Gunung Bunga Buah - Day Hike

My friend and I just got back from a day hike from Gunung Bunga Buah (Mount Fruits Flower), Genting Highlands.

At the start of the hike, we wasted 20mins looking for the entrance to the hill and fortunately thank God for his wisdom that we realise it didn't felt right and we thought the climb was too slippery to be a trail for hikers. With this, I thought I should post a few picture here, hopefully will be helpful for those who in need of direction.

Now, the starting point of Gunung Bunga Buah trail is located in Gohtong Jaya, 40km from Kuala Lumpur city. In the township, look for this bright yellow shoplot - Restaurant Har Wong (which mean King Prawn in Malay language) And since the entrance of the trail is located in a privately owned vegetable farm, it is advisable to park your car at the shoplot then walk.

Walk past Restaurant Har Wong

This wellness resort should be on your left as you walked in, on the left would be the first private vegetable farm (but not the farm you should walk in)

Here's the right farm house, walk along the fences

Entrance of the trail is on the left side of this picture. Walk through the visible path on the farm, but remember to be respectful because this is a private property, owner of the farm will have the right to refuse you from walking pass their farm.

Now, pay attention to where you walk, the entrance is rather small as the ribbon marking is quite tiny. Can you see the small space in between the 2 small tree, thats the right entrance. (this will be on the right side as you enter the path from above picture)

a close shot of the entrance with a tiny ribbon marking

Next, look for this, the first part of the ascend is a 45 degree uphill climb (note it is rather hidden, look for trail marking, it is there!)

after about 20 mins uphill climb, you will reach a folk road as shown in the picture, turn left walking uphill on the abandoned tarred road.

After approximately10-15mins on the tarred road, turn to the left, walk past the former quarry (a series of barren granite outcrops at the right side), look out for ribbon marking

Is a pity that Gunung Bunga Buah's peak was shrouded in mist when we arrived, there was no view. It took us approximately 4hours to reach the peak, it is quite an exhausted ascend as it has combination of up and down hill, do prepare enough water and pack your lunch. Weather wise, it is not cold nor warm. And by the way, go with a pair of shoes with good grips and you should wear long trousers if you do not want cuts on your legs.

The signage that mark the peak

Hiking Plan 2015/2016

Together with my friend, we plan to hike at least a mountain each month, leading up to our plan for EBC autumn 2016. 

Thus far, I sort of started earlier and here's what I've completed:

1. May - Rinjani (3726m)

2. June - Merbabu (3142m)
3. August - Liang (1933m)

4. October - Gunung Bunga Buah (1430m)
5. Nobember - Gunung Angsi
6. January - Bukit Apek/Putih (402m)
7. January - Bukit Kutu (1053m)

*I'll add on to the list as we make our climb.

Now, why do we climb/hike? I enjoy being in the wilderness, where everyone has no access to the virtual world that often seen these days, this is when everyone would look into each others' face and start talking. And of course I do it to keep fit physically and also for the spectacular view when you arrvive at every summit. Here's some of the pictures:

Trekking to Rinjani - what to expect

This was a long awaited trekking trip that I sign up months ago. Through an office colleague, I was introduce to Dody Adventure which I then join the group of 14 (11 Indonesian, 2 Aussie and 1 Malaysian) on a 5D4N Rinjani treks. Besides that, we also have 16 porters and 1 local guide coming with us, they are in charge of our logistics throughout the trip. Huge group hey.

The expedition was plan to start from Senaru, so all 14 of us had a night stay in Pondok Senaru, the cottage was lovely, I love how spacious the room is, and there were plenty of green around the cottage too.

Here's how our room at Pondok Senaru look like, I shared this room with a new friend, very co-incidentally we both adore cats.

Garden in front of our room, isn't it lovely?

They are plenty of monkey arpund this area, here's what happen during my 1 day at the cottage. While catching up happily outside our room's balcony, there's this wild monkey appear in front of us and suddenly started hissing at us vigorously, with those sharp teeth exposing to us, we panic. My friend automatic reaction was trying to shoo him away, however the monkey do not seems to be bothered but thank God he eventually climb away after 2 or 3 hisses. After the monkey left, we basically quickly dispersed into our room as well.

We later spent the rest of the evening in the cottage's restaurant, sipping coffee and continue our chats. 

while seated in the restaurant, a black kitty onto my lap and slept comfortably for at least 30mins, natural lap wrmer!

Let me now share on some useful info on logistic. 

Packing:  I reckon porters here prefer you pack stuff in carry bags than big backpack - this is so that they can tie your bag securely with strings, see below 2 pictures you will know why I said so. 

here's how our baggage are being pack

and this is how the porters would carry you baggage

In Rinjani national park, there is no guest houses like those in Nepal, every pit stop, you are to pitch a tent. In this trip we overnight in 3 locations:

Night 1 - Plawangan Senaru

Night 2 - Danau Segara Anak (lake side)

Night 3 - Plawangan Sembalun 

A few pictures to show you what to expect:

The interior of our tent, fits 2 person perfectly

The exterior of our tents!
Yellow - exterior of our tent from the pic above
Blue - the porters, they cook, eat and sleep in there.
Red - toilet

In case you are wondering where to bath? the answer is there is none, so prepare yourself to deal with no bathing for a few days.. Well, at least I can assure u should be able to dip your body into the hot springs near the lake side.

Now finally the most important part of the lodging - food! Don't you worry about not having enough food, with the local crew coming along, you will probably be eating none stop like I do! 

the kitchen

some of the food

I'll write about the 4D3N trek soon, stay tune.

Baduy - the self devided group

Baduy people (pronounce as Badui) who often call themselves in Indonesia language 'urang kanekes' is a tribe that lives 6 hours away by car from the extreme hust and bustle of Jakarta. The village is located in the western Indonesia, in the province of Banten.

The current population of the tribe has an apapproximate number of 7,000 people. The tribe is currently devided into 2 groups - inner baduy (4 villages) and outer baduy (63 villages). Majority of the tribe are scattered in the outer baduy and a very small percentage married people from outside these 2 groups.

Inner baduy is the group that still vigorously inssist to follow their ancient ways of life where else outer are opening up slowly bit by bit.

The Baduy people ethnically belongs to the Sudanese, the thing that separate baduy from thus ethnic group is the way of life where baduy people resist or rather block themselves out from any foreign wisdom but to live their life in the ancient way which mainly what I see or heard is that they refuse anything made fom the factory. For example, no nails are  allowed when building houses/bridges, all metal/plastic cooking utensils, plates/bowls, cup etc are forbidden.

The people of baduy basically told the outside world to leave them alone, they want to be isolated from civilization. The baduy people are lead by a religious head whom they call him Pu'un, this person has the power to confront any of the baduy people who do not abide to their tradition.

Now, let me show you in picture few differences between inner and outer baduy:

The roof with a round hood used by the inner Baduy people - this symbolize the home owner still follow traditional Baduy's way of life. It seems although you are out of the inner compound, some still ressist the outside influnces.

Contrary to the inner baduy, the outer people build their houses with an 'X' roof which implying they welcome outside influences

Costume of the inner baduy people - white top, black botom (sarong) and white head scarf

Costume of the outer baduy people

Rice storage hut used by the inner baduy, round shape on each corner of the hut is done in purpose to prevent rats from entering the storage room

Hut for the outer baduy village - unfortunately although from the same tribe, outer village is forbidden to use inner's design. I'm guessing if the Pu'un find out, he would tear them down without any hesitation.

Some other characteristics are such as baduy people do not have money neither they want any. So I was told that baduy people always gets free ride if they are out in the civilization. The people of this tribe also do not have any identity card, children will not be allowed to go to school. No lights are allowed as well.

All the many restriction past down from their ancestors was believe to have their people's mind free of complicated worries because they believe the stress of civilization is not necessary nor is good for an individual. Besides, inner baduy peoole are also forbidden to receive foreigners/chinese guest freely, one will need to go through a very conplicated rituals ceremony if they insist to enter the inner area. 

Listening to baduy stories makes me think of the time of Adam and Eve, time without any advance technology or fancy fashions.

Do come back later as I'll share with you, my short adventure into the village.

Itinerary to Annapurna Base Camp

This is rather a long overdue post, been distracted by many things. Anyway, let me go back to approximately 6months ago.

It was a total 8 days trek, we return to Nepal for the second time and did the exact trekking route we embark in October 2012. The different was, we extended the trip to see their base camp at 4310m high and instead of autum it was spring this time.

It was a better prepared trip, whether mentally or physically except we have gone on the trip without buying any travel insurance! Honestly, I was quite nervous during the trek that I might fall sick in the mountain, but thank God we were both very healthy except was having a bit of altitude sickness towards the peak of the base camp where we both was struggling to swallow in the little cup of muslee at approximately 3800m.

The brief itinerary of the adventure:

Day 1: Pokhara > Nayapul > Birethanti > Hille > Ulleri 1960m (3hrs 15min)

Day 2: Ulleri > Banthani > Upper Ghorepani 2860m (3hrs 15mins)

Day 3:  Ghorepani > Deurali > Benthanti > Tadapani 2660m (4hrs)
Day 4: Tadapani > Chulie > Gurjubg > Upper Chomrong > Upper Sinowa 2300m (6hrs 20mins)
Day 5: Upper Sinowa > Bamboo > Dovan > Himalaya > Deurali 3200m (5hrs 40mins)
Day 6: Deurali > MBC > ABC 4130m > MBC 3700m (6hrs 30mins)
Day 7: MBC > Deurali > Himalaya > Dovan > Bamboo > Sinowa > Upper Chomrong 2170m (7hrs)

Day 8: Upper Chomrong > Jhindudnda > Siwy > Nayapul by local bus (5hrs)

The total walking/climbIng/crawling hours was 37hrs 40min, sounds like a lot hey.  If you average it with 8 days trip then is not too bad.

The best road map we saw from Tadapani

What to buy in Korea

Before embarking my trip to South Korea, I did a bit of reading up to find out what to shop in Korea. Shopping choices in this country is indeed wide, I was quite overwhelmed actualy to the extend I do not know how to start and end. 

Myeongdong is known to be the cosmetics district in Seoul, after visiting this place for the second time. In my opinion this area is way too busy, especially all the shops sales attendant are a bit too aggressive in makIng a sales and they just won't stop asking what you want. Anyway this is no doubt still a 1-stop district for cosmetics shopper.

Another area I went for my shopping is Hongdae, this is a student area, other than shopping there are also lots of night life and food spot as well. Given this is student area, you might also be able to find good bargain too. Take your pick and enjoy your shopping spree!

Sharing of my shopping list:

These moisturizer gel are great for keeping my skin moisture without the sticky feeling. however I have yet to know in terms of whether it is as good as those regular cream moisturizing lotion. Now using the Nature Republic 92% aloevera tub, shall try the Faceshop 98% tub after that. I got these for KRW4,400/tub

Fragrant hand lotion from Too cool for school at KRW7,000 for 2 tube (buy 1 free 1) guess I'm attracted to the packaging

face mask from E-tude and Beyond, each at approximate RM1.50, bought in Incheon airport and a random mall in Jeju city

Argan Oil going for KRW10,000

Too Cool for School CC cream compact with compartment for lip gloss and is going for KRW32,000

Too cool for school egg mouse face pack, KRW12,000

Fun face mist from Tony Moly

Skinfood eye cream KRW15,900 and neck cream KRW6900

Free mini packs from the trip

Now, food stuff:

Seaweeds - the ready to eat on the left is going for KRW2990 for 2 pack, Ottogi cut seaweed is KRW3250/pack

Nicely packed seaweed sheets is at KRW14,000 bought in airport

These energy bars is big time yummy, i love them. Bought them in mini mart, at KRW1,000/bar

The infamous Market O brownie 

Non food stuff:

Socks! I bought a total of 75 pairs, some given away as gift, remaining kept for my art work collection

Now, some of the cosmetics shop issue tax exemption receipt, please don't forget to ask for it and get the return at the airport, due to time, I did not have the time to clear, such a waste.  Anyway, I had lots of fun shopping there, wish to back with friends some day.

Gone walking in Hallasan

After a 3-full days at the Jeju Olle walking festival, I was honest feeling very lazy and was tempted to stay in bed when my alarm goes off at 6am. Anyway, I did drag myself up in the end to get ready for the hike, and here's how it turned out to be.

As I have read that there is strict hiking time in Halasan, so to avoid not making it to the peak on time, my aim was to start hiking up the hill as early as possible, and since the park entrance opens by 7am, I therefore decided on to make my way early to reaxh the park by 7.30am, and thank God the bus ride to the park was less than 30mins away from the Jeju main bus terminal, so I do not need to wake up at ridiculous hours, also I was so pleased with the fact that I'm staying so near the bus terminal.

Now to reach the Hallasan peak, there are 2 trail: Seongpanak (9.6km) and Gwaneumsa (8.7km).

My hike of the day was from Seongpanak > Peak - Baengnokdam > Gwaneumsa. Total time spent was approximately 7hrs (7.30am - 2.30pm).

the grand entrance of the Seongpanak trail

you will see these signages that tells you your location

The summit climb has time limitations, from both trail you are required to reach the mid point of the whole trail before 12noon, any time later, you will not be allowed to continue your hike up. Here's the details: 

Seongpanak > Sokbat shelter > Jindallaebat attended shelter (you are to reach here before 12noon) > summit

Gwaneumsa trail > Tamna valley shelter > Samgakbong shelter (you are to reach here before 12noon) > summit

so, I was timing myself, approximately 10 40am at Jindallaebat

Seongpanak trail is relatively easy to hike, cos there is hardly any steep slope, only a short stretch before reaching the peak (like the one in below pic). The steep stairs start here and end at the top of the hill ahead.

one of the steepest slope you can get from Seongpanak trail, the only challellenge would probably be the chilly wind that can get quite strong and disturbing

here you go, timimg myself again at the peak, made it at approximately 11.50am

some of the turn out that morning, it was a Sunday

It was actually at the peak only I realise the 2 different route leads to the same summit spot. I came up using the Seongpanak then descend via Gwaneumsa. The hike down was way tougher than ascend, it generally has steeper path, it has many sliperry surfaces, there mixes of stones and wooden path. 

the Unattended Samgakbong shelter, you must reach here by 12noon if you uses the Gwaneumsa route

some of the path were quite muddy, so it can get quite messy

the neat mountain view

we were tailing each other, eyes all cannot leave the floor

The same type of signages to tell you where you are at the Gwaneumsa trail

At the entrance to the Gwaneumsa park centre

The bus stop to catch the public bus to the Jeju bus terminal, before coming here to wait for the bus, I stop by a convenient store across the road to get some hot drink, the lady at the shop told me there is only 1 bus herear. I therefore confidently proceed to sit at the bus stop and wait, it took me more than 30mins, I started alone then many others join me later on.
There is no direct bus to Jeju bus terminal from here, get on the bus and ask the  driver to drop you at a bus stop that you can catch a nother bus to town. A map to show the driver where you want to go will help, especially thise with Korean.

Really glad to have drag my lazy body up that morning to do this.