Betung, Southern Thailand

It was a 3 days 1 night tour to Betung, Southern Thailand. This place is famous for communist's tunnel - Piyamit Tunnel. This is the main attraction of Betung other than the usual visit of Thai temple. Our mode of transport was a 44 seater bus and we started our journey from Kajang at 10pm. We were expecting to reach the border early in the morning. Our bus is the first to reach the Malaysia immigration and waited for a while for them to open. The border crossing is normally close from 11.oo pm to 6.00 am. After getting our passports stamped at the Malaysian Immigration and the Thailand Immigration . We were introduced to the local guide named Ah Meng, an ex-communist. Most of the Chinese here were once communist. When we reached Betung town, we went for our breakfast and later checked into our hotel. The only 3 star hotel in Betung and later we assembled at the lobby to visit the communist's tunnel. The guide told us that Betung was also confused with Bentong, Pahang and a long time ago when relatives came from China some went to Betung, Thailand and some to Bentong, Pahang. Therefore it is not surprising that there are many relatives on both sides of the border. The organizer had arranged a big 'tut tut' (transport) for us because the roads cannot be access by bus, further more it has to be a 4 WD.

Piyamit Tunnel is the Malaya Communist's base build for bombshells and storing food supplies, the battlefield bases are located on the mountain top in the midst of the deep forests which separates the boundaries of Thailand and Malaysia which includes the area of Yala provinces. The Piyamit Tunnel was build in 1977 with 1 KM in length and 5 - 6 feet wide and it took 3 months for excavation of 50 man. There are 9 entrance/exit paths. To tour the tunnel you need to pay an entrance fee which is not included in the package.

The big "tut tut" which can carry almost 30 to 40 passengers. There are 2 rows at each side and 1 row in the middle. The road leading to the tunnel is narrow and winding and sometimes muddy. There are a few souvenir shops and for those who are not interested to visit the tunnel, you can shop around and take photos. We bought a wood carving with a herd of elephant made from chengal wood which cost us RM90 only. The next stop a visit to a hot spring on the way back to the town and you can buy hard boiled eggs which were cook in the hot sulfur pond (suppose to make you "strong"). Every time when you visit Thailand try their local delicacies such as 'tom yam' soup, chicken feet, desserts and etc. After lunch, we visited their famous garden and temples. Dinner is provided in the hotel with live singing. It was free and easy after dinner. You can walk around town and do some shopping or try the various types of local food. There are many entertainment outlets that provides live band performance, pubs, traditional Thai massage, foot massage and others.

Next morning after breakfast visit the morning market to do some last minute shopping. There are various local products such as coconut candy, biscuit, sweet cakes and glutinous rice dumpling. Check out by 12 noon and proceed to the Thai immigration and later to Malaysia immigration where all baggages are check by the customs so it will take some time. The trip to Betung was an eye opener of sorts as we understand how it came about due to the early communist years. We had our lunch in Ipoh where we shop for our Malaysian snacks and the famous salted chicken. We reached Kajang almost 10 pm at night. It was a good and affordable trip.

Have fun and be happy. ☺
This posting by KC

Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia (4095m/13,435 ft). We have heard and read so much about it and when we talk about mountain climbing, this question always been asked "have you climb Mt. Kinabalu?" Some of our friend have scaled it successfully and some have not and some have been there more than one time. Those who don't reach the Low's Peak will be given a black and white certificate. Despite its height it is one of the easiest mountain to climb and even my father (64 years old) got a color certificate, so it is "sap sap sui" (easy).

On Oct 2004, we decided to scale this beautiful mountain. I won't call it a camping trip because no heavy backpack to carry, no need to pitch tent and not many uphill and downhill to reach the peak. That is the reason for thousands of all ages and fitness levels scale it every year. We booked 2 air tickets from Air Asia during the offer period at RM230 per person (to and fro) and book our stay for Laban Rata (base camp just before the peak) through telephone. We reach Kota Kinabalu one day earlier and stayed overnight at one of our friend's house (Catherine Ringingon) and she is Kadazan. Next morning she and her assistant drove us to the Kinabalu National Park headquarter where our climb started (1563M/5163ft). October to December is the raining season and it was raining all week but luck await us, it stop raining on the day of our arrival and started raining after our climb. Our plans were to abort if it rains at the Laban Rata base camp
After the registration and paying the necessary fees, Catherine R. sent us to the Timpohan gate (1800m/5900ft), entry point to start of climb and agreed to pick us the following day after the decent.

The walk to Laban Rata hut can be accomplished in 3 to 6 hours and it must always be accompanied by a registered guide. Our guide name is Dawat, he share his experience as a porter before qualifying as a guide. Being porters they can carry baggages weighing between 40-60 kilos. Climbing at such high altitude you have to take it easy (you have plenty of time) to avoid high altitude sickness where you will suffer headaches and dizziness. So we took our time to trek up and took many photos. We started around 10am and reach Laban Rata around 2pm. It was bright and cold up there. After checking in and got our heated room which is quart sharing. Laban Rata restaurant provides a la carte food as well as buffet spread. A good advice is to eat moderately. We ordered hot drinks and shared one portion. Later we went out to take sun sets photos. We were advised by our guide to rest early because morning call will be 2am. Throughout the night we could hear some other climbers vomiting (high altitude sickness). The last 800m (2600ft) climb to the summit takes about 2 to 4 hours. It was dark, cold and we were lucky because it was not raining but very windy. If it rains heavily they (guide) will cancel the climb. We need to have our own head lamp or torch lights. The climb was very slow because it was dark and our muscle have yet to warm up. Don't rush and take your time to ascent to avoid altitude sickness. We carry hot 'Milo' (thermo flask) to drink at Low's Peak and after the photo session at the peak we were advised to decent otherwise it will be sunny hot. The last part of the climb is on naked granite rock and we will be guided with ropes. It was advisable not to wonder alone. Took many photos and the especially the gorilla rock face.

When we reach Laban Rata hut, we slept for about 2 hours before descending all the way down to Timpohan Gate. We should have stay another night. After 3000m of descending, most climbers will have sore legs (knee joint, foot and toes). When we reached Timpohan Gate it started to rain heavily and we have to wait for a while for a van to transport us to the headquarters where the guide will report our successful climb to the Low's Peak and only then the certificate will be given. Later Catherine took us to Poring Hot Springs where we spent a night there. We visited the local Kadazan farmers the next day and had lunch with them and they were surprised to see us able to walk effortlessly after the Mount Kinabalu climb.Our legs felt very sore but bearable. The vegetables here are fresh and tasty. We were served 'Tarap' a local fruit. You must visit the Tamu (open market) where the local farmers will display and sell their farm produced together with other handicrafts. Any visit to Kota Kinabalu (State capital of Sabah) should include Gaya Street which is famous for selling all types of goods ranging from food to local products.

Have fun and be happy!

Rumah Rehat Adeline, Gopeng, Perak

On Sunday 1oth June 2007 we had help to organised a Shaklee Ipoh family day at Rumah Rehat Adeline also known as Adeline Rest House. Rumah rehat Adeline is situated 6KM away from the Gopeng main road. We have been there three years ago when Adeline has not started the rumah rehat resort. We were there to see the rafflesia flower and Raja Brooke butterfly colony. The 4WD ride was 1 1/2 hours and another 1/2 hour walk before we reached the spot where the largest flower species (rafflesia) bloomed. Now three years later her rumah rehat not only provides waterfall and jungle trekking trip, it also provides caving in Gua Kandu, White water rafting, wet abseiling and team building events. Not forgetting her best home cooked local food packages with accommodation. This eco-resort has been featured in many local newspaper for its food and authentic orang asli type of accommodation but you have to enjoy nature minus the luxury of your home like spring mattress, water heater, air condition room, TV & Radio. I would give two thumbs up for this fantastic environement with great food.

Our family day was a one day event package with one tea and one lunch. There were 14 children and 25 adults. We started our team event at 11am. Today we are all boys and girl, not husband and wife, it is a wonderful opportunity to play as children. We have the boys and girls to line up and split them into five teams with 6 members each team. Our team building consist of team members sharing a bit about themselves, brick walk relay, balloon blowing relay and fancy dress with given items. Guess what? One family with 6 members was divided equally in every team, we overheard one young participant said it is a good idea because no matter which team win, one of the family member will definitely be in the winning team. The team building ended at 1pm. We had fried noodles, curry puffs, local "kuih" (cakes) with 'tea tarik' for a light snack. We proceeded to the waterfall, this is just one of the many waterfalls in this area, and in another stream shaped like a natural slide where you can do body rafting. It look fun and dangerous but once you try the short one and gain your confidence, you can try the longer one which is exhilarating, they had fun in the water. We had our late lunch at 4pm and we were served rice with 9 different delicious dishes and also "luk-luk" (skewed food dip in soup and dip with spicy sauce). It was a very satisfying lunch. It started raining and the weather was cool. In this eco resort we practice washing our plates and cups after food. We have prize giving for the winner on team building and some personal sharing from the participants. One participant even shared that it has been a long time that her family had been together with such experiences. together. She has two grown up sons and both in the college. We left Rumah Rehat Adeline at 6pm. We will be organizing another trip there in the month of July 21st and 22nd and expecting to have lots of durian because it is a durian season already.
For your next trip, you can plan to this eco resort by calling KC at +6019-3339825

Gunung Datuk, Negeri Sembilan,

20th May 2007

We have taken a group of friends to Gunung Angsi early this month and when the group asked which is the next gunung? Guest what? The answer is Gunung Datuk. Gunung Datuk (2900') is situated in Negeri Sembilan and it is only 110' higher than Gunung Angsi (2790'). Whenever anyone mentioned Gunung Datuk, they always said the peak has the best 360 degree unobstructed panorama view. Highly recommended for beginner and also an orientation and exposure for beginner before climbing higher mountains.

On Sunday we met up at Senawang Toll in Seremban. It was only a one day trip and our group consist of 10 members, 6 from Kajang and 4 from Klang. Always prepare a name list before hand. Passing Rembau town and drove another 26km and you will find the Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk signboard on the left. Turn left and drive all the way in until you see another sighboard on the left. You will not miss it if you follow the sign closely. When we reached there, while the other members unload their gear, KC went to submit the name list and paid RM3 per person for the climbing permit. KC even weigh everybodys backpack and the weight average 5KG per person. The chief cook ask all the member to carry 1.5L water (excluding self drinking) for cooking and tea 'tarik'. We started trekking at 10am and after 30 minutes of trekking we stopped for a rest and waited for the last member to catch up and he was 'pucak' (pale) when he arrived. He had 'maggie mee goreng tambah pedas' and milo ice for breakfast. Advisible not to take any spicy food stuff before any climb because it will cause indigestion for some people. The trail is a straight forward uphill and steep, the path is wide and visible all the way. Always walk in a group of 2 to 3 and along the way we left some small paper as trail marker especially when there is junction.

We reached the peak at around 11.40am and there were already one camper packing and leaving. So we have the campsite all to ourselves even though it was a weekend. While KC was preparing tea 'tarik' some of us went up to the peak to enjoy the 360 degree panorama view. Today lunch was 'mee fan kuid' (knead flour dough for making noodle). After our yummy! yummy! lunch we started packing and cleaning with tissue paper. Make sure you bring all your rubbish back even empty container. At the peak there is a fiber tank filled with rubbish.

We spent 2 hours at the peak and started decending at around 2pm. Along the way we took some nice photo of wild flower and big, big tree. The trek down was only 1 hour and instead of having our bath in the resort all of us went for a dip in the cold, cold mini waterfall. After the refreshing soak, we decided to have our early dinner at Seremban town at 5pm but to our suprise the restaurant was already packed with people. The restaurant was famous for its claypot 'sang yee' (fish) and the restaurant was also featured in ASTRO .
Have fun and be happy!

This posting by KC

Gunung Angsi, Kuala Pilah, N. Sembilan

On 29th April, a group of friends from Klang,Kajang and Michael from Malacca decided to hike up to Gunung Angsi (2,700 ft.) using a shorter route. Our gathering venue was to be after the Senawang Toll Plaza at about 9.30am. After meeting we head towards Kuala Pilah after passing through Senawang and up the hilly and winding road, just when you approach a big sign "Selamat Datang ke Kuala Pilah" there is parking area on the right. Usually on weekends and holidays many trekkers would walk up to the peak which usually take two hours along this shorter route and there is another route which starts from the Hulu Bendul Recreation Park where the journey would take about three to four hours to reach the peak. As usual being the organiser of the group each was given some food portion for carrying. Each of them have to carry their own drinking water with extra 2.5l of water for making hot drinks (tea tarik and milo). We started our journey at 10.15am. The entry point is just beside the main road and steep climb all the way for about 45 mins. The trail is well marked you won't miss it because almost every weekend many locals will climb up and down. We reach a plateau and there we met a regular climber who call himself "kor low" or tall fella. He has cleared a well kept rest area either to rest and camp for the night. Instead of going up a steep hill there is a old logger trail on the right, follow the logger trail to the end and go straight into trail where both side are covered with high shrubs. If you decided to have a challenging climb, take the steep hill climb and it will meet at the main trail after another 20 mins. Again another climb up for about half hour where you will meet a junction. Both way will also lead you to the peak. An average climber will take less than 2 hours. At the peak we met other groups who were surprise to find that there was a shorter trail.

As usual other group will just munch their snack and bread and relac for half an hour and decent. Normally we will make hot tea tarik and some snack, later hot soupy noodle and lastly hot tea again for the last round. After the eating session we will relax and enjoy the view. This peak is very popular especially during holidays and sometimes they will bring extra water to camp overnight. During the eve of National day or New Year you could catch the fireworks display from afar or just enjoy the night during a full moon night.

After almost 1 hour of rest and relax we will pack and have a group photo. The decent will take and average of 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Upon reaching the car park, there is a small mini reservoir where natural stream water flows in and it is half covered with a green shack, this is where you can wash down or even take a bath the water here. Once everyone had changed to a fresh set of cloths and the first thing on our mind "food", I suggested going for the famous "Hakka Yong Tau Foo" at Mambau town and everyone was gamed for it. The time was about 4.00pm and once we entered the highway through Senawang Toll we got caught in a jam due to road works and finally exited through the Port Dickson Toll about an hour later which normally would take about half an hour. This eatery was once featured in The Star newspaper and it looks like and ordinary shed once you put your teeth in a feeling of satisfaction comes in after burning your calories. Fearful of the traffic jam a further suggestion was that we continue towards Sungai Pelek (small town near to KLIA airport) and stop at this EP Hoon Seafood Restaurant and this time a full 8 course seafood delight. What ever calories we burn now we have triple putting it back on. We part ways, friends from Klang took the coastal road via Tanjung Sepat (fishing village), Banting. And as for Kajang via Sepang-Bangi road.

This posting by KC

Kuantan River Cruise, Pahang, Malaysia

Last Saturday 5th May 2007, the three of us was on a Shaklee business trip to Kuantan - the gateway to east coast of Malaysia. We left Kajang at 10am and stop at Wangsa Maju to have our breakfast with some friends. After breakfast around 11.30am we proceeded to the East Coast Highway through KL Karak highway. We arrived at Kuantan at 2.30pm and delivered one carton of products to our Kuantan friend in Jalan Teluk Sisik. We have our early tea in one of the many Kopitiam in Kuantan and our local friend suggested going for river cruise which many locals have never been. One boat which can carry maximum 20 person and minimum 5 person. There are only 4 of us. We waited for a while and nobody turn up so we ended up paying for 5 person fares (RM15 per adult) The cruise start at 4pm in the late afternoon. Cruising time is around 1 hour 15 minutes. The cruise will take us to the open sea of South China Sea. We enjoy the picturesque view of Kuantan town, beaches and along the Kuantan River the traditional fishing village settlement and one of the few largest reserve mangrove swamp in Malaysia. A bridge was built across to Tg. Lumpur. We have the boat to ourselves and the local guide and our local friend take turn to entertained us with songs. We stop for a 15 minutes mangrove boardwalk. After the boardwalk we proceed back to the jetty.

Time to look for accommodation. Stop at a few hotel to check for best offer. A double bed room normally will cost from RM90 to RM135. We managed to get the best offer for a double bed plus extra mattress for only RM93 and furthermore it is a new hotel. (Hotel Grand City) Our dinner appointment is at 8pm so we have plenty of rest and shower. Tonight dinner is at a halal seafood restaurant. We ate asam fish, tow foo, a vegetable dish and scallop dish located just in front of Citiview Hotel ask any local and you will find the place. After dinner we were invited to our friends karaoke club at a double storey shop lot for relaxation and entertainment.

Morning breakfast at a shop famous for Seremban curry noodle and we also get to enjoy the famous Sg. Lembing bean Curd. We attended a business session in a hotel in the afternoon and in the evening we went for the famous "Char Kuay Teow" at Jalan Beserah and later to Teluk Cempedak beach to enjoy the evening sea breeze. Again meeting time at the same hotel from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. After the meeting we say BYE BYE and left Kuatan and reach Kajang at 2.30am in the morning. Have fun and enjoy!

This posting by KC

Gunung Yong Belar, Trans Titiwangsa Perak, G7 Mountain Malaysia

Trans Titiwangsa Trek from Gunung Yong Belar, Gunung Gayong and Gunung Korbu
17th Sept to 21st Sept 2006 (5 days 4 nights)

G7 - Seven of the highest mountains above 7,000 feet.

We have already scaled the six highest mountain and this is the last G7. Gunung Yong Belar (7156') is situated in the three states of Perak/Pahang/Kelantan. This trip our plan was to scale the three mountain at one go and the route is considered to be very tough. Some of the members (included Michael) have not climb Gunung Korbu and Gunung Gayung in our earlier trip. This trip there are two groups, one group will only climb Yong Belar and the rest will proceed to climb the three. The logistics for this trip were complicated because the in trail and exit were different. Our entry point is through Kampong Rajah (Cameron Highland) and the exit is through Kinta Valley Intake Dam. We stayed overnight in Ipoh and we paid RM40 for a big room for 4 persons. The place belong to Perak Used Car Association and for member only.

Day 1. After the famous 'kuay teow' soup breakfast, we proceeded to Ah Meng's house and parked our cars there. Ah Meng has hired a bus to take us to an area just after the Kg. Rajah traffic light. The bus travelled by Simpang Pulai/Gua Musang highway and stopped at a Paving Plant located about 2KM after the traffic light junction from Kg. Rajah (Cameron Highland). At the Paving Plant, two 4WD were hired from the farmers to bring us to their farms which was about 45 minutes ride and the farm is definitely inaccessible by normal vehicles. The ride was bumpy and you have to hold on tight or otherwise get thrown off the 4WD. The other group

went in with their own 4WD as they were returning after G. Yong Belar. After assembling at a vegetable farm and performing a check to ensure our gears were in order. Ah Meng also hired 3 'orang asli' as porter. At 12 noon we start trekking, passing through the big vegetable farm, the first visible trail was through a mushy and soggy terrain and after 15 minutes our shoes were covered with reddish mud (yucky). Our campsite is about 1 hour from G. Yong Belar Peak. The trail was quite well mark except for some unclear junctions, there are lots of bending and crawling due to the thick mossy forest, trees and roots and since it was also raining intermittently, this 1st day climb really sap your energy. We finally arrive at our campsite at about 6.00 pm, everyone tried to get the best site to set up their tent because the ground was soft and soggy from the rain and wet conditions. The height here is around 6000 feet and the weather gets dark and it felt chilly. We had to set up the tent in the rain, team cooperation is vital here. The water source is downhill about 10 minutes and looking very brownish, if you really like cold water (really cold), take a full bath here. Everyone was tired, we took a quick wipe down to clean up (not full bath), KC prepared hot drinks and noodles to satisfy our hunger. Mind you this is only a snack meal but because of the exhausting climb we soon fell asleep and forgot our dinner. All night long it was raining, its wet in and out of the tent, cold but we needed rest.

Day 2 Morning call at 7am luckily it stop raining and it was windy. After our morning breakfast everyone went for toilet "business" (bowel movement), we started packing and left by 9am. Only 1 hour to reach the peak. The returning group went first thing in the morning and we met them on the way up. For some of us celebrated our completion of G7 by letting of firecrackers. Usual group photos and some hoo ha and we proceeded to the next camp H2O that is 5 hours away. It was again difficult, lots of crawling, bending and squatting through mossy forest and fallen branches and finally we reached H2O campsite. It is small campsite near the stream. One member even did some clearing and laid some banana leaves on the floor before setting up his tent.

Day 3. H2O to Gayung peak is a 7 hours climb and very very steep. We passed a peak call Junction Peak, to the last water point. The water source is down a steep hill and back takes about 1 hour. Only the young and strong went down. One more hour to the peak G. Gayung. Hurray! Another G and one more tomorrow. Gayung peak is small and almost all available place is taken up, here you have a panaromic view. We reach the peak around 4pm and lots and lots of photos taken because the secenery here is the best. You can see G. Korbu, G. Yong Belar and G. Yong Yap. and nice sunset.

Day 4. Morning call for sunrise photo. After breakfast and packing we have our group photo again. Started trekking at 9am and reach Korbu peak at 11am. Rest and relax and have our lunch. Photo session again. Trek down 2 hours to the last water point if you come up from Camp Seroja. All the way very steep lots of dangerous slopes but well mark and with points for your hands and foot. We reach Camp Seroja at 5pm. Set up tent and had a very very nice bath because we did not have a bath since H2O campsite. We tried to finish most of our food, normally we have 3 dishes but today we have up to 5 dishes to celebrate our achivement. Later at night we have tea 'tarik' and talk about all the previous trips.

Day 5 After breakfast we trek out to Sg. Leming orang asli settlement but the orang asli settlement was evacuated for dam building. The last trip we paid RM20 each for the orang asli to transport using their motorbike to the Kinta Damp intake . This time no more orang asli but we are even more lucky to get to ride on a lorry 'hantu' and each of us paid the driver RM5 otherwise we have to walk under open hot sun for 2 hours. The lorry ride is about 30 to 45 minutes. Back to civilization and the first thing take out money and treat ourself with cold 100Plus drink. Later some of us went to the river and washed up and waited for arrangement to ferry us out to Ah Meng house where we parked our cars.

Reflection on completion of all the G7 mountains, a sense of satisfaction and good experience. Next trip to climb the G7 a second time.

Have fun and success for all.

Gunung Yong Yap Perak, G7 Mountain Malaysia

7th July - 9th July 2006

Gunung Yong Yap (7113') is situated in the state of Perak and it is the 6th highest mountain in West Malaysia. Our team (YK, KC, Wong HM and Michael Lim) checked into a resort in Cameron Highland on the 6th of July. The climb will start from Kampong Brooks 2KM after Kampong Raja in Cameron Highland. We had our dinner in Brinchang town, sitting outside in the cool weather and eating hot piping food and chinese tea just feels wonderful. We also get to eat some durians (king of fruits). And staying a night in Cameron Highland is cool and refreshing. I did some research before this climb especially that Gunung Yong Yap is home to the endangered tiger with all the hype we were actually concerned but our goal is to complete the G7 and that is something very important in every climb. That you need positive thinking besides all the training.

Day 1. We had breakfast in one of the many eateries and met up with the rest of the group and proceeded to Kampong Brooks to regroup. Ah Meng and his orang asli porter waited for us beside the road near to a school. The orang asli guided us to park our cars and those with 4WD will be required to carry the rest of the members to the next orang asli settlement for the in-trail. Our team member bought 1 pack of 10kg rice as a gesture for the orang asli. The 4WD ride was more like a 4WD adventure because we had to cross a few rivers and through old logging trail. We were in Ah Meng's Suzuki 4WD and he has to make another trip out to fetch the rest. We started trekking around 10.30am and along the way we passed through some durian orchards and Ah Meng collected some wild durian (jungle variety), it tasted Ummmh! very pungent and gassy, my advice is try to avoid it as along the way when 1 or 2 members started to burp and the smell is unbelievable. As we were crossing some narrow trail KC shouted that she was stung by bees and everyone ran. Three casualties, KC had about 10 bee stings, Wong 3 and another member by the nickname "sour pineapple" who had only 3 bee stings but was the most affected.
We stop to administer first aid, KC and Wong just got off with painful stings but for "sour pineapple" his body started to develop rashes, he jump into a small stream and started scrubbing his body with sand (bad idea). I later gave him some medication 1 for itch and the other (very mild steroid) for infections. He managed to continue and arrived at base camp at around 2.30pm, he felt very uncomfortable probably due to allergic reaction, just drink plenty of water and rest. As the campsite was overgrown with bushes, the orang asli started to clear a larger campsite. There is a small stream just enough to dip for 2-3 person and our source of drinking water. It was still early and we have tea 'tarik' and steamed 'pow' (dumpling). Some of them even brought along newspaper to read. We had fried Hokkien Mee cooked with fish cake for dinner. Imagined famous Hokkien Mee with chilly shrimp paste in the mountains. Mmmm.......Rest early as tomorrows trek is about 4 to 6 hours.

Day 2. After breakfast we packed some light food and proceeded to the peak. All of us except for "sour pineapple" who still felt uncomfortable had to miss the peak, we started trekking at 7.40am and reach the peak at 11.40am (4hours). We have buns from Sg. Pelek and our famous Milo shake at the peak. After group photos we decent all the way down to the campsite which took us less than 3 hours. Tea 'O' and instant noodle first before our bath and started preparing dinner. Tonight dinner is yam rice cooked with fried shrimp and chilly. Supper was tea 'tarik' with 'Tiger' biscuit and groundnuts.

Day 3. After breakfast we left our campsite at 9am and reached the orang asli settlement at 11am. Everyone bathed in the nearby river. We bought bamboo walking stick and blowpipe from the orang asli. The 4WD took us out to Kampong Brooks where we parked our cars. This trail is much easier compare to the entry point through Kuala Mu which is much tougher. Good luck and have fun!

Gunung Chamah , Kelantan G7 Mountain Malaysia

10th March 2006 - 12th March 2006

We have scaled 4 G7 in 2005 (Gunung Tahan, Gunung Korbu/Gunung Gayung and Gunung Ulu Sepat). This year we planned to scale the others 3G (Gunung Chamah, Gunung Yong Yap and Gunung Yong Belar). We started with Gunung Chamah (7123') and it is the 5th highest mountain in the Peninsular Malaysia and always been noted the most challenging one. This G5 lies in the most western corner of Kelantan. On the 9th March we traveled by Karak via Kuala Lipis to Gua Musang and checked in a hotel in Gua Musang. We did some last minute shopping in the pasar malam (night market) and later had dinner with the other group members. Later back to the hotel to do final packing. Our guide Ah Meng will only arrive early next morning through the Simpang Pulai/Gua Musang highway. He has already booked two 4WD to ferried us to the intake.

Day 1. After breakfast at Gua Musang and met up with Ah Meng and later he went to submit a name list to the police station. It is a recommended procedure before any climb in Malaysia. We later followed the 4WD to Kampong Bethis which is 26KM away and parked our cars there. Here the orang asli charged a parking fee RM5 for each car. One of the member drove his 4WD following the two chartered 4WD to Pos Simpoh. It was a bone rattling ride for almost 3 hours in the exposed sun. Some of the member even complained it was tiring and energy drenching even though there is no walking. Being a lady, there is always extra advantage because I always get to sit in the front passenger seat. Stop over at Pos Simpoh orang asli settlement to have some rest and lunch while waiting for the other 4WD because they have to keep a distance to avoid orange (dirt track) dust. Drove for another hour till the logging trail become impassable even to the 4WD. We hiked up the hill in the hot sun (really hot) for two hours along the exposed eroded timber logging trail. One hiker even came prepared with an umbrella. One of our team member even have leg cramps for the first time and we later found out that he has been wearing a new knee guard for the first time. The trail descended and we were relieved to be hiking in the shady jungle at last. At last we can hear water gushing as we were approaching our campsite Camp Rokam. An orang asli settlement in a valley planted with maize, tapioca and millet. There are only a few huts and an open area where we pitched our tents. There is a small stream next to the orang asli settlement. We have our Tea 'O' and instant noodle to warm up our stomach before going for the cold bath. Dinner was always rice with 3 dishes. Later at night the orang asli play some music using hand made flute and unknown instruments, it sounded like some kind of spiritual thing.

Day 2. After breakfast, prepare 'Lui Char' (a special vegetarian meal) for lunch at the peak and make 'Min Fun' dough for dinner. We started our journey around 7.45am and we carried one backpack for our lunch and tea sets. Camp Rokam to Camp Tongkat Ali is a 3 hours trekking, the last water point is 3 hours to the peak. After the stream, the trail become very steep before we arrived at our first false peak. Normally when there are stunted Bonsai tree we thought it was the summit. A short descent into a valley lead us to another grueling climb up an 80 degree slope to the second false peak. 3 more false peak (just like stock market, up and down) and at last the G. Chamah peak. Small open area with small miniature oak trees for shade. Started preparing our lunch, boil water and mixed the 'lui Char' paste and the rest of ingredients such as peanut, long bean with bubble rice. Our 'lui char' paste was prepared by our Hakka friend. There is a light drizzle and strong cold winds. Our last member arrived and have his lunch and tea tarik followed by group photos. Our guide told us that we must make our decent not later than 2pm because the decent will take 5 hours or more. We reached our campsite at 7.15pm very exhausting and tiring because its a 7am to 7pm trekking. One of the member is too exhausted until he did not eat his dinner, he just took some buns and straight into his tent to sleep. For the four of us we have big feast ahead because tonight dinner is 'mee fun kuih'. It was a ikan bilis soup and hand made kneaded flour dough. After dinner the orang asli served us roasted tapioca and millet without sugar. We boiled sweet potatoes with old ginger for our supper. Very satisfying dinner and supper.

Day 3. Morning call, after breakfast we trekked out to the place where the 4WD left us earlier. Again bone rattling ride for 3 hours to out car park. There is a big river behind the orang asli huts. All of us went down to the river and have a good bath and swim. Later bought ice cream from the orang asli. We have our lunch at Gua Musang, the food there was expensive and a plate of noodle will cost us about RM4. This trip most of the member suffered serious diarrhea and one of them even was admitted into the hospital. Be careful when you camp near an orang asli settlement because they do their call of nature every where and so do their pets and livestocks. Our digestive system may not be able to handle such water borne bacteria. When rain comes it may just wash to the stream. Make sure you boil your drinking water. The members that suffer diarrhea usually occur after about a week and it takes a while for your body to recover.

Gunung Chamah is considered to be one of the toughest to "climb" because the tough 3 hour 4WD drive, the expose trail under the hot sun, the many false peaks where you have to climb up and down for about 4 times with each ascend and descend of about 1000-1500 ft. Its certainly satisfying and looking for the next mountain that is Gunung Yong Yap.

This posting by KC

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Gunung Ulu Sepat, Perak, G7 Mountains of Malaysia

30th Sept 2005 - 2nd Oct 2005

Gunung Ulu Sepat (7,091') Perak
G7 Mountains Above 7,000 feet

This G7 is situated in state of Perak. Out of seven highest mountain in the Titiwangsa Range you will find 5 of them in the Perak state. The other two which are not in Perak are Gunung Tahan and Gunung Chamah. After our Gunung Tahan and Gunung Korbu/Gunung Gayong trip, this is our 3rd. On the 29th Sept we went to Ipoh for lunch and later proceeded to Grik to check into a hotel and later met up with others members to have dinner. Grik Town is also famous for its local dishes especially fresh water fish and frogs (edible type).

Day 1. After breakfast at Grik town, we waited for other members who travel from KL (journey takes about 5-6 hours by North South Highway) . One of the member missed the trip because her backpack was stolen the night before. We drove to Pos Kemah lead by our guide Ah Meng. He is a very experience guide and has good contact with the head (penghulu) of the 'orang asli' (abrogines). Parked our car at the jetty and reported the name list to the police. We took an hour boat ride to the jetty Pos Slim. Another 1 hour bullock cart ride to the furthest orang asli settlement. Gunung Ulu Sepat is supposed to be the easiest among the G7 and the first campsite takes only 4 hours, when we arrived at the campsite, it was raining heavily. We brought along an umbrella for this trip and found it useful for setting up the tent in the rain. The rain stopped as soon as the tent was up and soon many of them were complaining of being bitten by sandfly or "agas" in Malay language, these sandfly are present when wild animals have passed by, they are very aggressive and work very hard.

Day 2. After breakfast, pack light refreshment to the peak. Only 4 hours to the peak and 3 hours back to the campsite. We were suppose to stay for night but most of the members unanimously agreed to pack and trek out because they are afraid of the sandfly. We arrived at orang asli settlement at 8pm at night. The head of the orang asli offer the hut for us to stay. Some prefer to camp outside. For us who stay in the penghulu house and do our cooking in the house. We were served roasted and boiled tapioca which are their main diet. We left behind a lot of food stuff for them. We were told that the penghulu has many wives, children and grandchildren. The village altitude is around 3,000 ft. and it gets cold in the night.

Day 3. After breakfast we went out to tour the village. Took pictures of the carefree children and we noticed there were no teenages or adults and we found out that very early in the morning they have gone into the jungle presumably to hunt for food. At around 11.00am our bullock cart arrived to transport us to the jetty for boat ride again. Considered to be a successful climb but nightmare with the sandflies, many who had been bitten even after a month they sometimes still feel itchy, and for some they scratch till they bleed
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The penghulu told us that when there are a lot of sandflies means that the wild animals are near by the vicinity . We are lucky enough because we have not seen any of them but only bitten by sandflies. Make sure when you plan any trip to Gunung Ulu Sepat be prepared for sandfly and brings lots of balm and insect repellant. Later we have lunch at a Chinese village along the way out of Grik town to celebrate our successful climb.

This posting by KC

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