HIKING MT. BRINCHANG, CAMERON HIGHLAND

MT. BRINCHANG

This is my second time to summit Mt. Brinchang. The first time was via the road but this time through Trek 1. It is 2032m above sea level. The hiking started early at 8.30 am. We all gathered at Brinchang town infront of the Police Station to wait for the guide from the Forestry Department. The cost of a guide for a single hike to Mt. Brinchang is RM250. At first, I thought it was worth it. Later on, I found out that it was a bit overpriced for the effort that the guide has to put for that hiking.

Before trekking...gather infront of Police Station, at Brinchang town

Unfortunately, it was raining on that day and we thought it's going to stop later. However, the rain continued for the whole day. Anyway, all of us were reminded to bring along poncho for standby which most of us did. Some did not.

Our planning was to trek the mountain through Trek 1 which begins at the army quarter & Jabatan Bekalan Air at Brinchang Town and trek down via the road to Sg. Palas tea plantation.

The trek condition was muddy and very slippery but it was not too tough as I imagined. Just need a little bit of stamina. The view at an earlier stage was just normal but to the last stage before reaching the summit it become a little bit mossy( but not as mossy as Mt. Irau). The last group reached the summit after 3 hours hiking.

The last group to reach the summit.

The rain and wind made the temperature freezing at the summit and we could not stay long up there. We continued to trek down via the road. It was 12 km and from the summit to Sg Palas.

On the way down

On the way down to Sg. Palas tea plantation

Overall, the trip was very successful. Most of us enjoyed the hiking. For me, it is not too hard even for beginners. The only thing that made the hiking a little bit hard was the fact that it was raining that day and it was freezing cold. Moreover, some of us who did not have poncho suffered severe cold during the trekking. Otherwise, the trekking must be wonderful. So for Mt. Brinchang hike it is highly advisable that:

1. Wear a simple rubber shoe for trekking.

2. Don't go during raining season

3. Bring an emergency poncho.

4. If got time, spend a night up there before going down. I haven't done this.

CONSTRUCT CAMP 2009

PDS RESORT, PASIR PANJANG OCT 2009

From 6th to 8th November, Construct Camp was jointly organized by SRC and STAD Melaka for clubs and societies under SRC umbrella. This camp was organized to prepare and equip all student leaders with necessary leadership skills to lead their clubs/societies. This camp was also targeted to expose the student leaders with various challenges that they will face towards becoming a great leader.

The activities were designed a little bit different from the previous camp. In this camp, the activities focussed more on developing teamwork and self resilient. Among the activities held were:
1. Ice breaking.
2. Night rope.
3. Obstacle.
4. Rafting.
5. Fox web.
6. Kawad. 7. Treasure hunt.

8. Kampung tradisional/Traditional village.

9. Leadership talk.

As a whole, I am very satisfied with the content and flow of the program. Congratulation to SRC this year especially to Budin and Gavin and all of the participants. I hope all of the participants enjoyed the camp very much and obtained a lot of valuable knowledge and experience throughout the program.

Thank you.

SRC INDUCTION CAMP 2009 - PANGKOR ISLAND

PANGKOR ISLAND OCT 2009

Salam!

Last weekend (30 Oct - 1 Nov 2009), I was in Pangkor Island for SRC Induction Camp 2009. This is an annual event organized by STAD for all newly appointed SRC members from both Melaka and Cyberjaya Campuses. Since two years back, we did not engage any external consultant to conduct the activities. So, as usual, myself and 2 other STAD staff and 2 student facilitators had to plan and conduct all activities throughout the 3 days 2 nights at Pangkor Island.

Trainers...hehe

From Melaka to Pangkor, we can either take Bidor exit or Gopeng exit at the PLUS Highway. If we take the Bidor exit, we need to go through Teluk Intan. According to expert, this route is nearer. If we take the Gopeng exit, we'll go through Batu Gajah and this route is very straight fwd and much more convenient eventhough it is quite far.


We used to have SRC Induction Camp in Pulau Pangkor before (I think in 2004) but this time we chose to hold it at Puteri Bayu Beach Resort. This resort is much better than the previous resort that we used to stay. It is very near to the sea and has a very nice view. If you don't believe...see the picture. The food was tremedous...I like. Service was also ok.

View from my room

Very near to the sea..Pasir Bogak

Among the activities held:

1. Ice breaking.


2. Slot with Senior Director of STAD



3. SRC Race


4. 'X' Volleybal match
5. Barbeque
6. Group performance.
7. Discussion on certain topic and presentation.

8. Public Speaking.


Thank you. Wassalam.

HUTAN LIPUR SEKAYU - TERENGGANU

DESA TERCINTA 2010 (DT2010) TERENGGANU RECCE

Assalamualaikum wbt,

Dear friends, long time no see. After the long Ramadhan and Hari Raya break had passed, I started to plan some more interesting activities for myself and together with few of my friends.

On the last 10th-12th August, I and a few DT2010 committee members were in Terengganu doing recce and meeting with villagers and schools for our next foster parent program at Kg. Payang Kayu, Kuala Berang in January 2010.

Some of the interesting places that we went were:

1. Memorial Batu Bersurat (The Inscribed Stone) at Kuala Berang.
2. Hutan Lipur Sekayu (Sekayu Waterfall).
3. Masjid Kristal (Crystal Mosque at Kuala Terengganu)

Memorial Batu Bersurat is located at Kuala Berang (around 3 km from Kuala Berang town).. The stone proved that Islam had reached Terengganu around year 13xx i.e about 700 years ago. It was found here at the Kuala Berang riverbank somewhere around 1899. However, we can only find the replica of the stone here. According to the locals, the real inscribed stone is now placed at the State Museum in Kuala Terengganu.

At Batu Bersurat, Kuala Berang

Some of the wordings inscribed on the stone.

After meeting with villagers on the second day, we proceed to Hutan Lipur Sekayu. It is about 16 km from Kuala Berang and about 40 km from Kuala Terengganu. I've never been here before. At first, I thought Lata Sekayu is only a small stream with low rise waterfall where people can picnic and take bath there. However, when I reached there my expectation was proven wrong when at the upper side of the waterfall, we found a very interesting and very high waterfall. Since, it is quite dangerous to take bath there, I decided to go a bit lower. Eventhough it was quite shallow but still two of my students nearly got drowned here but saved by me. Hehe...

At Hutan Lipur Sekayu, the upper part.

Not so deep, but still can drown people.

On the last day, after meeting with the schools, we went to Kuala Terengganu and visited Nasjid Kristal. If you know State Museum in Kuala Terengganu, Masjid Kristal is not far from there....just follow the same route. The mosque look so big from a distant but actually it is quite small when we enter it. But, no doubt it's very beautiful. At the same area also you can find Taman Tamadun Islam or Islamic Civilization Park which houses replicas of well-known muslim architectural symbol such as Taj Mahal and Dome of the Rock. However, we didn't go inside since there is a certain charges imposed to enter.

At Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu

After that we did some shopping at Pasar Payang and proceed back to Melaka.

Wassalam.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

Assalamualaikum wbt.

Wish you all a happy Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir Batin. To all road users, drive carefully and be tolerant.

KUALA KANGSAR, TAIPING & BUKIT LARUT

Bingka ubi vs Kuih Jagung

From Tasik Banding I drove all the way to Kuala Kangsar...still have no idea where to stay that night. We reach KK around 4.30pm and made a tour around the town to find hotel. Wow, Kuala Kangsar is a very nice and beautiful town. No wonder...it's a royal town. We found a hotel in the middle of the town but didn't feel really comfortable to stay there. Then we found a homestay signboard but unfortunately both of the houses were fully booked. Lastly, we found a rest house and made an enquiry. They offered a very low rate i.e. RM150 for a triple deluxe room (1 queen size and 1 single bed) but they asked us whether to look at the room first and I agreed. Soon after I entered the room...I immediately confirmed because the room was very big..I think can squeeze 10 persons inside. They also offered buffet package for 'berbuka puasa' at RM12 per pax which we took since we felt tired enough to look for place to break our fast at that time. Soon after I found my bed, I landed my body and my sored eyes immediately shut. I woke up just before Maghrib and went straight to the cafeteria. Well, the food was good enough for it's price. After maghrib I continued sleeping until sahur time.

View from the KK Rest House... where we can see the Sayong bridge.

At 4.30am, Nazir woke me up for sahur. We hadn't decided where to take our sahur, so, we just gambled. I drove the van to find a place to eat early in the morning in a town that is dead at night. We're not sure of our luck. Lucky enough we found a stall. After subuh, we continued sleeping.

At around 10.00am we checked out from the rest house and still blur where to go. Some of us suggested to visit the museum!!!...haha. I finally decided to go to Taiping (about 20km from KK) since I've not been there for long. Faizol and Had also attended their secondary school there. In my mind I can only think of Bukit Larut(Maxwell Hill) and Taman Tasik in Taiping. SO, we went straight to Bukit Larut. Actually, I've been to Bukit Larut during my secondary school for a trip (for history subject) to Kuala Kangsar and Taiping but I almost forgot about everything of Bukit Larut.

To go up the hill, we cannot use our own vehicle eventhough there is a road leading straight up (about 10km). SO, we have to pay RM6 for a return ticket of a 4WD provided by the authority. But, the next trip is at 2pm. We still have an hour to kill. So, we just made a tour at the Taman Tasik.

Down the memory lane.

We have to park our car here. We can walk up the hill or pay RM6 for a return fare.

Buy your return ticket at the left hand side building.

At 3.45pm, we were already at the Bukit Larut...waiting for our trip. The journey up the hill was quite challenging. That's why they don't allow public to use their own vehicle. There are too many sharp and steep bends along the way and the gradient is almost 45%-60%...I guess. Normal car will not have the power to climb. Along the way we can see a lot of people especially Chinese were jogging and there are a lot of resting places. The view at the top was very nice and the weather was very clear on that day. SO, we can see clearly the Taiping town from above. One thing I was wondering, why they call it a hill since I think it deserves to be called a mountain because it is 1036m above sea level. Maybe I don't know what's the criteria to be a mountain but it is very high...higher than Mount Datuk at Negeri Sembilan.

4pm, we went down and headed straight back to Melaka and stopped at Tg. Malim to break our fast.

The 4WD used to climb the hill. A lot of steep and sharp bends. No wonder own vehicle is not allowe.

At 1036 m, I think it deserves to be called a mountain...Mount Larut, not a hill.

View of Taiping town from the hilltop...(not really the hilltop...almost). The weather was so wonderful that day.

Fasting faces of 'The Underestimates'. ..tired but lucky.

Conclusion:

1. Bingka ubi jangan disangka kuih jagung.

2. Kalau dah ada rezeki tertulis kat tempat tu, suatu hari kita pasti akan kembali.

3. Fasting never stop us from doing the unexpected.

Tasik Banding & Belum Valley: The Story of Langsat

Assalamualaikum and Happy fasting to all fellow muslims.

Last weekend, I had the chance to do some surveys for places to conduct a few upcoming student programs. Actually, I ran out of ideas of places to conduct those programs especially the coming SRC Induction Camp. It was like a burden for me to think about the suitable place to make the program more interesting. Furthermore, I have some good ideas or concept of activities for the program that need a suitable place for it to be implemented. So, I need to go for recce eventhough it is in the month of Ramadhan. I still remember, I was in Cameron Highlands doing the same thing last year in Ramadhan.

I was supposed to go to Pulau Pangkor since SRC had decided to conduct the program there. But, I was quite familiar with Pangkor and I think it is not a suitable place for my new concept. So, Pangkor is my last resort destination this time. Eventually, due to health problem (i.e. acute conjunctivitis, according to the doctor), I did not go to Pangkor. Instead, we went to Tasik Banding.

At first, only Faizol, Azmir and I agreed to go but two other new members i.e. Had and Nazir accepted our invitation. As usual, The Underestimate never prepare for their trip...so, the victim this time were none other than Had and Nazir...hehe. We departed form MMU at around 11pm but we stopped at Xtreme Gear (http://www.xtreme-gear.blogspot.com/) at Cheng to pick some camping equipments. We planned to stop at Sg. Perak for sahur but due to sleepiness, we stopped at Tapah R&R. After sahur and Fajr prayer, we proceed to Tasik Banding. We took the Kuala Kangsar & Gerik exit. Tasik Banding is about 150 km away from the toll. Anyway, the road leading to Tasik Banding is very straight forward. We just follow the Gerik direction and after reaching Gerik, just follow Banding direction. The view was very beautiful in the morning. Unfortunately, our cameraman was so busy sleeping to have the chance to capture this wonderful view...hehe.

Do you know what's the different between Tasik Banding, Royal Belum and Belum Valley? I also didn't know. The journey was felt very long until we reached Belum Rainforest Resort. Here, we thought we're lost already. But, we proceed until we saw the bridge that becomes the landmark for Tasik Banding. It was around 9.00am. The boat operators were still not operating. There were not many people there at that time and we didn't feel like to ask due to sleepiness. I jusat wandering arounfd the jetty to look for some information about Belum. There was a big signboard about Royal Belum at the jetty. It's stated there that Royal Belum had been gazetted as State Park and is just 1 km away from the jetty. A few minutes later, one boat came and took a family of two to somewhere across the lake. And then, a few more boats came. I asked one of the pakcik about some information about Belum. He said that the lake infront of us is the Tasik Banding(Banding Lake). Royal Belum and Lembah Belum are located there.However, to go Royal Belum, one has to get a permit first from the authority. Unfortunately, it was Saturday and the office was closed...so, we couldn't go. However, he said we can still go to Lembah Belum (Belum Valley) which has not been gazetted yet but still has a lot to offer to the visitors.

The landmark bridge at Tasik Banding

Some info about Royal Belum

I asked about the package offered to go to Lembah Belum and the price as well. He quoted RM300 per boat (can accommodate 7-8 people) for 5 hour tour around Tasik Banding and Lembah Belum. I nego with him and he agreed to charge us RM250. Among the activities offered inside the package are viewing rafflesia flower, visit to orang asli (aborigines) village, viewing a unique insect called ketombak (hopefully it's correct) and visit to waterfall. I didn't take the visit orang asli package since all of us are already like orang asli at that time(nobody had taken bath). Furthermore, we have to buy some groceries and sweets or chocolates to be given away to the orang asli and our pocket didn't allow us to take it. But, before the boat ride, the boatman asked me..."depa posa tak?" I said yes, we're fasting. Why? He said, "kalau tak posa boleh amik langsat buat makan dalam bot"...Hehe, terfikir plak dalam hati, seronok gak bulan2 posa ni org lain sibuk posa, kita dpt makan langsat...pastu kat akhirat nanti kena belasah cukup2...ishhh, tak berbaloi.

Nazir tgh makan langsat ker?

First, we went to see the rafflesia flowers. It is claimed that, more rafflesia can be found here than any other places in Malaysia including Sabah. However, we were not very fortunate to see the rafflesia blooming this time. Then, we proceed to see the "ketombak". The journey was very far and some of us were sleeping inside the boat. Finally, we reached the place and fortunately there were four "ketombaks" ready for viewing there. It's quite unique. Then, we proceed to Sg. Nam for waterfall visit. We had to trek for about half an hour before we reached the real waterfall. The view here was very nice. Interestingly, Faizol, Azmir, Had and Nazir didn't take the chance to swim at the waterfall eventhough they have not taken their bath. Azmir and Nazir were enjoying the fish spa and Had and Faizol were sleeping. I swam a little bit and then 'layan' the fish spa. Then, we proceed to Pulau Tali Kail. There's nothing there except empty resort and training facilities. We thought we had enough this time and we asked the boatman to return to the jetty.

The Belum Blooming Rafflesia... everything is belum.(belum means not yet in English)

The "Ketombak"...dengar macam cotton bud.

The beautiful waterfall...no one wanna miss the chance to go here.

But, my photographer was sleeping here..hehe.

The empty Pulau Tali Kail.

We reached the jetty at around 3pm and we were too tired. The only thing in our mind is to find a resting place anywhere. Yes...anywhere. I don't mind.

As a conclusion:

1. If you are a real nature's lover and know how to appreciate nature, Belum is the right place for you.

2. If you are a real photographer who has the passion to capture wonders...travel to Belum. You'll find no time to rest. If you are not, you will sleep in Belum...hehe.

3. If you're not any of the above, then make sure you're not sleepy when you reach belum. Otherwise, you'll sleep in the boat, at the waterfall and definitely at Pulau Tali Kail. Nasib baik tak gi kampung orang asli...kalau tak, mesti ada yang minta izin ngan tok batin kat situ untuk pinjam umah dia nak tumpang tidur jap. Kalau tak pun dapat gantung hammock kat tiang bawah umah tok batin pun jadik...hahahaha.

To be continued ...trip to Kuala Kangsar and Taiping: Bingka Ubi Faizol in the next posting.

TAMAN NEGARA PAHANG - THE UNDERESTIMATE

I'm very new in blogging. Others might treat their blog like diary...telling everything about their daily activities. Mine is different...I only blog whatever things that I love to do. No wonder it's been almost a month since the last posting, eventhough i've gone through a lot of interesting, though hectic phase in my life.Some of the interesting past events on top of my daily routine at the office:

1. Emotional Intelligence Course at Cyberjaya

2. Being an usherette for VIP during MMU Convo...(this is my first time and hopefully the last)

3. Managing funeral of an international student who died of an unidentified cause in Melaka.

However, last weekend, I managed to spend time doing what I love to do...TRIP to Taman Negara Pahang.

14th August 2009, Friday

Only 4 of us i.e. Azmir, Izham, Bob (last minute) and I were able to go. Faizol cancelled last minute due to health problem. At around 6pm, pick up Bob at his house and headed to Cyberjaya to pick up Izham (the long lost outdoor enthusiast). We had our dinner at Sri Kembangan...(Ir. Izham yang belanja).

Dinner at Sri Kembangan. On my left is Ir. Izham...makan nasi goreng ayam utk mengelak kejadian bakso berulang...hehe..

After dinner, headed straight to Jerantut via Karak Highway. Exit at Mentakab & Temerloh and at the first traffic light after toll, turn right to Jerantut. The journey was very smooth.

We reached Jerantut at around 2 am(if i'm not mistaken). Had some hot drinks and 2 sets of Bob's roti bakar at a 24hr Mamak restaurant. At that time, all eyes were very tired...in our mind, next thing to do is to find a decent place to sleep...yeahhh, budget hotel. After some late tour at Jerantut town, we finally found our place to sleep...Inderapura Hotel (this is the best hotel in Jerantut I guess). RM88 a night for a room with 2 queen-size beds....that's good enough for us and the room did not disappoint us. My mind shut down as soon as I closed my eyes.

This is the best hotel in Jerantut I presumed...but it didn't disappoint us.

15th August 2009, Saturday

Woke up as early as 9am (tido balik lepas semayang subuh) and got prepared. Check out from the hotel and took our breakfast at the same mamak restaurant. After breakfast, moved straight to Taman Negara. To go to Taman Negara from Jerantut, we can either take a boat from Kuala Tembeling Jetty for a 3 and a half hour ride to Kuala Tahan, or, drive for about 1 and a half hour to Kuala Tahan. The way to Taman Negara from Jerantut is very easy since there are a lot of signboards along the way....it shouldn't be a problem.

We reached Kuala Tahan Jetty at around 11.30am. Personally, when I reached Kuala Tahan jetty, the scenario was different from what I expected. I didn't know that we have to cross the river to get to Taman Negara from Kuala Tahan. Anyway, it is just opposite the jetty. You can easily find many boat operators to get you to the opposite side of the river at RM1 per head.

This is Kuala Tahan Jetty...Taman Negara is just across the river.

RM1 per person to get across the river...what a profitable business.

Across the river, we have to register ourselves at the info counter and pay a minimal charge of RM1 per person for entry permit. They also charge RM5 for a camera. If you want, you can hire a guide to guide you to the many interesting places in Taman Negara. Among the interesting places to go are, canopy walkway, bukit teresek, lubok simpon, lata berkoh, kelah sanctuary, rapid shooting and so on. Before going there, I planned to go for canopy walk, lata berkoh, kelah sanctuary and rapid shooting. However, we were told by the officer that all boats that will take us to Lata Berkoh, kelah sanctuary and rapid shooting are fully booked for that day. So, we had to make do with only jungle trekking and canopy walk. It was quite frustrating for me.

Before going there, Iwe thought that all these places are at one place i.e. near to each other. That's why we did not prepare anything before going there. We didn't bring any food, water and some of us even wore jeans. I myself wore jeans at first, but I changed to track bottom at the beginning of the trekking. However, Bob did bring some chocolates, bread and water but just enough for himself only. Before starting our trekking, I bought 4 bottles of mineral water at RM3 per bottle since the officer said that there'll be no shop whatsoever along the trekking. But later on we found out that it is still not enough.

The Underestimate...all of us wearing jeans.

Still wearing jeans...except Bob.

I changed my jeans to a more comfortable track bottom.

The trekking was very easy at the earlier stage. We were busy taking pictures along the way. Our first destination was Canopy walkway. It is 1.5km from the info counter. At a later stage before reaching canopy walkway, the trekking involved a lot of stairs climbing which made it quite taxing. Pity to Izham who expected that the trip was a leisure trip. He struggled a little bit during the trekking although not as struggled as he was during the Kinabalu hike. It seemed that all of us had underestimated Taman Negara...again!!!.

Bang, jauh lagi ker bang?..Dekat sudah.

We reached at the canopy walkway around 12.30 pm. There, we saw some people queuing to get their turn to do the canopy walk and some people were just sitting at the benches. Since there is no written instruction telling us what we are supposed to do, we queued up. We thought that the people sitting at the benches had done the canopy walk. Later on, we found out that we have to register first and make payment (RM5 per person) and wait until our name will be called out by the officer for our turn. The canopy walk was very interesting though it's quite challenging for those who are afraid of height like *** (hehe..sape tu?). However, half of the canopy walkway was temporarily closed for maintenance at that time. Mineral waters and some soft drinks are also available here.

Here, we must register first for canopy walk, then they'll call our name.

At the canopy walkway...Bob, be careful!

After that, we headed to Bukit Teresek. Azmir and Izham didn't want to go since they were not feeling comfortable to trek wearing jeans. Moreover, our stomach is already making its sound. Only Bob and I went there. I reached Bukit Teresek but I was confused whether it is really Bkt Teresek since no signboard indicating that the place is Bkt Teresek. Some of the pictures of Bukit Teresek that I found on the internet showed that there is a signboard and a hut there. Maybe the signboard and the hut are no longer there.

Is this the real Bukit Teresek???

Then we proceed to Lubok Simpon...another 1.5 km from Bkt Teresek. The weather was getting dark at that time signalling that the rain will come down anytime. We reached Lubok Simpon before 4pm. The view at Lubok Simpon was very nice..suitable for swimming, relaxing, camping and barbequeing, but the weather did not permit us to stay long there. After taking some pictures we moved back to the info counter..about 500m from Lubok Simpon. On the way back, the rain started to fall down. We reached the info counter at 4.15pm...prayed at the surau and headed back.

At Lubok Simpon...can swim here.

Just came back from "Tahan".

Conclusion and advice:

1. Even it is Taman Negara, never underestimate it.
2. Do some preparations and research for whatever trip you are going for...or else, ask people who have been there.
3. We've got our group name..."The Underestimate"

For those who read this posting, I hope that you will not make mistakes like we did.

Happy fasting.