Tour Du Mont Blanc (Part 2)

This posting contains activities for Day 1 and Day 2:

Day 1 (14 July 2019): Chamonix to Les Houches, France (overnight in Hotel Les Melezes);

Day 2 (15 July 2019): Les Houches to St. Gervais, France (overnight in Hotel Le Terminus, Le Fayet).

Do CLICK HERE to view 136 high-resolution photos courtesy of your truly, KC Leong.

 Day 1 trekking at Chamonix ... 24 team members posing for group photo before the start of the Tour du Mont Blanc trekking 

 The trekking journey begins with a downhill hike

 Paragliding activity with Mont Blanc peak in the background

 Lunch is anywhere along the trails with a shady ground

 Common food for the simple lunch packs

 Arriving at Les Houches ... end of Day 1 trekking

 Start of Day 2 trekking

 Alicia passing by herd of sheep grazing in green meadows

 This morning, the weather was gloomy but it did not rain

 Lunch time ... this time, there is no shade along the grassland

The journey continues ...

Do Click Here to view Part 3.

Posted by KC Leong

Tour du Mont Blanc (Part 1)

The Tour du Mont Blanc or TMB is one of the classic and most popular long-distance trekking trails in Europe. It circles the Mont Blanc mountains ranges, covering a distance of roughly 170 km with 10 km of ascent/descent and passes through parts of Switzerland, Italy and France. The circular route is normally walked in a counter-clockwise direction in 11 days. It is also the route of an annual mountain marathon, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), in which the winner normally covers the entire distance in less than 24 hours (source: internet).

Activities in this photos album (12-13 July 2019):

(1) Staying and walking around Chamonix, France;

(2) Briefing by the trekking agent;

(3) Visit Aiguille du Midi peak (3,842m);

(4) Visit Mer de Glace ice cave.

The actual trekking would start on 14 July 2019.

Do CLICK HERE to view 97 high-resolution photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Walking around Chamonix (France) areas

 24 team members posing with trekking agent ... (front, left) Bruno, George Siew, Yoke Leng, Ginger Lee, Jack Oh, Elsie Liew, Lana, Voon Lee, ChongYF;

(back, left) Rose Cheong, Hooi Miin, Rija, Emily Kam, mountain guide, trekking agent (Pierrick), Dphany, Lawrence Tang, Kelly Hoh, Edwin Goh, Vince Khor, SC Yong, GohBK, LamSK;

(not in the photo: KC Leong, Mila and Alicia)

 Briefing by trekking agent, Mr Pierrick

 Visit Aiguille du Midi peak

 Spectacular view from the Midi peak

 Visit Mer de Glace ice cave; the entrance is marked by the blue stripe

Inside the ice cave, a stark contrast from outside

Do Click Here to view Part 2;

Do Click Here to view Part 7 (final part), and the extended holidays in Switzerland. 

Posted by KC Leong

Revisit Waterfall of Apek Hill

Hiking Apek Hill via Sansui Trail, and connected to the waterfall on Saturday, 6 July 2019 ... Since the day I was introduced to the Watergate extended trail of Apek Hill on 7 April 2018 (one year ago), I have been leading the hiker buddies to hike this trail for 12 consecutive times. 

During one of the hikes in heavy rain recently, we cut short the distance by using Sansui Trail to Station 5; I reckon that it was good for us to go back to the waterfall again. So this time, we hiked via Sansui Trail and connected to the waterfall, and emerged at Saga Hilltop station.

Estimated timing:

Watergate Extended Trail - trailhead fruit stall to Saga Hill top = 3 hours;

Waterfall Trail - 15 minutes shorter.

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

 (left) Yee Mey, Stephanie Tham, Dr Kogulan, Tai, Adrian Foo, KC Leong, Rose Cheong, Lana

 At Sansui Station ... long time ago, there was a leading HiFi brand from Japan with the same name as Sansui

 Apek Hill watefall

 Apek Hill watefall

 A group photo at the waterfall

Waterfall photos shoot of Lana

Posted by KC Leong

Penang Durian & Gastronomic Delights

The group went to Penang for durians and savouring many of the delicious hawkers and restaurants food from 29 June to 1 July 2019 (3D2N). The durian and food in Penang are just fantastic! For those three days, we have been eating non-stop!

We managed to savour the excellent durians from the durian plantation belonging to the brother-in-law of Ms Anah. 

Special thanks to Anah and TC Chor who have been our guides, taking us around for food and sightseeing – the hospitality of Penang people is amazing and excellent!!

Do CLICK HERE to view 145 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Waking around durian orchard ... (left) Ting Mei (Anah's sister-in-law), Camelia, Brenda Lee, Polly, Ivy Wong, Celine Gan, Cindy Lim, Anah, Ronnie Wong, Annie, Gin, TC Chor (not in the photo: KC Leong)

 Posing with durian orchard owner, Mr Boon (left) who is Anah's brother-in-law. Hmmm ... durians from Penang are excellent! (Black Thorn, Musang King, Red Prawn)

Day 1 Activities (Sat 29 June 2019):

(1) Driving from Kuala Lumpur at 6:30am to Penang via the Second Bridge and arrived at Balik Pulau area at 12:30pm (have breakfast in Sungai Buloh);

(2) Taking a walk in the durian orchard;

(3) The main attraction – savouring the various type of durians;

(4) Visiting Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory;

(5) Viewing sunset at Pantai Pasir Panjang;

(6) Savouring delicious dinner at 新路头海鲜 KJB Seafood restaurant, Balik Pulau;

(7) Checking into the homestay at Arte S Condominium at Gelugor (comfortable stay; my best experience so far; recommended).

Viewing sunset at Pantai Pasir Panjang

Day 2 Activities (Sun 30 June):

(8) Breakfast at Lee Huat Cafe ... delicious curry mee, oyster porridge, roti bakar, and a lot of other nice hawkers food;

(9) Walking around Ayer Hitam dam; 

(10) Visiting Kek LoK Si Temple;

(11) Savouring ice cendol and laksa at Balik Pulau area;

(12) Visiting goat farm (enjoy feeding the goats, drinking yogurt and eating ice-cream)

(13) Visiting Botanical Garden;

(14) Visiting the swimming pool, Sky Lounge (at 41th floor) of Arte S Condominium.

 Sumptuous dinner at 新路头海鲜 KJB Seafood restaurant, Balik Pulau

Day 3 Activities (Mon 1 July):

(15) Taking tram to Penang Hill (unfortunately, the tram service was closed for 5 days for maintenance, starting that morning; so we took a walk to the Heritage Trail);

(16) Walking around Gurney Drive area; Fort Cornwallis at Padang Kota Lama, George Town;

(17) Sumptuous lunch at Tek Sen restaurant;

(18) A surprise birthday celebration for Ms Anah;

(19) Returning to Kuala Lumpur at 3:00 p.m. (arrived in KL at 7:30 p.m.).

Homestay at Arte S Condominium at Gelugor 

The swimming pool of Arte S Condominium

 Ayer Hitam dam

 Visiting goats farm

 At Botanical Garden

 Night view of Penang Bridge from the Sky Lounge (at 41th floor) of Arte S Condominium

 Starting point of Heritage Trail to Penang Hill top

 Delicious lunch at Teksen Restaurant

A surprise birthday celebration for Anah

Posted by KC Leong

Back-to-back Hike Training

Back-to-back training at Apek Hill Cheras in preparation for the 11-day Mont Blanc trekking in July 2019.

Day 1 Saturday 22 June 2019 – It started to rain at 7:15am when we were about to start from the fruit stall at Cheras Awana. Nevertheless, the show must go on! We braced for rain and continue the hiking. The original plan was to hike via Watergate extended trail, but due to the slippery ground, we decided to cut short the distance by going through Sansui Trail and connect to Station 5.

Day 2 Sunday 23 June 2019 – we went to hike Apek Hill again via the Watergate extended trail. It was a fine weather, superb for outing. With the rain yesterday, the air was fresh and the ground was soft but not muddy. As usual, from trailhead to Saga Hill top took 3 hours. With the rest and chat at Saga Hill top, and until we returned to trailhead fruit stall, it would be 5 hours round trip. We have our lunch at the EconSave food-court. When we returned home in our comfortable car at 1:30 p.m., it started to rain heavily – so this time, we were lucky (as compared to Day 1's hike in the rain).

Do CLICK HERE to view photos in Day 1.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos in Day 2.

 (left) Ervie, Yee Mey, Rose, Adrian, Lana, Hooi Miin, Ginger Lee, GohBK, Sow Keng

 Sansui Station - nestled in the forest, it is a good place to relax

 Relaxing and chatting at Saga Hilltop station 

At Saga Hilltop

 Day 2 hiking ... (left) SC Yong, Rose, Adrian, Lana, Ginger Lee, KC Leong

 At the giant tree en route to Watergate via Ah Meng Trail

 At Watergate 

Relaxing and chatting at Sage Hilltop station

Posted by KC Leong

New York City (May/June 2019)

Free and easy travel with my chi gong travel buddy to northeast USA and Canada for one month from 14 May 2019.

In this photo album ... New York City (May/June 2019):

(1) Central Park of Manhattan;

(2) United Nations Headquarters;

(3) Rockefeller Centre Building;

(4) Times Square;

(5) Empire State Building;

(6) Statue of Liberty (taking a ferry to Staten Island);

(7) City Hall of New York City;

(8) Financial District of New York City; New York Stock Exchange;

(9) 9/11 Memorial Site and One World Trade Center;

(10) Chinatown of New York City;

(11) The High Line (park built into old elevated rail line 30 feet above street level);

(12) The Vessel (honeycomb-shaped structure);

(13) Strolling across the 1.5km Brooklyn Bridge;

(14) 102 Floors of One World Trade Centre Observatory Deck.

Do CLICK HERE to view 118 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Central Park of Manhattan

 Statue of Liberty (taking a ferry to Staten Island)

 New York Stock Exchange

 At the Financial District of New York City

 One World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial Site

 9/11 Memorial Site

 Strolling across the 1.5km Brooklyn Bridge to watch the vibrant sunset with spectacular view of Manhattan skyline in the background. The sun set at 8:30 p.m. in May 2019 with a very comfortable temperature of 22°C in the evening.

 Busy traffic below at Brooklyn Bridge while it is peaceful at the pedestrian level

 The High Line (park built into old elevated rail line 30 feet above street level)

 The Vessel (honeycomb-shaped structure)

 Aerial view of New York City from the 102 Floors of One World Trade Centre Observatory Deck

The two black squares are the memorial site for the two destroyed buildings in 9/11

Posted by KC Leong