Malaysia Things to Do Tips by muddybok

Nowhere near Angkor Wat, but am still proud of it

Kellie’s Castle was constructed as private own villa, but the owner (Kellie-something, I hate history!!!!) pass away before the completion of the castle. Suppose to be the 1st private resident with elevator in Malaysia. It’s now maintain by tourism authority & open for public visit with minimal fees.

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You can include Kellie's Castle visit as part of your Ipoh White Coffee/Bean sprout Chicken Rice or the Gua Tempulung trip itinerary. Refer to your map or signage, look out for direction to Batu Gajah & you'll sure enjoy this one of the few castles found in Malaysia.

Toast of the Kluang Town

The Kluang Station coffee shop had been classified as heritage together with the old train station. Most people keep coming back for more coffee at the cafe most probably for the tasty coffee/tea and toasts, also for the nostalgic feeling sipping coffee surrounded by 2x2-inch net that made up of the upper portion of the coffee shop “wall” (boundaries).

For complete Kluang Station Cafe coffee tasting story, please click here.

Pulau Dayang Bunting

Off Kedah mainland, there is this legendary Pulau Dayang Bunting (Pregnant Maiden). You can visit this island as part of the Island Hoping package by any Langkawi tour agencies.

Do pay attention to the shape of the hills. Amazing huh!!!

Pulau Dayang Bunting is famous not only because of this pregnant maiden shaped formation, but it is more famous for its freshwater lake that is behind this formation. The lake is quite big, so much so that you can enjoy the banana boat in the lake. And the strangest thing about this lake is the rock at the opening as if there is one giant cork made of rock preventing the salt water from contaminate this freshwater lake.

Keropok Losong/Lekor@Terengganu

Keropok lekor is actually evolved from keropok losong which contain more fish meat than flours. Keropok losong is originated from Kampung Losong near the State Museum of Terengganu. Keropok losong is good to eat even just after the cooking process is completed. Kerepok Lekor needs to be fried in order to cover the over-powering taste of excessive flours.

I bought few ringgits of steamed keropok losong to take away with some chili sauce especially for keropok. My travel pal (cum navigator) was distracted by nasi dagang store and we stop by for the nasi & carnage the keropok at the nasi dagang store as well. The store owner is so friendly and allows us to use his utensil for our keporok chili sauce and spare our finger from the heat of the keropok. The size of uncut keropok looks like ehem but this one is very chewy.

Breakfast @Ye Olde Smoke House, Cameron Highlands

Ye Olde Smoke House offer you a peaceful and cozy English style surrounding while you’re enjoying your breakfast. You have the option of dine indoor or dining in the garden while sunray is gently peeping through surrounding morning fogs. Flowers in wonderful display & occasionally some humming birds flying around carry on their own business.

Beside serving lunch & dinner, Ye Olde Smoke House (Hotel & Restaurant) also has rooms decorated with English Country style. The building is basically built in Tudor style.

P/s: Smoke House has a total of 3 outlets. Beside Cameron Highlands, the other two are located at Fraser Hill & Kuala Lumpur respectively.

Directions: From Tanah Rata, you’ll be driving in the direction towards Brinchang. The Ye Olde Smoke House is a very distinct landmark, you should not mist it. (approx 2.5KM from Tanah Rata)

Sri Menanti Architecture

Sri Menanti not just built entirely with solid wood, but it is also the only big palace architected without the usage of a single metal nails.

The building was built entirely woods interlocked and wood pegs to hold the building in place.

It is now a Royal Museum. It was formerly the residence of the first Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. This beautifully designed palace was constructed completely by 'penak' timber consisting 99 pillars each representing the 99 warriors of the various clans. (extract from web)

Address: Istana Kenanga Sri Menanti, 72000 Kuala Pilah

Royal Selangor (1885, Selangor Pewter)

Founded in 1885, Royal Selangor is perhaps one of the most well-known names in pewter. Presently, the company offers over a thousand different tableware and gift items, from traditional tankards and elegant tea sets, to captivating photo frames and handsome desk accessories.

Pewter offers a lifetime of pleasure and beauty. Over time and with use, pewter develops a pleasing subdued tone unique to the metal. However, the distinguished Royal Selangor finish can be maintained with these simple cleaning tips.

Satin Finish
- Wash in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly
- Dry immediately with a soft cloth
- Always wipe satin-finish pieces along its polish lines

Brilliant Finish
- Polish as silver, with a good brand of silver polish and a soft flannel

Antique Finish
- Wash in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly
- Dry immediately with a soft cloth

Wood and Pewter
- Do not soak in water
- Avoid strong detergents, which can penetrate and damage wood
- Wipe with a damp cloth, and dry immediately
- An occasional application of linseed or olive oil to the wood improves its lustre

24K Gold-plated Pewter
- Wash in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly
- Dry immediately with a soft cloth
- Do not use metal polish, as this will dull the gold

Worth Noting
- Never expose pewter to direct flame, or heated surfaces
- Never put pewter in a microwave
- Do not scrub with a brush
- Do not clean in a dishwasher
- If you live by the sea, atmospheric salts can dull pewter's lustre. Wipe occasionally with a damp cloth

Facts extracted from Royal Selangor Customer Care page.

Sea Turtle Nesting & Sighting

Sea turtle is a migratory animal but somehow will return year after year for nesting at certain stretch of beaches. Rautau Abang, Pulau Redang, & other islands were often visited by these sea turtle to carry out their God’s given duty.

For more Sea Turle and Rantau Abang story, please click here. In my Rantau Abang page, i also include one insider information about why sea turtle choose Rantau Abang as its nesting place (1st hand information from someone work in turtle hatchery).

Ta Prohm of Malaysia

Just another shot from inside of Kellie’s Castle using my favorite “through the door/window” shot. Those bayan trees are trying to reclaim the area just like the Cambodia Ta Prohm case.

Special note for Cruisers:
If you’re following my bike trip, you can either click on Cameron Highlands or continue with next few tips to wrap up my trip. Of course if you’re planning for similar trip (be it by car or bike), you are welcome to browse through my Cameron Highlands’ tips.

Guinness Book Of Records - World's Largest Tankard

Weighing in at a hefty 1557 kg (3432 lbs) and standing 1987 mm (6' 6") tall and having a girth of 1693 mm (5' 6"); this monumental feat was born of the desire that Royal Selangor should celebrate its centenary year in 1985 in dramatic fashion.

Six of Royal Selangor's most skilled craftsmen were assigned to create this super tankard. They took three months and worked over 2000 hours to complete the job - from preparation of the moulds to the final polishing of the tankard.

The process was similar to making a normal size tankard, although on a very much larger scale. Typically, the handle was cast separately and later soldered on, except that this 181 kg (400lbs) handle took three days just to be soldered on and a further 7 days for it to be polished to attain the right shine.

It now stands majestically within the grounds of Royal Selangor's premises in Kuala Lumpur. In 1987, it was cited in the Guinness Book Of World Records as the World's Largest Pewter Tankard.

It is a remarkably well-travelled tankard too. After its first public appearance at Expo '86 in Vancouver, Canada, it stopped the show at Singapore's busy Orchard Road (1992), showed up at Beijing, Shanghai and Shenjang (2000) and travelled Australia in 2001.

P/s: fact & pic extracted from Royal Selangor official website. The tankard was exhibited in Singapore during my visit to Royal Selangor.

Click here for more Royal Selangor's tips.