Bukit Kutu Hike

Activities:

(1) The group started hiking from the Bukit Kutu trailhead carpark at 6:45am, Saturday, 17 Aug 2019;

(2) took less than 3 hours to arrive at the peak with longer photo session at the boulders area; 

(3) took about 2 hours to descend to trailhead;

(4) having a dip in the river;

(5) adjourned to Kuala Kubu Baru for late lunch;

(6) arrived home at 4:15pm.

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

 Group photo after crossing the stream

 Happy photo session at the boulders area

 Making drinks at the peak; we were impressed with Michelle Lian (right) that she is cooking Mee Sua Soup complete with Korean source/seasoning 

 Group photo with the signature chimney at Bukit Kutu ...
(back) Jacqueline, William Then, Frank, Jazz Howie;
(middle) OngSA, Michelle Lian, Michelle Wong, CatFoo, Shu-Lin, KC Leong;
(front) Bun, ChiaCF, Miko LeeA, Phoebe, Sammi.

 Jacob with the high levitation jump

 Happy moment when having a dip in the water

Sumptuous and satisfying lunch at Kuala Kubu Baru town

Posted by KC Leong

Tour Du Mont Blanc (Part 7 Final)

This final posting contains following activities:

Day 9 (22 July 2019): Trient of Switzerland to Argentiere, France (Hotel de La Couronne) ... the group crossed from Switzerland and returned to France again;

Day 10 (23 July 2019): Argentiere to Chamonix, France (Hotel La Croix Blanche) ... finally, the group returned to Chamonix, the starting point of the the Tour Du Mont Blanc trekking. As usual, there were two focused groups: one that went up to the pass and descent the mountains by taking a longer route; the other group was taking a direct route to Chamonix. On the same evening, we have a celebration dinner hosted by Mr Pierrick, the trekking agent. The following morning (24 July) at 10:00 a.m., we were then transferred to Geneva railway station for extended stay and holidaying in Switzerland. That concluded the exciting and memorable 170km circuit trekking. 

Do CLICK HERE to view 163 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 As usual, a group photo before the start of trekking (Day 9)

 Crossing another pass

 Slowly but surely, we are approaching the border again: between Switzerland and France

 Happy moments together

 Happy moments to be back in France again where we started the trekking journey

 Relaxing and admiring the scenic mountains view

 The journey continues

 A good dinner at Hotel de La Couronne complete with a few bottles of wine

 A vibrant sunset at Argentiere, France

 Day 10 – the final morning and the final group photo

 This group, the Short & Shopping Squad, taking a direct route to Chamonix (for more shopping) and passed by a village with superb view of the ice-capped mountains 

 Flowers and butterflies along the trails

 Walked alongside stream with a relaxed mood, and the pace was similar to walking in the park

 Finally, we arrived at Chamonix with the familiar canal that passes by the town

This group took the longer route by passing through a pass (trekked up and down the mountains)

Do CLICK HERE here to view the entire seven (7) postings of Tour Du Mont Blanc in one continuous sequence (for PC only).

Posted by KC Leong

Tour Du Mont Blanc (Part 6)

This posting contains following trekking activities:

Day 7 (20 July 2019) Mayajoie Inn in La Fouly to Champex, Switzerland (Hotel Relais d'Arpette);

Day 8 (21 July 2019) Champex to Trient, Switzerland (Hotel Gita La Grande Ourse).

Another two more days to complete the 170km circuit trekking of Tour Du Mont Blanc.

Do CLICK HERE to view 138 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 A good breakfast at Mayajoie Inn to start the day

 Suggested by George Siew, the background of this group photo is using an old wooden building as background (opposite the inn) 

 Passing by Coin Du Village; it is interesting to note that this village is devoid of locals

 Arriving at a scenic lake, Lac de Champex

 Walking alongside the watercourse; we were amazed that the water is so clean

 Arriving at Hotel Relais d'Arpette, Switzerland

 A hearty dinner that concluded the trekking for Day 7

 Start of Day 8 trekking ... collecting the fresh lunch packs

 A flying stunt by Jack Oh for the group photo

 We were lucky that there was lots of sunshine and blue sky since trekking from Day 1. It rained heavily at 2:00 a.m. the morning before while we spent the night at Hotel Relais d'Arpette

 The only outdoor café along the trek, and business was good

 Arriving at Trient, Switzerland; the hotel is the second building from the right of photo frame. The pink building is a church.

Arriving at Hotel Gita La Grande Ourse

Posted by KC Leong

Tour Du Mont Blanc (Part 5)

Itinerary: Day 6 (19 July 2019) Val Ferret, Italy to La Fouly, Switzerland (Mayajoie Inn) ... Crossing from Italy to Switzerland.

From Refuge Bonatti, we first trekked up the mountain, then descended to a car park (accessible by road) where the van transporter was waiting to exchange our lunch packs. 

While we continued our trekking, the Transport Director would then waited for the arrival of mules for the transfer of duffle bags from Refuge Bonatti. Later, the duffle bags were then transferred to the next accommodation by the van transporter. 

Do CLICK HERE to view 132 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Group photo from the upper window of Refuge Walter-Bonatti

The ascent led us to cross a pass which is the border between Italy and Switzerland. Yeah! We were trekking in Switzerland! We have been using Euro currency for the past few days, that was the time we started to use Swiss Franc.

Mayajoie Inn was a nice and comfortable accommodation to stay. Located on a slope, it has a good view overlooking the ice-capped mountain and the stream below.

Taking a breather with the ascent of the mountains

 Transport Director with the supply of fresh lunch packs 

 In this region, fountain water is drinkable directly from source; we saved quite a fair bit of money not having to buy bottled water

 Magnificent view of the mountain 

 Ascent journey in crossing the pass

 Alicia with the steep uphill hike

 At the border between Italy and Switzerland

 Descending the mountains and into Switzerland

 Having our refreshment here from the cafe

 A scenic view for the final trek on tar road before arriving at the accommodation

Mayajoie Inn

Posted by KC Leong

Tour Du Mont Blanc (Part 4)

This posting contains following activities as per the itinerary:

Day 4 (17 July 2019): Les Mottets, France to Courmayeur, Italy (Hotel Edelweiss);

Day 5 (18 July 2019): Courmayeur to Val Ferret, Italy (Refuge Walter-Bonatti).

Do CLICK HERE to view 189 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

Day 4 ... we arrived at the point for the demarcation of mountainous borders between France and Italy. We trekked from France and we were heading to Italy. At that point, we could see the few refuges at the peak of Mont Blanc (4,810m).

 The exciting journey of trekking Tour du Mont Blanc continues

 At the border ... our left is France; right is Italy

 The peak of Mont Blanc (4,810m) is clearly visible

 One for the album

 The grassland is full of yellow flowers during summer time

Day 5 ... the trails were lined with countless wild flowers during summer time; so I could not resist to capture these beautiful flowers with my camera, just as what Emily Kam always does. We arrived at Refuge Bonatti, the only refuge where vehicles were not reachable; so our duffle bags were transferred by two mules. Each duffle bag was imposed a maximum weight of 10kg by trekking agent, that was to ensure the heavy weight did not break the mule's back. Compared to the earlier refuge, this one was better: all ladies were grouped in one big room while the guys in another; all facilities were within the same building, so there was no worry of whether it rains or snows. During dinner time, the dining area was packed to the brim – every seat in the refuge was occupied.

 Spectacular ice-capped mountains

 Spectacular ice-capped mountains

 Spectacular ice-capped mountains

 Lots of beautiful wild flowers lined the trails

 Lots of beautiful wild flowers lined the trails

 Lots of beautiful wild flowers lined the trails

Arriving at Refuge Walter-Bonatti

Posted by KC Leong