National Textiles Museum

I came across the National Textiles Museum by accident when exploring the Merdeka Square along Jalan Sultan Hishamudin.

This Moorish style building was built in 1896 to house the Headquarters of the Federated Malay States Railway. In 1917, the building was given to the Selangor government and became Selangor Public Works Department.

Before it became a museum, the building was previously occupied by Selangor Water Department, Central Bank, Agricultural Bank, Malaysian Craft and High Court. The building was gazetted as historic building in 1983.

The rear building has more physical appeal with glass panels been added to its facade. This also serve as an entrance to the musuem. Admission to the museum is free (9am - 6pm daily).

There are a few galleries inside the museum. The Pelangi Gallery exhibits some of the selected heritage collections such as the different types of batiks and their growth over the years.

This is the process of stamp-printing batik using copper block, which is dipped into a wax container and then placed straight into the fabric spread out on the table.

The collection of the Chinese community and those of the Baba and Nyonya which are rich with their use of silk and gold threads and beadings.

The fine and varied motifs of ethnic Sarawak and Sabah textile collection.

The Pohon Budi Gallery showcases the origin of textiles from the pre-historic times as well as its growth through trade. Also exhibited are the tools, materials and traditional techniques of textile-making through the processes of weaving, embroidery, batik-making, gold embroidering, knitting and beading work with particular focus on the country's predominant textiles such as the songket, pua kumbu, telepuk, tekatan, keringkam, linangkit, kain pis, decorative beads and batik.

Ratna Sari Gallery exhibits jewelry items and personal adornments of the various ethnic groups in Malaysia made of gold, silver, copper, beads and plants, which are designed to be worn on the various parts of the body, from head to toe.

This is a solid gold Malay workmanship belt buckle featuring an embossed lotus flower design of twisted gold wire and granules. The whole of buckle are studded with hued gemstones. This is the regalia of the Kelantan's royalty circa 18th century. Weighting 334.7g, it was listed under the National Heritage List in 14th February 2009 under the Tangible Heritage Object.

Here are the various traditional clothes worn by different races in Malaysia

KL Railway Museum

Although the old KL Railway station is still operational, part of the main hall has been designated as an exhibition area for various old railway equipment.

The railway service in Malaysia has a long history and was initiated by the British during the colonial period. The museum will be an ideal base for the younger generation to appreciate its rich history.

There are a few rail car models on display in this museum. The model is a gift from the manufacturers when KTM brought the rail cars from them.

This is the steel cutting tool that was used in KTM workshop between 1940s to 1980s.

A weighting machine which was sourced all the way from Britain.

The ticketing system back then was really simple. This is actually the ticketing machine to enter the platform that was used in 1940s to early 1990s.

This huge thigh bone on display here has a story to be told. In 1894, there was a herd of wild elephants crossing the railway tracks where at the same time a train was traveling towards Teluk Intan station. Out of the blue, an elephant breaks away from the herd and attacked the train which caused it to be derailed. The elephant also died on the spot.

It is believed the female elephant was seeking revenge for the death of her cub about a month before the incident at the very spot as a result of the collision with a train.

The key token is a signaling instrument that were used from 1940 until present. The station master will insert the key token inside the red machine at the train station in order for the train to continue its journey.

Hydraulic jack plate was used in service between 1950s to 1980s.

The shunt signal was used as a signal for the on moving train. The red light will indicate the train to halt and to give way for the oncoming train, whilst the green light will allow the train to move on. The shunt signal was used since 1920's till present.

This is the model of the administration office, depot, workshop and KTM training school at Sentul that was built on 1976.

Some antique computer monitors and equipments used in the 1980s to 2000s.

Photos of first until present KTM general managers.

Various type of KTM uniforms and caps used between 1940s to 1990s

Coach manufacturing plate for Perak State Railway & Selangor State Railway

The Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

The Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station was built in 1892. It was one of the nicest buildings in the city and cost 23, 000 Ringgit Malaysia, a significant sum in those days.

It has a large hall that opened onto a small pavilion with a movable roof and a stylish Italian clock mounted on the roof. Its design was inspired Northern Indian Islamic architecture The building's architect was Arthur Benison Hubback. Its design is similar to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building whose British architect was AC Norman.

The station replaced an earlier one built in 1885 in Foch Avenue, now known as Tun Tan Cheng Lock Road and which was the city's first railway station. Both stations were similarly designed. The first station was known as Resident Station due to its proximity to the residence of the British Resident.

The building is said to possess the largest number of domed towers, with each tower having specific uses and meaning to its builder.

The arched entrances are evenly curved and the interior is uncomplicated, from the arrangement of the tiles on the floors and walls to the chairs that are organized in parallel.

The building also had a hotel attached to it, The Heritage station Hotel. I am uncertain whether the hotel is still operational or not as it seems to be closed on my visit. It is sad to see this once elegant hotel was left to rot.

The station is still operational although its status as the city's railway hub was taken over by KL Sentral in 2001.

KTM Kommuter still passed by and stop at this station although traffic had significantly reduced compared to its former glory days. Inter city train also made regular stop here before proceed to KL Sentral.

The historic building also houses the ETS (Express Train Service) head office which currently offers fast train to Ipoh. One can catch or disembark the train from this station.

Cube Hotel

Cube Hotel is a relatively new budget hotel in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It occupies what seems to be an old row of colonial shophouse.

It's also minutes away from the Hang Tuah LRT station or Imbi Monorail station. Its location is quite ideal for those who intend to do some shopping at the major shopping malls in Bukit Bintang area.

Its interior is well decorated to give it a chic and contemporary touch. It is designed to cater to the budget conscious travelers seeking for comfort and style.

The staffs here are friendly and they will insist walk in visitor to have a look at the room first before paying. The room can also be booked online via www.cubehotel.com.my and payment can be made via Paypal.

This got to be the smallest room I ever slept in. There ain't much room for you to walk around and there is no window. I got a feeling I was in a confined space by just staying here. The room rate usually hovers around RM110-120 during weekdays and RM140 during weekends.

The room is not too bad. The important thing is its cleanliness. I wasn't able to hear the heavy traffic outside but I can hear those living next door or those in the corridor. So, it ain't 100% sound proof.

Among the features in the room are flat screen TV, cold & hot shower, air conditioned and magnetic lock door.

Another new concept of the hotel is its housekeeping system. The room will not be cleaned up when you leave the room like any other conventional hotel. You will need to pass this card to the front office when you leave the hotel should you need to freshen up the room.

Since the room is a bit tight, there is a spacious area to stretch those legs and meet up with friends and etc at the lobby.

Overall, it is a good hotel if you were to travel alone but it could be an issue if staying with family, friend or spouse as the room can be quite crammed

Looking Back At Year 2010: From Sibu to Putrajaya

Year 2010 will soon be remembered as one of the toughest year I have to endure. It somehow helped to develop a stronger character within myself

It all started in February this year where I am due to leave my hometown in Sibu for the nation's Federal Government Administration Centre in Putrajaya. I took a risk by stepping out of my comfort zone and enter an unknown territory (at the same time experience some culture shock even when I'm still inside my own country). However, I still consider myself lucky as Kuala Lumpur International Airport is not far away from Putrajaya and it is just a 2 hour flight away through the South China Sea to reach home. It could be more worse if I were to be in other States.

I was homeless for about 3 weeks since arriving in my new workplace. Due to this depressing situation, I almost gave up at the time. Pack my stuffs and just go home seemed to be the best solution at the time. However, a few good Samaritans from my workplace showed up and help me settled in.

Chinese New Year this year was also rather gloomy for me as I was not eligible for any leave and I got to spent like 3-4 days at home before returning to work. The first few months here was one of the lowest point in my entire life.

The very existence of this site was also in jeopardy initially as I am not too sure at the time whether I can sustain it or not. Luckily, the site prevailed and been injected with more fresh inputs from the various places I was able to visit during my tenure here.

The most excruciating pain I have to endure the whole year would be been away from my family and wife for the most part of the year which lead me to make a commitment to fly home every month at any cost. Been away and alone kind of taught me to appreciate what I still have.

I am still blessed throughout the year as I still able to celebrate important occassions with my family and wife. This somehow kept my sanity intact.

Next year should present itself with more challenges for me as I might face with another chapter of my life. As for this site, there should be more new palces to be explored although the postings frequency might be reduced.

Thanks for reading and visiting my site all year long. Your contributions had led me to keep this site afloat.

Have a nice weekend and year ahead!