FIRST TIME VISITORS TO KELLIE'S CASTLE

It is the school holidays now. So I get to have some time to do some visiting.  For this one week break, I intend to get some official matters done, e.g.  renewing my passport, getting a licence for my dog, getting the electric meter in my Ipoh house changed and sending my income tax form.
However, I will find time to visit some tourist spots as well. Yesterday I managed to go and visit Kellie's Castle with Balqis and Nureen. I had heard that construction work has been done to upgrade the place and was curious to check it out. From what I read in the newspapers, a new tourist information building has been built and will be opened in March. This centre is set to enhance the experience of those visiting the attraction in Batu Gajah. The upgrading works included the creation of more parking bays, and construction of stalls, a mini theatre, surau and toilets within the tourist information building.
This was my second visit to the place.  For the two young ladies, this was the first time for them and they were really enthusiastic about exploring the castle that William Kellie-Smith built. LINK

Information about Kellie's Castle
This castle like mansion was intended by Kellie-smith to be the hub of social life for the area's wealthy colonial planters and administrators. A grand mansion with a six-storey tower, wine cellar, stately columns. Moorish arches and walls embellished with Greco-Roman designs. There was to be a rooftop courtyard for parties and even an elevator, the first of its kind in the country. But the building was never to be completed. Work halted in December 1926 with the sudden demise of its owner, William Kellie-Smith. The estate on which it was situated was sold and the unfinished mansion soon surrendered itself once to the jungle.
LINK

Auntie Li Na and Nureen Wafa

 The 3 visitors to Kellie's Castle

 Nureen posing for a picture on the steps leading to the castle

The river in front of the castle

In 1915 with the birth of a son and heir, Kellie-Smith laid the foundation stone to his second mansion which we now refer to as Kellie's Castle.

 Me along the corridors of the castle which is purported to be haunted

 Balqis and Nureen posing along the corridor

 The wine cellar

Balqis reading the information about a room in the castle

 A view of the rooftop courtyard from one of the rooms on the fourth floor

The girl gingerly stand at the edge of the rooftop courtyard of the castle to take a look at what is below

Kellas House was built by Kellie in 1909.  It was his first mansion.