Chiangmai 29-31 Dec 2007

Continued from: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/doi-inthanon-28122007_3.html

Chiang Mai, capital of the Northern Thailand, is located at the edge of the Ping river. It is a city dotted with numerous Wats, countless travel agencies, ubiquitous exchange bureau booths and many massage outlets. Night bazaars spring out everywhere when the sun sets giving the city a very touristy atmosphere. The December weather is cool and conducive for city trekking.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1815.

Doi Inthanon 28 Dec 2007

Continued from: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/doi-pui-26122007_2.html

Standing 2,565m, Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in Thailand. It was declared a national park in 1972. At this time of the year, the weather was cool and dry, thanks to the North Eastern monsoon wind from China. The Park boasts of many beautiful waterfalls and 2 defined trekking trails. The best surprise was to discover cherry blossoms in full bloom. Unfortunately, we only have enough time to trek up 2 waterfalls.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1821.

Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/around-chiangmai-dec-2007_4.html

Doi Pui 26 Dec 2007

Continued from: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/pai-maehongson-december-2007_3.html

Doi Pui, a 1720 meters peak, is the highest mountain in Mae Hong Son (MHS). Its high altitude contains an unique upland pine vegetation and the peak is covered in meadows of wildflowers. It offers a commanding views of the surrounding countryside as there are no obstructive trees about the peak.
From MHS town, our 4WD took 1hr and 40 min to reach the trail head which sits at an elevation of 1,186m. From the trail head, it was all the way up with a couple of gentle gradients for rests. We took 2 hours to trek up to 1,720m peak and 1 hr 45 min to trek down another trail leading to a Karen village after 45 min lunch break at the peak. The overall trek was a pleasant one given the dry trail, weak sunlight and cool blowing winds.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1887.

Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/doi-inthanon-28122007_3.html

Pai-MaeHongSon 23-27 Dec 2007

Completed a 10-day loop from Chiangmai --> Pai --> Mae Hong Son (MHS) ---> Doi Inthanon ---> Chiengmai. Among places visited are Orchid & Butterfly farm, Wat Nam Hoo, Wat Doi Kong Mu, Nam Rin Lisu Village and Lisu Kung PaTueng Village, Lahu Village, Doi Pui Hmong Village, Lod Cave, Fish Cave, Doi Inthanon, Pha Sua Waterfall, Morphang waterfall, Doi Suthep, Siriphun waterfall, Wachiratan waterfall, Artisan handicraft village, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Bupparam and activities included homestays at 2 different Karen Villages, rafting, elephant rides, trek from Karen village to Shan Village and trek up Doi Pui (1720m).

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1754.

Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/doi-pui-26122007_2.html

Gunung Irau 8 Dec 2007

Thirteen of us trooped off to Cameron Highlands on Friday night to prepare for the assault of Gunung Irau (2110m) on Saturday morning. Starting at 9.15 a.m. at an elevation of 1,941m, we managed to reach the false peak @ 1991m elevation at 1 p.m. after trekking 1.55km for about 4 hours. The fine weather at the start of the hike did not hold. By the time we reached the false peak, the rain became heavier and turning back was a natural alternative given the very wet weather which made the trail extra muddy and extremely slippery. Needless to say, photography was also very challenging due to the rain and poor lighting.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1242.

Kiara Penchala Dalam Trek 2 Dec 2007

A leisurely trek from Lembah Kiara Park to and back from the NKVE flanking Penchala Dalam. We started at 9.45 a.m. and returned at 2.30 p.m., covering a total distance of over 10km. This time we covered the loop comprising Clenched Sphincter, Lightning Ridge and Thunder Valley. More interesting flora and fauna were sighted along the way.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/723.

Kiara Segambut Dalam 25 Nov 2007

Started at 9.30 a.m. and returned at 2 p.m. with 30 minutes refreshment break at Desa Sri Hartamas. A simple but long loop trek starting from Lembah Kiara Park to Segambut Dalam using the Rock Garden, Jane Addiction, Boner and Penchala Baru trails, and returning via Sri Hartamas, Rumpy Pumpy, Bar-O-Kuda, Boulder, Snake & Ladder and Carnival trails. Noted that a straight and wider trail, which runs parallel to Jane Addiction and Boner trails, has been created to cater for 4WD coming up from Segambut Dalam to transport latex.

Ben with a senior citizen

Top view of Bat Orchid

Lingzhi?

A pair of bluish butterflies

Trail cuts through the bamboo grove

Wide trail

Many condominiums coming up

Giant yam plants

Kg Tanah Jawa

A fern

A red fern

Nice mushrooms

Another condo perched on red soil

Enjoying a second childhood

Boulder trail covered by mud slide

More mushrooms

Wood mushrooms

White mushrooms

Link: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/15904

Bukit Tabur East 18 Nov 2007

Our original plan to access the trailhead of Tabur East by crossing a river from Taman Recreasi Empangan Klang Gate was dashed when we found out that the water level was exceptional high due to the release of excess water from the Dam that morning. Undeterred we got back to our cars and drove to another access trail located further downstream identified by 2 gigantic parallel water pipes and a concrete bridge.

It was already 7.40 a.m. when our group of 17 hikers reached the trailhead to Tabur East. Starting at an elevation of 135m, the ascent was a steep climb up a clear trail crisscrossed with exposed roots and strewn with leaves. At certain sections, we have to clamber up with the aid of ropes. After about 20 minutes, we reached the first viewpoint of Taman Melawati at 235m elevation. Another 20 minutes trek took us to another viewpoint of the Tabur West Ridge and the Dam at an elevation of 260m. At 9 a.m. we hit the mossy peak (elevation 335m) after trekking for about 40 minutes on rockier trail lined with sporadic patches of quartz crystals. From here, we took another hour to descend downhill before scaling up a near vertical slope using ropes to an elevation of 370m. Total time taken: 2.5 hours and 2 hours return.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1291.

Ah Pak San Waterfall 7 Nov 2007

Took the kids for a hike to Ah Pak San Waterfall. They managed to maintain a good pace and reached Station 5 in 1 hour 20 minutes despite limited trekking experience. Took more than 30 minutes to reach the fall because of the muddy and slippery slope. The waterflow was stronger because of the wet season... fantastic for body massage.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1328.

Ah Pak San 14 Oct 2007

 

Went to APS and was surprised to witness a small gathering holding banners and singing songs protesting against the closure of APS to the public.The authorities have also put up a noticeboard advising the public against entering the forest without permission or face a fine of RM10,000 or a jail sentence of 3 years or both. Enforcement is expected after Raya. Reporters from Chinese dailies were there too.

After hiking 11/2 hr, we reached Station 6 at 10:20 a.m. Since this might be the last time we could hike up APS, we decided to extend our trek to Segar Summit (elevation 386m). The hike took about 30 minutes from Station 6. The Segar Summit area is much bigger (than Station 6) and has a viewpoint on Ampang area. We took 25 minutes to backtrack to Station 6 before racing downhill to beat the rain (about 1 hour). After spending some time chitchatting with the tongsui operator while savouring her homecooked red/green bean soup, fresh fruits, nasi lemak and mee hoon, we left the place at 1:30 p.m. The stall operator told us that she would go home and eat 'loh mai' after the closure of the stall. She has also been given notice to tear down the back extension too. So sad!

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1368.

Sg Chiling 7 Oct 2007

The famous Sg Chilling waterfall is now officially known as Sg Chilling Fish Sanctuary. The place has been spurned up with a new suspension bridge at the first river crossing. Nearby there are sheltered rest areas and changing rooms as well as a surau. Also, to note that camping, cooking and fishing are no longer allowed.

Starting at 9.15 a.m. we took 15 minutes slow walk to reach the first river crossing using suspension bridge. The trail is wide and level (at an elevation about 275m). After about an hour trek along the trail running parallel to the river, we came across a fork junction, one leading towards the riverbank (on the left) and another uphill (right). Taking the left trail, we proceeded another 5 minutes along a narrow trail before ending at a riverbank where we had to wade cross the river. At the opposite of the river, there are 2 huge noticeboards reminding everyone that fishing is totally prohibited. For the next 40 minutes, the trail took us through 4 more river crossings before we reached the pristine rest area of the lower waterfall. Total river crossings : 6 (1 using bridge + 5 wading across).

The upper waterfall (at 345m elevation) can be accessed using a steep trail uphill. The trail head is clearly visible at the riverbank before the last river crossing.

Generally, the trail is litter free and water is crystal clear... kudos to the Forestry staff!

The photos are arranged in chronological in order to assist us in future trips.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1403.

Bukit Tabur 30 Sep 2007

This is my fifth trip to Bukit Tabur and I still find the climb enervating. Started at 7.15 a.m. and finished at 10.40 a.m. with a good 25 minutes break at the mossy forest. This time we managed to catch the sunrise @ 7.19 a.m.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/477.

Gunung Angsi 23 Sep 2007

Starting at an elevation of about 200m, we took 2 hours to hike up to the Summit (825m) via Bukit Putus way and 1hr 40 mins for our return trek. This time round, there was hardly any fungi, compared to the last trip on 5 August 2007  given the recent dry spell. Overall, it was a goodwork out and managed to touch base with many trekker friends at the Summit.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1139.

Gunung Murud 19-24 Aug 2007

Our adventure to Gunung Murud started with an initial prolonged 3 hours bumpy ride on the muddy logging trail from Buduk Nur, Ba’ Kelalan (Elevation: 925m) to Lepo Bunga (1685m). Due to the continuous rain the night before, we started late at 9 a.m. hoping that the logging trail would be drier for vehicles to pass. Nonetheless, our 4WD stalled a couple of times enroute to Lepo Bunga.

After 40 minutes of ascent from Lepo Bunga, which included climbing up several step logs (ladders) we arrived at a small clearing (2030m). From here, it was supposed to be an easy gentle walk along the plank walkway which runs approximately 3 km. The wet weather had made the walk tedious because the planks were slippery and some, rotten. We took about 80 mins to complete the plank walk which ends at the foothill (2153m) of Batu Linanit. The Church camp is located right behind the hill. One has the option of taking a 20 min trek around the hill or scale up and down the Batu Linanit hill to reach the Church Camp. We opted to scale up Batu Linanit (2211m) hill with the hope of getting a great view of the Batu Lawi and others. Unfortunately, it started to rain and we were forced to make a quick exit downhill to the Church camp (2072m). We took 30 minutes to trek uphill and 35 minutes downhill.

The following morning, we trekked in the rain for 4 hours to reach the Rock Garden (Batu Kebun) and another 30 mins to reach the Summit (2423m) at 12.55 p.m. The trail initially descended downhill to 1915m before ascending to 2285m at Rock Garden. The trail was muddy and filled with pools of water trapped by rotting roots. The scenery to the Batu Kebun was stunning with bonsai trees interspersed with huge boulders and colourful shrubs.

After a quick meal, we started our return trek at 1.45p.m. The river which we had trekked up earlier had swollen and the river boulders were no longer visible for us to trek on as they were covered by gushing water. Here our 3 guides cum porters (Kading, Jimmy and Paulous), displayed extraordinary agility in helping us to navigate across and down the riverbank. We hurried our way back and managed to reach Church Camp at 4.40 p.m. cutting down the time taken to 3 hours. The following day, we made another trip up Batu Linanit hill given a clear morning before descending down to Lepo Bunga. The trail was so fresh and alive from the rain the night before. Today we get to take photographs of wild flowers and Nepenthes. From Lepo Bunga we trekked 45 minutes down the logging trail to meet up with our late 4WD (because it had earlier stuck in mud for 3 hours).

Tips: Wear Kampong Adidas and avoid using walking stick because it takes a lot of energy to pull up the stick from the soggy ground after each step: thereby slowing down the pace.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1361.

Gunung Angsi 5 Aug 2007

Went up to Gunung Angsi Summit via Bukit Putus and return via Ulu Bendol. This third hike to the Summit was made most special by the variety of mushrooms sighted in terms of shapes, sizes and colours. There were blue, pink, orange, brown, yellow, white. It must be mushroom season. Needless to say we spent time to take the best shots and thus took longer than usual to reach the Summit and return. It turned out to be a photography trek.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1173.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park 28-29 Jul 2007

Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Great place for bird watching as well as to see silver leaf monkey. Of course not forgetting the famous Ijok beggar chicken nearby.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1078.

Phnom Kulen & Beng Melea 14 Jul 2007

Continued from: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/07/kbal-spean-13-july-2007_22.html

Phnom Kulen is the original capital of the Khmer Empire before Angkor Wat. It is 50 km from Siem Reap and is only acessable by motor vehicle (not tuk-tuk). Before the construction of road, the people used to hike up the hill to pray to Buddha located at the top of the hill (360m). Our proposal to hike up the hill was ditched when told that it would take 3 hours to hike up the trail. At the hilltop, there are hundreds of linga stands in the Seim Reap River, a waterfall and a pagoda. Entrance fee to Phnom Kulen is steep at USD20 pax.

Beng Melea is a sprawling jungle temple over 1 sq km. It is located 63 km from Seim Reap and it takes over 1 hr to reach there by car. The temple is overrun by vegetation thus giving it a 'lost temple ' feel. A nice place to photograph trees growing from the broken towers and galleries. Wooden planks and ladders have been put up to assist tourists to climb over the ruins. A local showed us the right trail through the ruins - which involved lots of risky climbing and scrambling over stacks of tumbled granite blocks, some as high as 20m and ducking through openings. It was fun... a nice departure from the standard temple fare. Our taxi driver Mr Chhon Chhoub (+855012822128 hp) is a very informative person well versed in world affairs also.








For more photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/798.

Kbal Spean 13 Jul 2007

Continued from: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/07/siem-reap-july-2007.html

Aka 'The river of 1000 lingas' is situated in Phnom Kulen National Park outside Seim Reap. It takes about 2 hours to travel by tuk-tuk from Siem Reap. The last 45 minutes is on laterite road filled with pot holes. From the parking area, one needs to trek 45 minutes uphill through the woods to reach there. The trail is wide and clear. Along the way, we see very 'ancient' trees with thick long vines twisted into many shapes. There are also carvings of Buddha and Buddhist images in the riverbed and rocks.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/770.

Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/07/phnom-kulen-beng-melea-14-july-2007.html

Siem Reap 10 Jul 2007

Spent 7 days in Siem Reap and find that it a highly touristy place and USD is the king currency. Siem Reap Angkor Visitors Guide book which is available freely in hotels is a very comprehensive and accurate book. Surprisingly, it is well written in good English. Visited 17 temples and nearly got “templed out”. Luckily, our itinerary included interesting hiking trips to Phnom Bakheng and Kbal Spean as well as an outstation trip to Phnom Kulen and Beng Melea. In my opinion, the best temples are Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat and Ta Phrom.

I like to highlight a frightening experience with the Lolei temple (part of the Roluos Gp) comprising 4 brick towers on a double laterite platform. While taking a snapshot of a brick tower against the sky I experienced a weird feeling of bricks moving and collapsing on me. This was also experienced by my friend. Later, we comforted ourselves and attributed the optical illusion to the white clouds moving fast backwards against the blue sky.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/797.

Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/07/kbal-spean-13-july-2007_22.html

Sungai Lembing 2-3 Jun 2007

Arrived at Sg Lembing late at 10 p.m. Stayed at Sungei Lembing Resthouse located along the Main Street. The rooms are air-conditioned with clean sheets and beds. Woke up early the following morning and started off at 6.15 a.m. in a 4WD to the head trail of the Rainbow waterfall. The bumpy ride along the logging trail took 11/2 hour to reach a riverbank. Crossing the river was a task because of the strong current and slippery riverbed. From here, we took another 1 hour to trek to the Rainbow waterfall.

The trail took us through a couple of river crossing and jungle trails to avoid certain stretches of steep river gradients. Luck was not with us for we saw a faint rainbow due to the weak sunlight. Our driver took us back using a different route via a riverbed crossing and through Sungei Mas aborigine settlement. That night, after a seafood dinner at the famous Muhibbah Restaurant in Kuantan, we went shopping for the famous Mui Heong Ham Yee.

The following morning we trekked up the Panorama Hill at 5.45 a.m. Reached the summit at 6.04 a.m. This time luck was with us as we saw the sun rising beautifully over the horizon at 6.52 a.m. The sun resembled a dark yolk of the salted egg. The view from the summit was simply breath-taking; we had an orangey sky on the East and a fading moon high above magnificent floating clouds on the opposite side.

After breakfast we visited the Charas Cave and Pandan Waterfall on our way home.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/965.

Green billed Malkoha May 2007

Pix 1

Photos taken at about 11 a.m. near lamp post no 28.

Pix 2

Pix 3

Pix 4

Pix 5

Pix 6

Pix 7: Long tail hidden

Pix 8

Pix 9

Pix 10 

Link: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/15893