Unsung Heroes and the National Monument - Kuala Lumpur

A ten-ringgit taxi faretook me from the Petaling area (Chinatown) to the winding streets and lush greenery of Jalan Parlimen, in southwest Kuala Lumpur. Though it was a relatively short ride, I got the feeling it was taking me farther away from the bustling metropolis. I basked in the warm but gentle balm of the morning sun as visions of a very clean city slide past before me.

What initially greeted me was a sculpture park at the foot of the hill – which we shall feature in the next few days. The aforementioned park even had a Philippine entry, though run-down and falling to pieces. It is easy to see why this whole southwest area is a personal favorite. The throng of backpackers that congest Jalan Alor and Bukit Bintang seem unaware of the existence of this part of the city, thus I was practically left to wander the area.

After enjoying the sculpture park, I leisurely trotted up the flight of steps that lead to the hill, a sprawling memento of Malaysian patriotism and courage.

UNSUNG HEROES

Malaysia’s Tugu Negara – more popularly called “National Monument” – commemorates the unsung heroes of the country during its struggle against the Japanese colonizers during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which stretched for more than a decade (1948-1960). Situated southwest of Kuala Lumpur, the bronze monument depicts soldiers hoisting the Malaysian Flag - the Jalur Gemilang, symbolizing the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom!

Design

The present structure is just one of several incarnations that seek to honor the Malay heroes. This latest structure was constructed and designed by Austrian sculptor Felix de Weldon, the same one responsible for the famed USMC War Memorial in Virginia, United States. Granite based and standing 49.21 feet tall (15 meters), the bronze sculpture bears inscriptions in English with Roman script as well as Malay-Jawi script – “"Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom, May the blessing of Allah be upon them".

Every day at dusk, a soldier raises the national flag and lowers it at dawn.

Getting In and Out: On Taxis and the Pests

I shall suggest that any visit to the National Monument should be done early in the day. I find this time of day of certain advantage in dealing with the pesky taxi drivers. They easily agree to a fixed 10-ringgit rate if you ask early in the day. My brother recently visited the area this March – upon my prodding, of course, and as per his penchant to oversleep; he got to the park well close to midday. Result: he had to exasperatingly skip 6 taxis who wouldn’t agree on a 10-ringgit fare ($2.80 or PhP133.60) from Bukit Nintang to Jalan Parlimen. After spending 30 minutes haggling, he finally agreed to a 20-ringgit fare ($5.53 or PhP267.15).

Getting out is even trickier. Of course you have to spend a good part of the day walking around, checking out the other adjoining areas: the Lake Gardens, the Bird Park, the Putterfly Park, the Hibiscus Garden, the Orchid Park, the Police Museum, etc. Your possible departure would be from the Bird Park or the Orchid Garden. Unless you prefer to take my route and brave a strenuous walk through winding by-ways of the Lake Gardens until you find KL Sentral, then you have to take another taxi out. These drivers will only agree to take you to the nearby KL Sentral (again- ridiculous)!

Entrance fee – none

Visiting Hours – 7AM to 6PM

This cenotaph is one of the first of the National Monuments situated at the back of the present structure, where the Park Tugu Negara entrance is.

Back entrance of the Tugu Negara - the Park!

The steps from the hilly side entrance leading to the front of the monument facing Jalan Parlimen.

If you prefer nature's flora, a bit of the sun, and vast open spaces in your visits, instead of the concrete jungle, then the Eye in the Sky strongly recommends that you visit the National Monument and its adjoining area!

Please visit here for more photos:

http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2009/03/images-from-hill-kl-national-monument.html

Images From the Hill - KL National Monument : An Introduction

Here are chosen images that explain why KL’s National Monument is among my favorite places in the city. Words become less of a requisite when images convey an opulent will-o’-the-wisp. And this is the Eye in the Sky.

Hmmm... where do I start?

Entrance fee - zero

Full Feature, Text and Photos on my visit to the National Monument aka Tugu Negara:

http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2009/03/unsung-heroes-and-national-monument.html

A Langorous Walk in Southwest KL

I love lazy walks, finding my way around places; most especially if it’s somewhere I haven’t visited, and then wind up at a surprisingly pleasant sight. This was my experience in southwest KL. The area contiguous to the National Monument is a wondrous amalgam of lush vegetation and very few wandering souls. I felt like I’ve discovered a place that will become a favorite in this prosperous Muslim city.

Coming down the hill where the National Monument stands, I trudged down hill then crossed the street (Jalan Parlimen) down south to find an almost deserted park (Lake Club), except for some napping workers at a pavilion. It was calming walking along Jalan Cenderwasih - the sidewalk is in glorious canopies of huge trees. But parks provide a deceptive mirage – Madrid’s Retiro Park, anyone? - so I wandered around with some caution. I kept bumping into a blond American in his sweaty shirt and walking shorts, a light backpack straddling his back and a map on his hand. The whole area is basically undervisited. There was a degree of eeriness smugly cloaking the sunlit atmosphere. And perspiration was crawling down my back.

I love the way everywhere I look there’s hardly litter, except for the falling leaves of the surrounding vegetation. Their grounds are immaculately maintained. In this area, you can find the following sites:

1. Anniversary Theatre
2. Butterfly Garden
3. Hibiscus Garden (Hibiscus aka Gumamela is probably their national flower.)
4. Orchid Garden
5. Deer Park
6. Memorial Tun Ralzak
7. Police Museum – officially called Royal Malaysian Police Museum is 41 years old
8. Bird Park – reputed to be the world biggest covered aviary
9. Islamic Arts Museum – a a permanent Islamic center of learning and research to preserve its history, arts and cultural heritage, established December 12, 1998
10. National Museum
11. National Planetarium
12. Lake Gardens
13. National Museum – just across the greens and through Jalan Damansara

My main destination was the Lake Gardens, but it took me through the aforementioned places; something that would require a bit of stamina as these areas cover wide open spaces and sites that require long walks to get to, so I wouldn’t count on a frenetic walkathon to fully enjoy the whole area.

Beside the road, you go down this flight of stairs for the Lake Club area.

Hibiscus rosa sinensis aka Gumamela - one whole park is dedicated to this flower.

Roadside waiting shed, just opposite the Police Museum (photo below), along Jalan Cenderwasih.

Walking along Jalan Cenderwasih is wonderfully idyllic. To the left of the road is the sprawl of the immense Bird Park – officially called Safari Bird Park and Wonderland. You can peep through this covered aviary, touted the biggest in the world. Their brochures refer to the site as the world’s largest free-flight and walk-in aviary. Abundant trees line the clean road with a minimal number of vehicles passing through. I leisurely walked along and got goose bumps as I passed through a school of monkeys standing by the roadside. What if they attacked me? What if they get playful and take interest on my camera? I hid mine as soon as I took a snap. This place could either be the most relaxing place in the city, but its eerie solitary atmosphere could also be risky for lone travelers – so caution is strongly advised. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Monkeys swinging from adventitious roots.

As the road curves to a more populous area, I came across the entrance to the Bird Park. They open at 9 AM and close at 6 PM daily, including Sundays and public holidays. The KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus regularly plies this trail. An adult would have to pay 39 ringgit ($10.53) for his entrance, and 29 ringgit ($7.83) for children aged 3 to 12 years old. Visit their website for updates: www.klbirdpark.com. Their Hornbill Restaurant and Cafe open from 9AM to 10 PM daily.

And yeah! Former U.S. President Bill Clinton just visited the park last December 2008!

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Orchids standing in front of the Orchid Park entrance.

Parking and entrance of the Bird Park just opposite the Orchid Park.

Bird Park official brochure - all text in Bahasa!

Notice the immense area covering the whole Bird Park.

KL map emphasizing the distance from Petronas Twin Towers and the Bukit Bintang Monorail Station to the National Monument. I took a taxi and agreed on a fixed 10 ringgit fare. However, these days (as of March 2009), most taxis won't agree on anything less than 20 ringgit, which is ridiculous!

The walking trail I followed from the National Monument to the Lake Gardens. Quite a walk.