January 04, 2004

Hide the whipper-snipper

Ipoh, Malaysia

On the way to the Cameron Highlands I had a few hours to kill in the non-descript town of Ipoh. Rather than sit at the bus station I decided to hire a taxi to go to Kelly's Castle, a large manor house built by an English tin merchant at the turn of the century. Unfortunately he had died on a trip back to Europe and the house was never completed. It was soon forgotten and was gradually reclaimed by the jungle.

In the fifties it was rediscovered but remained largely unknown for many years. Accounts spoke of hacking through the jungle to reach the overgrown site.

It was with these tales in mind that I eagerly approached the castle but time had not been kind to my image. In the ensuing years a major road had been built right out front, the jungle had been cleared, the vines removed, and the lawn was freshly mown. What remained was a rather dull, half-finished building.

I was a little disappointed.

Posted by David at January 4, 2004 10:22 PM