Sunday, December 22, 2013

Bukit Kiara Christmas Trail Run

Christmas trail running at Bukit Kiara with a group of trail runners on Sunday, 22 December 2013.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Christmas mood is in the air ...

 A group photo before the start of trail running ... Charles Frew, Michelle Looi, Debbie Tan, Raymond Ng, Wendy Liu, Catherine; Razman Jamal, KC Leong, Andrew, ChongYF. This photo is taken by Mr. Choo.

 Some kind of construction is taking place here; before that it was covered with trees

 At the View Point area with the skyline of Kuala Lumpur in the background

 The macho guys with the cloudless blue sky

 More new trails are created ... Keladi Trail

 Another new trail, Paku Pakis ... with those in red and acid-green T-shirts

 At one glance, the colourful end does look like the head, but it is the tail. This is a shy snake that always hide its head.

A modest Christmas gifts exchange this year. Jeff Ooi arrived just at the right time.

Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Gunung Angsi Trekking

Together with other office colleagues and friends, RHB Mount Kinabalu Climbers went for a trekking trip at Gunung Angsi on Saturday, 14 December 2013. It was a great trekking trip with great company and good teamwork.

Do click here to view 63 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Pretty ladies with big boss's brand new Nissan GT-R car as background

These days, the weather is quite predictable: fine and sunny day in the morning and heavy rain starting around 3:00 p.m. In order to return to the trail head in avoidance of the rain, I set the cut-off time at 12 noon for the group to descend from the peak. The strategy: the slower trekkers would start at Bukit Putus way which is a shorter route so that most of us would arrive at the peak almost at the same time.

After the group photos were taken in front of the Ranger's Office, led by Mohd Abdul, Mat Nur and a few other, another pack went to Bukit Putus trail head and started from there.

A group photo in front of the Ranger's Office 

Led by yours truly, 13 trekkers trekked via Ulu Bendul side. Arriving at the stream crossing area, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there wasn't much water in the stream gauging from the daily heavy rain at Kuala Lumpur. Nevertheless, trying for a balanced and firmed landing on the rocks was quite a tricky attempt especially the last few rocks that are pointed in shape and could easily cause a trekker to slip and fall into the water.

 Help is needed in maintaining balance for a dry crossing

With the moist surrounding due to constant rainfall, there were quite a number of fierce leeches along the Ulu Bendol way. Most of the guys were attacked by leeches. A lady office trekker quipped that those must be female leeches.

We took 2 hr 30 min to arrive at the peak. Almost at the same time at 10:30 a.m., the pack from Bukit Putus arrived. That was good timing. Relaxing at the peak, everyone was busy doing something: eating munchies, taking photographs, chatting with friends on the account of the journey, etc. Abdul's group was busy cooking Maggie mee while Khoo Ban Yu was boiling water brewing coffee and tea.

 Overcoming the obstacle course or rope area


After a group photo, the leading pack that was led by yours truly descended the mountain at 11:30. We took 1 hr 20 min (almost half the ascending time) to run down from the peak and return to Ulu Bandol Park. The trail is good for trail running as the downward slope is gradual.

At the Ulu Bendul Park, it was a nice experience to relax and play water at the stream which is running adjacently with the trekking trail. The water was cold in cooling down the body, and the running water was good to massage the tired legs.

hmmm ... smell nice and good 

Tracy Chan asked me why I always wear red when trekking. I replied that it was more for easy identifying a person in the mountain; besides, red looks good when in photos. I quipped that the red RHB Mount Kinabalu T-shirt always bring good luck that when I wear it, the weather is always fine.

The final batch of trekkers safely returned to the Ulu Bendul area at around 3:30 p.m. After the bath, we heard the loud sound of rain hitting the leaves from a distance. We were alarmed. After 20 seconds, it was raining heavily and we were already in our cars. I like the "pre-emptive" warning. This time, Tracy quipped that the moment I  took out the red T-shirt, it started to rain.

The group then adjourned to Seremban town for a sumptuous late lunch at 5:00 p.m. We were hungry. Ten of us ordered eight dishes of food and we could almost finish them all. The group returned to Kuala Lumpur feeling happy and satisfied with the outing, yearning for more in future.

 SuWF, Sachi, Tracy Chan, Kellee, Wendy Chiam, Lana and Lai Peng

 Khoo BY, KC; Wendy, Tracy, SuWF, Sachi and Lana

 A group photo before descending the mountain

 Time for a dip and relaxation in the stream

Gastronomical delight ... Adjourn to Seremban town for a sumptuous late lunch at 5:00 p.m. (or early dinner). Eric Lee flanked by the ladies; ten of us ordered eight dishes of food for a fantastic meal !!

Ascent: 2 hr 30 min; descent: 1 hr 20 min. Distance one way: 6km. 
Start elevation: 171m; peak elevation: 813; elevation gain: 682m.


Gunung Angsi is my favourite mountain to trek previously as it is not too difficult; this time, for trail running. Do click here for the photos of trail running outings at Gunung Angsi (this posting is repeated; do scroll down the pages).

Do click here to view Mount Kinabalu climb photos.

Posted by KC Leong



Thursday, December 05, 2013

Zhineng Qigong 2013 Retreat (Part 2)

Zhineng Qigong 3D2N Retreat Camp at Cameron Highlands from 22-24 Nov 2013.

Do click here to view Part 2 of photos (207 photos) courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Piercing of balloons – symbolising to dispel bad chi within oneself

 Qigong  Experiment – To maintain an egg standing on end. 组场做实验 – 立鸡蛋。

 Practice session conducts by Zheng Bai Ling Laoshi

 Endorsement of certificates by Lu Lin Kun Laoshi

 Qigong members that are able to erect a few eggs standing on end; lady member from left #4 erected 9 eggs!

 Participants listen attentively to lectures

 One of the group photos – from Singapore 

 Main group photo

The event is held at Star Regency Hotel, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands

It is conveniently located just near to the famous pasar malam area of Brinchang.

Do click here to view Part 1 of photos.

Posted by KC Leong

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Zhineng Qigong Retreat 2013

The PSZQM 3D2N Retreat Camp at Cameron Highlands was successfully staged from 22 to 24 November 2013 achieving the objective of learning, practising and sharing knowledge on Zhineng Qigong.

The programmes were well planned and conducted as per schedule; thanks to the untiring effort of the Organizing and Working Committees, and Grace Lim (of USJ Centre) who is the key person in organizing the event.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC) – Part 1 of the photo album contains 213 photos.


 Looking out of the window of the Convention Hall … Brinchang town and the pasar malam area is just nearby.

 Welcome Speech by PSZQM President, Mr Liow Kim Heng Laoshi   

Lu Lin Kun Laoshi presenting lectures on Zhineng Qigong

 Lu Lin Kun Laoshi (left), Zheng Bai Ling Laoshi, and laoshi from Singapore

 Khor Boon Kheng laoshi, Edwin Khor laoshi, Vincent Khoo laoshi and 张瑞方老师

 The Organizing and Working Committee … (left) Grace Lim, Polly Kor, Alice Cheong, Teng Choon Wah, Camellia Lua, Monika Ng, Song Kong Yan, Benz Ng, Chin Kam Seng, KC Leong; Behind: John Lim, Khor Boon Kheng.

 Steamboat dinner which is popular in Cameron Highlands

 Attending lectures by Lu Lin Kun Laoshi on Module 1 Upgrade (Peng Qi Guan Ding Fa).

 Practical session

 Accompanying qigong group from East Malaysia to visit Sg Palas Boh Tea Plantation

Another steamboat dinner; this time, in a restaurant at Brinchang town.



Click here for Part 2 of photos.

PSZQM - Persatuan Senaman Zhineng Qigong Malaysia

To view photos in actual and bigger displays:
a. When in the web photo album, wait for a few seconds; click “Click here to go back to Picasa Web Albums”;
b. Click “Slideshow” at top-left corner, hit F11 key;
c. To download a photo, click "download" button; 
d. To return, hit F11 key again.

Do click here to view 2012 Zhineng Qigong Retreat Camp at Fraser's Hill.

Posted by KC Leong

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Mount Semeru Team Lunch

The Mount Semeru Team (July 2013) met for a post-climb lunch at a famous restaurant in Sungai Buloh today, 9 Nov 2013. This meeting has been postponed since we returned from Mt Semeru as a few of the members went visiting to USA, Greece, etc. 

For a change, we are not showing any mountains in this photo album; instead, photos on food. The highest bukit has to be the wild paku vegetable dish. We ordered 6 big dishes of food and sure the trekkers can eat - we finished all of them. Plus another birthday cake in celebrating Joseph's birthday.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 The Mount Semeru Team (20 July 2013) met for a post-climb lunch at a famous restaurant in Sungai Buloh. Back: WongFK, George, KC Leong; Front: Jesslyn, Sharon Tan, Fiona, SK, Joseph

 Compare to bee hon, ketchup and plain rice during trekking, this is very much better life  :-)

 As high as a bukit - The raw and refreshing Gulai Paku vegetable (wild fern shoots)

A group photo outside the restaurant; the 9th member, Marie is not able to come; this photo taken by George


Do click here for photos of Mount Semeru, Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen (July 2013).

Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Salomon X-Trail Run

Salomon X-Trail Run 2013 at at M.A.E.P.S. – Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang, Serdang, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 10 Nov 2013. 

I like the venue as it is a tranquil place with lakes, hills and greenery. I saw there were some durian trees lining the trail. When the season is right, maybe we could have durians after the run.

I was surprised to see that I returned to finishing point in 42 minutes. I happened to I bump into En Rustam, Club President of Pacesetter near the finishing line. He said that the distance for this event is about 7km. In one of the earlier Salomon trail running events, the terrain was tougher and distance was longer (which was tough for the runners). Hence, to test the response of acceptance by runners in this new venue, the distance is shorter; next year, the trail route would be longer.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC).


Runners returning to the finishing line


 Yours truly (KC) with Steven

 With RHB Bank colleagues Taufik and Abdul

 With Weng and David Spence who is the marshal on duty for this event 

 With Seng Chor, Sharon Chow and DC Tan

 Good turn outs

 Good background for taking photos

 With some of the trekkers and runners

 An elaborate and good fun pose

 With RHB Bank colleagues

Good sales - discounts here in commemorating this event is almost close to 40%

I bought a new pair of Salomon trail running shoes (the pair in red) at the Salomon X-Trail Run on 10 Nov 2013 - looks good and the feel is good. 


Posted by KC Leong