The town is also the site of the first rubber tree planted in Malaysia. The tree still stands today but I didn't see this in the guide book till later, so missed it.....
Our first port of call was the small but magnificent Masjid Ubudiah (Ubudiah Mosque) designed by AB Hubbock, the architect of many of Ipoh's colonial buildings. The mosque with its huge golden onion domes began construction in 1913 but due to wartime delays (probably the delay in getting the Italian marble to Kuala Kangsar.....wonder why they didn't just use Ipoh marble???) was not completed until 1917. Non-muslims are not allowed inside so we just walked the perimeter and took some photos. I thought it was a really pretty mosque but Geoff thought it was "cute"! What a word to use on a mosque!
Further along, overlooking River Kangsar is Istana Iskandariah, the official residence of the Sultan of Perak. It is said to be the most beautiful palace in Malaysia, a mix between Arab and art deco architecture. But since the palace is not open to public, from where we stood.....can't really tell.
Even further along is a smaller and older palace Istana Kenangan or Palace of Memories. It is beautiful and made entirely from wood and woven bamboo without the use of a single nail. It was built in 1931 and served as a temporary royal quarters until Istana Iskandariah was completed. It is now a museum. Unfortunately, when we were there, it was closed for restoration.
On the riverbank near the jetty, there's a food court called Medan Cendol and Laksa. We stopped for some refreshment before finally heading to Penang.
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| The girls really like the sweet syrup |
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| I had cendol.... |
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| and mee rebus.....for nostalgic reasons |
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| Geoff ordered a bandung, a popular drink in Malaysia. Bandung means "pair" in Malay and therefore this drink is made from pairing syrup with milk. Often, cendol or glass jelly 涼粉 is added |
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