疑情人桥坍塌影响游兴‧游客减60%

疑情人桥坍塌影响游兴‧游客减60%



丹绒士拔【Tanjung Sepat】情人桥附近摆摊的小贩指出，情人桥原是许多游客及摄影爱好者钟意的旅游景点，因此隨著坍塌事件后，游客也明显减少了60%。（图：星洲日报）

丹绒士拔情人桥附近小贩披露，自情人桥坍塌后，当地的游客已明显减少了60%，而平时人声鼎沸的星期日，也不復以往的热闹非凡、人潮汹涌。

他们说，虽然游客观光的兴致似乎不减，但其实星期日的人潮已比以往明显少了很多。

他们指出，虽然许多游客都对情人桥的毁坏，以及无法前往桥的尽头拍摄美丽风景照而感到惋惜，惟大部份游客因早已透过报章及电视瞭解到情人桥坍塌的事件，因而未对当局封锁情人桥的举动感到错愕及不解。

当地村民早前因发现情人桥出现倾斜及摇摇欲坠的情况，而找来丹绒士拔区州议员莫哈末哈斯林及丹村村长戴河松前往巡视，孰料在巡视途中，石灰桥部份桥身却突然坍塌，以致莫哈末哈斯林及戴河松摔下桥，双双受伤。

封锁断桥处严禁进入

事发后，有关方面也封锁断桥处，严禁閒人进入，以免发生任何不测。

《大都会》记者日前走访情人桥时，也发现“通海兴綾厝”理事会及丹绒士拔警卫团以警戒线封锁桥的入口处，並竖立中巫文告示牌，警告游客勿走入情人桥。

摔桥新闻带旺知名度
游客一探断桥“真面目”

另一方面，许是州议员及村长摔下桥的新闻太过“震撼”，进而变相带旺了情人桥的“知名度”，更吸引游客前往一睹断桥的“真面目”，以致桥旁的商店及餐馆依旧门庭若市。

同时，记者发现，纵然情人桥已被关闭，但部份游客在抵达情人桥后，都会走到情人桥入口处观望一番，有者想一探桥坍塌的部份，有者则驻足在入口处对断桥议论纷纷，或与同伴討论州议员及村长摔下桥的“趣闻”，惟游客都非常遵守规则，並没有冒险“越界”走入情人桥。

另外，现场也可见许多游客选择坐在情人桥旁的树荫下乘凉，感受海风带来的徐徐凉意，欣赏蔚蓝天空，聆听规律的海浪声，並旁观静静凝立在海上的情人桥，享受难得的休閒假日。

（星洲日报／大都会）

Reverie on a brook - Sungai Pisang

Reverie on a brook



Simply magnificent: The spectacular twin waterfalls at Level Two of Pisang Falls.

Who would have imagined that there are such lovely waterfalls and forests so close to Kuala Lumpur?

I LOVE living in Malaysia because it offers so much in terms of the outdoors and natural environment, especially for a nature-lover like me.

Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a river trekking adventure with some friends ... or rather, I got “conned” into going by my beloved husband. He told me the river would only be 10 minutes away after we parked our car.

In retrospect, had he not thus deceived me, I would still have been in bed, fast asleep and missing out on an exciting experience.

Sungai Pisang is located on km11 of the old Gombak road to Genting, near the Orang Asli Hospital. After parking the car near some old wooden buildings, we walked towards the river. The laughter of children playing in the water filled the air.

Sungai Pisang, which flows under the Karak Highway, connects to the larger Sungai Gombak. Twin culverts enable the river to flow below the highway. We hiked along the rocky banks of Sungai Gombak, and through an extremely narrow path between thick undergrowth to get to the two tunnels. This is where Sungai Gombak officially ends, and Sungai Pisang begins.

It turned out to be a roughly two-hour trek through the forest, not just along the riverbanks, but most of the time, through the water, using it as our path. After that, we had to do some minor rock-climbing along the narrow ledge of the reinforced concrete wall to reach the twin culverts, which we had to traverse to get to Sungai Pisang. (I was told later that it’s possible to trek 10 minutes if we had parked at the lay-by next to the highway and taken the steps down to Sungai Pisang directly. So, I guess my husband hadn’t really lied, after all.)

We walked through the briskly flowing cold water in one of the tunnels, going against the current. The water was, thankfully, just ankle-deep. Fortunately, nobody told me earlier that hikers sometimes encounter snakes in the water, otherwise I would never have made it through that tunnel!

It was a beautiful sight that greeted us as we came out at the other end of the tunnel. It was as if we had left civilisation far behind and entered a different world. All was silent except for the splashing of water as we trekked on the sandy riverbed, wading through ankle-deep water, and the enchanting sounds of the forest.

It was still early in the morning and the crystal-clear water was extremely cold. Along both banks of the river, jungle foliage formed a canopy overhead. The air was refreshing and a slight breeze blew. Soon, our “water course” got rockier and slightly deeper, but it was still less than knee-deep.

Our trail zig-zagged through the river as we chose the less rocky parts to trek on, not wanting to slip or risk getting our feet lodged between rocks.

Along the way, we came across myriad flora and fauna. There were strange insects skipping along the river surface, gigantic ants crawling along the trail next to us, and even tiny schools of curious fish swimming in the water.

An array of unusual jungle plants and fungi growing on decaying tree trunks greeted us. We even chanced upon huge trees that must have been hundreds of years old, judging from their size, and also beheld a gigantic boulder the size of a small cave.

In the distance, we could hear the roar of the Pisang falls. It sounded nearer than it actually was in the stillness of the forest, for it took another half-hour of trekking before a wondrous sight greeted us. It was the first of the Pisang waterfalls.

After taking a short breather, we decided to press on. At the second level, twin waterfalls greeted us. It was even more magnificent. We paused for a while to enjoy the sight and soak in the cool water.

To get to the third and highest waterfall, we had to scramble up a 6m-tall hill, and when we reached the plateau, we came upon a campsite. From here there were two trails leading to left and right, to different parts of the third level of the waterfalls.

We took the right trail, which led to the highest part of the Pisang falls. There were several huge waterfall pools, one of which was teeming with huge fish. Further up, the water gushed down majestically. We spread out a groundsheet on the rocky area and proceeded to unpack our food.

We had been trekking for two hours and were very hungry. Fried noodles, fruit and nuts were distributed.

We had even brought along a small pan and outdoor stove to boil water (which we collected from the “head” of the waterfall) to make coffee and tea.

The brave ventured into the waterfall pool. It was quite deep, at least 3m, so only the experienced swimmers dared explore it. After that, we checked out the fish in the rock pool. There were so many of them, snapping eagerly at the surface, as if waiting to be fed.

We waded into the thigh-deep water for a natural fish spa experience. The curious fish nipped and nuzzled gently at our bare legs and feet. It was extremely ticklish.

Fortunately, they were not piranhas!

The nice thing about this trek was that even though it was in the jungle, there were hardly any mosquitoes. My husband did have a leech jump on him, though! It was also very cooling in the jungle – the shady trees forming a canopy overhead, shielding us from the hot tropical sun.

In the late afternoon, we decided to make our way back after hearing thunder in the distance. We packed up all our belongings, as well as our trash which we put into a garbage bag we had brought along. What really impressed me most is that Sungai Pisang is relatively clean and unpolluted, unlike a lot of well-known rivers and waterfalls in Malaysia.

We found the environment around it to also be free from rubbish.

Someone once said: “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs” whenever you go into the jungle. And this is one motto that I adhere to. After all, we want to preserve our rivers and other natural resources for future generations.

The way back seemed easier and faster, perhaps because we were already accustomed to the trail and just had to retrace our steps, minus all the breaks. It was also mainly downhill.

We were soon back at our car, heading on home, tired but satisfied with the enjoyable experience on our river trekking adventure. Our exit timing was perfect too, for the minute we got in the car, it started to pour!

~News courtesy of The Star~

A light in the dark - Kuala Selangor fireflies

A light in the dark



On a good night, thousands of fireflies come out to play (or rather, mate) at the Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor.

WE had just clambered into a little boat from the jetty of the Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor (also known as Kelip-Kelip Kampung Kuantan), and the boatman was taking us out on the river to observe the fireflies.

There we were, sitting in the dark and being lulled by the hypnotic sounds of lapping water all around, when hundreds of glowing dots of light appeared out of the darkness. It seemed as though the entire firefly colony at the park had come out to play.

They were perched on or hovering around the mangrove trees along either side of the muddy river bank. In this area, the Pteroptyx tener species is king. It is among those that practise synchronised flashing.

The boatman skilfully manoeuvred his boat, weaving in and out among the tree branches that hung over the water, to give us a better view of these dancing lights. The fireflies drifted lazily over tree branches and leaves, glowing a warm yellow against the night sky.

Yes, the experience on the Selangor river that night was surreal. It felt like Christmas came early this year.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Air quality worsens in several places in the Klang Valley

Air quality worsens in several places in the Klang Valley



Poor visibility: Subang Jaya is engulfed by the haze at 9am Sunday.

THE air quality in the Klang Valley has worsened with Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded at unsafe levels in Port Klang (API 192) and Banting (API 115) over the weekend.

Residents in Petaling Jaya (API 125) and Shah Alam (API 112) are facing the brunt of the Sumatera forest fires in Indonesia as they experience hazy skies and poor visibility.

Visibility in Subang Jaya (API 112) was also greatly reduced early yesterday morning, with motorists driving cautiously with their lights on along the Federal Highway.

A Taman Kinrara, Puchong, resident said he was disappointed that his son’s school had not postponed their Sports Day despite the haze.

He said it should be called off and if the situation did not improve soon, he would keep his son at home.

Another resident S.K. Lim from Subang Jaya, said he bought face masks for his children, fearing that they would suffer from respiratory illness from prolonged exposure to the haze.

“My seven-year-old son is suffering from sore throat and eye irritation due to the polluted air.”

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Health and Environment Department director Dr Chitra Davi N. Vadivellu advised the public to stay indoors.



Life goes on: Students wearing face masks during the annual sport meet at SM Section 4 Bandar Kinrara, Puchong Sunday.

She also urged residents to reduce the use of ceiling fans in their homes and opt for air-conditioners.

“The air quality is poor and when the fan is turned on it tends to circulate more polluted air into their homes.

“Air-conditioning units with filters and ionisers are better options during this period,” she added.

Chitra also advised the public to minimise their outdoor activities and consume at least five glasses of water daily.

Children, especially those who suffer from asthma, should stay indoors.

“Also use the N95 face mask that filters dust from the air.

“If you have young children, keep them indoors at all times, especially when the air quality is so bad,” said Chitra.

On whether MBPJ would provide face masks to the Petaling Jaya residents, Chitra said there were no plans to do so as yet.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Have a garden tea party in Putrajaya

Have a garden tea party in Putrajaya



The beautiful flowers brighten up the visitors’ mood in the same event last year.

FLORIA Putrajaya 2013 promises more attractions with fresh garden displays and new decorative structures that will be seen for the first time this year.

Among them are the Royal Garden, Innovative Garden, Tea Party Garden, Longest Landscaped Vertical Wall, and Land Art Structures. The Royal Garden is conceptualised and designed according to gardens of the Malay Sultanate.

The Innovative Garden portrays characteristics of a garden that uses natural resources and recycled items towards realising sustainable living in Putrajaya as a Green City.

The Tea Party Garden is based on the concept of a cafe set in a park or garden, where visitors can have refreshments in a beautiful garden setting accompanied by the lulling rhythm of flowing water.

Marine creatures made of flowers and plants ‘swimming’ inside last year’s Floral Pavilion.

Designed as a garden in the tropics, the Tea Party Garden offers tea of various flavours, as well as snacks such as banana fritters, cupcakes, scones, muffins and cookies.

Another new attraction is the Longest Landscaped Vertical Wall — a 300m-long and 2m-high wall that is adorned with plants, paintings and murals — making it a colourful display alongside the main entry point to Floria 2013.

Land Art Structures that showcase creativity and unique designs based on nature is another relatively new attraction. Floria Putrajaya 2013, with the theme ‘Orchid — Tropical Treasure’, promises an exhibition of more than 5,000 orchids of various species in specially designed gardens and exhibits.

Floria Putrajaya will be held at Waterfront, Precinct 2, Putrajaya from tomorrow until June 30. It is open to the public from 9am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9am to midnight from Friday to Sunday. Admission is free. For details, visit www.ppj.gov.my/putrajayafloria or call 03-8887 7137.

~News courtesy of The Star~

茨厂街：侍奉吉隆坡几代人 美食老字号坚守古早味

百年茨厂街系列：侍奉吉隆坡几代人 美食老字号坚守古早味



百年茨厂街孕育了南洋华人文化之外，同时间内也有不少老档口在酝酿著专属於茨厂街的味道。

更难得的是，这些美食档口经过了岁月的洗礼後，仍屹立不倒坚守著古早味。

茨厂街与思士街都是吉隆坡一带美食的交汇点。有趣的是，这些著名的美食档口/店面都是有一定的历史，侍奉了吉隆坡幾代的人，而且也逐渐成为不少吉隆坡，甚至是他州市民的集体回忆。

就像是汉记靓粥，自从在1940年创立至今，经过了三代人的努力，成了来到茨厂街必尝美食之一，不单如此，不少的美食老招牌还是连续著古法炮制美食，就如冠记面食家一样，仍坚持自己製作面条，让各地食客能够享用独有特色的面条。

此外，江夏笑口棗档口成了茨厂街美食考古的重要指标。據“知食分子”林金城指出，江夏笑口棗仍售卖各式广东油器，並且已在市面上难找的油器都能够在该档口找到，犹如流动古迹。油器是广东人的早点和夜宵主食，並且都是搭配白粥或糖水一起食用。

若是在茨厂街里吃香喝辣，感觉到热气攻心，那麼茨厂街里的各式饮料档口都能为你消暑。由多种消暑药材，如冬瓜，龙眼与罗汉果等炖制的饮料必定能为消暑。

外劳涌入失去华人色彩

另外，在未来捷运课题上，这些老字号对於即将来临的捷运站有喜有忧，喜的是生意量将会增多，忧的是捷运站附近的购物中心将会影响到他们的生意。有些老字号也叹惜，茨厂街里外劳涌入，已失去了茨厂街华人色彩。

对於茨厂街的未来，老字号们並不多给表示，只说将会继续在茨厂街里营业下去。

在茨厂街一带里，汇集了众多古早美食实属不易。历经时间考验後，仍坚毅的守在这条老街中。犹如茨厂街一样，在经过百年洗礼後，却留下了众多人的历史回忆。

汉记靓粥 热粥温暖市民

从1940年代创立至今，原名为“汉记驰名粥品”的汉记靓粥已家传三代，透过一碗又一碗的热粥，温暖无数吉隆坡市民的早晨。

在1949年时，汉记驰名粥品的创办人黄裕华从中国南下後，把煮出靓粥的秘诀带来当时的马来亚，並且就在吉隆坡茨厂街旁的思士街93号落脚。

就这样，在经过黄氏三代的努力下，“汉记靓粥”的招牌已打响全马。

虽然看似一碗普通的粥，但汉记靓粥的粥底细腻，入口口感幼滑，在加上食材新鲜，实为一道简单又美味的一餐。

其招牌菜如：鱼生粥、猪杂粥和猪肉丸粥都是食客常享用的。

汉记靓粥的员工龚先生说，在生意好的时段，如在上午9时至10时之间，他们必须要把座位排去对面银行，才能够容纳所有的食客。

他也向《南洋商报》表示，最近这幾年来，因附近的泊车位少，所以渐渐少人进来茨厂街消费。但是龚先生认为，捷运工程运作後，汉记靓粥的生意将会增加。

江夏笑口棗 全马最齐全油器档

创立了60多年的江夏笑口棗就位於在思士街店面里，说是全马最齐全的油器档口，自然就有售卖油炸鬼、咸煎饼、萨奇马等。

老闆娘杨爱媚受询时表示，自从2000年屋租法令废除後，面对租金猛涨，他们只好就搬出店面外，成了一家档口。也在同一时间内，由於经营地方不足，所以不再售卖腐竹白果粥与红豆水。

她也透露，现在他们所售卖的油器中，有一些都很难再市场上寻找，如笑口棗与沙翁等。她也指出，目前生意来源大多是从外地人与常客，她也表示，捷运计划也将会让她的生意有所增加。

她也庆幸两个兒子已继承家业，並在档口内帮忙，她笑言现在的她已半退休状态了。

冇得顶罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜 4兄妹联手煲凉水

在茨厂街里吃香喝辣後，想下一下肚中火气，並滋补身体的话。那麼同样在思士街与茨厂街交汇处的罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜，就是不二选择。

冇得顶罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜业主之一陈花姐，受询时向《南洋商报》记者说，罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜是他爸爸陈依媄在1977年创办。

早在1977年前，陈依媄已在茨厂街摆卖各式凉水。

陈花姐回忆道，这道罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜是4兄妹在小时候，爸爸经常都有煲给他们喝。陈依媄在尝试售卖罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜後，获得了大众的热烈反应，並持续到今天。

“现在爸爸已经退休了，而现在主要是我们4兄妹所掌管。虽然我们有聘请人员销售，但是煲凉水这节骨眼上还是我们家族的人一手一脚包办。”

她也透露，目前家族内的第三代成员需出去闯之後，才能知道是否还会继承家业。

冠记面食家 坚持手工制全蛋面

在汉记靓粥隔幾个店面，就是冠记面食家的所在处。由李冠芳在1942年创办的冠记面食家，如茨厂街一带的老招牌，冠记面食家已在茨厂街有著超过半世纪之久的历史。

冠记並不是一开始以面食起家，先是从粥品开始，冠记创办人李冠芳在1945年二战结束後，就开始售卖自创手工面食。 现有售卖的面食种类包括各式的雲吞面、香菇凤爪、水饺等。

经过岁月洗礼，冠记现今由李冠芳的3个兒子所掌管，並且也把冠记的招牌打响，以坚持手工制的全蛋面招揽了各地的食客。

李冠芳的3个兒子当中的李民生受询时表示，茨厂街里过去都以华人居多，但现在却有很多外劳的涌入。

他也同样指出，虽然相差不远，但是现在的生意量有稍微减少。

对於捷运计划，他认为好处是让民众方便来到茨厂街，但在建筑过程中将会摧毁老店屋。

对於茨厂街的未来，他坦言看不清楚，但表示冠记面食家还会在茨厂街里继续营业下去。

虽然店面简陋，但各地食客仍源源不绝的来到，只因冠记对於手工制面食的坚持，就如已有百年历史的茨厂街一样，历久弥新的优良的传统一代又一代的传承下去。

豆豆叔叔豆浆水 家传秘方制豆浆

若是走在茨厂街一带，感觉到天气炎热与口渴，不妨就在位於思士街与茨厂街交汇处的豆豆叔叔豆浆水，买一杯豆浆水解暑。

该档口老闆黄理创透露，他们家族三代已贩卖豆浆水与豆腐花有80年了，並且也坚持使用自己一手一脚製作，並且也以自己家传秘方才製作豆浆水与豆腐花。

在捷运工程上，他认为他们的档口将会有更多生意。以此同时，他也担忧一旦捷运临近的购物中心竣工，将会与他抢夺生意。

“现在的人喜欢在舒適的购物中心裡逛街，所以捷运工程临近的购物中心竣工後，也有可能会打击我这个老字号的生意。”

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

Haze: Flights not affected

Haze: Flights not affected

Flights are expected to continue as usual at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as the near-annual haze season gets worse in parts of Malaysia.

Malaysia Airports senior general manager (operation services) Datuk Azmi Murad said flight frequencies have so far not been affected by the pollution, which has been blamed on plantation companies in Sumatra practising slash and burn methods to clear farming land.

“So far there have not been any disruptions, but we are working with the airlines to monitor the situation,” he said after presenting awards to frontliners and concessionaires operating out of KLIA's main and low cost carrier terminals.

On Wednesday morning, the Department of Environment (DoE) revealed that the haze situation in several areas in the country had become acute.

The worst readings were taken in Muar, Johor, which registered an air pollution index (API) reading of 337 - rated as dangerous by the department

~News courtesy of The Star~