131. BACK TO IPOH

see post 125 - Homestay in Ipoh

Perak State is the 2nd largest of the 13 states comprising Malaysia. It made its wealth from its very rich alluvial tin ore deposits which became the source of much fighting among Chinese clans and gangster triads with the Dutch and British jumping into the fray for control and power (what else is new?)

Details can be had from Wikipedia and Google - mine came from history books, but all good things must end. When tin price plunged, the State became less important. Today, it's a laid back, quiet place which suits me just fine. Many Malaysian Chinese from this state work in Singapore

This is my 2nd visit to this cave temple in the limestone hills that ring Ipoh....for some unfinished business! I had more time to explore the cave paintings which looked very China (kitsch, in other words) but well done considering the 'canvas' was uneven and at such awkward angles...

This temple medium is apparently well-known in Malaysia. As the Chinese Lunar New Year was fast approaching, there was a steady stream of customers waiting to consult for what lies ahead in the coming Goat year and prayers to mitigate negative influences...

 

Gunung Lang, a recreational and eco park is a relatively new man-made spot for local tourists. It has made use of the natural terrain adding a waterfall and boardwalk - I like that the tortoises have so much space to swim happily about...

This boat hull planter caught my eye and it's in a fishing area out in the boondocks. It's sad that in Singapore, everything is fabricated out of plastic or concrete - there's no creativity of any kind in the public spaces...

Taiping is well known for her lake gardens - it's not spectacular but it's a peaceful and serene spot with little road and human traffic - its avenue of old trees is delightful...






Once upon a time, I was transported to school in such a school bus - now it's become a museum show piece. I still like its retro art-deco shape...

The Taiping Jail, across the road from the Perak Museum and across that too - a snack corner - where one suspects, for good behavior, the prisoners get to cross over to takeaway something they fancy...or dine in! After which cross the road back to their cell!
 

The Matang Museum in Matang district is a treasure trove of Malay history of this area, the Japanese occupation and the British when they were based in Taiping. Entry is free and they've kept the place spotless.
I like that Taiping has a good many old style colonial buildings which they've maintained. It's so laid back here, I wouldn't mind staying longer...

Another interesting building - the Perak Museum which has a natural history room - another well maintained building, it's workers were busy cleaning its grounds.
 

Government administrative building for the districts of Taiping namely Larut, Matang and Selama

 
The All Saints Anglican Church in Taiping, new and old. Buildings in Taiping are small and homey not awful monstrosities, not even the newer buildings...

The older church building still stands and is kept clean and serene. It's chapel has a lovely stain glass altar window and its wooden pews are polished from use...

as it's typical of that period, the church compound is a burial ground for the British who served in this region. Graves date back to the 1900's

The oldest Taoist temple in Perak...has a nice incense burner which you don't see anymore made in this style. The temples, churches, and mosques in the smaller towns of Malaysia are not yet corrupted by big money from followers duped by their clerics or their committees to part with money to build bigger mousetraps like those I see in the larger cities, particularly throughout Singapore, Thailand, Yangon...

Pomeloes are in season...for some reason, they are grown only in the state of Perak...groundnuts too...perhaps because Taiping and Ipoh receive a lot of rainfall being ringed by hills - the Bintang Range

Crab! Bugs of the sea - they clean up the sea floor and we eat them and they taste so good, its flesh firm and sweet - must be something in the mud....!

Kuala Sepetang has a thriving fishing industry. It's restaurants prepare seafood thats fresh and good, still inexpensive...
Ipoh and Taiping are not inundated by foreign visitors, so it's relatively unspoilt. It's people by and large, are still decent folks, warm and genuine, prices of goods and services still affordable with value for money.
Sepetang used to be Port Weld...