Where would you choose to go for a weekend retreat?Batu Gajah, a district located 24km south of Ipoh, would hardly be the most popular choice.I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to join a trip to Batu Gajah with my sister.This 2-day-1-night trip was organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) to visit Bagas Zakariah and its surroundings on 18 June 2022 (Saturday).The entire trip only cost RM250 (for PAM members) and RM280 (for non-members) inclusive of food and accommodation.
KAMPUNG LIFE IN BAGAS ZAKARIAH
Bagas Zakariah is a family retreat located 500m after the exit from Gopeng PLUS toll.Our first impression of this property was a rich sense of kampong life.Bagas Zakariah consists of three fully restored Malay houses (the white house, yellow house (owner’s family house), and red house), a surau, conference place, office and dining place, all linked with a covered walkway on 5 acres of durian orchard.The Malay houses were restored and enhanced with modern amenities such as bathrooms and pantry areas.We noticed that there is one steep staircase of almost 90 degrees leading to the attic of the ‘white house’.The housekeeper informed us that this attic used to be a storage place or women’s hideout in the old days and the staircase was demountable to close the attic.Technology in the past was truly remarkable.
BATU GAJAH HOSPITAL
Next, we went to visit the first hospital in Batu Gajah.I have nosocomephobia (fear of hospitals) as I perceive hospitals as dim, scary, full of patients moaning in pain, tired doctors, and angry nurses.
Not an ideal place for a vacation visit.However, this is untrue for the Batu Gajah hospital.They are low-rise buildings in mock-Tudor style, well-ventilated, filled with ample natural daylight, complete with vintage cowboy doors and even spacious corridors for access.
KINTA DISTRICT OFFICE
Our trip continued to the Kinta District Office formed by a few blocks of colonial buildings.
The interesting part of this visit was we were brought to a courtroom filled with rows and rows of spectator seating, attorney tables, court clerk’s station, judge’s bench, jury box, witness stand and even defendant’s seating.I had never seen a courtroom in real life, not even to mention sitting on a judge’s chair.This was my first unexpected visit.
FAST & FURIOUS – FIRST GOLF COURSE IN BATU GAJAH
I had the assumption that golf is an expensive sport dominated by the rich.However, this is different at the golf course in Batu Gajah – the oldest in Malaysia offering an affordable membership fee.After a warm, welcoming and light tea break offered by the president, we went to visit the entire golf course and made a few stops: a haunted house which used to be a party place belonging to royalty, a beautiful lake where the Perak Sultan used to swim and play around during his childhood, lush greenery, and amazing sunset view of the golf course via a buggy car.We even had a buggy race.It was really fun!
TT5 – THE LAST MINING DREDGE IN MALAYSIA
The next morning, we went to Tanjung Tualang 5 to visit the last mining dredge in Malaysia.There is a love-shaped maze behind the mining dredge formed by rubble wall and bamboo trees.You may get a free post card from the café nearby and send it to your loved ones anywhere in the world by finding the letter box inside the love-shaped maze.My initial intention of joining this trip was to collect CPD points in my spare time.I did not expect to have so much fun during the trip and getting to know the other participants.It was truly an amazing and memorable experience for me.Thanks, PAM for organising!
