Pulau Jarak-First Diving Experience, Malaysia

In Feb 2006, I finally made up my mind to get my Diving Cert. Somehow with a chance meeting with a lovely lady named Angie, I made my appointment with a Dive Master (who is now a certified PADI dive instructor) named Hanee. You can find his Friendster page here.

I had been wanting to try out diving so it was like a dream come true for me. Find it quite a surprise as its not as 'easy' as it seems to be.

Kek Lok Si, Penang, Malaysia

During my Penang visit in 2006, one of the most interesting place I've visited is the Kek Lok Si Temple. Its one of the most magnificent Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Read the following excerpts from Wikipedia. Photos are from my own personal collection.

Mount Kinabalu; Sabah, Malaysia

Sometime in June 2005, me & my cousin,Cindy pack our bags and went to climb Mount Kinabalu. So this post is a bit out dated for about 3 years but then again the mountain had been there for millions of years so this is just a tiny fraction of time :-)

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia, a world heritage and situated nicely in Kota Kinabalu Sabah, East Malaysia or commonly known to some as the head of Borneo.



Our trip started from a van ride taken at Kota Kinabalu. The van ride was enjoyable enough if you don't mind the open windows and other locals. But the scenery were priceless as the van whizzed through hills and lush green vegetations at each side.

Arriving at Kinabalu Park we proceeds with our registrations. Our accommodations were booked months before (this is very important, especially to get a sleeping spot at the top of the mountain). We got ourselves two beds at one of the hostel and walked around the park. The park is cool even at mid afternoon so it was really refreshing. Had our lunch at a really nice restaurant a few minutes walk away. Really nice and we actually could see the mountain when the weather cleared.

The food were really up to our taste and I tried coffee mixed with liquor to heat my body up.



The next morning, we started our climb by taking a van ride from the Park HQ up to Timpohon Gate. Both me & Cindy opted for a walking stick. I knew I needed it as my stamina were not in the highest state.



The climb, I remembered had about 10 stops. Each stops have a small open hut with toilet and water pipes that actually provides fresh mountain water which are safe & actually better to drink. So to those who intend to climb, you don't have to worry much about water supply.



So after around three hours climb, we reached the height where the vegetation were stunted and the hard earth turned more into hard boulders. This when some climbers had to stopped and 'rearrange' their breathing as the air becomes thinner. Some also started to experienced altitude sickness at this point. Luckily, Cindy & me had no problem with those except for me who really had to pushed myself. If it wasn't her first climb & just being sympathetic with me, I think she could've arrived at Laban Rata much earlier.


"Laban Rata Resthouse"

So I told her to go first following and I managed to reach Laban Rata an hour later than her. We thought of going out to experience the surrounding but the weather had a bad turn so we had to stay indoors all the time. Pity.

The next morning, at 2 am actually, we started the second leg of our climb. Equipped with flash light and our helpful young guide we trudged on the rocky surface. At this point, some had to turn back because of altitude sickness and the freezing cold.

The first challenge were the thousand wooden steps that we had to take. To me, who didn't particularly like stairs, that was really tiring. But we reach the top of the stairs I looked back and the view took my breath away. It was still dark but we could actually the expand of the surrounding areas. Far off we could actually see the twinkling lights from Kota Kinabalu.

And as dawn approached, the rocky surrounding became visible. When things looked near but actually so far away. And I couldn't help but keep on asking 'Are we there yet?'. At this time my breathing had some problems but I kept on. It was hard, yes, but the surrounding pushed me on and the fact that the peak were not far off.





Later, with the help of my guide, I finally reached Low Peak which is the summit of Mount Kinabalu. I actually gave long whoop at the peak for finally reaching there. The peak is actually a crop of jagged rock & few climbers already sat there. So I had some time to get my photo taken.



Thought we could spend more time on the peak but our guide advised us to go down quickly. But at least we managed to really enjoyed the view & played around a bit. I got to take some photos and happy that many turns out well.





When we reach Laban Rata then we realised why our guide asked us to come down quickly. By then thick fogs covered the peak and it would be dangerous if we stayed up longer.

After resting a while at Laban Rata, joking with some of the guides, we made our way down. Some may find going down was harder but I knew from my first failed climb (yes, this was my second climb) it would be easier if you 'run' down. Seriously. There is a special run not the usual 100 meter dash. Asked your guide to show you how.







And our guide actually showed us a short cut and our climbing down are cut into half.

Finally we reached Timpohon Gate and our climb was over.



How did I feel personally? Tired & exhilarating at the same time.

Three years had passed, the Park had undergone some major changes. Prices had increased but I heard a lot of things had improved.

There are many articles on Mount Kinabalu for those who wanted to climb. But for me, Mount Kinabalu are not hard to climb for those who had no problems climbing stairs. For those like me, it might be quite a challenge. Its relatively safe to climb but never underestimated nature. Those who did had suffered from them. The worst was the case of young Australian girl who got lost in the fogs & died due to cold.



But fret not, its safe. I'm planning on my third climb.

If you want to booked your room you can contact Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. Advisable to book months early. Its not easy to the get the room at Laban Rata. There are other huts too but I would recommend Laban Rata though I heard it had become a little pricey.

Oh yes, after finishing the climb, you will be given a climbing certificate. The extra sweet topping of a memorable time.

Cherating; Kuantan Pahang

On the 2nd of Feb/08, me & a few of my online members of Bidayuh Info decided to pack our bags & head out to Cherating, Kuantan by car pooling. Bidayuh Info is an online group of mostly Bidayuh from Sarawak, Malaysia. You can get to know about Bidayuh in other blogs The Bidayuh Take or the simple testimonial on the group here.

Our first meeting point was Genting Sempah, where we had a hearty breakfast. I had nasi lemak with a sliced of marinated chicken & super spicy sambal.

This would be a start to our enjoyable dining plans ahead. Though there are some complaint of the super spicy food which end up some of us peeking the washroom longer than planned.

But we went on our journey using the Karak Highway; stopping for a while at a rest station.
The journey breezed on with me car pooling with my long time pal Barbara aka Babe & her fiance, Joneses on the wheels.

I looked out the windows enjoying the sights of lush greeneries lining the roadside. But in due time, neither the trees or the blaring hip hop music on the stereo would stop me & Babe drifting to sleep.Being a true gentleman, Joneses kept his attention on the road, driving the compact Kancil towards Kuantan.

Around 12 p.m we reached Cherating zone but the group decided to go for lunch first. Set out for a famous restaurant in Chukai; we anticipated a rare recipe of baked crabs.

Wheezing through the slow moving traffic, Joneses found his way to Chukai & we had our second enjoyable meal for the day.

And what a meal that was! Restoran Malaysia is an awesome place famous for its baked crabs & fresh seafood.Though short on complex interior design, the restaurant aka coffee shop styled are basked in simple white crisp interior with a particular wall decoration. Shells of tiger prawns with price attached?

Meal was done slowly, as it is, due to its reputation. But our merry group find our own entertainment by teasing each other, the 'many layered' fruit juice & even the lady owner. Earning a few strange looks from other customers and an amused lady.

When the food came, the wait was really worthwhile. To taste something out of the ordinary and seafood that are almost unbelievable fresh. We had the famous baked crab,clams,fried chilli prawns & steamed fish; all names I'd forgotten to take note.

It was one heck of a lunch treat & was more a treat as one of our member decided to paid the bill himself. That earned him a 'kow tow' from us.

After that, we stopped for a more humble setting by the roadside to experience the famous Terengganu Sata;fresh minced fish wrapped in pandan leaves & barbequed over hot coals. Set in triangular shape a small piece of very spicy chilli was put inside. So you'll have a contradictory taste of sweet fresh fish and hot chilli. Again the taste was fantastic.
For a moment, I began to wonder my taste had something to do with getting out from the more dusty KL to a fresher Terengganu air.

Then after our short 'desert' we headed out to our chalets at Cherating Bayview Resort. It was a little confusing to find the place as it was nicely tucked somewhere among other chalets reached only by dirt sandy roads. Somewhere nearby was a Muslim graveyard, so for a moment we thought we've made a wrong turn. But the chalets was nearby and due to the greeneries nobody really noticed the graveyard. And it was quite far too.

Priced at RM135 for its two Queen sized bedroom with attached bathroom, the chalets were clean and comfortable. A very wise choice, I must say. I would recommend it to others. In fact I heard it recommended by expats to our very own Uncle Bob. The area were enclosed in wire fence and the beach were just a very short walking distant.

After unpacking, we headed out to the beach. The water were too tempting that I decided to take a swim. But later retreated as the current was quite strong.

Then we had fun posing on the beach. Photos of Willy conveniently sun bathing for all to see were posted several times on our forum.
The guys were enjoying their half nakedness under the cool sun. The ladies also had fun posing & enjoying some female bonding.

I was drenched in salt water but I really couldn't care less. However, I do realise my cloth are not water resistant and definitely see through when wet, so I made a hasty retreat to my room to change.

At one point, me and another member, Herman ran after a moving 'entity' that we later found out a strange plant blown by the wind. I felt I had a 'hilarious' run but what the heck. Feeling the excitemennt of a child for that one brief moment.
Later, I passed my time on the chalets ground as I snapped some more photos. I was joined by Agustus as we took the chalets surroundings and later discovered a family of monkeys nearby.
Some of the members decided to have a swim at the swimming pool but I preferred to stay in the room instead. I still yearn for the sea water but it was beginning to rain so I opted resting.

In the evening, we grouped again & had a good talk at the receptions area. The ladies were having a blast as we exchanged joke and the word 'Koteh' comes out. Spontaneity were alway the best thing as me,Babe,Junett,Jasmine,Carol and Cat broke out in laughters overriding the guys group nearby.

Then we head out for dinner; another set of enjoyable meal and then seek out entertainment for the night. This however turns out a bit frustrating as we moved from one spot to another. In the end, we ended up in a rather dinghy Karaoke room. As I belted out Indonesian song, struggling with a bad microphone & a bad voice to boot, I was a bit surprised it didn't actually rained.

The stars were bright as we headed back around midnight. I wanted to stray to the beach but it was pitch dark and I'm sure the gate was closed. So I tucked in with Babe as Jasmine decides to join some members for a late supper.

When she came back and knocked the door, a surprised, sleepy, confused Junett added a another funny episode for the trip. Waking up in a strange room, she woke up asking me where is she. I think at that brief time she also couldn't recognise me. Me, being a light sleeper, was also a bit surprised and confused. Staring at a long haired lady staring back at you in the dark was not something somebody should wake up to.

But it was in seconds, as I processed the fact that Jasmine was outside and I groggily open the door. Only the next morning, we found ourselves amused by the incidents.

Babe however, was sound asleep and I don't think she'd known.

Morning came and we all woke later than expected with Ejol knocking our windows and we simply ignoring him. But somehow, we still manage to grouped together again for another fantastic breakfast at Hai Peng Coffee Shop in Chukai. I ordered nasi lemak and a dose of recommended Vietnamese Coffee. And some buns with homemade 'kaya' or sweet paste.





The coffee was done with its filter on top. Served piping hot. Complimenting the kaya bun. Thanks to Jeffrey for recommending that.

In fact, it was so good that I ended buying a box of Hai Peng coffee.

Then car pooling with Willy, me and Babe made a detour to the famous Awana Hotel and then a U turn, stopping to buy some 'keropok lekor.' Keropok lekor are minced fresh fish enveloped in flour to be fried in oil. I bought some lekor for my housemates and the special chilli paste.

After packing, I took some time for more photos with Jasmine and a little time alone at the beach. I stood there under the sun, feeling the energy of nature flowing into me as I walked barefoot on the sand. Call me strange but I do feel that I'm like a rechargeable battery sometime. Funny, under the sun I was recharge.


By 1.30 p.m, we packed our bags and headed back to Kuala Lumpur; again Joneses on the wheel.

We decided to take the Pantai Timur Highway but Babe compact Kancil (Joneses, the driver. :-o ) made a wrong turn and our little group of three was cut off from the main group. Luckily, we found our way back through an opening and a serious reversed drive. Again something of the trip worth remembering.

We reached Temerloh rest station and had our good byes for the day. Later, after a brief lunch, we picked up Agustus at Genting Sempah and proceeded back to Babe's place.

And finally worn out, Babe took the wheel from Joneses and we arrived at 7 p.m. One the way back, we noted pelicans perching on lightings poles. That was a rare sight. Four or five pelicans perched with their long legs on the roadside poles. It was almost statue like but it was moving in the slow rain. I bet they are migrating & couldn't find trees to rest.

Too bad my camera couldn't snap that moment. It was raining, cloudy & my little Olympus are unfortunately not endowed with such special specs to take better photos.

After taking his car, Agustus dropped me off later at my place. I settled for the night with the lingering taste of fresh crabs, the smell of hot Vietnamese Coffee and the soft swaying of the sea.

A short but memorable road trip with amazing group of people. I'm looking forward for another.

Check out the whole album here.