Lost WOrld of Tambon

Finally, we're back from Ipoh. And here's my report :) from our trip and experience from Lost World of Tambun located in Ipoh, Perak , Malaysia.

Getting there: If only we came from the North-South Highway, getting there should have been easy..but we had to ' check-in' first at the apartment where we were staying so, we ended up coming from the city center. In other words, we got LOST..going to the Lost World of Tambun. It was a bit distant from the city center.



This is the entrance of the park. The whole place is well designed having that ethnic design similar to that of the Mayans.

I love these Cat Sculptures at the Entrance

These are some of the attractions of the Lost WOrld of Tambun.

1) Tambun Hot Springs- Water is taken from the natural spring and being diverted to the pool. This is ideal for a late afternoon dip.

2) Waterfall Beach Garden

This is like the main highlight of the whole place as it is the first thing that you will see from the entrance. They said it's the biggest wave pool in Malaysia but it still so small compared to the real beach.. obviously.. LOL!


3) Adventure River

This is one of the scenes you see when you go through the adventure river. You simply ride on your tube and follow the waterway with the waves 'guiding' you. This Gorilla makes some noises when one passes by.

3) Paddle Boating


This is a very small lake with few Swan Paddle boats. Not very interesting.. it seems like they just put this as an after thought and to add a little bit of attraction in the place.


5) Tiger Valley



During the guided tour through the train, they will take you to the Tiger valley with a Tiger feeding show. It was okay. But still not so interesting, the Tigers were just lazing around and not moving at all. SO there's really nothing much to see, that is if you've already seen tigers before in the zoo.

6) Explora Bay

This is the pool for kids. For me it's the main highlight of the place as my li'l ones really enjoyed it. The water is not deep and enough for a 3 -4 year old to go around without the parents getting worried. And there's also a lifeguard on duty.


Overall, the whole place was just okay. We enjoyed it because our li'l ones had fun. The explora Bay was really great. There were many attractions like the merry go around, the Tiger Valley that kids would really love. But if you're an a grown up looking for some adventure then you'll get a bit disappointed. They have a little of this and that but not enough to keep your jaws drop. But then, if you want to just relax , take a break and have fun with friends then, this place would do. For 25 RM , I think it should be alright.

Future Destination : Ipoh, Malaysia

Photo from wikipedia

I'm excited! 2 weeks from now, we're going to Ipoh. Not for a holiday really, but it's more on a 'business' related trip. But well, since we're already there, why not mix it with a bit of touring around and a bit of pleasure huh?

I've been to Ipoh once but we never got to see the place. I just saw a bit of the place but I loved it! I love to see the colonial buildings with the lush, dark green mountains as the background. Ipoh is actually one of the biggest cities in Malaysia..it's a city but with a provincial 'feel'. It's a beautiful place, with beautiful buildings and scenic views.

Just a note: Ipoh is the hometown of the famous international actress Michelle Yeoh and this is also the place where the movie "Anna and the King" was shot. ( This movie has been banned by Thailand and many of the Thais are greatly offended by this movie as it's about their King.)

Anyways, I've already done a bit of research of the places to go in Ipoh and the places of interests that caught my attention were the following:

1) Lost World of Tambun Park - This is actually a water park with giant slides, man made river ( the longest in Asia, it seems), wild tigers, hot springs and theme park rides. Interesting huh? I'm sure my kids would love this but if we're not so sure if time will permits us to go to this place. But you'll know for sure soon because I'll be blogging about it later.:)

2) Taman DR or Coronation Park - This famous park is just located within the city and as opposed to #1.. There are no entrance fees .. :) It has a huge fish pond with boats and canoes, it has a Japanese garden and football field. It seems like a great place to relax. I would like this place.

Photo from Wikipedia

3) Old Town - This is where the beautiful buildings will be seen and a lot of places to eat too. Ipoh is very famous for some Chinese food and Poppiah too! So, I have to get ready to gobble up Ipoh food! :)


...What about you, have you been to Ipoh in Malaysia? Maybe you can suggest some interesting places for us to go..

My Favorite Places #3- Genting Highlands, Malaysia

Genting Highlands of Malaysia is known to be the " City of Entertainment". It has a big outdoor and indoor theme park, hotels, casinos , shopping centers, a wide variety of restaurants and a lot more.

This is one of my favorite places. Not actually a great place to rest since you'll be so busy trying out all the rides and going around to see the whole place. BUt, it's truly a great place to be entertained and the kids will surely love the place.

Since it's high on the mountain top, the weather is cool and nice.

One of the reason why I place this in one of my favorite places is because it's very affordable .. We've been here 3 times already and the last two, we were supposed to go somewhere else but because we were on a tight budget, we still ended up here. Imagine, they have a 2 nights/3days package for only 108 RM. That was last year's rate. The 108 RM included 2 nights stay in the hotel, buffet breakfast for two ( for two days) and 2 tickets for an international magic/acrobat show. Though the hotel ( First World Hotel) we stayed in was really cramped, It was really a great bargain since the show's ticket itself already cost 50RM each if you buy it without the package. I've just checked the rates now and it has gone a bit high but I would still say it's worth it. The show is just excellent and the breakfast is HUGE! We always ended up eating BRUNCH since the buffet is just overflowing. Well, that would be great savings right? No need to spend for lunch. :)

The highlights we had for this place would be their outdoor and indoor parks. The rides are just exciting and gives you that adrenalin rush. Below is the SUper Shot, that made me heart stopped a beat when we were going down at such a speed!! Whew!



We also enjoyed the going hotel hopping..since all the hotels are interconnected to each other. So you get to see all the hotels and shops in between. They also have a cable car , if you don't have transport going on top.

For all the faint hearted and don't want to have any adrenalin rush ( or you might end up in the hospital) for theme rides or cable car rides then I suggest you stay in the hotels down below where there are nice places to retreat and relax.

SouthEast Asia Budget Travel

Several years ago, when one travels outside their own country, it really costs a lot. Now, thanks to all these Budget Airlines because they made traveling internationally cheaper.

Just like six years ago, a round trip ticket from Cebu/Manila to Kuala Lumpur would cost around 24,000 Pesos or approx $ 500. Now, a round trip ticket of the same destination will be around 10,000 Pesos (approx US$227) on a promotional price. And once my Mom bought her ticket for only P 2,800 (US$63) since it was a Zero fare rate.

Here are the Budget Airlines that I know that travel around Southeast Asia and beyond :). It's really cheap and as one of the airline's motto says, " Now everyone can fly!"

1) Airasia - They are the very first brave airline in SouthEast Asia to think of schemes to cut their operational costs and therefore lower their fare. At the start, their planes were small and looked like flying buses from the interior but as they moved on, they improved a lot and now they have airbus 300. They're currently flying around some parts of Asia and Australia and even planning to fly to Europe.

If you're seriously planning to travel around,to get their zero or cheapest rate, you have to visit thier site frequently or subscribe to their updates.

2) Cebu Pacific Air - Thier international destinations are quite limited compared to Airasia but personally I like their planes better. I've only tried the 'bus-like' planes of Airasia (haven't tried the airbus 300 yet), so please forgive me if I make this comparison in my limited experience.

3) Tiger Airways- They've got good planes too. Their planes are based in Singapore and their destinations include India, China and Australia at good rates.

4) Jetstar- I haven't been in any of their planes yet. But some of my friends have tried it and they also gave good feedbacks. What's interesting with this airline is that the price of your ticket depends on the amount of baggage you have. Like for example if when you only have a carry-on bag, then you get the cheapest rate, while if you check -in a luggage that's more than 30 kilos then you get a more expensive rate. So, for backpackers or light travelers who are just interested to see Australia or other countries, then for sure you'll get a reasonable price.

5) COMING SOON! - Malaysian Airlines - Presently, this airline offers a zero rate only in their domestic destinations but, SOON they will be offering zero rates for their international destinations. I'm surely looking forward for this since they are the premier airline of Malaysia and therefore they have a lot more international destinations compared to the others.

So, here is my list. I can't tell you for sure which has the cheapest rates since it all depends on their yearly promotions. Most of these airlines offer ZERO so, you just have to always check their sites or better yet, subscribe to their newsletters.

So you think traveling internationally is only for the rich and famous? No,no,no....With all these budget airlines , now everyone can travel abroad. SAKAY NA!! ;)

The 40 Firsts in Taiping

photo from taipingtalk.com

While my recent post is about Taiping, let me show you what I found in the Wikipedia. The 40 Firsts in Taiping. So, that explains why my Hubby always talk about the oldest this and that in his own beloved hometown. I'll have to take note of this list and be sure to visit some of the places mentioned here.

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Due to the booming tin-mining industry in the 19th century and its previous position as capital of Perak, Taiping is the pioneer in many fields achieving many 'firsts' in the country. The list given by Taiping Municipal Council records a total of 40 firsts in the country under Taiping's belt. Dated as early as 1844, these firsts are either in monuments or events.

• Open tin mining activity in the peninsula (1844)
• Hill resort - Maxwell Hill (1844)
• Swimming pool - Coronation Swimming Pool (1870)
• Mosque - Masjid Tengku Menteri (1870)
• Rest house (1870)
• Artillery warehouse (1870)
• Magistrate court (1874)
• Balai penghulu (1875)
• Resident's house (1877)
• Port - Port Weld (1877)
• English school - Central School Kamunting (1878)
• Police force (1879)
• Government offices (1879)
• Post and telegraph office (1880)
• Lake gardens - Taiping Lake Gardens (1880)
• Taiping General Hospital, private and government (1880)
• Club - New Club (1880)
• Club - Perak Club
• Railway station and warehouse (1881)
• Museum - Perak Museum (1883)
• Market building - Taiping Markets (1884)
• Prison - Taiping Gaol(1885)
• Railway track - from Port Weld to Taiping (1885)
• Turf club - Perak Turf Club (1886)
• Anglican church - All Saints Church, Taiping (1886)
• English girl's school - Treacher Methodist Girls' School (1889)
• Clock tower - Taiping Clock Tower (1890)
• Esplanade - Esplanade (1890)
• Malay newspaper - Seri Perak (June 1893)
• English newspaper - Perak Pioneer (July 4, 1894)
• Tamil newspaper - Perak Verthamani (1894)
• Armed Forces - Malay States Guides (1896)
• Teaching college - Maktab Perguruan Melayu
• Ceylon association (1899)
• Punjabi association - Khalsa Diwan Malaya Association (1903)
• Indian association (1906)
• Recreation park - Coronation Park (1920s)
• Airfield - Tekah Airport (1930)
• Golf course (some claimed in Southeast Asia)
• Library - Perpustakaan Merdeka
• Fire brigade

Taiping, Perak Malaysia

Photo from taipingtalk.com

My Hubby is a proud Taiping Boy. I could just remember the time several years back when he would talk about his hometown such as having the oldest tree, the First railway track, the oldest prison, the oldest museum, the oldest zoo and etc. I would always retort, " Oh, I could just imagine old and very weak lions growling in your zoo."

But as years went by, the more I visit Taiping all the more I fall in love with the place. It's just a very quiet, serene part of Malaysia surrounded by beautiful mountains, huge trees with the cool, crisp air embracing you. But before , I get poetic here, let me introduce some of the places to visit in my Hubby's beloved town.

1) The Lake Gardens- This is a huge man made lake (which used to be a tin mine) surrounded by 100 year old trees. There are a number of activities you can do here aside from sightseeing. They have paddling boats for rent, food shops, playgrounds and kiosks. A very good place for relaxing and dating. :)

Photo from taipingtalk.com

2) Perak State Museum - Proudly the First Museum in Malaysia. I can't remember much what are the things inside though. We visited this museum 8 years ago, my Hubby and I were just newly married (few days old) , the only thing I remember was we were holding while while looking at each other, oppss ..at the artifacts, I mean. Hehehe!



4) Taiping Zoo and Night Safari. This is one must-visit place especially if you have kids. The Zoo is well designed where the animals are just like in their normal habitat. It has quite a big area and therefore a bit tiring to walk, but they also have a 'train' that goes around if you don't want to walk. We also tried to go for the night safari. It was quite interesting but I found the place too dark and eerie. heheheh! No, I was not afraid of lions and tigers who must have escaped at night but more on some strangers who might be lurking in the dark and ready to pounce on you to get your handbag. Anyways, I just hope they could a bit more lights around especially on the walkway.


3) Commonwealth War Cemetery. This is the graveyard for the Royal Malay Regiments, Burkha, British and Australian soldiers who were killed during the Japanese invasion of Malaya. Nice place to visit, it reminds you of past and makes you wonder how it was like during the war and admire these brave men.




5) Burmese Pool. I think this is the locals favorite place to hang out. I've heard a lot of memorable stories from my Hubby on this place. This place is just refreshing, you can hear the sound of the rushing water (which reminds me of the river near our house). The water is soooo cold and clean


5) BUkit Larut or Maxwell Hill. One of the 'to go places' for me too since I haven't been to this place yet. But I've heard it's a beautiful place. It's a resort on top of the Hill. We plan to spend a few nights on this Hill, hopefully next year.




Aside from the interesting places, Taiping also offers delicious food at a very low price. They are famous for their Popiah, Fried Kuey Tiaw, Cendul and etc. But my personal favorite food is the Mee Curry from the Chinese shop in Pokok Assam. Surprisingly, one bowl of my favorite Mee Curry only costs 1.20 RM. Another bowl, please!


Below is a photo of the Wesley Methodist Church in Taiping. I especially included this because this brings special memories to my HUbby. They used to go to church here when they were small and this is also the church where his parents got married. Nice church huh?