Holy Week '09 Surprises

Last year's Holy Week I was in Bkk. I was hoping to go for another vacation same time this year, targetting Cambodia or Taiwan or anywhere near in Asia (and not expensive!). Unfortunately I was not able to find a companion. My kumare and I already had Macau earlier this year and she'll be planning for Europe this May. Whew I don't know but I just find it too much to splurge (~5k sgd), especially in times of recession. Europe is a romantic place and I hopefully should find someone special to accompany me haha. On a serious note, I have a feeling I'll be losing one travel companion in her, after being to beautiful places, I'm sure her expectation and satisfaction levels would rise much higher.

Oh well Cambodia cancelled. I joined some other friends to Cameron Highlands in MY instead. And I didnt expect things to be this way.

First day is okay. Sight-seeing, nature trips, farm tours, cool weather, juicy strawberries. Below are some pix that qualifies for my 'nature girl' tag. (some ex-officemates gave me the title :p)



















2nd day I was doomed. We signed up for a rainforest adventure which is a trek to find Rafflesia, a rare specie of the biggest flower, followed by waterfalls and aborigines village tour. I wasnt expecting the trek to be that 'challenging'. Thank God the hostel lent us boots (the type you wear during floods). It was one HELLUVA mud and slopes and fallen tree logs and occasional big stones blocking the way. It was literally trekking in the mountains. I felt that I was in the wilderness, there were also a few paths where it felt like Sahara dessert (see picture below). There was a part where we had to cross to the other side via a bridge made of just 2 bamboo poles. I managed to cross then I heard a crack sound and few screams from people at the back. Holy cow. Nobody fell, but I think I'd be having nightmares of falling off a cliff.













I admired the other foreign female tourmates from England and Scotland who are really fit, while I was always at the end of the line catching up, it sucks! I tripped over the mud pile (tripped over the same spot twice, pathetic!) and had my pants soaked smelly in mud. I also got a mild scratch in the rose shrubs (it better not be anything poisonous - guess so because I am still alive and blogging now). As how my friends amusingly described me, I ended up looking like a fugitive in China. :p Dirtiest day!

















I owe it to my friends who 'alalay' me whenever I need a hand, thanks to them. Actually I was was expecting just some leisure walking, thus was dressed initially in kikay fashion mode :p, sleeveless pink shirt and some burloloy accesories. Then my friends told me to change costume, good thing I bought this red Cameron shirt the night before.

If I only knew the way to backtrack and return to starting point. I wanted to quit haha. Unfortunately there's no turning back. I've been to a few treks before but so far this is the hardest to traverse. All the curse words, s-word, f-word, even p-word.. lahat na ata ng mura nasabi ko na during the trek. Sorry, tao lang! Forgive me for speaking ill on a Holy Week.

My legs are really sore. I need some rest. Not sure if I'm still in Singapore next Holy Week, remind me not to do this again!

The way to and from is also a tough one, copied from by friend's site:
1. From Singapore,book a ONE way bus ticket to Ipoh at 10pm. (sold-out return tickets)
2. By 5:30 am you will be at Ipoh, wait for sunrise and board the local bus to Cameron. Takes about 2 hrs.
3. Book tours and trek the mountains of Cameron.
4. Going back, take the bus to KL at 9am.
5. By lunch time you will be in Pudaraya Bus terminal in KL and all the Singapore bound buses will be fully booked. Try to get tickets to "SIN" where Bus operators will promise to get you to Golden Mile, Singapore. Instead, you'll end up in LARKIN,JOHOR BAHRU.
6. Take a cab from Larkin Station to JB Immigrations
7. Take SMRT bus from Woodlands Immigrations to Kranji MRT.
8. Take a cab from there to your house.

I didn't rant a word for the long ~14hours byahe in going back to SG. We just had 2 words in mind 'basta makauwi'. And for me, anything is still better than the 4.5hour rainforest trek!

P.S. I got curious to research some words in wiki. I didnt know 'rainforest' is also considered a jungle (else I might have turned down this tour lol). I also underestimated the word 'trek'.

At 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level, Cameron Highlands is the highest area on the mainland.
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall.
Jungle usually refers to a dense forest in a hot climate, such as a tropical rainforest.
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments. Hiking a long-distance trail from end to end is also referred to as trekking.

P.P.S My companions said I should feel proud of this accomplished mission :p. Some shots are really nice, will post them next time.