I absolutely love these pics because it captures the simple beauty typical of small towns across Perak. These pics were taken using an average Nokia phone by a lousy photographer without much effort.
Its a beautiful little town at the foot of Cameron Highlands. At first glance, it looks no more than just another forgotten old folks town of Perak. But you really have to be there to feel what a great place it is. Your body and mind just feel totally soothe just by being there. The air and weather there are just awesome.
And there is a sense of history too. A sense of roots of where sub-modern and sub-urban people like me originates from. What we see now maybe some run-down houses and shops. But this was a rather happening place even before Merdeka. From 1930s to 1950s the town was fill with businesses and and other human activities(e.g gambling, prostitution and subastance abuse).
I know its hard to imagine but once upon a time there were crowds(Chinese, Indians, Ang Mohs etc) drinking and fooling around on these streets.
In the old days everyone travelling between KL and the northern states had to pass through this town. But the creation of North-South Highway left the town stranded from modern development.
Sending my father in law on his final journey across the streets he grew up.
At the cremation afterwards, the most delicious roast pork that I had ever tasted.
Apologies to Muslim friends !
Perak in Malay is silver. The British travel half the globe to plunder Perak riches. Chinamen were brought in to work tin minings. The rise of this town and many like it were the result of tin mining industry. And sadly with the demise of the tin minings, saw the decline of these towns.
Regards,
Kaki Tambak
4 comments:
My deepest condolences re your father-in-law.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos and for the sensitively written text. You do have an artistic eye as can be seen by the perspective of the shots.
Take care and may the Almighty bless you and yours richly!
Happy 2010.
warmest wishes
Paula,
The pics were taken back in 2007 (pre blogging days). It was not a particular sad occasion for most of us (except for my mother in law of course). My father in law had live his life to the fullest. Far from perfect but he managed to see all his children grown up and played with his bus loads of grandchildren.
He travelled every corner of this country and endeared himself to many along this journey. A true Malaysian in every sense. It would have given him immense joy (and relief too) if he had lived to see the March 2008 when Malaysians woke up.
Sadly it was the end of the road for him then. And now its a time to build a road of our own.
Regards,
Kaki Tambak
Kaki Tambak,
Is this the town of Tapah? I've been up to Cameron Highlands a few times but never took the opportunity to stop by Tapah.
Good pics, my friend.
Uncle Oldstock,
Its small town call Chenderiang about 12km from Tapah town.
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