Tabur West 29 Apr 2012

My last climb was more than a year ago on 27.2.2011 http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/02/bukit-tabur-barat-2722011_27.html.

This time we started late about 8.15 a.m. and the weather was hot & humid with a slight breeze. The views of the surrounding areas along the ridge were good.
One notable difference was metal hand rails were bolted onto the rock surface to assist climbers to negotiate precarious sections of the hills.

We took about 2 1/2 hours to complete the ridge trek. After resting for half an hour, we started to descend at 11.30 a.m. from 630m elevation via the orchard trail and arrived at the base at 12.30 p.m.

Overall, it was a good vigorous exercise for the weekend. Trekking buddies included Elsie, Christina, Wun Nok, David Lim and Chew Poh Lian.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13305.

Gunung Angsi 15 Apr 2012

This would be my twelfth Angsi trek. The last trek was on 16.7.2011 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/07/gunung-angsi-1672011.html).

We started late at 10.45 a.m. and took a leisurely trek to the summit with lots of photography breaks along the trail. From Panjang site, we took the original trail via Pang’s site to the summit and returned via the Panjang trail.

The weather was good that day with slight breeze. Unfortunately, it was not a season for mushroom for the trail was quite dry. We took time to touch base with members of the Angsi trekkers also.

Trekking buddies included: Elsie, Lai Cheng, Victor, Cheah Seiw Khoon, Christina Goh, Christina Cheah, Chew Poh Lian, Lim and David Lim.


For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13303.

Gunung Peninjau 8 Apr 2012

To avoid the long journey from Petaling Jaya, my group of 4 members decide to spend a night at Grand Kampar Hotel on Saturday night (7 April 2012) to prepare for the following day ascent of Gunung Peninjau (1112m asl).


We regrouped with the rest of 21 trekking kakis at Gopeng Toll rest area before making our way to Kampung Ulu Chepor, the base for climbing Gunung Peninjau. Starting at 8.50 a.m., the first 0.5 hour was an easy gentle walk along paved and rocky pathway which winded alongside Sungei Chemor. The riverside views of cascading waters were simply pleasing. After the wide stream, the mountain path ascended abruptly and steeply. We have to clamber and scramble our way up most of the time. We have to use our hands to grip and hold on to available tree trunks and branches to heave ourselves upward. The slope was wet and slippery from rain the day before. The trail was wild and rugged with fallen tree trunks and prickly vines. The steep climb continued for the next 1.5 hours till we hit the campsite called HUT Everest. Later, we find out that that was not the original trail to the campsite.

From the campsite, the path appeared more defined and trodden but it was still a steep uphill for the next 2 hours till the summit. The strong trekkers were able to make it to the summit within 3.5 hours. Sited on the small summit area was a trigonometrical station. The view from the summit was limited to Chemor town.

The last of us left the summit at 1.30 p.m. and made to the base at 4.30 p.m.

This was certainly a tough trek owing to the slippery and steep terrain. Fortunately, the weather was kind (it did not rain despite the thunderous sound roaring in the background) and all of us managed to complete the trek with limited injuries from sliding falls and prickly vines.

Wonderful trekking buddies included Elsie, Christina and Victor together with 21 others.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13301.

Sg Chilling 26 Feb 2012

My last trip to Sg Chilling was on 24.7.2011 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/07/sg-chilling-2472011.html).

We left Kuala Lumpur at 7 a.m. and stopped over at Kuala Kubu Bharu to have breakfast as well as to regroup with other members. It was about 9 a.m. when we left and arrived at Sg Chilling car park area at 9.30 a.m. After the registration, we started our trek at 10 a.m. The river crossings were a bit challenging due to high water level. After the 5th river crossing, we proceeded to climb the steep hill to reach our designated waterfall 11.30 a.m. The waterfall was beautiful and pristine. We spent about 2 hours and left at 1.20 p.m. On our way back, we took our time to take photos of the abundant nepenthes plants and made a detour to the iconic Chilling waterfall before leaving for home at 3 p.m.

Main trekking buddies: Elsie Mak, Stantley and Kang.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13300.

Durham & London 29 Oct - 6 Nov 2011

For the photographs of the preceding days, please refer to: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/london-26-281011_28.html

On the morning of 29.10.2011 (Day 17), I took a train from King Cross Station to Durham City in North East England. The train journey took over 3 hours. Durham sits on a peninsular surrounded by River Wear which provides the scenic backdrop for the City.

While over there for 4 days till 2.11.2011, I took the opportunity to explore the town especially Durham Cathedral and Castle. The cathedral is regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site along with nearby Durham Castle. The treasures of Durham Cathedral include relics of St Cuthbert and the remains of the Venerable Bede. Durham Castle was built as the residence for the Bishop of Durham. The seat of the Bishop of Durham is the fourth most significant in the Church of England hierarchy.

I also took two easy day walks, each taking about 3 hours. The first was a 4 km Riverside and Farmland Walk to North of Durham and second was an 8 km Riverside and Woodland Walk to South of Durham.

I returned to London on 2.11.2011. Over the next few days, I did some shopping, visited London School of Economics (LSE) and paid a second visit to St Paul Cathedral. On the eve of my departure, I went to Southwark Park to join the British revelers to witness firework display to mark the foiled attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up London Parliament and King James I on 5.11.1605.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12114.

London 26-28 Oct 2011

For the photographs of the preceding day, please refer: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/outside-london-23-251011_26.html

For the next three days (Day 14 to 16), we spent our time roaming London using the Tube and our legs as the main modes of transport.

One Day 14, we tubed to Leicester Square and commenced our 5 km walk passing through Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Bridge Street, Victoria Street, St Jame’s Park, Green Park and Constitution Hill before ending at Knightsbridge Station. Attractions viewed included the National Gallery, Nelson Column, Admiralty Arch, Horse Guard, No 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Canada War Memorial, Wellington Arch and Harrods.

From Knightsbridge Station, we took the tube eastward to Tower Hill where we commenced our second leg of our day walk of about 7 km passing through Tower Bridge, along the river bank of Thames, through Millennium Bridge, Ludgate Hill, Fleet Street and Kingsway to return to our Hostel at Tavistock Place. We spent considerable amount of time taking night shots of the Tower Bridge and the surrounding areas, including Southwark Cathedral and St Paul Church.

On Day 15, we decided to take the tube to High Street Kensington Station to start our 9 km walk through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, Victoria Embankment, and Westminster Bridge before returning by tube to our hostel at Russell Square. Along the way, we visited Whole Foods Market selling all natural and organic food (at high prices), Kensington Palace, Prince Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Covent Garden Market and London Eye as well as Big Ben (again) for the night shots.

On Day 16, the eve of the group trip, we opted for an easy day. In the morning, we selected to visit the Camden Market (ala Malaysia Pasar Pagi & Malam) while leaving the afternoon for last minute shopping. In the night, we attended a free talk by Anwar Ibrahim on the topic “The struggle for Justice and Democracy in Malaysia’ at University College London.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12112.

Next Durham: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/12/durham-london-2910-6112011_1.html

Outside London 23-25 Oct 2011

For the photographs of the preceding day, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/lake-district-pt-221-221011_21.html.

On the morning of 23.11.2011 (Day 11), it was drizzling when we left Ashleigh Guesthouse for Windermere Train Station. We were told by the Station Master that we were required to make 3 train changes instead of 1 owing to a change of train schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. This was a long train journey. Starting at 11 a.m. we arrived at Euston Station London at 4.20 p.m. after making changes at Oxenholme, Preston and Manchester Piccadilly. The train from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly was totally packed like sardine due to the rescheduling of trains. Consequently, the First Class Coach had to be converted to Standard Coach to buffer the overcrowding.

At Euston Station London, we also lined up for more than ½ hour to buy our Oyster Cards (deposit £5 + amount prepaid – all refundable upon surrendering the cards).

After checking into Generator Hostel, where we would be staying for 6 nights, we went to China Town for dinner and did a walkabout at Piccadilly Circus as well as Soho.

For the next two days, we decided to capitalize on the free train rides by travelling outside London.

Salisbury and Bath Spa (Day 12)

For Salisbury, we took the underground to Waterloo station where caught a train. From Salisbury train station, we took the Stonehenge Bus Tour to view Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Old Sarum Salisbury, the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury. We also checked out the fine medieval Salisbury Cathedral before training to Bath Spa in the afternoon.

At Bath Spa, we did a walkabout to view the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent of Georgian Terraces, Jane Austen Souvenir shop and the elegant curved terraced weir to Pulteney Bridge, one of the sights that helped Bath become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 200-year-old bridge is lined with shops.

Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford (Day 13)

The next day, we took the underground to Marylebone station to train to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birth place of Shakespeare. As usual, we did a walkabout to admire the town medieval buildings especially the birthplace and school of Shakespeare as well as the site (New Place) where he died.

It was late afternoon when we left Stratford-Upon-Avon for Oxford to have a look around before returning to London. At Oxford, we visited Oxford Canal and Oxford Castle. We also did a short walk through the town to view the many old buildings. Photography was limited due to poor lighting.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/12110.

For London sightseeing , please refer to: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/london-26-281011_28.html