PROJECT AWARE 2010 - TIOMAN ISLAND

Project Aware - Tioman was organized by MMU Scuba Club from 2nd - 6th October 2010 in Tioman Island. Two groups of divers were involved in this conservation program. I joined the first group i.e. from 2nd -4th Oct 2010. The second group came on the 4th until 6th Oct 2010. There were around 12-14 divers in each group. This program was in collaboration with Samudra Dive Centre at Kg. Genting, Tioman. Our place of stay was Impiana Inn.

The banner

Our target this time is to do Crown of Thorn (COT) cleaning. Altogether, we did five dives namely at Batu Malang, Labas, Sepoi, Chebeh and Tulai dive sites.

Tioman map

Some of the divers

On the way to the dive site for conservation project...

Me and my buddy (Azmir) underwater..

The 'catch'...

Taking photos underwater before ascent during the last dive...

Beach cleaning was part of the conservation work to be done...

Collecting rubbish along the beach...

Making hole to bury the COT...

Al-Fatihah to the COTs...

Taking picture together after the beach cleaning....

BBQ night...

On the whole, the program was very successful in instilling the awareness of conserving the nature especially underwater lives among the participants. All participants were very satisfied and enjoyed their dives.

Congratulations to MMU Scuba Club for organizing this type of activity. Hope to see more and more programs like this. See u in the next conservation program.

PINE TREE HILL AND TWIN PEAK DAYPACK HIKING

From 6th-8th August 2010,the Underestimate team went to Fraser Hill for a hiking trip at Pine Tree Hill and Twin Peak. This is the last Underestimate activity before Ramadhan I guess. At first, 30 people agreed to go but eventually only 20 people turned up. Together in this group were SRM Melaka (+Cyberjaya) group who joined us for their unusual concept of Induction Camp, team from MMU Cyberjaya and three from KL.

The journey started at about 10.00pm from MMU Melaka. But, we stopped at MMU Cyberjaya to fetch two SRM members. After that we headed straight to R&R Sg. Buloh where we agreed to meet and take a rest for that night. I got some uncomfortable sleep for about 2 hours inside the van while some of us didn't sleep at all.



Our planning was to wake up at 4.30 am and head to Kuala Kubu Baru for Subuh prayer and breakfast. It was raining that morning in KKB and after Subuh we went for some breakfast at KKB. I couldn't really estimate the time to reach Fraser Hill Entrance at Gap from KKB since the last time I went to Fraser Hill was way back in 2003. We need to reach The Fraser Hill gate latest by 7.40 am since the gate is opened for uphill traffic during odd hours starting 7.00am-7.40am and for downhill traffic during even hours. We planned to start hiking at 8.00am. However, we'd only finished our breakfast at about 7.15am and I really doubt that we could reach the gate before 7.40am. Anyway, we reached the gate just few minutes before 8.00am. So we had to wait for 9.00am uphill traffic and plan to start hiking at 10.00am.

Waiting and taking rest before the gate to Fraser Hill is reopened

However, something unpredictable happened when one of the car driven by Azmir broke down on the way up. Various efforts were done to fix the car but none was successful. So, I decided to go up to Fraser Hill to find help. I asked at the police station whether there is any workshop or mechanic at Fraser Hill but unfortunately they said none. Usually, breakdown cars were towed by a "tow truck" from Raub which costs RM450. However, the policewoman said that she knew somebody who is not a mechanic but know a little bit about repairing a car. She showed the house and the person was still enjoying his sleep when we knocked the door. Luckily, he is kind enough to help us together with his friend. Thank you Brother Lah and brother Shafiee.

Unauthorized mechanics trying to fix the car

Luckily, they managed to fix the car. So, we moved straight to Fraser Hill. We changed our planning. We are not going for hiking that day since it's already too late. Instead, we had a tour around Fraser Hill before checking in at Sri Peninjau. We will start hiking the next day early in the morning.

The landmark of Fraser Hill...the clock tower

The next day, we woke up at 5.00am, had our breakfast and get ready for the hiking.

At Sri Peninjau Resort before hiking

We reached the entry point to Pine Tree Hill at about 7.45am and started hiking at around 8.00am. The entry point to PTH is just after Sri Intan TM Resort and marked by a simple arch.

The entry point to Pine Tree Hill

The trek was quite easy and visible. In term of difficulty, it is relatively easier except at certain part where it it involves steep climbing.

Signboard showing the distance from starting point

The steep slope just before the peak of Pine Tree Hill

We reached the peak at about 11.45am after a leisure 3 hrs and 45 minutes trekking.

At last, the Underestimates conquered the peak

View from the PTH peak

After reaching Pine Tree Hill peak, a lot of the Underestimates refused to go to Twin Peak since according to bloggers it takes about 1 hour to reach Twin Peak from PTH. Only three of us (myself, Bob and Kay) decided to go. The rest stayed at PTH to prepare the food. With a lot of energy still remaining, it took us only 15-20 minutes to reach Twin Peak.

Reaching Twin Peak... so happy

Taking rest at Twin Peak...not very shady here...360 deg ree view

We started climbing down at about 1.30pm and reached the starting point at about 5.45 pm. Surprisingly, I was the last person to reach the starting point. Wow!

As a whole, the trip was a bit running out of plan due to some unforeseen circumstances but that doesn't mean we didn't enjoy the trip. For me this is the most wonderful trip I've ever had because:

1. The Underestimate is getting more new friends this time. Congrats to all who had made this program a success.

2. A lot of unpredictable events occured throughout the program which taught us good lessons and experience.

3. Colourful experience with only little costs.

So, my dear Underestimate friends. Don't stop your outdoor quest. Join us again in our future outdoor trip. We'll try to diversify our activities so as to meet your demand. Keep in touch always! For those who could not join our trip this time due to unavoidable circumstances, don't worry! we still have a lot more to come.

NEW DIVE EQUIPMENT

Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) 2010 was held at PWTC from 30th July - 1st August 2010. We went there to find some equipments and for some reasonable dive package. I bought a Hollis BCD and an IST equipment bag.

My dive equipment set...still not complete

Next year MIDE, I plan to buy a regulator (together with the octopus and gauge) so as to complete the collection.

DT 11 RECCE, RANAU SABAH

This time the selected location is Kg Lohan 1, Ranau,Sabah. We were there from 26-28thJuly 2010. Interesting places around this area are:

1. Near to Poring Hot Spring.

The main hot spring

Canopy walkway

2. Near to Sabah Tea - it's better to buy tea here since it is relatively cheaper

3. Tagal Luanti at Sg. Moroli at Kg. Luanti Baru

Infront of the Tagal with it's Chairman

Loads of fish icluding Kelah (Pelian)...they'll do foot nassage

The Pelian sucking the food in my hand

GUNUNG BUNGA BUAH DAYPACK JULY 2010

BUNGA BUAH MOUNTAIN, GENTING HIGHLANDS

Last weekend, The Underestimate team went for hiking at Gunung Bunga Buah. It is located at Genting Highlands, Pahang and is about 1430 meter or 4690 feet from sea level.

Ten of us from Melaka and 3 from KL joined in this daytrip hiking.From Melaka, we departed using three cars at around 9.00pm and we stopped at Serdang to watch World Cup match between Brazil and Holland. Unfortunately, Brazil lost 2-1 to the Dutch. Though we were very upset with the lost (except Nazir), this did not deter us from continuing our journey. We went straight to Genting Sempah R&R after the match to spend the rest of the night there before starting the hiking the next morning.

At Serdang, after watching Brazil lost to Holland

After Subuh prayer and breakfast the next morning, we headed straight to Gohtong Jaya, Genting Highlands to wait for three of our friends from Kuala Lumpur at the mamak restaurant next to Hotel Seri Malaysia.

At Genting Sempah R&R before heading to Genting Highlands

While waiting for the friends to come, some of us did some preparations for the hiking behind the Hotel Seri Malaysia. This is because the road leading to the vegetable farm where the hiking will start is just right behind Hotel Seri Malaysia.

The road behind Hotel Seri Malaysia Genting that will lead to the vegetable farm

We parked our car near to the vegetable farm. The hiking started at 9.30 am. None of our team had been there before. As usual, The Underestimate just relying on informations obtained from the website especially http://sarshiverson.blogspot.com for the route and directions. Fortunately, there was a group of KL hikers on that day that we could depend on to lead the way.

The following pictures describe the chronological events of the hiking.

The Underestimate...ready for action. Everybody looks excited

The vegetable farm as our starting point

The entry point to the tarred road leading to the abandoned quarry

Climbing up the slippery terrain for about 20-30 minutes before reaching the tarred road

After the steep climbing...you will see this tarred road. From this road, if you take right, you will end up at the strawberry farm. To go to Gunung Bunga Buah, take left.

Stretching a bit before continuing the hike

Along the way

At the end of the tarred road, you'll find this junction. Take left to go to the abandoned quarry.

Continue .... the quarry on your right side

After the quarry, the trek was a bit bushy...try to wear long pants and long sleeve shirt to avoid scratch

You could see the peak of Gunung Bunga Buah if the atmosphere is clear from this angle

Foggy morning at Genting Highlands

Stop for a while before entering the Pintu Rimba on your right

The gatekeeper at Pintu Rimba asking for"toll"

After the Pintu Rimba, the hiking involve a lot of climbing up and down

Taking rest...the muscle starts to ache now and the knee starts to shiver.

At about 1.00 pm, we reached the Rock Garden. The view here is magnificent with cool breezy air. If you have much time, do spend a lot of time here as there's not much to see at the peak. From here, it took about 45 minutes for us to get to the peak.

The view of Genting Higlands Resort from Rock Garden

About 1.45pm, we reached the peak group by group. There's abeirut here. It can only accommodate 20-30 people only at one time sitting like us

The Underestimate taking pictures before going down at 3.00pm

We touched down at the place where we parked our car at 7.00pm. In total, we took about 9 hours 30 minutes to complete the return journey. A bit tough especially for beginners. As a whole, I personally think that The Underestimate had underestimated the Gunung Bunga Buah once again. It looks easy but the time to complete the journey could be too much for the underestimates. However, at the end of the hiking, all of us were still positive and excited...only a little little sore on the muscles. I'm also happy that The Underestimate is getting more friends this time.

Gunung Bunga Buah is very interesting since:

1. The temperature is cool. You don't feel tired even after long hour hiking. You'll drink less water as well.

2. There are various types of terrain you'll find with different level of challenge.

3. The view is so beautiful especially with a little bit of fog in the morning. You can't miss the enchanting view of the Rock Garden.

My Advice:

1. A day trip hiking might be interesting but make sure you are fit enough.

2. Bring enough water and food if you plan for a day trip hiking.

3. Study a little bit about the trek before hiking to get general idea about the route. Once you have reached the tarred road, it'll be easy since you could follow the paper pieces left by hikers before if there is any.

See you in our next trip. Bye.