Trip to Cameron Highlands and Perak (Part 1)

Recently, my family and I went to Cameron Highlands and Perak. The trip was fun and full of colors. This time I will let the photos tell a story.

Part 1. Cameron Highlands. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Highlands

Cameron Highlands, tourist heaven and major vegetable producer in Malaysia. Reminds me of Berastagi in Medan, Indonesia.




Rose Valley in Kampung Tringkap.

 

This forest won't last another 10 years if not properly maintain by those involved in agro tourism here in Cameron Highlands.

Souvenirs stalls right infront of Rose Valley entrance.

Local Mint Leaves anyone?



I am no landscaping or garden expert, therefore I can only provide photo. I have no idea the names of this beauty.




Yummy!



Koi Fish pond in the Rose Garden. Just sit back, relax and unwind.

Cheerful and bright colors are for those who are daring.

I think flowers watching is one of the best mind's therapy.

Love me or hate me, I am just drop dead beautiful.

I fall in love with this green thing.

Guess what? Dried pumpkin. Remember Drunken Master movie? Pumpkin of this type can be used for storing wine and water. Exotic!!

White can be so calming...Agree?

So many plants, flowers and such.

The classic beauty, pink roses.

Roses are red, voilets are blue...no such thing here.

Do not pick or pluck the flowers.

Bird of Paradise

I like..I like.



Fresh highlands air. View from Rose Valley hilltop.



Pisang kaki, (literally means banana feet) fruit tree?!

Seriously!

There are so much more to share...But I think, better for you guys to check it out personally. The beauty of Cameron Highlands is just too good to be missed. Signing off now. Part 2 is on the way.

Sanusi Din
28 December 2010

Hutan Lipur Ulu Paip-Destinasi Perkelahan Keluarga

5 Disember 2010, ke Hutan Lipur Ulu Paip, di Kulim, Kedah. Senang saja nak ke sini, ikut jer lah papan tanda.(hehehe). Dah lama tak berkelah kira-kira sedekad..hahaha. Bila anak saudara kami Yusri, datang dari Johor, kami pun bawak la dia berkelah ke sini.

Kemudahan awam yang tersedia termasuklah, surau, dewan dan tandas.

Bangunan surau dan dewan.

Kawasan tempat letak kereta luas dan percuma.

Ada gerai jagung bakar, rojak  dan jajan.

Hijau flora yang menyejukkan mata.

Merenung pokok misteri yang digelar pokok langsuir dapat merungkai stress dan segala macam kekusutan.

Lihatlah, air dingin yang mengalir perlahan sambil membelai batu batu sungai dan akar pohon bambu. 

Pokok apa ni? Saya lupalah namanya. Tapi cantikkan?

Ulat Gonggok Hutan Lipur Ulu Paip. Fauna yang unik.

Pondok rehat yang tersedia untuk para pengunjung.

Dari balik daun bambu, pemandangan sungai Ulu Paip sangat damai dan menyejukkan fikiran.

Wow! rasanya macam nak terus berendam dalam sungai, sampai kecut.

Kehijauan hutan simpan Negeri Kedah.

Pokok Palma apa ni? Pokok Palas ke?

Tu dia. Makanan simple tapi sedap banget. Kerang rebus cicah air asam, gulai lemak udang, ikan sardin goreng dan ayam goreng. Mak aii...terbaek dari dapur chef Noriati.

Ishhh...ishhh.. ermmm.. gulp!! Tertelan air liur la pulak.

Pulun, Yusri pulun, sampai tak panggung kepala.

Tikar tak ada, surat khabar lama pun boleh gak buat tikar. Aesya dan Yursi tengah lunch.

Sepupu yang best friend dari kecik sampai besar.

Yusri dan Aesya tengah bina kolam untuk mandi kat dalam tu.

Jangan minum air tu, belum masak lagi nanti sakit perut.

Siokkknya mandi kat Sungai Ulu Paip ni..Rasa macam tak mau balik Johor jer. Gerek Sehhh!!

Hutan Lipur Ulu Paip adalah destinasi perkelahan yang lebih family oriented. Sungainya agak cetek dan selamat untuk anak-anak kecil. Jika dibandingkan dengan Sungai Sedim yang deras dan dalam, di sini agak menenangkan jiwa mak bapak yang bawak anak-anak mandi manda di sini.

Oleh:

Sanusi Din

Fresh, simple and delicious Aidil Adha dishes.

Aidil (Eidul) Adha suppose to as big as Aidil (Eidul) Fitri celebration but lately things has change drastically. Aidil Adha has becoming less happening, compared to Aidil Fitri. This is a very sad result.


Many factors contribute to this result. The major factor would be, lack understanding on the purpose of this celebration is to mark the history of holy sacrifice done by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). The willingness of a father to sacrifice of his son, Prophet Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedient to God, before God intervened to provide him a ram to sacrifice instead.


Other factor would be, no additional holiday gazetted by private company. Most people from far away states unable to come home to celebrate with family and friend. That is what Eid is all about for all Malaysian. “Balik Kampong” or literally means return to hometown is a must during big festivals.


Anyway, I am lucky because my kampong is not far way, only 45 minutes drive from my place. Same goes to my wife’s kampong also about the same distance. Last Aidil Adha, I reached Singkir Laut just before the prayer. As I mentioned earlier not so many people from far away states return home. I saw a couple of childhood friends outside mosque after the prayer. Have a quick catch-up session and went home to eat “ketupat pulut”, a special Eid food in North Malaysia. It is glutinous rice (sticky rice) wrapped in a “palas” leaves (type of small palm tree) and boil to cook. Some people prepare it by steaming the rice. Normally it is served with beef curry and “rendang”(Chicken or beef cook in a special fragrant sauce).




"Ketupat palas"

 

After that, we went to my sister’s home in Sungai Gelam, one of kampong in the famous Bujang Valley. The Bujang Valley or Lembah Bujang http://www.visitkedah.com.my/places_lb.html is a sprawling historical complex and has an area of approximately 224 square km. Situated near Merbok, Kedah, between Gunung Jerai in the north and Muda River in the south, it is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia.


There, we had more “ketupat pulut” and a big lunch of a special kampong dishes. My brother in-law caught a big “ikan pari” (stingray) in a nearby Merbok River http://www.visitkedah.com.my/places_sm.html and he wanted to charcoal grill the fish. Wow!!, the fish was so fresh it has not been iced or refrigerated. Imagine how sweet, juicy and tender the fresh fish going to be.



Grilled Stingray

 The fish was marinated in salt, turmeric powder and fresh turmeric. Basic seasoning for North Malaysia style grilled fish. Then the fish was wrapped in banana leaf to maintain the juice and the aroma. It was serve with special “air asam” sauce (sour and spicy sauce consist of small chilly, onions, shrimp paste, salt, sugar and tamarind juice)


Our lunch also accompanied with “siput lala” (baby mussel) broth and fresh salads, lettuce and fragrant (selom) leaves. OMG - simple dishes that bring all the original flavor of Northern Region food. I love it so much. I think most of our comfort foods are simple foods. Nice and easy to prepare. Simply delicious!

Our whole big lunch dishes.

Selom Leaves Salad ("Ulam")

Baby Mussel (Siput Lala)



Local lettuce salad ("Ulam")

My fisherman cum char kway teow seller brother in-law in his festive season outfit. He is too sexy for his shirt.

Ummmpppphhh.....yummy!!



Delicously finger linkin' experience.