In the fever and agitation of modern life, the need of escapism and physical repose impresses itself on tired souls who desire to have a short retreat and get back to nature. The purpose of a short retreat, is to temporarily leave behind the usual distractions we all face for a time long enough to allow relaxation and spiritual rejuvenation to happen. Unfortunately for us all, especially for those who lives in the city, does not exactly have the luxury to get away from daily routine or work commitment long enough to travel to exotic places for some undisturbed R&R. One way to solve this issue is to travel domestically or in your own residential state and go to nearby places for an undisturbed retreat.
To be honest, I didn’t exactly know much places that I can go for a short retreat with my family, that’s in the vicinity of my home state, but I recently discovered that Selangor have plenty of hidden paradise. One of it is Eco Murai Rimba. Here’s sharing with you my family’s 2D1N experience in Eco Murai Rimba with friends from Tourism Malaysia Selangor.
Eco Murai Rimba is a secluded Bed & Breakfast place located somewhere by the riverside in Batang Kali, Selangor. It takes about just 45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur.
My son AlienGoTravel and I were particularly impressed when we were greeted with this beautiful view upon arrival. The feeling can be likened to walking into the lush forest and stumbling upon a beautiful white cottage in the midst of it. As a romance novelist, I would fairly describe it as stepping straight into an intimate world of undiscovered romance.
Stepping beyond the white picket fence, we were treated to this beautiful view of colourful cottage. If my memory serves me right, have a total of 9 rooms here. Each of the room is named Murai 1-9 respectively. Each of these Murai rooms could comfortably accommodate 2 person.
Here is where my family and I stayed for a night last month. Our room was Murai 6, the one with sky blue door. The sight of it is very homey and cozy. There is even a pair of small rattan chair in front of the room for lazing purpose. Couples, lovers and even honeymooners would ubdoubtly appreciate this. I know my husband and I did. 🙂
Our room was pretty much basic and clean. True to it’s eco retreat theme, the room does not come with any entertainment unit, which I greatly appreciate. It would definitely spoil the mood for a complete R&R if there was an idiot box in there.
Our room comes with a cozy Queen sized bed. The additional mattress was prepared upon request to accommodate my son AlienGoTravel. There was no bathroom ensuite. The bathroom and restroom is located outside and is public sharing.
Apart from the Murai rooms, there’s this small cottage that could accommodate 4-8 person in it. Very beautiful and romantic sight, don’t you think? A small cottage with white picket fence and pretty hanging flower plants in a pot at the front door.
Back view of the cottage shows that there is even a small balcony facing the riverside attached to it.
View from the small balcony
Here is the interior to the cottage. Perfect for a night stay with your family.
Refreshments were prepared for us upon arrival just right outside of our rooms.
Traditional cakes and Eco Murai’s special welcome drink was served.
This is Eco Murai Rimba’s specialty drink that’s usually served to guests. It’s known as Murai Rimba drink, a refreshing concoction of drinks in ocean blue.
Settling down for teatime
Enjoying our snacks and refreshments.
Our host also prepared some BBQ for for dinner, and since it’s still long time to go before dinner, it’s free and easy chillax time. Some of us decided to go for a swim in the river while some decided to just relax at the common area.
There is a common lazing area with comfortable bean bags for you to lay on. The best part of it, it is facing the riverside and you could be easily lulled with the sound of the river.
It wasn’t long before we flocked the common area.
Being city people, I guess we couldn’t resist clinging to our smartphones.
But I’m glad to report, we found other modes of entertainment besides going online, and not before long, the place was filled with singing and the sound of music.
Lazing around
Night fall at Eco Murai Rimba
If I thought it was very cozy and welcoming during the day, then the nights in Eco Murai Rimba is romantically beautiful.
Our table, with candlelight and all.
Yes. This is a picture of a romantic place.
BBQ dinner being prepared
And it’s time to dig in. One thing about Eco Murai Rimba is that it doesn’t have a planned activities for you, so you will have to come out with your own program or games to keep yourselves entertained throughout your stay here. We didn’t have much to do, but luckily for us, our friends from Tourism Malaysia Selangor are a creative bunch. And during our 2D1N stay there, they came out with plenty of games and things to do.There were lucky draws, best costumes and singing session that night.
And guess what? They asked me to sing. Yes. Of all the things, they asked me to sing! Gosh. Really not my forte, and I believe I actually croaked than sing but my performance earned me a standing ovation that night. Well, sort of.:P It was not because I sang well and astounded everyone present but because I was really unprepared for a public performance and panicked. The only song I could remember at that moment was Malaysia’s national anthem, ‘Negaraku’. 😉 And so, I sang that and everyone had to stand up and sing along with me out of respect for our beloved country. 😛
We chilled out together that night and had a long session of singing and playing the guitar before retiring for the night. I usually have troubles sleeping at night but apparently, just for the night, Eco Murai Rimba cured me of my insomnia and I slept like a baby. Perhaps, it was the nature factor that lulled me to slumber and morning arrived way too soon.
I woke up at about 8am and was absolutely famished. So I went down with the rest to the dining area where our breakfast awaits while my husband and son slept in awhile longer.
Here’s the kitchen area where meals are prepared for the guests.
Our breakfast was the all time Malaysian favourite; Nasi Lemak and condiments and tumeric fried chicken as the side dish. There were also sliced baguette and butter for those who prefers light meal for breakfast. Sorry. No picture of my breakfast. I was too hungry to even remember to snap a picture of it. Surprisingly, that’s a first too. 😛 There is really something about this place that makes you want to just sit back and connect with nature instead of clinging to technology.
Mr. Libra of Tourism Malaysia Selangor, chilling out with us at breakfast.
After awhile, one of the owner of Eco Murai Rimba, Mr. Charles Arphutam joined us for breakfast and told us all about Eco Murai Rimba. It would be too long of a story for me to share here, but at the end of the conversation, he offered me and my family a free stay on our next visit so that he could bring us to explore the place more. Well, a promise is a promise and I told him that I’ll take a raincheque and I fully intend to take him up on that one. 😉 One night stay in Eco Murai Rimba is definitely not enough. At least to me it is not enough.
My view, from the dining area.
This is, my kind of paradise.
I was obviously enjoying my breakfast and breathtaking view before me, but my cheeky friends decided to start swimming in the river without me.
Will you just look at that cheeky face. 🙁 Being a foodie and quite a glutton, I was naturally planning on a second helping of Nasi Lemak but they keep tempting me to join them.
I had no choice but to quickly finish off my meal and drag my husband and son with me to the river and join in the fun. The food will have to wait. 🙁
Warning sign spotted. 🙂 Swim at your own risk.
And so, my husband, my son and I went down to the river and here’s our trademark feet picture. 😛 No shoes on since we were at the riverbed. 😛
The river stream was practically a natural jacuzzi and I decided up give my legs a soothing hydro massage for a lil bit.
And I could see that I wasn’t the only one who utilizes the natural jacuzzi to the fullest. These guys apparently were enjoying it themselves and had their back massaged by the soothing water.
After awhile, I decided to join the ladies and we had some spa session done. 😛 Girls will always be girls and beauty regime is never forgotten, even you’re in the middle of nowhere or in the jungle.
We scrubbed our bodies with the sand from the riverbed and guess what? Our skin became much smoother than before when we washed it off. I kid you not. Thinking back, I ought to have bring back a jar or two of the sand. 😛
Like mother, like son. AlienGoTravel scrubbed his body with the sand too.
The pebbles here are all so lovely and I was tempted to bring some home, but my husband told me not to. According to him, we’re not supposed to bring anything back from the river, in case there is a spirit in it. Quite ridiculous to me, but I wasn’t going to argue. The notion of bringing ‘weird things’ back does not appeal much. 🙁
One moment in peace at the river before water fight ensues.
Splashing around in the river
But it doesn’t last long, as everyone started to feel cold and were absolutely famished.
But we did not have enough of the river, so we decided to have a picnic by the riverside with half our bodies still in the water.
Nothing gourmet.
Just some bread with canned chicken curries and canned sardines. They are instant food that I usually will not touch unless under emergency circumstances, but at that moment, it was the best thing ever.
Enjoying our picnic by the riverside.
Time was envious and it’s finally time to get back to reality and say goodbye. So we gathered at the common area for one last time.
Tourism Malaysia Selangor Director Mr. Libra Lee Hanif giving farewell speech
Announcement of the winner for the contest held the night before was made. Token of appreciation in the form of merchandizes as well of certificates were handed to all who were present.
Our host, Charles and Shaun saying goodbye to us.
And here’s one for the album.
Eco Murai Rimba is much more than just a secluded Bed & Breakfast but a hidden paradise.The place is family friendly and it is a must visit place if you are looking for a short eco retreat with your loved ones. Would be great for adventurous honeymooners too.
One room for two with breakfast costs RM150 per night. Charges for extra mattress in the room applies.
For current promotions, room bookings and reservations, please refer to the information below:
Eco Murai Rimba
B66, Jalan Lama Genting,
Sungai Pinang,
44300 Batang Kali,
Selangor.
Telephone:012-2505507 & 014-6355081
Email:[email protected]
Facebook: https://facebook.com/EcoMuraiRimba
Indeed it’s a hidden paradise! 😀 worth checking out for!
Xoxo, FiSh @ http://www.ohfishiee.com
Does the place have a notably big enough site for camps? Prefer to go outdoor and stay in camps rather than stay in a brick and mortar building.
Such an amazing and mother natural place for us to discover! Thanks for your great sharing, gonna hang out with friends or family next time 😉
I’ve not heard of this place before but the cottages are very eye-catching. Outdoor trips are not my cup of tea but I don’t mind going on them once in a blue moon.
Thanks for your sharing~~~
Another place for me to visit next time~~~
The environment is good and the waterfall is so clear~~~
I really love the natural of the environment. Will bring my Little Angels there to explore.
wow this place looks fun. Look Emily is having fun hehe.
What a nice place for a retreat!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Love heading out for the nature!!
haven’t heard of this before but dig the colorful decor and rooms. I love waterfalls will bring this up with my husband for a quick family trip
This is an amazing place! I know Batang Kali have this kind of place from a friend and until now haven’t visit this place! This is good place for short getaway from city!
looks nice and enjoying. now is the time for some cuti cuti msia
Such a fun trip! Its funny that im a KL tourism ambassador, but i havent managed to cover all the parts and hidden beauty of Malaysia. I always appreciate trips that are back to nature. and at night, the place looks really romantic 😀
not sure if my last comment went through.. but hey! retreats are the new vacation 😀
Such a beautiful paradise! Makes me wanna go there too! And not too far from the place I stay.
Wow, such a beautiful and colorful place! 😀 I would like to go there to explore!
Its been a while I go for retreat! Love the nature and the waterfall! So refreshing and cooling!
Such a beautiful place to enjoy the retreat with family and friends. I loved the cottage giving very countryside kind of look.
Okay the room is really REALLY basic haha but I’m loving the vibes from this place! So happy and fresh and energetic!
You guys seemed have so much fun there, such a wonderful idea for family outing activities 🙂
am sure you had a great family outing at this eco murai rimba 🙂 I wanna try their specialty drink and also the natural sand spa to have smoother skin 🙂
Cheers, https://siennylovesdrawing.wordpress.com/
i really wanna go to the waterfalls! this place looks so amazing with the lazing area and how colourful it is.
omg … i love the small cottage, red door with flower decoration ^^
What a relaxing retreat. Near nature! I love the small yet cozy cottages. I too prolly need a retreat soon. *sigh*