Annabelle at Homework 24 Sep 2015

Annabelle Birthday 1 Oct 2015

We did not celebrate or make it a big one for Annabelle birthday this year. We have dinner out of home. Then, we just bought a small chocolate cake and a candle.

She is ok with this small and simple little celebration, and as long as our family are together. This year, Alvin bought an owl craft pillow for her as birthday gift. Issac was so excited and offered his help to do the craft!

Both were happy with this small celebration!

i Garden Hotel Ipoh 24 – 25 Jul 2015

After our day at Lost World of Tambun, we were looking for hotel and where are we going to stay that night.

While we were driving towards the Ipoh city, we came across this hotel at our left hand side. It looks nice from the exterior of the building. Looks like a boutique hotel, hopefully we are able to find some surprises inside.

After Daddy checked-in only I realise we were having a Premier D Suite which is about RM280.00 come with 1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed.

Ensuite with shower over a bath, access via exterior private car park, Astro channel television, tea and coffee making facilities, a mini bar, a writing desk with chair and free wireless internet connection.

Well, overall is just ok as the room itself do not have a window view.

Annabelle also got something to say about it…She said, next time we can try another hotel ^^.

Outside of the building the landscape really impressive and nice. We just have a night here.

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Kellie’s Castle 25 Sep 2015

After we were disappointed with the Gua Tempurung closure for maintenance, we drove to the nearest destination – Kellie’ Castle.

We had heard about this mystery castle for a long time but still do not have the opportunity to see it. After we reached there, there are already a lot of cars were parking outside the car park area.

Before going into the castle, there are some write ups on the history of this castle. From reading the display boards, only then we know the history of this mystery castle…

Kellie’s Castle was built by a Scottish planter his name called William Kellie Smith from a little town in Scotland. He built the building for his beloved wife and the building structure same reason point (a symbol of love)  such as Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal). But the love of the stories was different.

In 1890 (as Malaysia was known at the times), a young Smith at the age of 20 left his home farm in Kellas for Malaya. It is not known why he ventured to Malaya for career opportunities much less when he actually arrived.

However, he integrated in to the community with ease. He bounced around several business opportunities finding some success but it wasn't until he met an estate owner called Alma Baker.

Baker obtained several government projects to built roads in South Perak and had won concessions from the state government to clear 360 hectares of forests in Perak. Their partnership in these projects led to quite a bit of profits.

Smith started planting rubber trees and dabbled in the tin mining industry. In time, he became the owner of Kinta Kellas Estate and the Kinta Kellas Tin Dredging Company and to purchase a 960 acre piece of land for his rubber tree plantation and homely estate in Batu Gajah.

Through various business ventures such as Planting Rubber Trees and the Tin Mining Industry, Smith's wealth grew.

In 1903, he returned to Scotland to marry his sweetheart Agnes. He brought her back to his home in Malaysia and later that year the couple was blessed with a daughter named Helen. He loved his daughter but wanted a son, an heir to his empire. Poor Agnes found it hard to conceive a second child. It was another eleven years before she became pregnant again. In 1915, Agnes gave birth to a son named Anthony. In celebration, Smith began planning the construction of a huge castle.

Because of his fascination of the Hindu religion and India, he incorporated much of the elements in to his new home. Bricks and tiles were imported from India. He even enlisted the help of 70 Indian workers from Madras of South India as skilled labourers for the construction of the mansion. Unfortunate, he ran in to one major setting back. Many of the workers contracted the Spanish Flu and died in the early 1920s.

A temple was built 1500 m from the castle for the deity Mariamman. Some say it was to protect those who lived on the property. Others say Kellie had it built as a way to thank Mariamman for granting his wish to have a son. However, the temple still stands and many continue to worship in it.

The first elevator in Malaysia is located in Kellie's Castle. It travels from the roof down to the underground tunnels. He also planned to build an indoor tennis court. The rooftop was reserved for a courtyard for parties. World War I slowed the process even more. In the end, Kellie's Castle was never completed.

Smith took a short trip to Britain in 1926 supposedly with his daughter. It's unknown why he made a detour to Lisbon, Portugal (some believe it was to pick up a lift for his new manor).

In December of 1926, he contracted pneumonia and died at age of 56. Agnes later packed up and left Malaysia with her children back to Scotland. She sold the castle to a British company called Harrisons and Crossfield.

Anthony Kellie Smith was killed in World War II. Helen never returned to Kellie's Castle. The only thing left of the first home is the covered walkway, an open courtyard and part of a crumbling wall.

Kellie's Castle has been refurbished and appears as if it has never been touched. It was even used as a setting in the 1999 film Anna and the King. A company manages the property as a tourist attraction now. Some believe it is haunted by the family it was built for.

William's spirit has been seen pacing at night in the 2nd floor corridor. Helen wearing a white blouse and curly hair haunts her old bedroom. Phantom smells of incense and spirits have been reported in the horse stables. Adding to its mystery, some believe the mansion possesses hidden rooms and secret underground tunnels.

After we bought the entrance tickets, we walked towards the castle through the connecting bridge. It was built by the side of the river.

The castle itself accommodated 14 rooms which consisted of dining hall, living hall, kitchen, master bedroom with bathroom attached, boy’s and girl’s room with bathroom attached, wine cellar, linen room, guard house, horse barn, guests rooms and secret rooms.

Due to it is public holiday weekend, this tourist spots too are crowded with the tourists from far and near. And, it is a hot day too.

All of us were sweating through the whole journey. But, the breeze was so calming when we were on top of the castle itself. Can have a clearer view looking down the compound of the area. Can see the river flows by just in front of the rooms.

Behind of this castle, is the workers’ house which I think was planned to be connected and form a centre court yard in the middle. There is a well in the centre of the courtyard, for daily drinking water at that point of time I presumed.

There is huge garden behind the castle, but we did not go as the weather was too hot for us.

Daddy and both Issac and Annabelle did see a small bat at one of the hole of the castle. It seems like the bat is still ‘sleeping’ or resting inside the cosy and wet area.

Finally, we were here. And, we headed to home after that.

 

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Annabelle Baptism Invitation

It is almost near Annabelle 8 years old birthday. Daddy is waiting for this moment to come, that she could be baptise by him.

Yesterday during at church, Daddy was busy asking Brother Reuben about all the things that we should be prepared for her baptism. All the people whom need to invite to be the speakers, decides on the opening and closing songs etc. Daddy asked mummy to do a invitation card on this event.

I just surfing on the internet and found a few samples which can be follow and come out with the baptism invitation which can post on the Facebook and invites friends through the Watsapp. I had choose a recent photo of Annabelle and put in in the invitation. Daddy too, quite of like it as well.

Annabelle Silly Giggles 25 Sep 2015

Annabelle was so bored that she took Daddy’s hand phone and played. She found something that amused her. The video recording! She was doing all the funny funny stuffs with this new discoveries!

Oh my baby girl

LDS Relief Society ~ Trinity Children’s Home Visit 26 Sep 2015

Today weather really bad as the haze hung heavily over the sky all day. Daddy is not going to work today as both of us have activities at church. He has the Priesthood training which would be conducted by the Mission President and I have the Relief Society Charity Home visit this afternoon. Both of us is almost the same time at church.

We went off earlier from home, because Daddy suggested that we should buy some biscuits from for the children home which I and the Relief Society sisters would be visit. Daddy bought 2 big tins of biscuits – cream crackers and cheese crackers. Then, we went to Citta Mall for both Issac and Annabelle to attend their Teacher Jane’s art class.

We reached PJ Chapel about 3:00pm, the children were together with me as we went up to the 1st Floor Primary Room for our Relief Society activity. All the sisters were encouraged to donate either food items such as instant noodles, rice, cooking oils, canned foods, biscuits, etc ; Or non-food items such as dish washer, shampoo, bathing soaps, body shampoo, floor cleaners, etc.

We started our activity with the opening hymns and opening prayer, then we did the packing for the individual goody bags for the children, so that we can distribute to the children once we are there. There are approximately 20 of sisters and we went there by car pooling.

Trinity Children’s Home is just nearby our church. It is a non-profit organization helping orphans, abused, abandoned and neglected children. During the past 15 years they have provided care and a "home" for over 180 children under the age of 18. Their goal is to provide security, safety and a foundation for the children so they can become successful adults.

Sister Karen told me that our church previously was just next to the Trinity Children’s Home before move to the current location, thus the sisters are familiar with the home. Once we reached there, we were greeted by the committee member at Trinity, Sister Mary Moses. She is the one whom take care of the children. Senior Missionary Sister Mah did a general introduction on our visit, then we sung our songs presentation.

The activity which prepared by Sister Ludi Wong. She taught the children to make paper lanterns from Chinese "red packet", as it will be Mid Autumn Festival tomorrow. Issac and Annabelle too, sitting around together with the children and learned about the art. After, Sister Mariko made beautiful origami paper craft objects and presented them to the children.

The goody bags which we prepared were distributed too to the children. Our visit ended by some refreshments cookies and packet drinks, and we adjourned back to church and met with Daddy after his Priesthood Training too.

During the art and craft activity, Issac and Annabelle were not so happy due to they felt like been left out from the children group, as the sisters were more helping the home children in completing their small lanterns.

After we went back to the church, I told them that, “The purpose today we visited the children home, is because we want to show our caring heart to the children who live there. Most of the children there do not have a proper home whereby they are orphans, abandoned or neglected by their parents. That is why all the sisters trying to help them first,” I continued, “What do you think or feel, if you are the one who live there?”

I tried to make them understand that, we have to be grateful to Heavenly Father of what a huge blessings that He have given to us and our family. Let them feel and see what others might not have the privileges, which they have right now…

To be true, all the children at the home are really obedient, they have manners and polite. Their care taker really teach them very well. I do hope both Issac and Annabelle will leaning something today after visit the Trinity Children’s Home, and the Spirit will continue to guide them in their growing paths.

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