Trip To Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary & Deerland, Pahang

Riding one of the elephant...I just amazed by the size of that thing

Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary is located somewhere at Lanchang, Pahang. The journey takes about 2 1/2 hour drive from city of Kuala Lumpur. The sanctuary is one of famous and rare place in Malaysia, which provide the visitors opportunity to see the elephant up close. The center was established in 1989 by the Department of Wildlife & National Parks (PERHILITAN) that aim to prevent further decline of elephant population by relocating them somewhere in National Parks, away from human interference. The vicinity is rather good place for the elephants, and it seems they really enjoy themselves there. The visitors are free to interact with the elephants where they are allow to make close contact, feed, ride, and even take bath in the river with the elephants. There is also a gallery situated in the main building, where we can read a lot of informations about elephant management & conservation in Malaysia.

A hedgehog just rise from sleep...how cute

The python laying lazily on itself after lunch hour

After spending two hours or so at Kuala Gandah Elephant Center, we then travel to another sanctuary which is the Deerland. The Deerland is located only a few minutes away from the elephant center. Don't be fool by the name of the place, where the place actually like a mini zoo exhibiting a selection of wildlife such as birds, python, rabbits, ostrich, sun bear and deer as main attraction. There is also a section that allocated for cultivation of traditional herbal plants. We arrived at the park at about late afternoon and most of the animals are resting at that time, even the snake ignore us.

A dominant male pose himself for a postcard

Eat all you want...if you can stand on two legs of course

Luckily that the park management allow visitors to feed the deers, and they supply a small basket of food for that reason. It is interesting and fascinating during the deer-feeding session as you can touch the wild animals that have been tamed and trained to allow human to go near the deers and touch them. The deer even climb on you if you resist feeding them or hiding the food from them. If you are not lucky, the whole population swarm and jump at you. Be careful and not to get too close at the dominant male or you will be strike with the antler.

The sun bear...Malaysia's icon for endangered animal

The last animal we visited in Deerland is the Sun bear. It is still very young and needed care and pamper from the trainer. The sun bear is use to people or crowd, very friendly and gentle though. One of the sun bear, he like to play with water and the trainer usually feeds the bear with honey and cookies. The bear also did not bother us touching and taking photograph with him. In nature sun bear usually act in such way, and attack on humans only occur when the animal is frightened. Take an encyclopedia about sun bear and read it, they do not eat flesh but mainly honey, fruit and grubs. Think again...have a nice day

An Afternoon Walk At Kuching Waterfront

Just a few hours before my flight to KL my friends and I went to Kuching Waterfront for an afternoon walk. The scenery has changed to me, since the completion of the new DUN at opposite side of the river. There are major changes occurring in stages near Waterfront area primarily expansion of The Waterfront, construction of S-shaped suspended bridge connecting both sides of the riverbanks and maintenance of old & historic buildings which were built since colonial era.

DUN building (left) and Waterfront (right)

We visited a wall that were built during the old days. The wall was initially designed as border to separate between the Waterfront area and the wet market adjacent to it. The wall is decorated with art made of cement, and illustrates one of famous classical old folk's story "The Tale Of Sang Kancil and The Crocodiles". Basically, the story tells how the Sang Kancil use its wit to outsmart the crocodiles and get across the river. However, I don't agree to use such tale for the wall. This is because crocodile (Bujang Senang) is a symbol or mascot of Sarawak and therefore should not be used, rather brings humiliation to the people.

The Tale Of Sang Kancil & The Crocodiles

This is the recently-finished DUN building. The building is now become the heart of Kuching City, after the old DUN building. Perhaps it was built so that the legislators get closer with the people and see how they are doing from the other side of the riverbank. The design style of the building characterize ethnic unity of Kuching people, which comprises of many race and dominated by Dayak, Melayu, Melanau and Chinese. The DUN building is significantly striking especially at night, when the lights are on of course. It will be opened to the public soon.

Standing tall and beautiful

The Waterfront is about 1 km long which starts from the wet market and finishes at Riverbank Suites & Apartments. The Waterfront was used to be a trading place during early history of colonization in Kuching, using the river as important trading route. There is a fort (not shown) built at the Waterfront and still exist today, where in the past it was built with purpose to protect the people against invader and pirate attack. Now, upgrades and modernization have overshadow the old fort. The Waterfront is now a tourist site, a park, resting place, and most importantly a legacy that the people will continue to cherish, remember and appreciate.

My house, My neighbourhood

This is my house...well, actually the house next to it. I live at Taman Sri Perkasa with my parents and 3 siblings. previously, we live in a flat at Stampin for 9 years, and they brought me there since I was 5. My family moved to Matang about 6 years ago and we stay here since then. The reason why we move...much nearer to my mom's office, so easier for her to go to work.

Don't bother what the notice says...non-related to the issue

Well, the place is still quite new to me, even after 6 years and it hasn't change much. The area is very hot in the afternoon, and breezy in evening. I can see sunset almost everyday, where the sun just sink behind the mountain. There are people still coming in into the place, and the community is increasing and developing. Most of them are new family, young parents with their babies and kids. So, to make new friends of similar age is a problematic issue...

Afternoon hell...Sunset paradise...

There is an open area near to my house. The area is covered with grass, rocks and sometimes construction debris...but one cannot see it because the debris literally covered by grass. On typical morning, I can see storks coming there to feed and sometimes they stood on the electrical cable. That open area is also where most of the community spend their evening time. Every evening, there will be people flocks over the place...jogging, play soccer, cycling, you name it. It's like a recreation area for us, since there is no formal playground or park built by the developer. I wish that someday that trees are planted all over the open area, for the community to enjoy living and appreciate nature.

Soccer field...is a field suppose to be open land+grass?

Goal post, not standard...just kids' DIY. Congrats to them...

This is where the kids used to play soccer. I've tried to play there once but personally, to me that field just too harmful...Firstly, i'm more to basketball, and secondly the field filled with construction debris such as nail, glass, steel bar. Even so, the soil is not fertile enough for grass to grow, therefore it always look like barren land. It's rather pitiful that the kids put their effort to build the soccer field, but not supported by the adults.

For Taman Sri Perkasa residents, if you read this post I hope you will take into consideration to congregate and discuss this issue one day. I think we are living in large community now, and we deserve to have a proper recreation place or proper living environment. Home is a safe and enjoyable place to live, not to suffer. There can be many things we can achieve together for our community, especially to the kids. Only in a good environment they are able to learn, interact, and learn conducively. I believe that the childhood life is something to remember, and I also believe that if the kids have a memorable past they will come back to the community someday and return the favor to new generations to come.

My first visit to Cat Museum

On the evening of December 17th, 2009 me and my friends make a visit to the Cat Museum. My friend told me earlier that the view from the museum compartment is wonderful, so I asked him to bring me there because I wanted to see it for myself. So I brought along with me a digital camera (Sony T200) and a tripod just in case what he said was right. He is right...What appeared to be just an evening walk at the park turned to a photography session.

East Point

West Point

The Cat Museum is located on a hill. From the museum, we can see most part of Kuching City and its natural geography. From the southeast point, we can see the city center whereas from the west point we can see the mountains (Mount Serapi & Mount Santubong)

East view

Southwest view

The building's structure as well as its surroundings are technically-brilliant in design. From my opinion, the architect really emphasized in aesthetic values for almost every part of the museum. The intricate fabrication of the dome, fountains and ponds are crafted very well. For a first-time visitor as me, I really amazed with the designing aspects.

Main garden

There is a garden in front of the museum compound. The garden is quite large, very peaceful and clean. There is also shade and man-made waterfall built. Overall, the Cat Museum is a very relaxing place to go, especially for people who enjoys evening walk and the sun set. There are many beautiful landscapes in the garden which visitor can appreciate and also be used for photography.

Cat Museum Address:

Bukit Siol,

Jalan Semariang,

Petra Jaya,
93050 Kuching,

Sarawak