Muzium Telekom Malaysia

I think it was my second visit to the museum located at Jalan Raja Chulan in Kuala Lumpur. But only this time I am writing this post because when I first visited it in the 90s, blog is not around yet.
The museum is open to the public daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm except on public holidays and entrance is FREE.

THE BUILDING
The musuem was built during the colonial days in 1928 to place the central battery version of main manual telephone. it was build with an undeground space and orderly floor for the installation of telecomunications facilitiesand became the main telephone office back then.
It was built with a “G” style and has internal boundary corridors with a service court. Like all other colonia buildings at that time, this double-storey building was build by carpentary according to its weights and structires. To suit the cables installation for telephonic hall at the second floor, wooden floors supported by metal crossbars were built. Glass windows were built with symmetry and dolled up to show the neo-classic style, adaptation from the 19th Century. One of the classic and unique architecture is the 8 lonia pillars between 2 towers facing Jalan Gereja.

 

Photo: The museum from Jalan Gereja. Notice the 8 lonia pillars?

HISTORY OF TELECOMUNICATION IN MALAYSIA
It began in 1870 with telegraph services linking the island of Penang, Malacca and Singapore to London via submarine cables. In 1876, the first telegraphic communication began between Taiping and Kuala Kangsar. The first telephone was installed in Kuala Lumpur in 1891and when the manual telephone exchange was built in 1928, the telephone service started to grow.
In 1938, the manual system was replaced by semi-automatic system. Telecommunications in Malaysia then entered the broadcasting era when radio station in Kenny Hill began broadcasting in 1936.
Then in 1958, the first microwave station in Bukit Nanas was completed, This allows the first national station television broadcast in 1963. Phone service moved into modern era when connection remotely dial (STD) was introduced in 1962. International direct dialing service (IDD) was introduced in 1979. Mobile phone services or ATUR 450 was introduced in 1985.
WELCOME TO THE MUSEUM

		antique phones on display VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

		Some of the exhibits VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

On the second floor visitors will be able to walk the journey through moment in time relating the growth of telecomunication in Malaysia beginning in 1874 when the telephone make its debut in Perak to the use of  internet and Skype .
ADDRESS
Muzium Telekom
Tingkat 2, Jalan Raja Chulan,
50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 603-2031 9966  Fax: 603-2031 5925
Website: www.muziumtelekom.com.my
References: Pamphlet- discovery of Telecommunications in Malaysia produced by Muzium Telekom.

Ampang Look Out Point

It has been quite sometimes that I wanted to visit this place after reading some postings on blogs and word of mouth. 

Only today that I had the opportunity to set a time to head to the place and take photos to post to this blog.

Took off from home and head to Ampang Town and towards the Look Out Point.

The weather is not on my side today, it seems and earlier it rains. The day has been quite hazy.

As I drive up the hill towards Look Out Point, is already late in the evening. Then I saw the sign board showing the was to Ampang Saujana and there are many cars line up along the side and hawkers peddling their trade. I decided to stop since from this point, the view of Kuala Lumpur skyline is clearly visible besides the presence of haze. We stop for a drink and savour Koteow Goreng while enjoying the view of Kuala Lumpur and can be seen as far as Menara Telekom in Lembah Pantai. Photo below is the Kuala Lumpur skyline as seen from the junction to Ampang Saujana.

 

After finishing our plate of Koteow we head on to our destination about 1.5 km up the hill until we reach this signboard. The place seems without any activity even though the signboard greets us like this. however it is a false greeting.  

The entrance to Pusat Pelancungan dan Menara Tinjau has been barricaded with concrete dividers and there is a banner signage put up by Majlis Perbandaran Kajang.

A check with its website HERE also post the announcement that the place has been closed indefinitely. The reason for the closure was reported in HERE and HERE

Until no definite time frame, this tourist attraction and for locals, Ampang Look Out Point is out of your travel itenary. However the Koteow Goreng stalls at the Ampang Saujana junction can still be your place to visit if you want to enjoy Kuala Lumpur from a higher ground.

I Wuz @ Frasers Hills Too

Malaysia has a few hill resorts for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. These resorts in West Malaysia are mostly distributed along the backbone of Banjaran Titiwangsa that run North - South and can be accessed easily. Before you proceed to read this posting, maybe you want to printout Frasers Hills map. 


The latest hill resort that I visited is the Frasers Hills but however it is not the first time I have been there. If I am not mistaken the last time I visited Frasers Hill was in 2006 and stayed at the Sultan Sulaiman bungalow belinging to the Selangor state government. This time I stayed on the Pahang side. However there is nothing different between them.


Frasers Hill is located at a height of  between 1,220 and 1,525 metre above sea level still maintain its cool climate because development is not that fast as other hill resorts in the country. The resorts temperature are between 17°C~25°C / 63°F~77°F year round. 


Frasers Hill is about 104 km (64.6 miles) away from Kuala Lumpur. The foot of the hill is called The Gap at 800 metre above sea level and you can still see colonial resthouse just across the road before the climb starts. The drive up is along a winding single lane road for 8 km. Previously the road is used for both direction of traffic whereby odd hours for uphill traffic while even hour for downhill. Now the division has been scrapped because another road has been opened for the downhill traffic. However if you feel you want to enjoy the view and quite fit, you can walk up the hill from The Gap. 

THE HISTORY

 The hill derived its name from a Scottish pioneer, Louis James Fraser, who set up a tin-ore trading in 1890. He found tin deposits at the top and used mules to transport the ore down to The Gap and then to Raub. He also operated a gambling and opium den for the workers which enable him to gain a second profit from the workers. 


However Fraser vanished without trace some 25 years later and was not found till today. In 1919 the access road was built after C.J. Ferguson-Davie, Bishop of Singapore went up looking for Frasers and found out that the place is perfecr for a hill station. The name was then given in honour of Frasers and opened to visitors in 1922. It has a coverage of 140 hectres of and and over 50km of jungle paths. There are also nine bungalows built for use by government officials. Besides there are also 4 houses built for servicemen and women, 3 private homes and a country club. There is also a golf Course, a post office and water supply. 

History mentioned that on 6th October 1951, during the Malayan Emergency, British official Sir Henry Gurney was ambushed and killed near Fraser's Hill in a random assassination by Communist guerillas.

Reference; Wikipedia

WHAT CAN YOU DO?


Frasers Hill is suitable for adventure getaways especially jungle related activities. There are Jungle Track scattered around the hills for those who love hiking in the jungle and the trail are usually marked at the entrance. It adivsable to get an experience guide for your safety. There is also an accessible waterfall. Trails range from the Hemmant Trail, a short walk, to the Pine Tree Trail, a full day's trek. For list of trails please CLICK HERE. 

Entrance to one of the many trails on Frasers Hills

Bird Watching 


It is one of the hill's most popular activities for tourist and visitors. It has been recorded that there is over 250 species of birds including hornbills, rare doves, colourful pheasant, sleek eagles and endemic species. There has been discovered that migratory bird from Russia and China visits Frasers Hill and sojourn for a few months before flying South to Australia and New Zealand.


Perbadanan Bukit Frasers also organised the Frasers Hill International Bird Race in 2011. 


Read also a report from birdtours uk.


Golfing


The golf sports complex is one of the oldest golf course in the country and located at the centre of the hill. The course is a 9-hole course but offers challenging sections at several sections. The reception counter is just next the to hill icon, the Clock tower. 

Photo by this blogger

Woodball - if you feel not fit to tee off at the Golf course, you can always try the milder version of the game of woodball. 

Photo taken from HERE

PLACES OF ATTRACTIONS


Gap Resthouse

Jeriau Waterfall

Allan's Water

Photo by this blogger

Paddock - Archery and horse Riding 

Public Park 

Refer fraserhill.info for details 


FOOD 


There is an eating spot next to the town mosque. For a more fancy dining venue and authentic English cuisine, visitors can try  Scott's Pub and restaurant next to Puncak Inn.   

Both photos above by this blogger

HOTELS


There are comfortable place of accommodations scattered on the hills for visitors to choose according to their budgets and taste. 


During my last visit I stayed at a 3 room apartment Fraser's Pine Resort and all the apartment can accommodate 6 pax. The view is fascinating when the clouds move across and the surrounding becomes chill. Every apartment has a large balcony and there is also a pantry. However if you do not have your own transport it is a bit difficult to move out of the resort especially to find food at night. 

Pix above is the view of other apartments from the balcony of the unit I stayed

Clouds moving in during the evenings

The resort is a nice location for team building programs or family day activities due to its large apartment units and can accommodate a big family in each unit. However if one is unfit, request for a lower tier unit because there is no lift to go up to the fourth tier or to move down.  


Watch also wen88888's Youtube posting HERE.


Other choice of accomodations

• Silverpark Hill Resort -   09-362 2888
• Fraser's Pine Resort -  09-362 2122
• Jelai Highland -  019-553 8955/016-304 8249
• The Smokehouse, a former Red Cross rehabilitation centre -   09-362 2007
• Shahzan Inn (formerly Merlin Inn) -  09-362 2300
• Puncak Inn -  09-362 2007
• Bungalows rented out by various corporations
• TM Resort -  05-491 4000

If you want a review of the bungalows watch Youtube Bungalow Hopping on Frasers Hill by wen88888


THE PLACE TO BE

CONTACTS


Frasers Hill Development Corporation (FHDC)
Tourism Malaysia
Kuantan hotels
Pahang Tourism


Photo Credit: Unless otherwise not stated, photos are downloaded from the watermarked site.

Islamic Heritage Park, Kuala Terengganu

It has been quite a few years that I did not visit Terengganu and the last visit in December, I was driven by a friend to visit one place that I had never been during my previous visits. The place has always been visible everytime I drive from Kuala Terengganu town centre to Sultan Mahmud Airport since it can be seen clearly from the Jambatan Sultan Mahmud. If you are going towards the airport, just look to your left and the Mesjid Crystal can be seen clearly with beautiful reflections from the sunlight as it shines on the golden dome and minarets. 

Photo: The front view of the Crystal Mosque

The Mosque is located on an island, Pulau Wan Man but is accessible easily by road. The island has been turned into an Islamic Heritage Park and house the main Crystal Mosque and replica of famous and well-known mosques around the world. The mosque was constructed between 2006 and 2008 and was officiated by the King on 8th February 2008. The King, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin is the Sultan of Terengganu but at the same time also the 13th Yang DiPertuan Agong of Malaysia. Here is the Basic Information I captured from Wikipedia. 

Located along the Sungai Terengganu, the complex is reachable by road and by boat from Kuala Terengganu. The complex is usually thronged by visitors during school holidays and weekends. Weekend here is Friday and Saturday. Entrance to the mosque is FREE but to visit the theme park that housed 21 replicas of great mosques around the world, visitors have to pay RM15.00. 

The crystal mosque consisting of 2,146 square metre is constructed using steel and glass. 

You can get more information from HERE.

HOW TO GO

If you come from Kuala Terengganu town drive along Jalan Kemajuan until reaching the traffic light at the junction into Jalan Tengku Mizan. Drive straight on until the junction of Jalan Tok Ku and turn right and drive straight ahead and turn left into Jalan Losong Feri. The road will lead straight to Pulau Wan Man. Alternatively you can go through Losong, taking Jalan Balik Bukit and Jalan Hiliran until reaching the junction at Jalan Tok Ku. Refer to Google map below.

Now let the picture tell you more about the Crystal Mosque

 Above: Some adventure experience waiting for visitors to the park

 While taking a good view of the mosque from all angles, visitors can stroll along the promenade and enjoy the view of either the mosque or Pulau Duyung across the river.

Most visitor will enjoy the beauty of the mosque at close range within the park, but however I had the opportunity to see it from another angle. My friend took me across the river using the Jambatan Sultan Mahmud and onto the Pulau Duyung. Below are the views from Pulau Duyung.

Quiz Time: Name the replica of the mosques portrayed above. Where is its actual location? 

While on the island I spotted this too and No!, this not part of the package if you visit the Islamic Heritage Park

If you plan to visit Terengganu, do not forget to put Islamic Heritage Park in your itenary. Try to view the park from within and from across the river. 

LINKS

Tourism Terengganu Official Website 2011

Terengganu Tourism

Cuti-cuti Malaysia - Terengganu Guide

Terengganu Tourist Map or Map of Terengganu

Virtual Tourist - Terengganu

Lonely Planet's Thing To Do In Terengganu