Taiping Museum

Decided to drop by the museum in Taiping after our visit to Kuala Gula. and Charcoal Factory. Like most museums here, half the museum consisted of skeletons and stuffed animals. And then there was a small but interesting section on culture.

@Martha, 2011

Dried Shrimp and Belacan Making -Kuala Gula

 Wanna see how dried shrimp is made? You get to see lots of that in Pulau Ketam.  But visit the Chinese Fishing Village near Kuala Gula, and you'll see deep orange dried shrimp, and Belacan Making. Certainly interesting and fascinating. :) To get there, follow directions as going to Kuala Gula, but instead of turning into Jalan Bersatu 1, you go another 100 metres until after the shophouses then turn left... Go straight and you'll come to the village.

Dried Shrimp-after it's boiled in some substance. Dried salted fish on rack

Belacan Making

@Martha

Mr. Chuah's Charcoal Factory

If you're in Taiping, do head towards Kuala Sepetang and visit Mr. Chuah's Charcoal Factory. Call ahead for a guided tour (RM5 per person.)
To read more about our trip please visit link on my other blogpost  Mangrove Study(KGula and Charcoal Factory).

Mr. Chuah's brother explaining the process of steaming mangrove wood

The Kiln. Difficult to make apparently, and only 2 people has the secret knowledge of how this is made

To make a booking for a tour, call 0125739563. Getting there is pretty easy, it's located just about half hour from Taiping. Head towards Kuala Sepetang, and on  the main road you'll see a large signboard pointing left to Mr. Chuah's Factory.

@Martha , 2011

Kuala Gula- Perak

Kuala Gula, situated in Nothern Perak consists of mangrove, mudflats and estuaries. It's really a lovely place for bird watching. Highly recommended that you book a boat with a guide to enjoy your trip. :) We went as part of our study on  Mangrove. (Please visit link to read about the whole trip, this page is just an excerpt.)

Directions as given by friend :
From Jalan Kamunting Lama heading towards PLUS highway, turn right onto Route 1 (trunk road) instead of the toll booths..
After driving for almost 8 km, turn left onto Jalan Gula (signboards will be there).
After 17 km ++, turn left onto A196.
After 4 km ++, turn left onto Jalan Bersatu 1.

One can easily spot egrets and herons there

FLoating fish farm

Bird watching

@Martha 2011

Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut), Taiping

We never thought of visiting Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut), Taiping till a friend invited us. If you're the sort who loves nature, quiet and peace with little to do, except for walks , hiking and photography; I recommend Maxwell Hill. It's a lovely hill with fresh cool air, and I hear that they have tulips there certain parts of the year!

The only way to get up there is by taking a jeep from the bottom of the foothill, or by hiking. They charge 7RM per adult for the jeep ride (fees may have changed), and only three jeeps go up every hour. So to be sure you get a place,  you've got to get there half hour before time to secure your seats.

Let me warn you that the ride up is like a roller coaster ride! the roads are steep and winding. The drivers SPEED like hell and manage the bends at neck breaking speed which can cause the less bold to emit high pitch screams! :) 



 

bug on a blade of grass

So, what's on Maxwell Hill? Nothing, except narrow tracks, lush beautiful forest, flowers, birds, insects and 7 bungalows all located about 10-20 minute walk apart (ummm...tiring walks sometimes..coz of the slopes). That's all there is. Blissful peace. :) I have to mention that out of the 7 bungalows, 2 are private and in beautiful condition, while the rest are government owned and was not in very good condition when I visited. I hear that they've upgraded them recently.

Anyway...it is truly beautiful and peaceful there. The sunset and sunrise is BREATHTAKING....it makes you feel so close to God.

The night we were there, several years ago, there was strong wind at night that howled right through the windows! (which can create some excitement or fear..depending on the type of person you are!) The rain around 1am, created strong winds, which in turn created loud booms and bangs as shutters on windows swung open and shut. Some might start to think of the haunted stories of Maxwell hill, but I chose to think not!

 Anyway, I went out to look....and it was just plain heavenly beauty.

Rain trickling down past midnight,  cool cool wind of about 10Celsius, and the night lights flickering in the distance from the town far below the hills made the night on Maxwell breathtaking!

Did my children love the place? Definitely.

Below are some shots taken from Maxwell. Some taken by my children.



Where we have our meals at Cendana Hut



Balcony outside our rooms at Cendana

Rumah Hijau


All Pictures copyright of Martha @flourpaint.blogspot.com