When all the trekkers finally met at Ulu Bendul Recreation car parking on Saturday 11 April 2009 morning, Tony and I realized that the group is huge. With a count of 40 trekkers, this is by far the biggest group that we have organized.
Here are some of the main points to share with you:
Kenny's adorable doggie
Kenny’s Doggie - Just like a small child in a family of adults, Kenny’s adorable second doggie was sure the center of attraction for most of the trekkers. According to Kenny, the first doggie also went up Gunung Angsi before.
Registration fee - Each trekker has to pay RM 5 as trekking fee to trek up Gunung Angsi. I collected RM 165 from the trekkers and paid to the officer-in-charge, En. Zulkefli. A few of the trekkers, who arrived earlier, paid direct to the officer-in-charge. There is no receipt other than writing my name (to represent the entire 40 trekkers). He will send the receipt to me via postal mail. It is puzzling that the receipt is not issued when payment is received. For trekking at Gunung Nuang, each trekker is only charged RM 1 and a receipt is instantly issued.
Pejabat Hutan Lipur Ulu Bendul (Gunung Angsi):
Pejabat: 06- 4888 950
En. Zulkefli Bin Mohd Yusuf (017-670 8013)
Kelly (right) is climbing up the barren obstacle
Obstacle course - Other than the usual uphill trail, a trekker has to cross a stream. A few of the trekkers could not maintain balance and step into the water or worst, fell into the water. I fell into the water the previous time when I crossed this stream. So I was well prepared this time and changed into the sandals that I brought along. The next obstacle is to go up a 50-feet barren hill, made possible only with the help of ropes. Otherwise, one would just slip down the slope. The previous time, Ann Lam fell and injured her head when one of the ropes that she held on dearly was snapped. So this time, we could see that the ropes were quite new.
At the peak of Gunung Angsi
The Peak – There is a small field with a few trees at the perimeter providing the necessary shades. On a clear day, one can see the nearby township from the peak. The only metal landmark, however, was rusty and badly defaced with writing (by trekkers) all over the surface of the structure.
Trekking watch - While resting at the peak, PK Chan was checking with me the altitude of the peak (since we both bought the Casio Pro-Trek watch for trekking). I told him that I did not wear the watch. Instead, I wear it to office, to shopping complex, etc (but not this trekking trip) as it looks very ‘yow yeng’ (got style).
Playing water in the stream - The unique landscape is that the trail is running parallel to the stream at the lower plain. The stream is part of the main attraction of the recreation center of Ulu Bendul. In the afternoon, we could see many people were relaxing in the stream with their family members. Since we were still early, we took the opportunity to dip ourselves and relax in the cold mountain water. It was really fun playing in the water as it reminded us of the care-free childhood days swimming in the river.
After a hard day's trekking, it is indeed refreshing to dip into the cold mountain water
Facility – There were eatery stalls nearby selling a vast variety of food. There is a public toilet nearby for taking bath (50 cents only). It is indeed refreshing to have a cold bath after the trekking trip.
Fruit and drinks mobile stall - I enjoyed myself with the fresh coconut juice purchased from a mobile stall nearby. At RM 3 each, a few of the trekkers said it was quite expansive (compare to a whole coconut being sold at RM 1-50 in fruits shops). So I told them nothing beat the price at Sepang F1 Circuit for the Formula One races last weekend.
Sumptuous meal - Any trekking trip would not be completed without the sumptuous meal. When we were ready, it was only 3:30 p.m. Going to Seremban town for the famous seafood would be too early. Recommended by one trekker, we traveled back to Serdang for the famous steam fish (sang yee or haruan fish). We have our meal at 5:00 p.m. – the only customers at that moment. The food there was superb indeed. We ordered two steam fish, kampong chicken, deep fried big prawns, 4-heavenly vegetable, tofu, Eel, vegetable soup. For eight delicious dishes, each person paid RM 22 which is very reasonable in price.
click here for photo album of Gunung Angsi
click here for all posting of Gunung Angsi (scroll down the pages)
Written by KC
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