BELATED BIRTHDAY - JALAN-JALAN TENGOK TEMPAT BARU

JALAN-JALAN

Assalam...jumpa lagi disini, sebenarnya planning untuk ke Cameron Highland memang setiap tahun 13hb Februari tapi atas sesuatu sebab yang tidak dapat dielakkan tepaksalah ditangguhkan seminggu selepas, so bertolaklah saya ke Cameron Highland pada 20hb Februari 2016 bersama husband, saya cuba untuk membawa anak saya, tapi dia tak dapat pergi bersama biarpun keinginan itu ada, lebih2 lagi dia nak bersama saya, takpelah..biasalah bila dah jadi milik orang, harapan ibu sendiri pun terpaksa tolak ketepi, saya redha, takpe...dah biasa berdua bersama husband kemana2.  Kami menginap ditempat biasa di Country Lodge di Brincang, tempat istimewa bagi saya, tempat meyenangkan hati, penuh cerita, memori, bila datang disinilah saya menginap sejak bertahun, kalau datang lebih berdua saya menyewa apartment dan kalau berdua saje, cukuplah bilik, itupun sudah selesa sangat. Kami bermalam dua malam, tiga hari. Cukuplah untuk aturcara saya sepanjang tiga hari disini.  Sebenarnya tiada kemana sangat pun, ialah dah tiap2 tahun, cuma mencari dan mengintai tempat2 baru, dan kebetulan saya mencari benih2 bunga, juga pasu2 untuk aktiviti dan hobi saya nanti.

(bila berdua  selfe setakat inilah saje)

Bila di Brincang saya tak pernah lupa tempat zaman kanak-kanak saya.  Balai Bomba, setiap tahun saya akan berposing disini...wajib Insyaalah selagi usia terdaya. banyak memori disini, suka duka (yg banyak tentulah duka, apapun zaman itu amat terkesan dihati saya, Saya akan menghabiskan masa sejam dua disini, setiap tempat, sudut ada ceritanya..biarpun tempat itu telah banyak berubah, makin cantik, kemas dan luas, kenangan dan detik itu amat terpahat dihati saya..hmmm ketika itu usia sekitar 9 - 10 tahun tapi ingatan saya masih kuat...pot pet pot pet saya asyik bercerita tanpa jemu pada husband saya,. Alhamdulillah dia amat memahaminya, itu saje permintaan saya setiap kali Februari menjelma.  Terima kasih kerana menunaikannya, biarpun terlewat tak mengapa. Saya puas hati.

(Tahun lepas saya berposing disini dengan emak dan husband, tahun ini saya sendirian)

Seperti orang lain juga jika ke Cameron Hihgland pasti merayau kepasar2, tidak ketingalan saya, segalanya seperti dulu2 juga, biarpun tidak sesak kerana baru lepas cuti sekolah, cuti raya china, so Kg Raja, Brincang tidaklah asyik jem...begitu juga pasar malam juga bandar Brincang, semoga satu hari nanti Bandar Brincang bersih, pembangunannya biarlah teratur (ooopss nak komen sikit, sekarang ini pembangunannya berserabut, ditambah dengan bangunan tinggi2, didirikan macam ikut sempat je, dekat antara satu sama lain, tak teratur langsung) kesian bandar Brincang, sepatutnya bandar sejuk, ciri-ciri luar negara itu ada, sekurang2nya boleh berangan macam kat luar negara, tapi semua itu takde...kesian Cameron Highland...nama je macam tempat mat saleh, tapi yang ramainya disini bukan mat saleh hahaha....Dalam pusing2 melihat dan mencari tempat baru, yang sempurna saya ternampak iklan banyak terpasang ditiang2 lampu, dan akhirnya saya sampai disini...menarik, orang melayu, kawasan melayu, biarpun kawasan agak padat dengan bisnes yang sama, tapi saya tertarik yang satu ini....200 Seeds..katanya orang kita melayu, anak muda, yang memang orang Cameron Hihgland..baguslah tu, mungkin tempat baru, nampak cantik, yang pasti tiada bayaran dikenakan untuk masuk, boleh tengok2 tanaman buah strawberry, (hmm mungkin boleh petik gak, tak perasan saya) boleh makan2 dengan selesa, halal, juga sedap...yang melayan budak2 muda, peramah...Kg Sedia...cantik namanya...

(abang strawberry...memang abang2 semuanya disini, dari pelayan, tukang masak sampai kekedai cenderhati juga abang (hmmm bagi saya semua anak2 muda)

Siapa saje ke Cameron Highland akan mencari sayur-sayuran, memang murah, setakat 7 jenis RM10- boleh penuh bonet kereta, tapi kerana tujuan dan target saya nak mencari pasu dan benih bunga murah-murah, so dapatlah saya angkut 35 biji pasu gantung dan beberapa anak2 pokok bunga yang dikatakan boleh ditanam ditempat panas...tengoklah nanti berapa lama boleh hidup. Sebaik balik rumah, siap saya dan husband mengantungnya...Alhamdulillah niat dan hajat saya, untuk pondok bunga dirumah, tempat saya merelekkan diri, menghijaukan pandangan mata...Insyaalah akan diperbaiki lagi, masih mencari lagi anak2 pokok bunga dan harapnya tak le sampai jadi macam nesery pulak....aduiii orang kata kalau tangan sejuk menanam semua menjadi, pada saya tengoklah, berbunga atau tidak, jangan lebat daun, bunganya tidak menjadi, biarpun dibelai, dijaga dan dibaja.

I WHO HAVE NOTHING...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

I WHO HAVE NOTHING...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Assalam....hari ini hari ulang tahun saya yang ke 62 tahun, tiada sambutan, tiada perayaan, tiada makan angin atau jalan2 cari makan, saya terperap dirumah bersama suami tercinta, tiada anak2 mengunjungi, malah tiada apa2 pun...malah saya tak punya harta yang melimpah ruah untuk dibanggakan kecuali saya bersyukur padaNya kerana diusia begini sayal diberi kesihatan yang baik, malah bertambah baik dari sebelumnya...Alhamdulillah syukur....mungkin itulah yang terbaik untuk saya untuk lebih mendekatiNya...mungkin nasib dan takdir ini tidak  pada orang lain, apa pun saya redha.

Hari ini juga bunga ros putih ini sudah berusia setahun dibawah jagaan saya, dibeli ketika saya bercuti sempena ulangtahun saya yang lepas bersama emak, saya tanam dan menjaga hinga dia berbunga kembang, sepanjang untuk sampai setahun bertukar musim bunga ros ni sentiasa berbunga, hinggalah sesuatu "malang tidak berbau" saya tidak lagi bersama emak, tidak lagi menjaganya, dan tidak lagi tinggal bersamanya, saya kembali semula kerumah dan meninggal pasu bunga ros putih ini tanpa dijaga, dan akhirnya hidupnya mati segan tak mau, nasib baik saya sempat mengambilnya kembali, biarpun harapan untuk dia segar tak mungkin pulih, puas dibaja, dibelai, ternyata ros putih ini terus kurus mengering. Saya  tak putus asa, terus menanti, dan akhirnya tanpa disangka, dia masih berbunga biarpun sekuntum hari ini , terima kasih cik bunga ros, seolah satu pemberian hadiah untuk saya pengemar bunga ros (hmmm masa muda2 dulu yg memikat rajin sangat hantar bunga ros, bila dah tua2 ni nampak gaya tanam sendirilah)

Terima kasih ros putih, biar pun kecil ianya masih memberi harapan, semoga kembang mekar dan terus hidup.  Saya sabar menanti.

Cerita ini sebenarnya membayangkan kehidupan saya, bagi yang faham, bagi yang tidak anggap sajelah cerita basi, atau apa saja...saya tetap saya, dengan kehidupan saya, cara hidup saya.  Saya percaya padaNya, dia yang menentukan apa terbaik, apa pembalasan dan apa saja dalam kehidupan ini. Syukur padaNya kerana saya tetap saya, pendirian saya.  Sempena ulangtahun saya, saya pohon ribuan ampun maaf, pada keluarga saya, kerana yang buruk dan tak baik itu datang dari saya, yang baik-baik itu untuk anda semua.  Pada anak2 saya (hmm macam ramai sangat) walhal saya mempunyai dua orang anak perempuan yang sudah punya keluarga mereka sendiri..Tak mengapa, semoga kamu berdua bahagia menjalani kehidupan sendiri. Hidup ini terlalu keras dan sukar, ada turun naiknya,  semoga kamu berjaya mengharunginya....Mama doakan yang terbaik untuk semua biarpun bagi kamu mama bukan ibu terbiak untuk kamu. Terima kasih semua....happy birthday to me :-)

HOBI BARU

Assalam...dah lama tak menjenguk kat sini, mode dah kelaut, sebenarnya teringin gak nak menulis kat blog ni, tapi dek sebabkan masalah teknikal komputer dan handphone yg terlampau canggih sampai tak reti nak menggunakan...apapun kita buat diakan....

So ari ni nak membebel bab hobi lak..hobi baru selain masak memasak...sebenarnya hobi ni dah lama ada cuma masa tak kena, dah bersara ni Alhamdulillah...kita mengabiskan duit dengan membeli bunga..memang minat sangat dengan bunga2 ros ni, tapi bunga ros biasa memang susah dijagakan, ada beberapa pasu semua dah mati, yg masih selamat tinggal sepasu je lagi, beli masa ke CH tahun lepas...itupun macam tak lama je nyawanya...its ok beralih ke ros jugak tapi ros jepun...benih beli kat online..,Alhamdulillah, masih dalam persemaian.....

Insyaallah akan digantung pasunya sedikit hari lagi

hahaha yg ni bagi saya unik...idea dari satu blog, dia tanam bawang, kita tanam bunga ros jepun :-)

tak cukup semai kat pasu, kita semai je kat tepi2 rumah yg kawasannya sekangkang kera ni..oklah kot :-)...tunggu jelah dengan sabar "musim berbunga"nya nanti...

Yang ni pokok pudina...dah hampir setahun usianya, beli kat CH, ingatkan tak panjang usianya..ternyata senang je hidupnya, dari pasu kecil dia membiak, lebih2 lagi memang gunapun daunnya untuk masak, untuk buat detox, tak payah beli dah... :-)

SEKADAR MENGISI MASA LAPANG

Assalamualaikum, lama tidak menulis blog, yang ada pun orang lain yang buatkan, sekarang baru ada kekuatan diri untuk menulis, cerita biasa, cerita jalan2 ditempat yang banyak memori manis. Tahun ini sebenarnya ada juga jalan2, bermula pada bulan Februari di Cameron Highland, sungguh bertuah dan terharu kerana dapat bawak emak (membawa kembali memori emak ketika menetap disana sekitar tahun 1962).   Bersama emak juga saya dapat membawanya ke Kuala Lipis Pahang, juga ke Ipoh Perak. Yang terbaru saya sempat jalan2 cari makan ke Melaka, biarpun semalam tapi cukuplah, kudrat sudah berkurangan. Kali terakhir sekitar tahun 2010 (membawa hati yang lara).

Bila tidak kemana2 saya banyak menghabiskn masa dirumah, di Teapot Corner, main masak2, masak ikut cita rasa dan gaya saya, jika orang lain tak berminat dengan masakan saya, saya tak kisah, saya ada "customer" tetap saya sendiri (husband saya hehehe) yang tidak pernah komplen apa yang saya masak, baginya semuanya menyelerakan.

Salam November...lamaya tak update...kematian idea...hmmm tak gak..cuma dulu orang lain tolong uruskan..now kita ambil alih semula....nanti kita jumpa lagi

NOSTALGIC KUALA LIPIS, PAHANG.

During one weekend, my wife and I decided to go to Kuala Lipis, Pahang. This town was formerly the State Capital of Pahang since 1898, until it was moved to Kuantan on 27^th August 1955. The town is situated between two (2) rivers, the Sungai Jelai and Sungai Lipis, of which the estuary of Sungai Lipis flows into Sungai Jelai, and thus the name of the town, Kuala Lipis was named after.

We travelled from our home in Kuala Lumpur towards Bentong, Raub and later to Kuala Lipis, followed by heavy showers along the way. We reached Kuala Lipis and stayed in the pre-booked Centrepoint Hotel.

After completing my secondary school in the 60’s, I went to Kuala Lipis with my younger brother. My elder brother was the Chief Officer of the District Fire Station and he stayed on top of the station itself. We went there by train and when we reached the Kuala Lipis railway station, we walked along the corridor of the shop and at the end was the Fire Station.

Currently, this fire station has moved to a new place and the building is now occupied by the Kuala Lipis Municipal Council to collect parking charges.

Photo of the former Fire Station Kuala Lipis

My wife was born in Kuala Lipis, and her late father was a Fire officer at the same station. She had a lot of memories during her 8 years living in Kuala Lipis. She is the eldest daughter and third among her siblings. 

The Hospital where my wife was born

As she grew older and reached the age of schooling, she was sent to the primary Malay school, Sekolah Kebangsaan Wan Ibrahim. This was her first school learning the A, B and C and she also attended the Quran class held at the Mosque nearby the Fire Station. She was just beginning to enjoy her schooling days in the second year when her father was then transferred to Raub.

The school (above) and the mosque (below), where learning starts

Kuala Lipis was formerly a small remotely situated and undeveloped but a busy town as a State Capital, where all state administration were centred here. When the State Capital moved to Kuantan, all the state administrative offices also follow suit, and thus it became a quiet town.

The route from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu now passes by this town with the new bridge built across the river. New road system in the town, a new pedestrian bridge to cross the railway lines, new housing estates are among the new developments. The old narrow road in the old town area is now a one-way street to accommodate the many vehicles. The three rows of the pioneer shop houses in this town is still the pride of Kuala Lipis, which include the market which is now known as “Medan Tangga”

Medan Tangga

The Post Office is still at the same area with the milestone marked as zero (0) which was built to mark the beginning of the mileage from Kuala Lipis to other towns in Pahang.

The mileage started off from Kuala Lipis (Left), and the distance to Kuantan – in miles, not kilometres (Right)

During the British occupancy, they built buildings that stand proud and that have been the landmark to the town itself until today. These buildings were built for the British Residence and the other staffs of the British Administrative. An engineer told me that these building stands without concrete pillars compared to the modern day buildings.  They are now occupied by the Government Offices, the Clifford Secondary School, as a rest house, among others.

The building now as a Government Office – Historic Architecture

The rainy season has prevented us to drive or walk around the town. We left Kuala Lipis for Kuala Lumpur after staying here for two days. It was a memorable visit after so many years we haven’t been there to see the development of this small but historic town.

Date: 31 May 2014 !

VISITING AN-AILING WET-NURSE* MOTHER

(Malay: *Ibu-Susuan)

It was sometime in August 2013 that my brother, who lives in Kuantan, sent me a message saying that my “wet-nurse” mother whom I used to call “Mak Gayah”, is ailing and wheel-chaired bound, and that she was asking for me. I felt sorry and I planned to go to Kuantan to visit her.

I remembered my late mother told me that when I was a baby I was frequently left with Mak Gayah whenever she went to wash clothes at the nearby stream. Mak Gayah lived nearby with her baby girl. One of those days, returning from her wash, my mother was surprised when she saw Mak Gayah was nursing me. When my mother asked her, she said it’s alright as she was ready to have me as her own son along with her baby girl. That incident continued and there was no way that it stopped.

That incident happened about more than 60 years ago and when we moved to our current home my Mak Gayah stayed around the same neighbourhood. As I grow up, my mother told me that my Mak Gayah is also my “mother” and her daughter is my younger sister. I used to go to her house and I am close to her daughter as my sister or “milk-sibling”. We went to school and grew up together as a brother and a sister would do. Beside this daughter, Mak Gayah later has two other younger children, who are then my younger brothers too. This is in accordance with the Islamic law that specifies a permanent family-like relationship between children nursed by the same woman, and that they grew together as youngsters. They and various specific relatives may not marry as they are deemed as mahram.

There was one occasion when I return home to visit my mother, I passed my Mak Gayah’s home and there was a crowd coming in and out of her house. I was shocked, stopped my car and rush to ask what happened. To my surprise, my Mak Gayah came to me and said that she was still in good health and that I might have thought she have passed away. She then took me to the kitchen area, introduced me to the others as her son, and later prepared drinks and some cakes for me as she used to do whenever I visited her.

Lately when I returned to my hometown, I did not see my Mak Gayah at her home and that her house seemed empty. When this news came to me only I realized that Mak Gayah is not well and she is staying with her children in Kuantan, about 250 km from Kuala Lumpur.

On Saturday, 23^rd November 2013, along with my wife, we traveled to Kuantan by the East-Coast Highway, a new road linking Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan in the east coast of Peninsula. It was a pleasant journey as we haven’t traveled for quite a while. We drove along the highway, taking our time while enjoying the sceneries.

The drive took about 3 hours, and we did stops at a few rest areas along the route to have some snacks and to see whatever new sold there. We reached Kuantan and registered ourselves at a hotel, took our lunch and have a short rest.

We went to her house at the address given by my brother, but there is no one at home. I thought of giving my Mak Gayah a surprise visit, but since no one was at home, I have to call around to get news on where my mother is. Later her son who is also my younger brother called to inform me that our mother was warded at the Kuantan Specialist Center, located at Jalan Teluk Sisek, Kuantan. I arrived at the hospital at about 3:00 pm, and when I entered the room, my Mak Gayah was still asleep, and no other persons were in the room. I was surprised to see her in that condition, and later when she woke up, she looked surprise to see me at her bedside. I was also wondering whether she still remember me, but when I told her that I am her “Atan”, my nickname that she is used to, she kept nodding and firmly hold my hand and stared at me as she haven’t seen me for quite sometime. I wiped her tears and I knew she took care of me when I was young. I have nothing else to offer to her except by reading some verses of the Quran, with hope that Allah blesses her with good health.

From Left: First glance at a very sick mother; Centre: My 83-years old Mak Gayah;
Right: Reading verses from the Quran, with hopes that Allah relieves her from her sickness.

Later in the evening, I left her with her daughter in-law and told her that I will visit her the next day before leaving for home. She seemed to understand what I told her and she looked happy to see me.

The next day before noon, I went to the hospital again to see Mak Gayah. She was attended by a doctor who then told me about my mother’s sickness and problems. I sympathized with her and I hope she would recover soonest.

Before leaving her I told her to take her pills and let the maid help her in whatever she needs. I talked and comfort her and hope she would be able to understand the need for her to rest and follow the doctor’s advice. She nodded to show that she understood what I have told her while holding my hand as if she does not want to let it go. Sadly, I have to leave her as my wife will be working the next day. At least I was happy to have visited her and hope that I would be able to visit her again, Allah willing.

Dated: 30 November 2013

A DAY TRIP TO GENTING HIGHLANDS

It was sometime in the early days of Hari Raya Puasa celebration, we decided to go to the Genting Highlands Resort. We proposed to our daughter, Fifi, for the trip and she agreed. It will be the first day that we could get together, including our son in law, Azal. Almost during the other weekends, he has to go to work, be it on Sunday and this time he was able to convince his employer for a full day rest.

Genting Highlands, situated about 1,800 meters high on the Titiwangsa Range, was originally known as the “casino”, built sometime in the 70’s. When I was working in Bentong, Pahang during those years, my friends and I drove through the winding roads to this highland after office hours. The night was cold and the cool wind rushed into the main building when the door opens. There was nothing else to see then with only the casino operates throughout the night. When I worked with the Ministry of Health, my wife and I attended a seminar here in Genting Highlands sometime in the year 2000. We drove to this resort and brought along Fifi, stayed at the hotel for the whole seminar session. That was Fifi’s first experience, enjoying herself at the Genting Theme Park.

We wanted to use the public transport for this trip and bought the bus tickets early, a few days before the trip. Fifi reminded me to only buy the return bus and the “skyway” or the cable car tickets which did not include the tickets for the Theme Park. It was a day later that there was an accident involving a bus that plunged into a 70 meter deep ravine as it made its way down from the Genting Highlands resort towards Kuala Lumpur. Thirty-seven people were dead, including the driver while 16 passengers were rescued, among the 53 passengers on board. I reminded Fifi on this accident but she still insisted to go as our trip was only to the Genting Skyway, the cable-car station, which is quite far from the winding road uphill towards the Resort.

We left early that Sunday, 25 August 2013, drove to the Putra LRT bus station and left our car at the car park. We manage to board an early bus, travelled along the Karak Highway towards the Genting Skyway station.

Getting ready for the trip

We reached the Genting Skyway and it was packed with those going uphill to the Resort. Each car could carry 8 passengers, and the time taken to reach the highland station is about 15 minutes, if the car would continuously move without any interruptions or stops along the way.

The “Genting Skyway”; sweating you away.

It was a pleasant but sometime scary journey, due to its heights, following the ups and down of the cable and the slow movement of the car itself. Beside, the morning mist was blocking our view and we wonder where we were. We did felt the height, especially our son-in law who seems to experience cold sweat all along the way. He kept on saying to reach the other end soon.

Don’t look down or front; just look upwards or just close your eyes!

On reaching the resort, I found that there are a lot of new developments with new connecting bridges and pathways as an easy access for the tourists. The cool mist is still covering the highland resort, which you could not experience in Cameron Highland.

The new pathways and the bridges covered by the morning mist

Brunch and Lunch

We later had our brunch at a local fast food outlet. We knew that the cost of the same food here is much more expensive than that in Kuala Lumpur, and we had to accept it as we all knew why.

Fifi used to visit this highland resort with her friends and she knew the area quite well. We do not need the service of a guide as she knew where to take us to see the various places of interest. We went around the resort from one building to another, and took photos at various spots especially at its gardens.

We took our lunch at another fast-food outlet. We can see a lot of tourists from various race and religion, packing up the resort. The shops around the area were also full of customers. There are a lot of stalls selling various kinds of products and souvenirs. My wife bought Fifi a new jade pendant engraved with her name.

Engraving the jade pendant for Fifi

Here are some of the sweet memories, a collection using only smart phones!

A day to remember and will never be forgotten

Where’s Fifi? She’s lost in the maze.
Mother and daughter sharing their happy moments

We missed the Eiffel Tower in Paris;
Enjoying the “Musang King” durian

Looking forward for another holiday together

Like mother like daughter, no doubt about it.

Swaying in the sky, on our way home

With all these memories, we hope to get together again, not for a short day trip, but maybe it will be a long week holiday.  We are planning to go for a holiday to Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan. My wife and I have travelled to these states, and during those trips, we were unable to take along Fifi as what we did when we travelled in the Peninsula. To fulfil her wishes, my wife has decided to go to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Labuan. We told Fifi to prepare herself to take leaves when the time comes. Maybe it would be our last trip before my wife settles down permanently on her retirement, Allah willing. 

FRASER’S HILL, REVISITED

Our last visit to Fraser’s Hill was in June 2008, with my wife and our daughter, Fifi. My wife booked a room at the Government holiday resort for a very reasonable price specifically for government’s staffs. This year, five (5) years later, during the same month, we went to this hill resort again to enjoy our holiday. There are no supermarkets or hypermarkets, nor any shopping complex as we used to go to in other towns, there are only recreation centres, the beautiful sceneries and the cool weather for us to enjoy with.

To avoid any disappointment, as early as on 25^th February 2013, I booked a room at a hotel in Fraser’s Hill for 3 nights from the 20^th to 23^rd of June 2013. It was in early March this year we suggested to Fifi whether she and her husband wanted to join in for the holiday. Without haste, she agreed and we were actually glad she wanted to go as it was quite a while we did not go for a holiday together. I sent an email to the hotel to book an additional room. On 10^th April, I received a call from the hotel management regretted that there is no more rooms available during those dates. I tried to book at other reasonable hotels in this hilly resort, but unfortunately, there are no more rooms available either. I was told that there will be an event in this hill resort and that the hotels are all fully booked.

Fifi then told us that she will be coming along with us without her husband as he have plans and would be busy during those days. We intended to check in the same room that I had booked, and that we will be staying in the same room, hoping that it will be just enough to accommodate the three (3) of us!.

We left our home in the morning of Thursday, 20^th June 2013 and we travelled to the highland by car, going by the same route during our first visit. It was five (5) years since then and there are changes along the route. We asked around for the direction and we passed Kuala Kubu Bharu town before going uphill through the many turns and bends. Fifi seemed dizzy and experienced travel sickness, and I have to drive slowly to make sure she is comfortable.

On reaching the main gate to the hill resort, the route uphill was changed to a one-way route, thus we do not have to wait for the traffic to descend as we experienced during our last visit. There is another new route for traffic going down the hill.

We reached our destination safely by noon and on our arrival, we went to the same shop situated beside the mosque to take our lunch. The shop is now renovated and well arranged. The food is still good to our taste buds and Fifi remembered how she was tempted to the few dishes in the menu.

 (Left) the local shop that we used to take our lunch five years ago …
and (Right) enjoying our breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant!

We checked in at the hotel and all goes on well. We were told by the receptionist of an event to take place in Fraser’s Hill, and that the hotel was fully booked. This hotel is strategically situated in the town centre area. The food at the restaurant is great and its menu has become the favourite of Fifi, be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From the hotel we can see the Clock Tower which is the main attraction and the landmark of this hill resort, where every tourist and visitors alike would take photos.

The beautiful, comfortable and strategically situated “Puncak Inn”

The event was “Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race 2013” which was organized by the Fraser’s Hill Development Board, the State of Pahang, a local university, to name a few and attended by many foreign participants from various countries. This yearly event was held in Fraser’s Hill, began as early as in 1988, aimed to help preserve nature and to promote Fraser’s Hill as a bird sanctuary. The two (2) days event was accompanied by the “angklung” presented by musical bands from a few schools in the state. A video presentation on many species of birds was held in the evening and ends at about midnight.

Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race 2013

Looking for the stars in bright daylight…!

The “quiet” night life of Fraser’s Hill

Government departments and business companies that has interest in the event joined in with their presentations and products, including the high-powered binoculars and cameras. I met a few staffs from the Forestry Department, Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur where I was attached in the ‘80s. Fifi bought a few T-shirts from one of the stalls. She later tried her skill doing a batik printing which she is proud of. I framed this piece of handicraft and presented to her as a souvenir.

Choosing the right colour… and the final touch!

The next day was a special day for me. My wife has been longing to ride a horse and at The Paddock, I was able to fulfil her wish, and Fifi follow suit. My wife did enjoy herself with the horse riding that has become her dream all these years.

Horse Riding – A dream comes true …

While walking around the town square, I spotted a “bird feeding” platform where birds would stop for a quick pick-up. I admired this “bird’s rest house” and I brought home a photo of this “rest house” and promised myself to build one, even if it would be a bit smaller, so that the birds near my house would be able to enjoy their food undisturbed. Beside our house is a dead-end road where birds such as larks, sparrows, wild pigeons, turtle doves, among the few used to stop looking for whatever food that I used to scatter for these birds.

At home, I got down with my plan and all the necessary hardware to build a small “bird feed” of my own. It took me a week to complete, and I placed the “rest house” at the right place with a good view for us to enjoy looking at these birds. 

The “Bird’s Feeding” of Fraser’s Hill (Right) and at our home!

A few meters from the Clock Tower, coming in from the gate, using tiles and cement, they build a line on the road to show the state boundary of Pahang and Selangor. Fraser’s Hill is in the State of Pahang and you can be at two different places in one step. The Post Office, Police HQ, the Health Clinic are still proudly serving the community of this small hill resort town.

Deciding on which way to go, Left or Right!

There are no tea plantations; no large-scale planting of vegetables or flowers as in Cameron Highlands, thus the tranquillity of this hill resort is still the proud of Fraser’s Hill. The weather is still cool and you can still see the morning mist and even when the sun shines you can still feel the cool breeze. While we are enjoying ourselves here, the weather in other towns is extremely hot due to the haze. That is Fraser’s Hill and we hope that any development will not ruin all these beautiful sceneries.

The busy town square with the Clock Tower,
the morning mist and the beautiful rising sun!

We went to the watch-point on top of a hill behind the hotel and from there we could see the views of the town square and the surrounding areas. I remembered Fifi is repugnance on seeing any insects, be it crawling or flying, and during our last visit I showed her a small millipede in size. At this watch-point I saw this millipede and I told her that the millipede we saw in our last visit has grown to a thumb-size, and she screamed on seeing it.

(Left) We first saw it five years ago … and now, it has fully grown!

During this visit we did not go to the Jeriau Waterfall. Fifi said she has to walk quite a distance to reach the waterfall. Instead, we went around the hill to see the beautiful sceneries and the old buildings that originally belongs to the English community during the pre-war and now being renovated and well kept by the Fraser’s Hill authority. My wife dreamt of having such a cottage with a chimney.

Visiting for the memories

Memories of the past (Left) and the present!

Among the Trails we went through during our last visit

The ladies among the Roses and the Lavenders

The three (3) days in this hill resort was a very memorable holiday. We experienced the difference between our last and the current visit. Going down the hill resort is by another one-way single line route, that wind down to the main road going either to Kuala Kubu Bharu in Selangor or Raub in Pahang, both would lead to the highway towards Kuala Lumpur.

The three of us! 

Good bye Fraser’s Hill, we will come again,
maybe it would take another five (5) years!

No doubt, Fraser’s Hill is still in its best, welcoming visitors to enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful sceneries. Let’s hope it will still remain the same in the many years to come, for our future generation to experience the beauty of nature.