Day out in FRIM.

KL from the middle of the Canopy Walk FRIM.

It is now settled we have booked ourselves to travel to Kathmandu and have arranged a tour with Social Tours. We have to get serious about making sure our fitness is up to the trip. Lately we have been trying to get out and walk 3-4 times a week. On our Mondays and Tuesdays we try to get some serious hill work done. On at least one of these days we plan to get out and explore somewhere with jungle walking and a reasonable hill.

Ruth armed with camera and trusty sweat towel off on another adventure.

We have been making regular trips up to Bukit Kiara, which is nearby and a favourite place of mine to escape the city. In Malay Bukit means hill. This jungle covered hill provides a divide between Bandar Utama and Mont Kiara. FRIM is a little further away and it is the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia, however it is also got some interesting jungle and is within the one hour escapes listed on the Nature Escapes Malaysia website. It has a canopy walkway and that means it also has a hill. So on Tuesday we took a drive to FRIM.

Up on the top of the ridge at the start of the Canopy Walk.

We arrived mid morning, it is a working research centre with a number of people living and working here. It has a lovely jungle setting. It cost RM 5.00 per person to get in the gates and an extra RM5.00 to drive your car in, often people leave their car in the carpark at the security gate. We paid for the car and drove in to park at the start of the Canopy walk. The Canopy walk is closed on Mondays and it costs RM 5.00 to walk on. The ticket for this must be purchased at the Souvenir Centre before you start your walk. Of course you can enjoy the jungle trails without paying for the Canopy walk.

Common but pretty moth on the road up.

All of this settled and we were off on our walk. We started on a road which passes a mosque it then becomes a gravel road similar to what we see in the forestry at home. I kept thinking of the runs I used to do in Whaka  Forest back in Rotorua, only here there is tropical jungle. After about 15 minutes there is a trail that heads up on to the ridge and to the Canopy walk. This is steep but good walking. We were enjoying noticing all sorts of things as we snapped photos on this interesting climb.

The interesting vine, that moved!

We paused for a breather and Ruth said,
"Look at that unusual vine on the tree."
"Umm, that vine just moved! I think that vine happens to be a snake."
Sure enough, making its way up the tree was  a brown snake about 70 cm long. How do they manage to climb  vertical tree trunks?

Ruth pushing her limits on the Canopy walk.

Before we knew it we were up at the canopy walk and I would have to say it is an adventure that will test anyone that is not to sure about heights. There is a small hut that has a steep staircase to be climbed  once on the upper platform of this there is short ladder laid down horizontal that joins onto another at right angles. At this point you are quit high off the ground. Once you turn on to the second ladder there is about 50 m of aluminium ladder with a plank of timber on it to walk on, and this held up in the air by rope which is slung between two treetops.By the time you get out into the middle of the ladder, you are treated to some spectacular city views that you would not find elsewhere. If you dare to look down you are treated to some treetops and about a 40m drop. There are wooden platforms built on each tree so there are quite stable places to stop and enjoy the views. All in all the walk is about 150m. We both enjoyed it and Ruth was really impressive as she made her way across. Well done Ruth!

The and of the walk is in sight here.

Once across the walk you get the opportunity to go back along the same track or carry on down to a stream  and waterfall. At the base of the ridge there is another track that leads on a loop around to the campsite and back to the village. It is worth taking your time along this walk as we sighted a number of different skinks, some pretty butterflies and various other bugs and creatures of the jungle.

Ants on their expressway.

This butterfly was as big as my hand, he flew like a little bird.

Black Giant Squirrel.

As we walked past the campsite hall we were interested in unusual bird call coming from a tree right beside the road. It was quite high pitched and when we investigated we noticed the bird had quite a bushy tail. In fact it turned out to be a Black Giant Squirrel, which happens to be the largest species of Squirrel. This one was bigger than the average household cat. They are quite rare as they generally live in primary rain forest, so we were very pleased to get a photo of it. It actually remained in view and was quite happy to watch us for a while.

Check out the power in the front claws!

A little further on we came upon a monitor lizard our digging up the ground to get his lunch. He continued digging allowing us to get quite close. I do enjoy seeing these guys in the wild and I am continually in awe of their size. This time getting quite close I became aware of how powerful its front legs were and how long and sharp the claws looked. I certainly wouldn't advise upsetting one of these as they are also quite big, this one was over 1.5m long.

On the move.

After our 4 hour walk we arrived back at the car satisfied with a good days walk. It only took us 20 minutes to drive back home so I am sure that we will be doing more exploring of this great patch of jungle.

August in Melbourne.

August in Melbourne.

Welcome back to Melbourne. We love the vibrancy of this  city and we will visit it again.

It is almost the end September, so that means it is a month since we had our great holiday in Melbourne.  How time flies when you are having fun…. Or is it just that work manages to keep us all busy and fills in our time?

It is always interesting to get off the train at Flinders Street Station and wander along the river.
Or even take the free tram on the city circle. 
We were lucky with the brilliant sunshine, so we wandered along the river.

It had been more than 12 months since we had spent any time with Logan. We missed him at Christmas in NZ so we were pretty excited to be going back and catching up with him in his little corner of the world. We were lucky that he managed to have a couple of days off, when we first arrived, so he could spend some time with us. We arrived on the early flight, after we had we stashed our bags into lockers at the Southern Cross Station we found somewhere for a good breakfast.  We were just finishing off when Logan arrived in town so we found yet another good coffee place to sit in the sun and enjoy catching up.  Plans were made for lunch, at a nice little French restaurant in South Yarra and Dinner at another great little restaurant. Not cheap, but it is not every day that we get to catch up with our youngest son.  I think that by the end of day 1 I was suffering from consumption, so much fine food and good coffee making it difficult not to consume too much.

Hanging out with Logan and enjoying the view from Red Hill winery on Mornington Peninsula

With a day off and his parents in town, it was decided we should hire a car and spend day 2 out on Mornington Peninsula, checking out some of the wineries. Even better it was a beaut day meaning we got to enjoy the scenery as well. By the time we arrived out at Redhill it was lunch time. Pairanga had been recommended, it certainly has a great outlook from the restaurant. The food was very tasty and well presented. Interestingly after lunch when we were hoping for a tasting, the cellar door people chose to ignore us. Not even wanting to offer any tasting, I am afraid they didn’t realise that Logan had been ordering quite a selection of their wines for his restaurant…..Hmm it did not go down too well for Logan.

Next we drove to Red Hill winery, what a difference. Very interesting chat, Logan and Ruth were the tasters while I decided to be the sober driver. Very interesting for me to listen to Logan speak the wine talk with others involved in the industry. Actually I have come to realise that our young son has developed a passion for fine food and delightful wine, a long way from dropping in to Pack and Save to pick up a bottle of whatever is on special to go with dinner. I now understand that life is too short, so one must make sure that one only samples fine wine… All said and done, Ruth  and Logan, selected and bought some rather tasty little numbers. By the way I would recommend this as a better place for lunch with views all the way out to the sea.

Ruth picked a great bottle from Ten Minutes by Tractor.

One winery that caught our eye was Ten Minutes by Tractor. So we had to make a point of stopping by this one. Once again this was a very friendly environment for us to taste some of their tasty little numbers. A couple of more bottles were purchased. At this stage the afternoon was slipping away and we were heading back to Melbourne to catch up with some MAE friends who are now living back in Australia. One day wine tasting on Mornington is not really enough, the next time we are back in town we just might have to spend a little more time out that way.

The Great Ocean Highway with a coast line that stretches on forever.

Since we had hired a car for a couple of days, and Logan was working on the Thursday, Ruth and I decided to spend the day on a drive up the Great Ocean Coastal Highway. With no real plans we set out mid-morning. We reached Lorne in time for a late lunch of Fish and Chips which we took down to eat beside the sea. Actually nobody warned us about the vagabonds and pirates that hang out in the beachfront parks of Lorne. We opened our parcel, of what was an impressive meal of tasty fish and crunchy chips. Before we knew it we had the company of a number of sulphur crested cockatoos. First they just popped up onto the picnic table and eyed up our meal, menacingly. Next one landed on Ruth’s shoulder. Meanwhile those on the table advanced with eyes on the chips. Some very serious arm waving managed to keep some at bay. Next a couple more landed on Ruth and then I had two drop in onto my shoulders. Luckily we had managed to have our fill because those on the picnic table now decided it was time for them to make a move on the few remaining chips. Surprisingly they were very gentle and the birds on our shoulders happily fed from our hands.  One bird even gently pecked at Ruth’s trouser leg to let her know that he was waiting on the ground and he would like one of those chips please.  Once our food was gone the brat pack decided to leave us alone while they molested other unsuspecting tourists.

These guys know when they are on to a good thing!

Which bird is doing the chatting up?

There's no holding them back now. We are over run by Pirates.

We drove on, almost to Apollo Bay, where we turned right and headed inland. This little stretch of coast put on a spectacular display of rain and rainbows, as we drove. This gave us a number of opportunities to take photos. We enjoyed this day out and did see some interesting farmland along the way. As we drove back towards Geelong ,I couldn’t help but think of just how vast this land is. The scenery just goes on and on. 

A double rainbow to keep us amused on the Great Ocean Highway just before Apollo Bay.

We met up with Logan most days for breakfast. With him working late at the restaurant, he often gets up late and is ready for a good hearty breakfast. One of the best breakfasts that we had was just around the corner from Westbury Close in Balaclava at a little place called the Batch. It is a Kiwi run establishment. The food is just like mum used to make at home (well most kiwis would have to say that). Superb coffee which Logan assured me was from New Zealand…(only it didn’t taste likes Greggs coffee).

Friday was our day to venture out to Ballarat. Once again we have friends who taught with us in Singapore who are now back at home in Ballarat. This time we took the train out and back. Sue met us at the station and we went for lunch beside the lake. It has been a wet year, for this area, so there is now a lot of water in the lake. After a bite of lunch we spent the afternoon at Sue’s house, catching up. Last year she was in the middle of settling the transaction for a new house. So we enjoyed hearing all about her year and the work that she has had done to make her lovely little home even more homely.  We were very impressed, it was a few degrees cooler in Ballarat but we didn't notice this in the warmth of Sue’s company. We stayed for dinner which was a chance to catch up with Greg and Angela. We had a great Italian meal and a couple of very enjoyable wines. Sadly before we knew it it was time to catch the train and head back down to Melbourne. During the trip back we were treated to some local entertainment, when 3 guys were tailed by security as they boarded the train into our carriage. Apparently they were drinking alcohol on the platform at the station and appeared to known to the security guys. I would have to say the security guys were very good and they kept the incident lighthearted. Who would want to do their job? Mind you, I doubt whether I would give them any grief because they did look as if they could handle themselves.

Half time at the AFL and suddenly 1 game becomes 8

Melbourne would have to be the sports capital of Australia, so when we go to Melbourne we try to catch a live game. This time there was a rugby test between NZ and Australia on Saturday, not in Melbourne, but live on television. Of course Ruth and I booked this and we enjoyed a nice wine in front of the big screen in our apartment. Sunday we decided we would catch an AFL game. last year we went to the MCG and this year we rolled up to the Etihad Stadium to watch Freemantle deal with North Melbourne. We were able to get seats behind the Freemantle posts. Once again we loved the experience. Live sport, fantastic! I had forgotten how much I have missed it. The Etihad Stadium is incredible. The roof was closed so it was totally indoors. All around the stadium are a number of eateries and watering holes where you can buy drinks. It is never too far from a toilet. The game is easily seen from any point, down in the goal area where we sat you could almost reach out and touch the players. 

Hanging out on the bridge and enjoying some sunshine in between coffees.

All too quickly we were on our way to the airport and back to work in KL. Happily with gallons of fine coffee sloshing around in our tummies and  loads of great memories  from our great holiday.

Highlights:

1.        Hanging out with Logan agsain, and being in Steer Restaurant to celebrate their Chef’s Hat Award. Not to mention their 1Wine Glass for a great wine list. This is such a great restaurant so I am sure that they will continue to gather awards. We are very proud of our son.

2.       Catching up with friends and family. Great to see Penny and Jason settling in to their new home, well done you two.  Always enjoy catching up Adam and Nicola, you two are great company. Our MAE friends, who are all looking so well and full of life after MAE. Especially Sue who gave up her time to meet up with us.

3.       A good fix of sports and Melbourne coffee culture. Note to self; next time remember ot buy more coffee for the suitcase, it has gone already.  

We did enjoy our holiday in Melbourne.
Hanging out with Logan was great.
We can't wait for our next opportunity to enjoy Melbourne.