitchen.</i></span> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0InNUiItz_Bn742uJmOHL2ChX3u6x-s0WP0ndZl5132rffM9tkNsbpnhyBSjFNUbqeAeCY53OcRA8zd5HujnC7qgxzqVawFz2AQwV5lV1Pnwq9Vh3_iWPta37aRxn8jNpYk7eeUbYrA5/s1600/DSC_9619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0InNUiItz_Bn742uJmOHL2ChX3u6x-s0WP0ndZl5132rffM9tkNsbpnhyBSjFNUbqeAeCY53OcRA8zd5HujnC7qgxzqVawFz2AQwV5lV1Pnwq9Vh3_iWPta37aRxn8jNpYk7eeUbYrA5/s400/DSC_9619.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Remarkably though, no one bothers to lock up around here. Well, we couldn’t even if we wanted to as we never did get a front door key. Thing is that you just feel so safe - for yourself as well as your belongings.<br />
<br />
At the far end of the living room is a little hallway with doors to the two bedrooms, a door to the only bathroom, a door through to the back verandah, and the kitchen. Every room, including the bath, was spacious enough to accord comfort and the three of us never felt helmed in at all. How could you though, when every window opened up to verdant greenery and brought in the sound of insect and bird call, the rustling of branches and leaves in the wind, and fresh air. And despite the moquettes (for which we had plenty of quite effective mosquito coils) we did leave most of the windows open most of the time.<br />
<br />
The back verandah was a lovely place to enjoy a cigar and some tuak and to have a chat in the evenings. Which is something we did most nights.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6teW1BCYtFg/UK2qC-fidYI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/pWdt9nB1bEU/s1600/DSC_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6teW1BCYtFg/UK2qC-fidYI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/pWdt9nB1bEU/s400/DSC_0126.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnRwU7-vhvU/UK2qihCOKrI/AAAAAAAAETg/8YvwJ2D7jyA/s1600/DSC_0723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnRwU7-vhvU/UK2qihCOKrI/AAAAAAAAETg/8YvwJ2D7jyA/s400/DSC_0723.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Our bedroom which had a queen and a single bed. And a wardrobe. And a dressing table. And a baby cot. And a clothes rack... It was big...</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuKsFE2P9Ek/UK2rKI_IySI/AAAAAAAAEWs/WBgblB1PUlo/s1600/DSC_9630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuKsFE2P9Ek/UK2rKI_IySI/AAAAAAAAEWs/WBgblB1PUlo/s400/DSC_9630.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The door to the back verandah</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG6A9QzpbyU/UK2qkJMpsKI/AAAAAAAAETo/llM_cQPmlgU/s1600/DSC_0724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG6A9QzpbyU/UK2qkJMpsKI/AAAAAAAAETo/llM_cQPmlgU/s640/DSC_0724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The back verandah.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lA6xUBqR-m4/UK2rLn0i1CI/AAAAAAAAEW4/SEnwIICNErA/s1600/DSC_9632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lA6xUBqR-m4/UK2rLn0i1CI/AAAAAAAAEW4/SEnwIICNErA/s640/DSC_9632.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Off the back verandah. You can see the path leading down to the stream and a hint of the gardens on the other side.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCDQM9oTPbY/UK2qe_2ucOI/AAAAAAAAETI/ZKlvYwPIgS4/s1600/DSC_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCDQM9oTPbY/UK2qe_2ucOI/AAAAAAAAETI/ZKlvYwPIgS4/s320/DSC_0717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JClm_n35z9U/UK2qgA_GgEI/AAAAAAAAETQ/s5_8GJr9TMg/s1600/DSC_0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JClm_n35z9U/UK2qgA_GgEI/AAAAAAAAETQ/s5_8GJr9TMg/s320/DSC_0719.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5BWDtApfJ8/UK2qhSJ103I/AAAAAAAAETY/Fg8Anlz3Ceg/s1600/DSC_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5BWDtApfJ8/UK2qhSJ103I/AAAAAAAAETY/Fg8Anlz3Ceg/s320/DSC_0721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InEik9TwegM/UK2qENU4WJI/AAAAAAAAERA/PTxm1MeUznc/s1600/DSC_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InEik9TwegM/UK2qENU4WJI/AAAAAAAAERA/PTxm1MeUznc/s640/DSC_0128.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">What a lovely view out one of the kitchen windows. How nice to prepare a cup of tea while looking through this window.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A little after settling in, we went for a walk and found the back path which crossed the stream or went along the fence towards Adrian’s Bungalow and the Longhouse. We took that route and also discovered a jetty and a large river at the other end of the property. A couple of workmen looked up and smiled at us as we perused their work on the worker’s quarters I think it was. And that kind of set the tone for our time in Kuching - as we were to discover, almost everyone we met was generally warm and friendly, or at least amiable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nTMIl0NonE/UK2q0W_yQWI/AAAAAAAAEU4/omN36lgMDAs/s1600/DSC_9594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nTMIl0NonE/UK2q0W_yQWI/AAAAAAAAEU4/omN36lgMDAs/s640/DSC_9594.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Looking back up at Olivia's Bungalow.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQLBiv1mB2U/UK2qG_HFDPI/AAAAAAAAERQ/aDVnH3oLGpg/s1600/DSC_0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQLBiv1mB2U/UK2qG_HFDPI/AAAAAAAAERQ/aDVnH3oLGpg/s400/DSC_0553.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">'Friend' or his brother. Quite hard to tell them apart. Cute fellas who came around sometimes.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w6RQw51gHM/UK2qKZ9FOBI/AAAAAAAAERg/YcW-FIIV_xA/s1600/DSC_0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w6RQw51gHM/UK2qKZ9FOBI/AAAAAAAAERg/YcW-FIIV_xA/s400/DSC_0680.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">One of the ponds.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVHPyKEHh0M/UK2q986mSbI/AAAAAAAAEVo/qXnmVqCvodY/s1600/DSC_9609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVHPyKEHh0M/UK2q986mSbI/AAAAAAAAEVo/qXnmVqCvodY/s400/DSC_9609.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The geese next to the driveway.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGVna24YYBY/UK2q_uQjgNI/AAAAAAAAEVw/SQmj1PLpEgM/s1600/DSC_9612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGVna24YYBY/UK2q_uQjgNI/AAAAAAAAEVw/SQmj1PLpEgM/s400/DSC_9612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The two fellas are near the geese too.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0RnuCc5P6I/UK2qLqKfpyI/AAAAAAAAERo/vWy2bps_Q9Q/s1600/DSC_0683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0RnuCc5P6I/UK2qLqKfpyI/AAAAAAAAERo/vWy2bps_Q9Q/s640/DSC_0683.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Whereas this lot were round the back in a much larger pen.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HCvM_crjgIZHz_GATe0_kYhyphenhyphenTzOhPD0o8K_W1Zf2B9ibi9gEs8ipDn1qhOS0VfdxNRlcmTdNEy5FLremL7TpBzhWgJ0BILOdco1rkluZiAJTLXB-TvK8iVBd73hICl55Zl4mnEQG0mcD/s1600/DSC_0685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HCvM_crjgIZHz_GATe0_kYhyphenhyphenTzOhPD0o8K_W1Zf2B9ibi9gEs8ipDn1qhOS0VfdxNRlcmTdNEy5FLremL7TpBzhWgJ0BILOdco1rkluZiAJTLXB-TvK8iVBd73hICl55Zl4mnEQG0mcD/s400/DSC_0685.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3CdodB3LcA/UK2qPCW32fI/AAAAAAAAER4/tJpSKk3MdPc/s1600/DSC_0686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3CdodB3LcA/UK2qPCW32fI/AAAAAAAAER4/tJpSKk3MdPc/s640/DSC_0686.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAXhODafsZo/UK2qI6FZPYI/AAAAAAAAERY/zOOzOxB0qxk/s1600/DSC_0679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAXhODafsZo/UK2qI6FZPYI/AAAAAAAAERY/zOOzOxB0qxk/s640/DSC_0679.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A view along the stream.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHB8lewU3Wo/UK2qRC-SFKI/AAAAAAAAESA/uQhqHi39dm4/s1600/DSC_0688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHB8lewU3Wo/UK2qRC-SFKI/AAAAAAAAESA/uQhqHi39dm4/s400/DSC_0688.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8BvbRqKV34/UK2qShcNPHI/AAAAAAAAESI/mh211RrcqBI/s1600/DSC_0689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8BvbRqKV34/UK2qShcNPHI/AAAAAAAAESI/mh211RrcqBI/s320/DSC_0689.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-CKM8sN3xc/UK2qUF-CS9I/AAAAAAAAESQ/p0O9L96rwLE/s1600/DSC_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-CKM8sN3xc/UK2qUF-CS9I/AAAAAAAAESQ/p0O9L96rwLE/s640/DSC_0691.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">These silly guinea fowl were so nervous, all I did was swing the camera lens and they;d all scurry to one side. When I swung the lens to follow them, they all came scurrying back the other way.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eeciLSSlRHtuT1c2DR-ewAx7gFJkobpefxPzWkkNYbcHDaoEaLpUFdRZBD78W2FL6TswAtKCOhqJza3AasblhbliqT69plsEro6_feJTxb6SHWaySmD5crMuGlmoQXJYrcgpl5uS4k-U/s1600/DSC_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eeciLSSlRHtuT1c2DR-ewAx7gFJkobpefxPzWkkNYbcHDaoEaLpUFdRZBD78W2FL6TswAtKCOhqJza3AasblhbliqT69plsEro6_feJTxb6SHWaySmD5crMuGlmoQXJYrcgpl5uS4k-U/s400/DSC_0693.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Herbs and vegetables and other plants...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_KmSQOjJmGOgNYmKNACNykMzOrDDXcFzWo5sI4c_hakzSZy4ZPIkjwMt3F6kp-7nsSSt2a-mVXjPU9Dtp6_l93EbV2ylE-iHUb7bVAJjSsDOIH7dD9w9YjD7lM-DfA7rpGrFvG7O5Qqp/s1600/DSC_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_KmSQOjJmGOgNYmKNACNykMzOrDDXcFzWo5sI4c_hakzSZy4ZPIkjwMt3F6kp-7nsSSt2a-mVXjPU9Dtp6_l93EbV2ylE-iHUb7bVAJjSsDOIH7dD9w9YjD7lM-DfA7rpGrFvG7O5Qqp/s400/DSC_0694.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VPBt19UryY/UK2qZpyrBGI/AAAAAAAAESo/KeJS8un9gZI/s1600/DSC_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VPBt19UryY/UK2qZpyrBGI/AAAAAAAAESo/KeJS8un9gZI/s640/DSC_0698.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A couple of ducks along the stream.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidW6th6XfUwhcjxhmEIgQxZKbgRE2iEH4rXSJyyk4TX0zF7yDD1mdnTqnn_c9fIeo9dQenucPtQb-JhyIqJrtDItIybbLQd8lHs3VaFfVdiaFmEE4U5NStpj3OwIXu5pCaIucHgszKuCEb/s1600/DSC_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidW6th6XfUwhcjxhmEIgQxZKbgRE2iEH4rXSJyyk4TX0zF7yDD1mdnTqnn_c9fIeo9dQenucPtQb-JhyIqJrtDItIybbLQd8lHs3VaFfVdiaFmEE4U5NStpj3OwIXu5pCaIucHgszKuCEb/s640/DSC_0702.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckTKjc88L8U/UK2qnW0Pf1I/AAAAAAAAET4/m7GkJBT2EkA/s1600/DSC_0728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckTKjc88L8U/UK2qnW0Pf1I/AAAAAAAAET4/m7GkJBT2EkA/s400/DSC_0728.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PX1wdjsJi-o/UK2qq1RJC8I/AAAAAAAAEUI/5KoD9G2IHCM/s1600/DSC_0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PX1wdjsJi-o/UK2qq1RJC8I/AAAAAAAAEUI/5KoD9G2IHCM/s400/DSC_0731.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPIIZ9EPNUI/UK2q2MNhjHI/AAAAAAAAEVA/drwHsCtHOMM/s1600/DSC_9595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPIIZ9EPNUI/UK2q2MNhjHI/AAAAAAAAEVA/drwHsCtHOMM/s640/DSC_9595.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LS_Y1g9Oz0w/UK2q3fW7AkI/AAAAAAAAEVI/FCk0qJ1moOA/s1600/DSC_9597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LS_Y1g9Oz0w/UK2q3fW7AkI/AAAAAAAAEVI/FCk0qJ1moOA/s320/DSC_9597.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxVwIbqsNRI/UK2q5AzBLYI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/0k2VH7GYeUE/s1600/DSC_9598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxVwIbqsNRI/UK2q5AzBLYI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/0k2VH7GYeUE/s400/DSC_9598.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The path to the jetty.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncBc_sqw00E/UK2q65W5vKI/AAAAAAAAEVY/REwhsPLzh30/s1600/DSC_9605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncBc_sqw00E/UK2q65W5vKI/AAAAAAAAEVY/REwhsPLzh30/s640/DSC_9605.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
Adrian came by later that evening and he turned out to be a restless, energetic guy. Tall, loud, funny and with a glint in his eye that said in equal measure ‘Let’s have a beer’ and ‘Don’t mess with me’. I liked him immediately and when he found out later that I liked the Tuak and offered some to me to take home to Singapore, I liked him even more.<br />
<br />
He showed us the car and clarified a few things and we started planning the next day’s itinerary - it was to be Gunung Gading and the hunt for Rafflesia.<br />
<br />
<i>More information on <a href="http://www.thekebun.com/" target="_blank">The Kebun can be found here</a>.</i></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-54865393702764276432012-10-26T03:12:00.001-07:002012-10-26T03:12:45.147-07:00Put a smile on a child's face - strings attached!Saw this on Patrick Teoh's site and thought I'd help spread the word.<br />
Help put a smile on a child's face by donating a guitar that could be put to better use.<br />
Read it all here:<br />
<a href="http://www.niamah.com/2012/10/selamat-hari-raya-aidil-adha.html">Niamah!!!: Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha</a>John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-29833021483172942532012-09-15T06:11:00.002-07:002012-09-15T06:11:28.432-07:00Redoing all the pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Just found out that Slide.com which was what I used to make the slide shows for all the Celebrate Malaysia ride posts has closed down and I’ve lost all the slide shows. Fortunately I’ve got the pictures organised in folders so I’ll go back and add in individual shots for all those posts.<br />
<br />
A bit of work, but worth the effort I think.<br />
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-84877884048269700302012-09-14T06:46:00.001-07:002012-09-14T06:57:29.529-07:00Me and Mark go roadtripping Part 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Amaranathan attended school at La Salle with me though we weren’t very close then. Quite understandably we lost touch thereafter and it wasn’t until many years later that we bumped into each other again. I had decided to take Mark up to PJ by overnight train, just to give him the experience and for me to relive some of mine.<br />
<br />
It was on an overnight train that I had made my very first trip to Singapore in 1980 and in subsequent years I often rode the old steel wagons between my old and new homes.<br />
<br />
Stepping off the train at KL Railway Station that morning with Mark, I heard someone call out my name and turned to see a vaguely familiar face who introduced himself as my ex-schoolmate Amaranathan. Amaran, as he was typically called, was working temporarily in Singapore and was making his weekend trip back to Melaka to be with his wife and family. We’d been on the same train and he’d spotted and recognised me as we disembarked.<br />
<br />
A gynaecologist, he had gotten himself attached to the KK Women and Children’s Hospital in Singapore for 6 months, just to get more experience. We met up in Singapore quite often after that and became good friends. When I cycled through Melaka in 2007<a href="http://www.john-budakkampung.blogspot.sg/2007/10/day-7-muar-melaka.html" target="_blank"> I dropped by</a> and celebrated one of his children’s birthdays as well.<br />
<br />
Now whenever I go through Melaka I try to meet up with him and my other good friend, Singam. I couldn’t get the two together this time so decided to meet Amaran at night and Singam in the morning. That evening Mark and I drove along the coast up to Bert’s which I used to dine/drink at occasionally some years ago. It’s a nice restaurant/pub by the sea - a seaside bungalow with a large wooden deck right out onto the seashore, large trees in the garden, good food and cold beer.<br />
<br />
That night I was corrected by one of the staff - Geragau is not pronounced ‘Grago’ as I thought, but is indeed ‘Ge-Rah-Gow’. We ordered that and some other food and a few beers and had an easy, pleasant evening.<br />
<br />
Bert’s was almost a victim of the land reclamation works - when once it sat comfortably by the sea, with the waves lapping against the stilts upon which the wooden deck was built, it suddenly found itself some distance back, beached on the dry sands the reclamation works had suddenly transformed that part of the sea into. I have no idea how they managed it and don’t really want to ask, but they somehow contrived to have a breech made and like magic, a lagoon was formed and although the waves no longer come in like they used to, water is once again prettily a few feet from you when you sit down for dinner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwaOjIPbeYg/UFMyJty9scI/AAAAAAAABsw/jQiDurqMwJU/s1600/DSC_6647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwaOjIPbeYg/UFMyJty9scI/AAAAAAAABsw/jQiDurqMwJU/s400/DSC_6647.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bY_TjQfHImI/UFMygEX8_FI/AAAAAAAABvA/SLJnU74aM0M/s1600/We+met+up+with+Amaran+for+drinks+at+Bert%2527s+where+Mark+and+I+also+had+our+dinner.+I+first+discovered+Bert%2527s+in+the+early+2000s+and+the+place+is+still+charming+and+friendly%252C+and+the+food+still+quite+good..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bY_TjQfHImI/UFMygEX8_FI/AAAAAAAABvA/SLJnU74aM0M/s400/We+met+up+with+Amaran+for+drinks+at+Bert%2527s+where+Mark+and+I+also+had+our+dinner.+I+first+discovered+Bert%2527s+in+the+early+2000s+and+the+place+is+still+charming+and+friendly%252C+and+the+food+still+quite+good..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Amaran and Mark at Bert's</i></span></div>
<br />
I fear I might have sidelined my dear son a little, as Amaran and I got reminiscing then discussing the current Malaysian situation. Within what seemed like minutes, we’d finished dinner, knocked back a few drinks (not too many as I had to drive) and caught up in that relaxed manner good friends do.<br />
We got back late, were thankful for the private secured carpark and eventually hit the sack ready to get up early for our breakfast with Singam.<br />
<br />
Singam arrived the next morning and we strolled off for breakfast at Saravanan, a popular banana-leaf rice place in town. Breakfast was like Chapter 2 of the night before without the meat and the beer, but with all the friendship and good conversation I’ve come to treasure from my friends in Melaka. A walk along the back lane led us back to the Baba House and eventually our own exploring later that morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvKFQbHR_CI/UFMydy7RhYI/AAAAAAAABuw/-hmuQQAn480/s1600/The+next+morning+we+met+up+with+Singam+and+walked+over+to+Selvam%2527s+for+a+Thosai+and+Roti+breakfast.+Great+stuff%2521+This+was+on+the+walk+back+and+is+a+view+of+some+of+the+old+river-facing+shophouses.+Note+that+many+of+these+actually+have+their+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvKFQbHR_CI/UFMydy7RhYI/AAAAAAAABuw/-hmuQQAn480/s400/The+next+morning+we+met+up+with+Singam+and+walked+over+to+Selvam%2527s+for+a+Thosai+and+Roti+breakfast.+Great+stuff%2521+This+was+on+the+walk+back+and+is+a+view+of+some+of+the+old+river-facing+shophouses.+Note+that+many+of+these+actually+have+their+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>The riverside from the backs of some shops</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05dLhkClkVOHCCr9Nm45jTHY2ei9dtgS2LmMmg7CezvHy70IMCg2dvu2TYiwiUuKpgwTbKkvJvPUBVeOasmN-XfnFQVgsCxBLvk7IPG_q_GorLyJ0krewEkm80gpkAZ-Lq02dHl0nDh69/s1600/I+like+how+some+of+the+old+shophouses+have+been+turned+into+very+stylish+retail+outlets..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05dLhkClkVOHCCr9Nm45jTHY2ei9dtgS2LmMmg7CezvHy70IMCg2dvu2TYiwiUuKpgwTbKkvJvPUBVeOasmN-XfnFQVgsCxBLvk7IPG_q_GorLyJ0krewEkm80gpkAZ-Lq02dHl0nDh69/s400/I+like+how+some+of+the+old+shophouses+have+been+turned+into+very+stylish+retail+outlets..jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>An old shophouse with a new shop inside</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We drove off to Kampung Ayer Salak a place Singam introduced to me in 2007. It’s an interesting village - a Catholic Village in fact, built on land owned or managed by the Catholic Church. Everywhere you turn, there are signs of this village’s religious affiliation. One of the largest of this is the statue of the Virgin Mary built on a slope at a quiet road junction. Mark and I stopped to have a look and this was the first time I noticed that Mary was standing on a serpent. Mark told me that’s how she’s often portrayed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fl2k1yJa7l8/UFMyIOa5EuI/AAAAAAAABso/WIqpboC9dkA/s1600/After+checking+out+we+drove+out+to+Kampung+Ayer+Salak%252C+a+town+that+is+Catholic+and+centred+around+the+church%252C+some+schools+and+the+Monfort+Boys%2527+Town..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fl2k1yJa7l8/UFMyIOa5EuI/AAAAAAAABso/WIqpboC9dkA/s400/After+checking+out+we+drove+out+to+Kampung+Ayer+Salak%252C+a+town+that+is+Catholic+and+centred+around+the+church%252C+some+schools+and+the+Monfort+Boys%2527+Town..jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zr86LvUYGA/UFMyXCBP4mI/AAAAAAAABuI/LpvN4KC2e20/s1600/I%2527d+never+known+this+but+Mary+is+often+pictured+standing+on+a+serpent..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zr86LvUYGA/UFMyXCBP4mI/AAAAAAAABuI/LpvN4KC2e20/s400/I%2527d+never+known+this+but+Mary+is+often+pictured+standing+on+a+serpent..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>The statue of Mary showing her stepping on a serpent.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We drove around a bit and then stopped at the St Mary’s Church and Kindergarten. On these sprawling grounds were a small school, an old church, a newer one, a basketball court and a large grotto. Stunning blue skies framed this scene and I thought it was such a beautiful place to attend kindergarten in. Certainly the memories of those first few schooling/play years would be wonderful ones.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyLb7Dt-j7A/UFM1kVNUeHI/AAAAAAAABvg/dqBWoYsetGY/s1600/DSC_6684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyLb7Dt-j7A/UFM1kVNUeHI/AAAAAAAABvg/dqBWoYsetGY/s400/DSC_6684.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mVh9bkqoYsU/UFM1e6cmknI/AAAAAAAABvY/1eIhEmdPir8/s1600/DSC_6681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mVh9bkqoYsU/UFM1e6cmknI/AAAAAAAABvY/1eIhEmdPir8/s400/DSC_6681.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The old church</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQawFznzSGM/UFM1yAXBhSI/AAAAAAAABvw/2uRSfTpXUCs/s1600/The+Kindergarten+next+to+the+old+church..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQawFznzSGM/UFM1yAXBhSI/AAAAAAAABvw/2uRSfTpXUCs/s400/The+Kindergarten+next+to+the+old+church..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp0X72XPdF4/UFM18rBUoOI/AAAAAAAABv4/FNc3X_pNOSg/s1600/DSC_6683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp0X72XPdF4/UFM18rBUoOI/AAAAAAAABv4/FNc3X_pNOSg/s400/DSC_6683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: #38761d;">The inside of the new church</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjeqsPkPiwY/UFM2FbYifCI/AAAAAAAABwA/fOJYapou8tc/s1600/DSC_6692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjeqsPkPiwY/UFM2FbYifCI/AAAAAAAABwA/fOJYapou8tc/s400/DSC_6692.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QdbczzggA1A/UFM1w_e9QBI/AAAAAAAABvo/UDQAWAYrm_k/s1600/The+Grotto..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QdbczzggA1A/UFM1w_e9QBI/AAAAAAAABvo/UDQAWAYrm_k/s640/The+Grotto..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The Grotto</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maRbEzMu9Kc/UFM2c0Smm6I/AAAAAAAABwQ/9MlF9NprQgM/s1600/The+old+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maRbEzMu9Kc/UFM2c0Smm6I/AAAAAAAABwQ/9MlF9NprQgM/s640/The+old+church.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>The old church</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSnGW7e22cI/UFM2mLjzU0I/AAAAAAAABwY/iA46WfDmBW8/s1600/The+St+Mary's+school,+Church+and+Kindergarten+complex.+There's+a+beautiful+grotto+and+just+behind+that+is+the+hillside+cemetery..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSnGW7e22cI/UFM2mLjzU0I/AAAAAAAABwY/iA46WfDmBW8/s320/The+St+Mary's+school,+Church+and+Kindergarten+complex.+There's+a+beautiful+grotto+and+just+behind+that+is+the+hillside+cemetery..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A wider shot showing the new church on the left, the main school buidling on the right and the Grotto in the middle</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMNYnN-3GXg/UFM2PB1E0-I/AAAAAAAABwI/E2GHhA2s8JM/s1600/Monfort+Youth+Centre+(or+Boys'+Town+as+it+was+previously+known)+takes+its+name+from+St+Louis+Marie+de+Monfort+who+worked+for+the+poor+and+underprivileged..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMNYnN-3GXg/UFM2PB1E0-I/AAAAAAAABwI/E2GHhA2s8JM/s400/Monfort+Youth+Centre+(or+Boys'+Town+as+it+was+previously+known)+takes+its+name+from+St+Louis+Marie+de+Monfort+who+worked+for+the+poor+and+underprivileged..jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>At Montfort.</i></span></div>
<br />
Singam is on the board of the Montfort Youth Centre and I told mark how my father used to help out with the one in KL too. We once visited and I remember noticing how nice the young boys there were and how earnest they seemed. My Dad explained then that they knew this was their last chance of making something of their lives and they worked hard at it. Youth probably have much wider horizons now, but the complex times they face must surely be the same. Tough situations lead to some poor decisions and places like Montfort serve an important role in helping pick up lives that have perhaps gone too far down the wrong path.<br />
<br />
Kampung Ayer Salak is a peaceful and calming contrast to our typical hustle-and-bustle neighbourhoods and I’ve always enjoyed an hour or two here. But soon the call of food became more strident - not hunger but, shamefully probably gluttony (considering our surroundings) was the culprit I think… We drove back to Melaka town and found Sun May Hiong open and bustling.<br />
<br />
The staff recognised Mark and I from the evening before and laughingly brought us our food. And oh what glorious food… I’ll wager no one makes Satay as tasty as this. Apologies to those who don’t eat pork, but the satay here is simply fantastic. The succulence of the meat, the texture and tenderness of the liver, the simple flavour of the pineapple-laced sauce, the smokiness from the charcoal pit… mmmmmmMark agreed…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iscUG0dk_do/UFM3jl6FdLI/AAAAAAAABwg/R2PplJsztnw/s1600/DSC_6693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iscUG0dk_do/UFM3jl6FdLI/AAAAAAAABwg/R2PplJsztnw/s400/DSC_6693.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-voMFyr3HEEw/UFM3kYwDGJI/AAAAAAAABwo/l3dyN7CV7OA/s1600/DSC_6694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-voMFyr3HEEw/UFM3kYwDGJI/AAAAAAAABwo/l3dyN7CV7OA/s640/DSC_6694.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rIOlYZE3UQ/UFM3mL8cvtI/AAAAAAAABww/uaTYV_rTiXo/s1600/DSC_6696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rIOlYZE3UQ/UFM3mL8cvtI/AAAAAAAABww/uaTYV_rTiXo/s400/DSC_6696.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
I took the scenic route back and tried to retrace some of my bike route back but missed the steep cemetery-adorned hills around Batu Pahat. We didn’t miss the 2-storey high trishaw on the border though. Some hours later we were back in Singapore.<br />
<br />
It was too short a trip, but in this day and age we take what we can. 4 days might be shorter than ideal, but it’s longer than no-days and for that I’m grateful. Almost as grateful for how despite some foolishness on my part, my son is turning out to be a fine young man. Warm, friendly, creative, intelligent, sometimes moody (though not on this trip) in the way many similarly-talented people are, kind and patient with his old man, I’m learning how to be a friend and less a father and I’m relishing it.<br />
<br /></div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-72532492270076577552012-09-14T02:11:00.000-07:002012-09-14T02:11:01.776-07:00Me and Mark go roadtripping Part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I like Melaka. I like its easy confidence in its culture and history and its informality. I like how the old fits in with the new and I like how you can just wander around for hours and make friends so easily. I like how you can find something for yourself, no matter if you’re looking for a drinking-hole tucked away in a corner or a more middle-class eatery by the river.<br />
<br />
All this is on the menu in Melaka, sometimes despite the worst efforts of politicians, cvil servants and planners. Like almost everywhere else in Malaysia, Melaka is not without fault - one of which would be the need for land reclamation. Still, it remains one of my favourite destinations.<br />
<br />
And talking about menus, you can find quite an array of cuisines here of course and after dabbling with and abandoning some - like Ikan Bakar where the hype is better than the actual thing - I have a few favourites now. The last trip with Mei and my in-laws unearthed one or two more, but generally I promised Mark some Satay Babi and some Eurasian/Portugese food.<br />
<br />
We had booked into the Baba House, a hotel I’ve stayed in many times before. It’s not swanky but the location along Heeren Street is unbeatable, and there’s a free car park. Add to that now the free wifi too and you’ve got a fantastic mix.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gx3hBUb1-x8/UFLucalIbmI/AAAAAAAABqA/1c9M3B-K4co/s1600/DSC_6588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gx3hBUb1-x8/UFLucalIbmI/AAAAAAAABqA/1c9M3B-K4co/s400/DSC_6588.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Mark in the lounge area of the Baba House.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
First thing we did after settling in was to go for a walk. The new riverside project has prettied up the river banks at the expense of a few things, but it’s quite a nice stroll now and that’s what we did before going past that swanky new condo/hotel/retail thing called Casa del Rio. I must say they’ve done a decent enough job with this place and the river-facing side has restaurants and clubs which, as we strolled past, were in the process of opening for the evening and night.<br />
<br />
We walked along the new esplanade and into the Kota Laksamana area where Sun May Hiong’s Satay Babi shop is… only to discover the owners closing up for the day. A quick chat ascertained they would be open for lunch the next day so we were not to be disappointed.<br />
<br />
We walked back and that’s when we discovered Melaka now has a revolving tower. A tall thin tower was the spine of a revolving elevator whose glass sides gave a panoramic view of Melaka city and the surroundings. I thought it was a rather clever idea.<br />
<br />
As we walked I pointed out various landmarks, some of a personal nature and others of historical significance. We imagined what it must have been like in the old days when Melaka was a bustling port and the centre of an empire and when the Portugese then the Dutch and finally the English colonists came and waged war. The river we crossed would have been a hive of activity as well as probably a scene of bloodshed at various points in the last 600 years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fv8qfnw3oWc/UFLwPPqygqI/AAAAAAAABqY/I13e7_E60mI/s1600/DSC_6600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fv8qfnw3oWc/UFLwPPqygqI/AAAAAAAABqY/I13e7_E60mI/s400/DSC_6600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7ZDDWOl0Nc/UFLwwsNPzkI/AAAAAAAABrY/RTz7patZxB0/s1600/HDR+6593+E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7ZDDWOl0Nc/UFLwwsNPzkI/AAAAAAAABrY/RTz7patZxB0/s640/HDR+6593+E.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The banks of the river now are a great place to enjoy a stroll. Or a sit-down-and-look-at-the-map-to-figure-out-where-we-are moment...</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oRqOvT-_AH4/UFLwQ_drOfI/AAAAAAAABqg/qTsO-n9hRGg/s1600/DSC_6601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oRqOvT-_AH4/UFLwQ_drOfI/AAAAAAAABqg/qTsO-n9hRGg/s400/DSC_6601.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">A new development called Casa del Rio</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jO9gwSAMDUY/UFLwyXTNWeI/AAAAAAAABrg/zqkbx6FIHqQ/s1600/HDR+6596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jO9gwSAMDUY/UFLwyXTNWeI/AAAAAAAABrg/zqkbx6FIHqQ/s640/HDR+6596.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">I have no idea what this fake water wheel is all about...</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuLM5kNmA5-Ex5tvWYKb3NgOj8w365Fz8d0wWB98pMQZ5mAvl-77vOYRVQ_A_T_cdINuB6mPxmzndhU73D5u1aHICS5cOhqPH3kH8BZo5Cnd_VqVYLmo1P1-7WgRLWtJILM7m0l5dQ32g/s1600/HDR+6609+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuLM5kNmA5-Ex5tvWYKb3NgOj8w365Fz8d0wWB98pMQZ5mAvl-77vOYRVQ_A_T_cdINuB6mPxmzndhU73D5u1aHICS5cOhqPH3kH8BZo5Cnd_VqVYLmo1P1-7WgRLWtJILM7m0l5dQ32g/s640/HDR+6609+C.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">This dragon floats in the air above the little roundabout. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oljPqk2mY9mJJwDqscwbYCodbw6FPusyLPPGaq66f4vY80sLlSkOvnMQFACulRF8DAq0-uXfIi0XRl_ie9VZkzJah9dyYUXCZHMkb1FImTHcKlQOC65916_tyr5SnpDLa_2jwVY8gT8r/s1600/DSC_6602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oljPqk2mY9mJJwDqscwbYCodbw6FPusyLPPGaq66f4vY80sLlSkOvnMQFACulRF8DAq0-uXfIi0XRl_ie9VZkzJah9dyYUXCZHMkb1FImTHcKlQOC65916_tyr5SnpDLa_2jwVY8gT8r/s400/DSC_6602.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The rivercruises have been modernised. You can see the spine of the tower in the background.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBGsf-Hkl9Y/UFLwZxvoC_I/AAAAAAAABqw/bfyeHI6TarA/s1600/DSC_6613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBGsf-Hkl9Y/UFLwZxvoC_I/AAAAAAAABqw/bfyeHI6TarA/s400/DSC_6613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGrdpj-NYbU/UFLwbwrhX-I/AAAAAAAABq4/HS2IIUulNoQ/s1600/DSC_6614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGrdpj-NYbU/UFLwbwrhX-I/AAAAAAAABq4/HS2IIUulNoQ/s400/DSC_6614.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Mark near the main roundabout near Christ Church and the Stadhuys.</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdF7pmPCJZk/UFLwNb4zJLI/AAAAAAAABqQ/Z4YQ5VsuaIo/s1600/DSC_6591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdF7pmPCJZk/UFLwNb4zJLI/AAAAAAAABqQ/Z4YQ5VsuaIo/s400/DSC_6591.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">I've never figured out what this building is along Heeren St. It's set back some ways and looks very nice.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Cheng Ho Museum was already closed at this point in the early evening so we went past and up the hill. Just outside St Paul’s Church is the statue of St Francis Xavier with his right hand broken off. In Goa, his right forearm - the arm used to baptise and bless his followers - was detached and placed elsewhere. In Melaka, a tree fell across the statue and broke off the right hand in eerie synchronicity…<br />
<br />
We wandered around the church and the nearby cemetery, trying to soak in the atmosphere of the place and what it must have been like years ago. I sometimes wish I had had a better History education and that somehow my teachers had made History out to be more exciting. Because that’s what it is to me now - when I vista old places, I imagine the sights and sounds and smells of the place years ago. Melaka is a huge repository of history. Sleepy village, bustling port, centre of an empire, colonial territory, it’s seen it all and sometimes as I wander its streets I wish there was a wormhole or a tear in the fabric of space-time that would allow me a momentary step into what it was 300, 400, 500 years ago…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwmJA9FGmco/UFLwkNrkz3I/AAAAAAAABrA/Q77LMtzLKrc/s1600/DSC_6617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwmJA9FGmco/UFLwkNrkz3I/AAAAAAAABrA/Q77LMtzLKrc/s640/DSC_6617.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Mark on the way up to St Paul's Church. The statue of St Francis Xavier with the broken hand can be seen in the background.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJ9vJHFCW4/UFLwmIWhdWI/AAAAAAAABrI/ksUhLzHCHtY/s1600/DSC_6628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJ9vJHFCW4/UFLwmIWhdWI/AAAAAAAABrI/ksUhLzHCHtY/s400/DSC_6628.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Mark at the last remaining gateway at A Famosa.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8anY1gBJZkw/UFLzDJG9yaI/AAAAAAAABsA/5eEKDHkBsrs/s1600/Reading+some+inscriptions+in+the+adjoining+cemetery..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8anY1gBJZkw/UFLzDJG9yaI/AAAAAAAABsA/5eEKDHkBsrs/s400/Reading+some+inscriptions+in+the+adjoining+cemetery..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"> Mark reading some inscriptions on a burial chamber.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tc85M49GJk4/UFLzFP7FquI/AAAAAAAABsI/6qkWMTjAMds/s1600/St+Francis+Xavier's+resting+place+before+his+body+was+eventually+moved+to+Goa..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tc85M49GJk4/UFLzFP7FquI/AAAAAAAABsI/6qkWMTjAMds/s400/St+Francis+Xavier's+resting+place+before+his+body+was+eventually+moved+to+Goa..jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"> The resting place of St Francis Xavier before his body was moved to Goa.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7rW5VM8vRY/UFLy87j7uLI/AAAAAAAABr4/cwaljERBaSY/s1600/DSC_6624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7rW5VM8vRY/UFLy87j7uLI/AAAAAAAABr4/cwaljERBaSY/s400/DSC_6624.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
At the bottom of the hill was another museum - does Melaka have the highest concentration of museums in one town centre? - and a motley collection of planes, trains and automobiles. We clambered into the railway engine and found it surprisingly intact. The cabins on either end were dusty, cobwebby and rusty but still had most of the controls in place. The large diesel engine sat in the middle and there was a narrow corridor on either side of this engine through which the driver or engineer could move. It must have been a noisy, throbbing environment with little by way of creature comforts.<br />
<br />
A couple of planes and even an airport fire tender represented the rest of the display and standing beneath the twin-engined propeller plane made me marvel how fragile these early airliners looked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w70vr0E17Z8/UFLwnyNtwSI/AAAAAAAABrQ/dD-B9VQMTQU/s1600/DSC_6631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w70vr0E17Z8/UFLwnyNtwSI/AAAAAAAABrQ/dD-B9VQMTQU/s400/DSC_6631.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gbuQbbR1CQ/UFLzGoKBnUI/AAAAAAAABsQ/egSJz8qE7V4/s1600/We+checked+out+the+planes%252C+trains+and+automobiles+nearby+which+had+been+given+to+the+museum.+I+didn%2527t+take+a+picture+but+a+great+hole+in+the+ground+turned+out+to+be+remains+of+the+fort.+They%2527d+discovered+it+when+excavating+to+build+something+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gbuQbbR1CQ/UFLzGoKBnUI/AAAAAAAABsQ/egSJz8qE7V4/s400/We+checked+out+the+planes%252C+trains+and+automobiles+nearby+which+had+been+given+to+the+museum.+I+didn%2527t+take+a+picture+but+a+great+hole+in+the+ground+turned+out+to+be+remains+of+the+fort.+They%2527d+discovered+it+when+excavating+to+build+something+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This area was a concreted and tiled area but smack in the middle of the area was a large hole in the ground, barricaded with railings. The excavation revealed some crumbly stonework in the ground and we later discovered these were the remains of the fort that once stood here. Works had revealed these centuries’ old archeological remains and to the credit of the Melaka authorities, all work stopped and the area became a tourist spot instead. I told Mark how it was the same in Rome and that is why you see so few high-rise buildings there - if the builders had unearthed anything, they would have had to stop work and the project would grind to a halt.<br />
<br />
We wandered back to the hotel, going through Jonker Street and past The Orangutan House where we'd shopped a little earlier. This is one of my favourite T-Shirt places and I love the work of Charles Chiam who has now returned to Malaysia after years away in Hungary. Both Mark and I bought a few shirts including a couple of ‘I’m Hot’ ones for Mei and Megan.<br />
<br />
We rested a bit before setting off for dinner with my old friend Amaranathan.<br />
<br />
More on my Melaka friends in the final part.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLPYMaAqqcg/UFLw2KNhwdI/AAAAAAAABrw/jMN9sBZnT_0/s1600/HDR+6636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLPYMaAqqcg/UFLw2KNhwdI/AAAAAAAABrw/jMN9sBZnT_0/s640/HDR+6636.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-27681736570801649992012-09-06T23:03:00.001-07:002012-09-06T23:03:06.049-07:00Me and Mark go roadtripping Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
What is it about a simple burger, done simply, that is just so delicious. I bet it’s that darned Planta margarine they use. I shudder to think of the effect it has on my arteries but, hey, I only enjoy them a couple of times a year if that, so I’m not worried.<br />
<br />
I have no idea how the name came about as the owner’s surname is Han. The current proprietor started the business sometime in the 60s I think, hawking burgers and hotdogs at the nearby Taman Jaya - all from the back of his bicycle. This Han took over at some point as they went from a bicycle to a motorcycle and then to a van. They stopped the mobile business, parking the van outside their house in Section 14 and only moving the van a hundred metres or so every now and then in order to satisfy the town council officers on their rounds. Malaysia Boleh!<br />
<br />
The Hans remember me as the guy who’s always taking pictures and who sometimes takes out two foldable chairs from the boot of his Singapore-registered car, plants them down under the tree (now sadly pruned) and makes himself comfortable while enjoying a burger or two.<br />
<br />
James, Mark and I finally got our fill, sans folding chairs. Just thinking and writing about Jackson burgers now is getting me hungry for them again…<br />
<br />
We also managed to take the dogs for a walk around the neighbourhood and to take a walk down to Raju’s for breakfast one morning. This is a PJ institution of course and all La Sallians have a tale or two to tell about the place. Whether it was hanging out there smoking surreptitiously, or pontenging (playing truant) mere metres form the school, or having serious discussions with schoolmates, or just having a meal (they weren’t so expensive in those days), Raju’s history is tied inextricably with those of SMK La Salle PJ and the hordes of La Sallians who trooped through the school in the last 40 or 50 years.<br />
<br />
To be honest I have no love for the shop - the way Raju and then his son/nephew/whoever treated their workers and their general arrogance in dealing with their retail neighbours and so on doesn’t sit well with me. However, I thought Mark would enjoy the experience and could probably put up with his old man going on with some of the tales about Raju’s.<br />
<br />
I must admit that one thing Raju has going for it is the general ambience - after they cemented over the large drain and made the outdoor seating area, it is now a rather comfortable spot to enjoy some rotis and teh tarik. I reckon you get better food in Brickfields and some other PJ restaurants but with the exception of Kanna’s in Section 17 (near Section 19) the ambience can’t be beat. I also think Kanna’s has much better food, but you can’t walk there from the PJ house so Raju’s it was that morning.<br />
<br />
The PJ part of the trip was very much to meet family so we didn’t do much exploring. We didn’t have much time and there was only a day or so in Melaka and we were determined to make the best use of that.<br />
<br />
More in Part 4. Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcWKO-TmoXq0KP30WvlsismMkXFd8mdhd_j5q8JXIXJFy9z5T0ScdMhCNk51s5cZJv4Y_MTVMD0W49cfOlB48vR7DBrLyynesZvUh0udywKpvqQ9g9h96Fj6_inPjQv9kD8m11So6oM5m/s1600/Wednesday+morning+and+the+cousins+and+I+walk+off+for+Roti+Chanai....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcWKO-TmoXq0KP30WvlsismMkXFd8mdhd_j5q8JXIXJFy9z5T0ScdMhCNk51s5cZJv4Y_MTVMD0W49cfOlB48vR7DBrLyynesZvUh0udywKpvqQ9g9h96Fj6_inPjQv9kD8m11So6oM5m/s400/Wednesday+morning+and+the+cousins+and+I+walk+off+for+Roti+Chanai....jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">James and Mark on our morning walk to Raju's. Section 5 PJ is still, thankfully, reasonably lush.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf9olxxmXJA/UEmHz6O_IoI/AAAAAAAABoU/zFJllGpeybE/s1600/Raju's.+Not+chosen+because+we+like+the+food,+but+because+the+other+shops+are+shut+or+not+yet+opened.+Still,+we+did+bump+into+Tony+Pua+(can+just+make+him+out+in+the+background).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf9olxxmXJA/UEmHz6O_IoI/AAAAAAAABoU/zFJllGpeybE/s400/Raju's.+Not+chosen+because+we+like+the+food,+but+because+the+other+shops+are+shut+or+not+yet+opened.+Still,+we+did+bump+into+Tony+Pua+(can+just+make+him+out+in+the+background).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Under the trees at Raju's. Tony Pua in the background - I had a quick chat with him</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVadRp1rUblz2oU1K4_J5LC6xvd4_00eRY-cOvYMfk8_Ezk-nWgIjbDnNIWdcq0REzb-CvlMyLgJdVztb7aCoZNFToMEma20DaEGZXe2-1ySPGEHblcpfKV1f1ctLeNQcIMXk-iGaSIXA/s1600/The+Jalan+Chantek+shops+have+gone+through+a+sudden+transformation+and+the+old+doby,+originally+my+friend's+family's+shop,+is+now+an+art+shop..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVadRp1rUblz2oU1K4_J5LC6xvd4_00eRY-cOvYMfk8_Ezk-nWgIjbDnNIWdcq0REzb-CvlMyLgJdVztb7aCoZNFToMEma20DaEGZXe2-1ySPGEHblcpfKV1f1ctLeNQcIMXk-iGaSIXA/s400/The+Jalan+Chantek+shops+have+gone+through+a+sudden+transformation+and+the+old+doby,+originally+my+friend's+family's+shop,+is+now+an+art+shop..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>One of the 2 rows of shops known as Chantek Shops, named after the road they're on. Only Raju's and one Dobi remain from my childhood times. My friend used to live in this corner unit - Malaysia Dobi it was - but it's now some art gallery. Even the corner Indian provision shop is gone.</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-ElZ0mHLzfdXOzozX_M-8wX20baNc6IBkIjC3XpJYQNFKegCau2G0Y1FG3wUQb4f4__oWbGlw5Q7mfBVELZGZWAuWWb5UXta_Q2X0Dtpo1TAhVD3OcyrOAmi_2Q4aS_NgnzS77rDn7GF/s1600/About+two+hours+later+we+were+at+it+again+at+Jackson%2527s+Burger%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-ElZ0mHLzfdXOzozX_M-8wX20baNc6IBkIjC3XpJYQNFKegCau2G0Y1FG3wUQb4f4__oWbGlw5Q7mfBVELZGZWAuWWb5UXta_Q2X0Dtpo1TAhVD3OcyrOAmi_2Q4aS_NgnzS77rDn7GF/s400/About+two+hours+later+we+were+at+it+again+at+Jackson%2527s+Burger%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">The old tree has been pruned so he's moved the van a few metres down.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZNH2fOV9ac/UEmJAzo8E8I/AAAAAAAABo0/EephRYGOdOg/s1600/DSC_6572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZNH2fOV9ac/UEmJAzo8E8I/AAAAAAAABo0/EephRYGOdOg/s400/DSC_6572.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp3vVMqpVHEHv-T9zWgxJjk9KZzg5H8WuuZ4tuS_CiDfqgo2a4bIjPrjP7EJYv8S9QejeZpvlIdbpDQI69tR6aWsMHfWxdzTLJnWNYUhusig99v3POjuiDZNi31oZvcLKoBe_Xxl_0lG5/s1600/DSC_6570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp3vVMqpVHEHv-T9zWgxJjk9KZzg5H8WuuZ4tuS_CiDfqgo2a4bIjPrjP7EJYv8S9QejeZpvlIdbpDQI69tR6aWsMHfWxdzTLJnWNYUhusig99v3POjuiDZNi31oZvcLKoBe_Xxl_0lG5/s640/DSC_6570.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Mmmmmm.....</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVo6MrQgRUA/UEmJDt-iwpI/AAAAAAAABo8/Cd6UP8BYPQk/s1600/DSC_6575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVo6MrQgRUA/UEmJDt-iwpI/AAAAAAAABo8/Cd6UP8BYPQk/s400/DSC_6575.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hniLcqCtYi8/UEmJFajVLMI/AAAAAAAABpE/a0IJ_QKOazg/s1600/DSC_6578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hniLcqCtYi8/UEmJFajVLMI/AAAAAAAABpE/a0IJ_QKOazg/s640/DSC_6578.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Simple. Delicious.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQM0nruf8vI/UEmJHO0Od_I/AAAAAAAABpM/5zdCWqZAAT4/s1600/DSC_6580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQM0nruf8vI/UEmJHO0Od_I/AAAAAAAABpM/5zdCWqZAAT4/s400/DSC_6580.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR07h65FUVUG0TsPO1avTlobCsvMT7lwLclJzzMK7eWcOX1sZ6suDHtEzOjeX5fR8VHBcCdDCeyY7oq7dJjxRG4dlETWNu1l5aa80ZfS_cUP5NdkVh4Nw4XTmdMPL9QnfxTinKkQGwI4s/s1600/DSC_6581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR07h65FUVUG0TsPO1avTlobCsvMT7lwLclJzzMK7eWcOX1sZ6suDHtEzOjeX5fR8VHBcCdDCeyY7oq7dJjxRG4dlETWNu1l5aa80ZfS_cUP5NdkVh4Nw4XTmdMPL9QnfxTinKkQGwI4s/s400/DSC_6581.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800563004403648404.post-32679174697181334402012-09-05T07:03:00.001-07:002012-09-05T15:44:26.803-07:00Me and Mark go roadtripping Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
When I was a kid, hanging around with most of my cousins meant it was either the school holidays or the festive season. During the school holidays it was common for some of us to be shipped out to spend a week or so at a cousin’s, or for one of the other 38 n my generation (yes, we’re a big family!) to stay over with us.<br />
<br />
Sometimes too we would go away for a few days - Port Dickson being a particular favourite in those days.<br />
<br />
My Mum’s and Dad’s families were spread mostly through the PJ and KL areas though we had aunts and uncles in Perak, Melaka, Penang, Pahang and Terengganu too at one point. I guess I was close to a handful of cousins but even then we didn’t see each other that often so the holidays or festive occasions were great fun.<br />
<br />
When Mark, Megan and Michael were younger we used to bring them up to PJ where they could hang around with Rosemary’s kids, James and Joanna. Generally a splendid time was had by all, as the Beatles would sing, and I like to think that my own fond memories of the PD trips were echoed by the PJ trips for my kids.<br />
<br />
The kids now have more ways to stay in contact with each other now - Facebook being a primary point of contact - but I think it’s still rather a fun time when Mark, Megan and Michael go up and spend some time with their cousins, James and Joanna. Time moves on as do people, and James and Joanna are now studying overseas so it’s much rarer for them all to meet up. Still, we were fortunate that both were back and that Mark managed to get the leave necessary to do this trip just then.<br />
<br />
My Mum’s battle with Dementia and Parkinson’s continues and she gets sufficient care for the most part. She has good days and not so good days and when we were there she was a little tired but reasonably alert. At least she had a pretty good appetite and that’s always a reassuring sign.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zhAJaT2m41w/UEdYtUaDvEI/AAAAAAAABls/luB5vO_zlIM/s1600/DSC_6478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zhAJaT2m41w/UEdYtUaDvEI/AAAAAAAABls/luB5vO_zlIM/s400/DSC_6478.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">My Mum having dinner.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
An appetite was what we needed and we displayed it in ample quantity over the next two days.<br />
<br />
A trip with Mark to get my favourite Jackson’s Burgers ended fruitless but chendolled… Jackson’s was closed but a Chendol stall down the road wasn’t so Mark and I indulged. The chendol was so-so but it was nice once again to be able to sit under a tree next to a mobile hawker stall. It’s little things like this that can be so pleasurable.<br />
<br />
If there’s one thing that identifies Malaysians, it is our ability to almost immediately be at ease with a stranger, and to make friends. I found this out with the numerous people I met at various gerais all down the west coast of the Peninsula, and although I find cities to be more rushed and aggressive, you can still set yourself down at a chendol stall and make friends within minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1YbFB4ajjc/UEcVnAqL4RI/AAAAAAAABlI/FJDJDbhjrwU/s1600/IMG_2507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1YbFB4ajjc/UEcVnAqL4RI/AAAAAAAABlI/FJDJDbhjrwU/s400/IMG_2507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--BRV1NgYVYU/UEcVtCvc1GI/AAAAAAAABlQ/lq22vBPdoVI/s1600/IMG_2508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--BRV1NgYVYU/UEcVtCvc1GI/AAAAAAAABlQ/lq22vBPdoVI/s400/IMG_2508.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ge3DVNWPbIE/UEcVyt9T5iI/AAAAAAAABlY/5An2oyyv5rY/s1600/Mark+and+I+went+off+to+get+some+Jackson%2527s+Burgers+for+lunch+but+he+was+closed.+We+did+find+a+Rojak+and+Chendol+stall+and+so+we+bought+some+rojak+for+home%252C+and+sat+down+to+a+couple+of+chendols..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ge3DVNWPbIE/UEcVyt9T5iI/AAAAAAAABlY/5An2oyyv5rY/s640/Mark+and+I+went+off+to+get+some+Jackson%2527s+Burgers+for+lunch+but+he+was+closed.+We+did+find+a+Rojak+and+Chendol+stall+and+so+we+bought+some+rojak+for+home%252C+and+sat+down+to+a+couple+of+chendols..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Yes I know the spoon looks large but that's because I shot it from close up and it distorted it. You can see there's stuff in the chendol which isn't normally there and which I think detracts form the taste. Still, it was not too bad.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Mark is into board games now, as are his cousins, apparently so they whipped out something called Munchkin Quest which Mark had brought up form Singapore and were at it that evening. I stayed clear - these things confuse me…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pX917bMu2jMb_VTZvRYPHSnFZ4m7Ml-j0Jjf_II5RQSaLZVhXDFDCvRgpU8nkfyvZE9OVnyMqf6vxAq0W_IULAfqgZJ1rhojHESU2Pqi16YHYJdt4VC8d85C6bkrq2lCd5ekxXXUD8jt/s1600/DSC_6517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pX917bMu2jMb_VTZvRYPHSnFZ4m7Ml-j0Jjf_II5RQSaLZVhXDFDCvRgpU8nkfyvZE9OVnyMqf6vxAq0W_IULAfqgZJ1rhojHESU2Pqi16YHYJdt4VC8d85C6bkrq2lCd5ekxXXUD8jt/s400/DSC_6517.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeLg-pxjunZaUbi6CzvzSOMeJLqa5FhGMyLIjYUwWEdFkUh_RWK9h9Lm5uxWxiitOQ-i3om1_MI76E1wJ3WtQYu4W2aF3PzSy4xEPt8399JSXaVnKMB4E6fRXTqFiHl9KpZcWUu0KWbrt/s1600/DSC_6522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeLg-pxjunZaUbi6CzvzSOMeJLqa5FhGMyLIjYUwWEdFkUh_RWK9h9Lm5uxWxiitOQ-i3om1_MI76E1wJ3WtQYu4W2aF3PzSy4xEPt8399JSXaVnKMB4E6fRXTqFiHl9KpZcWUu0KWbrt/s640/DSC_6522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pDK7-9I287kI3LgGwNLlEoOKStP__tjNHzevTGi8QM194NUSBBMHOGhwTtk3Anvsu5l7p8eYNyYsDfW7ytBqFSfWLppV8TPcOFhTb17ZSYJrsiSvbEkxQpwrD4Eeuxgszn2vy-hOg1-y/s1600/DSC_6529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pDK7-9I287kI3LgGwNLlEoOKStP__tjNHzevTGi8QM194NUSBBMHOGhwTtk3Anvsu5l7p8eYNyYsDfW7ytBqFSfWLppV8TPcOFhTb17ZSYJrsiSvbEkxQpwrD4Eeuxgszn2vy-hOg1-y/s400/DSC_6529.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERUXFR5O0Kcr885mPApHQE-ch61QZze1k_KevpvvxmuP6cMZQ6Ry_WN82tuqT-Z2xFC4rGR7LtMyuEHTlaJn7iyrq0IFlH2SKNwK21j_CM3MoCtAJUBjyJcYaHLLkw6BvRUo802MvuIeu/s1600/DSC_6526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERUXFR5O0Kcr885mPApHQE-ch61QZze1k_KevpvvxmuP6cMZQ6Ry_WN82tuqT-Z2xFC4rGR7LtMyuEHTlaJn7iyrq0IFlH2SKNwK21j_CM3MoCtAJUBjyJcYaHLLkw6BvRUo802MvuIeu/s400/DSC_6526.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The next day passed in a blur of food (wantan mee, yong tau fu, roti chanai, Ipoh-style chicken rice) and some board games. The kids ditched Munchkin Quest to include me in Risk - a game I do like - and we promptly had a lesson in politics. First we manoeuvred so James destroyed his sister, then Mark and I ganged up and whalloped James after which I kicked my son’s butt. Champion of the world! ha ha!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ1_HEUVMtA/UEdZ8wC0a_I/AAAAAAAABmM/b_SS88vUikc/s1600/Next+morning+James,+Mark+and+I+had+breakfast+at+one+of+my+usual+haunts+in+PJ+New+Town..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ1_HEUVMtA/UEdZ8wC0a_I/AAAAAAAABmM/b_SS88vUikc/s400/Next+morning+James,+Mark+and+I+had+breakfast+at+one+of+my+usual+haunts+in+PJ+New+Town..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">I like this shop in PJ New Town for breakfast, not because the food here is the best but because it's a very pleasant mix of decent service, variety and ambience. Cool, shady trees give you shelter not just form the heat but from the hustle and bustle too.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYh4ol4YtlFbGwgj6rRCi0yPMvhIWYktFnr3SKn5su-MnagcrqSbErByOGjse12lJmXmedeG0qeiHxdwHsLm4ced-y3ZP4gY-R2KV4ZSdHU3mteaoN_21FO3iQ3oY1Wa0OlX83flK2UOg/s1600/Char+Siew+and+Pai+Kuat+Kon+Lo+Meen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYh4ol4YtlFbGwgj6rRCi0yPMvhIWYktFnr3SKn5su-MnagcrqSbErByOGjse12lJmXmedeG0qeiHxdwHsLm4ced-y3ZP4gY-R2KV4ZSdHU3mteaoN_21FO3iQ3oY1Wa0OlX83flK2UOg/s640/Char+Siew+and+Pai+Kuat+Kon+Lo+Meen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWdutx5rdk_3djCHXLPDkEwu6PxzrGhE0yzt0j8zJoN8OVQ-qDYZmt5NRLoAx4AyN_K4MKbvtBy1nrYkUWHYbcdJ5u6e924Q8GiqBzbyJEmHGwJnmzMgpCoF0TUJoeNOaF9fzP2p9LprO/s1600/DSC_6557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWdutx5rdk_3djCHXLPDkEwu6PxzrGhE0yzt0j8zJoN8OVQ-qDYZmt5NRLoAx4AyN_K4MKbvtBy1nrYkUWHYbcdJ5u6e924Q8GiqBzbyJEmHGwJnmzMgpCoF0TUJoeNOaF9fzP2p9LprO/s400/DSC_6557.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;"> Wantan & Pai Kuat Mee the way I like it.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8FT50Y8cUBg6FZjuSMWORs2Mjoh7WIe7lp_gwl_3f48lO_Y52l9zhiUKuD2ZBqsYeOUXudk-eXtAjVEmGEtuCmdc_7-EXeE0yAVkmX7ig5eAM2GJB8huz1ERV79iGB-Xa9F2TMHCjdK3/s1600/DSC_6564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8FT50Y8cUBg6FZjuSMWORs2Mjoh7WIe7lp_gwl_3f48lO_Y52l9zhiUKuD2ZBqsYeOUXudk-eXtAjVEmGEtuCmdc_7-EXeE0yAVkmX7ig5eAM2GJB8huz1ERV79iGB-Xa9F2TMHCjdK3/s400/DSC_6564.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Yong Tau Fu</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Oh, we did get our helping of Jackson’s Burgers and mmmmmm they were too… More in part 3...</div>
John Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02631423858186683205noreply@blogger.com0