Roadside stall in Slim River town selling strings of petai or stink beans (Parkia speciosa). From here to Bidor, Tapah and the road to Cameron Highlands, we will see many such stalls. Orang Asli people harvest the crop, sell it themselves or through local traders.
Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f11, 1/200 sec.
A Hindu shrine guarding a Chinese cemetery in the outskirts of Slim River. What was even more interesting was that the burial grounds had both Taoist and Christian tombstones mixed together. Quite unusual.
I suspect there is also a Hindu or Indian burial ground nearby. I can see what looks like a funeral pyre.
Waited for a lighting strike but it didn’t happen at where I pointed the camera. I was the only living soul around and the atmosphere was getting a little creepy. Could hear howling dogs but I can’t see where they are.
Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f13, 1/320 sec.
At one glance, Rumah Rehat Slim River looks like a charming hippie commune from the flower power days. Only thing missing is a VW Kombi with psychedelic colours.
Unlike other government rest houses from colonial days, this one is relatively recent. The reception clerk told me it was built in the 1960s.
The motel-style chalets are on stilts, clustered on a big lawn with nice countryside surroundings as a backdrop. I think I’ll stay here for this part of the journey.
Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f4, 1/1000 sec.
Near the entrance to Slim River town is a Taiping Lake Gardens-style park. Love the majestic trees and serene lake view. Officially, the park is known as Taman Tasik YDP.
Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f9, 1/125 sec.
To tell the story of Federal Route 1, one must note the historical significance of this segment of the route.
Not many will remember, care or even know this. The first tolled highway wasn’t the North-South Expressway. It was this road between Tanjung Malim, Behrang and Slim River.
Built in 1966, the toll booths collected 50 sen from cars. The amount was a lot during its time and it was also perceived by many as mere widening and straightening of the existing Federal Route 1.
The Slim River Highway was indeed a very modest highway, especially when you are now comparing it with today’s 8-lane expressways. Still, in its time, it was an improvement over the nightmarish narrow and winding road that was crowded out by heavy vehicles.
Toll collection stopped in 1994 with the opening of the North-South Expressway.
Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 125, f13, 1/250 sec.
