My adventures in the haunted Kellie’s Castle, Perak
Where would one go in the quiet tin-city state of Perak? The popular White Steamed Chicken (白斩鸡), Bean Sprout Chicken (芽菜鸡) and Curry Chicken Bread (咖哩面包鸡) stands firm for all food lovers. *I suddenly feel so smart putting the Chinese characters in but in actual fact, I can’t read a thing FML*
But disregarding our love for food, my folks and I decided to visit a quiet and serene spot yet highly frequented by foreigners in Batu Gajah, Perak. That’s about 20 minutes drive from the Ipoh town. It’s a well-known abandoned mansion called the Kellie’s Castle
It was built in 1915 and the construction was abandoned in 1926
WERE THEY TOO LAZY?
The unfinished, ruined mansion (initially called the Kellas House) was built by a Scottish planter named William Kellie Smith. According to certain accounts, it was a gift for his wife. Why does everyone seem to build architectural wonders for their wives?
Pretty ain’t it?
It’s a mixture of Moorish Revival and Indo-Saracenic influences
Hmm. Sounds like a good idea, my future husband better get an army of contractors, property developers, architects, construction workers and land owners to construct a ziggurat for me… in red. Or erect a Quadruplet Tower for me to replace the KLCC Twin Towers *hints*
Truth be told, they weren’t lazy at all. They all died of an epidermic called the flu. A virulent strain of the Spanish flu spread from Europe to Asia soon after World War I ended in Europe, killing many of the workers in the Kellas Estate, including 70 altogether.
In the end, Kellas House, later known as Kellie’s Castle or even Kellie’s Folly to some, was never completed. William Kellie Smith himself died of pneumonia during a short trip to Portugal in 1926. His heartbroken wife decided to pack up and return home to Scotland selling the estate and Kellie’s Castle to a British company
Unfortunately, I hadn’t existed back in 1926.
If I did, he *could* have sold it to me wtf
So we loitered all around the castle, from the dining area, the hall, the bedrooms, the wine cellars, the basement, the rusty metal unfinished elevator (which was off limits btw), the kitchen, the ballroom, the room which I reckon resembles a dungeon LOL, the store room and many others.
There are no safety fences or barricades!
But nevertheless, I eventually succeeded in making mom sit at the ledge! Apart from cajoling and persuading her with logical reasons that she won’t fall flat on her face 100 metres down to the foot of the castle, I eventually dragged her to sit beside me
See mom? It ain’t so bad after all
On another note : If I didn’t jump accurately, I might have landed
100 metres below on the grass instead *gulps*
BY THE WAY.
This is the best photo of mom I’ve ever taken. Truly depicts her inner soul! That high-flying corporate woman swamped with work at her desk totally needs to let down her hair and jump for joy! Literally. heh.
Soon after that, I came across a relatively deserted part of the castle – The Corridor. There were hardly anyone there but I just HAD to walk in. They say curiosity may kill the cat, but I say no fear, because I have two! Wtf.
And each cat has 9 lives so I’m pretty much invincible unless I get killed 18 times.
According to many claims, Willam Kellie Smith’s spirit was seen
hovering around this specific corridor, many a time
We climbed to the 3rd floor, where the rooftop courtyard for parties were initially planned to be. Hmm.. maybe if I were to celebrate my 21st birthday there, Kellie would pay me an eerie visit as my birthday present. Now, wouldn’t that be nais
I loved the breathtaking view
How sad! If they ever did manage to complete it, the Kellie’s Castle would already be known for their indoor Tennis court and an elevator (the 1st in Malaysia back then).
It was already so popular as an incomplete mansion in the leading London dailies, I wonder how it will soar in fame should it be completed one day?
But if a wonder is meant to be, it will be. Kellie’s Castle is now a popular local tourist attraction and was used as a setting in the 1999 film Anna and the King. And of course, a perfect place to camwhore, be it with the family, friends or significant other!
Or all by yourself, if you please!
You might just see things we didn’t
*winks*
Say something? Leave a comment below!
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on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 11:53 am and is filed under Art, Culture, Family, Observations/Sights/Sounds, Photography, Travels/Holidays.
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jess , next time you should go the the underground room .. bring a torch along
:angeldream:
Ewww that one I have no guts to go in!! ahahahahah
got all the cobwebs and the rusty chains too.. and it's freaking dark! scary shit.
Why do you Malaysian girls like to jump all the time and snap pics? I don't see that here in the West.
no fair U should got there at night jess?
haha, nice pict of your mom!
i hate u jess..u make me look like a lunatic!!!!!! i know u wl sure come up wif some cruel mischief.
Ei, its just open like that free for anyone to explore? So nice wan…
Tempted to go to the underground room d… Wanna go hon? ^_^
ur mom is the coolest mom ever!!!!!!!
love everything here!!!
MKL
lets see if u can get a jumpshot right
i srsly hv no idea. BUT U SHOULD TOTALLY TRY!
Spectre
Yeah I agree! If i have the guts to do it I will
Angry Mom
Hey, ur awesome and u know it, look at my readers complimenting you mom! *hugs* Smile! U rock like that ya know? 
LOL i didnt MAKE u look like a lunatic, momsies. I just took the picture of what's happening
Josh
ahahaa
no its not free love. There's an entrance fee. If im not wrong it's less than 20bucks. LOL underground room with all the cobwebs, dustmites and *perhaps* skeletons wtf. u still want?
Ivan Pang
yes i know!! I'll make sure she sees this. thanks alot
It's an interesting place. Not far away is a Hindu temple, and they included Mr. Kellie into some of the little statues on the roof
yup, i know the temple!
well i guess they also introduced mr. kellie there partially becos his mansion/castle has some form of Hindhuism influences and it also constructed as a tribute to their god if im not wrong 
nice trip you have there and it doesnt seem eerie after all.
maybe you should do somehting like haunted relau mansion trip LOL
hehee yeah! cos i went in the afternoon
and LOL that relau mansion confirm haunted one right? DONT WANT!! 
unless a big group goes w me wtf
aiyakz..should go at night again, then snap more photos..see if you see something abnormal.
Nice photo of ur mum jumping. hahahaha
hehe dont want! later become like the movie 'shutter' where u capture the ghost inside ur cam or some bullshit lidat
ya never know! hehe
jess, u know chinese? haven't been to this place although visited ipoh for 100 times…..hahahaha
moving to new domain?
Thanks for sharing such a nice place to visit. If I ever go to Ipoh, then I will try and visit this place. Well I like the part where your mum jumped in mid air taking photo. Nice.
Regards from cr3ap
http://cr3ap85.blogspot.com/
hahah now i know where u get the pics from for ur header..
and i like tat jumping shot of ur mom! she's so sporting!
Iyouweblog
Stay tuned lol
nohhh i dunno at all! How sad. LOL. Btw you shud totally go visit, the next time u go to Ipoh. Yup, moving
Cr3ap
Yeah, at first she didnt want to but in the end she was sporting enough to!
no problem. I'm glad I did
WenPink
Smart LOL! Yeahhhh she jumped a few times and got it right! Yay for her!
ahahahhaha
Just drop by to say hi , and its a nice pic there …… haha ……
wow! at her age,yr mum is stil able 2 jump n looks gud…it proves that gravity has nt taken its toll on her, u r d luckiest gal wif d coolest mum, ive been 2 d castle b4 but i dun rmber it bein so awesome, keep us updated wif more local interestin places k
Hi, first time here! Coming from IMCurtain!
Oh, I haven't been to Kellie's Castle before. So saw any real ghosts or not? : )
aunty….now i know where your daughter got her hyperactive-ness
Jack Ng
and thankssss
hi
peterpan
hahaaha. and sure thing, will keep u guys updated
yup totally! she's damn young at heart! Can pass off as my sister yo
foong
no wor. dont have. i went in the afternoon! hehe
Chris
ahaahaahhahah good one
good!!!
did you like it ???