I had camped there for nearly 3 times with my friends, enjoying the nature. My friends and me used to create our own song during the camp called "Thrash Tupah", a lyricless and coherence melody, sang repeatedly with Kapok guitar, sitting on the stone, looking stone. Looking stone only , but we didn't do drugs. By then, we were already 1Malaysia. Malay, Indian, Chinese. We camp, we ate , we swam, we fish and we slept together, without feeling any prejudice to each other. We shared stories that I believe not many Malaysians have heard before. Imagine, three major races talking about their cultures, sub-cultures, stories like that. Undercover stories and stuffs like that. Who dares to share now openly? So if Datuk Najib wants to find icon for 1Malaysia, I have a group of friends who pioneered this spirit, more than 20 years ago. We were taught about this concept while we were in Scouts. Scouts are brothers, regardless of race, religions or your skin colors. As simple as that. It is just not about acceptance, we simply live together.
Today, I took my kids to this place. And my parents whom always like sight-seeing, joined our simple picnic. Few weeks back, I promised my kids a swimming pool kind of vacation but anyhow we went to Cameron Highlands. What a pretty screw up trip ! Reached CH around 11pm, no vegatables to cook (already late , 11pm, all shops almost close). Took off the next morning after having had one of the most expensive breakfast "gerai type " food in Malaysia. So, this trip to Tupah, a day before Ramadhan is meant to give them the chance to get wet in a pool as promised. Without having to pay for a 4 stars hotel rate of course.
After 20 years, of course, I wouldn't put a high hope for this place. Understood the urbanization process. Anyhow, not much of an urban area. Just a UITM campus built nearby, many years ago. One thing for sure is that the green jungle scenery is now like 50 percent dissapeared. After clearing I dont see much progress or development. Not sure what is the purpose of clearing the trees. I do see a work in progress for some sort of water conservation project. Just a walking distant from our picnic spot today. Earlier, we drove to the end of the road towards the army camp. Not many shops were in business. We were looking for the famous Rojak or Laksa but none were available. Only some "goreng pisang" and ice-cream hawkers. I nearly break something at the bottom side of my car while ascending on a very steep slope. I was trying to search for a more suitable picnic spot. Away from the Mat Rempit groups (wild motorbikes riders).
Like any other recreational park, Tupah is a symbolic area for those who love nature. It is a place where nature brings together friends and my family. Unfortunately my kids today couldn't really see the actual serenity and the green forest as what I have seen in the past. The water now is also flowing slowly and lesser compare to the past. Rubbish are everywhere like nobody business.
And today, most people are worry about the water quality and the risk if Leptospirosis disease. Few cases reported out in Kedah district. The mother nature is really frustrated with us. On the way back to Sg Petani, I saw a big billboard next to the Sg Petani Utara highway entrance. The message reminds the people about the need to take a good care of our tourist attraction centers. Which include the recreational park of course. Both public and authority should play a more vital role in preserving the nature.
Link to for details of this place.
http://northern.malaysianaturalheritage.com/?p=149
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