Bukit Tambun Street Art Murals

This is the latest attraction in Bukit Tambun during my trip back in June 2015. The idea of a street art mural in this quaint little town in South Seberang Perai, Penang came from the village headman with cooperation with the residents to beautify the village.

Malihom Private Estate

I had a unique experience at Malihom Private Estate last weekend. My parents and I had a opportunity to visit Malihom Private Estate, which is a hilltop retreat in Balik Pulau, Penang Island, Malaysia. A driving expert is needed to reach there as the journey is rather a steep and windy uphill road not for the faint-hearted. On either sides of the road are durian orchards. Malihom means 'the village of fragrant rice' in Thai. 

Once at the hilltop, the estate commands the views of both sides of the island from the comfort of the bedroom suites (styled as barns). The entire atmosphere is picturesque, secluded and private given that this place is relatively unknown even to many local Penangites. The bedroom suites sit among the durian orchard designed in a form of Thai rice barns on stilts, a finest example of tropical architecture in the region. There are a total of 8 named barns: Baanmai, Aloun, Khanun, Dhamma, Sankara, Sripatum, Sanook and Jhana.

Within the estate there is a swimming pool, a koi fish pond, hammock, outdoor bathroom, deck chairs, cafes, common lounge and gazebos equipped for the guests to relax and hang out. The indoor and outdoor spaces are adorned with wood carvings, Buddha statues, earthenware and pottery to reflect the tropical setting of the retreat. There is also a peacock farm greeting visitors at the entrance of the retreat. 

Room rates of the retreat ranges between RM800-RM1,000 per night. The estate can be reached via Balik Pulau hill road from Bayan Lepas right after Bukit Genting Leisure Restaurant. The hill road which leads to the resort is on the right side before reaching the hill road viaduct to Balik Pulau town. 

Bedroom suite at Malihom

Bedroom suite at Malihom

Aerial view of Bukit Genting and Pulau Betong on the west coast of Penang Island. 

Aerial view of Bayan Lepas and Pulau Jerejak on the east coast of Penang Island.

Hammock and seating at the bedroom suite

Bedroom suites at Malihom

Aerial view of Balik Pulau on the west coast of Penang Island.

Bedroom suites at Malihom

Lower deck of the bedroom suites at Malihom

Koi fish pond at Malihom

Swimmming pool and pool deck at Malihom Private Estate. 

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Mossy Forest, Mount Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.

Mossy Forest is a forest reserve in Mount Brinchang (Gunung Brinchang), the highest peak in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia at 2,000m above sea level. The forest is unique to Malaysia because you will find various trees and plants that are only grown naturally at a high elevation. Its microclimate of constant mists and high moisture due to low level clouds created an ideal places for the growth of moss, ferns, lichens and orchids. When one scales up the slope of the Mossy Forest by walking along the boardwalk, one may experience a chilly and misty ambiance like the scene from the Misty Mountains in the popular J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Mount Brinchang is also the location of the highest road in West Malaysia and the highest mountain in Malaysia accessible by road. The mountain can be reached from the road in Kea Farm which also leads to the Boh Sungai Palas Tea Estate. 

Moss growing on the tree branches

Signboard indicating the state border of Perak and Pahang along the boardwalk

A signboard indicating the current elevation of Mossy Forest

Timber boardwalk through the Mossy Forest

The Mossy Forest landscape at the end of the boardwalk

The end of the boardwalk which leads to Gunung Irau through the dirt tracks.

Rainforest canopy view from the boardwalk

A gazebo for rest and shelter along the boardwalk which loops back to the main path

The boardwalk with railings leading down the slope 

Panoramic view of Cameron Highlands from Mount Brinchang

Moss and ferns growing on the tree trunks and branches

Peak of Mount Brinchang from the Mossy Forest boardwalk

Hutan Pelajaran Air Hitam Dalam (Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest)

Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest is a fresh water swamp reserve in Sungai Dua, Butterworth, Penang. The park is managed by the Penang State Forestry Department and has an area of about 10 hectares. According to the park ranger, this park has opened to the public about 2-3 years ago. This park has been a centre of attraction for many bird watchers and nature lovers as this place is home to many migratory birds and various faunas.The trip to the park with my parents is one of the many off beaten tracks as this park is still very much unknown to many locals. 

Prior to this trip, my parents and I have never heard of this place until I stumbled upon a website which featured the place on the internet. We decided to go there as we wanted to go for an evening walk. 

Unlike many other popular parks in Malaysia where many of the facilities were damaged, and disused due to neglect and poor maintenance, much to our surprise, many of the facilities there including the concrete-paved boardwalks, suspension bridge, observation tower and the gazebos were in good condition. Besides that, there is also a dyke with a footpath that runs along the Sungai Air Hitam and Sungai Jarak which flows into Prai River. The riverbanks and swamp area are mainly covered with nipa palms. However, there was no caretaker or staff manning the information counter. 

This habitat hosts a myriad of wildlife such as crab-eating macaques, squirrels, monitor lizards, otters and different species of birds. 

Overall, it is a serene and tranquil park worth visiting. 

Information board at the front car park

Gazebo overlooking the swamp area

Barringtonia racemosa fruit (Powder-puff tree or putat in Malay)

Concrete-paved boardwalk leading towards the suspension bridge and observation tower

Squirrels at the park

Monitor lizard swimming in the swamp under the boardwalk 

Suspension bridge 

Boardwalk leading towards the riverbank

Meandering Sungai Air Hitam with nypa fruticans (nipa palms) thriving along the riverbanks

Gazebo along the riverbank

Observation tower

Crab-eating macaque

Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest can be accessible easily by the North-South Expressway (E1) via the Sungai Dua interchange. If you were coming from Penang Island or the south, turn left into Jalan Sungai Dua (P198) at the interchange. After about 1.2km from the interchange, take a left turn into a road (P205) towards Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor. Upon reaching a junction which after about 3km, turn right into a road (P3) towards Kubang Semang direction. After that, take a right turn into an open car park next to the park before the bridge. 

More information and details about Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest can be accessed through the Penang State Forestry Department website here. 

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