I am Iman Umar Muhammadi

TANJUNG MALIM

Picture by Iman Umar Muhammadi

Assalamualaikum and very good evening ladies and gentlemen,

One of my beloved sister, M (again not Dr. M or Tun M hehe) got offer to further her study in UPSI or Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris ( a special university for future teachers in Malaysia). This university located in Tanjung Malim which is so close with Selangor, actually it just beyond the border Selangor-Perak. Well, I am so happy even me myself at IIUM, my younger brother at UTM (pursuing his Master ,previously he was at UitM) and this sister of mine(UPSI).Well, actually my happiness have few reasons:

1) To cool down my parents emotion since I still not yet finished my degree (slap own face)
2) My chance to go travel (actually to visit) if have time
3) 'Kepelbagaian spesis' mahasiswa dalam biodiversiti (keluarga kami)-Please find the translation .

To show my support and love as the eldest one (what a cool elder! haha), so I decided to pay a visit for her alone by car (after my last driving around 5 years ago!). Actually, I had an accident before.Since then I stopped driving-loss of confidence and courage from my caring family members,haha. Then, after few years, one of my friends who just received a driving licence has decided to drive one of our friend's car. Again, a feeling of inferiority was strucked into my mind and soul!Like a booster, my inner has been 'called' to 'accept' the challenge: regain my spirit to drive!

Then, started from that, slowly I pushed my self to drive car around campus area (using my friend's car), then, outside from campus, and I do believe the cumulative hours of driving just less than 10 hours( not even pass to be a pilot,huh?). Then, when I was informed by my family that they sent my sister to the alma mater , I believe this is the best time for me to do a 'comeback' (face palm)! Starting from then, I received several 'invitation' for my 'service' as a driver among my friends, but then, still my family members feel hesitated to give me driving cars in Johor Bahru,walauweh ( a local accent)!!! Tak pa nah, akan cek ceq buktikan kat hangpa semua..huhu (Sulking words, just joking,hahaha)

Back to the story, from IIUM (Gombak), I chose kampong route rather than using the normal highway for many reasons:

1) enjoy the sceneries and gain more experiences

2) did not know at first on how to find the highway

3) save many for paying the 'tol' ( do not know in English, sorry) ,and

4) develop my driving skills.

So, from Gombak (IIUM), I drove the car to Batu Caves' direction to have an exit from a roundabout to Rawang or Ipoh> Choose 'struck 3' (pukul 3) for exit to Rawang/Ipoh>Will passes the area of Selayang including Pasar Besar Selayang ( a big wet market) on your right of opposite direction> go straight following the signboards as well the direction on the road> Passing several small towns, district,reserved forest and residential areas and kampongs like:

a) Templer, Rawang, Serendah,Kuala Kubu Bharu, Rasa, Kalumpang, Bernam Jaya and lastly Tanjung Malim

b) Reserved forest like : Taman Rimba Komanwel, Templer Park Rainforest Retreat (Hutan Lipur Templer), Ulu Yam-dam or water reservoir and the and (new and old areas)

c) Tourism spots like Fraser's Hill (Bukit Fraser), actually the road can lead to that way but not exactly when want to go to Tanjung Malim, Proton City, Air Terjun Serendah (Serendah's waterfall) and many mores.

Without any special application , GPS or Waze, using my instinct as been given by God -without any intention to become arrogant, actually since I was child, I always been referred as a 'guide' wherever if anyone or group want to go for any destinations even never been there before, either in town or city and in the jungles (due to certain exeperiences) .I managed to lead my way' efficiently' without any lost except 5 minutes early of my driving because one reason.Alhamdulillah. It took almost 1 hour an half for me using Satria ( Malaysia car).Ahha( bulb in the head)! Along my way to Tanjung Malim, I prefered to use nature air-conditioner rather than use the air conditioner in the car just to save money(budget lar..) and to 'experience' the 'fresh air of my journey'. However, I had to use around 10 minutes for air conditioner on my way back to Gombak( I accidentally chose the high way like LEKAS ) due to raining but the rest of that, I just opened the window (not the door) until my arrival to IIUM..

By the way, too many things to be shared but for certain reasons (laziness and time constraint) as well as base on my perspective , not everything shall be shared publicly (even no one knows me?). Before I leave, let me 'treat' all of you with some pictures ( from my personal record) from my first visit and my second visit, insyaAllah will go there again on this coming September. Till we meet again!Thank you.