Walking is even more of a necessity that usual at the moment. We have a sick family member in the UK, and at times like these, we feel a very long way away.

Walking is calming, we find, as well as supportive of the low-carb and keep-healthy-because-no-insurance situations.

Various combos of Jalan Padungan, the riverfront, Reservoir Park, and the Jalan Carpenter area are always good stalwarts. But for the times when you want a change, here are some different routes:

1.
This one's a new circuit for us. It's relatively short and very rewarding in either direction.

Heading south on Jalan Tabuan, you go past the Lim Fah San monastery and temple (popping in if you've not been before).








Turn right on to Jalan Batu Lintang. At the junction with Jalan Bukit Hantu ("ghost hill road"), there are two temples, both worth a look.








Continue to the junction with Jalan Bampfylde, where you turn right at the papaya orchard. (This road is named after Charles Agar Bampfylde, who served the government of the second Rajah of Sarawak from 1875 to 1903. He also co-authored A History of Sarawak under Its Two White Rajahs, in collaboration with Sabine Baring-Gould, who dabbled in all sorts of things, and penned the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers.)


On your right is the beautifully situated building of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia, followed by some fine houses.


2.
I've mentioned the Taman Botani already, but the other day we did this walk in reverse (starting with the ferry, and re-crossing the river via the bridge). I really love this quiet, lush place, full of bird song and soft air.







This time we called in again at the Orchid Garden. This was our third visit this year. "We won't see anything new this time," we warned ourselves. But we did... So many new ones... Plus all kinds of other beautiful things. You can't help but be awed by the infinite inventiveness of nature.












3.
I've talked about Jubilee Recreation Park several times. It's another tried-and-tested objective, and if, once you've done your circuit of the various bits, you carry on to the river and Petanak Market, you end up with really quite a decent walk.









At the moment, I think walking is the only thing that keeps me sane.