Kai Woh and Chandran visited Ulu Kanching on 22nd March 2007 to revisit the camp site many of us spent so much time in the 60s and 70s
Visited Bukit Takun area and Ulu Kanching on 22 March 2007. Brought there by Chandran whom I met only briefly at the 10KL Scouts reunion few years back. Come to think of it, that was the only time I met him since I left school in 1971. Chandran is such a gentleman now, unlike the hyperactive kid I knew 38 years ago. A “never give up kid” who was once nearly killed during a wrestling match when he refused to surrender! No wonder he is a successful businessman now. He so happen to live about 3 minutes drive from Ulu Kanching!! To Chandran – you are a friend indeed. Thanks for taking the trouble to send me there and back to my hotel.
Bukit Takun is still there but crowded by housing development at her foot. Quite sad as some forest areas should be preserved.
Ulu Kanching is really in a sad state. The main pool was drained when we were there. The sides were tiled with some horrible looking tiles and they are chipped and cracked now – sure to cut the feet. Sand was every where in the stream. Perhaps there are some developments up stream. I went there to swim but could not as the dept of the stream was about 1 meter or less. Our old camp site was encroached by the forest. The second pool was fenced up as the current was fast and dangerous. Please see the attached photographs. I have also compared the new photo with the old ones I took in the sixties and early seventies. Hope they bring back some fond memories.
Regards
Kai Woh
59-71
Singapore
[Click on thumbnails for full size pictures]
March 29, 2007 at 11:10 pm |
How time flies. Kai Woh was my senior and Chandran was my classmate and same year with me. How he had grown. These series of photo’s really brought back happy memories, from the many camping trips, the trips made to collect bamboo to be made into cups for our camp fire to those memories that the river sand is excellent when used to wash the bottom of the pots and pans after cooking.
I was there many years ago with my children showing them where we had camped and what have we done. It was still better than now. Ulu Kanching is a story which if nothing is done-and quick too will remain very much a memory to many of us old folks
March 30, 2007 at 12:49 am |
Yoke Meng do you know who else is in the photo, I think I recognise Chia Peng YU.
April 4, 2007 at 1:47 am |
Next to Chandran is Chun Fah. Could be Yin Fah’s brother.
November 7, 2008 at 12:36 am |
Could you send me your e-mail address, I would like to show you the pict which near Bukit Takun . Is Beautiful place, how to booking or any contact no. ?
March 26, 2009 at 4:25 pm |
Hi 10th Troop, I’m writing this to Chandran and Kai Woh so they will not be disappointed by the development over Ulu Kanching (Now known as Templer Park). I belief we shared the same camp site as well the same pool, which I’m going to discuss over here.
1st of all, the 1st pool was not drain. By occasion, maybe u pay the visit on Thursday, the day they drain it off to do their weekly maintenance on the river bed. Every
Thursday(Not sure whether is it every week, or they had change the day), they will release the dam’s valve to clean the bottom. Yes, it’s tiled but so far I haven’t encounter any scratches from there. Only bruises as the tiles are much slippery, ouch.
The 2nd pool u mentioned is actually reserved as 2nd dam for some purpose. It was fenced due to safety. Like you had said, the stream current is actually faster than the rest to serve the purpose as a dam. The management did it for the sake of controlling the water flow when it comes to tidal period or raining season. Perhaps, mostly to maintain the river shape by adjusting the valve. I would not allow my kid to play around with the dam, right?
Lastly, the camp site is actually still there. In fact, only the entrance was covered by bushes(I went in fully equipped, don’t if there ‘re flesh exposed for snakes or anything). Inside, the platform is still there(flat area). But to be honest, with tall grasses. Quite dangerous thou.
The main concern about Templar Park now is actually human behavior. Few times, I’ve heard of robbery happened up there when my friends were having their camping retreat. It used to have an old couple selling nasi lemak at the pondok beside 1st pool (Oh, darly missed them). But due to safety, they’re no longer there. The way they robbed are perfect, they hide around your camp site(each entrance, or even if it’s not an entrance) and attack once sun rise, when we’re vulnerable(freezing, sneezing or finding place to pee). The thieves number will be around 10-20 pax. That is why nowadays I need to report my team size with I/C number to Rawang Police Department b4 camping there.
Nice to hear that there ‘re still old scouts going up there to camp.
Nick, Batu01 1997-2002.