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| Kellie's Castle in Batu Gajah |
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| You have to cross a bridge that traverse Sungai Raya to get to the castle |
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| View of Sungai Raya, main entrance and souvenier center |
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| View of the secondary car park |
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| View of Route A4 from the castle's roof |
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| Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Route A4, located 750m away from Kellie's Castle. Purportedly, an escape tunnel connects the castle to the temple |
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| Can you spot William Kellie-Smith standing amongst the idols? The temple is as old as the castle and the local community celebrated Kellie as the master that helped them during their times working in the estate |
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| Banana stop before Tanjung Tualang's Tin Dredge No 5 |
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| Tanjung Tualang's Tin Dredge No 5 |
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| Nicknamed TT5, this is the last remaining tin dredge in Perak. Sri Banting Dredge in Dengkil, Selangor is another such tin dredge but the particular one in Selangor does not conduct tours |
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| Note the buckets in the background |
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| Kinta River as viewed from Route A114's Jalan Malim Nawar |
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| Japanese Carbide Chimney |
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| Japanese Carbide Chimney |
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| Japanese Carbide Chimney |
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| Japanese Carbide Chimney |
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| Malim Nawar's Limestone Pinnacles |
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| Jalan Batu Sinar, enroute to Kampar |
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| Jalan Batu Sinar. Note the road is flanked by lakes on both sides |
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| Off Jalan Batu Sinar's fish farms |
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| Taking a cool respite under a huge Angsana Tree before we were chased out by the owner in 4WD. It was a private property after all but the gates were "OPENED" |
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| In Kampar |
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| Kampar's Route 1 |
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| Gurdwara Sahib, Kampar |
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| The gang cooling down at Air Terjun Berangkai. Oblivious to us, 2 friends drowned in the same pool less than a month from our visit! |
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| According to locals the waterfalls has claimed many lives |
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| The strong swimmers swam across the pool |
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| Pit stop, almost reaching Tapah town |
Still adamant on keeping the roll out time, Claudine sped upstairs to check on the duo only to see Jac bending over Joyce's tyres to give it a good inflation. A flustered Jac muttered something about "only 45 psi inflation" while Joyce smiled on sheepishly.
Telling the girls to hurry, Claudine decided to proceed as planned to our breakfast venue, leaving VT to wait for them.
After breakfast, we followed Mindy, a true bred Ipoh girl through Ipoh's Taman Botani, all the way to the intersection with Route 3150. Hereon, we turned left, rolled downhill a little and screeched to a stop!
The short cut to Kellie's Castle which was fervently discussed since last night, involved an off road section. However, nobody had anticipated a rocky welcome at the entrance!
Referring to Google Maps, the off road section was approximately 5 km. Jac who voted to avoid the bumpy encounter, was making an attempt to U-turn when VT took over the helm, leading all of us into the abyss. She had no choice but to follow!
The rocky section was short, followed by a nice dirt track under the canopies of palm oil trees. Once in a while, Sungai Sengat plays peek a boo!
We barely made it more than 1.5 km when we came upon the closed gate of Seronok Estate. There was no one at the guard post and hung at the gate was a "fearsome" signboard, illustrating a man with a shotgun and a guard dog.
The short cut to Kellie's Castle which was fervently discussed since last night, involved an off road section. However, nobody had anticipated a rocky welcome at the entrance!
Referring to Google Maps, the off road section was approximately 5 km. Jac who voted to avoid the bumpy encounter, was making an attempt to U-turn when VT took over the helm, leading all of us into the abyss. She had no choice but to follow!
The rocky section was short, followed by a nice dirt track under the canopies of palm oil trees. Once in a while, Sungai Sengat plays peek a boo!
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| First there were 2... |
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| ...then, there were 3 !!! |
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| When all attempts to pass through the gates failed... smile for the camera !!! |
We barely made it more than 1.5 km when we came upon the closed gate of Seronok Estate. There was no one at the guard post and hung at the gate was a "fearsome" signboard, illustrating a man with a shotgun and a guard dog.
It is possible to reason with a man but not a guard dog. Fearing the worst, we turned around unhappily. No, we were NOT "seronok" !!!!
Taking the longer route, we arrived at Kellie's Castle before 9.30 am when the sun was shinning at its brightest, on a cloudless day. All ghosts of William Kellie-Smith would have been incinerated!
Adopting a moorish and tamilvanan design, the mansion had all the elements of good feng shui; sitting on top of a knoll with Sungai Raya running across the property. Instead of basking in good Chi (Qi) William was struck with pneumonia and died in Lisbon. After his death in 1926, his wife returned to Scotland and the construction of the mansion was totally abandoned.
Next came Tanjung Tualang's Tin Dredge No 5 but first with a pitstop for bananas midway. We arrived at the relic a quarter past 11 am and were disappointed their next tour at 11.30 am was already fully booked! We had no choice but to content ourselves with an unguided walk around the compound at the exorbitant fee of RM8.
Kellie's Castle
Adult - RM5
Senior citizen - RM4
Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No 5
Adult without tour - RM8
Adult with tour - RM 16
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| On Route A4's Jalan Gopeng |
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| On Route A4's Jalan Gopeng |
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| Route A4 overlooking Kellie's Castle |
Taking the longer route, we arrived at Kellie's Castle before 9.30 am when the sun was shinning at its brightest, on a cloudless day. All ghosts of William Kellie-Smith would have been incinerated!
Adopting a moorish and tamilvanan design, the mansion had all the elements of good feng shui; sitting on top of a knoll with Sungai Raya running across the property. Instead of basking in good Chi (Qi) William was struck with pneumonia and died in Lisbon. After his death in 1926, his wife returned to Scotland and the construction of the mansion was totally abandoned.
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| On Route A108's Jalan Bemban enroute to Tanjung Tualang |
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| At the entrance to TT5 |
Next came Tanjung Tualang's Tin Dredge No 5 but first with a pitstop for bananas midway. We arrived at the relic a quarter past 11 am and were disappointed their next tour at 11.30 am was already fully booked! We had no choice but to content ourselves with an unguided walk around the compound at the exorbitant fee of RM8.
Nicknamed TT5, the Tin Dredge is a 4500 tons factory, kept afloat by a large pontoon. Built in 1938 by F.W. Payne and Son, an engineering company in England, it was put to work until 1982.
Now, relocated to its present location TT5 serves as a grim reminder of the ecological damage caused by mining industries. The stark, barren and pockmarked areas left behind after heavy excavation works took more than a hundred years to recover to its current day's balance. Present day, Route A114 is flanked by shimmering lakes, Malaysia's very own version of The Lake Districts.
Riding into Tanjung Tualang's village for lunch, Claudine was awestrucked by the old fire engine parked under the zinced roof of a temporary shelter, located right next to the goldsmith shop. This simple set up completes the village's volunteer fire brigade.
A few shoplots away from the goldsmith, a funeral was taking place with a casket in view. All wailings and weepings, if any, were drowned by the songs belted out through the karaoke system, perhaps a dedication by some old man for his dead friend!
Fulfilling John's obsession for his jelly in shaved ice concoctions, we followed him to a side stall and were amazed by the long queue. Serving only takeaways, every customer were walking away with NOT ONE but several bags of drinks in different fruity concoctions! This is literally viral for a small village!
After our simple lunch of chicken rice and economy rice dishes, we proceeded to Malim Nawar's Japanese Carbide Chimney. Built by the Japanese during the WWII, the carbide to be produced were intended to be chemically combined with tungsten to make cast tungsten carbide for bullets and missiles. It was said the chimney was never completed or one would shudder how much further the war would have gone on!!!
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| Many ex-tin mining pool are now turned into fish ponds |
Now, relocated to its present location TT5 serves as a grim reminder of the ecological damage caused by mining industries. The stark, barren and pockmarked areas left behind after heavy excavation works took more than a hundred years to recover to its current day's balance. Present day, Route A114 is flanked by shimmering lakes, Malaysia's very own version of The Lake Districts.
Riding into Tanjung Tualang's village for lunch, Claudine was awestrucked by the old fire engine parked under the zinced roof of a temporary shelter, located right next to the goldsmith shop. This simple set up completes the village's volunteer fire brigade.
A few shoplots away from the goldsmith, a funeral was taking place with a casket in view. All wailings and weepings, if any, were drowned by the songs belted out through the karaoke system, perhaps a dedication by some old man for his dead friend!
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| Jelly drink in lime juice |
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| Constantly long queue |
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| One of the many restaurants |
Fulfilling John's obsession for his jelly in shaved ice concoctions, we followed him to a side stall and were amazed by the long queue. Serving only takeaways, every customer were walking away with NOT ONE but several bags of drinks in different fruity concoctions! This is literally viral for a small village!
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| Jalan Yeop Abdullah |
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| Almost reaching the Japanese Carbide Chimney |
After our simple lunch of chicken rice and economy rice dishes, we proceeded to Malim Nawar's Japanese Carbide Chimney. Built by the Japanese during the WWII, the carbide to be produced were intended to be chemically combined with tungsten to make cast tungsten carbide for bullets and missiles. It was said the chimney was never completed or one would shudder how much further the war would have gone on!!!
Casting war aside, we took to peace and tranquility at Limestone Pinnacles, Malim Nawar's other attraction. The route took us on a single lane road, passing quaint village homes. At the end of the road, the tarmac ended, continuing with a dirt track strewn with dry leaves and shrouded by tall trees.
We were unsure if we were on the right way to the Limestone Pinnacles but just riding towards its direction when a car approached from the opposite direction. The 2 ladies in the car were a bit reluctant to stop but could not ignore Claudine's persistent wave.
Yes, they were in the right direction.
However, the spot is on private land.
No, they do not encourage trespassers.
Taking pity on our group who had come all the way from JB, Selangor and Singapore, they allowed us to proceed and even pointed out the location behind the factory. It is indeed difficult to find as per someone's online review but the view was as gorgeous as in photographs.
Kampar came next but the climb to Air Terjun Batang Berangkai was excruciating. The road was narrow and very steep at certain segments. Many times we had to push our bikes.
A popular recreational spot, evening strollers and hikers were overtaking us on foot! The orang asli who lives by the stream egged us on and even pointed us to their taps for safe drinking water.
At the first pool, the view from the parking lot was unsightly. The toilet was in disrepair and rubbish was strewn everywhere along the short trail, down to the pool.
Once at the pool, the waterfall, though cannot be viewed all the way to the top was nice and the pool, an amazing green hue and deep enough for swims. It must be something to do with the depth and undercurrent near the falls for according to locals, the place has claimed many lives
We were unsure if we were on the right way to the Limestone Pinnacles but just riding towards its direction when a car approached from the opposite direction. The 2 ladies in the car were a bit reluctant to stop but could not ignore Claudine's persistent wave.
Yes, they were in the right direction.
However, the spot is on private land.
No, they do not encourage trespassers.
Taking pity on our group who had come all the way from JB, Selangor and Singapore, they allowed us to proceed and even pointed out the location behind the factory. It is indeed difficult to find as per someone's online review but the view was as gorgeous as in photographs.
Kampar came next but the climb to Air Terjun Batang Berangkai was excruciating. The road was narrow and very steep at certain segments. Many times we had to push our bikes.
A popular recreational spot, evening strollers and hikers were overtaking us on foot! The orang asli who lives by the stream egged us on and even pointed us to their taps for safe drinking water.
At the first pool, the view from the parking lot was unsightly. The toilet was in disrepair and rubbish was strewn everywhere along the short trail, down to the pool.
Once at the pool, the waterfall, though cannot be viewed all the way to the top was nice and the pool, an amazing green hue and deep enough for swims. It must be something to do with the depth and undercurrent near the falls for according to locals, the place has claimed many lives
After a refreshing dip, we returned to the foothills to regroup before proceeding to Tapah. Just as we were about to roll, Mindy who came too near to John grazed the left side of his handlebar. With one foot on the pedals and another on the ground, he wobbled and wobbled before crashing. Guess he could have fared better if he had mastered pirouette in ballet school!!!
We arrived in Tapah at 6 pm all hot and tired. Opting for dinner first, we chose Restoran Khiong Hee which served delicious food at reasonable prices. Then it was check in and unwind though some of us could not unwind at all....a HORRIFIC experience awaits!!!
We arrived in Tapah at 6 pm all hot and tired. Opting for dinner first, we chose Restoran Khiong Hee which served delicious food at reasonable prices. Then it was check in and unwind though some of us could not unwind at all....a HORRIFIC experience awaits!!!
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| Simple, cheap and delicious food at Restoran Khiong Hee's Jalan Baldwin 3 |
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| Simple, cheap and delicious food at Restoran Khiong Hee's Jalan Baldwin 3 |
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| Simple, cheap and delicious food at Restoran Khiong Hee's Jalan Baldwin 3 |
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| Simple, cheap and delicious food at Restoran Khiong Hee's Jalan Baldwin 3 |
Kellie's Castle
Adult - RM5
Senior citizen - RM4
Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No 5
Adult without tour - RM8
Adult with tour - RM 16
Click in below's link for drowning accident:
Photo Credits :
Mindy
Jac
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Kellie's Castle
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| Kellie's Castle |
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| Souvenier center |
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| The Bridge |
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| Bring a lock to profess your love for each other at Kellie's Lock |
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| Front view |
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| East view of the property; gardens, kitchen, servant's quarters and courtyard |
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| Wine cellar |
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| Stairs leading to the wine cellar |
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| Locked door below the stairs at the wine cellar purportedly leads to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple |
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| Living room |
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| Altar |
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| Linen room |
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| Bedrooms sporting moorish window and doorway designs. Note the wall featuring elegant and ornate neo-classical friezes, designed to frame works of art. |
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| All rooms comes with a lanai to sit in and enjoy the morning breezes. It also works as natural ventilations to cool down the entire room |
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| Staircase in the master bedroom leading all the way downstairs and into the gardens |
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| The narrow spiral stairs |
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| Cloistered balcony famously haunted by the ghost of William Kellie-Smith |
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| View of the courtyard |
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| West view of the property; Note the small doorway which becomes the escape route from the master bedroom. In the foreground is the guardhouse and horse stable |
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| The stables |
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| Lift shaft |
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| Rooftop |
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