bababoy: 2009

Monday, May 18, 2009

Fraser's Hill, Malaysia

Last Saturday, 16.05.2009, I went to Frazer's Hill for 1 day trip. This trip was not a planned trip, but it was only decided on the night before. So, 10am, Jessica and Me drove to Shah Alam to pick up Poh.

For breakfast, we headed to a restaurant that is famous for it's Char Siew. We order roasted duck, Char Siew and Siew Yok. You can find more information at http://juliansi.blogspot.com/2007/05/best-ever-char-siew-spring-golden-shah.html.

From Shah Alam, we followed the way towards Kepong, and then to Batu Caves. We opted for the other way instead of the normal way so that we could just explore the place and enjoy the sceneries, and to Test Power Poh's brother DSLR.

To go to Frazer's Hill below are the few optional way.

Option 1: (Which We Did)
Nilai - Shah Alam - Kepong - Batu Caves - Ulu Yam Lama - Batang Kali - Kuala Kubu Bharu - Fraser Hill

Option 2:
Nilai - Shah Alam - Kepong - Batu Caves - Selayang - Rawang - Batang Kali - KKB - Fraser Hill

Option 3:
Nilai - Shah Alam - Rawang - Batang Kali - KKB - Fraser Hill

Option 4:
Nilai - Shah Alam - Bukit Beruntung - Batang Kali - KKB - Fraser Hill

Option 5:
Nilai - Shah Alam - Sg Buloh - Kepong - Batu Cave - continue with option 1 or 2

Option 6:
Nilai - Shah Alam - Kepong - Karak Highway - Betong - Fraser Hill

Option 7
Please go to : http://maps.google.com.my/

First Stop- Ulu Yam Dam, or Batu Dam

The sceneries was so beautiful with its crystallize water surrounding by trees. How I wish I can just jump to the dam and swim in it.

Second stop- The Empangan Headquarter

Somehow somewhere, we managed to squeak in to view the sceneries. The structure of the damn is so wonderful, and there is a big hold where water flow inside.

After that, we continued our journey towards Fraser's Hill. When we reach at the GAP House (the first stop before going up to Fraser Hill), it was already 2:30pm. They way up to the hill will only be opened at 3pm. For your information, there will be a schedule for visitors to follow for driving up and down to Frazer Hill. There will be a driving gap of one hour each since the road is narrow.

Within less than half an hour, we reached Frazer's Hill, thanks to the driving skill of mine. The first interesting place we visited is THE TOILET... In Fraser's Hill, the landmark where everybody will take photo is the clock tower.

After enjoying the sceneries, it's time to go back. We almost can't find the way back to the main entrance as it was raining and getting dark and there was lost of mist. It reminds me of the movie The Mist based on the novel by Stephen King. Once the mist surrounds you, you really can't see anything. We are damn scared and panicked a little bit. Imagine doing a U-Turn at a small narrow road while the mist is getting close to you. But luckily, we managed to find our way. Actually all roads is connecting each other and will end up at the main point. The mist made us panic only. Anyway, when we reached the main point, we have to wait till 6pm before the road is open for drive down.

For dinner, we stopped by at Batang Kali for their famous Loh Mee. We managed to find the restaurant in a shortest time. We ordered a small portion of Loh Mee for 3 of us since we also planned to eat at other place. The food was really good, and to be honest, it's the best Loh Mee that I have ever had. I am not sure whether it's because we are damn hungry or what, but the taste is good- just enough black soy sauce and black vinegar. We also buy some cookies called 'Tau Sa Piah" and "Ma Tai Suk" at that shop. Wait, maybe it's "Loh Poh Ping". Im not sure, but who cares as long as it is nice.

After passed by Damansara, we stopped by at SS2 PJ. We ate at a road side stall selling Curry Noodles, Chee Cheong Fun and desserts such as Yi Mai Fu Cuk. And suddenly I realize that the game between Manchester and Arsenal is almost going to end. Well at this point, I don't really care as what ever the result, Arsenal will still get 4th position this season. And at that moment, my thought was to reach Nilai safely and A.S.A.P. and get a rest or watch ASTRO.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Kuala gandah Elephant Sanctuary

Feed the elephants? Bathe the elephants? Where can you do this kind of activities? The answer is Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. Since this is a sanctuary, the number of visitors per day is limited, which is 100 visitors per day. I immediately asked LeLe to call the sanctuary and do the reservation for 5 pax. You can get more info at their website http://www.myelephants.org/.

We are lucky that we managed to do the reservation for that Saturday trip, even though we only do the reservation on that week. We even managed to book 5 yellow stickers, which means we can feed, ride and bathe the elephants. For those with red stickers, they can only feed and ride the elephants.

So, that Saturday, 25.04.2009, we start our journey in one car with the 5 of us- Ijay, Jess, Lele, Sek and Luke. First stop, breakfast at Batu Caves, where they served these nice "Wan Tan Hor" and Fish Porridge. We didn't took any photo because we are busy satisfying our empty stomach, but actually we are shy to take the food photo. I think this link http://www.awhiffoflemongrass.com/?p=370,
is the restaurant that we went.

After the nice breakfast, we continued our journey to to Karak Highway towards Kuantan, before exiting Lanchang Toll Plaza. From the exit, it took around 8km to reach to the elephant sanctuary. We reached there at 1pm, and we registered ourselves at the Visitor Registration Office. Since we had do the reservation earlier, we were given the yellow stickers to stick on our shirt. We change to the suitable attire since we are supposed to bath with the elephants.

First activities, Video Documentary show at 1:30pm. After the video show, we gathered at the respective area to feed the elephants. There were lots of fruits such as papayas, bananas and watermelons, and to be able to hand feed them personally is just an unforgettable experience. Second activities was riding the elephant. This is the first time for me to ride an elephant, and the first time for us (Jessica and me) to ride an elephant together too. So, I rode with Jes, Sek with LeLe and Luke rode alone.

After that, it was time to bath with the elephants. All we need to do is climb to the elephant from the platform, and after a few walks, the elephant will purposely felled down to the river to make the riders wet. Unfortunetly, I have to become the photographer and took the photo of others. Luke, Lele, Sek and Jess all felled to the river and were in soakingly wet condition. You can also bathe the elephant while you are in the river. After cleaning ourselves up, we went to the office to make some donation. It was truly a nice experience for us to be with the largest land mammals on the universe.

From the sanctuary, we headed to the deer park,which was situated about 5km from the sanctuary. We paid RM5 each for the entrance fee. Inside, we fed the deer, and touch lots of animals such as snakes, quails, hedgehogs, ostrich, rabbits and the best of all, The Malayan Sun Bear. We enjoyed our time with the beast as we managed to be closed with him. We left the park about an hour later.

Since waterfall is my passion right now, we decided to stop by at Bentong and search for Chamang Waterfall. The Chamang Fall can be reached by taking the road from Bentong to Raub- http://waterfallsofmalaysia.com/25chamang.php.
It is about 10km from Bentong Town. This waterfall is not really good for swimming, except for some good spots at the ground, where the pool is located. However, the view is breathtaking, with the water keep flowing drastically. Me and Luke decided to swim in the cool water for a while.

After Chamang Waterfall, we took our dinner at Bentong Town. After seaching and driving in this area, we came across this shop selling "Wan Tan Mee". We give it a try, but the taste was so so only, just to fill our empty stomach. We did also try the "Tong Sui" and "Yu Cha Koi" at a hawker stall where we parked our car. Finally, after settling some monetary issue, we headed home with a full stomach and money-cant buy experiences, especially with the elephants and the bear.