Moonlit Wanderer: Exploring the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) Gopeng, Perak

I have some questions for you guys. Ok, now, can you imagine an image of an RC (radio-controlled) car? Got it? Then, try to think of an image of your favourite car-like Autobot from the Transformers Universe. Still with me? Finally, combine both images in your head into one. Are you done?

Well, I’m just trying to make a point; the name RTC gave me that same mental image. Yours could vary though…with added decoration of cute pinky flowers, or it became a destructive monster truck…depending on your mood and mental stability of the day.

Before RTC Gopeng, Perak, both Tapah R&Rs (Bound for north and south) were my favourite pit stops. The Shell station for the petrol refill, clean facilities like the ‘surau’ (prayer room) & restroom, and the huge selection of fruits/fruit cuts, were a few reasons why we chose the R&R. But, the downside is, the R&R could be a bit congested with people during festive seasons / school holidays. The traffic would be so massive, to the extent that a long line-up of cars stretched far before the exit to the area during last year’s Chinese New Year. Hope they didn’t ‘suffer’ much before using the toilets.

Earlier this year, we dropped by to RTC Perak to use the restroom. It was not the school holiday, nor any festive season, so the place was lack of people. We managed to take our time to appreciate the new venue. The modern restrooms were very new and clean; something that one will really appreciate, after experiencing the trauma-induced public toilets in KL.

The restrooms were so clean

Mirrors - JT

Empty

Saying goodbye to RTC..will we meet again?

We visited the RTC again last weekend. There were lots of cars and people around, as it was the school holiday. It was the extreme opposite to the almost 28 Days’ London-like venue earlier this year. There were sellers of multiple sorts; fruits, delicacies (local & middle-eastern), and etc. The restaurants were alive with people. A lot of people ate ‘Nasi Kandar’ (rice with curry and side dishes), ‘Rojak Singapore’ (a mixture of veges, fried fritters, peanut sauce, and etc) and ‘sizzling mee / noodles’ that day.

We planned to buy something for lunch there. But the queues were long, the venue was crowded, plus it was a hot day. I saw a family with a set of KFC meals at one of the tables. So, we decided to have KFC for lunch.

...apparently we did!

We had Pekan Rabu as an alternative choice. So, we passed through this area....emotionless.

Apparently we were late for the wet markets

Lunch in session

Agro Mall...with Mydin inside

People can never go hungry here

Throughout the journey to KFC on foot, we were quite surprised to see that the RTC is quite a big venue. We walked through the Agro Mall, went past some empty spaces and another food court, till we managed to find the restaurant. It was indeed a long walk. It felt funny afterwards...for travelling long distances, just to eat something that is available anywhere and everywhere back home, rather than trying the local delicacies. But, we were in a hurry...so, anything goes.

Come to think of it...what ARE the popular local delicacies of Perak? :O

After buying lunch (KFC plus other things), we went straight back to our car. It was a 40mins stop.