Short Trip to Taiping & Sepatng

During the recent CNY, Carol & I went back to Malaysia. It was trip booked way back in May 2009 due to the cheap Airasia fare. AU250 return.

It was good timing too as my dad's health deteriorates with his diabetes, prostate problems and several other illness combined. It was a good time to spend a few days looking after him and give other carers a break. The decision to employ a nurse/maid was also taken but it will take a couple of months for the foreign maid to arrive Most of our time was spent in Seremban where my Dad lives with my brother.

Within the short weeks we managed to squeeze in a few short breaks to KL, Ipoh, Taiuping and Ho Chi Min City.

Below are some shots taken by our nephew with their new DSLRs at Sepatang Near Taiping.

Pre-burn Bakau wood - dried and ready for the Charcoal Kiln

Oldest Railway in Peninsular Malaysia - at Sepatang


The full view of one of the many Charcoal Kilns. The Sefu or master can tell how well the Charcoal is being done by smelling the smoke and looking at the colour from the Kiln.


Yee Chuan's classmate lives in the Sepatang Fishing village/township nearby - this shot was taken at his backyard!

The Charcoal Dust filled Roof is good for photography - taking the sun's ray through the holes in Corrugated Iron Roof

A full view of the Kilns - there are over 50 of these brick Kilns producing about 10 Tons each time - one batch of charcoal takes about 32 days.

My brother in law drove us there to buy Charcoal mainly to absorb odours. The condensation of wood sap from drying the wood in the kiln apparently is extremely good for skin care. It is being exported to Japan.


It is an Art and a Craft. The Chinese owner has to sell most of the to the Bumi company. The Owner, one Mr church took us for a Guided Tour in return for a Ang Pao. He said several Local TV series were filmed there.