Hot Spring Hunting (Part I)

I browsed the internet a few days ago, looking for interesting places to visit in Hulu Selangor during this long holiday. I don't feel like going to well known places like Templer's Park, Hutan Lipur Kanching and Hulu Yam as these places must be swarmed with people. Luckily, I found some info of a hot spring in Batang Kali. Even if I didn't find any information from the internet, I'm banking on one hot spring signboard I saw in Kerling every time I was using the trunk road to exit at Tg. Malim toll. For those who have no idea where Kerling is, have a look at this map. So now, I have two hot springs to find.

The trip to Kerling from my place is only about 25 minutes, driving at 70-80kmph, well within the speed limit. I couldn't believe it myself. It feels quite far. Probably because I'm not so sure about the place myself. I know its somewhere along the route to Tg. Malim, but the place is not that familiar to me. So off we go. The hot spring is only about 5km from the main road and it is easy enough to find with the many helpful signboards put up by Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor. We passed by a village where the majority of the population is Chinese and Indian. The leftovers of fire crackers can be seen in front of most houses.

The road is quite narrow and part of the road was not tarred. It was covered with loose rocks so you have to be more careful with your tires. I wonder how that can be because after about 1km, the road is tarred again, until we reach the spot. I don't know what to expect actually and I totally didn't expect a beautiful river with cool and refreshing water near a hot spring spot. The basic amenities were there but it’s not properly kept. Rubbish are strewn everywhere and I can see some abandoned fire place left by campers. I think the only reason the place didn't get worse is it's not quite well known so not many people come for a visit.

I get into the river and what joy to see the clear water. I have the picture to prove it. It really is very cool and inviting. I couldn't say the same about the hot spring though. The hot spring pool is quite small and dirty. When I reach the place, there are about 6-7 half naked men enjoying the water, sitting Buddha style in the waist level water (if you're sitting), and displaying Buddha style tummy. OK I exaggerate. The men wears shorts but they really have Buddha style tummy and I feel they are eyeing me with curiosity, wondering whether I'll join them. No way am I going to get into the water with them. There are also a few kids playing in the dirty water. So I ended up taking the picture of a part of the pool on my way back, leaving the men out. Luckily some of them has leave the water so one section of the pool is clear (from men that is). I'm quite disappointed with the hot spring. Luckily the beautiful river kind of off set the minuses there.


Click on the photos for larger image