K M Cheng-Travel Journal: May 2022

Monday, May 30, 2022

Malaysia (Covid 19 - Transition to Endemic Phase - My Staycation No 9 to FRIM Forest Skywalk, Kepong Botanic Gardens & KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall, Kepong. Kuala Lumpur) Sunday May 29 2022

Kepong Botanic Gardens, Taman Eshan
Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

FRIM Forest Skywalk
Kepong Botanic Garden
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall, Jalan Kepong
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

" My Staycation No 9 (Transition to Endemic Phase) free & easy visit to Forest Skywalk, Taman Botanic Gardens & KL Tzu-Chi JIng Si Hall, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday May 29 2022 (07.30 > 12.00) together with my brother Weng travelling by my own vehicle from SS17, Subang Jaya; my 42nd outdoor trip after a National Lockdown (Movement Control Order / Emergency) imposed by the Malaysian Government on May 6 2021 due to a spike in Covid-19 cases; a National Vaccination campaign is currently being implemented by the Malaysian Government (Phase 1 started in Feb 2021), as at Feb 5 2022, a total of 22.9 million individuals or 97.9% of the adult population in Malaysia have completed their Covid-19 vaccinations; Malaysia is now under the Transition to Endemic Phase starting from April 1 2022, an exit strategy that could allow Malaysians to return to near-normal life after nearly over 2 years of battling the pandemic "

My travel buddy: Brother Weng

Travel itinerary: Subang Jaya, Selangor > Kepong Botanic Gardens > KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur > Subang Jaya (approx 60km round trip)

Total expenses incurred: Rm36 (US$8)

- Entrance fees: Skywalk Rm10 + Tower (50m) Rm5

- Petrol: Rm15

- Parking: Rm6

Sunday May 29 2022 - focusing my 3 in 1 visit to Kepong Botanic Gardens, FRIM Forest Skywalk & KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall, Kepong Kuala Lumpur, my last visit to Kepong Botanic Gardens was a decade ago whereas FRIM Skywalk & KL Tzu-Chi were my first time visit; certainly an interesting & exciting outcome for me & my brother on this beautiful Sunday !

1) FRIM Forest Skywalk, Taman Eshan, Kuala Lumpur - managed by Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) located in nearby Taman Botanic Gardens, Kepong, approx 20km from the Kuala Lumpur city, closed on Friday, opening hours 08.30 > 15.30

A morning stroll from Kepong Botanic Gardens Car Park / Front Entrance > FRIM Forest Skywalk (08.00 > 08.20); free admission to Kepong Botanic Gardens, entry to Forest Skywalk for senior citizen is Rm10 (US$2.20), car parking per entry is Rm6.

Monkeys loitering freely inside the Taman Botanic Gardens, just beware !

FRIM Forest Skywalk, Kepong Botanic Gardens - the 250m long Forest Skywalk sits on the perimeter of Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve & consists of 11 metal towers up from 18m up to 50m above the ground & 8 bridges, the highest point is 141m above sea level, the structure was built using aluminium, a loop around the Forest Skywalk takes between 30 to 40 minutes, admission fee (online booking) for adults Rm15 (US$3.30), senior citizens Rm10 (US$2.20), entry to Tower No 5 (50m) Rm5 (US$1.10) + submission of a health declaration form !

FRIM Forest Skywalk - Ticket Counter & Front Entrance

Online Ticket Booking
Senior Citizen Rm10
Rm5 For Entry to 50m High Tower

Forest Sky Walk Brochure

The start of my 40 minutes (09.00>09.40) FRIM Forest Skywalk - walking up the metal towers (walking precautionary, slow & steady, step by step, a really thrilling experience), 8 bridges & the highest point ie 50m Tower; following strictly the rules / guidelines as advised by the attendants when walking up the metal towers & bridges, my first visit, an interesting & exciting skywalk over a Sunday weekend in my home country, Malaysia !

A panoramic view from the top of the 50m Tower (Rm5 entry ticket, optional), FRIM Forest Skywalk - lush greenery, Kuala Lumpur city & suburban landscape, Botanical Garden lakes etc.

2) Kepong Botanic Gardens - After the Forest Skywalk visit, both of us made another round of leisure morning walk (10.00>10.45) along the lakeside to enjoy the fresh cool air & admire the beautiful landscape & greenery; as it was a Sunday weekend, there was a good turnout of visitors with family members including children taking a stroll, running & simple hike in this garden, home to a few lakes & a huge variety of flora & fauna ....

Bukit Lagong as viewed from the Kepong Botanic Garden

Herbal Garden & the surrounding, Kepong Botanic Gardens

Bamboo Garden, Kepong Botanic Gardens

Flower Garden, Kepong Botanic Gardens

Ginger Garden, Kepong Botanic Garden

3) KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall (renovation in progres), Jalan Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - a global Buddhist charity NGO founded by Master Cheng Yen of Taiwan to promote charity, medicine, education & humanistic culture, Tzu Chi Malaysia has branches in Penang, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor & Kedah; my 1st time visit.

The Origin of Tzu Chi (1961) - a small wooden hut behind the Pu Ping Temple, Hsiulin Township, Hualien, Taiwan; a humble beginning ! A replica of this hut is now in exhibit in Tzu-Chi Malaysia; during the early days, Tzu-Chi had very few resources, however, they were able to sustain themselves by working hard, living frugally, & enduring much hardship !

Makan Makan (Eating) Sunday May 29 2022 - after the Kepong visit, I headed home & had a beef noodle lunch (a treat from brother Weng) in a Taiwan Beef Noodle stall at a coffee shop located in SS19, Subang Jaya, Selangor

Beef Noodle Rm11 (US$2.50)

Makam Makan (Eating) Sunday May 22 2022 - attended my niece (Joanna) & Esmonde's wedding dinner in EQ Kuala Lumpur Hotel (previously Hotel Equatorial), Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur; congratulations to the bride & bridegroom & I wish them a very happy marriage life for many years to come !