Monday, April 18, 2016

Gunung Ledang Hike

The group went trekking at the legendary Gunung Ledang on Saturday, 16 April 2016. One way to the peak is about 5 hours; the descent journey took about 3 hours. Starting at 8:15 a.m., the team returned to the base at around 6:45 p.m.

Other than good fitness in going up the mountain, after Checkpoint #5, there are many steep uphill climb aided by thick ropes and metal ladders; as such, the hands muscle must be strong.

In the evening, the group stayed in the homestays in Tangkak town, and returned to Kuala Lumpur the following day, Sunday, 17 April.

Climbing this mountain requires one to engage mountain guides as they will oversee the safety of the team members in the entire journey especially at the steep climb areas.

Overall, it was a good and enjoyable trip with good camaraderie, nice food, and pleasant homestay.

Do CLICK HERE to view 117 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 The starting point of the trail leading to the peak of Gunung Ledang
 Excited faces at Checkpoint #2 -- another 6 to go !
 Checkpoint #3 -- more huge bolsters are seen scattered along the trail;  there is also another Gua Kambing here
 Beyond this Checkpoint #5, the terrain is getting steeper 
 Tougher and steeper terrain in the climb aided by metal ladders and thick ropes
 Batu Hampar area -- this is by far the steepest climb area
 Ban Yu demonstrating the technique to maintain balance by using only one hand
 Shu-Lin overcoming fear and taking the challenge one step at a time
 Taman Bonsai with a nice view
 ChongYF and yours truly (KC) - organizers for this trekking trip
 Our teh tarik man, Khoo Ban Yu, tarik kow kow at the peak of Gunung Ledang 
 Graceful posture by the cliff ... Lana and Adelyn
 Soaring high just like the birds above ... Lana
 Finally, a group photo at the peak of the legendary Gunung Ledang
 The weather was just superb -- while we were up at the peak for almost one hour, the sun was shielded by the sky; when we were above to leave, the sun emerged.
 Lana cooling herself with the the cold and clean mountain stream water
 Sumptuous dinner in Tangkak town
 Clean, comfortable and convenient homestay in Tangkak excellent for big group of trekkers spending one night together 
En route to Kuala Lumpur, we stopped by at a premium outlet in Alor Gajah


Posted by KC Leong




Friday, April 01, 2016

Holidaying in Japan

A full six days of tour covering Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Nara, Hakone, Mount Fuji and Tokyo from 25-30 March 2016. The team members are my office colleagues, trekking friends and chi gong members. The weather was cool and comfortable, ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. It is colder at Osaka in the west side. It is a stark contrast as compare to the weather here in Kuala Lumpur with the heat wave.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong

 Osaka Castle
 Hotel Hanshin Osaka
 Horyuji temple - well known for its world's oldest wooden structures surviving over 1,300 year
 Nara Park of Deer Park
 Arashiyama tourist area
 Peace Park Garden with the white pagoda
 Mount Fuji - we were surprised to see ice and snow at Station 4 (the road is blocked beyond this station)
 Oshino Hakkai
 Fujinobou Kaen Hotel - with the Japanese kimono and spa
 The restaurant of Fujinobou Kaen Hotel with a great view of Mount Fuji
 Mount Fuji in the background
 Taking a bullet train (Shinkanshan) ride
 Sakura flowers blooming
 Ueno Park with sakura flowers blooming and the people having picnics there
 The main attraction of this trip - sakura flowers blooming
 Lots of sakura flowers
 Colorful red sakura
 Delicious Japan food
 Meiji Shrine 
 Emperor Palace
 Rainbow bridge in the background
In front of Aqua City shopping complex, Odaiba

Posted by KC Leong