What I Did On The 1st Day Of 2010

In the wee hours of morning on 1 January 2010, the alarm clock at my bedside rang crazily at 415am. I forced my eyes open and woke up reluctantly. My mind was screaming "Lie down! Lie down." I felt very tired for I had just slept for less than 3 hours. Anyway, I made it to the washroom. Freshen up to face the first mission of 2010 - Hiking up the Bukit Tabur aka Crystal Hill, Melawati.

I had a quick and brief internet search on Crystal Hill prior to the mission. For me it was like hiking or 'walking up the hill' kind of thing. I did not know it was more than that. It turned out to be like hiking cum trekking cum rock-climbing for me and the whole exercise was tough and strenuous as I was not regular in exercise (Okay, I admit I did not exercise for a very long long time!). My body fitness was not ready for the whole exercise which last for like 6 hours! On the positive note, it was worthwhile because at the end of the mission, I couldn't not believe that I had walked so much and so far and really challenged my stamina to the maximum. What a way to start New Year eh?!!

We reached the foot of the hill in three cars at about 6am in the morning. Hiking up was not difficult from my opinion as there was enough energy to go around. I was thinking at that point of time that this would be like walk up the hill, wait for sunrise, snap snap snap (take photos), then walk down the hill. 2 hours top and I would have time for breakfast somewhere in Setapak at 10am. How wrong I was I tell you!

As we walked up the hill with the torch light in our hands, the stars were visible. The air was refreshing and it was such a nice view looking down from the hill halfway at the hundreds of houses in dim light. On our way, we met other climbers.

We reached our ideal destination to snap photo on New Year sunrise at about 715am. We stayed for about 45 minutes to an hour. Here are some photos taken.

Too much cloud! Can't have clear view of the sunrise. I was hoping to see big, round egg york (rising sun). That's The Peak in the middle of the photo.

There is a big calm lake or dam on the left side of the spot where I was standing.

On the other side of the hill, you can see KLCC Twin Tower and KL Tower despite the hazy morning.








































Genting is on top of the hill. The quality of the photo isn't good. Hard to see eh.





















































Dylan busied with his sunrise shoots whereas Jonathan posed for my camera. Ha. Some of the photos for your viewing pleasure.

Just as I thought we would be trekking down the hill after the sunrise. "We are going to the other side of the hill!" I heard someone in the team saying. Well, yeah. Why not. It was still early. So we walked further. Little did I know that our walk last for couple of hours!
















"Yeah, follow me! This way. This way!"

This is one of the many challenging moments - climbing up the hill and it is like 90 degree. Anyone who is in fear of height should come to Crystal Hill. Guaranteed cure for your phobia!

Climbing down and up. One ridge after another. How many more? My energy level was depleting... fast!

Let me just say that if you are: -

1. First timer and you don't have hiking or trekking or rock-climbing experience and;
2. You don't exercise regularly and;
3. You intended to fully explore Crystal Hill on your first attempt.

Don't expect it to be an easy one. On the contrary, the trail is treacherous for inexperienced one like me. I don't think you will get lost in Crystal Hill but you will find it challenging to descend and ascent from ridge to ridge. One wrong step would be dangerous for you. Careful with your step.




















This part of the hill is interesting. It is the furthest point of the hill where you gets to see Batu Caves from afar. It is lichen-covered and the air is so fresh.

Okay ready to trek down the hill. My heart was screaming Hooray with joy!!! I was very hungry (The result of skipping breakfast) and tired (The result of skipping exercises) and I thought it would be a piece of cake walking down but it wasn't so (The result of misjudging that this mission would be so easy). We had walked for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to reach the foot of the hill. At some points I almost lost control and tripping myself but managed to steady myself.

This mission is so memorable for me I think I would remember it for a very long long time!

Faye Wong's Come Back Song

One of the biggest news in Chinese Music industry of 2010 is that Faye Wong, after many years of retirement from the music scene, is coming back to spice things up a little. Like the desert misses the rain, her fans over the world were so thrilled and excited over her return to the pathetic Chinese music industry, in my humble opinion.

Admittedly, I am okay with Faye Wong. I think she had some good songs over the years when she was active in Chinese music scene but that was it. I think her voice is unique - you know soft, dreamy, crispy clear and... well, my point is, sometimes I would fall asleep to her songs or her voice.

Anyway, it is good that she comes back because she did produce quality music and stuff which is what the Chinese music industry is seriously lacking now. Someone got to show the other musicians how it should be done! I expect that her come back song to be something more exciting but I am a bit disappointed really.



This song reminds me of my bed and pillow the minute it plays. It's my problem to have such high expectation? I hope her come back album is something more exciting and different.

Your Allah, My Allah

Read this first. Church Attacks and Friday Protests.

I am glad that the Friday protests, which received the 'blessing' of our PM, were not as huge as it was claimed to be in the newspaper a few day ago. Despite earnest calls from the Islamic NGOs, prior to the staged protests, only very small number of people had responded to the protest in the Mosques. However, it sadden me to know that three churches in Klang Valley were attacked with molotov cocktails. I was upset when the incident of the cow head protest happened last year. Such insensitivity! It seems to me that it is too trivial to fight over who gets to use the word - Allah.

Is Allah exclusive to Malaysia Muslim? Even though the fact that all the Islamic countries in the world do not have problem with non-Muslim using Allah in reference to their God. Or why Allah has become an issue in recent years in Malaysia when it had been widely used for a very long time (more than 100 years) even before the time these Allah-protectors were born? In what right do you have to say that Allah is exclusive to Malaysian Muslim? I read a blogger's comments recently and he was arguing that technically, Tuhan is a better word for Christian and not Allah. He could not understand why Christian was adamant and insistent in using Allah. There were other Allah-alternate words that Christian can use.

I like to use this example. One day, some people go up to you and say 'From now onwards, you can't use the word father to address your father because that's word is exlusive and belong to me and no one else can use it." How would you feel? Of course you won't happy because it is just a generic term everyone use but you are told not to use. But instead of wallop that fellow, you, as a good citizen, choose to fight it out in court.

The Allah word has no exclusivity from historical as well as technical stand point and what is wrong with fighting your right peacefully and legally? Not through any violent means such as towing, spitting, and stepping on severed cow head and throwing molotov cocktails on churches. Just because the court decision was not in favour of you it doesn't mean the court is injustice and unfair in its judgment. No need to respect law. Let's go throw molotov cocktails! Yaahooo!

I am not anti-muslim but I think some people has interpreted or construed the meaning of Allah narrowly and claim exclusitivity because he thinks what he likes to think. I supposed Allah has 'spoken' to these people in their dream that his name has been hijacked by Jesus and the only way Allah can get back what's his is in the land called Malaysia. No other islamic country in the world but Malaysia!

I am not anti-muslim but just stating my views.