Fraser's Hill Glamping

Camping at Fraser's Hill on 10-11 June 2017: en route to Kuala Kubu Baru for a cup of coffee, we visited the orchid farm at Hulu Yam Baru; at night, viewing of tarantula spiders (where this species can only be found in Fraser's Hill); next morning, relaxing at Jeriau waterfall.

Team members: KC Leong, Chong YF, ChuahTK, Jason Khoo, Elfreda Ong, Yong Fei, Jun, Adelyn Liew, Maan Li, and Siew Fun.

These few days, the weather was very dry and hot in Kuala Lumpur. Because of the hot weather, the temperature in the mountains at night was considerably cool only. Though it was a clear sky that we could see the full moon and the stars, it was quite misty and damp from 9 to 11 p.m. that our tents were wet with moisture.

When we arrived at the campsite, there were already two big groups of family members (either friends or relatives) already there. The campsite was big enough to accommodate our group comfortably. These groups of campers lacked consideration; not spending time peacefully and harmoniously with the nature and ignoring the presence of other campers: the adults were chatting and laughing very loudly for hours until 2:30 a.m.!

Overall it was a simple and fun outing spending a night in the cool mountains and woke up by the melodious tone of chirping sound of birds for a respite from the hot days in Kuala Lumpur.

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

Visiting an orchid farm at Hulu Yam Baru

Adelyn Liew posing with the beautiful flowers

Pitching tents at the campsite ... Jun is reading the manual while Siew Fun and Maan Li are doing the actual setup

Yeah! the tents are ready

Roasting chicken for dinner ... Jun and Maan Li

 Cooking instant noodle 

 Simple and yummy dinner ... roast chicken with instant noodles. (left) ChuahTK, Jun, Elfreda Ong, ChongYF, Jason Khoo, Adelyn Liew, KC Leong, Maan Li, Siew Fun, Yong Fei

 Looking for tarantula spiders at 10:00 p.m. ... misty condition

 Different species of tarantula spiders ... this is is with a skull head

Walking in the dark looking for tarantula spiders

  Different species of tarantula spiders

At the food court of Fraser's Hill at almost mid-night

 Next morning (Sunday) .. Jason Khoo skilfully frying eggs much to the anxiety of all looking at the cooking (make sure that the egg does not drop on the floor) 

 Visiting Allan's Water park

 Relaxing at Jeriau Waterfall

1-2-3 Jump !

Do CLICK HERE for all postings on camping (scroll down the pages).

Posted by KC Leong

Heritage Trail (Day 3)

Day 3 – Penang Hill hike via Heritage trail on 5 June 2017, Monday ... The Team Lead for this trail was Ms Siew Kean, an active hiker who lives in Penang. 

One way up to the peak of Penang Hill was 2 hours. There was more scenery to see in this trail: the Penang island and the movement of trams. We were very excited when seeing the trams passing by – only possible in Penang. 

I was pleased that my plan and the schedule was executed smoothly. With the descent of the Heritage trail hike, that completed the 3-day northern hike – a great journey with great company. I truly enjoyed myself.

Thanks to the team members for the support and team work: Dphany Goh, Voon Lee, ChanHN, Chong YF, Josephine, Karen, Yi Ling, Lim Hoe Yin, Soek Yan, and Shu-Lin.

Special thanks to the three Team Leads for leading us safely to the peak: Siang Ching, Teh Wei Ee, Ms Siew Kean.

New plan is underway to hike another trail of Gunung Jerai via Merbok trail (8km distance that requires 4 hours of one way up the mountain). 

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

 Heritage Trail trail head ... Tien Kong Than which is 500 meters before the lower-hill tram station. Ms Siew Kean, Team Lead for this Heritage trail, is at right.

 The Heritage trail starts here

 Happily arriving at the mid-station

 View of passing tram from station above

 Photo with the passing tram ... only possible at this hiking trail

 The Claremont Station

 Viaduct Station ... another popular station to see passing trams

 Arriving at Penang Hill Love Lock wall again

Exiting boom gate at the lower-hill tram station ... for one-way-down ride, one has to buy the ticket (using MYcard) after alighting the tram

Do CLICK HERE for Day 2 hiking (Penang Hill via Moongate trail)

Posted by KC Leong

Moongate Trail (Day 2)

Day 2 – Penang Hill hike via Moongate trail on 4 June 2017 ... The Team Lead for this trail was Teh Wei Ee, an avid hiker and trail runner who live in Penang. 

One way up to the peak of Penang Hill was 3 hours. We have dinner at the Cliff Cafe; because it was during the puasa month, most of the food stalls were closed. Not satisfied with the pizza at the food-court, we went for the Penang char koay teow for supper. The night view of Penang from the hill above was beautiful, and the view of the two Penang bridges was clearly visible.

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

 Group photo at the Moongate trail head

 Many hikers at Station 5 ... (back, right) Teh Wei Ee, Team Lead for Moongate trail

 The Moongate trail emerges to join the tar road (that starts from Penang Botanical Garden)

 Cliff Cafe of Penang Hill ... due to puasa month, many of the stalls were not opened

Love Lock wall of Penang Hill 

 Night view of Penang from the hill above

Night view of the two Penang bridges

Do CLICK HERE for Day 1 (Gunung Jerai hike).

Do CLICK HERE for Day 3 (Heritage trail hike of Penang Hill).

Posted by KC Leong

Gunung Jerai Hike (Day 1)

Day 1 – Gunung Jerai hike and Regency Jerai Hill Resort ... Three consecutive days of hiking from 3 to 5 June 2017 (Sat to Mon): Gunung Jerai, Kedah; and Penang Hill via Moongate Trail and Heritage Trail.

We drove our cars and park at Regency Jerai Hill Resort; we then took van transport from the resort and transferred to the trail head which was located at Titi Hayun, Yan.

The Team Lead for this trail was Siang Chin, an experienced hiker who lives in Sungai Pertani. One way up to the peak for a distance of 6km was 3 hours, including time spent at the waterfall.

Located at the peak, the well-maintained Regency Jerai Hill Resort is a nice place for holidays and relaxation with a view of the padi fields, the sea and the vibrant sunset.

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

 (back, left) Shu-Lin, Soek Yan, Yi Ling, Lim Hoe Yin, Karen, Siang Chin (Team Lead), KC Leong;

(front) Voon Lee, Dphany Goh, Josephine, ChanHN, Siang Chin's son, Chong YF

 Trail head for Gunung Jerai hike

 A waterfall along the Gunung Jerai trail

 The trails of Gunung Jerai hike end at the botanical park of Regency Jerai Hill Resort. Gunung Jerai Team Lead, Siang Chin, is at left.

 The sky glows with golden yellow

 Vibrant colour sunset

The Regency Jerai Hill Resort ... (left) Dphany, ChongYF, Shu-Lin, Voon Lee and ChanHN.

Do CLICK HERE for Day 2 hiking (Penang Hill via Moongate trail).

Posted by KC Leong