Toddling @ Gopeng, RT Trip 2012

This is a much delayed post for it was a day trip organized by my neighbourhood community center - Rukun Tetangga way back in 2012!

Since the trip took place sometime around Mother's Day last year, our local Parliament representative drop by to see us off and handed flowers to all the ladies!

The key item on the agenda was to visit the Gaharu Tea Valley. Also known as argawood, the tree is infected with mold to produce a dark aromatic resin in response to the attack, which results in a very dense, dark, resin embedded heartwood. The resin embedded wood is commonly called gaharu and is valued for its distinctive fragrance used for incense and perfumes.

Looking closer at the trees, you would find lots of tiny holes where the molds are injected through. Here's a breathtaking view of the valley.

The remains of a 20 year old gaharu tree trunk is found at one of the high peaks and it is said that hugging it would bring good luck! No harm in trying ... :-p

After the outdoor tour, we were introduced to some gaharu products which can be bought at a reasonable rate with the exception of the tea which was pretty pricey.

Gaharu Saplings were also available for purchase.

Next stop was the Gopeng Heritage house. This museum is build within a shoplot to mimic a house ready with 3 bedrooms, kitchen, living and dining hall.

They were all furnished with a huge collection of antiques.

After lunch we drove down to Teluk Intan for some shopping and visit our very own leaning tower! The tower is slanted leftward, similar to the Tower of Pisa in the center of a square surrounded by Jalan Pasar, Jalan Selat, Jalan Bandar & Jalan Ah Cheong.

More shopping ensued!

At about 5pm, we reached the Ping Sien Si Chinese Temple. It has some magnificent statues of various Chinese deities and legendary characters. We stayed on and had our dinner in one of the shops nearby before heading back home.

A caricature of Jackie Chan was seen pointing the way to the gents wash room.