Saturday, August 13, 2011

New Perak Expedition - Epiphany Part 1




PROLOGUE: 5 Months Hiatus. Gone through one helluva ride of life. And I missed blogging so damn freakin' much!


I know I've been MIA for almost half of century. I forgot about traveling. I forgot about blogging.

I forgot about life...

...and all the sweetness that its juice has to offer.

Nevertheless, it's so good to be here again. This time I went back to Perak again to seek refuge under the calmness and soothing atmosphere of old Kuala Kangsar. My best buddy Razif has been great host as usual. We planned for yet-to-go places and there in nearby Batu Gajah amidst the drizzling dewy drops, we found a perfect spot.


All photos are courtesy from Razif with his over powerful DSLR. 


At far, it stood majestically on a hill. Yet it seemed to mourn over itself...

crying...
begging...

Guys, meet Kellie's Castle - Mansion of Mourner.





"I expected you snapped all alphabets." Oh well, guys, take a wild guess. Is it KELUMPOR? KEUWWLL? or KELUANGMAN?

The big house was constructed in 1915 until 1926 when it remains unfinished today. With empty hallways, unpainted walls and ceilings, the mansion was merely skeleton of its former self that once grandiosely imagined by its Scottish owner, William Kellie Smith.

3 floors and off we go exploring them all!


At the altar of the house's chapel. No more blessing Mary on this one.



From Italy to England to Malaya to where is it now?



Will, are you sure this is the place because...


The bar was sure hot as all hell. Plus no ventilation whatsoever and in complete darkness. (I can't see a thing during this photo shoot even at broad daylight). I think this was a bar + sauna.



Spooky corridor. If he indeed still lingers, he and the tourist will have a great time having afternoon tea. Or a bit of Scottish fiddle. But I personal think he might say this.



Yeah Will, ye olde homestead is indeed far, far away...




One interesting point though, the mansion was built for his dear wife. The picture here said she was young and beautiful. To me she looked like your usual English version of makcik living in similar English counterpart of Kg Changkat. Agnes Smith, could it be..?    


I guess genetic manipulation was a incomplete back then. Better take the mother, Will! 


Now some outdoor venture of the castle compound. The afternoon drizzle later subsided. With skill obtained from my ancestor via Animus, I tried to ascend the wall of Will's castle-



Tried to peek on the ghost of Agnes Smith but yielded none...



Finally reached the summit of Kellie's Castle 3 floors high! Felt like Mother Russia here...



And the air up there provided quite a view...


OK, enough Ezio /Altair/ Spiderman crap already!


On top of old well. Not well to drink.

Razif also struggled to climb. God-damn he's fast!


"Pak Ali, why don't you just use stairs like everybody else?". 
No wonder.



At one of the guard's house. An incomplete jigsaw. Something is missing. 



That's better.

The tour was concluded after some 1 hour exploration. As we head to our ride, we took a quick glance on Will's balcony. A bird flew peculiarly awkward and plummeted to the ground nearby. It was a chick of unknown bird species to me. Sick and wounded. Probably bitten by some wild cat. We put it properly under a tree and sadly left it to fate of whatever Mother Nature would cast upon it...


The bird in red circle.


Aww, you poor little darling... Don't worry. Some hungry snake will fetch you later. 


We left Will and his perpetual plea to restore his mansion. Next, we continue southwards for Pasir Salak. We lost our ways quite a few times. Yet, we this opportunity to discover new routes and places. 

Lot of new places. New people with new memories. Perak never fails to mesmerize me...

Pasir Salak. I hope both ghosts of Birch and Maharajalela would receive me with open arms,

in the land once hateful violence ruled supreme, 
and now such a peace and quiet sanctuary...

(to be continued)

RESPECTO.