Tuesday, May 07, 2019

Kuala Tahan Experience 2019

Imagine sleeping on a sandbank by a river, listening to the flow of the water cascaded through the rocks; and when one looked out of the tent in a pitch-black night, one could see the sky full of stars. There were no cars, no pollution, only the sound of insects and animals ... that was the serene life of this camping trip in the wilderness of Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara, from 3 – 5 May 2019.

Do view photos below courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong:

CLICK HERE for Highlights Album (53 photos)  A summary of the photos;

CLICK HERE for Detail Album (163 photos)  The rest of the photos (note: photos in Highlight Album are NOT repeated in the Detail Album). 
 Arriving at the jetty of Kuala Tahan, one hour journey from the nearest town, Jerantut. (left) KC Leong, TehWE, Michelle Wong, Emily Kam, ChongYF, SC Yong, Kellie Wong, Shu-Lin, Cleo (not in the photo: Josephine Hoh)
 Arriving at the campsite

Weather – In April 2019 where we experienced 11 days of heavy rain and 10 days of light drizzle resulted in flooding at many places in Kuala Lumpur, surprising it was quite dry over here in Kuala Tahan. Hence, the boat could not reach the previous camp site due to shallow water level. On Day 1 evening, the sunset was fantastic with the vibrant orange hue; not only on the west side, but reflected on the east end also. It rained at 3pm on Day 2 but for a short span of 20 minutes; everyone has to check and wipe the tents dry.  

Pitching of tents – instead of everyone setting up his or her tent, we used the gotong-royong method where a few would help to set up the tents one at a time.
 Gotong-royong in setting up the tents

Cooking – Adi and Jennifer, the Event Coordinator/ Provider, would provide a BBQ meal on Day 2 evening, or provide the add-on meals separately; or one can opt to cook on their own. 

Through experience, it is good to form a small team with guys and gals together. So ChongYF, Shu-Lin, Emily and I were on one team. While ChongYF and I were busy setting up toilet tent and clotheslines, the ladies were busy cooking meal. And when the meal was ready, Emily would shout our names at the top of her lungs as we were at the far end of the campsite still busy working. When I was small, running around in the neighbourhood, my mother would do the same when dinner was ready – a fond memory of my childhood.

They quipped that make sure ladies that could cook are identified; otherwise, not only that the guys would have to set up toilet tent, clotheslines, but still have to cook 😊
 Taking a dip in the river; the water is slightly warm (unlike the mountain water that is much colder)

Places that we have visited in this trip:
Canopy Walkway (closed for many months);
Bukit Terisek;
Lubuk Simpon;
Taman Negara Park Centre;
Orang asli settlement;
Boat cruise to Lata Berkoh rapid;
Santuari Kelah.
 Spectacular sunset with the vibrant orange hue

Team members:
KC Leong (organizer), ChongYF, SC Yong, TehWE; Emily Kam, Lim Shu-Lin, Michelle Wong, Kellie Wong, Josephine Hoh, and Cleo.

Event Coordinator/Provider: Adi and Jennifer; if you would like to experience the nice camping site and the nature, do contact Adi at +6011-3756 2106
 Relaxing and chatting on the sandy ground in the evening (Michelle, Kellie, Shu-Lin)
 Day 2 morning going to Canopy Walkway (but it was closed for many months already), and hike to Bukit Terisek
 At Lubuk Simpon ... white sandy beach and brown-looking water (actually, the water is clear)
 Yummy BBQ dinner with grilled chicken drumsticks prepared by Adi and Jennyfer
 Day 3 morning ... preparing breakfast by Emily, Shu-Lin, Kellie
 Visit of orang asli settlement; Michelle trying on the deadly blowpipe
 Exciting boat cruise to Lata Berkoh rapid and Santuari Kelah; the water is shallow and with rocks beneath. So the boatmen have to steer clear of the rock.
 Having a dip in the water at Lata Berkoh rapid; after the previous day's rain, the river water is muddy.
 Having our lunch at Santuari Kelah. We returned to the jetty at 3pm, and we could not find any public toilet to refresh - there was no water! We have to drive all the way to Termerloh Toll Plaza to take bath, almost 2 hours' drive away.
Dinner at Bukkit Tinggi (7:30pm) Restaurant 126 ... delicious and reasonable price: for seven dishes (3 dishes of meat), per pax is only RM13.50 (this is the cheapest meal that I have ever come across eating in Chinese restaurants) 

Do click here to view my previous trip at Kuala Tahan 3D2N camping in September 2018.

Posted by KC Leong