Ipoh

A few weekends ago, Tomoko and I got up bring and early on a Sunday morning and headed to Ipoh, a town about 2 hours north of Kuala Lumpur, rich in heritage.  The main purpose of the visit was to attend a TRF (The Rotary Foundation) seminar to learn more about the overall organization and structure of funds and programs that are supported on the international level.  This is important because the Ambassadorial Scholarship program is a “TRF Program.”  It was great to meet so many new Rotary folks and more detail about everything Rotary does.

We stayed overnight in Ipoh and were hosted the president of the Rotary Club of Greentown and his lovely wife in their home.  On Monday they and fellow Rotarians arranged for us to take a heritage tour of the city.  Ipoh is know for its historical tin mining, limestone caves, food of course (even famous bean sprouts!), etc., etc.  It was supposed to be a walking tour, but the guide was so excited that he also drove us one of the many Chinese cave temples and also visited.

Later that evening we attended a wonderful Rotary Club of Greentown meeting and combined Deepavali Fellowship at one of the members homes.  I always enjoy and appreciate being invited to people’s homes and getting to experience how everyday Malaysians live.  They provided a delicious Indian food meal and everyone was dressed up in Punjabi outfits to create a festive mood, including Tomoko and I.  We both gave abbreviated versions of our presentations about our countries and culture and enjoyed fellowship with the members throughout the evening. 

It was late by the time the meeting ended so there was no train, but we had to be back for classes the next morning.  So that left the option of taking the express train back to Kuala Lumpur at 5:30am.  We made it in time, but I was very tired by the end of Tuesday night, but I stayed up long enough to enjoy a special treat from Tomoko.

 
Tomoko lived in Bolivia for 2 years as a volunteer (kind of like the Peace Corps, but from Japan).  Lately we have been craving Spanish/Mexican food and have been keeping our ears open for places around the city.  So Tuesday night she put her culinary skills to work and prepared a feast of fish tacos (although we couldn’t quite find tortillas so had to substitute some kind of roti indian pancake), including salsa, and even guacamole!  Thanks Tomoko : )







Ipoh is named for the poisonous ipoh tree (Antiaris Toxicaria) that one grew all around here.  This one stands near the center of the old part of city in front of the train station.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower, in memory of James WW Birch by his son.  He was this states first British resident who was murdered.

It turns out that Tomoko's Japanese city of Fukuoka and Ipoh are sister cities.  In the tourist museum they had a Japanese display to commemorate this, but Tomoko couldn't help but correct the kimono display as they had the mannequin wearing it incorrectly : )



A sign in the Royal Ipoh Club that reminded the gentlemen that they were Gentlemen.



Preparing satay in a back alley.

Entrance to one of the Chinese cave temples.

Inside the cave temple.



Tomoko and I in our Punjabi suits after presenting to the Rotary Club of Greentown.



The Rotarian whose home the fellowship was held at displayed some interesting yard art.  It turns out he works in the latex glove manufacturing field and these are what they use as the molds for the rubber gloves.