MENARA CONDONG

Another interesting place that you'll can visit while in Perak is Menara Condong that are located at Teluk Intan. Teluk Intan is one of the largest city in Hilir Perak and Menara Condong has become as a landmark of Teluk Intan. Another city that are nearer with Teluk Intan is Sabak Barnam, Bagan Datoh, Bidor, Kampar, Tapah ang Lumut.

Everybody who come to Teluk Intan will not miss the opportunity to visit one of the uniqueness of Perak, which is Menara Condong. Before this Menara Condong known as Jam Tinggi that was build at 1885 as a water storage tank and also as a Time Keeper for their local community.

Basically, this building was build in a normal condition and straight vertically.But after a big flood, the structure of this building has start skewed around 1889. One of the reason why it is happen is because it was built on soft soil structure and at the same time there is the burden of the water tank which caused a slight incline towards the southwest.

The pagoda shape of this building has the ability to amazed every eyes that see it coz it juz fantastic, also with the shape of "tudung saji" at its roof. 

opps, before entering tu why not get some of the information available at the entrance. hehee.

So, to those of you that seems curious, interested.. what are you guys waiting for.. come on, lets Perak lah kita. 

Taiping

Taiping town was been a capital of Perak. It is a small town which rich with tines and it is a Bandar Warisan as it preserved Perak’s history. The name of Taiping is from Chinese word “Tai-Peng” means peace forever. Taiping with 12 districts is the most humid area in Malaysia with rainfall around 4000 km per year. Travelling at Taiping not only because if the history, but the environment and culture as well as the food heaven.  There are about 8 attractive and famous places in Taiping, Perak:

1. Galeria Pertama

This building has be used as trigonometric survey offices, 1891 and administrative offices of Taiping, 1930 located at Station Road, Taiping. It is been divided into four segment included Galeri Tengku Menteri, bilik bacaan persendirian Pegawai  Inggeris, Galeri Kapitan Cina and Galeri Potret. The operation period is from at 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on weekdays except Monday and on Sunday at 12.30 pm to 5.30pm. This gallery closed on every Monday and festival holidays only.

2. Muzium Perak Taiping

This museum was designed by English architecture from England. The concept of this musem is combination of classic art known as “neo-classic” and Victorian people of Europe. The building planning started on 1883 and completely developed on 1886. This museum is early museum institution of Southeast Asia and the first museum in Malaysia. It include four exhibition gallery which are Gallery A(Pameran Sementara Berkala), Gallery B(Pemaran Semulajadi), Gallery C( Pameran Kebudayaan Umum dan Perak) and Gallery D (Pameran Tembikar Tradisional & Masyarakat Orang Asli). This museum located at Jalan Taming Sari and operated every day at 9.30am to 5.00pm except for Friday at 9.30 to 12.00noon and open back at 2.30pm to 5.30pm. People can visit the website http://www.museumperak.gov.my

3. Zoo Taiping

Zoo Taiping was developed on 1961 with 24hectar that consist of 2000 of animal which 160 species of mammalian, reptilian, birds and fishes. What special about this zoom is it is surrounded by Taman Tasik Taiping and it is near to Maxwell Hills. It is the first public zoo in Malaysia. This zoo opens every day at 8.00am to 6.00pm.

 4. Night Safari Taiping

Night Safari Taiping is the first in Malaysia which opened on 2003. It preserves the authenticity natural light which spill over through techniques like moonlight in the forest. Visitors have chance to sight variety of wildlife active at night. Therefore, this safari is only open at night started 8.00pm to 11.00pm everyday include public holiday while on Saturday at 8.00pm to 12.00am.

5. Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut)

A sight of sunset at the hilltop of Maxwell is the best memory of Taiping as the evening beauty there the most beautiful at Peninsula Malaysia with height 4,100feets. It takes about 30minutes to the hilltop with 13km of distance by jip. Temperature of the hilltop during day is 15°C -25°C. This hill been developed on 1879 as first hill resort in Malaysia. Surrounding of the hill has several bungalows of English as tourist accommodation.

6. Kolam Air Panas Perubatan

This hot tub contains original of mineral salt. It already operates 14years which located at Kampung Batu 9, Changkat Jering. It said to be capable of treating 287 diseases especially the problems of skin, nerve and paralyzed limbs. There are three hot tubs for kids. The operation time is from 9.00am to 12.00am every day.

7. Kopi Antong

When visit Taiping, please do not forget to visit Kopi Antong Factory to try the lovely traditional coffee which located at Jalam Assam Kumbang Taiping. This factory has been developed by third generation of Thian Boon Chung. The coffee is combination of coffee from Brazil, Kenya and Indonesian with local coffee processed through traditional method which used “dapur arang” in order to create the lovely and fresh fragrant of the coffee. Visit time is 8.30am to 6.00pm of every day.

8. Mee Banjir Udang Mak Tee

The famous of Mee Udang which contain a lot of the fresh prawns is located at Batu 9 ¼ , Kg, Tebok, Kuala Sepetang with the price between RM6.00-RM12.00. Besides Mee Udang, other menu is available which are Nasi Goreng Sambal Udang and Nasi Udang Goreng Kunyit also popular among visitors. The restaurant operates at 10.00am until 11.00pm.

Then, after have rest at the hotel, we go out to take our dinner. We choose nasi vangey as our menu. Nasi vanggey also known as nasi ganja  is a famous menu at Perak. This menu was create by Mamak and the price is RM 5.50.

nasi ganja @ nasi vanggey

Our last destination for second day trip is at Stesen Kereta Api, Ipoh. We just want to see night view at Perak. Although the hours have shown at 12 pm but there were very person that was playing the balloon, skates board and roller skates. There also have air pancut berirama that attract people to come at this destination.

air pancut berirama 

Then, we find Mak Teh Mee Banjir Udang at Kuala Sepetang as our lunch. this place is very famous at Perak. All people that travel at Perak want to taste it. Hemmmm, we done eat it. We are very are satisfied with this food because the shrimp is very fresh. the price is around RM12 for one plate. 

nasi goreng udang

mee banjir udang

After that, we travel to Lumut as our second destination at second day. The journey along one hour from Taiping. Lumut as a one place to the tourist go to Pulau Pangkor apart from Marina Bay. There have very beautiful view especially at the twilight time.

Terminal jeti ke Pulau Pangkor

We also have enjoy our time with take cendol as our afternoon tea. this stall are famous with name Mr Cendol. Hemmmm..... very delicious. The price is around cendol biasa RM 3.30, cendol pulut RM 4.50, cenddol ais krim RM 4.30 and the self make cendol is RM5.

cendol pulut, cendol ais krim, cendol biasa

self make cendol

Then we continues our journey to Taiping. We visit Zoo Taiping and there also have a few interesting place such as Bukit Larut. We try to go to Bukuit Larut, but there was congesting because hinduism was pray at there so we cannot move.

Day 2

Our next journey in second day is first we plan to go at the Lumut and Taiping. So, we rent the viva car at there is about RM 70 per day. Hemmm...it available for us because of we are bag packer. So, let go to eat first. We had stop at kedai nasi kandar and we order 'maggi goreng and teh ais' as our breakfast. The amount area RM4.50.

our breakfast

10 interesting places in Ipoh, Perak

1. Ipoh Heritage Walk

Have a leisure walk around Bandaraya Ipoh where you can see the uniqueness of old architecture building that have been built for more than a century. Starting with a Stesen Keretapi which have been built by British's architect in year 1917. Some of the old building that are famous by local nor foreign's tourist are Ipoh Town Hall, Pejabat Pos, Muzium and many more.

2.Gua Tempurung

One of the largest gua batu Kapur in Peninsular Malaysia, located in Gopeng which is 1.9km long and have been discovered since 8000SM. this cave used to be a location for a hiding area for the communist in year 1950 to 1960. however, in 1970, gua tempurung was now known as "Lombong Biji Timah".

pic source: Google

3. Little India

Located in old town of Ipoh City. Little India funtioning as a business center, cultural and tourism activities.it have been a famous tourist attraction where tourist can get a better understanding of Indian culture in a commercial way. Little India also being a stop center  for local indian to shop for Deepavali's preparation.

4.Gerbang Malam

Shopping at night along Jalan Tahwil Azhar will give a different atmosphere for visitors in Bandaraya Ipoh  it have been establish since 2003 and now it have more than 130 stalls selling many items such as shoes, jerseys, bundle clothes and even a traditional reflexology services.

5.Memory Lane (Loke Kin)

Memory land or also known as Loke Kin is very synonym with bandaraya ipoh. it is a famous tourist spot for shopping in weekeend. situated in jalan horley and operating as early as 7am until 1pm. There are more than 300 stalls that are selling old and antique items. It is a must place for a antique lover to spend their time and even their money here. 

6. Kellie's Castle

Kellie's Castle is located near Batu Gajah, and is about 20 minutes' drive from  Ipoh, Perak.. The unfinished, ruined mansion, was built by a Scottish planter named  William Kellie Smith as a love symbolic for his wife, Agnes. Kellie's Castle is now a popular local tourist attraction and was used as a setting in the 1999 film Anna and the King and in 2000, film Skyline Cruisers.

pic source: Google

7. Muzium Perak Darul Ridzuan

This double storey building was built in 1926 and located in Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab, Ipoh . The building was still preserved the original English's architectural. visitor can have a look through the museum and learn more about the early history of Perak. Here, visitor will be introduced to many characters that molded the state. 

pic source: Google

8. Lost World of Tambun

Located in Tambun and about 10km from Bandaraya Ipoh, Perak. It is the largest premiere action and adventure theme park in Malaysia with its very own natural hot springs. Besides, built with a beautiful Mayan's architecture and a breath taking view of lake scenery and tropical rain forest. there are never dull moment at the Lost World of Tambun,and here are some recommendation activities for you guys to try on it; Fantabulous Dry Rides, Tambun Hot Springs, Tiger Valley, Tin Valley and Lost World Team Building.

pic source: Google

9. Medan Selera Dataran MBI

Your vacation will not complete without foods right. so, Medan Selera Dataran MBI will be a perfect place for food loverS to try some delicious food with more than 30 stalls that selling many varieties of menu. Located in Jalan Dato' Ismail Shah Bodin and start operating at 6pm until 2am.

10. Taman Rekreasi Gunung Lang

Located 5km from Bandaraya Ipoh. The main attractions are the man-made cascading waterfall, a limestone hill, a 2km broadwalk over the swamp and lookout towers.

pic source: Google

Budget trip to Perak-Day 1

We set off from Malacca to Puduraya from 1.30pm to 3.30pm by Mayang Sari bus at RM13.40. Then we went to Ipoh,Perak at 4.30pm and arrived at the Terminal Aman Jaya Ipoh at 7p.m costing RM23 by holiday city. Then we move to Medan Kit by rapid at RM2.30. As we arrived at Medan Kit we straightly walk around to find the hotel because we did not make any reservation since we are backpackers. 

This is Terminal Aman Jaya, Ipoh.

This is Medan Kit bus station

After 15 minute, we got the hotel that is Hotel Lotte. We reserve only two night that is standard room at RM146 for two person.

Hotel Lotte

standard room

After check-in we move to Jalan MBI to eat at there. We saw many person at there and the dealer are very friendly. We choose to eat at Jaka's stall. Our menu is jagung 3 layer RM3.50, laici blend RM4, laici kang RM 4, seafood RM8.40, char keawteow RM6, nasi goreng ayam pedas goreng kering RM5. 

Our dinner

Then, before we back to the hotel, we enjoy the view around there.

Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh

On the way back to the hotel, we stop at the Gerbang Malam that was very famous at Perak.  There was many stalls to the customer buy anything they want such as shoes, clothing, perfume and others. 

And that's how we spent our first day at Ipoh, Perak. Next day we gonna have a long, tiring and exciting day ahead :) stay tune for our next post talking about second day trip in Perak!