9 Things To Do in Teluk Intan Heritage Trail

Heritage trail has become increasing popular these days in major cities and heritage towns, an activity that I often look forward to during my travel.

 
The Teluk Intan Heritage Trail (you need drive around for this, not doable on foot) that I partake is the standard historical sites that what we normally see and experience but the river cruise heritage trail (Yup! RIVER) is simply delightful, it was a heritage trail + eco-tourism combined therefore I highly encourage you guys to give a try. But of course, you need to be like me lah… ie. ask lotsa and lotsa questions else it will be just another river cruise.

Teluk Anson
During Perak British Resident; Sir Hugh Low proposed to rename Teluk Mak Intan to 1882 Teluk Anson. Teluk Anson was named after Major General Sir Archibald Anson, its town planner back then.

Teluk Intan Heritage Trail (both on foot and drive)

1. Old Police Station / Central Station
The earliest British colonial building built by the British and completed in 1882, back then it was used as a taxation and customs office for Teluk Anson. However, in 1941 the Japanese took over the building and used it as headquarters during the Japanese occupation. It was said that interrogation and tortures took place here. There were also saying that there’s a tunnel that linked the Old Police Station to the Old Court House.

2. Old Court House
Construction of the courthouse started in 1891, almost 10 years after the Old Police Station and was completed in 1893. This same building as also used as an Anglican Church for Sunday Mass prior to the completion of the St. Luke Anglican Church in 1912 of which is still being used today.

 

3. Post Office
The Teluk Intan Post Office is just a walking distance from Old Police Station, Old Court House as well as Hongkong and Shanghai Bank building. The post office in hay day remains as a post office in 2021. It was said that in the olden days, it serves as a place where the locals send mail, voter registration and where one kept his saving. Not only that, even lottery tickets were sold at the post office. How interesting.

 

4. Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building
This standalone HSBC building in Teluk Intan existed for more than 70 years and still standing strong. You can reach the Church of St Luke the Evangelist from HSBC as it takes 5-7 mins walks across the field.

5. Church of St Luke the Evangelist
In operation since 1701 was the spiritual administration for the British Colonial Officials and civilians. And the locals that attended the service were largely the migrant workers from India. It was a wooden church with nave, chancel and its high ceiling roof that reminded me of Olaf church in Frozen. The church bell was brought all the way from England.

 

6. Madrasah Al-Ihsaniah
This semi wooden building was the home to the Tuan Guru Haji Muhd Salleh Bin Muhd Taib, a religious scholar from Minangkabau, Indonesia. The beauty of the mosque is that I was wakaf-ed by Sultan for the public to learn Quran and religious studies. The building was renovated and has seen stood still till this date.

7. Hock Soon Keong Temple

Just across the street from Madrasah Al-Ihsaniah is the Hock Soon Keong Temple where most of its worshipper are from Fujian. This 1883 temple was based on Ming and Ching Dynasties architecture. I exceptionally love the carving on the ceiling describe as ‘three concentric stepped octagons of intricately carved, three-pronged bamboo shoots surround two rings of painted circling bats, symbolizing prosperity, and a shallow central floral dome’ – Teluk Intan Heritage website.

8. Sungai Kerawai Elephant Memorial

I would say this is the most underrated story of Teluk Intan not known to many. The legendary story of train derailment that happened some 125 years ago between train and and angry elephant bull. The story goes that the matured elephant avenged its baby that was killed by the train at the same location. This incident happened in 17th September 1894 and no casualties reported. Talk about elephant memory. Phew…

9. Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan

The ever so famous - Chinese pagoda architecture Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan. Similar (the leaning part) to Pisa, Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan was originally built in 1885 and has tilted since the big flood in 1895. The tower has many purposed, namely :

• Water management system of the British at times of draught
• Water supply in event of fire
• Clock tower
• Commemorating the British Administration
• Serves as Teluk Intan landmark for ships traversing the Perak River

There are a few more that we did not manage to cover due to time constraint, perhaps in another trip kot. Ideal days in Teluk Intan? 3D2N.

#TravelPerakLah Teluk Intan Media Fam Trip 2020 is in collaboration with Tourism Perak and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

5 Things To Do In Bagan Datuk, Perak (Sunflower Garden/Sky Mirror/Aquarium/Waterfront/Blue Tears)

 
Gonna start with this entry as it has the most enquiries has I thought I should rush it. Infact I have about 5-8 blog entries to rush for Perak. If you are a fan of outdoor/adventurous/food stuff, keep a close tab on my blog post yah…. You will be loaded with #TravelPeraklah for the next one month of so. Ahaks.
 
There’s a few things that surprised me when I got the itinerary, namely :
 
1. Pulau Bangau or Stock Island (or perhaps Bangau Island) – A place I highly recommend you guys to visit. A definitely MUST hokkay
2. Bagan Datuk – Sunflower Garden, Sky Mirror (and supposedly Blue Tears at Pulau Sembilan but it has been closed indefinitely due to illegal development) Aquarium and the town itself
3. Ladang Moccis – pronounced as Mokkis (do you know this?)

 
Others that I kinda of expected but never actually covered before (on my travel nor blog) is the Heritage Trail of Teluk Intan or Teluk Anson. Will be writing about this too. So yah… expect 4 blog entries from me covering Teluk Intan/Bagan Datuk.

1. Sunflower Garden
Many has asked me over DM whether is this similar to Lopburi in Thailand, the answer is NO. Having been to both (Lopburi in 2008 and 2012, and Bagan Datuk in 2020), trust me this 2 places is a world apart. Having said that, if you wish to check out Sunflowers and do a little OOTD or even a pre-wedding shoot, this is the place to be. As I have blogged on Lopburi before, I will be sharing solely on Bagan Datuk Sunflower Garden on this post.
 
Why you should visit Sunflower Garden, Bagan Datuk
- Is nearer and easier to reach than the one in Lopburi
- It is definitely cheaper, a roadtrip with friends/family over the weekend is a great idea to ponder upon
- Learn that sunflowers are approximately 6-10feet tall, taking a picture higher than the sunflower is kinda of weird unless you are that tall lah. Hence am dwarfed by them (most Malaysians are too)
- Buy them sunflower seed. Yah… they do sell them as well
- Instgrammable spots are everywhere (the favourite for you Gen Y and after), from the Staircase to Heaven to the Rattan Swing Chair and the Transparent Swing Chair, Swing, Heart-shape frame and etc. You name it, they have it (well, most of it lah)

 
#TravelTips
- Sunblock. Sunblock. Sunblock
- Wear nice dresses (ideas : white or red ie colours that pops-up against yellow/orange)
- Bring props if need be – Hats, scarf, umbrella and etc
- Bring a large bottle of water… its hot hot hot. Do stay hydrated hokkay.

Sunflower Garden
A128, Bagan Sungai Burung
Bagan Datuk, Perak
 
Operating Hours
Daily : 9am – 7pm
 
Entrance Fee
Children : RM5
Adult : RM13

 
2. Sky Mirror
Kinda similar to the one in Selangor. The operator that we engage somehow is more fun and funny (I have to credit them for this lah… super funny). The boat ride took around 30mins or so from the jetty, before you know it, you’ll be at the Sky Mirror. According to the operator, there are a few spots that gives you this illusion and that it is highly depending on the tide. The one that we visited was closer to the beach/island, and the operator will set it up for you as most of the time, the tide is not on your favour. Takkan nak jenuh tunggu air pasang surut pulak kan kan kan.

#TravelTips
- Check on the month, tides and time. Walk-in is NOT advisable.
- Bring/wear slippers/flipflops and waterproof bag
- Sunblock. Sunblock. Sunblock (Sumpah panas)
- Wear nice dresses (ideas : white or red ie colours that pops-up against the blue sky)
- Bring props if need be – Hats, scarf, umbrella and etc (if you take their package, they will prepare this for you. So do check before committing)
- Bring a large bottle of water… its hot hot hot. Do stay hydrated hokkay.
 
Nine Island Agency Sdn Bhd
64, Kampung Sungai Burung
Bagan Datoh, Perak

3. Sungai Burung Aquarium
It’s a privately own aquarium that is located in this quaint village. I have to give them 2 thumbs up on this, the folks here strive in growing/building their village. They have huger garoupa, spotted gar, monitor lizards and etc.

Sungai Burung Aquarium
75, Bagan Sungai Burung
Bagan Datuk, Perak
 
Operating Hours
Daily : 10am – 10pm
 
Entrance Fee
Children : RM15
Adult : RM18
 

 
4. Waterfront
Bagan Datuk Waterfront is the new ‘in’ thing, coupled with the beautifully coloured town, I foresee Bagan Datuk will draw visits from locals and be the latest hot-lepak-place soon. The shophouses where built back in 1926 has now being repainted (since 2018), the birth of the Tuminah Floating Mosque at the new Bagan Datuk water front are gonna boom this place up. Check-it out yourself, need I say more.

 
I heard that have a few great kopitiam that am yet to explore, next trip perhaps.
 

Credit : Malay Mail 20 June 2019

 
5. Pulau Sembilan Blue Tears
Disclaimer – I did not visit Pulau Sembilan but I thought I should also include this as an educational info on Bagan Datuk listicle post.

I read somewhere in 2019 that the Perak government is currently looking into gazetting Pulau Sembilan and its cluster of islands made famous for its “blue tears” phenomenon, as a marine park. The islands had been closed since 2017 when authorities saw the damages caused by visitors from unregulated tourism. The blue phenomenon is caused by algae called dinoflagellates.
 
The spectacle occurs when phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants), commonly known as dinoflagellates, produce light through chemical reactions in proteins, said researchers. Waves disturb these unicellular microorganisms and make them release blue light.
Credit : Indian Express 
 
Nine Island Agency Sdn Bhd
64, Kampung Sungai Burung
Bagan Datoh, Perak
 
 
Amazing right? Previously we don’t know much about Bagan Datuk except that it is the home of Datuk M. Daud Kilau (my late dad and my grandma’s favourite artist tau), now… we have a lot more reasons to visiting Bagan Datuk.
 
I doubt a day trip will be sufficient, 2 days 1 night trip lah kot kan.

#TravelPerakLah Teluk Intan Media Fam Trip 2020 is in collaboration with Tourism Perak and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur (Part 3)

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman

An architectural excellence.

Built in 1910, Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman of Mukim Bagan Samak, Kedah is one of the oldest surviving traditional Malay houses.

Built in between 1910 to 1930s, it was owned by the penghulu or village headman of Mukim Bagan Samak, Bandar Baharu, Kedah. The home was originally located in Kampung Sungai Kechil, Kedah and was rescued, relocated and restored between 1996-1997 by the Badan Warisan Malaysia.

I am proud to say that as an ongoing effort in preserving and conserving #Malaysia architectural heritage, Badan Warisan Malaysia or The Heritage of Malaysia Trust (an NGO body) has managed to disassemble and relocate Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman to Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur for public to learn and experience our heritage.

Badan Warisan Malaysia Background

Badan Warisan Malaysia or The Heritage of Malaysia Trust is a national heritage NGO that focuses on heritage conservation services for nearly 30 years. Their role is to create and raise awareness of heritage issues and to ensure the survival of our built heritage. It also helps to influence policy so as to create a conservation-friendly environment as well as promoting and educating the understanding of Malaysia heritage as an expression of our history and identity. Badan Warisan Malaysia also hosts monthly talks and lectures, to know more and participate in their activities, kindly follow @heritagemalaysia Instagram.

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman (next to Badan WarisanMalaysia)

2 Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2144 9273

(15mins walk from the Bukit Bintang monorail station)

Operating Hours :

Tues - Sat : 10am – 4pm

Price Range : FREE. RM10 for guided tour

Badan Warisan Malaysia (next to Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman)

2, Jalan Stonor

Kuala Lumpur

Tel : +603-2144 9273

Email : info@badanwarisan.org.my

(15mins walk from the Bukit Bintang monorail station)

Opening Hours :

Mon- Sat : 10am-5pm (closed on Public Holidays)

Tours: 11am & 3pm

Selfie Museum KL

The latest craze just hit KL. Selfie Museum just across…… Pavilion, in Fahrenheit88 (2^nd floor to be precise). Everything is a must selfie, nothing should be missed – all the 9 thematic rooms.

There’s “The Giant Cakes” Room by Pandora (people tend to have plenty of photos here, I mean, would you want a photo with a cupcake, unicorn and lollipops), the there’s the “Rainbow” Room (my suggestion is for you to wear white so that the background pops out *serious talk nih*), of course there “Splash Lab” Room by TeaLive & llaollao (yang ni I nak minum air jer hehhehhee) and a few more rooms lah.

For more tips (yup! On how many time to spend, what to wear, how to pose *kid you not*), click HERE.

Selfie Museum KL 

Level 2, Fahrenheit88

179, Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours : 10am - 10pm (daily)
Entrance Fee : RM45 (Adult), RM30 (Kids)

Museum Of Illusions

The first Museum Of Illusions in Asia and 7th in the world and it stated that ‘illusion which will trick your confidence in senses’ oh boy, it is so true. And my favourite are the puzzles (yeah! I am simple like that), but I can’t even solve one, felt like I should buy a few, memorize the steps and show of my ‘skill’.

I felt the Vortex Tunnel was fun and vomiting which makes my photo turns out ugly, but I enjoyed the enperience (kept challenging myself to walk straight and go against the ‘vortex’). There are also the Mirror Room and Infinity Room which need no explanation lah. The Hologram collections are pretty cool, was wondering whether I can purchase that Einstein posted, hemmm…..

There are few other illutions that you can wander and wonder (get it?!) such as the The Ames Room, The Anti-Gravity Room, The Chair Illusion, The Rotated Room,  The Bottomless Pit and many more. Allocate 2 hours or so here, it’ll be fun (and sense-stimulating).

Museum Of Illusions

Ansa Hotel 1st&2nd floor

101, Jalan Bukit Bintang

Kuala Lumpur

Operating Hours : 9am - 11pm (daily)

Entrance Fee

Adult : RM35 (MyKad) / RM45 (Non-MyKad)

Kids : RM25 (MyKad) / RM35 (Non-MyKad)

Muzium Telekom

Built in 1928 to house the Central Battery Manual Telephone Exchange, this building is now home to Muzium Telekom. Located at the intersection of Jalan Gereja and Jalan Raja Chulan, this magnificent building is 82 years of age (1928-2010) and was declared a historic landmark by the National Archives of Malaysia Negara.

I remembered vaguely the last time I was here... a couple of old phones and etc. It was so-so if my memory serves me right. Well, obviously, my memory failed me. BIG TIME! Ahaks.

This is what I've imagined (before visiting lah) - the telephony evolution. Basically just that, full stop. Period. But NOOOOOOO.... It also talks about communication evolution - from Batu Bersurat to Pasu Bersurat (yeah, first time hearing this!), and from morse code to the internet era. Not forgetting the beduk communication, they even showed us the beduk sound for emergency, azan and death. I was half expecting smoke signal will be showcased here too, but nahhhhhh... kenot main api depa kata, dangerous.

SO, if you guys are curious of the communication evolution, drop by  at the Muzium Telekom here in KL, it is near the Plaza Rakyat/China Town (a 10mins walk). You won’t regret it.

Muzium Telekom http://www.muziumtelekom.com.my/Jalan Raja Chulan

Kuala Lumpur

Operating Hours

9am - 5pm (closed on public holiday)

Entrance Fee

Adult - RM6
Kid - RM3

#UnseenKL Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, #VisitKL and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

Weekend in Selangor Fruit Valley (SFV)

“BEST! BEST! BEST giler.

I highly recommend this for family outings.”

This is what I shared in my Instagram post (yeah, it is with video, you should check-out the videos. Kinda funny if I may say so myself).

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/BoQI2UVgene/?hl=en&taken-by=lilyriani_travelholic

I realized from my Twitter and Instagram feedbacks, most of the questions asked are the entrance fee and activities available. I guess I better keep this post as simple as possible and shared those valuable details… as for my view of the place? My Instagram video post says it all…. Hahahhahahaa….

Activity

• Tram ride (mono tram and tractors)
• Petting zoo (deer, rabbit, hedgehog and guinea pig)
• Herbal garden (150 species of herb)
• Orchard
• Harvesting vegetables activity
• Stingless bees farm (lebah kelulut)
• Mountain bike trail
• Rubber tapping activity
• Rumah Kampung with all the farm animals

Amazed?

Yeah! Me too.

Selangor Fruit Valley is develop to encourage and build Selangor’s agro-tourism,  this 1,000-acre of Selangor Fruit Valley land covers rubber plantation, infrastructure,  PKPS managed land, agripreneur program as well as main building and event spaces. There are more than 40 agricultural agripreneurs participated in SFV program by renting lots of at least 5 to 10 acres, I thought it was an interesting concept whereby those who don’t have agriculture land can seek their help and rent the lots. I was made to understand that they have to plant with tanaman kontan or cash crop, and the agripreneurs are to commercialise their crops. 

Being among the biggest fruit centres in Malaysia, Selangor Fruit Valley also serves as an educational playground for children as well as an experience centre for adults. This can been seen in their Laman Herba or Herbs Garden (I enjoyed the most), rubber tapping activity and learning about stingless bee, harvesting its honey, its anatomy and its controlled environment to achieve the best honey quality among others.

Aside from this, I’ve learnt SFV has a bio tech lab where tissues are being cultured, as well as seed bank. Not only that, they also teaches public on how to culture a tissue to multiply shoots from a single shoots. This training is liked by agripreneurs as it helps increase their crops at a lower cost.

Nangchem! Is basically a hybrid of Nangka (jackfruit) and Cempedak (a species of jackfruit/breadfruit). The taste and texture is enhanced (similar to a cempedak) and it is available the whole year round (just like a nangka).

Buah Mentega

Laman Herba or Herbs Garden. My favourite! As I learnt that there is an herbs called misai kucing and lidah kucing (I just learnt too) but there is no pokok ekor kucing (why???). There is a tree that is called Thai apple (glam kan) and it is used for ‘mandi jenazah’ (google this yourself *wink*), then there is this super rich tree – Janda Kaya and there’s also Janda Berangan, yet it is no where near Janda Baik. Patawali is a plan that if you drink it, you blood will taste bitter and mosquito simply hates it (read : you) but it doesn’t take-away you sweet smile nor charm (ayam pick-up line tuh). Gosh…. There is so many more, you just have to check-it out yourself!

The Petting Zoo is a bonus for the kids, as there are rabbits, hedgehog and guidea pig for the kids to ‘pet’ and there’s more at Rumah Kamping – kambing kacang (comei giler), turkey, babu/angsa (goose) and duck. And then there is also the Deer Park. No, you can’t go in and play with the deer.

Lunch? Food? Worry not, their cafeteria food is simply yummeh (especially the sambal belancan). Oh yah! If you are coming in a large group, do give them a call ahead of time as the entrance fee is charge separately from the activities. You can also ‘ala crate’ you package, to do so, call or email them (details below).

Hey! Teambuilding+nature concept can be arranged as well, meeting room is available at a nominal fee. You are wondering on accommodation right? I’ve asked them the same, camp site can be arranged with proper shower room. Basic accommodation room is in their phase 2 plan, once it is ready, we can all stay there. YEAY!

Selangor Fruit Valley

KM 7, Jalan Rawang – Bestari Jaya

Bestari Jaya, Selangor

Operating hours

9:00 am – 4.00 pm

Close on Friday

Tel : 03 – 3272 0019 / 20

Email : support@pkps.gov.my

7-Regale, Eat Travel Write Selangor 2018 Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri (UPEN) Selangor and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

Gili Islands | Things To See...

Few things to expect in Gili Islands (of which many had known) but this was not stated in the blogs I read nor told by my friends, hence I was pretty proud of this photos and my achievement of capturing it. I proudly told Farah and David, and wanted to show them but guess what? Apparently half of our ground saw the same scene and capture similar photos (basically everyone else’s was better than me lah). This is what happened when one decided to take a nap instead of looking for subject matter to shoot. Duh Lily!

Horse bathing by the sea at sunset (making it sound changgih and artsy fartsy. ahaks)

I was taking a walk with no plan whatsoever, no objective, no direction, no nothing; blank. Absolutely blank until I saw this view. I took so many photos thinking mine was the most unique, little did I know… everybody feels the same of theirs. However, among my friends that have been here and did not told be of such magnificent, I guess my photos is still changgih lah kot (or maybe not?!?!)

Divers crossing

Road sign is fun but to see stuff like this is even funner. Hoping to see a  'Cidomos Crossing’ somewhere but nada. Aiyaaaa…. They should have done one lah.

Lonely Information Centre

A place for single seeking information of this beautiful island. Hahhahaaa…. Basically the Information Centre was moved to a nearby location and they are half way tearing this place down.

Morocco or Santorini?

The restaurants, cafés and pubs around Gilis are awesome in décor, I couldn’t ask for more. I was snapping away as nothing lame can be seen; everything was either classy, cool or hipsterish.

Signages

In Gili, there is a poster for every scene. And it’ll fit perfectly into the picturesque view..

Garden by the sea

Changgih tak the title. I kept looking at the guy sweeping this picket fence garden, I wouldn’t mind doing any gardening if this was my view man! But I’ll make sure I include a hammock here…. Then it’ll be superbly perfect.

Cidomos

Find. Here is a picture of cidomos. And no, I did not ride on it. Boo hoo...

Sunset

Enough said.

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.