Conquered Gunung Ledang!

9 ½ hours of climbing on rugged terrain merciless to our over stretched limbs. The trail had us weaving through dense forest and narrow paths. Gunung Ledang was more than we expected but it thrill to know that it wasn't a walk in the park. You'd see why… read on!

We started our hike at 7am from Ledang National Park. The initial few minutes into the trail consist of climbing up 600 over stairs. After about 15 mins of steep and narrow stairs, we got to Check Point (CP) 1, the first of 8 CP's.



The ascent gradually moved from cement to moist forest soil. The climb from then on was a endless uphill with no flat ground to catch a breather. The landscape was magnificent with towering trees and the gush of fresh air at every inhale. Fierce looking boulders greeted us along the path, so big at times I felt like an ant next to it.



The trail got even more exciting when we had to climb up ladders secured on tree roots propped onto massive boulders and vertical platforms. We climbed the ladders as if children would, on all fours fearing that if we lose grip we will fall 90 degrees backward. We wanted a challenge and we got it.



For the first time after countless hikes, I finally found a trail that literally required arm strength. Ladders were not enough to test our endurance, from CP5 onwards; our arms were really put to test. Some parts of the trail required us to hoist ourselves up with just a rope! I felt like Jane (from Tarzan) pulling and tugging at the rope.



The ultimate experience came when we had to pull ourselves up a 2-storey boulder at 45degree gradient. Every muscle and ounce of energy was needed to make this ascent. The guide later told us that many have turned back because they failed to make this part of the ascent. It must have been a waste to come so far just to stop at a fierce looking rock.



We continued along the trail moving out of the dense forest into rocky paths. At about 1130am after 4 ½ hours of climbing, the summit was finally a stone's throw away. We reached the peak at 1215pm with a shouted of victory! As a toast to our achievement, we opened a bottled of Gatorade and gulped it down. Food was next on the agenda. Starving by now, we quickly fired up a packet of Maggi Mee and emptied two cans of tuna into our mess can. Lunch was finished in less than 7 mins!



The view at the summit (I'm sure) would have been more spectacular if the clouds cleared a bit more. But we were the least disappointed as we had the entire summit to ourselves.



The Lord had granted us great weather throughout the morning and it so happened the clouds decided to blow in just as we were there. But we managed to catch glimpses of Malacca.



We begin our descent at 1245pm. We took a different trail down, this time much easier, less exciting and downhill all the way. The scenery also changed with great views of mountainous sights.



Midway into our descent, we were met with a heart stopping encounter. Our guide suddenly stopped in his track and immediately asked us to stop. We heard of rustling of leaves then silence. Hoping to inch closer to our guide for protection, he spun around and asked us to stop. The rustling started again, then we heard loud angry snorts, then loud charging steps. Unaware of where the sounds were coming from Terence and I froze, hands clutched together, heart pounding. The snorts got louder and the steps got fiercer. My mind was reeling with many thoughts – what do it do?! Headlines flashed before my very eyes "Hikers got mauled by wild boar". My eyes prancing left and right trying to locate the vicious animal. After minutes of crazy thoughts our guide shouted "Come!" we ran as fast as we could and trailed him within inches for the rest of the journey.

Pic courtesy of www.wildliferanger.com

Climbing Ledang was a priceless experience. It wasn't the summit that made it worthwhile but the journey (with it's ups and downs) that made it remarkable. Both Terence and I took back many life lessons while climbing the mountain.

Climbing Gunung Ledang

We’re off again on another outdoor adventure! It’s the long Merdeka weekend and we’re not about to sit on our laurels watching TV all day (boring!) or elbow our way through crowded malls (stressful!) Instead we chose to put our limbs to work by climbing Gunung Ledang (crazy!).

Gunung Ledang stands as the tallest mountain in the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia. It reaches a soaring 4187ft and temperatures at the summit can dip as low as 10c. I’ve made a mental note to bring lots of hot choc sachets and Continental soup! They work like instant tummy warmers!

We’re headed down south to Tangkak, Johor on Friday evening so that we can start climbing at 7am the next day. According to some excerpts found on the net, the climb up to the summit takes approximately 5-6hours. Most people would climb halfway up, stay a night and do the summit and descend the next day. We are hoping against all odds to reach the summit and return to base camp all in a day. That means 10-12 hours of hiking (madness!)

We’ve been hiking Gasing for a month and half to prepare for this. Honestly more training would have been better but our schedule was already sardine pack. Will have to trust that our bodies will rise up to the challenge and conquer the summit. We’re also praying for great weather, no rain and lots of shine.

Till we reach base camp – more stories on Gunung Ledang and the adventurous duo!

Dive Tioman

Early June we decided it was time to dive Tioman after hearing so much about its pristine beauty amidst the perpetual development on the island. I was eager to get a tan too since I’ve been starving my skin from sunshine prior to the wedding.

The weekend holiday was perfect with comfortable beach huts fully furnished with simple beds, a small bathroom and air condition. The resort overlooked a quiet stretch of beach with hammocks scattered across and a family run restaurant to feed our hunger. The dive operator owns the piece of land with a small wooden shelter for the dive equipment.

To add to the friendly seaside atmosphere, we had a display of lights – fire to be exact. A towel twisted into a ball at the end of a metal sling is soaked in kerosene and lit on fire. Then fearless men who have been practicing and playing this with fire for many years will then swing it around their heads with gusto. The skill displays such spectacular style as the fireballs illuminate the dark skies.

The weekend came to a close with a tanner me, more snapshots of underwater beauty, a new Junior Open Water diver and an upgrade into Advance Open Water for Terence.

Terence and Debbie :)

Suiting up before the dive

Terence getting ready for his first test dive

Briefing by the dive master. It's always good to know where we're going and what sort of underwater terrains we'd be facing.

Last goof before jumping in

Deb doing her shore dive. If I was 11 I'd think thrice about diving! So proud of her!

Our boat returns to shore after our 2nd dive

Sunset at Tioman. Now that I'm typing this and being surrounded by a concrete jungle, I wish I was on holiday again...

Array of lights

Weaving a ball of fire

Burst of flames

I held my breath as he zig zagged, twirled and swung the metal chain as if it was skipping ropes

He swings it over his head igniting a glow around him

Duo in action - this was an awesome sight

To end the show they lit the can with the remainder of kerosene on fire...

Discovery Camp 2008

There is always at least one significant memory stemming from every camp I’ve attended or planned since I was young. There was the cockroach story in Bukit Cahaya outpost camp, then the tiger court in one of the pow wow’s, also the giant eagle archway in camporama – the memories go on and on – because of a handful or even one indelible incident.

Last weekend at Discovery Camp, it was the minor flood that happened at 4am on Sunday. 32 children sleeping soundly in their tents were suddenly awoken by a relentless downpour. The field where we camped was flooded within minutes. I was privilege to have a tent to myself, but soon proofed that company is better than none. My tent started leaking and water seeped in steadily from the sides. I was still snug in my sleeping bag denying that my sleeping bag was already damp and soon becoming wet. Tired from the day’s activities, I was determined to sleep through the rain – even if it meant sleeping on my knees to stay dry.

The merciless rain that now reached shin deep kept pouring and I was forced out of my tent to save the other children from the same ordeal. Covering myself with a garbage bag I made a dash to shelter, got into a raincoat and got back to the field. The children stuffed their bags belongings and scrambled under our raincoats for shelter. We modified all kinds of water proofing material just to get them to shelter. From raincoats to ground sheets – whatever we could get hold of.

The 4am wake up call soon left us drenched and tired. By 5am, we were back to sleep. Now this incident will be what the children and leaders will talk about yonker years from now. I'd leave you with some pictures that left a smile on my face even after camp :)


Yes! It's a real camp, sleeping in tents and roughing it out


Our stock of fuel for hot blazing fire


Menu for lunch: Maggie mee, cabbage and erm... particles of sand!


Bleuk! "Why did Cmdr. Sarah make us eat flour?!"


Elizabeth had a good strategy - blow away the flour and you'd find the sweet!


Found it!


"Am I suppose to smile while looking ridiculous?"


Hannah striking a clowny grin


Joshua - the fastest obstacle racer


The four racers for the obstacle relay. This picture cracks me up somehow...


This one even more! I know it's not the best looking pic of me. I detest the 'peace' sign in photos, but I unconsciously consciously did it... Urgh! Look at Mel's expression!!! Rachel seems to be the only decent one in this picture.


A camp is not complete without a councilfire. Notice the logs around the fire - that comes in handy when the marshmallows and sausages are skewed and roasted over the fire. Yum!