Taiping Favorites

Favorite thing: Taiping was once known as one of the wettest place in Malaysia - though the weather is less predictable these days.

Perhaps the frequent rains is because Taiping is located close to the Straits of Melaka and at the foothill of the Larut Hills.

It is a local joke not whether it will rain or not but what time will it rain. Apparently there was a gambling bets going amongst the local on the time when the first drop will land on the zinc roof near the market.

During the raining season, it tends to rain in the late afternoon and so often we have been caught in the rain while at the zoo or rowing the boat in the Taiping Lake.

Usually it does not rain the whole day. When it rains, it is a good time to visit the Museum, shop at the "Store" a major local supermarket or try the local food at one of the coffe shops.

Favorite thing: When you really want to take it slow in life, think of Taiping.

A great place to retire. Many Malaysians from the larger cities like Kuala Lumpur ( 3 hr away ) and Penang ( 2 hr away ) have bought houses in Taiping and enjoying their lives in retirement

You want to try that ? WELCOME !.

Fondest memory: The Lake Gardens are unforgettable. The Zoo is also within its grounds.

There is Bukit Larut ( Maxwell Hill ) just nearby.

The Museum is close too. Numerous schools and churches, temples and mosques takes care of most of life's necessities. Don't forget the many eateries, economical shopping and plain simple lazing ..........

Hey what more could you ask for ?

Favorite thing: Taiping is very similar to Penang Island where it has so many Tanglangs and speaks the same accent of Hokkien as well. They were both Malaysian-Chinese. Taiping is a town under Larut & Matang district of Perak state. This town has so many unstoppable rainy days until they already have a culture and tradition to gamble on rains. Yes they gamble on rains to fight for money at just any kopitiam (cafe). Anybody wants to witness this Taipingese culture can pay a visit anytime. I have been to this town many times to visit many friends and on one special occassion I was introduced to a new met friend of whom was a fanatic of Chinese Tea. This guy is so fanatical about Chinese Tea until he has a big collection at home of more than thousands of tea pots, cups and tea leaves. The moment we visit him, he shows us his latest tea pot which he bought by paying installment RM500 monthly which he claims to be priced around RM30000. He carefully bring out the tea pot to make tea for us together with his collection of antique cups from which ancient dynastic period that also to be priced above RM1000 each. Then he shows to us his latest collection of tea leaves also from which famous tea village of China and about the cost of a computer to put into the tea pot by adding the hot boiled water also claimed by him not normal water from tap but was carried back from the mountain top full of natural minerals. He said this way the water and this way the tea leaves and this way the cup and this way the tea pot will eventually generates good quality of tea for drink. Sure we tasted the tea and we said, thanks.

Taiping is not only about this tea fanatic but has so many good spots for sightseeing just that I haven't yet go there to snap photos, sorry for incovenience but will upload next time when I have.