Monday, November 2, 2009

Pelepah Waterfall (updating in progress)

About Pelepah Waterfall

Situated at kota tinggi, it's only 1hr away from JB. Thus, a popular & accessible waterfall with the singaporeans. This waterfall will involve you to climb up & down or sideway on the boulders, as part of the route. A good place to practise your basic rockclimbing techniques, finding handholds & footrests. Nonetheless, alot of begineers went for this waterfall as their 1st trek. You just need confidence, guidance & taking ur time slowly. I do find it as a nice alternative to the usual "walk-only" kind of trek.


Transport Details
As said b4, this waterfall is located at Kota Tinggi (KT), Johor. There's quite afew buses to go to KT & ticket sales are only available on the day itself. For the particular bus that i took the last time, it start from larkin terminal, pass through a particular busstop b4 heading towards KT. The busstop is bwt city square & the train station, on the road nearer to the train station. To save time, you could board frm that bustop. If you wana board at larkin terminal, the platoform is at the center of the larkin terminal. Paiseh for the lack of names & numbers as we were rushing the previous time.

Once reach KT, arrange a cab to bring you to either Pelepah Waterfall or Kota Tinggi Waterfall entrance at the taxi terminal beside the bus drop off point. KT waterfall is another waterfall situated nearby but it's commercialised with resort facilities & paved routes.

For the loaded, you could arrange a transport back to JB straight from the entrance with the taxi providers.

Activity
Provider
Duration
Remarks
Bwt JB & KT
Local Buses
1hr

Bwt KT & waterfall entrace
Taxi
30mins

Bwt waterfall entrace & JB
Taxi
1hr



Trek Details
B4 being able to trek up, you need to pass through a planation to get to the start. Pls note that the planation is private property & there were cases that the guards disallowed adventure seekers in the past. Therefore, pp had to pass through an opening in the fence. But in recent times, i had walked past the guards through the main gate with no trouble. FYI, the opening is located further down at the bridge (nearer to KT waterfall) after the main gate & near the river. There's a sign infront.


Time
Description
Instruction
Remarks
00
Enter thru gate or stream under the bridge
If start from stream, turn left to return to the main trail
Walk parallel to the stream

20
River
Cross River & turn right at T-junction
There is a small clearing before the river
01
Y-junction
Turn left into the vegetation & at the end cross river.

05
River with a small waterfall on the right
Cross river
There is a campsite after the river
01
Path leads to the bank of the river
Keep to the right side of the river

10
Small waterfall in front
Cross river

01

Cross river to the right bank

01
Steep slope about 2 storeys high
Climb up using fixed ropes.

01
Small waterfall
Cross river followed by steep climb by the left side of the waterfall. Walk through the narrow valley.




There is a very small cave behind the small waterfall.
06
Go through the gorge?
Climb up left bank of the river

05
River with 1st main waterfall on the left side
Cross river, route is directly opposite.

10
River. 2nd main waterfall can be seen on the right.
Cross river followed by a very steep climb

05
T-junction
Turn Right

05
Y-Junction
Turn right, descend to the top of 2nd main waterfall. Keep by the left bank of river

05

Cross river

01
Last main waterfall
Cross river and climb up from the right side of the waterfall
Trail is on the right side of the waterfall
20
Top of waterfall
A mixture of land and water rout along the stream

30
Fallen tree right across stream
Turn right onto the bank with another campsite. Turn left and cross the stream with the route directly opposite

02
Main campsite beside a large stagnant pond.

There are sandflies at the main campsite


Campsites/Accomodations
As mentioned before, there is a campsite at the top of the waterfall. However, i dont have the chance to camp there before.

For those feeling rich, there's the Kota Tinggi Resort near the start of the trek. They have full-fledged facilities with chalets and toilets for those feeling rich.

For those feeling poor, there's a campsite few kilometre down the road (opposite direction of the resort). It's a very big campsite that can easily house 50 people, ideal for orientation camps. However, from my recent sources (Sep 2009), there are mining operations nearby which polluted the water source.

Budget Breakdown
No camp fee is required.
(Prices for transport include to & fro unless otherwise stated)

Activity
Provider
Cost
bus bwt JB & Kota Tinggi
Any bus company
???
taxi bwt Kota Tinggi & Start of Trek
taxi terminal
RM40(1-way) / RM60 (2-way)
taxi frm Kota Tinggi to JB
taxi terminal
???


Urban Trekking
There isnt much in KT town except for well food and firefly cruise.

In the morning/afternoon, you could choose to dine at the coffeeshop beside the taxi terminal. It's famous for their big char siew buns. The prawn noodles & roast meat stall are quite nice too.

At night, you could go to a 30min firefly cruise tour which brings you down a river to see fireflies in the swamps. The tour can be done throughout the year but there is firefly season (more or less fireflies). Packaged with the tour is a seafood dinner. I would say it's a average seafood meal at a malaysian chinese "restaurant".

To book the package, you can call xxx at xxxx. The cost used to be xxx but has increased henceforth.

For those staying overnight, xxx is a good option with rates at xxx. There's a bak kut teh stall beside the hotel which is quite nice.


Full Schedule


Credits

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Pengerang Cycling

About Pengarang Cycling



There is afew routes to cycle in pengarang, cycle to desaru or off-road cycle. But being the falling queen, of coz we need to go on a relaxing route, enjoyed with a sumptous local seafood meal in the town, Sungai Renjit & stay at a beach-front resort. Haha. It's only 30km for a one way trip, suitable for beginners. Definately a trip that you gain more calories (seafood) than you can lost them (cycling). Haha...i like.


Transport Details
To get to pengarang, you need to take a ferry from the changi village jetty (aka pulau ubin jetty), instead of the usual expressway route. On weekends & public holidays, there's tons of people & you can wait for hours for a boat. On normal days, there's not alot of people & you might also wait for hours for a boat to fill up. You might even need to pay for the whole boat at times but you could negotiate the price to pay abit lesser. So no matter on which day, it's advisable to reach the jetty at 9am.

The 45mins ferry ride would take you to pengarang's jetty, Tanjong Pengelih jetty. After crossing customs, you could start cycling or for the super lazy, take a cab at the taxi stand.



Activity Provider Duration Remarks
Bwt SG & MY Ferry 45-60mins 1st ferry to MY: 7am
last ferry to SG:4pm
(advisable to reach by 2.30pm)

max 12pp
In MY Cab ??? RM16 to Sungei Renjit


Cycling Route Details
The route is quite straightforward.

From the jetty, it opens to a major road, Jalan Tanjung Pengelih (J52). This route will bring you to Sungei Renjit, which is 17km away. Notice that J52 is not a a straight road. At 10km mark, you need to turn right when you pass by a very big signboard showing "Sungei Renjit - turn right". Then turn right & continue on J52.



No matter from which part of the town, you could just cycle straight down & that will bring you on Jalan Teluk Ramunia. Once again, it's just a straight route where you will pass by a seafront, some factories & inbetween red hills. When you pass by a "mama" shop on the right & "resort world" signboard on the right, turn right into resort world & you could cycle all the way straight to the beach.  Another 17km done.




Accomodations
There are many resorts along that beachfront route. From RM200 to RM20. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend. I hav managed to get rooms even on public holidays without booking. There's no need to book pre-advance, unless you have a very big group. Just approach the chalet & sum1 will approach you.

Please note that the most of the resorts don't provide dinner.

Place Address Telephone Rates Remarks
Melissa Beach Resort 61 Kampung Sepang, Teluk Ramunia, Pengerang +6019-7046723 / +6019-7068723 / +607-8265012 3pp room: RM80very basic
not for the picky
Sunrising Ramunia Beach Resort Kampung Teluk Beserah,81620 Pengerang +6019-7719808 / +6019-7727322 pricey but provide bbq dinner


Budget Breakdown

ActivityProviderCost
Bumboat RideFerryhuman:SG$9

bike:SG$3
Bike RentalChangi Bike Shop$18 for 2days
Accomodation???Depend on how you squeeze


Urban Trekking @ Sungei Renjit




There's tons of food to eat in Sungei Renjit. Being a chinese-dominant town, they offer more chinese food.

Firstly, they are famous for their seafood. You could either dine at Jade Garden Restaurant or Good Luck Seafood Restaurant (aka Si Wan Restaurant). I have eaten at both & is similar in terms of price & taste. A typical seafood feast (without lobster) cost ard RM25 pax.

Good Luck Seafood Restoran: +60207-8263555
Jade Garden Restaurant: +607-8265460

For those non-seafood enthusiast, there's nice bad zichar stall opp the health care centre. There is also the coffee shop next to the Taxi station. They serve nice wanton mee & hand-made Chee Cheong Fun with fillings. Those craving for fastfood, Mary Brown is available. There is also a shop to buy local cakes located at the middle lane.

Apparently, there's a night bazaar during the wkends but i havent seen it before.


Urban Trekking @ Beach Front
There's nothing there except the sun, sand & the sea. The waves could reach metres high during the monsoon season. So, do be careful.

There's only 1 coffee shop & mama shop somewhere near Sunrising Resort, that close at 9pm. So better be early if not you gotta slp on empty stomachs. It's a typical Malaysia coffee shop that serves the usual simple dishes.


Full Day Schedule
Day 1
Time Activity Remarks
0830 Meet at changi village ferry
0900 Depart for Pengerang
1000 Reach Pengerang clear customs
1030 Start cycling
1130 Ice cream break 10km mark at a mama shop before turning right
1230 Reach Sungei Renjit seafood lunch
1330 Depart for beach front
1530 Reach beach front slow ride


Day 2
Time Activity Remarks
0830 Wakey Wakey
0900 Depart for Sungei Renjit
1100 Reach Sungei Renjit brunch
1200 Depart for jetty
1400 Reach jetty
1430 Depart for SG
1530 Reach SG end of trip


Important Phone Numbers
Tanjung Pengelih Immigration: 07 825 2188
Sungei Rengit Police Station: 07 826 3222
Sungei Rengit Taxi: 07 826 3515, 013 772 3038
Penawar Clinic (24 hours): 07 883 1944


Credits
Arson & Arsenic
Pengerang Sea Shore
Trip Advisor
Photo

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Jerangkang Waterfall



About Jerangkang Waterfall
On the other side of the popular Berkelah waterfall, stood Jerangkang waterfall. According to some people, the waterfall consists of more than 43 cascades. However, its quite laborious to get to all of them. I have only managed to reach the 4th cascade of the last 7th step waterfall. This is not a walk & see trek. Certain degree of confidence is involved when maneuvering on the rocks but nonetheless still a relaxing trek. It offer a refreshing alternative for non-beginners.


Transport Details
Jerangkang waterfall is located near Maran, Pahang. From larkin terminal, take a coach bus to kuantan to reach its express terminal, typically taking 4hours. From there, you could arrange a cab or take a local bus to the entrance of the waterfall.

For cab, you could find one on the spot or arrange beforehand. One contact is Abu. You could find him for any transport needs in Kuantan. For local buses, you would need to walk to the local bus terminal(diff from the express terminal). Then, look for 1 bus departing for Maran. Tell the bus operator that you want to go to Berkelah/Jerangkang waterfall(same entrance), near Restoran Berkelah which is more like a coffee shop out of nowwhere.

Once reach the "restoran", one could either walk the 15km dirt track into the base camp or choose a more bumpy but faster lorry ride in. You could approach Abu(as mentioned before) for the "lorry 4wd".


































ActivityProviderDurationRemarks
Bwt JP & KuantanTransnational4hours



Bwt express & local terminalwalking30minsrefer to map
Bwt Kuantan & Maranlocal bus provider45minsto go back to kuantan, wait at the busstop opp restaurant
Lorry 4WDAbu +6-013-934403040minsneed to arrange b4 hand








4wd lorry


Map of Kuantan
(new bus terminal = express terminal)
(bus station = local terminal)


Trek Details
I cant remember much of the trek due to my failing memory but i do remember that the trek is quite easy & straightforward. The below details is courtesy of "themttrekker". Water is portable from own experience.











































DurationActivityRemarks
00Campsite 1go to right side of road & up the "stairs
5Campsite 2go to right edge of river
2Y-junctionturn left
1Y-junctionturn right
10Inverted Y-junctiongo straight
10Medium waterfallgo up road & walk up along the log
20Main waterfallcan climb up the 7 cascades


the "stairs"


1st cascade seen


top of the medium waterfall


medium waterfall


main waterfall with 7 cascades


Campsites

The base camp or campsite 1 has many facilities, including huts, stinky toilets, wooden tables & even a kitchen/dining area. It also have a stream behind the kitchen area & taps attached near the huts for easy retrieval of water It can accommodate 6-8 tents.






For campsite 2, there are no facilities however its sheltered by many trees which will find favor for those hammock lovers. It can accommodate 4-5 tents.

campsite 2

Budget Breakdown
No camp fee is required.
(prices for transport include to & fro)






















ActivityProviderCost
coach bus bwt JB & KuantanTransnationalRM52.80 pax
bus bwt Kuantan & Maranlocal bus providerRM12 pax
lorry 4wdAbuRM25 pax


Urban Trekking
There's nothing much at kuantan, although there's a A&W nearby.

Full Schedule
Day 1










































TimeActivityRemarks
2030Meet at Kranji MRT


2100Depart for Singapore CustomSBS170
2130Reach Singapore Custom


2200Clear Singapore Custom
Depart for larkin terminal
SBS170
2315Reach Larkin Terminal


2359Depart for Kuantancoach bus
0430Reach Kuantan30min buffer time


Day 2

























































TimeActivityRemarks
0430Breakfastlast place to buy essentials
0530Depart for local bus terminalwalking
0600Reach local bus terminal


0630Depart for Maran


0715Reach Restoran Berkelah
Depart to base camp
find transport guy in rest
0800Reach base camp


0830Start trek uprefer to trek details
1130Start trek uprefer to trek details
1530Start trek downvery relax pace
1630Reach base camp




Day 3




















































TimeActivityRemarks
0800Wakey WakeyBreakfast
0930Break Camp


1000Depart for Restoran Berkelah


1045Reach Restoran Berkelahcan eat or bath
1130Depart for kuantan


1230Reach kuantanA&W lunch
1430Reach express bus terminal


1500Depart for larkin terminal


2000Reach larkin terminalend of trip



Credits
themttrekker
waterfalls of malaysia

Sunday, August 17, 2008

A new blog is born

All in the purpose to help people to organize their own trekking trips and achieve their inner wish of being a falling queen like me.

Muhahaha