Here, you get to marvel at the wonders of nature that abounds and how it had been ingeniously engineered to offer a perfect getaway for a splashing, rejuvenating and exuberating experience for visitors.

Covering an area of 15 acres, it is managed by Plantation Resorts Sdn Bhd (PRSB), a subsidiary of Felda Agricultural Services Sdn Bhd (FASSB) and is located at the foothills of the Titiwangsa Range, 200 ft above sea level, and wonderfully surrounded by hills and clear cold mountain streams and rivers amidst lush greenery, forests and the oil palm plantations.

We were told that there are about 500 natural hot springs emerging from within the region! How awesome! Read further about hot spring at wikipedia encyclopedia where it’s stated that hot springs are produced by the emergence of geothermally-heated groundwater from the Earth’s crust.

John and I had previously visited Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park as day trippers with friends but were drawn to return here recently for a short 3 days 2 nights vacation when we found out that it offers reasonably-priced accommodation too.

Its many attractions can be broadly categorized as follows:

• Hot springs and pools, etc.
• Landscape, flora and fauna
• Facilities, including accommodation

Free-flowing natural hot springs and pools :

1. An Olympic-sized Hot Spring Pool that gets its heat sourced from underground. A favourite hot pool that is sufficiently warm for a dip or swim that is enjoyed by young and old alike, whether day-trippers or residents on vacation.

2. Mountain Springs Cold Pool – a super large-size knee-deep swimming pool that get its source of cool water from the mountain streams nearby. This is one heavily populated pool that is most popular, especially during the weekends, school holidays or public holidays.

3. A network of various-sized hot springs pools that were creatively designed. Water temperature ranging between 30 – 102 degree Celsius.
Smaller pools below 35 degree C are suitable for soaking or submerging, while others for dipping your feet into. Some others with temperatures above 50 degree C are just too hot but all the same are presented to be marveled, such as the cascading hot springs and the like. There are ample signs to indicate the pools’ varying temperature and other significant notices.

4. A 30 m water reflexology path – an area lined with small stones and covered with streaming hot water, just perfect to walk barefoot on and experience the gentle massage. Wonderful feeling!

5. Egg boiling at a natural hot spring area, with water bubbling from underneath at a temperature up to 102 degree C is another very interesting and captivating activity. Baskets are provided for egg-boiling – you can bring your own eggs or purchase nearby. This is something fascinating that we wouldn’t want to miss for the world – it simply took 6-7 minutes for hard-boiled and 3 minutes for half-boiled. You can relish them straightaway!
Close-by, there’s the hot spring pool area, with temperature between 40-45 degree C, great for dipping your feet for relaxation and have skin rejuvenated by the algae therein.

6. Board walk – the walk amidst the interesting fauna will lead you to the heat source of the natural hot springs with its water bubbling out from the small stream at a temperature between 60-102 degree C. At the platform that is built over the hot springs, you can experience the heat from the water below and observe the clouds of steam that arose with it.
We were a little disappointed here as it wasn’t as remarkable as we’d envisaged. There were just small pockets of steam visibly seen that evening though we did have a sort of ‘sauna bath’ (sweated profusely) as a result.

7. Spa Village – this is where private jacuzzi or hot pools are designed for families or groups that want to enjoy in a private atmosphere. They’re available at reasonable prices, depending on the pool size. Water for the spa is pumped from a central hot springs pool with a temperature between 38-40 degree C. Traditional or ayurveda massages to relieve aches and stiffness are offered too.

Landscape, flora and fauna :

There’s much to enjoy and delight here! Truly scenic and spectacular!

The management has taken pains to retain sections of its oil palm plantation to add much beauty, shade and interest to the region as a whole. Really beautiful! For us, town dwellers, it was a rare treat indeed to see such explicit beauty of the oil palm trees up-close! Great to be able to look up and see the fabulous spread of its fan-like fronds and the various kinds of ferns hugging the tree trunks. And an added bonus to see the trees being harvested of the ripened oil palm fruits during our stay there recently.

The landscaping, flora and fauna are remarkable, to say the least. Everywhere and anywhere, you get to enjoy such amazing greenery and colours, giving much shade and coolness overall. Much of its surroundings that include huge rocks are left in its natural state. The beautiful gardens at the residence and park area are dotted with fabulous tropical plants and palms that are well-tended, some plants are even properly labeled and the whole complex almost immaculate! The staffs have done a great job in maintaining it, though it is an uphill task as there are still some litterbugs who refuse to be teachable!

Do enjoy these photos that speak a thousand words of the beauty that abounds there. Birds, squirrels, butterflies and dragonflies were observed too, but sadly I’ve failed in getting their images to share here.

Facilities, including accomodation :

To cater to the ever-growing crowd of visitors, ample parking bays are provided. Toilets and shower facilities are provided too.

Other facilities include a large cafeteria that offers relatively cheap variety of food (such as fried noodles/rice and soups or western fast food) and drinks and houses a souvenir shop too. There’s a large fish pond facing it where you can feed the ‘talapia’ fishes therein…children would love this! There are some other stalls nearby, selling burgers and drinks too. Previously, food and drinks were not allowed inside the park, but this restriction has been probably lifted now.

Close-by the cafeteria, a place of worship (‘surau’) for the Muslims is available.

At the other end of the park, nearer to the residential hotel, there’s a coffee house that offers buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner or you can order ‘al carte’ only for lunch as informed. A little disappointing that at times, even an ala carte menu is not offered for lunch. It would have been better if ala carte menu is available for all meals so that visitors or residents have a choice when buffet-styled dishes are not suitable to their taste or health conditions. This was the only setback for us both.

Accomodation in the form of villas or residential hotel rooms are available for reservation if you’d like to stay. Villas are for big families or large groups and include a private jacuzzi and kitchenette, while hotel rooms are suited for couples or a small family. Check at its website for accomodation and entrance ticket rates.

My darling John and I thoroughly enjoyed our recent stay there during the last week of December. Hehe…just a short getaway to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Truly a wonderful milestone for us both! Praise and thank the Lord!

Here’s some extra info if you’re interested to visit there :
Address:
Felda Residence Hot Springs
35600 Sungkai
Perak.
Tel: +605 438 8801/03 or +603 2697 9772 (KL sales office)
Fax: + 605 438 8805
Website here

Getting there:
Felda Residence Hot Springs is located about 10 km from Sungkai town. It’s about 160 km (approximately 1.5-2 hrs drive) from Kuala Lumpur. Head for Sungkai toll exit 128 on the North-South Highway, turn left at the junction, then left again at 1 km away when you see the signage to Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park, and travel about another 8 km through the Sungai Klah Felda Village and oil palm plantations, before reaching the Park. Look out for the hot springs signage as you travel to guide you easily to your destination.

Strongly recommended if you’ve not been there before. Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park Resort is quite a magical place really if you seek to enjoy the beauty of its flora and fauna and the amazing hot springs scattered about. Probably also, to just soak yourself in the hot and cold pools available, or simply to experience peace and tranquility in a natural environment, devoid of pollution and away from the bustling cities and towns. Wonderful place to unwind, enjoy and have fun! Great getaway for family outings!

Malaysia’s world-renowned ‘Forest of Knowledge’ (its English name) that is located in the University of Malaya campus, Kuala Lumpur. So aptly named, as its botanical concept is not a formal flower garden, but rather a tropical rainforest garden with over 1,600 species as living collections, spanning an area of 80 hectares. It even houses UM’s herbarium, our country’s largest university collection of 63,000 accessions. Do explore Rimba Ilmu website to be enthralled.

Frankly, until very recently, John and I didn’t even know its existence! Thanks to W. George Schmid and Sugumaran for introducing us to this magnificent tropical treasure of plant life in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city.

Hence, with joyous gratitude, we too would like to introduce to the world, Malaysia’s prestigious Rimba Ilmu Botanical Garden with a virtual tour of its many treasures therein. A photo gallery actually, of images captured during the conducted garden tour! Enjoy please!

1) In the vicinity of the main building and courtyard :
where it boasts of various tropical plants, such as Bougainvillea, Ixora and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, popular arbour vines like Red Passiflora coccinea and Thunbergia laurifolia, spectacular palms, and aquatic plants like water lilies, etc. in an ornamental pond at the courtyard.

Front entrance into Rimba Ilmu’s main building

Murraya paniculata (Orange Jessamine): native to Southeast Asia, China and Australia;

Passiflora coccinea (Red granadilla): native to S. America, a climber with striking red flowers on a 4.5 m tall pole

Latania loddigesii (Blue Latan Palm, Silver Latan Palm): ornamental tropical palm, native to Mauritius Island.

Cycas clivicola: this is a male plant, seen here which develops a relatively large cone. Native to southern Thailand and Peninsula Malaysia

Pandanus tectorius (Tahitian Screwpine, Hala), native to Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia and Australia. On the right is the variegated one, Pandanus variegatus (P. baptisii)

2) Garden tour into the Forest of Knowledge proper :
where more than 1,600 species are packed into the living collections. Included are rare plants and various kinds of medicinal herbs, ferns, gingers, palms, citruses and and trees, mostly indigenous Malaysian and Indonesian flora though plant species from elsewhere are included too.
Tropical fauna abounds therein and a clearwater stream flows within its grounds, inhabited with algae and teeming with small fishes, etc. Dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies and birds were observed too. Metal plant ID tags are common features of the landscape to introduce the plants’ identity and provide brief profile details. There is an enclosed Fernery situated nearby…unfortunately it was locked during our visit.

Thysanolaena latifolia (Bamboo Grass): native to India, through Burma and S. China to the Malay Peninsula. Leaves used as wrappers for Chines glutonous rice dumplings, inflorescences made into soft broom-heads

Vatica yeechongii: endemic to Peninsula Malaysia. A very rare thin crooked tree along fast-flowing streams. First discovered in 2002

Grammatophyllum speciosum (Tiger Orchid, Sugar Cane Orchid, Queen of the Orchids, Giant Orchid): world’s largest orchid, native to New Guinea, Indonesia and Malaysia. On record, the largest single plant had a mass of 2 tons. More info at wikipedia and flowers at Garden Chronicles.

Jatropha podagrica – An ornamental, native to Central America. Pounded leaves used as poultice over sores and swellings; latex possible source of bio-fuel. Plant profile here.

Selaginella plana: native to Peninsular Malaysia. Medicinal herb used to treat stomach aches, rheumatism, coughs, asthma and in post-natal tonics

Polygonum minus: native to Asia, Australia and Europe. Leaf decoction used to relief indigestion and oil from leaves to treat dandruff. Popular condiment in local dishes

Cibotium barometz (Golden Chicken Fern, Scythian Lamb, Woolly Fern): native to China and Peninsula Malaysia. A species of Tree Fern with fronds up to 3m long

Dypsis leptocheilos (Redneck Palm, Teddy Bear Palm): native to Madagascar. Leaf sheaths is red-coloured, crownshaft is a light rusty colour and trunk, a waxy white

Johannesteijsmannia magnifica (‘Daun Payung’ in Malay language or Umbrella Leaf): native to Peninsula Malaysia. A rare and spectacular forest understorey palm

Just to feature how large and long the aerial roots of the rainforest trees can be, about 100 m or more. To clear a jungle, the loggers have first to chop off these tough and hardy roots clasping the forest trees

Oncosperma tigillarium (Nibung Palm): native to Peninsula Thailand and Malaysia, an Sumatra, Borneo and Java. Rot resistant wood used as construction materials for kelong and fish traps

Syzygium gratum (Gelam Tikus in Malay language): native to Burma, Indo-China, Peninsula Malaysia. Tree trunk has fabulous-looking thin papery reddish-brown bark breaking into flaks

To the right is Bismarckia nobilis: ornamental tropical palm, native to Madagascar. Trunk flattened for use in partition walling, leaves for thatch and baskets, pith for sago

A section of the tropical rainforest. Observing closely, one can see Bird’s Nest Ferns (Asplenium nidus), thriving high above tree trunks

A section of the tropical rainforest: when scrutinized, one can see the long hardy aerial roots criss-cross amongst the trees

3) Inside the Rare Plants and Orchids Conservatory :
indeed, plants and orchids therein were rarely seen. How wonderful that some wild orchids were blooming then and delighted to have captured them to share here.

Alocasia cuprea (Giant Caladium, Elephant Ear): endemic to Borneo, in lowland rainforests. Leaves undersides is maroon or dark purplish-red in color

Platycerium cf. coronarium (Staghorn Fern, Tanduk Rusa in Malay language): native to Philippines, Indo-China, Malaysia. Plant info on Platycerium here.

Begonia rajah: native to Peninsula Malaysia, in lowland forests. Highly sought for its stunning variegated foliage in deep red and vivid green veins

Paphiopedilum barbatum (Slipper Orchid): endemic to Peninsula Malaysia. Enjoy a photo gallery of wild orchids of Malaya here

Variegated foliage of Paphiopedilum barbatum (Slipper Orchid), as beautiful as its flower, seen on the left picture

Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum (Slipper Orchid): endemic to Java. Get to see more photos of Paph. species and hybrids here.

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (Slipper Orchid, King of the Paphs): endemic to Borneo

Rare plants and orchids inside the conservatory of Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden

Another section of the rare plants and orchids inside the conservatory

4) Inside the ‘Rain Forests and Our Environment’ Exhibition Hall :
provides excellent material and information about the Malaysian rainforest, its biodiversity and usefulness in environmental conservation. Too bad, the exhibition was less than 20 minutes rushed sighting for us, just insufficient time to enjoy the richness available.

Product exhibits

Samples of various kinds of timber/wood, showcasing the differing colours, textures and weight

Exhibits of mushrooms in Malaysia

Posters/text panels on Rafflesia

Posters/text panels on Mt. Kinabalu, Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site

Poster on preserving biodiversity

We truly enjoyed the conducted garden tour by Ms. Angela (thank you!).

Our garden visit to Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden was really an eye-opener, most enlightening and educative, even though there weren’t enough amazing flowers to enthral us as in a formal floral botanic garden. After all, it is THE FOREST OF KNOWLEDGE and it sure was true to its name!

Most plants therein have their identity clearly tagged, an example as seen on the left picture. However, since we lagged far behind the other tour participants, capturing photos and enjoying the beauty that abounds, some name tags were ignored. Haha…the nature lovers!

Thus, had to email to Mr. Sugumaran of Rimba Ilmu, Univerisity of Malaya, for help in some of the plants’ ID and he responded so graciously and kindly.

Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Mr. Sugumaran. What a blessing he had been to us!

Rimba Ilmu’s Address:
The Coordinator
Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden
Institute of Biological Sciences
University of Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

(Tel: 603-79674686, 603-79674690)

Another impressive site here to wander further and learn alot more of Athens in Greece! Enjoy!

Since stumbling onto this awesome country garden site in March, I’m still intrigued and fascinated by its lovely homepage! Colours and beauty beckons, so much so that the homepage itself is viewed as a beautiful garden! I’ve learnt to stroll leisurely and not rush through so that I can delight and enjoy every single page of the more than 1,000 pages of goodies it’s offering.

Thank you so much, dearest Moosey for the joy and happiness you gave me and continue to do so daily! Your gardening passion and enthusiasm inspire us on!

P/S (Updated on Nov.19, 2006): Not to be missed is her latest site addition where she shares her exhilarating and exciting trips around New Zealand! Come and join in the fun!

Let this sweet-natured lady lead you here, there and everywhere and be astounded. Even the butterflies are bewitched!

I just have to recapture them here to revisit this magical paradise again and again! Thank you so much, my dearest friend!

Updated Dec. 16, 2006 – Autumn in Liza’s wonderland!
Updated June 6, 2007 – Spring 2007
Updated August 20, 2008 – Much more of Liza’s garden at Flickr.com too!

Here too, you’ll get to experience the changing scenes of the four seasons of spring (early spring), summer, (sorry…nothing yet to link to! will have to wait for this season to roll in next year! *) autumn and winter! Isn’t that fascinating? Thank you, dear Jack!

* (Updated Nov. 13, 2006: Ooops…got my summer season mixed-up with the Northern Hemisphere…not next year but now, S.A is having summer now!!)

Updated May 1, 2007: Autumn of April 2007 in Jack’s paradise is a must visit! You’ll be astounded and mesmerized with the amazing autumn colors never seen before elsewhere!