We set off for a five-day and four-night trekking trip to Taman Negara. This is located along the borders of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we would like to share our adventure with you.

The 14 of us boarded the train at about 8.20 p.m and spent our first night together in the seventh freezing compartment. We arrived at the Jerantut train station at about 2 a.m. and met up with the Malaysian co-coordinator. We were then taken to the Taman HQ base camp, which was about 70 km away from the train station.

After having breakfast in the floating restaurant at about 7 a.m., we took two speedboats to Kuala Kenyam where we started the 16 km trek with plenty of up and down slopes. We had two local guides attached to us for the trek.

Leeches were found almost everywhere in the jungle. They crawled quietly up to our shoes and penetrated through our socks to suck our blood. We came well prepared with bottles of vinegar to get rid of these bloodsuckers. During the trip we also encountered hornet attack and one of the members was sent to the local hospital for treatment.

Along the way, we visited three caves – the wide cave, the bat cave and the elephant cave. We spent our second night together in the elephant cave. Though we did not see any elephant, we did see fresh elephants’ footprints on the ground not far from our sleeping area. According to the guides, elephants only come to stay in the cave during November to March.

We visited the Orang Asli tribe, the first aboriginal tribe to inhabit the Malay Peninsula. These people are generally short, dark-skinned, with flat-facial features and tight woolly hair. They live a nomadic life in the jungle. As the Orang Asli tribe people are great guides for the jungle, we took the opportunity to learn how to hunt animals with a blow pipe and to start a fire using stones, wood and cloth.

We completed the trek the next day at about 4 p.m. The same speedboats took us back to the base camp where we could clean up, rest and eat. We had our third night in the air-conditioned Tahan Guest House.

The next morning, we were brought to experience the Canopy Walk. The Canopy Walkway is about 450 metres long and 20 metres above the ground and is built on top of the vegetation in the forest. This walkway is connected from one tree to another by the use of ropes. No nails, bolts or nuts were used.

We left the guesthouse at about midnight and headed for the train station. The train left at 2 a.m. for Singapore. We spent another night sleeping in the cold freezing compartment of the train

We reached Woodland checkpoint finally at about 10 a.m. the next morning.

The Cake baking class

Team Building in Universal Studio Singapore

The beach resort in Desaru, Kota Tinggi District, Johor, Malaysia. 

Going Outing

Dinner & Dance

The Family Day

Changi Airport

In remembrance of Josephine Yap

We went up Mount Ophir (Gunung Ledang) twice. Both trips were for three days and two nights but the climb up and down the mountain were on the same day. We left in the early morning and back to the base camp in the evening.

Many years have passed.
The unforgotten memories still stay in the heart.
The sweet sensational feeling flows along with the blood.

When we went back for the second time.
The lonely streams still behave the same.
The narrow paths and lofty cliffs have never changed.

In the early morning,
We could again taste the morning dew.
The beauty of the countryside is captured within our full view.
While the tropical rainforest is like a grandeur garment wear.
The breathtaking waterfall could just silently bear.

While we climb up the mountain slide,
The skylarks could just sing out loud with pride.
Misty mountain wind comes along.
To form the beautiful scenery to accompany the song.

When we reach the mountain top,
We prepare ourselves for a photographical halt.
While we travel down stirring on our both feet.
The song from the birds continue to repeat.

The evening sun finally leaves us with his sleepy eyes.
The busy bees returned to their faithful hives.
Never have I seen the sunset with such a beautifully steep.
Never have I felt a calm in me such so deep.

The long weekend has gone just like an arrow.
We pack our bags and try to hide our sorrow.
The happy moments in my memories revived again.
Cause me to have the feeling of natural lost and pain.

Floating clouds please hold your tears.
Let me leave with my mind clear.
Goodbye will not take us apart.
The growing relationships have rooted in my heart.

Akaroa is about an hour drive from Christchurch. It is a French town where you could swim with the dolphins.

The Street Art in George Town is one of the main tourist attractions. From the tourist map, I found that the art pieces are scattered all over different streets. I spent a few hours under the hot afternoon sun trying to take as many pictures of the art pieces as I could. Here they are!

The Chew Jetty is an UNESCO World Heritage. Besides, there are also the Tan Jetty, Lee Jetty, Yeoh Jetty and New Jetty but the Chew Jetty is the biggest with the most tourists visiting. This floating village is unique and a must visit site in Penang.

From the bus terminal in Johor’s City Square, I took bus T13 (S$0.56) to the Larkin bus terminal. It costs about S$32 to take the coach from Golden Mille in Singapore to Kuala Lumpur but I purchased the coach ticket from the ticketing machine in Larkin bus terminal in Johor for only S$10.84. This is about one third of the price I have to pay in Singapore. The ride from Johor to Kuala Lumpur is about 5 hours.

I found this colourful and interesting place in the back street. I took a slow walk around the area to enjoy the paintings and took some pictures

I went to KL Sentral and took the KTM Komuter train to visit the Batu Caves. The journey is about 45 minutes. I have to purchase the Komuter Link Card and top up some money. I think there is still some money left in the card after the trip but the counter staff said that I cannot get the refund. Will keep the card for the next trip.There is no entrance fee for Batu Caves. However, you have to pay 5 Ringgit if you want to visit the Art Gallery Cave or the Dark Cave. I went into the dark cave and found it is still under construction. The cave will look nicer after the construction just not sure how long it takes to complete.

From the Imbi station in Berjaya Times Square, I took the monorail to KL Sentral and boarded the LRT to USJ7 station. At the station, there is a bus riding on the train track to take us to the Sunway Lagoon station. The entrance to the Sunway lagoon is about S$65. As it was already passed noon, I did not get into the lagoon. I just walked around the shopping mall and had late lunch in 4 Fingers.

There are a few hotel near the lagoon and I think I could stay in one of these hotels on my next trip and get into the lagoon in the morning to make the full use of the entrance ticket.

I stayed in this Capsule Hotel which is just behind the Berjaya Times Square when I was in Kulua Lumpur.

I took the coach from the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh for about S$8. The bus stopped at the Amanjaya bus terminal which is far from the city. From the bus terminal I could take Grab, which is about S$4.50, to the hostel where I have booked online but I did not. Instead, I waited for local shuttle bus to take me to the city and take another local bus to the hostel.

I stayed in The Beds in Garden Hostel which is run by a few young people. The place is clean and tidy and the people are friendly and helpful. There is a kitchen where you can bring your own food and cook your own meal. There is a self-service coin operated laundry shop next to the hostel. I had a nice stay in the hostel.