Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Visit Taiping

Seemingly, time is elastic in Taiping. How did we manage to squeeze doing a few things amidst  the busy Chinese New Year celebration? The 3 days spent there were more than fruitfully spent :

1. We visited The First Galleria/  Galleria Pertama - the 121 year old building, formerly the Topo and Survey Offic was restored by the Department of Heritage Malaysia  (JWM) in 2009 - 2010 at a cost of nearly RM 2 million, is now a private town museum of Taiping.
The visit was extra special as an exhibition , The Role of Sri Lankan in Taiping  since 1883 -1963,  recognised their contributions to the growth and welfare of Taiping and her citizens. The Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Major-General S W Lalith Daulaga officiated the launch on 13 January, 2013. It was just coincidental  that we were there while the exhibition was on, even during the CNY. It made us proud  as the grandchildren got to witness  their paternal grandfather's esteemed place among the other noble citizens of Taiping. They saw his pictures and read about their grandfather's achievements.
Do pay a visit to Galleria Pertama - there's much to know about Taiping's many firsts. No town/city  in the country can ever  hold this grand record.

2. We made a 40 minute drive on an evening to Port Weld or Kuala Sepetang, as it is now known, to enjoy seafood. The salty air lets you know you have arrived!

3. I would say a morning walk in the Lake Garden  rewards you a thousandfold.  The serenity and beauty  of the place makes it a popular venue for the locals to exercise and meet up with friends.

4. We paid a visit to our family oil palm estate and were briefed by the mandor on the happenings there - such as ' invasions' by water buffalos as evidenced by their tracks on the mud, frequent encounters with pythons as they hide among the clusters of fruits on the oil palm trees to ensnare their prey.

5. No kidding. We even made a visit to a shopping mall, Taiping Sentral and had to battle with the traffic to park! Also, as it is sited next to TESCO, another giant outlet , looks like all roads leads there!!Thought we had left all that behind in KL and not bemoan jams and more jams! We trooped into a frutti yoghurt outlet  looking for dessert. We came to the conclusion that Taiping folk have much disposable income judging by what we paid for the yoghurt, and toppings, all weighed! Do not fret for your cuppa Starbucks etc, you'll get to enjoy it there too!


One of the oldest clubs in the country-  has the distinction of the 1st golf course in the Federated Malay States.(FMS)

The District Officer's residence on a hillock - built in the 1890s.

The white on the head and the ring round the eyes makes this monkey so attractive.

Taiping's beloved  Lake Garden.

Dawn breaking through as seen from the reflection .
Happy to see Rotary Corner in the Lake Garden.
Galleria Pertama - do head there to get to know Taiping town better. Many firsts - a heritage town.

In the  Study of Galleria Pertama , we watched a video which explains  the room and its history.
A visit to an oil palm estate. The mandor showed us the water buffalo tracks .

Port Weld ( Kuala Sepetang ) - we came for the sea food.

4 comments:

  1. Keats! The handsome monkey is a spectacled langur a.k.a Dusky Leaf Monkey! Aren't you lucky to have seen one in his natural habitat? :) What a lovely post on Taiping, Keats. Now I know what to do on my next visit there. Did you get to see the fireflies of Kampung Dew?

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  2. Thanks for your answer to the monkey. There were several and I didn't dare breathe in case I miss a picture!! Have to do more in Taiping next time round. The problem is we just chill out,us city people.We really need to hear more about Taiping. Perhaps when the double track is ready, we'll have tons of visitors. Already it is shaping up. Have a good day, my friend.

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  3. Sea food - yummy!
    How are you Keats? hope well....
    Happy intl women's day!

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  4. Very nice buildings... looks nostalgic...

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Great to have you popping in!