Went to Rimbun Dahan today, which is the home of Angela Hijjas and Hijjas Kasturi at Kuang in Selangor. The house is set in 14 acres of indigenous Southeast Asian plants. We had a tour of the garden which includes forest species, the herb garden, and wetlands.
The garden was fascinating as there was so much to see. The only drawback was that the mosquitoes were horrendous and in vast swarms, despite the fact we were all plastered in repellant. Some of the big trees have been struck by lightning. One area had been left to grow wild without being controlled, so that Angela could see what was appearing in this patch.
Some trees have towns named after them, e.g. Ipoh, Petaling, Kemunting.
bark of Parashorea densiflora -
new leaves curled up
palm with berries
What are they looking at -
Wetlands
Main house
guest house
lily & lotus
betel palms
Hindu statue
The herb garden, Taman Sari, has a great mix of fragrant, medicinal and culinary plants used traditionally in the region, as well as some organic vegetables. The entrance has a cluster of betel nut palms,
Areca catechu. Although the betel nut palm has given its Malay name, Pinang, to the island of Penang, it originates from (Java?). There were nutmegs which come from
the Moluccas, various gingers and many other plants seen and used in Malaysian kitchens.
nutmeg
Alocasia sanderana
Alocasia sanderana
Selaginella
kanthan ginger
Begonia
Pitcher plants
Hindu statue
orchid
misai kuching
aloe vera
okra flower
pepper
betel palms
nutmeg
mace and nutmeg
Ipoh tree
banana and insects feeding
Alocasia -
Alocasia seeds
Petaling trees
Kemunting shrub
We were also able to see the century old kampong house, Rumah Uda Manap, which came from Parit in Perak, and is thought to have been the home of Maharaja Lela or at least his family.
The house has a mix of Chinese decoration and Malay architecture.
In addition there is a newly restored Anglo-Malay cottage from Penang.
Window in cottage -
Mace lace wallpaper in bedroom
Thief in action!
Lady of the house
old house, modern mast
We saw the artists gallery and collection of classic cars. The Morris Minor was my favourite.
The compound of Rimbun Dahan is a centre for developing traditional and contemporary art forms. We went to the underground gallery and saw an exhibition of the work of the artists who have been in residence for the last year: Samsuddin Wahab, Monika Behrens and Rochelle Haley.
Fat Cat painting
Little Dragon Ladies -
skeleton and reflection
3 skeletons
by Samsudin Wahab
Water cascade
The main house and other modern buildings were designed by Hijjas Kasturi.
Thanks to Angela for a great tour, and for providing refreshments at the end.
For more info, see Rimbun Dahan,
© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission
