Rewind back to Chinese New Year week, my friends and I have traveled to different destination within Perak State without any plan. Although is one day, but it brings refreshment and relaxation to us while traveling.
Kellie’s Castle
The destination that we traveled is Kellie’s Castle, which is located in Batu Gajah, Kinta District, Perak, Malaysia. About this ancient building, it is built by a Scottish planter named William Kellie Smith.
About the history of Kellie Castle
William Kellie Smith (1870 – 1926) was born in 1870 in Kellas, Moray Firth, Scotland. In 1890, at the age of 20, he arrived in Malaya as a Civil Engineer. He joined Charles Alma Baker’s survey firm, who had won concession from the government to clear 9000 hectares of forests in Batu Gajah, Perak. Smith bought 1000 acres of Jungle land in the district of Kinta and started planting rubber trees and dabbled in the tin mining industry.
In 1909 Smith build his first mansion, “Kellas House” and in 1915 with the birth of his son and heir Anthony he started planning for a huge castle with Scottish, Moorish and Indian architecture. He bought in 70 craftsmen from Madras India. All the bricks and marble were imported from India, too. Included in the plan for the 6 storey tower was Malaya’s first elevator, an indoor tennis court and a rooftop courtyard for entertaining.
During construction, a virulent strain of Spanish Flu struck his workmen. When his workmen approached him to build a temple nearby Smith readily agreed. In return for his generosity, they built a statue of him beside the other deities on the temple wall. It is believed that a tunnel was built to the temple from the castle.
Smith’s mansion is accessible from the main road through a bridge running across a stream. His house was so unique that it was even mentioned in the London Financier newspaper on 15 September 1911.
Unfortunately, William Kellie Smith died at the age of 56 due to pneumonia during a short trip to Lisbon, Portugal in 1926.
William’s wife was devastated and decided to move back to Scotland. In the end, Kellas House, later known as Kellie’s Folly or Kelly’s Castle, was sold to a British company called Harrisons and Crosfield.
(Original Resources from: Kellie Castle's History Corner)
Environment
Around the building, you can walk through the living room, master room, balcony, store and children's room. At the top floor, you can enjoy the view of the scenery of natural forest.
Aisle
History Corner
Living Room
Master Room
Children's Room
Top view of the building
Overview of the Kellie's Castle Environment
To me, the best time to visit this destination is morning or evening because it is too hot if you visit here in the afternoon.
Google there:
The operation hour is as follow:
Monday until Friday: 9.00 am to 17.00 pm
Entrance Fees:
- Foreigner-RM 5
- Adult price- RM 4
- Secondary school student price-RM 3
- Primary school student price-RM 2
- FREE (child aged six and below)
PETIT MARY PATISSERIE CAFE
While having tea break with my friends, I went to Petit Mary Patisserie Café which is located in Ipoh, Perak. This café is serving western food, desserts, and drinks. With the flora decoration, it has attracted a lot of customers to take a photo inside and outside of the café.
The price range of foods and drinks:
- Desserts & Breads: RM 2.5- RM 6.50
- Foods & Drinks: RM 6.9 - 28.90
You can taste variety of bread and dessert too around the café!
Google there:
Operation Hours:
Monday until Sunday
9.00 am until 20.00 pm
Contact Number: 05-547 1328
Night view of Lean Tower (Menara Condong) in Teluk Intan
Before the end of the day, my friend and I traveled to Lean Tower in Teluk Intan, Perak. Actually, we can visit inside of the tower, but because it is closed, we can only enjoy the view of the outside. The night view of Lean Tower is attractive especially during Chinese New Year months with the decoration of Chinese Lantern.
Google there:
No comments:
Post a Comment