Back to college. What a mundane task, seeing the same old boring lecturer, same old college mate, following up on my assignment……

Life was great for the 3 days when i was in blissful heaven – Gopeng, Perak. The experience i had was irreplaceable. I was loving ever single minute of it. Imagine, city life, fast moving phase of the tiny bit of your life, bitch and bastards annoying the hell outta ya, the crowded train station.. traffic jams in LDP, clubbing, catching the movies…. or perhaps .. SHOPPING? what else can the city offer you besides that?

Aren’t you tired of it?

Have you ever thought of escaping all that and have a perfect gateway… visiting new places.. places that is different from any other.. enjoying the lush greenery perhaps? or visiting places that will bring you back into time.. revisiting historic places and remising the memories of it..  or just merely winding off and have some fun joyful activities that will just relax your mind… Imagine, leaving all your worries behind and just have FUN FUN AND FUN!

And that is what I did and experienced for the whole 3

days i was in Gopeng. And all that thanks to All

Malaysian Blogger’s Project (AMBP)

and

TRAVEL TALES!

As you can well read Joyce post, he had describe what he had experience from his point of view. And now its my turn to do so.

Joyce and Joanna

No, i am not going to describe the whole trip from day 1 to day 3 but rather i will talk about the things I’ve learned, discovered and cherish through the whole trip and how this trip was made even more meaningful by the people behind the scene.

THE UNTOLD STORY

You see, I’ve love history all my life. In fact during my secondary school days, I’ve been loving  history subject and i score very well in every test. But one thing for sure, I am never bothered to actually visit the places that was mentioned in the book to get a clearer picture of the incident that happened. And like what my history teacher told us, there are many historical facts out there that was never mentioned in the syllabus because it is not recognized by the government.

One such person is Sybil Kathigasu. You don’t know her don’t you and you wonder why? SIMPLE!

She is not recognized by the government as a war hero, thus she was not mentioned in any history text book. Here’s the cliche part, she is the only woman Malayan woman to be awarded George Medal by British. (You get the hint)

According to Mr Law Siak Hong (President of Perak Heritage), house number 74, Main Street of Papan Town is where Sybil used to reside and provide medical treatment to the guerillas that are fighting against the Japanese during the invasion period. She was captured together with her husband and endure a lot of sufferings from the tortures until the day she passed away.

House number 74 Main Street of Papan Town – The house was bought over and maintained by Perak Heritage President, Mr Law Siak Kong who is an avid fan of historic tales especially on Sybil Kathigasu

I don’t know about you, but i really do think she is a War Hero. If it’s not because of her, the freedom fighters would not be able to seek medical treatment during the Japanese invasion. I think she had done her part indirectly to help Malaya fight against the cruel Japanese.

Sybil’s bedroom. The interior of it was preserved to look as much as the original interior.

Raja Asal’s Palace

We manage to walk through the streets of Papan with the help of the ever friendly Mr. Law. Papan only consist of one main street and few small street which houses house made of woods and planks. It’s really awesome to see how do old Papan and new Papan look like.

Old abandon building in Papan.

The pre-war buildings – Papan’s Main Street

I find it really interesting to watch the transformation Papan has gone through. Its amazing that you can actually experience and see for yourself the new and old Papan literally side by side.

Such beautiful piece of history must be preserved and appreciated especially if it contains the roots of our people and country.

Modern Gopeng

Besides Papan, Mr. Law brought us to visit Gopeng Town and the only Gopeng museum there.

One of the exhibits – Traditional Tin Mining tools

Gopeng Town

I LOVE THE BUILDINGS AT GOPENG!

BACK TO NATURE

If there is one thing in this trip that made me feel really energized and refreshed, it is BACK TO NATURE! I just love the greenery and listening to the sounds of river water gushing down through the rapids. It just sooooo electrifying.

It been such a long time since i manage to get my lazy ass off the couch and going for jungle trekking and etc and this trip is like killing two bird with one stone.

What’s better, we stayed in Adeline Rest House. The place  is made up of huts – the Kampung style! It’s like a whole new experience to me. We’ve always seen Kampung houses on TV and books but how many of us have ever tried living in one. And i am proud to say I DID! heh!

Adeline Rest House

The rest house

THE RIVER

We even manage to visit the orang asli settlement – The Semai people. They are really friendly people as they even welcome us with an open arm. I made friends with a guy named Edy. He was really friendly and we chatted throughout the ‘mission impossible’ to catch a glimpse on the world’s largest flower – Rafelisia.

HEY RAFELSIA DOES NOT ONLY EXSIST IN WEST MALAYSIA OK!!!! JAKUNSSSS =P

Coincidently that day was the Hari Orang Asal and Adeline’s Rest House 5th Anniversary. I guess we are a lucky bunch, huh?! =P

Here is a scene you can hardly find in KL. These people are Gotong – Royonging to prepare lunch for the villagers for the Hari Orang Asal. According to one of the villagers, they usually gather on festive occasion and cook for the whole village. Now this is so freaking rare in KL. I was so impressed and humbled at the same time. I mean although the live in poverty and etc, they are still a happy bunch because they are rich in moral values. Values that most people who live in the city lack.  I salute you people.

Nice right? We found a particular spot with carpet grass and decided to take a pic. Its awesome, no? Looks like Alice is in Wonderland!!!!! LOL

Ok, SO HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN AND TOUCH RAFFELISIA?!!!!!

I HAVE!!!! LOOK BELOW!

IT IS REALLY HUGE AND BEAUTIFUL!!!

But for some reason, contradictory to the popular belief, there isn’t any rotten smell. In fact there isn’t any odor at all. Maybe this a different species of raflesia *shurgs*

That is Edy on the right. Nice meeting you dude.

Eldy told me a lot about the jungle and the life of Orang Asal. According to him, the people here survive on collecting rattans and wild petai to be sold at the market in town. He earns around rm200 per week which is obviously not enough for them. How sad, huh?

But hey, on the lighter note, he says he has a few relative and friends in town that are earning big bucks working as lawyer and such. So i guess its not that bad after all.

And FYI he looks like a Malay and you might think he is a Muslim but heck, HE IS NOT! In fact he is a Catholic. WOHH! Now you know =P

He knows the jungle like the back of his hand and he offered to bring me to trek the whole jungle if i were to visit them again.

Thanks Mate.

THIS IS HOW WE TRAVEL

Yep, that is how we travel to visit the Orang Asal and Caving.

It is again a whole new experience for us. I mean how many of you had ever stand at the back of a lorry or 4WD and travel?

The view and the ducking to avoid our face being slapped by leaves and branches is a memorable experience for me. I don’t mind doing it over and over and over and over again lol wtf. Try standing at the back of the lorry, enjoying the breeze and view. Believe me you will go crazy and gaga over it.

JEALOUS?!! Please call Sheila@Travel Tales. She’ll arrange for you. =P

For some reason we really do look like prostitutes being transported to another place. It is really funny as people watched us standing at the back of the lorry as we made monkey noises(ask Joanna) and waving at them at the same time. LOL.

In the DARK

Have you guys experience being in total darkness? Darkness as in pure pitch black type of darkness. LOL. Imagine being in that for a day, I’m sure you will cry in agony. But the communist did just that during the war period in Gua Kandu for frigging 7 years. They can even move around the cave without any lighting. That’s how used they are living in caves.

To demonstrate how dark is dark, off the lights in your room and make sure you cannot see your hands even if its just in front of you. That’s how dark it is.

Ignore the composition and etc, i don’t have a tripod. I placed it on a rock which explains this pic and the others.

The right pic is the communist symbol and the left pic is an Idiot’s act. Come on, destroying the walls of a history artifacts, that is just plain stupid. Such valuable artifacts should be preserved for the younger generation. But vandalizing the walls is simply unacceptable, irresponsible and yes the word you wrote describe exactly what i want to say to you! i.e :  FUCK OFF!

The experience of descending steep slope, seeing bats hanging from the top, experiencing how is it like living in a cave and etc etc is so much more valuable and fun-er than catching a movie, clubbing and worse, shopping. I would not forget this experience as it would serve as a great memory.

I’ve never try all these activities in my life, but thanks to Travel Tales, they changed my whole entire life lol wtf. (sounds so dramatic).

Behind the scene

I am sure by now my dear readers are already envious of me for the stuff I’ve done, see, and experience during my 3 days trip in Gopeng. But all this cannot be possible without the people behind the scene. From the people who organized the trip, to the person that entertain all our outrageous request and shenanigans. I would like to thank you all.

1. Travel Tales.

Travel Tales is certainly a great tour agency that is different from the rest. They do not cater to those who are seeking for more shopping experience and those typical of other tour agency but rather for the young and adventurous. They dare to be different. And that is why Travel Tales certainly deserved two thumbs up. I repeat they are not your typical tour agent that only focus on the boring sight seeing and shopping activities but they focus and activities that will leave a long lasting memory in us. A memory that will be cherished although it maybe as stupid as Joanna would describe. =P (ask Jo about it. xD)

2. Sheila

Sheila is our assigned your tour guide for the trip but she is more than just a tour guide. She is a friend to us. She was rather friendly and making us happy through out the whole trip. She customize the iternary according to our request and accommodate us to our request. Seriously, if its not because of her, this trip will never be as fun as it may seem to be. What more i can ask of her?

3. Joyce and Joanna.

These two fella were with me throughout my 3 days trip and we did a lot of crazy stunts and silly acts. It may seem stupid, childish and etc but heck we are just trying to have fun. And it will not be any fun-er if its not because of you guys. Thanks. =)

4. Mr. Law

This history enthusiast amaze me so much with his knowledge on historical events from A to Z. He was taking us around Gopeng and Papan, explaining the history behind every building and the events that take place many many years ago. He was talking, talking and talking all the time that makes me wonder isnt he tired of it? But seriously, he make the ‘Heritage Walk’ more meaningful with the explanation to every single structure we saw and pass by.

5. People from Brats, The Star, the one that cooked for us and lastly the founder of Gopeng Museum .

You guys made the whole trip much more meaningful. Although we may know each other for a day or two, but it seems like we have known each other since forever. You guys rock!

Michael

For inviting us AMBP Ambassador to this trip.

Angelrenna

The hottie. LOL WTF.

Jun Eng

For sharing your thoughts and advice with us.

Tan Andrew

*Gotta get get* LOL

Joshua

The Jounalist cum Musician.

Joel

The crazy wacko Joel. lol wtf.

Alicia Mun

hey sorry ok, i forgot your name . =P

And last but not least, Gopeng Museum Founder

The generous villagers that cooked for us.

Wraping things up

In a nutshell, this trip is certainly a memorable trip for me. Travel Tales certainly live up to its aim that is to create a memorable, enjoyable, the not so typical tour and amazing experience for us all.

Joanna and Joyce should have their fare share of memorable experience too especially involving  Joanna going under the boat. We all had a good laugh for the last 24 hours because of what happened to her. You really should ask her about it. =P

Every single thing we did during the Gopeng Trip is certainly new to me. Its a whole new experience that i shall not forget for the rest of my life.

River Rafting, Caving, Heritage Walk, Rafelesia, the Semai People, Local Hakka and Rawa Food and meeting new friends. What more can i ask?

You seriously would not regret joining such trip that Travel Tales organize. You’ll have my assurance for it.

The tour organize by Travel Tales will be just right for us who are living in a fast moving phase of city life. I mean come on, how many of you are tired of the mundane task and same old entertainment we have in the city? How many would wish for a escape, leaving all your worries behind and having a perfect gateway to paradise?

If your answer is Yes to most of the questions, please contact Travel Tales / Sheila to arrange an exciting, memorable trip for you. I guarantee you will come back refreshed and energized to face the ever boring and mundane life in the city.

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This entry was posted on Friday, August 14th, 2009 at 10:54 am and is filed under Events, Random rants, Shennanigans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.