I’ve ever only gone to Putrajaya for work but this morning, my friends and I popped by one of the taman-taman awam in the area, namely Putrajaya Perdana Park in Precinct 1. There are quite a number of other tamans there – a botanical garden, wetlands, agricultural park and the hutan rimba – but we decided on PPP mainly to check out the jogging trail and the famed panoramic view (it’s located at the highest point in Precinct 1).
The park was easy enough to find (it’s next to Putrajaya Shangri-La). Upon arrival, we are greeted by a wondrous sight: an almost empty parking lot. I get a sense of déjà vu – a number of the places we go to also tend to be quite empty. I’m beginning to wonder if we’re the only nerds in Klang Valley who wake up so early to do this sort of thing on a weekend. Probably.
Ah, welcome to the park and here’s a long list of regulations. There are many things you’re not allowed to do here: cannot panjat any of the pokok, cannot throw stones or sticks, cannot pee into the pool or take a shower anywhere in the park, cannot start a bonfire, cannot fly kite, cannot bring your carpet here to wash and cannot bring dog (but can bring horse; such harsh double standards). With great disappointment, I rolled up my carpet and put it back into the car. Looks like carpet-washing Saturday will now have to wait till Sunday.
Walking past the entrance, we’re immediately ushered down a wide path landscaped with trees and water fountains to the Mercu Tanda right at the end. We are the only ones here at this point – the foreign workers there outnumber us 2 to 1. They’re there painting the seats, picking up dead leaves, cleaning the place and in general, gawking at us like they never see people before. Maybe they think we’re Japanese tourists or something.
And this is the grand landmark: the Mercu Tanda, which symbolises the beginnings of Putrajaya. It’s a time capsule, you know.
Go past it and you’re led to one of the highest grounds in the city where you can enjoy a panoramic view of practically the whole of Putrajaya. There are telescopes available and it’s a really great view too. Apart from this though, what strikes me is how quiet the city is – which to me is weird for a Saturday morning. It’s so still it’s almost like looking at a painting. I don’t see a single person down there. The only movement is from one bus and two cars on the road. Where’s the hustle and bustle of a vibrant city? Where’s the energy? The vibe? Oh well. Maybe Putrajaya folks are not morning people.
I really like the jogging trails here and there are plenty in this 158-acre very beautifully landscaped park. I read somewhere that of the many jogging routes here, the longest one is 1.5km. Yes, I’m aware I should have discovered this on my own instead of getting it from some other source but truth be told, I suck at gauging distance … just as much as I suck at reading those really big maps you get at the gas station.
At some point, along the jogging trail, we see a Kembara ambling towards us. I remember the big blue regulations sign out front expressly saying that “vehicles are not allowed on the footpath”. Sigh. So Malaysian. I can see tomorrow’s headlines now: Local Girl Mowed Down By Car In Park.
Farther down the trail, we bump into a car parked right smack on the footpath. It’s empty and the door is open. The driver’s probably jogging somewhere nearby.
We run around until we come to another park attraction: the Megalith Park, a collection of stones brought over from Tampin, Negri Sembilan – our very own mini Stonehenge. Being the semi-camwhore that I am, I take a pic of myself and clean forget to snap one of the prehistoric stones. Oops.
Before we leave, we pay a visit to the ladies. As we’re about to enter, a man with the eyes of a crazed killer armed with a mop and bucket comes out. Hmm. Definitely not something you want to see if you’re here in the evening and by yourself.
Anyways, the toilet is thankfully (and surprisingly) clean except that the flush doesn’t work. The flush doesn’t work because there is no flush. This may look like some sort of ashtray in the wall but it’s really where the flush is supposed to be. If you look closely, the pink dot is a hole that you can see through to the outside. Which means somebody on the other side of the wall can look in and you know, see you in there. Eeww.
And oh look, there’s also a hole in the door of that same stall. Why this place got so many holes one? If you ever go there, take my advice, steer clear of the last stall.
All in all, we spent one grand hour at the Putrajaya Perdana Park and my verdict? I like. It’s got enough variety in its routes to keep you going for a while without getting bored. It’s very clean and well-maintained and safe. It’s got ample free parking space. My only beef is that it’s too far from where I am, which means this is probably the one and only time I’ll be coming here. Or maybe I should just move to Putrajaya. After all, as we plainly saw, they could use a few more residents.
