Gunung Jerai Hiking

Gunung Jerai (Kedah) hiking from 14-16 March 2020 ... this is a difficult trip to organize as it involved carpooling, and getting a driver that can drive long distance from Kuala Lumpur is not an easy task. 

After months of planning and organizing with changes in the participants, the trip was finally proceeded as planned amid the scare of the Covid-19 virus pandemic. We managed to return to Kuala Lumpur just before the lockdown on 18 March 2020, Wedn.

Special thanks to ChewSC, who led the team in the trails.

Do CLICK HERE to view 208 high-resolution photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

The main activities were:

(1) Hiking Puteri Mandi Waterfall – that was a challenging trail as the rocky terrain was quite steep, one required both hands to pull one up. 

 The trail head to Puteri Mandi Waterfall

 Giant tree along the trail

 Puteri Mandi Waterfall - a huge area

 Due to the dry season, not much water is flowing

Partial group photo at Puteri Mandi Waterfall

(2) Hiking up Gunung Jerai from Titi Hayun trailhead – the first part of the trail involved almost one thousand concrete steps in ascending the steep slope, followed by jungle trails gradually gaining elevation; and almost reaching the resorts, there was a small waterfall where one can have a dip in the cold water. 

 A group photo at Regency Jerai Hill Resort before we were been transferred to the trail head

 At Titi Hayun trail head

The waterfall just before arriving at peak

Arriving at the peak where Regency Jerai Hill Resort is located ... (left) Ivy Wong, Michelle Wong, Shu-Lin, Emily Kam

Putting up a night at the executive units

(3) Overnight at the posh Regency Jerai Hill Resort – this is my favourite resort, overlooking the horizon for its beautiful sunset and sunrise.

 Not much vibrant colour of the sunset at around 7:00 p.m.

 A group photo just before the dinner

 At around 7:30 p.m. while we were having dinner, a colourful hue of the sunset appeared across the sky

 Sunrise the following morning ... photo shoot from the balcony of the room

 Regency Jerai Hill Resort

 Regency Jerai Hill Resort

Yeah! We love Jerai Hill! We will sure to return!

Posted by KC Leong

Royal Belum

An enjoyable and relaxing 3D2N Royal Belum trip from 7-9 March 2020 with USJ Zhineng chi gong friends. Located in northern Perak, Royal Belum State Park is 4 times the size of Singapore.

Do CLICK HERE to view 216 high resolution photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Royal Belum jetty

The food cook by the Chinese operator was excellent - almost equivalent to 5-star hotel standard ! The houseboat operator, Mr Kenny, will be acquiring a brand new houseboat that can take 40 persons; he can be contacted at 019-488 9338.

This is a simple, practical and nice-looking houseboat that we spent the 3D2N comfortably on Royal Belum lake

The activities:

Day 1: Visit Orang Asli kampung; jungle trekking at Sungai Kooi; water recreational activity;

Day 2: Sightseeing ride at Sungai Papan; Sungai Ruok waterfall; water recreational activity;

Day 3: Sightseeing at Temengor Hydro-Electric station; Norway fish farm; Pulau Tali Kail.

 All ladies pose ... the platform in front of the houseboat is useful

 A group photo at the front of the houseboat

 Whenever the houseboat travels, it will pull along 5 speed boats and 3 bamboo rafts

 Simple and practical set up of the houseboat where one can have 360° view of the lake.There is a good karaoke system on board of the houseboat. And singing in the middle of the lake has a different feel whether it is day time or at night 

 Water recreational activity in the evening 

 Sunset on Day 2 evening

 Everyone was happy with the good food offered during the 3D2N trip

 Day 1: Visit Orang Asli kampung

 Day 1: jungle trekking at Sungai Kooi

 Day 2: Sightseeing ride at Sungai Papan

 Day 2: Sungai Ruok waterfall

 Day 3: Sightseeing at Temengor Hydro-Electric station

 Day 3: Norway fish farm

Day 3: Pulau Tali Kail

Posted by KC Leong

Gunung Berembun (Jelebu) Hike

I last hiked at Gunung Berembun on 16 Jan 2016, a lapse of 4 years. The previous time, it was after a heavy rain the day before and the ground was wet and slippery. This time, it was completely dry. Together with ChanHN and Kean Joo's Hike for Health group, we hiked this mountain again on Saturday, 29 Feb 2020. Since this is a leap year, we need another 4 years to be able to hike on the same date again.

Do CLICK HERE to view 67 high-resolution photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

A mega group photo of 45 hikers at the trail head

Registration – register and pay RM5 on-site for each hiker. For bigger group, it is recommended to get ready the name list to speed up the process. Necessary details: name, IC, handphone number; emergency contact: name, handphone number, relationship is optional.

The older and bigger tree trunk was collapsed; highlighted in red is the other half of the older trunk.

Crossing the river – the big trunk spanned across the length of the river has been collapsed. Instead, it was replaced by a newer and smaller tree trunk; it is not easy to walk the entire length.

Gua Kambing – it is much cleaner without all the kitchen utensils.


Crash site – only a few of the members went to the crash site; the return trip back to the peak required two hours.

A genius idea by Michelle Wong and Joanne Lim ... inching slowing with the buttocks in crossing the river

Detailed Timing: 
Start: 8:15 am
Arrive at river crossing: 9:00 am 
Arrive at Gua Kambing: 10:15 am; rest for 15 minutes;
Arrive at peak: 11:20 am; rest until 12:30pm then descent the hill;
Back at Gua Kambing again: 1:25 pm;
Back at river crossing: 2:15 pm;
Back at trail head: 3:30 pm.

A good landmark for taking photo

In summary:
Time require from start to peak: 3 hours;
Rest for 1 hour;
Time require from peak to trail head: 3 hours;

Total = 7 hours.

Taking a breather at Gua Kambing

How to get there:
type following search keys in Google Maps:

(1) Gunung Berembun Trailhead;

(2) Kedai Makan Dan Minum Abdullah (Kodai Dol) - for breakfast; next to it is a Chinse coffeeshop. Opposite is a public toilet.

Boiling water and making hot drinks at the Berembun peak

A group photo before we descent the mountain

Do click here to view the previous trip in 2016.

Posted by KC Leong

Wave Rock and Bukit Taisho

Wave Rock and Bukit Taisho outing on Saturday, 22 Feb 2020 ... an alliance of hikers with team members from Josephine Lee's, ChanHN's and KC's groups. 

It has been drizzling in the wee hours of the morning. There was no colour in sunrise; instead, we were greeted with a brief drizzle. The weather was cloudy with cool breeze blowing the entire morning, and slight rain during noon. 

Overall it was a fun outing complete with a sumptuous lunch and ice-cendul at Kuala Pilah before we returned to Kuala Lumpur.

Do CLICK HERE to view high-resolution photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Having fun with the light trails photo shoot ... (left) Shu-Lin, Amy, Emily Kam, May Lim, Josephine Lee

 Well decorated Bukit Taisho

 At the unique Wave Rock (Bukit Baginda)

 Passing through the rubber plantation; notice the dark clouds at the background

A delicious and sumptuous lunch at Restaurant Haewaytian: conducive environment, good food with reasonable price - recommended!
At right of photo frame is Ms Ho May Fong from Bahau who assisted in leading us to arrive at the sunrise viewpoint.

Posted by KC Leong

Bintang Hill Birthday Celebration

Celebrating birthday for hiking buddies Christy, Rachel and ChongYF at Binting Hill on the evening of 15 Feb, Saturday … There was lots of food: 2 cakes, yee sang, wine, beer, cold drinks, watermelon, banana, kuih-muih, curry puff, etc.

The cakes and wine are placed on a mini table - belongs to Jacqueline Ho. The material is made of carbon, once collapsed, it is compact and light. 

Photo and videos courtesy of Jacqueline Ho taken with the latest Samsung Galaxy Note.

The sunset was stunning and the air was clear after the late afternoon rain. As to my camera, the SLR (single lens reflect) mirror got stuck when trying to take the sunset photos, and totally out of action.

(click at the image for actual big display)

Posted by KC Leong

SACF Sunrise Hike

Setia Alam Community Forest (SACF) hike and sunrise photo shoot on Sunday, 9 Feb 2020 ... That morning, we gathered a few hikers to join us in the sunrise photo shoot from 7 to 7:30am. There was only slight colour for a brief moment as there was too much clouds in the sky. We were having fun with the light-trail photo shoot displaying different design. We then hiked to Peak Garden, and later to the Mirror Lake.

Do CLICK HERE to view high-resolution photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Lots of fun with the light-trail photo shoot; the only colour of the sunrise is at the top right corner

 At the Peak Garden; this area is popular with hikers

 The Mirror Lake

Having our refreshment at the Mirror Lake before we return to the trail head ... KC Leong, Shu-Lin, Henry, Irene.

Posted by KC Leong