Kelam Cave: A Tourism Asset in Perlis, Malaysia

One of the tourism assets in Perlis is Gua Kelam. Nestled in a 5000-hectare of Wang Mu and Mata Ayer Forest Reserves, Kelam Cave lies in the limestone hills of Nakawan Range which has features of steep slope and underground river. It was once used as a tin mining areas.

 The entrace to the Complex

There are two caves open for  the public. The cave-1, you can see and observe the stalactites on the ceiling and the underground river. You can walk  along the 381 metre wooden bridge to cross the underground river and appreciate the cave environment. There is ample lights to guide your walk.

The entrance to Cave-2

 The trains

The cave-2, you have to climb staircases and take a train ride for 400 metres into the cave. The cave-2 is quite high from the cave-1. Here, you can see the remnants of the tin-mining areas. It has poles, cut wall etc indicating the activity of mining. You also can hear the sound of water. All dangerous holes or caves are covered with safety net.

The cave-1

The train has seven coaches. Each coach can take only four persons. The coach glides on the parallel poles. After 400 metres, you have to get out of the coach and take a walk. The trail is quite dark and has lights at intervals. You can see stalactites, hear the sound of trickling water and see the ex-mining areas. The floors of the mining areas keep on lowering as evidence in the rising ceiling height of the cave. It is quite a hectic climb and walk. You need stamina to survive this exploration. Those unfit, it is advisable not to go into cave-2. You will end your trails in cave-1 and exit from cave-1.

The cave with lighting inside.

Kelam cave now is being managed by the Forestry Department since 2009. The complex has other facility and attraction too. It has gallery, souvenir shop, toilet, bathing area (rivers), camping site which can accommodate 200 persons and parking areas.

It is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm and with admission fee of RM5.00 adult and RM3.00 children. You need at least 2 hours to explore the caves. If you are interested to visit this cave, take a drive  from Kangar to Padang Besar. When you reach Timah Tasor, turn left towards Kaki Bukit. Afer 6km, you will reach a junction, then take left until you reach the foothills.  Happy travelling.

KLCC Park: A Most Beautiful City Green Surrounded by Tall Buildings

I found KLCC park is well planned, well managed and well utilised by its visitors. You can not see this park from the road side. It is located at the back of Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

It has beautiful jogging track, waterfalls (small one), lakes with fountains, trees, gazebos etc. It is one of the most visited parks in Kuala Lumpur. It also becomes weekend picnic area by city folks.

The green park with tall buildings surrounding it. A view from Petronas Twin towers.

If you are in Kuala Lumpur, do visit this park. You can take LRT Putra Line where the KLCC station is just underneath the Twin Towers. Once you reached the KLCC station, go to Suria KLCC. Go to the first floor on your left, you will see this park. If you are not sure, ask around. Happy travelling.

Rose Garden, Kundasang, Sabah

I had the opportunity to visit this garden recently. It is located in Kundasang, just a few metres from the War Memorial Museum. Going to the place, you have in enter a secondary road.

This garden belongs to the private company and you have to pay RM3.00 for the entrance. It is full of roses and cactuses. This garden supplies some of its flowers to the city. Although it is named as rose garden, it has other flowers too.

The red rose, very strong in scent.

This not roses; its flowers are used as medicine for curing insect bites.

Dark red rose

Different colours, it looks like a hybrid.

Pink rose.

Five roses 

White rose

Bell flower

Behind the rose garden is a large agricultural area and a village.

If you happen to visit the rich agricultural areas of Kundasang, you can visit this place. It also has a simple eating place for you to quench your thirst and has a light meal. Happy travelling.

Tamparuli, Sabah Malaysia

There is a small town in Tuaran, Sabah by the name of Tamparuli. It is famous for its bridge and had a special song for it. It is situated along the main road to Kundasang. Whoever goes to Kundasang, they must pass through this little town.

A panaromic view of Tamparuli. It is rural area with highland in the background.

The hanging bridge and lower down is another concrete bridge passable to all traffic. It is a main road to Sandakan.Tamparuli town with bazaar and shops is at the end of these bridges.

The river that flows in Tamparuli.

If you pass this town, do stop and appreciate the beauty of her landscape.

Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia

Kinabalu Park (under the jurisdiction of Sabah Park) is located in Kundasang. It is about 2 hr drive from Kota Kinabalu. It houses the highest mountain in South-east Asia, Mount Kinabalu. For those who enjoy mountain climbing, perhaps this the area could be the best practise area before they climb other taller mountains. The climbing starts at Timpohon and must be guided by an authorised guide. 

When you enter this park, you need to pay RM3.00 per person and you can park your vehicles at the parking bays provided. 

The office and the galleries are located at the entrance. While the restaurant and the audio-visual room are located away from the entrance. Those who like botany and geology can explore this park to the maximum.

View from the administrative block

View from the main road.

Viewing platform, overlooking the main road. A good place for photography.

Internal road leading to the gallery.

Signboard telling who won the climbing competition in 2009.

The auditorium

The big ferns....

Chalets are available for rent.

Flowering tree at the park.

Another example of flowering tree in the park.

For those who are interested to visit this park, start early in the morning as it takes two hours to reach this park from Kota Kinabalu. The road leading to this area is quite narrow and winding. Since it is a main road to Tuaran and Sandakan, you may find big lorries that can slow you down and overtaking only are allowed at certain stretches.

Once you are at the park, you need at least three hours to view all galleries, botanical garden, walking along trails and had some snacks.The air is cooler here. If you cannot stand cooling air, bring a jumper or shawl. If you decide to climb the Kinabalu mountain, you have to stay overnight here and have to register with the park authority. Bring the necessary gadgets for climbing. Happy climbing and travelling.

City Centre of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu (KK), formerly known as Jesselton is the capital of Sabah, Malaysia. What I am going to tell you now  is some of the attractions in the city centre of Kota Kinabalu. Its centre lies along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen on the coastal side and the few roads inland. The centre has blocks of commercial buildings and now more hotels and hotel apartments are under construction especially on the sea-reclamation area.

The apartments and the shopping area.

The park in between the buildings.

The Marina Court, apartments for hire on daily or monthly basis.

When you are in KK city centre, you cannot miss visiting a few places such as Pasar Budaya (they call it Filipino Market) which sells handicrafts and souvenir items. This market is a  single storey wooden market. It has many small stalls or cubicles which makes the patrons difficult to move around due to its narrow circulation area. If you want to buy, do bargain, at least 60 percent. If you want more quality, go to Jamilah Jewellery at the proper shop at Sinsuran Building at the back of La Meridien Hotel.

Next to this market is Pasar Ikan Masin (Dried Salted Fish Market). Here there are many dried sea food products such as dried prawn, dried salted fish, and other fish related products. It is considered cheap. But you still need to bargain as the opening price may be high.

The evening food stalls which sell grilled fish, grilled prawn, and other sea-food looks delicious. Its smell make your taste buds excrete saliva. If you want to taste the grilled fish and feel the atmosphere (like a sauna...), I think it is better to have it here. Ask for the price when you order the food and drink.

You also can buy fresh fish or prawn at the central market  which is about 100 metres from this market. You may get cheap if you go in the early morning. If you stay in the apartment (which allow cooking), certainty buying fresh fish from this market can save a lot. This is so if you are travelling with large family.

Brooch sold at Culture Market.

This is the real shop that sells many brooches and other crystals. You can be a member to get big discount.

One of the shopping complexes in the city centre. The one at 1 Borneo is even bigger but it is located 10km north. Behind this building is the bus station.

The daily market next to the Culture Market.

The evening food stalls near the market. Sabah is blessed with sea-food.

Patrons are having dinner at the stall.

Nowadays, the space between the buildings are covered with special roof and are equipped with air-conditioner. This made the patrons comfortable.

The traffic at the market.

The front of the Salted Fish Market.

Other places of interest for shopping are Centre Points where many upmarket products are sold. 1 Borneo is a new shopping mall for KK but it is located away from the city centre. There is a free shuttle bus  from the city to 1 Borneo. If you are interested, go to the bus stop opposite the culture Market or ask around.

Beside the shopping, do visit the water front, the museum, Signal Hill (where you can see the entire city facing the sea), Likas Bay and Tanjong Aru (where the beach is). This is what I call city tour.

If you want independent travelling without guide, you can take mini-buses at the station near the Plaza Wawasan. Happy Travelling.

Sunset in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah. It is located on the north-west of the island of Borneo which is now having Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan (Indonesia). The picture below shows a very serene atmosphere with blue water, boats and trees. Those who like fantasy, calmness, you can watch this panorama.

This looks beautiful with the blue water.

The next picture is the sunset in Kota Kinabalu. I took this picture from the same spot. You can see the sun set in layers of clouds with red lining.

The sun set, a view from Marina Court.

If you want to take the picture of this sunset, observe at 6.30pm. If there is no rain or others, certainly you will see this panorama. Happy observing.