Huangshan Tour

8D7N Huangshan Tour from 17-24 Nov 2017 by AirLink Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd that covered Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Shanghai, Jiaxing, Tunxi, Huangshan, Yiwu, and Xingchang … Weather during this period was cold and wet: about 5ºC to 12ºC. Living in the tropical country, we were uncomfortable with this cold weather. We were lucky that on the day of ascending to Huangshan, it was a fine but cold day.

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

For a complete compilation of photos and descriptions of the trip, do CLICK HERE for KM Cheng Travel Journal (in 8 postings).

Group photos at Huangshan

Winter – November is the winter season; as expected, the weather was cold. But throughout the 8 days, there were 3 days of almost whole-day light drizzles. Taking photos was a big challenge trying not to wet the camera. On the cloudy or drizzle days, the sky was dark at 5:00 p.m., and the temperature dropped further in the evening. Against the cold or wet weather, the tour guide was still dutifully taking the group for touring in the outdoor (in the evening) by fullfiling the itinerary. 

Shanghai Bund ... Looking out from the top floor of Shanghai World Financial Center which is the 2nd tallest building in Shanghai (492m; 100 floors)

AirLink – that was the first time that I went for a holiday tour with this travel agent where their head office is located in Bandar Puteri, Puchong. The service by the tour guide in China was good; the hotel stay and the food were also good. With the cheaper tour fare, travel by this method required the group to undergo six compulsory and controlled-outlet shopping, of which the participating outlets actually sponsored part of the tour fares. Other than the permanent China tour guide (for the entire trip), there were three guest-starred tour guides with in-depth knowledge of a specific place or product who then joined us and then left. For each lunch and dinner, we have nine dishes of food (inclusive of a dish of soup). On the final evening before returning to Kuala Lumpur, we have 14 dishes of food for dinner!

Night cruise along Shanghai Bund area

At Huangshan

Three-layered Clouds – Travelled in the Air Asia flight, I was seated beside the window. While descending, I could see a sea of clouds below. After many seconds in the silky white clouds, to my surprise, the aeroplane was in between another layer of clouds below. With further descent, the aeroplane pierced through the second layer of clouds. Another big surprise: there was still the third layer of clouds below. Immediately emerging from the third layer of clouds, then the Hangzhou airport was in sight in misty weather condition. With the thick three-layered clouds blocking the sun, that could explain the day-long light drizzles.

Posted by KC Leong

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 4)

7D6N Northern Thailand Chiangrai /Chiangmai sunrise and hiking tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This final album contains photos of the rice terrace homestay (no electricity) with hill-tribe food, strolling through padi field; overnight at Mayflower Grande Hotel of Chiangmai, and returning home (Kuala Lumpur) the following day.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 4 of the final photo album courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Beautiful view ... drying of just harvested padi under the hot sun

 The simple homestay is fronting the vast padi field 

 Walking around the hill tribe areas ... (L) Wai Leng, Chin Tyen, Lana, Huey Ling, George Siew, Anthony, KC Leong

 Photos shoot with the golden yellow padi field as background

 Great view for sunset too 

 Breakfast with a good view ... Anthony actually slept there (outside the room) amid a peaceful and cold night

 What a scenic view ... blue sky, golden yellow padi field and sea of clouds

Picturesque rolling hills and farm lands

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 3)

Northern Thailand Chiangrai/Chiangmai Sunrise and Hiking tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This album contains photos of hotspring, Maeya Waterfall, overnight at Ban Mae Klang Luang rice terrace homestay; Doi Inthanon National Park (view sunrise then hiking), visit the Great Holy Relics Pagoda Naphapholphumisiri.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 3 of the photo album courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

                At Doi Inthanon National Park sunrise viewing point

 At the hotspring ... the stream of hot water shot up high into the sky

 Maeya Waterfall ... we were lucky that it was just opened that day after having been closed for one week due to abundance of overflowing water

 Beautiful setting of rice (padi) fields

 7 ºC in the early hours of the morning; at the peak, we were told that it was 3 ºC

 Hiking up to the peak of Doi Inthanon National Park

 Standing at the highest spot in Thailand

 Visiting Great Holy Relics Pagoda Naphapholphumisiri

At the homestay overlooking the padi field in golden yellow ready for harvesting ... Huey Ling, Chin Tyen, Wai Leng, Lana.

Do CLICK HERE for Part 4

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 2)

Northern Thailand Chiangrai/Chiangmai Sunrise and Hiking tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This album contains photos of Doi Pha Tang hill (sunset), Phu Chi Dao hill (sunrise); White Temple of Chiangrai, Singha Park and overnight at Nak Nakara Hotel of Chiangrai.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 2 of the photo album courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

At Phu Chi Dao hill for sunrise ... the round "yolk" of the sun only lasts for 30 seconds

 At Doi Pha Tang hill

 Lana posing for the sunset at Doi Pha Tang hill

 At Phu Chi Dao hill for sunrise; we encountered strong wind with misty weather that morning

 Windy and cold morning from 5am to 6:15 a.m... (back) Huey Ling, Lana, Wai Leng, Chin Tyen, KC Leong; (front) George Siew, Anthony

 Visiting White Temple of Chiangrai 

 The toilet in gold colour

Visiting Singha Park

Do CLICK HERE for Part 3

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 1)

7D6N Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking Tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This album contains photos for Luk Phu Chi Fa Resort, sunrise at Phu Chi Fa Hill.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 1 of the photo album, courtesy of yours truly, KC.

Sunrise at Phu Chi Fa hill at 6:15 a.m.

Team members (L): KC Leong, Chin Tyen, George Siew, Huey Ling, Wai Leng, Lana, Anthony

 Luk Phu Chi Fa Resort ... we stayed here for two nights

 At Phu Chi Fa hill ... The border between Thailand and Laos; the light below is from Laos 

 Sea of clouds below our feet

 On top of the world feeling ... Wai Leng, Lana and Huey Ling

It was cold at 5am while waiting for sunrise

 The sea of clouds viewed from the resort

 Superb view for the breakfast

 Campsite with a scenic view complete with toilet facility

Do CLICK HERE for Part 2

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong

A Challenging Wet Hike at Gunung Liang

Standing at 1,933m, Gunung Liang is a tough mountain to hike: it is tougher than hiking up to Gunung Nuang peak (1,459m). While the elevation gain of Nuang peak is 1,260m (from Ulu Langat), Liang peak is 1,730m – about 500 meters more. 

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of ChongYF.

Special thanks to Vince Khor for being the Team Lead; Hooi Miin for contributing a few of her photos.

Click on any photo for actual display size (and zoom in); do scroll down the page for GPS coordinate to trailhead carpark.

A group photo at the trailhead carpark ... (back, L-R) KC Leong, Adrian Foo, SC Yong, Bruno, Serena, Teh, Soo, Low, Uncle Lim; (middle, L-R) Vince Khor, Lana, Yoke Leng, Ann Lim, Hooi Miin; (front) Ivy Wong, Shu-Ling.

We took 6 hours to arrive at the Liang peak in moderate pace with a terrain that has hardly any level ground to rest. With one hour of rest at the peak, the returning journey was not very much faster due to continuous rain and slippery ground. Total time taken was about 13 hours. 

Yeah! We made it to the peak of Gunung Liang

Mossy Forest – Other than arriving at the peak, the other highlight was that Liang West with the unique mossy forest, a better landscape compares to Gunung Irau of Cameron Highlands. Within a 5-minute walk, the scenery was totally different. You need to be there to see or experience the distinction in landscape. Liang East is a tropical landscape with a collapsed metal pyramid on a clearing, whereas Liang West is of temperate feel with the mossy forest.

At Gunung Liang West ... photo courtesy of Hooi Miin (using iPhone 7)

Terrain:

(a) Gradually going up until Lubuk campsite/final river crossing;

(b) Steeper slope until 7E campsite (similar to Kem Lolo of G. Nuang going up to Kem Pacat);

(c) Steep slope till peak, and many areas require both hands to pull oneself up (similar to Kem Pacat going up to False Peak).

The mossy forest of Gunung Liang West

Timing:

Wet Weather – The hike at Gunung Liang (Tanjung Malim, Perak) on Sat 7 Oct 2017 started with wet weather in the wee hours of the morning. Unperturbed by the heavy rain while travelling in five cars to Behrang toll exit via PLUS Highway, the group continued the journey from Kuala Lumpur. Even at the brief stop of Behrang toll exit, it was still drizzling. We pressed on, and we would made a final decision at the trailhead. We were happy that the rain stopped – the hike was On! Otherwise, we might consider a food trip at Ipoh as Plan B.

2:00 a.m. – drizzle in Kuala Lumpur

5:00 a.m. – heavy rain in Kuala Lumpur

6:00 a.m. – drizzle at Behrang toll exit

6:30 a.m. – rain stopped when we arrived at trailhead carpark

10:30 a.m. – rain

3:00 p.m. – rain

Risky river crossing at Lubuk campsite amid swelling river and swift current

With the continuous rain, the river swelled. For the descent journey, the leading group was stuck at Lubuk campsite for two hours not able to cross the river since 4:45 p.m. When nightfall was drawing near at 6:30p.m., risking our life, we crossed the river amid swift current with the help of campers. 

Crossing river when water current is strong - for safety reason, one must have another rope tie to the waist. In case one slips and falls into the water, the extra rope would be able to pull the victim back. 

Getting There – travelling time from Kuala Lumpur to Behrang Inbound Toll Plaza is about one hour; travelling to the trailhead is another 30 minutes. 8km before exiting Behrang Inbound Toll Plaza, one can take a toilet break at Hentian Sebelah Tg Malim stop.

GPS coordinates:

(1) Exit at Behrang Inbound Toll Plaza: 3.739872, 101.459412

(2) Trailhead carpark: 3.797754, 101.522888

(3) Alternatively, in Google Maps, type "Sungai Dara LAP Water Treatment Plant"; trailhead open-space car park is another 100 meters away. 

Preparation – It is important that one must have good physical fitness before trying Gunung Liang. This mountain is definitely not for the beginners. For endurance training, it is best carried out at Gunung Nuang first via Pangsoon, Ulu Langat. Because of the long duration in the hike, having a bright headlamp (with new batteries), proper rain gear, sufficient food and drinking water are mandatory requirements.

Post-event joke: On Sunday (a day after the Liang hike), my relatives came to my house in the afternoon. Then in the evening, I went to pasar malam to buy fruits. Walking with my sandals (bought from Giant hypermarket), I felt that they were a little small. I guessed that must be mistakenly exchanged by my relatives when they left. At night just before I slept, I looked at my feet. They were swollen due to intense hiking the day before, and partly caused by leeches bite. On Monday morning (the following day), the feet went back to their original size, and the sandals fit again.

Posted by KC Leong

Zhineng Qigong Mooncake Gathering

Zhineng qigong gathering for celebrating mid-autumn mooncake festival at USJ Wawasan School on Wednesday, 27 Sept 2017 ... the event was attended by 200 members with Gina Lim laoshi conducting the qigong practice and introducing her book, Go with the Flow. 

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

 Items and tokens for lucky draws

 Lots of food to cater for the 200 participants

 Yes, the yummy Kajang satay

 Stretching exercise for everyone (conducted by Vincent Khoo laoshi)

 All laoshi posing with the headmistress of USJ Wawasan school 

 A talk on practising qigong by Gina Lim laoshi

Posted by KC Leong