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FRIM Visit

June 13th, 2010
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June 5 was World Environment Day, and so, to do something in tune with nature, we decided to pay a visit to FRIM. Only 3 people actually made it to the trip, including yours truly. Then and Parimala were the other two.

From Visit to FRIM

Initially, I was skeptical of FRIM since the fees quoted on the website was crazy. I called up FRIM to clarify and was informed that day trippers, casual visitors etc. are not charged as mentioned in the website. You just pay RM1 per hour for parking (if you choose to park within the FRIM area), while the canopy walk costs RM5 per person.

So, we left home around 7.50am, picked up Parimala and took LDP to Kepong. Unfortunately, the usual “lack of proper signage ” problem cropped up. I missed the turn and ended up making two u-turns before finally arriving at FRIM (also stopped at petrol station once to ask directions). The overlapping flyovers near Kepong can really intimidate drivers, so make sure you ask around for directions before going to FRIM. Arrived at FRIM around 9.35am. We parked just after the main guard house and walked from there.

While taking pictures, one of the guards came up to us and asked if we had permission to take pictures. He claimed that there is a notice at the guard house regarding this. I didn’t notice any signboards, actually. Anyway, he said that we should check with the Service Center (at block D6) just to be sure.  So, off we went to the service office, where the lady at counter dismissed any notion of needing to get permission or pay for using camera. I think for those planning to take wedding photos or shoot movies, you need to pay a certain fee (as mentioned in the website), but casual visitors need not.

Luckily too, we realised that tickets to the canopy walk must be bought at the service center (which also houses a souvenir shop). Bought the tickets there and managed to get my gang members to start walking as the canopy walk closes around 1.30pm. So, we huffed and puffed through the nature trail. The walk is quite pleasant but tiring if you are not used to exercising often. We walked for about 1.5 hours (with plenty of stops to take photos) before reaching the canopy walk area. There was a long queue ahead of us since only limited number of persons are allowed to be on the canopy at one time. Took us about 30 minutes before our turn came. While waiting, Then had an encounter with the blood-sucking kind 🙂

From Visit to FRIM

The canopy walk is about 20 to 30 metres above the ground, and not scary 🙂 you can capture a view of the city from the canopy. Its about 150 metres in length, but not continous. There are 3 platforms along the way which allows you to rest.  NOTE: get your tickets at the Service Counter much earlier!

From Visit to FRIM

The trip down was slippery as it rained the night before.  Took us about 15 minutes to reach ground level. To the right would be the small waterfall. Spent some time here and got a new friend, Radzi. He was quietly reading his novel, until we came and invaded his privacy 🙂

After spending about 45 minutes here, we made our way back to the main area, passing by the camp site. We stopped at the traditional malay house and met Radzi again there. We ended up having tea over there (and they have lots of unique flavors!). I would surely recommend visitors to have a cuppa there (costs about RM5 a mug, but tastes great). Had a good chat with Radzi who shared his experience of holidaying in India (Himalayas), Kinabalu and so on.

From Visit to FRIM

Left the Malay traditional house and walked back to the main visitors area, taking more pictures along the way. We stopped at the Arowana pond, but it was tiring to wait for the fish to emerge. Only can see glimpses of its tail and body. I spotted two big fishes and a small one.

From Visit to FRIM

The trip was supposed to be only 3 to 4 hours, but imagine our shock when we left FRIM at 5pm, a good SEVEN hours after arriving!

All in all, it was a good trip, and I hope to make more visits to FRIM, not only to take photos, but also to burn some fat 🙂

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Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL State 2010

May 7th, 2010
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NOTE: Photos are at Picasa.

For last two years, I missed out on the Science Fair program organised by Tamil Foundation. This year, I was in danger of missing out again due to lack of time. So, I decided to help out as volunteer on the event day itself. It felt weird being a volunteer after being in organizing  capacity in recent years for various events. Anyway, being a volunteer is about following orders, so hopefully I did OK. I was handed an awkward task of monitoring booths 11 to 20 on that day. Awkward in the sense that booths 11 to 16 were on one end, while booths 17 to 20 were on the opposite end of adjacent rows. In the end, it turned out OK because the participants handled most of the problems themselves, barring the odd requests for extra tables, problem with power supply, and problem with exhibit materials falling down 🙂  Oh yeah, I also took the liberty to go around snapping pictures (more than 200 shots!) 🙂

OK, enough of me talking about me. let’s move to the event.

From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010

Science Fair started in 2007 on a smaller scale. It is now in its fourth year, and is organised at both state and national levels. The one I attended is Selangor and KL state (combined). It was held at TNB Hall in Bangsar (Jalan Bukit Pantai). The event is open to all Tamil schools in Selangor and KL. I think there are about 97 schools in Selangor and 15 in KL. But a total of 72 schools confirmed to take part this, and eventually 70 turned up. The schools were given topics to choose and they were then expected to come out with experiments that showcase the particular topic. There were few recurring topics during the event. Actually, Tamil Foundation sends facilitators to each school to guide and monitor the progress of the participating teams. The students have to prepare a log book of their activities as well. So, its quite an elaborate and time consuming program (hats off to the organizers and  facilitators!)

From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010

The event began around 7.30am (but I was uncharacteristically late!). I arrived around 8.10am at the hall, and most of participants were busy setting up their booths. A team consists of 5 students and two teachers, but I saw many booths having more than two teacher, while some even imported “help” from outsider (advice, setting up etc.). Talked to two of my friends who were there in the capacity as free “consultants” for their respective schools. I was simply amazed at the effort put in by teachers and students in most of the booths. Some really looked expensive and professionally done. Even the students were smartly dressed in some instances.

From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010

After about 1.5 hours (9.10am) ,the judging began. At this point, only students were allowed to be present at the booths. The rest of the “supporters” were seated around the hall. Judges, in teams of three, went around evaluating between 5 to 6 booths each. I noticed some familiar faces like Ponnusamy, Logeswaran, Kamalendran, Kannan, Karthe, and Velavan among the panel of judges. It was interesting to watch the students trying their best to do their presentation and also answer questions from the judges. Their command of English was quite good as well! Maybe the chosen students were among the best students in their respective schools.

From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010

The evaluation ended around 12pm, after which the judges retired to their judges room to reconcile marks. The hall was now open to public, and boy, the public just swarmed the place! Teachers, parents, students..all flocked to view their booths. Proud parents stood beaming as they watched their kids explain to visitors about their experiments. Teachers were busy adjusting things and exchanging notes among themselves. It was hectic, and yet at the same time, there was an air of accomplishment. I just felt proud seeing these kids.

From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010
From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010

The fair ended around 3pm, and it was time for closing ceremony. At this point there were some confusing on seating arrangements, which I think should have not occurred in the first place. After some sorting out, and apologies to the audience, the closing ceremony started. There were 6 speeches – program coordinator, program director, Tamil Foundation president, chief judge (I was  amazed to see my ex-school teacher, Mr VKS Shanmugam up on stage!) , VIP – director of National Science Center Associate Professor Dr Irmawati, and VIP Selangor State EXCO Dr Xavier Jayakumar. Maybe should reduce the speeches to just 3 in future. But I appreciate the speakers who kept their speech to minimal.

From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010

After the speeches, it was prize giving time. Even though the event is a expo, but there’s an element of competition to spur the students. Thus various awards were given out. Unfortunately, the description or purpose of the awards were not mentioned, and this kind of defeats the purpose of giving awards in the first place. The movement of students on stage and also arrangement for photography on stage was also not planned properly, resulting in impromptu arrangements. Something to be improved in the next edition, I guess.  Perhaps the organisers need to do a simple rehearsal next year to avoid such hiccups.

Finally, the proper winners were announced. The initial prize included cash amount of RM500, RM300, and RM200 respectively for top three winners. But EWRF president agreed to top up RM500 for each of the top three winners for both states. (So, its RM1000, RM800 and RM700 respectively). For KL state, top three schools were chosen while five schools were chosen in Selangor. I didn’t have time to jot down all the winners since was controlling students on one end of the stage. Among the winners which I remember are:

Selangor:

1st: SJKT Methodist Kapar

2nd: SJKT Taman Permata

3rd: SJKT Teluk Merbau

4th: SJKT Kajang

5th: SJKT Batu Ampat

KL:

1st: SJKT San Peng

2nd: SJKT Segambut

3rd: SJKT Edinburgh

From Science Fair for Young Children Selangor and KL 2010

I was touched to see tears of joy from some of the students and even teachers. It goes to show how much they appreciate getting some award or recognition from others. This kind of program can spur students and teachers alike to perform better, not only in education, but in their daily life.

The program ended around 5.30pm. We helped to clean the hall, but I had to leave by 8pm due to other commitments. Not sure what time the rest of them went home.

In summary, it was a good program, an eye-opener for some sections of the community. Its an event that should be given more prominence and support. As for improvements, I think it needs more publicity and funding. Secondly, schools and parents should be encouraged to send their students to attend the fair, apart from just sending few students to take part. As for the organising part, a rehearsal or two will tie up the loose ends.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the organisers, facilitators, judges, volunteers, schools, teachers, parents and students for a job well done.

I hope to contribute again in the National level event later this year.

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Posted in Events, I Was Here, Indian, Tamil-Schools

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Business or Principle

April 9th, 2010
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Today, we went for breakfast at a relatively new Indian restaurant along LDP highway. Its Raj and True, located in the shoplots next to new McD, before Seri Kembangan exit.

I noticed there was plenty of “no smoking” stickers pasted on the walls, and yet there were ashtrays on the dining tables. One patron was smoking in the restaurant (it is a middle unit, so there’s lack of ventilation).

As I was paying the bill, I asked the lady at the counter why there’s conflicting things in the restaurants (no smoking sign and the ashtrays). She said its just a requirement by local council to display such signs, but not followed since don’t want to offend customers. Well she certainly offended me. Her excuse is that will be having an air-cond section soon so non-smokers can sit in there. Furthermore, since everyone does it, so no big deal. Right, like if everyone eats shit, you would too.

Two things here:

1. Restaurants that are closed dining area are considered non-smoking zone. Normal restaurants are not. So, why need to display stickers? Unless the rules changed recently. There’s a list of places provided by MOH and its says only air-conditioned restaurants. I didn’t ask her in detail because she says its local council ruling (I think it falls under MPSJ).

2. If you display such rules, don’t you want to enforce it? If you can compromise on this, one wonder one what else can be compromised in the name of running business. Cleanliness? Bribery? Quality?

So, business comes first for you folks? If you have some principles, better make sure they are aligned to your business because I think business erodes ethics and principles.

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Thaipusam 2010 at Batu Caves

January 30th, 2010
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From Thaipusam 2010

Its Thaipusam, the religious festival to celebrate Lord Muruga!

Like most of the previous year, we planned to visit Batu Caves. We left home at 6.10am and arrived at Bat Caves at around 6.40am. Parking took another few minutes and there traffic jam was after taking the roundabout from Jalan Kuching.

While driving past the entrance (on MRR2), we can see that the crowd was more than last year, since we usually go to Batu Caves early morning around the same time. In fact the stairs were packed with people.

From Thaipusam 2010

An ugly sight greeted me as I was looking for parking. Few youths and adults were chatting with beer bottles in the hands while waiting near their car.

Parked car on the flyover. The slip road leading to Petronas after Batu Caves was closed.

The stalls were located below the new dedicated ramp which crosses the river and railway track. The ramp was closed to vehicles to allow the kavadi and kudam bearers walk through. If not, the devotees have to take a risky (but shorter) route crossing the railway track.

The venue where Brahma Kumaris and Nestle stalls were usually located was replaced with the cancelled state government’s Fiesta Deepavali banners. Brahma Kumaris stall is now located beneath the ramp.

Did the mudi kanikai at one of the stall below the new ramp, and proceeded to walk back to the temple compound.

From Thaipusam 2010

Lots of nursing colleges set up booths, providing eye candy for the youths. I saw Winfield, Nirwana (with Putera MIC), MAHSA and MAsterskill (if I’m not mistaken).

We started walking into the temple compound at 7.35am. Compared to last year, there were not ropes to demarcate the lines. So, it was a bit of free flow.

Lots of rubbish around and its not even 8am! All rubbish bins were overloaded.

Police moved in groups of 2,3 and 4. But I don’t think there were 1000 policemen there. There were also RELA and FRU, apart from the St John members and temple volunteers.

Took us 40 minutes from compound entrance till the top of the stairs. The middle lane was allocated for kavadis, while the left lane for people going up. However, since the top was crowded, many people were coming down using left lane, thus making the journey more difficult.

The signboards for Paal Kudam, Archanai, and Kavadi were only found at about 50 metres in the cave. And the paal kudam queue was long! It would have been better if the notices were put up earlier along the cave or even from the compound itself so that the crowd could be segregated earlier.

From Thaipusam 2010

We prayed for around 30 minutes or so and made our way down. The trip down was slow since the crowd was huge and lots of kavadis were going down the stairs after fulfilling their penance.

From Thaipusam 2010

Something else that’s make a comeback this time is beggars. I saw a family that looked like foreigners sitting near the cave entrance.

Read the bottom of the stairs at around 9.15am. We spent another 15 minutes taking some shots and watching the kavadis. It was getting hot, and as usual, we didn’t waste time milling around the stalls.

From Thaipusam 2010

Left Batu caves around 10am, using MRR2 towards Sentul/Gombak. The other side of the highway was jammed. There’s the new DUKE highway along MRR2 that gives you access to Jalan Duta, Jalan Kuching etc (Toll is RM2). Reached Puchong within 40 minutes.

BTW, the management office looks new (and expensive). I wonder if its really necessary. Maybe the money could have been put to better use, like giant LCD display screens, proper signages and more dustbins.

From Thaipusam 2010

And quite a few banners mentioning Nadarajah’s name in a weird way. It kind of separates him (as the chairman) from the committee. Looks like exercise in self-promotion.

News coverage on Tv2 (Tamil news) and Tv3 (Buletin) showed the visitors quite happy with the improvements done this year. Those interviewed said that it was easier to fulfill their vows.

Read about last year’s Thaipusam article here: 2009.

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Posted in Events, I Was Here, Indian, Religion

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Holiday at Cameron Highlands

January 21st, 2010
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We hatched a quite last minute plan to visit Cameron Highlands during the year end holidays. Booked an apartment from a friend’s friend. This time, Saro, Bavani, Ashok and their baby Ashvani joined us.

Day one started slow as we left home around 10am with Saro. Managed to catch up with Bavani, Ashok and Ashvani at Tapah R&R around 12pm. Spent some time at Baskin Robbins (it was 31st Dec!) and then continued on our trip.  Exited the toll at Tapah and took the road towards Cameron Highlands.

We stopped at Lata Iskandar waterfalls to take some pics.
From Cameron Highlands Selected Pictures

About 15 minutes before reaching our destination, we stopped at Bharat Tea Shop. I ordered the brownie with ice cream topping, but I feel the dish tasted better last time.

Finally reached our apartment in Tanah Rata around 4pm.

From Cameron Highlands Selected Pictures

After freshening up, we went out to Brinchang town. The area was quite crowded and some of the roads have been converted into one-way streets to accommodate the traffic. Brinchang is know for its night market (pasar malam), which is nothing out of the normal for us Malaysian. During public holidays and school term holidays, the night market occurs daily and starts in the afternoon itself. You should try the sweet corns, ayam percik (kind of charcoal roasted chicken), fried mushrooms (make sure its fresh from the wok), and some strawberry based food stuff. Other than that, nothing much to do here.

From Cameron Highlands Selected Pictures

We then took our dinner at Restoran Sri Brinchang (Indian restaurant). Food was OK. AS it started to get cold, we returned to the apartment around 9pm, just in time to watch Varanam Ayiram on TV. So, new year eve was spent watching TV, playing with Ashvani and chit-chatting.

Day 2 (the first day of 2010) began with a visit to the nearby Murugan temple at around 9.30am. Then we had breakfast at cafe located in Equatorial Hotel compound before heading towards Kea Farm. Spent some time walking around the stall, and then we went to one of Then’s favorite places – Raju Hill Strawberry Farm, which is just across the Equatorial Hotel. Had the customary strawberry milkshake and bought some strawberries.

Next stop was Butterfly farm in Brinchang, which is on the way to Simpang Pulai, about few kilometres from Equatorial Hotel. There are two farms next to each other, and we visited the one on our right. It had a collective of insects and small animals as well. Took some shots of the friendly butterflies.

From Cameron Highlands Selected Pictures

It was quite tiring day, so we returned to apartment around late afternoon, after having late lunch in Tanah Rata. The roads were quite jammed between Brinchang and Tana Rata, so if you are not well prepared, can expect up to 5km of slow moving traffic! It was raining, so we didn’t venture out till night for a quick dinner at Restoran Sri Brinchang (again). We were among the last customers and the shops close up around 10pm.

Day 3 – We checked out from the apartment early, had breakfast at Restoran No 14 (I think).  We made our way to Sg Palas Boh Tea Centre, but somewhere along the way, Ashok and Bavani missed a turn, and they ended up at the Bharat Tea Shop which is about 8km after Brinchang. So, Saro, Then and I made our way to the top of the hill. The car park was packed to the brim. The centre too was packed. We managed to get a good seat near the windows. Had some delicious cakes and tea.

From Cameron Highlands Selected Pictures

Shopped for some tea bags and mixtures for souvenir, and left the place, heading towards Tringkap. We met up with Bavani and Ashok over there. Did some shopping (veges and plants). Then it was back to Brinchang for lunch. The restaurant is across the road from KFC (YES, Cameron Highlands got KFC now!) and food is cheaper than the other Indian restaurant located in the same row.

It was already 4.30pm. Ashok and Bavani decided to head back home while the three of us made one more stop at Big Red Strawberry Park (aka Taman Agro Tourism). The place has grown bigger since our last visit. Its expanding like nobody’s business. I just hope the hill doesn’t collapse! Anyway, spent nearly one hour there enjoying the flowers and plants.

From Cameron Highlands Selected Pictures

Finally, we also started our journey back down to Tapah at about 6pm. Caught up with Ashok and Bavani at the Tapah rest area. Chatted for a while before returning home to KL.

It was an enjoyable 3 days with Saro, Bavani, Ashok and little Ashvani! Till the next trip….

Read about previous trips to Cameron Highlands (1, 2, 3, 4)

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