The Forgotten Maxwell Hill of Ipoh

3D2N in Ipoh/Taiping; 10-13 June 2010

    Maxwell Hill seen from Larut

I am now not sure why I even picked this place for our retreat..it is so not happening. I guess I wanted to venture into high hills, soak in with the nature, feel the heavy mist at dawn and dusk, and get away from the bustling city life. But on retrospect, this wasn't a very good idea. Welcome to Maxwell Hill, the 1st hill station in mainland Peninsular which is126 years old.

At the most, one shd just do a one day trip up to Maxwell Hill. Enjoy the scenery, take a hike up the peak (we hiked up Bukit Hijau-up till the Telecom Tower where the old English cottage still sits), get thrilled by the harrowing ride in the Land Rover, and return. Period. There is absolutely nothing to do up there. So after just a one night stay, we changed our plan and headed to the nearest town, Taiping.

the orang utan smiled!

We checked out the Taiping Zoo, a much better choice! Taiping Zoo is definitely better than our National Zoo. The animals are in better care compared to their KL friends. Better info display, more freedom of movement (I know, what freedom is there living in a cage, right? but really, you just feel less sorry for the animals here than at the National Zoo), better cafetaria, friendlier guides, and cosier. The monkeys roamed amongst us, and over our heads. Too close for comfort, really. One orang utan actually posed a smile when I stood with my camera! See what I mean...I really felt connected to this fellow..

We then stopped at the War Cemetery and Taiping Lake. The trees at the Lake are really ancient but captivating. Such splendour.

the only war cemetery built by British

Of course, we couldn't resist reading the tomb inscriptions; who died-what year-how old. They actually had separate sections for the White Christian soldiers (British), and the non-Christians, Asian soldiers (Indians & Gurkhas). Some tombs had no names.

outside 'Lost World'

We stayed at the Paragon Hotel, Ipoh and had Ipoh breakfast and dinner - much cheaper than KL. On our way back to KL, we stopped at Tambun town to check out the "The Lost World of Tambun"-which is basically Perak's Sunway Lagoon. Didn't enter as entrance tickets were just like Sunway Lagoon PJ - expensive. Took some pix and left. Oh ya, got a tiger cub and cool cap for the boys..had to make up for the disappointment of not entering Lost World u see..

The next stop was N's hometown, Gopeng, as he wanted to go down memory lane, some nostalgia... Visited his primary school, still intact, and took photos. The kids wanted to see Gua Tempurung along the way (what is it they don't want to see u tell me) but the rain stopped us. Thank you Rain. At the end of the trip, when I reached home, somehow I didn't quite feel like I just returned from a holiday...



But whatever it is, these are some good memories worth sharing:-

view from Bukit Hijau

(1) Maxwell Hill's isolation - maybe it shd just remain this way, forgotten, as it is so peaceful up there and the air fresh. No cars, shops, hotels, apartments, newspapers, etc. I remember asking the Pakcik who drove our Jeep; what is there for us to do up there and he jokingly said "Tidurlah!" - I now know what he meant.

(2) The Sound of Nature- we were enveloped by the many sounds of insects and other jungle creatures. We don't usually stop to even notice these things in KL.

(3) The Mist and the Fog in the Forest - the chalet that we stayed in (Cendana Hut) has a cafe that looks down from the hill, and in the early morning and late evening, it's covered in mist. Did u know that during British rule in Taiping, before 1948, the British came up to their cottages up on this highland to escape the tropical heat below? To feel the 'English' weather -and  they had the locals carry them up in sedan chairs or mountain chairs? There were only treks then, no roads.

(4) The Hike up to Bukit Hijau - we took a stroll up the hill which ended at the Telecom Tower, the peak,1250 m above sea level. Harish was really up to the challenge to reach first, and he did. We stopped a few times to look closely at the strange plants and insects. Good nature walk. The boys buried a time capsule (actually a mineral bottle with a note inside) at the top. Would they return one day to retrive the bottle?

(5) The Thrilling 30-min Jeep Ride - only jeeps are allowed to ferry visitors, we passed thru 72 (was there more?) narrow bends and curves, each marked by a tree, it felt like a safari ride. The driver is a pro, in service for 50 years.

(6) The Hanging Garden of Taiping - the canopy of age old trees that hugged the roads on both sides in Taiping Lake; the odd shapes that these trees have taken over the years is a must-see for all (tall trees in the pix)

(7) The Taiping Zoo - for those with children, I strongly recommend this place

(8) Ipoh town - the colonial railway station, the rows and rows of never-ending shoplots, seem so organised and clean. Look out for Ipoh Municipal Council Officers though, it's all paid parking, they love their job, issuing parking summons..

More pictures ...
At the zoo, can u see the rhino at the back? (Taiping Zoo)

Harish! u r supposed to use that magnifying glass to study the beetle in front of you-lah..(Bukit Hijau hike)

                                            Rishi, I found u....(Maxwell Hill)

Ok-lah, Harish ..we know u give great posts..(Cendana Cafe)

                           Rare sleeping Buddha in Maxwell Hill...ohh, okay, that's Rishi

Isn't that the Snake House, Taiping Zoo...oh, under renovation..sorry-lah Rishi, no snake, don't be so disappointed-lah

Some tips for visitors :- 

1. Bring walking shoes and comfortable clothes; be prepared for lots of walking

2. Bring your binoculars, magniflying glass, raincoat, umbrella (expect drizzle and rain)

3. Bring jackets or sweaters for chilly evenings

4. Bring your own food if you don't plan to stay, snacks for children, and water

5. If you stay the night, food is catered for by the chalets; slightly more expensive than in town

6. Leave your car at the base of the hill

7. Travel light as you don't want to carry all into the jeep

8. Start early as the Jeep Ride is scheduled; ticket counter for jeep fare is at the base of the hill; good to book a return ticket

9. Talk to the Drivers as they have loads of tips and funny experiences to share

10. Do not have a heavy meal before the journey on the Jeep, in case you throw up

11. If u plan to stay, book in advance thru the Bukit Larut Recreational Office, our stay was RM80/night at Cendana Hut