traditional architecture with intricate gold painted woodwork from the south sumatra pavilion limas house. the ornamental balustrade is the one among many highlights in architectural design that captivated my meandering mind and wandering eyes during the day long visit to the vast taman mini indonesia indah in january 2011.
the location:
zack and yomi overtaking the walking crowds while participating in the non competitive terry fox run 2010, a cancer research charity event inspired by terry fox, the humanitarian, athelete and activist. her determination to complete the 2 km run by looping the lake succeeded fashionably (by having yomi on her shoulders) and saved me precious breaths from shouting words of encouragement. lake titiwangsa, kuala lumpur, november 2010.
the location:
steep steps (more than 300) leading up or down, depending on your orientation, linking the bridal veil/wairenga falls top and base, through the dense opulent subtropical forest. the drama that unfolded while tackling the steps was another story altogether. near raglan, waikato region, june 2010.
the location:
an elevated wooden boardwalk cuts through the pristine mangrove forest in kuala selangor nature park, home and an ecological oasis to more than 200 species of animals. pic was taken in july 2010.
the location:
blooming water lily flowers on a hot noon in april 2011. taken at a pond in the main lobby of impiana resort cherating, pahang.
the location:
an intelligent palm cockatoo sit on the perch of a tree branch, showing its whistling skills and parading its good looks while being surrounded by avid enthusiasts. realising that i was nearby, shoving my long lens, it also gave me a nice portraiture to boot. taman mini indonesia indah, jakarta in january 2011.
the location:
the guillemard bridge or better known as kusial bridge, near tanah merah, is the longest steel railway bridge in malaysia. completed in 1924, the bridge is named after sir laurence guillemard, the british high commissioner and was severely damaged during ww2. spanning 609m across the mighty kelantan river, nowadays it is used only for trains that make up the scenic jungle railway line that runs from tumpat to gemas. june 2011.
the location:
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 1 (06/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 2 (07/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 3 (08/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 4 (09/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 5 (10/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 6 (11/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 7 (12/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 8 (13/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 9 (14/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 10 (15/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 11 (16/06/2010)
» soul searching road trip oznz – day 12 (17/06/2010)
on the morning of day 13, my fatigue was gradually healing and by 10:00 am, i was feeling rejuvenated again and after having a heavy lunch, i immediately requested diman to send us to hamilton city. by 1:00 pm, we were walking in the downtown of the waikato region capital. we strolled along victoria st., supposedly the trendiest area in hamilton but had to admit that it was a sleepy town. we went to many shopping complexes and shops but we couldn’t even find any shop that sells souvenirs. we also had to come into terms that hamilton city is not a tourist destination. we bought some stuff at the warehouse, a hypermarket chain and also at k-mart, which i didn’t even bother to enter and volunteered to look after the kids instead. we met all kinds of people, some who even entered the hypermarket barefooted. diman already remarked beforehand that most of the townspeople are really proud of their farming root that they try to emulate their ancestors’ culture as best as they could, walking barefooted (even on asphalt) included. getting bored, at 2:45 pm i called diman to come and pick us up and we waited for him near the city council building and hamilton city libraries at garden place.
▼ hamilton city
▼ hamilton city council
▼ zack in ija’s crimson wig at garden place
20 minutes later diman came to the rescue and suggested to us that the best place to visit is the hamilton gardens. we all collectively agreed and he brought us there and we reached the carpark at 3:15 pm. diman and elias joined us as we visited each thematic garden. the paradise collection garden consists of chinese scholars garden, english flower garden, japanese garden of contemplation, american modernist garden, italian renaissance garden and indian char bagh garden. the place was really interesting especially if you visit in the spring and summer, however, even in winter it was quite stunning. we walked at our own pace. zack, aina and ija explored with the kids on their own path while diman, elias and i went to each garden separately.
▼ hamilton gardens
▼▼ chinese scholars garden
▼▼ west coast american style of the american modernist garden with an abstract island sculpture
▼ indian char bagh chalk couloured pavilion
▼ arched trellis work from the italian renaissance
▼▼▼ the italian renaissance garden
afterwards, i left them and found myself alone walking towards the te parapara garden, a maori cultural and heritage garden. unfortunately it was closed for renovation works. however, i proceeded to encircle the parameter wall with the wood-carving representations of ancestors (whakapapa) and paua shells for eyes in provoking appearance to cordone off evil spirits and also to scare off members of enemy tribes. they are called tekoteko. other than menacing looks and protruding tongue, they also have huge penises, and none seems to have an erectile dysfunction, save a two or three limped ones. it was a collection of phallic symbols at its finest. i stood there feeling like an eternity admiring those glorious penises carvings that my mind bursted into a python’s song instead!
isn’t it awfully nice to have a penis?
isn’t it frightfully good to have a dong?
it’s swell to have a stiffy.
it’s divine to own a dick,
from the tiniest little tadger
to the world’s biggest prick.
so, three cheers for your willy or john thomas.
hooray for your one-eyed trouser snake,
your piece of pork, your wife’s best friend,
your percy, or your cock.
you can wrap it up in ribbons.
you can slip it in your sock,
but don’t take it out in public,
or they will stick you in the dock,
and you won’t come back.
▼ gateway to te parapara garden
▼▼▼▼ the many faces of tekoteko
it was so out of character of me to explode into a musical set piece from a quiet contemplation of watching huge penises but that was what played in my mind at that time.
▼▼▼ more tekoteko
▼ waikato river
huge penises aside, the garden also lies next to waikato river, the same river that flows at huka falls. there are many other collection of gardens but since we went there quite late, the sky was getting dark and we had to return to the carpark, a bit frustrated but happy nonetheless.
▼ time to leave
we left the place soon after and after driving for 2 km towards the east, we reached carrington avenue. that night we just lazing around the house, had another delicious dinner, hanging out and did nothing else. at 10:00 pm, we settled into our room, turned off the lights, forced the kids to sleep and together, surrendered ourselves to mr. sandman.
next» soul searching road trip oznz – day 14 (19/06/2010)
an outstanding ornate vista, inspired by the italian renaissance garden, part of the paradise collection garden in hamilton gardens, waikato. a one stop wonderland if you ever find yourself in hamilton, and most importantly in love or at ease (at least) with plethora of nature that the garden provides. if you are none of the above, skip it. june 2010.
the location:
early morning on a clear sky at hillbrow bungalow back garden near tanah rata, cameron highlands, then owned by malaysia national insurance, now presumably maybank, allegedly the scourge of all evil :). april 2007.
the location:
nitzus 
