We arrived at this wonderful train station, built by the Brits in 1914. The locals wanted a hospital but instead got a Courthouse, Town hall and this Station, all built in the same style.

White coffee made with condensed milk is a delicacy here, hubs gave it a whirl, I stuck with the lime juice. Every place we’ve visited to date has advised against drinking the local water, yet I have drunk it far and wide without any negative side effects. Just think how much plastic could be avoided if all tourists did that. We must be responsible for billions of tons of the stuff worldwide, just by drinking water in plastic bottles alone.

Concubine street.

After a rapid catch up on the history of the places we have visited to date, and discovering that every one of them has been invaded, often repeatedly, got me wondering if there were any countries that hadn’t been.

I checked on the internet, but couldn’t find a single one, maybe someone could enlighten me. I also discovered that there are only twenty two countries the Brits haven’t invaded.

Struth! No wonder people have a problem with us!!!

Ipoh is a very colourful, decorative place. Most artistic and bohemian.

Many of the shops have been overtaken by trees. The locals don’t seem to mind them growing through their walls and roofs.

Often buildings are built around the larger trees.

Some even grew through windows. It was quite normal to see a tree coming through a shop and out of the roof.

Some trees covered the windows altogether, many of these wouldn’t be able to open.

There was one street covered in wonderful murals, people came from all over the world to paint them.

And Finally….

Malaysia always appears to me to be a very orderly, laid place place. It’s also multi-cultural with people seeming to get along, despite having such a diversity of religious groups. It is 60% Muslim but also has large Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities.

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21 Comments

  1. Yes, I’m with Gill on the windows being blocked — don’t think I could take it. While interesting to see and a bit like being in Fangorn Forest, I’m amazed the houses aren’t all falling down from the vegetation.

    Glad you survived the local water!

  2. Oh yes, the great British Empire. How shameful that there are so few counties that we haven’t exploited and pillaged.
    I love the ficus trees growing through the buildings. Are they the sacred Banyan trees?
    My German mother in law from a previous life used to drink condensed milk with coffee, it’s quite disgusting.

  3. Concubine street is near my place in Ipoh. Thank you for writing about it. I took many pictures of those fascinating trees roots and wild growths on and around the old buildings recently when I went there with my siblings. Thank you for sharing them here as I never did with mine. They look very artistic to me. I think it is great to travel by train and enjoy some sight-seeing along the way. And thanks to the Brits for our railways and beautiful architecture of the station and other buildings.

  4. Those trees growing through and around the buildings are something else! Malaysia sounds like a bit of a respite after Vietnam.

  5. I enjoyed seeing Ipoh, especially as we had been to the Cameron Highlands, but didn’t have enough time to go as far as Ipoh. It looks as if the trees have partly re-claimed the city! I love the umbrellas, and someone had gone to the trouble to put all that together…gives you hope for the nice people in the world.
    Enjoy your travels!

  6. lowcarbdiabeticJan

    I’m enjoying your travels and so nice to see your photographs.
    Ipoh does look very colourful.

    Take care

    All the best Jan

  7. Another extraordinary place…and what an amazing trip you have had. I look forward to sitting down with you one of these days and hearing all about it. I remember condensed milk so well, particularly after the war….it was a sweet treat in those days 🙂 As you are my friend. xxx

  8. A lovely post Dina. Such a pleasure to follow your pictures. A country that wasn’t invaded…? Never heard of such things. That’s like a mother that was never talked back to. Condensed milk/ Now that’s something I remember from way back. But haven’t seen it around for some time. Maybe the English brought it here when they were governing? It was nice, though.

  9. I’m glad you’ve managed to avoid problems with drinking water, but I certainly wouldn’t offer that as general advice. It’s just too iffy. I will offer up a prayer or two that you make it home with no ill effects! Perhaps it’s that British constitution that’s protecting you!

    I’m wondering if some of those trees might actually be huge viness. There are some here that will grow many feet into the air, and become even a foot in diameter. I can imagine that in tropical countries, they might grow even larger. In any event, they’re probably holding up the buildings now.

    I’ve realized while reading this I really I have no conception of Malaysia. So far, I’ve known something about every place you’ve been, but Malaysia is a blank in my mind. I’m going to have to do a little research!

  10. I wonder if there are weatherproof seals around the holes through which trees peep, or the trees around which, buildings are constructed.

    There has always been geographical movement of peoples, how and why these migrations arise, is always the back story. There are plenty of present day examples. As Gilly says, it was not all bad, though, what we see what happens in our lifetime, makes it hard to see what good is coming out of those conflicts. There is a circularity about life, not always negative, but then not necessarily what one or other grouping desires.

    You have been having a glorious journey; your travels are wonderful. You have truly been intrepid exploerers.

  11. veggiemummy

    I’m getting more envious by the day of your wonderful holiday. You’re not missing much weather wise here – it’s snowing again. That railway station is lovely and it’s fascinating to see all the trees invading the buildings. Not sure that I’d like them growing through my roof and windows though! xx

  12. Fascinating! Just shows how we westerners like to control our environment – they let it all take its course. I couldn’t cope with not being able to open my windows!

    The British and other western nations did do a lot of harm but it wasn’t all bad – they also brought schools, hospitals and roads …

  13. Oh, one of my favorites so far! I love the colors and integration of trees/nature with human space! And when you say artistic and bohemian, I’m in love!

    I think invasion was a patriarchal way of relating to countries, women, and “the other” for centuries. Still is, maybe, but I pray we’re awakening. May it be so.

    Thank you, Dina, for a perfect Sunday treat! You have really immersed yourself in this part of the world. I am so happy for you and your dear husband having all these adventures!

  14. Another good post, and fascinating pictures. xx

  15. Wow, it seems as though the trees are trying to reclaim the country, imagine having tree trunks growing through your home. My dad often talks about doing his national service in Malaysia, I’m sure he’d see some differences if he were to return now.

    • My old boss, and hubs father did service in Malaysia, the jungles have gone, it would look like a totally different world to them now. Countries around the world are changing fast, I reckon in twenty years most cities and cultures will look the same. It is one world….thanks Jo.xxx

  16. I hate condensed milk! Of course it would be good if drinks suppliers used refundable glass bottles then plastic wouldn’t be an issue. The tree buildings are fascinating.

    • By the way a similar photo with the umbrellas was used at our local Currys on their $K TVs

      • Oh…that’s interesting, they have streets like that in the Philippines too, wonder where the pic you saw was taken?xxx

    • I have a vague recollection of having condensed milk as a kid…..
      Hong Kong and Bali used glass bottles in the hotels, so it’s an easy step to take, hopefully more will go down that route. Those trees were fascinating. Thanks Sue.xxx

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