Continuing our travelogue or at least a wannabe travelogue into the state of Perak. This is our second largest state in the Peninsula. Historically, it was one of the richest state, especially during colonial times. Perak was rich with tin ore which was mined by immigrant Chinese workers. The tin is now gone and Perak is full of disused mining pools and goodness only knows what they have done to it. They could have filled it up (and some of the pools are half a mile deep)and built roads or houses over it....Good luck!
But not all of Perak is mining area...just be careful where you step. We start from my mom's hometown. My mom is from a small village very famous for its freshwater prawns called Tanjung Tualang. It is very small and very quaint very if you drive too fast, like engage in 5th gear, you will drive past it.
The capital is Ipoh which is a great place for food! Food here is better than Penang's selection and there are still many places that are not commercialized. It's been a while since I went there so I can't comment on all the food places. But beansprout chicken rice is a must, so is salted chicken, giant popiah and if you can find it, peanut broth. I plan to make a trip here and will share more info on food places in Ipoh. Apart from that, Ipoh is quite quiet. You can check out the temples which are situated in limestone caves and pomelo stalls. Pomelo are the largest of citrus fruits and I really dislike it.
Due to its historical significance during colonial times and the fact that they found one of the earliest fossils in Peninsula (called Perak Man. I think its a man because it looked lost in some cave and probably died because it didn't want to ask for directions), Perak has a few impressive museums like the Perak Museum, Lenggong Archaeological Museum and Geological Museum. Along the south of Ipoh, there's this unfinished mansion called Kellie's Castle which for some reason is a tourist attraction. Why would anyone pay RM4 to see a bunch of bricks and unfinished building is quite beyond me.
Let's move on to many other interesting sites in other towns in Perak that you may be interested but being a large state, I will just focus on what I think are more interesting sites.
1) Leaning Clock Tower of Teluk Intan - nice architecture which stands about 25.5meters but nothing much else in Teluk Intan though.
2) Kek Long Tong Temple in Ipoh. - houses some cool bronze statues
3) Sam Poh Tong temple - nice architecture and works of art with well sculptured landscape
4) Mekprasit Temple - Has a 24 meter reclining Buddha
5) Taiping Zoo and Night Safari - reputed to be one of the best in Malaysia (not saying much though)
6) Felda Residence Hot Springs in Sungkai
7) Pangkor Island - One of the more lazy and popular island getaways
8) Pangkor Laut Resort - It is a very expensive and high end resort but soooo worth the money!
9) Bukit Merah Laketown Resort and Lost World of Tambun - water theme parks for the whole family. Good place to spend the day.
10) Nature Parks - Royal Belum and Lake Temengor in Gerik, Gua Tempurung near Gopeng and Bukit Larut in Taiping are worth a trip to get yourself back to nature.
So, this is just a snapshot of the great state of Perak. It is so great, it has 2 Chief Ministers now. Those of you who follow world events will know that the National Front party of BN has now taken control of the state but the People's Alliance refuses to step down. It's so big and cool, it needs 2 leaders. Well enjoy your stay and next we will talk about my home state.
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