KC & the Sunshine Runners

Friday, July 03, 2026

Baha Ayam Stong Hiking and Camping

Baha Ayam Stong (B.A.S.) Hiking and Camping trip at Gunung Stong State Forest Park of Kelantan from 27-29 June 2026 (Sat-Mon).

Seven (7) delicious meals in the mountains are cooked by Ms Tan JK of CBL_CiliPadi. Organizer: Jimmy Teh.

We have Raja Kunyit durians (The Father of Musang King) for lunch (at Gua Musang town) before returning to Kuala Lumpur. 1kg = RM17 for Grade B fruits.

Do CLICK HERE to view 96 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

Gunung Stong trailhead

Main Plan:
Day 1 (27 June 2026, Saturday)

Start hiking to Baha Campsite;

Pit stop at Jelawang Waterfall.

Day 2 (28 June, Sunday)

Viewing sunrise and sea of clouds;

Breakfast and pack lunch;

Hiking waterfalls trail;

Free and easy.

Day 3 (29 June, Monday)

Viewing sunrise and sea of clouds;

Breakfast; break camp;

Descend to trailhead.

Passing by Jelawang Waterfall

Timing:

Ascent -- 2 hours from the carpark to Kem Baha, including a rest stop at Jelawang waterfall.

Descent -- 1 hour from Kem Baha back to the carpark via an alternative route that bypasses the waterfall.

Campground Layout:

1. viewpoint campsite (front);

2. forest campsite (mid-section);

3. waterfall campsite (back).

We occupied the viewpoint campsite. I felt that it was not cold at night. I was told that the campsite near to waterfall can be cold at night.

The nearby stream flows loudly at night. I could hear it the entire night, but it fortunately drowned out the sound of neighboring campers snoring or tossing and turning in their tents.

Our campsite at Baha campground; this campsite is at the front, next to Viewpoint

Cheers in the Dark:

The Baha-Ayam-Stong 3 Peaks hike is incredible. Hikers returned to the campsite at different times throughout the night. Starting the hike at 8am, the fast hikers made it back by 5:40pm, while the slower ones returned closer to midnight.

Every now and then, we could hear groups of friends clapping and cheering as their teammates finally walked into the campsite. As for our team, only 5 took on the 3-peak challenge and returned by 5:30pm. The other 25 opted for a relaxing santai hike to the waterfalls.

The viewpoint area of Kem Baha is a dramatic cliffside overlook situated 450 metres above sea level

The Return of BAS 2.0:

We need to go back to hike BAS again -- unfinished business. 😀

If we visit again, we plan to split into two groups: a fast-paced group and a slow-paced group. The fast group will attempt to complete all three peaks in a loop.

The slow group will aim for 1.5 peaks, hiking a short distance past Baha Peak before backtracking to Kem Baha.

At this moment, I am monitoring the weather and the availability of durians. I aim to choose a date in July 2027 (next year) where durians are still in season, but not too long into the dry weather that reduces the waterfall's flow for dramatic photos.

Sunrise on Day 1

The Toilet Plot Twist:

On Day 1 night, I have diarrhea. This was the most dreadful thing to have diarrhea when camping. I have to walk to the toilet which is about 50 meters away. I walked there at 9pm+, 10pm+, 11pm+ ... at 12.30am, in darkness, guess what I saw there?

Then one of the hiker friends replied .... ghost? 😨

I saw two hikers just returned from the BAS hikes at 12:30am! There were a man and a woman, both slightly oversized and seemingly not so pro in hiking.

Then on Day 2 night around 8pm, I saw a young couple after returning from their hike, were washing rice using Indian pots at a tap in front of the toilet, about 20 feet away. We have delicious Nasi Kerabu for our dinner at 6pm, prepared by Ms Tan JK of CBL_CiliPadi.

Sunrise on Day 1

Misty morning of Day 2

Waterfall at the end of Kem Baha area

Day 2 waterfalls hike

A group photo at Baha Campsite before returning to trailhead carpark

Entrance of Kem Baha

Enjoying some delicious Raja Kunyit durians at a stall right in front of Bank Islam in Gua Musang

Raja Kunyit durian taste is superb and the texture is incredibly creamy. I think it is even better than Musang King

Posted by KC Leong

Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Tanjung Tuan Sunset Hike

Tanjung Tuan (Port Dickson) Sunset Hike on Saturday, 6 June 2026 ... This hike is unique and rewarding, yet challenging where the forest meets the sea. Other than the forest trails, it has the beach view, rugged coastal rocks, hidden sea caves, beach glamping café tucked away in forest, and a viewing platform superb for sunset.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos taken by yours truly, KC Leong.

At group photo at the main gate at 2pm before the start of hike

Team Members:

(back, left) Soek Wai, Mey Wong, TongSH, Claudia Gan, Lim Shu-Lin, Boon Siow Yong, Wai Kwan, KC Leong (Team Lead);

(front) Ang CL, Bobo, ChongYF, Watin.

At Monkey Bay ... the flushed cheeks of Wai Kwan from this hot, sunny weather

Distance: 6.7km;

Elevation gain: 404m;

Total time: 5 hr 15min.

Start hike: 2:15pm;

Sunset photos shoot: from 6:55pm to 7:14pm;

Return to trailhead: 7:30pm.

Beach glamping café tucked away in the forest

There are two routes to reach the summit of Bukit Batu Putih:

1. The Beach Route: Pass by the beach glamping café, followed by a steep rock climb to the top;

2. The Trail Route: Pass by the viewing platform, then use the installed ropes to ascend the final rock face.

To arrive at the hidden sea cave, the common route is to start from Cape Rachado Lighthouse. Be sure to check the low tide level first; otherwise, the cave could be submerged in water. Google "Tanjung Tuan Tide Time" for the website; the low tide level has to be 0.5 meter or lower in order to access to the hidden cave.

Steep uphill rock climb from the beach route

The beach glamping cafe is called Barbosa Cove in Monkey Bay. Google for contact numbers.

Tanjung Tuan Recreational Forest area:

East-west (width) = 1.13km;

North-south (length) = 1.13km.

It is of similar size as Bukit Dinding.

Bukit Batu Putih (the rock peak) is equivalent to Setiawangsa Viewpoint.

Bukit Batu Putih ... (left) Bobo, Siow Yong, Wai Kwan, ChongYF

From Google Map, we can see that beach glamping cafe, viewing platform, hidden cave are facing west: will always get the afternoon sun; hence, good for sunset photography.

But if we hike in the morning, they will be under shades.

Bukit Batu Putih is with 360° view.

En route to the hidden cave

Passing by Cape Rachado Lighthouse

The exposed sea cave during low tide ... Wai Kwan

View from inside the sea cave ... Bobo

A silhouette of Claudia reflected in the still pool of water

At another side of the hidden cave ... Wai Kwan, Claudia, Shu-Lin (red cap)

A group photo at the hidden cave

Claudia catching the golden hour sunset at the viewing platform

The fiery sun dipping below the horizon ... Wai Kwan

The final group photo before we leave the location

The trails that we managed to complete (Green icon = start). Click on the image for larger display

The planned route before the hike; X = not able to complete due to lack of time. Click on the image for larger display

Do CLICK HERE to view my maiden hike at Tanjung Tuan on 29 April, 2026, Wednesday.

Important drop pins:

Tanjung Tuan Recreational Forest ... click here

Trail head; park cars by the road side with proper bays

McDonald's Shell Port Dickson ... click here

For toilet break (only opens at 6:30am; there is a new toilet at trailhead)

Adam Campsite for shower ... click here

300m can walk from trailhead; RM1 per pax; still open at 8:30pm on weekends

Tandas Awam Tanjung Biru ... click here

600m from trailhead (RM1 per pax; still open at 8:30pm on weekends)

Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, May 03, 2026

Tanjung Tuan Hike

Tanjung Tuan hike on Wedn, 29 April 2026 ... That was the first time that I hiked at Tanjung Tuan Forest Eco-Park. Hiking there has the beach and rocky views, other than the normal forest view. There is a hidden sea cave beneath Cape Rachado Lighthouse, only accessible or visible during low tide.

Trail Lead: Mr Looi Chin Beng (Gillian Ong's friend).

Team members: KC Leong, ChanHN, ChongYF, Gillian Ong and Rose Cheong.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos taken by yours truly, KC Leong.

Bukit Batu Putih - Gillian Ong with the kung fu pose

High tide: 5:40am; height: 2.2m;

Low tide: 12 noon; height: 0.68m;

7:30am – we could walk on the rocks (no water) of Monkey Beach (west side of cape);

9:20am – the cave was exposed.

left: Looi, Gillian, ChongYF, Rose, ChanHN

Even though the lowest tide is at 12 noon, the water would have already receded hours before. We didn't have to wait until 12, but it depends on whether the previous high tide was higher or lower. If it was higher, it would take much longer time for the water to recede enough to expose the cave.

The hidden sea cave is exposed ... KC

It was an action-packed day for our Tanjung Tuan excursion. After waking up at 3 am and leaving Kuala Lumpur at 5:15 am, we arrived at our destination by 7 am. The hike concluded around 11 am, followed by lunch in the Tanjung Tuan area.

Gillian with the expressive pose

We visited a few places:

1. PD Mayangsari Campsite;

2. PD Waterfront;

3. Aivee Chong's Grovey Floating House (Sepang);

4. Bagan Lalang Beach and Campsite;

5. Tanjung Sepat: Lover's Bridge; savour the famous pau; dinner at Baywatch beachfront area at 5pm.

Another entrance of the cave

We experienced heavy rain twice: one when we arrived at the floating house; the second moment was when we just arrived at the restaurant for dinner. We finally returned home at 8 pm, completing an enjoyable and rewarding 17-hour journey.