Danang Holidays

6D5N Danang (Vietnam) trip by Beruas buddies (hometown classmates and schoolmates) from 8 May 2023 ... The weather there was as hot as an oven; a better season is to visit Danang during early April for a cooler weather. Or maybe the heatwave, not only affecting Msia since 9 April 2023, is also affecting Vietnam. 

Do CLICK HERE to view 270 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

(Hoi An 会安) - bamboo basket boat ride at Cam Thanh water coconut village

For a short holiday trip, Danang is a nice place to visit. Facing the east of South China sea, Danang has good sandy beach with many high-rise hotels fronting the sea. The Bana Hills resorts built high up in the mountains with French colonial theme, offers a cooler climate. Located at 1,500m above sea level, the elevation of Bana Hills is 52 meters higher than Cameron Highlands. The most famous landmark at Bana Hills is the Golden Bridge with the signature fingers holding the bridge. 

Hoi An ancient town ... many stalls sell lanterns; they also allow tourists to take photo with a nominal fee

Majority of the tourists in Danang during our visits were from Msia, Taiwan and Korea; visibily missing are the Chinese tourists. The Bana Hills were crowded with people, even on weekdays. On the way back from Danang to Kuala Lumpur, the Air Asia direct flight was almost full, mostly Msian Chinese.

(Hue 顺化) - My Son holyland

(back, left) Goy AC, Yow Choi, Thiam Choy, Le Yoan, Swee Ho, KC Leong, Annie Kwa, Ling CH, Jane Ong;

(front, left) Jen Ying, Lee PM, Loo KH, Thomas Yau, Kee Huat, Nyoke Khuan, Jason Tung, Woo KW.

Danang (Vietnam) trip from 8 May 2023 ... Itinerary:

Day 1 (Hoi An 会安) - bamboo basket boat ride at Cam Thanh water coconut village; Hoi An ancient town;

Day 2 (Hue 顺化) - My Son holyland;

Day 3 (Hue 顺化) - Thien Mu pagoda; Imperial Citadel; Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh; 

Day 4 (Danang 岘港) - Cham museum; Son Tra peninsula, Ling Ung pagoda, Marble mountain;

Day 5 (Danang 岘港) - Bana Hills; night boat cruise;

Day 6 - return to Kuala Lumpur.

Luxury 4-star hotels

Good food

(Danang 岘港) - Son Tra peninsula ... background is Danang beach and the high-rise buildings

(Danang 岘港) - Son Tra peninsula

(Danang 岘港) - the beach at night

(Danang 岘港) - Bana Hills ... main entrance; going up by cable cars

(Danang 岘港) - Bana Hills ... the famous Golden Bridge

(Danang 岘港) - Bana Hills ... with French themed musical show

(Danang 岘港) - Bana Hills

(Danang 岘港) - night boat cruise

Posted by KC Leong.

Royal Belum and Gunung Kerunai Hike

Royal Belum and Gunung Kerunai 14-17 April 2023 (Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon) ... Itinerary:

(1) Royal Belum houseboat 3D2N; (2) Galeri  Arkeologi Lembah (Lenggong); (3) Tasik Raban (Lenggong); (4) Hiking Gunung Kerunai (Gerik); (5) Victoria Bridge, Kuala Kangsar.

Do CLICK HERE to view 252 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

At the Royal Belum jetty ... this is puasa month time; hence, only our group. (L1: Josephine Lee, Ivy Wong, Wey Tyng, Sammi, Mey Wong)

It was an enjoyable trip for the 3D2N in Kenny's new houseboat. He served a lot of nice food. We have a good time with the good food, singing karaoke, outdoor trekking and water recreational activities. This would be my second trip to Royal Belum; previously, it was Kenny's old houseboat. 

As for hiking up Gunung Kerunai (1,000m) in Gerik, that morning, there was no sunrise and no sea of clouds because of the sudden change in weather with the heatwave. 

Kenny Ooi's new houseboat ... comfortably can accommodate 40 persons

Contact Numbers ...

(a) Houseboat operator: Kenny Ooi 019-488 9338 (lots of good food);

(b) Hiking Gunung Kerunai (Gerik): Ngai, 邓有毅 016-551 7731 ... JoMenis 013-341 4113;

(c) Overnight in Kim Chuan Homestay (Gerik) 017-877 6195 (comfortable and clean property; can accommodate 23 pax);

(d) Coach driver (Kuala Lumpur) Lee Kim Choy 019-357 9790 (a careful, patient and dedicated driver).

Happy moment seeing so much nice food

Fresh and nice river fish

Jungle trekking at Sungai Papan

Sungai Ruok waterfall

Water recreational activities in the evening ... Sandra

          Water recreational activities in the evening ... Gillian Ong, Claudia, ChongYF

                                 Water recreational activities in the evening

A lone kayak in the setting sun

Passing by Temenggor dam

Visit kampung orang asli

Pulau Batu Putih ... Mey Wong

At the peak of Pulau Batu Putih ... Claudia

Gunung Kerunai hike, Monday 17 April 2023 ... taking a rest. Started the hike at 3am; the first group arrived at the peak at 5am while the last group arrived at 6am. 

The background is another bigger mountain, Mount Kendorong; after the forest fire, the Forestry closed that mountain for hiking.

A group photo before we descent Gunung Kerunai. There was no sunrise and no sea of clouds due to the sudden changed in weather with the heatwave.

My previous trip to Royal Belum ... click here

Posted by KC Leong

Gunung Liang Hike 2022

Hiking Gunung Liang on 17 Sept 2022  ... We started the hike at 6am and only return to trail head after 12 hours. This is a tough mountain to tackle, tougher than hiking Gunung Nuang peak. It was a gloomy day but only started to drizzle at around 5pm after we have crossed the river at Lubuk Hantu campsite while returning to the trail head. Surprisingly, there was not a single leech on the trails, especially the first part (from trail head to Lubuk Hantu campsite). The first part of the trails is clear and wide. 

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

A group photo at Lubuk Hantu before crossing the river

I have a packet of Kembara outdoor meal - Chicken Masak Merah with Tomato Rice - balance from the Gunung Ledang hike. For a change, instead of eating buns at the peak, this time, I have a delicious meal.

My previous hike at G. Liang was on 10 Oct 2017, a lapse of 5 years. During that time, it was raining almost the whole day. When returning to the river crossing at Lubuk Hantu, the water level rose and we were stuck for almost 2 hours. Do click here for the posting (with timing, trailhead GPS, survival tips for crossing river).

Crossing this river is risky especially when the water level rises

Awesome natural sculpture of moss

Group photo at Liang West, the mossy forest 

From 7/E campsite to the peak, a lot of muddy trail just like the condition above

Posted by KC Leong

Kedah Hiking _Keriang_Jerai Waterfalls_Pulai

A 3-day non-stop, action-packed and adventurous hiking trip at Kedah. For two nights, we slept for 3 hours only each night.

Day 1 (27 Aug 2022) - Gua Keriang cave exploration, Gunung Keriang hiking for sunset view;

Day 2 - Hiking Gunung Jerai for four waterfalls;

Day 3 - Climbing up Gunung Pulai (toughest mountain in Kedah) for sunrise view. 

Do CLICK HERE to view 189 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

If you are interested to try the journey, the itinerary and contact persons are at the end of this posting.

Gua Keriang cave exploration

Gua Keriang cave exploration

Gunung Keriang for sunset viewing

Gua Keriang cave exploration

Day 2 Jerai first waterfall

Day 2 Jerai second waterfall

Day 2 Jerai first waterfall - yours truly posing with Ah Kwang (in black T-shirt), the mountain guide. He is a serious and pro trail runner; he trains alone by running around in the Jerai mountains, and he chanced upon the waterfalls hiding in the mountains.

Day 2 Jerai third waterfall

Day 2 Jerai third waterfall

Day 2 Jerai 4th waterfall

4th waterfall shoot from inside the waterfall; this photo courtesy of Tata Yam ... model by Josephine Lee

Day 2 Jerai 4th waterfall - synchronization in flexing the muscles

Day 3 sunrise view at Gunung Pulai ... ... this is a rock-based steep mountain; 90% of the terrain is rocky and only 10% flat land. One has to use both arms to pull oneself up the rocks. This is something like the long version of Bukit Tabur in Melawati.  

Day 3 sunrise view at Gunung Pulai

Day 3 sunrise view at Gunung Pulai

Day 3 sunrise view at Gunung Pulai

Day 3 sunrise view at Gunung Pulai ... The Wall; the lower hill covered in clouds is Gunung Baling. Posed by Josephine, photo courtesy of Tata Yam. 

Above is the updated itinerary to reflect actual timing and also containing important contact persons and handphone numbers. Click on the image for actual large file size.

Posted by KC Leong