I went driving today. No, not golf driving. And no, not running or cycling. Yes, driving and what's that supposed to mean? Dunno, it describes better since the path is a heaven for drivers like me - the laidback style. It was supposed to be a visit to Hulu Selangor Municipality office in Kuala Kubu Bharu and I just love the drive via Batu Caves - Sungai Tua (Batu Dam) Route B57 - Ulu Yam (the picnic area) - Ulu Yam Baru - Batang Kali; route B113. Seemed like walking backwards through time from the modernism of the hard concrete and hot paved life and into the cool green and slow life of the wilderness. Fuel: cuppa black coffee from Taman Melati's McDonald.
Traffic was innocently...less. It's a bonus to find one or two at this oddly hour between 10.00 to 12.00 p.m and on Wednesday somemore. Better still, when you have to tail a Vico van with uncle Lim or pakcik Subri or Uncle Muthu behind the wheel at 50kph - you just have to layback a bit and enjoy the journey. Winding down the windscreen is perhaps a good idea as well. The breeze is awesomely undescribable. Weekend is a no-no especially when we have picnickers at Ulu Yam waterfalls. Even worse with Mat Rempits squatting on their ride doing monkey business. Oh! Talking about monkeys, yes I saw them. A family. Cute. Order: Primates; Family: Cercopithecidae; Subfamily: Cercopithecinae.
Ulu Yam picnic area
Approaching the Ulu Yam Bharu small town, the biggest and grandest shop would be the one selling Chinese herbs and medicine. A trishaw crawling by the road. A small durian stall infront of a coffee shop with the usual coffee lovers simply enjoying the slow turn of the clock. Hmmm...I wonder what they do for a living here besides selling durians and the local shops? It is just so simple and minimalist.
Solitary
Batang Kali is a different story by itself. Just another typical new and old town of 1Malaysia. School kids, football field, Petronas, traffic lights every kilometer and construction lorries. No need to describe more.
However, things took a slight turn towards Kuala Kubu Bharu. The view of mountain range surrounding the town is another awesomeness. I used to cycle from here to Fraser - the slowest mode to enjoy the vast scenery of Sungai Selangor water catchment and the cool and granny climb up to the Gap. Passing by Pertak orang asli settlement is another sight of basicness.
Clouds. Somewhere at MRSM Kuala Kubu Bharu
Too bad, I had only a phone for these photos and whilst driving somemore! Aiyo! OK-OK. I'm needing a Fraser ride soon.
Sumbang Kerajaan Persekutuan. Cool.
Sumbangan Kerajaan mana pulak ni?!
Sumbangan kerajaan langit.
ReplyDeleteAnd wow you know your monkeys well! Anyway, nice little town. I love laidback life.
did you drive your bike there? superb! mana hang letak drawings submission tuh?
ReplyDeletenice one diket, err did you stop to take pictures or drive and snap?? haha be careful ya !
ReplyDelete*clicking on the "Like" button*
ReplyDeletenever been to Fraser, let alone cycle there.
Hahaha. Nice one there Haza. We have bare hills and uncontrolled sand minings. What's left of it, I don't want to imagine. Laidback like these are pure originals. Hope it stays.
ReplyDeleteI used to drive my bike there during previous Fraser trips. Today, tak boleh la. Drawings jadi belacan le jawapnya :D
Thanks Kak June. You don't wanna know. Only off the beaten track, not at Jalan Ampang ok. Haha.
You should give a shot at Fraser. Very quiet getaway, nothing like Cameron. Bring your running shoes for some hillworks or trekking at many awesome trails.
ReplyDeleteoh that botak hill ... such an eye sore ... the racers of recent eco-x went up and down that botak hill .... geez, miss that ... probbaly u shld do the same entry when you drive thru Taiping ... :)
ReplyDeleteThat hill, it was a jewel last year. Now, stripped naked and I dunno what's the purpose. That is one mother of all hill and imagine when it goes down the river system, choking them. I'm pretty sure that small town Ulu Yam Baru is just downstream.
ReplyDeleteWonder how you ride at main road. Too many vehicles, esp lorries zoom past. I'm too scared to ride because of them lah.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we took for granted what we have in abundance.
That route is awesome. Last time I imagined I had a "Touge Battle" over there(ni influence dari "Initial D anime" and "Best Motoring" hahaha). Now I may start imagining doing a "Tour De Fraser", snail ride version :-D
ReplyDeleteZaki, I only chose light traffic roads & avoid the chaotic ones cause it doesn't serve the purpose of a stress free weekend. There are popular routes among cyclist in KL. On weekends you'll be amazed with the fiesta. We have Ulu Langat, Jalan Gombak-Genting Sempah & Putrajaya to name a few. It's just another form of cross training besides running for me :)
ReplyDeleteZiff, cakap tak efektif, kita perlu bertindak. Ayuh!
Diket, beskal yg no 3 tu available ler. This weekend wanna check it out
ReplyDeletePergh! Kena lambung sikit terus bertindak eh? Ini perkhidmatan yang cekap. Looks like you're serious about being the next Alberto Contandor or perhaps Anuar Manang bro. Bagus2. Keep me updated.
ReplyDeleteBro, ni bola separuh tanggung pun wa nak smash..jgn sangkut kat net sudah hehehe
ReplyDeleteLu memang killer Siam la bro. Hebat. Silap2 bola leret pun lu gulung. Hahaha. Wa dok belakang umpire je, boleh bertelur dahi wa kalau sambut.
ReplyDelete