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!

Sekinchan

There is something unique about Sekinchan. It's a small little town. It's one of the rice producing areas in Malaysia and it has a charming fishing village. No wonder photographers from far and near come in troops to capture its simplicity and beauty.

The best time to visit Sekinchan is June and December where the crops are golden and ready to be harvested. Me, Mona and Dylan were there on 18 December 2009 for a day trip. First time I ever come so close to paddy fields. It was raining before we reached Sekinchan and we were worried that we would not have the opportunity to snap photos. Fortunately, the rained stopped the minute we arrived. The weather was gloomy but with enough sunlight to make decent photos.

The paddy field is simply picturesque.

Tried an angle from the ground shooting upwards. Most of the paddy fields were harvested. We were luck to find one that hadn't been harvested. It would be nice to see farmers working the field but there wasn't any worker that day. We slowly explored the paddy fields.















Big hollow houses are erected in the vast paddy field for attracting swiftlet for edible bird nest.















Paddy field that has been harvested and tractor that is used for harvesting the crops.
































Bitter gourd entwines itself to the fence and keep growing each and every day.















After paddy field, we headed to the fishing village. We just drove and ended up in a temple and a village nearby.















Here's a panoramic photo of the village. Click to see bigger photo.















Low tide. Salty smell of the sea and unmistakable smell of dried / salted fish despite we did not see one nearby.















The workers were busy repairing propeller.















At the entrance of the village, we found three giant incenses partly burnt at the road side.















Before we headed on to the next destination, we stopped by this famous restaurant that is highly recommended by the bloggers to have a meal. The chopped prawns with chili paste is a must-try. The baby shark soup is so so in taste. The fried egg with bitter gourd is simply delicious.












We did not continue to the Bukit Melawati in Kuala Selangor for snapping photos of the naughty monkeys over there due to the heavy downpour.

Well, I guess I will be visiting Sekinchan again next year. I think there is more to be photographed there.

Project AWARE Pulau Tioman 2009

On 24 and 25 October 2009, I joined Ah Hung and a group of divers to Pulau Tioman for, well, cleaning up human mess. This is the first time I participated in Project AWARE. You could call us 'cleaner' because the purpose of us being there was to clean up the beach and seabed. Pick up rubbishes that were conveniently throw away by careless human.

Here are some photos of the event.

Mersing Jetty. Waiting to be on board.















View from the resort's restaurant. What a lovely view eh!















Signing the Release Form. It means dive at your own risk. You die at nobody's responsibility.















Nice ar? Random shots around the beach.

After diving and showered, I took a walk on the beach that is right outside of my room. Cooling sandy beach massaging my foot. Little girl has so much fun at the beach.

The sun shying away from the beach. Have you ever seen an Astro tree before? Now you have!















Random shots.















Well, low tide and sunset.















When facing sun, you get sunset shot. When facing the same direction with the sun, you get the clear blue sky and beach shot. What a contrast.















It is a small village and very very very quiet at night.

So yes, we cleaned up a lot and all these bags of rubbish have to be categorized, (paper, plastic, bottle, etc), recorded, disposed and the information gathered send over to Project AWARE's HQ for analysis and compilation.

Group photo before we depart home.

Anyway, we stayed at Coral Reel Holiday's in Tekek Village. Nothing fancy there. The resort is not really well-maintained to my opinion but what the heck! We are not picky after all, this is not supposed to be a holiday trip.

The weird thing that I have encountered in the trip was a 'bat tree' in the village. Can you imagine a tree that is full of bats perching upside down making bird-like sound under the broad day light? Or it is just me who foolishly think that bats hide only in the dark cage? Sorry, no photo for that.