Hiking Bukit Mertajam hill via Kampung Besar trail

The Kampung Besar trail is one of the lesser known yet popular hiking trail of Bukit Mertajam hill (also known by locals as Tokun Hill). This is an alternative way up the telecommunications tower at the peak of the hill other than the popular asphalt trail at Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest in Cherok Tokun. It has recently gained popularity among local hikers during the conditional movement control order in several states in Malaysia. Halfway up the hill there is a rest station where it offers a panoramic view of Bukit Mertajam town and the rest Seberang Perai, even as far as Penang Bridge and George Town in Penang Island. The trail starts at Jalan Kampung Besar next to a Taoist temple “玉封震山阁老佛庙” (In Malay: Persatuan Penganut Dewa Zhen Shan Kok Lau-Hut) (Refer below for further directions and map). 

Next to the temple there are ample parking spaces for you to park your car here before you begin your journey up the hill. There you will see a cement paved trail at the end of the parking lot. At the start of the trail you will see fruit trees such as durian trees and huge boulders lining along the path. The trail passes through a privately-owned fruit orchard. There are also benches where you can take a rest before continuing up the hill.

Look out for this signboard as you drive along Jalan Kampung Besar. This is where the hiking trail starts.

The trail starts at the end of the parking lot next to the temple. 

Fruit trees at the start of the trail. 

Large boulders can be seen along the trail. 

Some rare finds along the trail. 

View of Berapit village, paddy fields and Penang Island beyond as you are halfway up towards the rest station. 

You will soon reach a fork. You can take either path as they will meet higher up. The left path will take you to the recently completed flight of steps to the fruit orchard. I heard from a fellow hiker that there are fierce guard dogs at the orchard along the path. Most hikers will take the right path as it will lead to the rest station which offers scenic views over the town.

Some of the fruit trees along the path towards the rest station. 

Looking back to the trail below. 

You will reach the rest station after approximately 40-45 minutes depending on your pace and fitness. There you will be rewarded with a view of the Bukit Mertajam town. It is possible to see Penang Bridge and George Town on Penang Island further in a distance on a clear, sunny day. 

View of Bukit Mertajam town, the rest of Seberang Perai, Penang Bridge, Pulau Jerejak and Penang Island beyond from the rest station. 

Southwest view of Bukit Mertajam High School, Bukit Minyak, Bukit Tengah and Juru. 

Surrounding the rest station is a fruit orchard maintained by the farm owner. Some of the fruits cultivated here includes nutmeg, durian, cocoa and mangosteen. Remember not to pick any fruits! 

Nutmeg at the orchard. 

Cocoa plant at the orchard. 

Some of the rare and colourful mushrooms along the hill slope. 

You can continue the path up to the telecommunications tower at the peak of the hill via a mud and soil track as the cement paved trail ends. The hike will take another approximately 45-50 minutes. The hike is more challenging as the trail becomes steeper and it may get slippery especially after rain as compared to the cemented paved trail which is a fairly easy hike for beginners and old folks alike. 

How to get there

As you start your journey from Bukit Mertajam town along Jalan Kulim. As you reach SJKC Kim Seng take a left turn into Jalan Kampung Besar. Look out for the signage of the temple “玉封震山阁老佛庙” (In Malay: Persatuan Penganut Dewa Zhen Shan Kok Lau-Hut Bukit Mertajam Pulau Pinang). I have marked the starting point on the map below. 

Coordinates of the starting point

5°21'52.7"N 100°28'04.2"E

5.364638, 100.467837 

Setia SPICE Aquatic Centre

Another recent attraction is the Setia SPICE Aquatic Centre in Relau, Penang which was opened to the public on 19 December 2015 and it was officially opened on 28 January 2016 by the Penang state government. It was previously known as PISA Aquatic Centre before it was closed for refurbishment. Facilities available at the aquatic centre is a Olympic-sized lap pool, 3m-deep diving pool, water theme park for kids, party space, badminton courts, squash courts, gymnasium, sauna, hot showers, lockers, function room, sports store and a café. The refurbishment is part of the massive Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SPICE) project developed by SP Setia replacing the previous Penang International Sports Area (PISA) which was a popular venue for sports events, events, fairs, conventions and exhibitions in Penang.

I decided to check out this new facility upon reading the news of its official opening ceremony published on Buletinmutiara as I have been frequenting the public swimming pool at the MPSP Stadium in Bukit Mertajam for the past few years. The other public swimming pool in Seberang Perai is SJ Arena in Seberang Jaya. It is the only public swimming pool in Penang Island. 

I had the opportunity to tour around the place including the main lap pool, diving pool, children’s outdoor water park and the viewing platform. Immersing in the hot showers after the swim is indeed most satisfying for me.  The main highlight is the vast lap pool for those who wanted to do some exercise or practice swimming during their spare time, and the water candy-themed park for the kids, another recreational and relaxing spot for the family. It was less crowded when I went there on a Tuesday afternoon. 

The building has a renewed, modern façade design while the interior has a revitalised, brand new look. A hotch-potch mix of colours contrasted with white and grey concrete walls make the atmosphere more vibrant and playful. Entrance fee for adults who wanted to use the facilities is RM8 during weekdays from 8am-6pm, RM10 during weekdays from 6-11pm and RM10 during the weekends. For children, senior citizens and disabled persons, the entrance fee is RM6 during weekdays from 8am-6pm, RM8 during weekdays from 6-11pm and RM8 during the weekends. Locker hire is RM2 with RM20 deposit.

Below are some of the pictures of the Setia SPICE aquatic centre taken by me using my iPhone camera after my swim. 

Olympic-sized lap pool with diving pool in the background. 

Candy-themed water park for children

Olympic-sized lap pool viewed from viewing platform

Olympic-sized lap pool with diving pool in the background viewed from viewing podium.  

Exterior facade of Setia SPICE Aquatic Centre

The Star LED Art Sculpture

I had a chance to visit The Star LED sculpture which is a recent attraction at Jalan Raja Uda, Butterwoth, Penang designed by Ong Jun Hao in conjunction with Urban Xchange 2015. It was launched on 7 November 2015. This star-shaped art installation is set in an abandoned building along Jalan Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda 1, taking centre stage among rows of shophouses and flats within the commercial area of Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth.

The objective is part of urban renewal of Butterworth through creating a new community art space. The 3-storey high art installation appears as if light emanates from inside the building and the light is able to penetrate through the solid thick concrete floor slab of the abandoned building.

This dazzling LED light display along with occasional performances, markets and music concerts plays a pivotal role as a new community space, which helps rejuvenates and revitalise the existing dead space behind the newly-built shopwhouses along Jalan Raja Uda. This art installation illuminates a previously abandoned building and quiet dark alley, creating a vibrant urban landmark which draws many visitors. Recently, Penang state government also launched Bamboo Square at the open area next to the art installation, decorated with planted bamboos and illuminated with mini red lanterns and red ribbon wishing tree as part of the Chinese New Year celebration. 

How to get there

The Star LED sculpture is located at Jalan Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda 1, off Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth, behind Coffee Venture. Entrance is free for all visitors. 

Berapit Hill Thai Buddhist Temple

Berapit Hill Thai Buddhist Monastery (known in Chinese as Chanxiu Jingshe 禅修静舍) is located up on the western slopes of the Bukit Mertajam hill in Seberang Perai, Penang Island. This temple is rather well known among the locals but not tourists out of town. This monastery can be accessed by a 25-minute hike from the car park at the bottom of the hill. A pair of running shoes and a bottle of water is highly recommended as it is going to be a steep hike up the asphalt and concrete path through the dense jungle. The other Buddhist monastery is Vivekavana Solitude Grove which can be accessed through the same concrete path located at a higher elevation compared to this Thai monastery. 

Upon reaching the Thai monastery there is a large statue of a sitting Buddha and the main prayer hall. Several shrines dedicated to Luang Phor Tuad and Na Tuk Kong are also located next to the main prayer hall. If you continue hiking, you will reach the 5-tier pagoda and the meditation pavilion overlooking hill below with panoramic views of Bukit Mertajam town and Penang Island in the distance. Also located next to the pagoda are Phra Prom shrine and a large statue of a standing Buddha flanked by two elephant statues. 

View of Bukit Mertajam hill from the car park

Asphalt path leading to the hill

View of the temple from the bottom of the hill

Junction at midway along the concrete hilly path. To get to the Berapit Thai Buddhist Temple, take a left turn. Take a right turn and you will reach Vivekavana Solitude Grove. 

Sitting Buddha statue next to main prayer hall 

Miniature Buddha statues in the main prayer hall

View of Bukit Mertajam hill from the monastery

Telecommunications tower atop the summit of the hill 

View atop the pagoda

Panoramic view from the pagoda

Panoramic view of Bukit Mertajam town and Penang Bridge

Panoramic view of Seberang Perai and Penang Island

Pagoda at the monastery

View of the pagoda and the hill below

Panoramic view of Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai and Penang Island. 

Statue of the standing Buddha 

How to get there

Unfortunately there is no signboard leading to the Berapit Hill Thai Buddhist Monastery. To reach there from Bukit Mertajam town, drive along Jalan Berapit. After passing SJKC Jit Sin and SMK Berapit and before you reach the Berapit wet market on your right-hand side, turn right into Taman Pearl which then leads you to a residential road. Turn right into Tingkat Berapit 4, then turn left into Lorong Berapit 1 before turning right into Tingkat Berapit 7. You will see a car park behind the residential area where you can park your car before you ascend the hilly path leading to the monastery. 

Chinese New Year 2016 in KL

Welcoming the 2016 Year of the Monkey with some of these enthralling Chinese New Year decorations at Pavilion and Suria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur. 

CNY decor at Pavilion 

Gigantic statue of the monkey holding a giant peach on display at Pavilion main concourse 

Lanterns dangling at the main entrance of Pavilion shopping centre

Floral archway at main entrance of Pavilion shopping centre 

Giant lantern on display outside Suria KLCC facing the KLCC park. 

Palace-themed pavilion on display at the main concourse of Suria KLCC 

D.O. Hill Recreational Park

Taman Rekreasi PBAPP Bukit D.O. (D.O. Hill Recreational Park) is a recreational park and green lung in the heart of Bukit Mertajam in Seberang Perai, Penang. The park can be accessed from Jalan Sri Bukit either via Jalan Permai or Jalan Chan Ewe Pin. The park was recently upgraded by the Penang state government with added facilities such as outdoor gym, jogging track, reflexology path and gazebos. You can see Penang Island and Prai from the summit of the hill. The park has ample parking space and popular with locals especially working adults and retirees. However I do feel that the authorities should create more parks around Seberang Perai area to cater the growing population. 

View from the summit of the hill

View from the summit of the hill

Jogging track at the park 

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Trip to Junjong Waterfall

Junjong Waterfall

Stream beside the Junjong Waterfall

My parents and I were on a recent visit to Junjong Waterfall in Kulim, Kedah on 7 January 2016. We have not been there since ages ago so we thought that we should visit there again. The waterfall is popular with locals with families and visitors alike for recreational activities such as picnicking, strolling and taking a dip in the river while enjoying the natural beauty. However, we found out that the waterfall’s natural beauty is marred by several problems caused by under-maintenance and inconsiderate visitors, which leaves much to be desired. We felt that the waterfall has been degraded from its former glory without any positive development.

As we entered the waterfall, the archway greeting motorists to the waterfall along the road is in a dilapidated state with structures, roof tiles and timber boards about to fall down. This might pose a danger to motorists and passers-by. After we parked our car and walked along the river, we noticed that river water is still clean, but the area around the river was strewn with rubbish. Not only it makes the area dirty but it also pollutes the river, which pose a health risk to visitors who wish to take a dip in the river. This may lead to illnesses such as typhoid and leptospirosis. This proves to be an eye sore to visitors.

Stream that flows beside the waterfall at the end of the footpath.

Aside from that, the existing facilities on site such as the toilets, changing room, information counter, gazebo and surau are also in a state of neglect and disrepair. I don’t think that any visitor would dare to use these facilities as these places may be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, spiders, leeches, snakes and rats.

There was a pathway along the stream beside the waterfall and also a bridge over the stream. However, the pathway which leads to the waterfall are not clearly marked as it is broken and overgrown with grass, making the access to the waterfall difficult for visitors. 

When we hiked up the pathway next to the waterfall, the steps which goes up the waterfall is also damaged due to erosion. After we reached the end of the footpath, we saw another pool and another waterfall cascade at the far end of the pool. Compared to the pool at the bottom of the waterfall, this one has a stronger river current. 

The pool at the top of the waterfall

The pool at the top of the waterfall

View from the top of the waterfall

After visiting the waterfall, I hope that the Kedah State Government and the Kedah State Forestry Department should take the necessary steps to revitalise the area, such as cleaning up the area and maintaining and upgrading the facilities. The authorities should also look into the safety and cleanliness of other popular waterfalls and nature sites around the state to ensure that they are on par with tourism standards. 

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