IPOH - THE START OF OUR GASTRONOMICAL TRAIL

Well, after the harrowing experience, we were glad to get back to civilization. Hence the rows of plastic roofing on the greenhouses were a welcome sight. We stopped at Letchucumy's Coffee Shop for a drink before snaking our way to Tanah Rata, Cameroon Highlands and down to Tapah. 'Miss Garmin', dad's navigator was a great help, except at times, she was densely slow in giving the directions, resulting in more misturns. Finally we reached Ipoh late in the evening. Ipoh is reputed to be a food lover's paradise but we faced difficulty in locating good eating outlets. Miss Garmin was of no help. We were led to a restaurant but upon reaching the place, found it closed. We finally located a glutton's paradise (Open Food Court GPS coordinates N 4.61677,E101.12047) and had 'kon-lou-mien' (dad's favourite), lobak, grilled lamb chops, taufoo, fried oysters and salted chicken. (No photos, as we were ravenously tucking in the food). next day, again after much twists and turns, we came to another chain of stalls.

For breakfast we had the famed Ipoh coffee (certainly very good) and roti kaya and chee cheong fun and a few other things recommended by the waiter.

After breakfast, we set off to explore the caves. Ipoh is also well-known for her limestone caves. First was the Sam Poh Tong caves. It was ghastly. There was a temple erected infront of the cave, all gaudily painted. One can hardly see the cave as it was covered by the temple structure. Anyway, the cave interior was filled with smoke from burning incense and it was claustophobic. So we beat a hasty retreat.

Auntie YK said she heard that there was another cave nearby, the "Gua Temporong" and it might be worth a visit. The vendor at Sam Poh Tong cave warned us that the entrance fee would be exorbitant. We decided to try anyway. So we headed to Gopeng, where the cave was sited.

Gua Temporong (GPS Coordinates: N4.41619,E101.18739) proved to be easy to locate. The entrance fee was RM 6/- per adult and RM3/- for children.............

Senior citizens get a discount and were charged the same rate as children. look at these 2 senior citizens - looking as pleased as punch to get such discounted tickets!! Ah, the simple joys of being a senior citizen......

A photo shot before we enter the cave - with the guide. The cave was indeed intriguing with all the stalactite and stalagmite formation. The guide pointed out the relief on the cave wall - here's an elephant, there's a chicken, a deer. Here's a girl washing her hair, sexy legs...... just use your imagination.

It was humid inside the cave but at one section of the cave, we could feel the cool wind wafting in. It was amazing - almost like the place was air-conditioned. There we stood, loathe to leave the place. Our guide was very chatty and a charming salesman : "Auntie, you pay six ringgit, only can take you here. But special for you - don't tell the counter people. I give you more tour. Take you further."

We smile at this 'special offer' . Of course we were not fooled by this sales tactic. nevertheless, feeling generous, we gave him an extra RM10/-. As we left the place, we heard his friend outside whisper : "Mesti bagi-bagi". (Meaning - split the money dude!!)