Trekking to Dipang Waterfalls, Perak

A couple of weeks back while doing the usual work crunch, I get a call from Sarawakian Danny. I had a hunch he was coming down to KL, since I couldn't think of a better reason for him to call. I was right and even better, he asked me to join him for trekking. Trekking was fine. But trekking with Danny? I was a bit unnerved. Danny is an outdoor adventurist with his own little outdoor adventure business Escapade Borneo
which is how I first came to know of him. With my city-slicker colleagues, we followed him on a 4 hour kayak trip during our Sarawak Rainforest Festival 2009 trip. Now back to the point. I imagined trekking with Danny would mean a really rough and tough terrain (what else could he enjoy?haha), so I voiced my doubts.

Err how difficult is this la?

How far is this trek?

Got trail ah?

To which he of course just said, Don't Worry La!

Turns out, we will be going trekking with Waterfall Survivors, a Facebook group of waterfall enthusiasts. Ironically, I have added this group on my Facebook many moons ago, hoping one day I'd be adventurous enough to join them. Well, life is funny and unpredictable, as they say

So I stared ringing a few more people who were gung-ho about outdoorsy stuff to join. To my disappointment, they each were either busy or had something else planned. The two who ended up going with me turned out to be the last two I had in mind, whom I never thought would trek into the jungle! (Sorry guys haha). It was by a stroke of luck, that I was speaking to Amy on the phone regarding some financial agent who called me because she gaveaway my number (hmmph!) and I asked her if she'd like to visit a waterfall without actually expecting her to say yes. But she said yes. A very enthusiastic YES.

And with Allison, the other gung-ho gal, she heard from another friend whom I actually invited to go.
So yes, as they say, it is fated.

On the day of the trek, I woke up at 5 am to prepare some egg and crabstick sandwiches and headed down to the meeting point in Tesco Mutiara Damansara. I did a quick survey. Some much older participants, some in their twenties and thirties. But judging from my previous experience, usually older participants are the 'experts' who really know their stuff. You don't expect your average middle age people to suddenly join a trek after all.

So we headed off in a convoy on the North South Expressway and exited at Tapah. Thereafter, it was a scrumptious breakfast in Kampar town before continuing our journey to the interior and to a school. The community here were Orang Asli, so I think the school caters to their kids.

Waterfall survivors leader Joe Yap starts off with the Do's and Don'ts though I reckon there are more Don'ts.

She then hands out the first aid kits, each one gets one, to my surprise. I am used to trips with just ONE first aid kit for the entire group.

Next up, was the trail. We started very late, almost noon, and yes so we were half melting.

The head of the trail was bare, I think they had chopped the trees to make way for some other plantation.

The hot day and blue sky makes for a beautiful picture, but check out the squinted eyes on the faces below, and you know just how bright the sun was shining that day.

Danny, the one in shades. The reason we all changed our Saturday routine and woke up at an ungodly hour for this trip, haha.

He turned out to be a BIG help throughout the trek chopping our way with his parang and lending an outstretched hand when you feel like you're gonna do a Humpty Dumpty.

 

After a good 30 minutes, finally tall trees! Temperatures suddenly dropped to a cooling level once we got under the green canopy. Perfect example of why we need them trees to cool our planet!

The trek was not too bad, a bit slippery here and there since the ground is moist and certain parts of the terrain were slightly steep so you have to use your hands to grab on to branches or something to stable yourself. And the first reward.....

In the picture, the rocks certainly look steeper than in real life haha. But what the picture doesn't show is that the rocks were covered in slimy moss so it was slippery enough that someone did slip and tumbled a bit.

More trekking and the next reward...

Water is oh-so-clear everywhere...

And finally the last of the Falls, where we stopped to unpack whatever lunch we brought. 

I overpacked- sandwiches, sausages, apples, thinking I'd be hungry and also packed extra for the people I came with but amazingly enough everyone wasn't that hungry.

Those who were more rajin even brought maggi mee and their mesh tins.

The mandatory happy group pose!

U know when Christmas is near

Yes, the signs are eminent when Christmas is close by...The obvious ones would be a sudden influx of pine and fir trees all over malls with gaily coloured balls and reams of ribbons..

In the office I have started blaring some old Christmas oldies to the delighted glee of some colleagues :)

At home this sign comes up :
















It ONLY comes around just before Christmas, so go figure.. :)

We still love Malaysia ... right?

The room was not the most comfortable of waiting rooms I've seen, with dirty white walls and a bare plastic playground occupying one section of it. With a runny nose and irritable throat, I lumbered across the room with my laptop bag (stuffed with magazines, 2 seasons of Prison Break and a bottle water) to find an empty spot on the sagging moldy green coloured couch.

I was here waiting for my MyVi to be serviced, but this place could well be a hospital waiting room. Everyone else waiting had either the papers in hand or a magazine and I decided I would spend the next hour gleefully catching up on Prison Break-haven't watched it so long I can't even recall the characters' names. But that was before I caught sight of the TV at the end of my couch, showing none other than Embun, the 2002 Malay movie depicting a love story in the midst of the struggle against the Japanese Occupation. I immediately forgot my Prison Break plans and got caught up in the movie, (despite having watched it before). One quick glance around the room, I noticed noone bothered besides me. Just me-watching a Malay movie.

Was it the love story? Unlikely since there are better love stories. Was it the ironic and discreet relationship between the Malay girl and Japanese soldier? Maybe. Was it because it was a story set during hardship and war? More likely because of this- I'm a sucker for this genre (think The Pianist and As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me). But maybe just maybe because it was a story about Malaysians, and not a bad crafting of the subject too. And I have my patriotic moments like on the eve of Merdeka when I'm sitting in this dingy waiting room I feel a sense of pride watching Embun.

But why does noone else bother? That thought irritates me slightly.. Perhaps it was just early in the morning and the papers were more important to read since it details 2009's Budget and I'm a naive idealist having romantic ideas about patriotism. Who knows- perhaps back home all those people in the waiting room could be flying ten Malaysian flags from their balcony and even one of those mini ones at the top of their cars (though I highly doubt this theory).

Later that night, as I sit in my living room in my flagless house flipping channels just before midnight to see if there's any live broadcast on the Merdeka celebrations- there were none except of course the mandatory ones on the ever dreary RTM channels. Hmm looks like this sombre Merdeka mood extends even to the media.

Whatever the reason may be- an uncertain political future for the country, the lack of stability at the current moment, the unforgiving hike in prices, there's still something to love about Malaysia for me- something way more intangible than all those- otherwise how do you explain people from war torn countries like Iraq who even after escaping dream of going home? I clearly remember some articles I read a while back about refugees who despite living comfortably in a new host country- still feel the yearning of their motherland.

So no different here - I have not flown a flag this year, neither do I love the politicians or the inconsistency of government service or the biasness of privileges but there is something about Malaysia, tanah tumpah darahku.

in holy matrimony..

There's just something about weddings and the word 'weddings' this year. You know how sometimes certain things happen, and they all happen together as if it's related? Like how you just ate a Big Mac and then your friend calls you to ask if you'd like to have a Big Mac with him and later when you get home you find Big Mac wrappers all over the place. Well, along those lines, you get my drift.

I got news that two friends are getting married this year, one week after the other. Both had really romantic/ funny (however way you look at it) proposals to tell of, so really melt-heart-sweet-story to hear of. On top of that, my very close cousin is getting married in two weeks time, and since we're close, I'm roped into a lot of preparations. If that is not enough weddings to hear of, something else within this whole wedding theme happened.

In this case, no one is really getting married, yet the word Holy Matrimony sparked a whole new chapter. My friend had been teasing a (girl) friend of his, pretending to fake a marriage event with her on Facebook. He supposedly had no feelings for the girl (or so he says) but simply enjoyed annoying her. They had their Facebook event guest list and wedding plans including bullock cart transportations, since it is supposed to be done in Malacca. A few more annoyance and irritances (is there such a word?) from him by rubbing in the whole wedding thing, they realised that they both have feelings for each other and are now dating.

It's ironic how just a year ago, the only weddings I come close to knowing are those my parents are attending (their friends' kids wedding), this year this whole wedding thing seems to be popping up every now and then. And to think I am helping to plan for my cousin's own wedding.

Is this a sign I'm growing old? omg.

One of the funniest/scariest things happened today. I was in charge of coming up with the entire booklet for mass, which contains all the readings and vows.. etc. Today, we got it printed with a beautiful cover and went home to read through it. To my horror my cousin shrieked "WHAT'S THIS?"

He spotted one page saying "we humbly pray to you for Paul Poh and Jenny...."

Fyi, my cousin Paul is getting married to his bride Irene Tay. I paled for a moment before asking him "Didn't I ask if you proofread it before we sent for printing?"

Which luckily for me he answered, "Oh, uhmm... yeah but I just scanned through"

Thank God, blame is not totally on me. Wouldn't be forgiven.

Anyhow, I still have to roll up my sleeves and correct FIFTY booklets with my liquid paper and pen.

On a happier note, he showed the DVD video show of his professionally taken photographs. They were so beautiful!! Really elegant with class.. not like some others I've seen very cartoony or cheapskate looking. My cousin and his bride-to-be looked so so so good in the pictures. I want my pix to be taken too! Must start checking out smaller photography packages with the same photographer and makeup-artist.

So this sums up most of the wedding events I know taking place... unless you're getting married too and haven't told me..

#the picture of the wedding booklet cover for some reason can't display the original colours of peach and orange. So don't freak thinking I designed some monster blue thing to pass of as a wedding cover.

Food prices going up. Petrol going up. Salaries not going up.
How can we adapt?
Eat less = smaller waistline :)
Walk more to ur neighbourhood mamak/store = Good exercise, fight stress and backache (Acc to www.iloveindia.com
Use more public transport = Less pollution, ppl walking breathe in healthier air= longer life
(BUT some public transport eg: KTM and Rapid KL bus= more stress= unhealthy society)

So when times get hard, look at the positive side. Slimmer, fitter, healthier Malaysian, Malaysia Boleh.

Monday. I arrived sleepy and groggy for a freelance job at a defence exhibition. Found out I had to do dreaded sales like cold calls to all booths, to promote my booth's service. Returned home with bruised feet, a result of wearing required formal court shoes that people with bunions like mine shouldn't attempt to wear.

Tuesday. Decided to have an option of TWO court shoes on standby, but BOTH hurt though in different parts of the feet. First one hurts my bunions, second pair hurts my soles. Which is the lesser evil? More visiting of booths and meeting people. Started to appreciate the opportunity to meet people from so many different countries and so many mannerisms. Some with big warm smiles and some shifty and curt, trying to get me to hurry on and say my goodbyes.

Wednesday. Quite settled into the job. Decided to ignore advise and did NOT wear court shoes but open toe heels. Prefer efficiency to looking good. Able to walk around faster, more productive, less painful. Able to smile genuinely(no more aching feet!) on my rounds today. Realised the different good looks of probably about 30 over nationalities gathered at exhibition. On my way home met other freelancers for this exhibition. Not to discriminate but there was one who didn't have good English. Asked me 'Where is your boobs?' She meant where is my booth? Tried my mighty best not to let my laughter in my mind show on my face. Pulled on a straight faced and gave my booth number.

Thursday. Yay! Last day. (Might) miss all the hustle and bustle. After 4 days of watching my Greek boss at work, realise he is highly efficient and does not waste time. This means short lunches and always planning ahead how to spend the entire working day. Feeling less pissed at people who stop by my booth just for souveneirs when we have none. Understand that we are all guilty of Malaysian 'free stuff' mentality. They want free pens and fancy pins, I want free movie tix. Made more booth visits. Realise different treatment received from various country booths. Won't say who's worst but warmest people are probably from India booths.
All in all, interesting 4 days. Boss happy with work done. Oh and one more thing. Made a small faux paus today when some French media came over to chat. He passed me his name card. All in French. It's common for me to receive name cards that are dual language. English one side, their own local language the other side. So I asked Mr French, 'I can't read this, where's your English side?' only to realise I had just stroke some old-time French-English rivalry feelings and look at him gazing in fake horror at what I asked. Oh well, good week anyhow:)

Here's some photos taken with my hp those whose heart races looking at killing machines.

NTW 20

20 mm Anti-material Rifle

M8
81mm
Long range mortar

Voting and Voters

I went to Hannah Yeoh's ceramah last week. I am surprised I did. It was only the last election where I couldn't care less. But I know why I did this time. It was her face. Fresh young. Could she lead? It was the fact that she was headprefect from my previous school, SMK Subang Utama
(wah, proud-nya).
So I wanted to give her a chance. Hear what she has to say. And she did not dissapoint.
Yes she can lead, she said in her speech she was aware of all those questioning her abilities as a young woman. (She's 29) Her speech was well presented, no use of derogatory language (which other politicians are so fond of) , no broken English. No mindless jokes and no coffee shop talk.

I remembered a few lines that struck me.
'I am young but I am clean'
'I was ELECTED to the post of headprefect and at 16 years old managed 2000 students in my school'
and a lot more concerning Subang Jaya's useless development. I am sure you're familiar with our stupid goldenbird statue and million ringgit 'park' situated at a roundabout so we can all take in the carbon-monoxide air and enjoy the tranquility of irate car drivers horning.

Happy voting to my friends who have registered. To those who have not but feel the chagrin of their mistake now, not too late. You can still play mind games and influence other voters :)