Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Nuang Peak via Janda Baik

Trekking to Gunung Nuang peak via Janda Baik with fellow RHB colleagues and friends on Saturday, 18 July 2015 (Day-2 of Hari Raya holidays) … I could not remember when was the last time I trekked on this trail. For serious training, one would prefer to start from the Pangsoon of Hulu Langat side. Just like the south face and north face of Mount Everest, there are two ways that one can arrive at the peak of Gunung Nuang. After referring to my blogsite, I last went there on 8 March 2011 ... almost 4.5 years ago.

There are a few changes; the most noticeable ones are as follows:

a. there is a proper parking facility at the trailhead complete with basic toilet and bathing capability;

b. there were a few Orang Asli huts being built along the trail at the farming area;

c. there are more land being cleared for cultivation of crops;

d. the trails are wide and clear due to many trekkers and trail runners who are using this trail to the Nuang Peak;

e. fallen bamboo areas – more bamboos that have fallen and blocked the trail. There was one area that spanned for about 10 feet in length; one has to crawl to get pass those areas.

Overall, it was a great trekking trip with all the good trekking buddies together.

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

A group photo just before the start of the trekking

Fine Weather and Leeches – We must be luck that day: the weather was fine, and most parts of the trail were dry. The next best thing was that there was no leech. There was no complaint from the members having been attacked by leeches. At around 2:30 p.m. when we descended at the waterfall area, we saw the sky was covered with dark clouds and we could hear thunder above. After a while, it started to drizzle – for less than one minute – and the sky became clear again. Later on, when we further descended the mountain, we realised that it was raining near the farm areas but not in the mountains.

Trans Nuang – After passing by waterfall and before reaching the peak, we saw two trail runners who came from Pangsoon, Hulu Langat side. Usually, they would ascend to Nuang Peak, connect to this Janda Baik trail. They would then run back to the peak and descend to the carpark at Pangsoon – a round trip that would take about 12 hours. 
Crossing the first stream

Packed Restaurants – After descended from the mountain and having taken our bath, we were excited for the next activity: to savour the good food at the many restaurant in Kampung Bukit Tinggi. There were a few choices but we decided to go to the restaurant which is directly opposite the coffee shop that we have our breakfast. When we passed by the produce shopping area, we were surprised to see that all the restaurants were packed with people. In the designated restaurant, a few of the members even stood next to those potentially about to finish having their meals. After a few futile wait, we decided to try other restaurants. After going to a few other restaurants, we concluded that all the restaurants in Kumpung Bukit Tinggi were fully packed on a long weekend. So we did not have the opportunity to have a good meal together.

Looping Trail – I recognized the looping trail area; previously, a lady trekker who was too tired during the descent (at around 5:00 p.m. when the sky was almost dark), she went back up to the peak again by following the paper trail. Do click here to read ...

Passing through the farm areas
Arriving at Nuang Peak between 3 to 4 hours
 The yow yeng ladies … Lana, June and Ivy
ChongYF’s highland cafeteria that attract the crowds
 Relaxing at the waterfall … Lana and Elissa 
At the waterfall 
Proper parking facility just opposite the trailhead complete with basic toilet and bathing capability; fee per entry for each car is RM 7.

Do click here to view all other postings for Nuang Peak via Janda Baik.

Posted by KC Leong

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Zhineng Qigong (M) 20th Anniversary

PSZQM 20th Anniversary Luncheon at Thean How Temple, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 28 June 2015 … Do click here to view photos from the web photo album courtesy of KC Leong, the cameraman of the event.

 Grand welcome amid thunderous lion dance – President of Persatuan Senaman Zhineng Qigong Malaysia, Sr Liow Kim Heng 马耒西亚智能气功总会会长, 廖锦兴老师 accompanying 马来西亚中医师暨针灸联合会(医总) - 黄保国教授
 Together We Strive to Take PSZQM to Greater Heights … 
(left) Organizing Vice Chairman (USJ Centre), Alan Yu Laoshi; 
President of Persatuan Senaman Zhineng Qigong Malaysia, Sr Liow Kim Heng; and  
Vice President, Edwin Khor Laoshi

VIPs and distinguished guests 

 Chinese Folk Dance  by  SJK ( C ) Lick Hung,  Subang Jaya  
中华民族舞 - 首邦市力行华小

One of the table group photos (from USJ Centre) … refer photo album for another 65 more tables
Special thanks to the following laoshi for assisting to pre-arrange the members for table group photos: Yang Pouy Soon and Joanne Tan Poh Gek; Alice Yap and Richard Wong.

 24 Festive Drums by  SJK ( C ) Lick Hung,  Subang Jaya

 Choir performance by Taman Megah Center, Taman Rakan Rakan Centre  & DJ Center  风雨二十年 & 返虚 
 Line dancing by members of USJ 4 Centre

 Aloha dance by USJ Centres

Group participation and dancing – "Xiao Ping Guo" 
集体舞蹈 : 小萍果

 Zhineng Tai Ji Qiu Dance 智能太极球 by 马来西亚气功师总会
 United We Stand … The auspicious moment of cutting the cake together in celebrating 20th Anniversary

Lots of lucky draws 

 Trendy bags for the prizes
 PSZQM EXCO and 20th Anniversary Organizing Committee Members
Cheerful conclusion … for a job well done in successfully staging the event!
(Yours truly, KC, at right, back row)


Posted by KC Leong
EXCO and Organizing Committee Member

On Behalf of Organizing Committee
20th Anniversary Luncheon

Sunday, July 05, 2015

Bukit Kutu Trekking

Trekking at Bukit Kutu with RHB colleagues and friends on Saturday, 4 July 2015 ... For the past few weeks, the weather was hot and dry. So planning a trekking trip at Bukit Kutu would be good as one can dip in the cool water after descended from the mountain. 

After without rain for many days, it started to rain heavily in the early morning resulted a wet crossing in the stream. With the wet ground, worst still, the trail was infested with leeches. 

It was a fantastic outing with an excellent group of company amid a cloudy sky in the morning. After descent from the mountain, we dipped in the cool water as planned, and completed the event with a sumptuous late lunch at 5:30 p.m. at Hulu Yam Baru.  

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

 A cheerful group photo … notice the proper carpark; this location is after the Orang Asli settlement
 Muddy water … caused by heavy rain in the wee hours of the morning
Kim showing the leech socks that she bought from MNS (Malaysian Nature Society)
 After the rain, the trail is infested with leeches. Dphany succumbed to attack by 8 leeches ! Ivy Wong helped to apply the Made-in-Thailand oilmen.
 A group photo at the huge rock area
 All ladies photo
 ChongYF setting up his mini cafe for making hot drinks
 A group photo at the peak of Bukit Kutu
 Blue sky and the vibrant ladies
 The boulder at the peak of Bukit Kutu
 The chimney – the remains of a bungalow at Bukit Kutu. I am amazed how the building materials were been carried up here as we need to trek for three hours to reach here!
 June, Dphany and Ivy Wong … let’s do a wefie (plural form of selfie) :-)
 Having a dip in the cool water after descended from the mountain
Adjourn to Hulu Yam Baru for the famous loh mee and tom yam prawn in fragrant coconut


Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Gili Trawangan Holidaying

After descended from Mount Rinjani on 21 May 2015, the Team was swiftly transferred to Gili Trawangan Island via speedboat specially arranged by the trekking agent, Encik Sunny, who came with us to Gili Island. Compare to the public boat that takes 45 minutes, the journey took only 15 minutes propelled by the high-powered Yamaha engine. 

While approaching the beach of Gili Island at 3:00 p.m., I saw the mat salleh men and women were leisurely sun-bathing by the beach. The speedboat slowed down; suddenly, the assistant jump ashore, pulled the anchor and we were hurriedly jumping out from the speedboat into the shallow water. Carrying our suitcases and walking pass the people in sun-bathing (they were looking at us in bewilderment), we looked like those illegal immigrants from Mainland China – as in the Hong Kong movies :-)

At Gili Island, the Team spent the following few days relaxing, snookering, sight-seeing, and enjoying the good food. At times, we sit at the beach admiring the mountains opposite - Mount Rinjani - and wonder how we could climb so high to the peak.

Do CLICK HERE to view 48 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

Do click here to return to Part 1 - Mount Rinjani hiking.

 At Gili Trawangan Island ... KC Leong, Tan Han Cie, Lee Wai Yin, Ann Chua, Yuen Yit, Samantha Liong, Wenny Meelin, ChongYF, George Siew, LimWH.
Team members not in photo: Josephine, Lana, LimTH.

 Sun-bathing and swimming activities
 Having lunch with local food
 Bicycles and horse-carts ... there is no motorized vehicle on this island
 Other water activities
 Relaxing and having a drink by the beach
A final group photo at the chalets (at Gili Trawangan) before the team returned to Lombok on 23 May 2015.

Posted by KC Leong




Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Mount Rinjani Trekking

After almost one year of planning and training, and with a total of 12 trekkers having shown interest but not able to make it; finally, the 13-member team continued with the Mount Rinjani trekking as planned from 17-23 May 2015.

This is quite a tough mountain to climb, especially the final 300 meters ascent where it is steep and cover with loose volcanic sand and stones. A trekker has to deliver extra strength to prevent him/her from sliding down that could easily sap the energy away. On the day of going up the summit, we trekked for almost 12 hours (not counting lunch time).

Do CLICK HERE for 193 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong). 

Do click here for Part 2 - transfer to Gili Trawangan Island for relaxing at the beach. 

Journey of a thousand steps begin here at Sembalun Lawang trailhead … group photo with Mount Rinjani as background. Team members:
(back, left): ChongYF, Tan Han Cie, LimTH, Lee Wai Yin, Lim WH, George Siew, KC Leong
(front): Samantha Liong, Wenny Meelin, Ann Chua, Yuen Yit, Lana, Josephine. 

There were many other challenging situations: ascending the steep mountain slope from the lake to the crater rim where a mistake could cause a fatal fall off the cliff; descending the sandy steep slope where one can easily slip and fall.

The view of the mountain and the lakeside area was fantastic. One good thing about this trekking is that there is the hot springs where one can dip into the water and wash up after a few days without bath.

 Relaxing while porters cook our lunch … do refer to photo album showing other photos for the VIP and 5-star service

Treated like VIPs in the mountains, the team was very pleased with the excellent service of the mountain guides and porters for making the journey a pleasant one. They even asked you: "Sir, would you like to have a Coca-Cola, Sprite (pronounce as Spriiiiit), or Pocari Sweat (equivalent to 100Plus).” Other than using very good tents and sleeping bags, the trekking agent, Encik Sunny of Lombok Trekking Travel Service, even set up two toilet tents at every campsite just in case there was “traffic jam” situation in the mountains.
Planting a tree to help conserve the environment by the trekking agent ... Yuen Yit, Lana and Nasir, the Mountain Guide.

The campsites:
Night#1 – camping at the crater rim; though the view for sunset was excellent, it was very windy and extremely cold
Night#2 – camping at the lakeside area; though not windy, it was damp and cold
Night#3 – camping in the wilderness during the descent. It was a nice and cosy feeling of camping out of nowhere. With a lower altitude, it was calm and quite cold too.

 Feeling excited … arriving at the base camp located at the crater rim

The icing on the cake was that upon completion of the 4D3N trekking, we were quickly transferred to Gili Trawangan Island via speed boat that was pre-arranged by the trekking agent. It was a stark contrast at Gili Island where the team spent the following 3D2N in relaxing, chatting, snookering, enjoying ourselves with good food, etc.

In appreciating the excellent service of the mountain guides and porters, the 13-member team rewarded handsomely the good effort of the 17 support crew with tips of more than 5 juta Rupiah!

Note on local training requirement: in order to climb Mount Rinjani, you must be able to go up to the peak of Gunung Nuang (1500m) at Ulu Langat during your training; preferably, train on two different occasions.

Camping at the crater rim of Mount Rinjani … it is very windy and extremely cold here 

 3:00 a.m. at the base camp … the team in full gear is ready for scaling to the summit of Mount Rinjani
 Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! We make it to the peak of Mount Rinjani (this photo showing part of the team)

 Camping by the lakeside area of Mount Rinjani … dense moisture in the air (in the evening); exposed clothing within 30 minutes would be damp and moist.
Playing water and diving activity in the hot springs ... Lana, Said, TanHC, Josephine, Lee Wai Yin and Nasir

 10:00 a.m. at the lakeside area … the team is ready to continue the journey to climb up to the crater rim (at Senaru side).
 At the crater rim (Senaru side)
 Camping in the wilderness … camping out of nowhere for the third and final night of camping; this area is not too windy and not extremely cold
 A cosy and nice feeling of close to one another
 With beautiful sunset … 
Tips awarding ceremony to the mountain guides and porters ... Wow! 5 juta (millions)  Rupiah generously contributed by the 13-member team in appreciating the good effort put in by the guides and porters. Bravo!


Posted by KC Leong
Team Leader
Mount Rinjani Trekking (17-25 May 2015)