Family Picnic: Perdana Botanical Garden

Living in an apartment building in a city like Kuala Lumpur does not offer much opportunity for little kids like Matt to simply go out of the house and play. The exact opposite of how it was for me growing up in a (then) small and peaceful neighborhood in a town in Laguna when all I had to do was step out of our front door to get to my "playground". Here, today, an outdoor activity for Matt has to be scheduled and planned. And since we live near the city center, options are very limited.

A picnic at a park is most ideal where Matt can run around in fresh air, on a vast space of grass under the sun without us having to worry that he'll trip and fall on hard ground. And since it very much feels like summer here at this time of year, a family picnic will be such a refreshing break from our typical indoor routines on weekdays.

The KLCC Park was the first to come to mind but it's too crowded for our liking, not exactly the relaxed vibe we were looking for. I know the city has a hidden gem somewhere and we just needed to find it. After several search results from the ever reliable Google, we found exactly what we were looking for: Perdana Botanical Garden.

The Perdana Botanical Garden formerly known as Taman Tasik Perdana or Lake Gardens, is situated in the Heritage Park of Kuala Lumpur. It has always been a part of the green lung of the city and has a history of over a decade. Originally created as part of a recreational park but planted with collections of tropical plants, the garden have been rehabilitated and turned into a Botanical Garden. The garden have not only botanical collections but also house features that give the visitors the ambiance of being in a tropical rainforest, despite being in the middle of a bustling metropolis.

Located within the Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park, it was only a 10-minute drive from our place and the outside parking is free. Visitors can also go by taking public buses or taxis from any point of the city. It is open everyday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and the entrance is also free! Due to the enormity of the place, we had to make sure that we head direct to an entrance nearest the part where we want to spend the most time in. That's the kiddie playground. We arrived at around 4:00 PM, thinking that it would be cool enough at that hour. Boy, were we wrong!

 The Children's Playground is the first you'll see if you enter the garden from Jalan Parlimen. The kiddie structures are complete with tunnel slides sprouting from mini towers, a bridge, swing sets and seesaws.

Matt was already wriggling out of my grasp even before we found a place to spread our picnic blanket so Jason had to take him play while I set up.

We didn't do the typical spread on the grass because our blanket was too thin. But there are picnic tables every few yards as well as gazebos. Although the latter are more for when you want to rest under a shade rather than meals because the tables inside are a bit small.

It was still rather hot when we arrived so we had to really scour the area first for a good spot to eat. And what we found was not bad at all. We settled on a picnic table by the lake under tall trees. Rays of sun were still peeking through the tree leaves above but the air was cool and we felt light breeze every now and then. You don't really need to come fully prepared with your own meal though as a cafe serves light snacks and refreshments.

After our meal of spaghetti, bread and fruits, Matt run around for a bit in the Sunken Garden. Funny how my Dad used to say that however hard or long you prepare for an event, a trip or anything for that matter, there's always one thing that you're bound to miss. In this case, we forgot to check the batteries of Matt's bubble machine so it didn't work when we were there. I think it was just as well because he was able to explore the greenery around him. He didn't even pay attention to his big beach ball that we brought.

The whole garden spans over about 92 hectares of land so it's really not possible to see its entirety in just one afternoon. But we were able to sightsee as far as our feet were able to take us and with enough energy for the walk back. A lake weaves around the park so you'll find a couple of small bridges over them such as the one above. It looks pretty romantic, don't you think?

Walking or jogging trails are all around for those who seek a refreshing and peaceful workout. As it is in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, it is easy for residents of the city to drive over for a quick run. And for families with children, this is a nice and safe place to teach kids how to ride their bikes as no cars are allowed inside the premises.

Trees along the walking paths are labeled with its names and origins. Perfect for children to learn about nature first-hand.

A large area of sloping pavement covered by a ceiling of symmetrical glass-like panels can be found in the center of the garden. At first we thought it was the amphitheatre but a closer look at the map in their website told us otherwise. Kids and adults alike use the spot for physical activities such as rollerblading or riding their scooters. Bicycles are also available for rent to visitors at RM 3 each for 30 minutes. Yup, that's Jason pushing Matt in the stroller who's already tired from all the running.

But my favorite spot of all would be the dock overlooking what they call the Goose Island (see three geese floating by?). It seems to be such a relaxing spot to just sit and have nice long talk with a friend or in my case, Jason. How amazing is it that while you are surrounded by all the green and fresh air and nature, you can also see the opposite ambiance of the urban world just beyond? The best of both world of sorts. After this weekend, we're definitely looking forward to new discoveries of the city we call home for now.

My Blog Is My Pensieve

photo credit

Sometimes I wonder what got me interested in blogging. How did it all start? I love writing. I have loved writing since grade school. Back when my fascination with teen novels was in an all-time high and I tried to become an author of one. But to write about me and things that interest me? Perhaps a little back track will shed some light into it. Here goes...

On an evaluation at school, my 6th grade teacher complimented my essay writing skills and said that I'd make a good journalist someday. That may have inspired me to try but what I had then was a personal diary (you know pink with locks and all), and what you write there are personal documentations of your school girl life that you try to keep from your mom. It was a time when computer was just a once-a-week subject in school, the internet--at least in our household--was unheard of, more so a blog platform. What I also had then though was an ordinary notebook and a typewriter. I remember trying to write a story down (novel style) on my notebook and eventually typing them up. My character was always a girl with an older brother because I've always wanted one for myself.

Now on to college days. I discovered an online diary. One does not need an actual journal anymore. Instead, you type your story up on the website and keep it private with a password. Of course I was unaware of how easily online content can be hacked at the time, but for me it was fascinating. I might have posted one entry but that was it. Paying for internet rental was out of my weekly allowance budget unless necessary for school. When I think about it now, that must have been my first ever blog post.

I don't really know how I was first introduced to the term "blog", but I remember signing up for my very first Blogger account. It offered very different looking themes then and I didn't know if those can be redesigned. The whole interface of the platform was very confusing for me that I ended up having 3 blogs with about one to two posts in each.

Around 2007, I came across KC Concepcion's Multiply account. Believe it or not that actually inspired me to create a new one for myself because it looked very different from what blogs are supposed to look like. For one thing, I didn't know that you can actually incorporate pictures to help set the mood of your story. So create another one I did.

Then came the news of the late Francis Magalona's battle with Leukemia and how he documented his journey on his Multiply blog. That inspired me to do the same. No, I didn't battle a fatal illness. But I remember telling my Mom that I'll create one for myself to tell the world my story (really, what was I thinking?).

My blog compositions then were much better and it sounded like I actually had something interesting to say. However, I was what you may call a sporadic blogger. Unaware of how the whole blogging business works, I only wrote one post every few months. When it was announced that the Multiply website will be taken down, I transferred my posts to one of my old Blogger--thank God for the export/import feature. This was in 2011 when the new improved themes were already available.

gengcaperal.blogspot.com

Again I went on a hiatus. But with very valid reasons. I got engaged and got married! Then we moved to Kuala Lumpur.

The version of my blogging history may all be about the modern tools I used to write. I can't imagine writing down the events of my day in a scented notebook and in long hand anymore. But through it all, my love for the written word is present. Now, one of my blog's purpose is a Pensieve. Yes, the one owned by Professor Dumbledore.

Photo credit: Harry Potter wiki

"This? It is called a Pensieve. I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind... One only siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form."

--Professor Albus Dumbledore

And come to think of it, it is the Professor's version of a blog because he can invite another person to re-visit his thoughts with him. How cool would it be to own one if it were a real thing, right? But a modern day online blog is a good enough substitute. It does relieve you of those thoughts that are all crammed inside your head. And it does--at least for me--help you process ideas when they are all written down.

What does blogging do for you?

BookFest @ Malaysia 2013: I Love Reading

A habit of mine each time we go to a mall is cruising the aisles of a good bookstore. There's just something so therapeutic about the sight and the smell of piles and piles of books surrounding you. So imagine my delight upon entering Halls 4 and 5 of the KL Convention Centre for this year's BookFest @ Malaysia 2013 held from 3rd to 11th of August. More than 40,000 square feet of hundreds of booths containing books of every genre, and that's only the English Pavilion!

Now on its 8th year and deemed to be the largest book exposition in South East Asia, this year's theme was "I Love Reading". This is in line with the government's aim of encouraging Malaysians to read. 

I was only hoping to find good selections of board and picture books for Baby Bab but I was surprised to find great deals too! 

And when I said "great deals", I meant hard bound Nicholas Sparks books for only RM 8.00! Oh and Cecilia Ahern's There's No Place Like Here too! Are these bargains or what?!?

I  forced myself not to give in to temptation of buying these cool book adaptations of Disney films.

Great selection of classic storybooks as well. Baby Bab is not into these types of books yet since he's currently mostly interested in batting and chewing at them. But I would have loved to get these for myself. Teehee!

Of course there's the Archie's comic books for Jason (ok, and me too) at RM 5.00 each! 

A stage was set throughout the 9-day fair for several programs such as meet-the-author sessions, science show and reading sessions for the kids and cooking demonstrations among others. The highlight of all being The Star Readers' Choice Awards wherein the best local authors were recognized. 

In the Chinese pavilion

Guilty as charged! Yes, I was looking through the new Bloomsbury editions of the Harry Potter series. I was wondering why those were stacked in the "teens" section though.

Thank you Daddy Bab for being my official photographer that day. 

Our haul for this year wasn't bad at all, and I'm proud of it. We got everything we need and the best that we could find. My bookfair experience was a blast!

Until next year!