Bukit Malawati : Kuala Selangor's Historical Hill

My first visit to Kuala Selangor was on 22042012 when I followed my friends to Sekinchan, and I decided that I am going to see the other places. My next visit was to Tanjung Sepat on 09062012. 

The next place I visited on 23062012 was Bukit Malawati. Some websites state Bukit MAlawati, and some says Bukit MElawati. Either spellings, it is still the same place. I started my drive about 8.30am, and I reached there about 10am. I parked my car at the shoplots nearby. There seems to be ample space for a weekend, or maybe I was early. The ticket to enter costs RM5 and this ticket covers Bukit Malawati and a Freshwater Aquarium. I was very excited being here. We were told that there was a pickup vehicle to send us to the top of the hill. And I thought, why bother, we can just walk. It was not very far, the ticketing officer said. Looking at the map, I thought it looked pretty easy too. Then, it started to drizzle! So, my friend and I decided to wait for the pickup vehicle.

Good thing we waited for the pickup vehicle! Because it was the cutest ever train I have seen! I love the colours! They are so bright and cheerful! Okay, it is a tram because train runs on railway tracks. 

  

So, the tram brought us to the top of the hill. It was less than 5 minutes' ride to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill, there were cannons. So, here is a bit of history on Bukit Malawati. Bukit Melawati is a historical hill, and has an old fortress at the top that was built to safeguard Selangor state from the hands of the Dutch. After continuous attacks from the Dutch and the British, what remains of the fortress is a small foundation of a wall and some cannons.

Once the last passenger descended from the tram, the tram was off to pick up its next round of passengers. So, we walked around the area, and entered every single possible place.

Straight ahead is where the Straits of Malacca meets Selangor River. Of course, I can't differentiate that.

There was a lighthouse which is barred from visitors unless you work with the Sea Department of Selangor. I know the name sounds funny but I am just translating it from the original - Jabatan Laut Selangor.

There was a Historical Museum of Kuala Selangor.

I am not sure what is this, but it is not a bomb.

This is Baitulhilal - a building constructed especially to sight the 'new moon' to determine the beginning of Ramadhan (fasting month) and Syawal (Hari Raya/Eid Mubarak - a festival celebrated by Muslims).

I remembered seeing some places on the way and the tram did not stop. So, both of us decided to go for a walk and find those places.

The walk was not long. We found the "Poisoned Well'. The water contains poison - a mixture from latex and itchy bamboo shoots. The water in the well is filled to the chin of the traitor. I guess now we know another method to poison someone. It seems easy to find latex and bamboo shoots, especially if you live in the rubber estates.

 

There were other buildings too, but the places were closed. How disappointing. I think the price of the ticket is not worth it. Walking back to the point where the tram dropped us, there was a good view of the lighthouse.

Feeding the monkeys is expensive. It costs RM5 for a banana! But wait, I am unsure if that refers to a single banana or a comb of bananas.

Here comes our tram ride back. Choo choooo.. :-) Wheee!!

Some shots along the tram ride back. We circled the area twice because we did not want to get off the tram! Haha! So kids we are. 

The tram did go to the Freshwater Aquarium area too. It was next to the entrance of Bukit Malawati, but it is about a 100m walk to the Aquarium. We did not go inside. 

All in all, it is a good place for students to go and learn about history and some biology.