Ipoh and Soh
Ipoh,
Malaysia
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Away from Melaka we took a bus to Kuala Lumpur and then straight for Ipoh. We were welcomed with huge arms by Soh, Amanda's nanny from when she was young, living in Malaysia. We arrived late in the afternoon, and had a nap before dinner which was prepared by Soh for us, since the rains began pouring down. Delicious and simple, which was nice because my stomach was not feeling its best.
A rough first night followed. I got a sore throat, and we left the windows open, which have no screens, and were attacked by mosquitoes, until half way through the night I woke up, closed the windows, and killed the ones left in the room.
I woke up not feeling in top form, and Soh took us to the Chinese pharmacist. Immediately he asked me about my bowels, or more correctly he asked Soh, who asked the lady behind her how to say it in English, who told me, and then it was all translated back. I was constipated. He had figured so, and gave me some pills to help. He also told me, NO MORE SPICY FOOD. Hard for me to resist, but remembering the pain I had been in on the bus the day before I decided to heed his advice. The worst part was that on the way there we had gone to the market to pick up ingredients for a very spicy dish that I was going to learn how to prepare, by Soh. Not to be I suppose.
We went for Dim Sum breakfast next door, for which Soh ordered far too much and ate very little, leaving Amanda and me to eat as she went from one shop to another or spoke with friends. After breakfast we took a taxi out to the Buddhist temple, Sam Poh Tong, which is set in the Limestone caves that surround the city of Ipoh. We wandered around the many temples, admiring the statues as well as the gardens, ponds, and views from some of the heights. We were also greeted by some of the local monkeys, one of which apparently guards the bridge, for when we tried to cross it he took a bit at Amanda, and luckily only got a bit of her shirt as we retreated. A sad situation they seem to be living in though, mostly eating trash left behind by people.
We came back and Soh and I prepared an easy going Chinese meal instead, and my pills began to work, though clearing up my problem was a not as comfy as one would hope.
The next morning we were off to the Cameron Highlands, situated around 5,000 feet above sea level. I decided my stomach was ready to brave the 2 hour bus ride, and we were off. A beautiful ride up the mountains, through much farmland, and a few towns. When we passed through Brinchang, we observed a Hindu ceremony in passing, one where a man is hooked in the back with many hooks, and pulls a cart, as well as another man dancing with this giant "headdress" that stands 15 feet tall, and as he spins and dances everyone else does around him. The road was all but blocked by the goings on. When we arrived, it was raining, but we decided on a walk any ways, and started our explorations of the virgin jungle that surrounds much of the farmland and towns. We walked up to a watch tower, but most of the surrounding area was shrouded by clouds, but it was still beautiful. The next day we headed up Gurung Brinchang, one of the taller peaks, and had a muddy walk through some beautiful jungle. At times, scrambling up tree roots, not daring to look behind us. Once we got to the top, there was another tower, and more clouds. Not to mention the people who took the easy way up, the road. We then headed down the road through the "mossy forest", and the many tea plantations that the area is known for. Stopping at a strawberry farm, a honey bee farm, where we saw them at work, and a butterfly garden, which also had lots of snakes and other reptiles as well as beetles and such. Then we had lunch, and back to Ipoh.
Soh greeted us again warmly, and had prepared us a Western delicacy, spaghetti bolognese. Though much of the food here we have been eating has been fantastic, it was great to have a small bite of home. We will now spend the next few days exploring the area around, and possibly some other towns close, and Soh is going to teach me a few things in the kitchen.
