Tinggi-tinggi Gunung Kinabalu

It was all started with one quick and random decision made last year in less than 5 minutes. RM50+ for return ticket and kaki to hike and water raft together. It was quite a good catch so why think twice right. A year has passed so incredibly fast that here we are in Sabah already and in hope to to conquer Mt. Kinabalu and leave our footsteps at the peak. Woots!

Yeah I was the one and only girl that taking up this challenge with this bunch of dudes. So it was not hard to imagine how far I was left behind by them. One single step taken by them was equal to two and a half steps by me.

It was funny how we were all wrapped up in layers of clothes before the hike while the other climbers were only wearing their normal hiking attire. It was about 14-15C but we were already freezing! This shows bad health? Ha I don't know. But then after a few metres up, we begun to sweat and feel suffocated. All extra shirts were taken off and packed into the bag again. Oh, I was actually carrying my 9kg ruck sack in the beginning. But it was too much for me to carry up the high staircases so I decided not to go against my limits and surrendered. I rather pay Rm100 to hire a porter than to gamble my chance to reach the peak. It was actually quite disappointing because I thought I could handle it and take up the challenge for myself. Never mind, saving the energy to reach the top was my top priority!

For every 500m there's a mark. For every 1km there's a pondok for us to rest and have our toilet break. But we couldn't afford to have a long rest as it would slow the momentum and it would get us lazier. So after catching a few breath, we continued unwillingly.

We went up through Mesilau Trail which was longer but with more beautiful views. Mount K trails were all staircases, big and small, high and low. All sorts. It took us almost 10 hours to reach Laban Rata - the rest stop at midhill. Going up wasn't really a big problem to me because I carried only light bag and the fascinating views had kept me going happily.

When we reached Laban Rata, it was about sunset. The view from the balcony was really beyond words and almost near heaven! All the tiredness had just gone immediately when clouds were just at your eye level and the colors of the sky were worth to die for. There, we had our dinner and we ate like we were starved for days! Then we rested for a night before we continue our journey to the peak early in the morning. The room we stayed in was already so cold that we had to wear layers of clothes to sleep in. It was about 7-8C.

We woke up at about 1am to have our breakfast before we proceed to the peak at 2am. It was still pitch dark and the queue to the peak was pretty long. There were about 100+ hikers that day. People stop and pant. Some quit not long after. Some struggle to carry on. Some hesitate. It was really quite mental. The air was getting thinner. The pressure was getting higher. Luckily I have a very good guide that helped me alot througout. He held my hand and we hiked up step by step together. We talked we laughed all the way. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be able to reach the peak just before the sunrise. And his name is Kasree! I just adore him! Oh did I mention that he's really a good photographer? All these nice pictures of me were taken by him.

The peak was freezing cold at about 5C. But I came well prepared with everything i had, 5 tops ( 2 jackets) , 3 pants, 2 socks, 2 gloves, 2 warm pads in each hand & 1 shawl. So i was pretty kept warm with all these and that allowed me to enjoy my stay at the peak comfortably. However, we must descend from the peak at 7am the latest so that we would be able to reach the foothill before the sky turns dark. I wish we could stay longer at the peak!

We made it! The Low's Peak at 4095.2M above sea level.

The sense of achievement was so great when you're on top of Mount K. The scenery was so unbelievable that for a second you thought you were in some other country instead of Malaysia. And for that moment I was so proud to be a Malaysian! Lol. Crap! After about 45min at the top we had to descent where the nightmare begun again. Going down was alot more torturing. My legs don't belong to me anymore that time and every steps was so hard that you thought they would break just at anytime! I had to depend all my steps on the stick I bought at Rm10. Without it I would have fallen down umpteen of times and make the process worsen. It took me almost 8 hours to reach the foothill where it took the rest only about 5 hours. I know I suck but I've tried to go faster but the both legs just wouldn't listen to any orders. Still, I was glad that I made it down safely and just when you thought the whole world had forgotten your existence and the rain came pouring down, you found your teammate was waiting for you at the exit gate, that was enough to bring down all the tears but I hold it! Stay strong and cool! Ha.

It was really an awesome hike and I have no regret of going though it was really tiring ( and we had to go white water rafting the next day! Shall blog about this next time). It was a once in a life time experience that I'm proud with. And it was another striped off to-do! Yay! Don't ask me when will I go again. But I will tell you, YOU MUST DO IT at least for one time so you don't die regretting. Love it! =)

P/s : MUST bring along your music player to keep you sane.

We're the Cicak Man!

After presenting my proposal and a few negotiations with Camp 5 , they've finally agreed to sponsor my fund-raising project by subsidizing me 30% of the total fees collected! With the helps from friends and new friends that I've made through the climb, it was a successful activity which attended by 32 people! And also not forgetting those who came and gave their moral supports. =)

It was one-hour climb where we experienced 3 types of walls with different heights and challenges. Seriously, organizing this climb was really a big challenge to me as I have acrophobia. But I really want to do this, to overcome it! OK. This picture below was the warm up wall we had. It might look easy like that-not very high. But i personally think this was crazy and the worst! Because they didn't have any safety thingy tied up to you and if you fall, you fall! So no matter what you have to hold yourself there until you got to the top.

The second climb was higher but not as tough and stressed as it had us all tied up nicely and secured well. You know you're safe with those. It was a 8m castle wall. We all looked terribly ugly when we climbed especially to those who were watching us from below. Nah, nobody climbs gracefully anyway!

And this was the autobelay wall, 12meter. It took like forever to reach the top! and for my climb I used the autobelay device which I kinda like it! But not the part where I have to descent from the top on my own; meaning to you have to do a FREE FALL from 12m. Imagine that! How could they do this to me, an acrophobia poor girl! I literally took more than 10min to convince myself to let go and the whole centre could hear me yelling all the way down!

It all ended too fast and too long. For each climb it seemed ages but one hour passed in a blink. It was indeed a very challenging game and I think I fall in love with wall climbing now. I will go back there again and get myself properly trained up and get rid of the damn height problem.

I just love the day we climbed and everyone enjoyed themselves alot. It was a big success I would say! And I wouldn't have done this without the helps and participation from all of them. I'm so blessed and thankful =)

Graduation Trip!

Choosing from Taiwan to Bangkok, then to Bali, and finally we decided to take on KRABI! It was one of my dream island to go and yeah I've made it there! It was indeed an amazing place, a paradise! The trip was perfect with this bunch of crazy fellas i have =)

I found this very nice hotel - Aree Tara from random forum and it was definitely worth the stay and it was at very reasonable price too. With the amazing open balcony we could literally jump into the pool from it! But,the main attraction me choosing this hotel was the super super cute towel-made-elephant! When I first saw it from the pictures I was in love with it and Iwant to stay there already! The hotel staffs were so friendly and you just feel like home with them.

Look at the place! It was so incredibly beautiful with greenish sea, mountains, rocks and the blue sky. It totally worth all the sun burnt and everything in exchange of these scenic pictures. And it was strongly recommended, personally, that one should really take up the kayak package into the mangroves and caves. It might be exhausting kayaking the whole day, but it definitely pay off with the breathtaking scenery that awaits you! We were all so astonished and amazed by carvings in the caves and the massive mountains and rocks around us.

Another wonderful experience would be dining at the top of the hill while enjoying the lovely sunset and amazing dinner at this place called i-forget-what-was-the-name. It has the most beautiful panorama view of the beach stretch.

The night market was a must-go too! I spent so much on food and I don't care if I put on weight for this. The BBQ egg, bamboo fruit juice, shaved coconut, pork intestines, seafood and many others. We even bought some back to the hotel, just cant stop eating!

We went to Maya Bay where the movie The Beach by Leonardo Di Caprio was shot here. It has become such a tourist attraction but tourists are not allowed to stay overnight there so that to protect and conserve the beauty of the beach.

This 4 days and 3 nights trip was an unforgettable one where we did so many silly and funny things. I'm sure that we would still laugh about it after many years =) And this graduation trip marked the end of our 3 years of university life. Hope we all stay in touch always!

For the year of 2010

let's see what I have achieved from my list =)

1) Gotten my PADI diving license!
2) Went to Krabi as graduation trip!
3) Organized Rock climbing as my fund-raising project! (not Batu cave rock climb thou)
4) Went to Hot Air Ball0on Fiesta! ( not riding on it thou but contented by just being there =) )
5) Joined Raleigh Expedition!
6) Experienced white water rafting in Gopeng!
7) Went to Cameron Highland for the Irau hike!

Soon-to-be-done
1) Conquering Mount. Kinabalu in July!

Those not in the list but I'm glad and proud of
1) Graduated in July!
2) Gotten my Kayak Star 1 course!
3) Conquered Gunung Irau! ( the 9th highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, 2100m)
4) Organized & volunteered at the Zoo Negara!

And now my new resolution would be to blog on these 10 adventures I had asap before my memories fade away. I love the year of 2010 where it turns out to be a real fruitful year for me. Everything is POSSIBLE as long as you determine enough to make it happen! =)

So, live your life with no regrets!

Knock knock!

Right after the Raleigh Introduction Weekend it didnt end it there. We were supposed to organize a Post IW projects where we will focus more on the community or environmental activities. Initially the Awesome Alpha suggested that we should do a trip to JB for the Save Our Seahorses Project. It sounded really cool and I started to make calls and emails to the PIC. But we had eventually changed our PIW to organize Zooriffic 6 instead due to some factors that disallow us to proceed with SOS.

Then, we had our first meeting in Midvalley where we discussed on the availability of dates and how we should fund raise for the project. Within the two hours meeting, we've decided to do some old newspaper collecting and maybe some cookies selling as well. Very efficiently, the Awesome Alpha started our very first mission - collecting old newspapers the very same week!

We started off at 10am on the first day. Initially we had quite a hard time to approach the neighbours and it took us long to explain the purpose of us doing all these. Hong Liang, especially, took the effort of explaining the whole Raleigh and Expedition thingy to the uncles and aunties. Lol =p

It was very encouraging when people that we met were very kind and supportive to our projects. Most of them were so willing to help and some even treated us some drinks and snacks! Awww.. we've met all the best people in the world during the newspaper collecting!

Richard the strong boy

This was how we collect.

And the karang guni car

We had so much fun collecting though it was quite tired and energy consuming. We walked under the sun and rain. We laughed we crapped we enjoyed so much ; even we were trapped in the lift (pic above)!. I love how all of us enjoyed the process that we didnt even mind the tiredness of walking around asking for newspapers for two days. =)

Look at the amount of newspapers we collected! That was only part of the collection as many others were taken off by the karang guni man. We've collected even magazines, old computer and keyboard, books, bottles & etc. The two days of hard work was paid with the exchange of RM510 in total! Imagine tonnes of papers that we had collected! Weee wee =))

Many thanks to the Awesome Alpha and coordinators that had came and helped us! It was really an AWESOME project and I dont mind do it again with you guys! Hu-Wa! =))

Let's Get Real Muddy!

I came across this activity through an invitation from Facebook. Then I started to do more google search on it and found out it was actually quite fun and interesting from blogs and pictures. And I contacted the PIC and registered! =) I did invited some of friends to join and expectedly non was interested in this. So as when I've decided to go alone, WeeNee sent me a message saying that she and her boyfriend were keen of going together! This is what people always say ; things happen unexpectedly and what you expected it wouldnt come. I certainly didn't expect to join the mangrove thingy and didn't expect soneone will approach me and join me. However, the companion of WeeNee and her bf and bro did bright up the day thou! =)

We gathered at the A&W outlet in Taman Jaya before we set off to Pulau Indah. I thought that we have to take a boat ride to that island but to our disappointment the so-called Pulau Indah is just some random location off the road. Nowhere close to the water at all. Duh!

This programme was organised by the government in collaboration with Eco Warriors Malaysia. Approx. 150 people took part in this which attended by students, officers, eco warriors' members and some local villagers. Lunch and T-shirt were provided. After the breakfast we were briefed on how and what we were supposed to do with the other volunteers.

Before we get dirty

At first they didn't allow those with sandals to go into the mud for safety purpose. I wore my sport shoe but in the end most of us took off the shoes as the shoes keep sinking into the mud and slowed down our work. However, it was indeed better to move without the shoes and I can even run on the mud =p We were divided into groups and baby mangroves were passed front the first person until the desired location to plant. We planted it in zig-zag way and digged a hole before placing the baby mangrove into the mud.

After all the planting were done, it was time for mud war! Dirty, sticky and smelly mud! I love the fun of getting dirty and I don't mind to dirty myself in exchange of some cool experiences and fun! =)

It was my first time to do mangrove tree planting and I kinda love it! But I'm not sure if I will do it again not thou. Because sometimes, some thing will remain at its best when that was the only thing you have. =)

Broga Hill

Too many people are talking about the beautiful scenery of Broga Bill these days. And from what I googled, it indeed is BEAUTIFUL and I couldnt wait to witness it myself anymore! Hence, one fine Wednesday, us ; Sunny, Francis, Kelvin, Raymond, Ktee, GorGor, Pauline, CheeKei, KimV and I went to Broga Hill in two cars. We set off as early as 4.30am and reached the oil palm estate at about 5.45am. It was completely dark and we had to torch right till the top of the hill.

It took about 45 minutes to reach the top and the trail was easy but steep at times. It was still dark when we reached the top. While waiting for the sun to rise we snapped alot! All kinds! =p

This human evolution picture was my idea. Lolx. Coz we were standing on this big steep rock and we simply just love snapping! It came out cool thou! =)) And we managed to capture the sunrise view too. The weather was just nice for us to hang around longer.

And the BEST part was we actually saw the FULL rainbow too!! My! It was so huge that even the camera lens counldnt capture it all. The day was perfect with cooling weather, sun ray, rainbow, blue sky, white clouds and great friends!!

The scenery of Broga Hill was indeed very breathtaking with its landscape full of tall lalang. Oh right! When we went to Broga that day, it was only us at the hill, not crowded, no jam, only us with another group of UKM students. This was something to be grateful about because from the blogs I read, Broga Hill is always crowded as it is getting popular now. We just snapped wherever and whenever we like without having to wait for our turn (if it's too packed with people). The hill was truly ours! Geez! =)

Acquaintances that we met

It was another striked-off-activity in my to do list =) Glad that I have this bunch of friend that willing to do this together with me. But now i'm asking for more ; to overnight at Broga Hill next time - to witness the sunrise and sunset at one go! =p