Monday, 4 February 2019

Mount Pulag

Mt Pulag (Altitude ~2926m), Luzon's highest peak, third highest mountain in Philippines.

Did a 2D1N trek in March 2018 with Joesafe via Ambangeg Trail.

Getting to the Trailhead:
Took bus from Victory Liner Pasay Terminal to Baguio Terminal. The bus departs on an hourly basis. The journey is about 6 hours bus ride. After that, you will need to take a Jeep ride to Pulag DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources).

We stop by this cafe for breakfast which has a fantastic view! I'm literally eating the gorgeous view for breakfast!




Once we arrived at the National Park, we are required to fill up registration form, submit medical certificate stating that we are fit for the climb and attend a briefing on the trail.

Though it was forecasted to be rainy, we had great weather and fluffy clouds as we trek along the paddy fields!



From the ranger station, we took less than 2 hours to reach the campsite to set up tents for the night. After tent was set up, food was prepared by guide for our dinner. After that, it was sleeping time in the cold tent. Camping at such altitude was a lot colder than I had thought.


We woke up about 3am to view a sky full of stars!! The camera tried its best to capture but it was prettier to look with our eyes!


At about 4am, we continued our trek towards the summit. As the summit was closed at the time of visit, we went to Peak 3 for the sunrise. Rewarded with sea of clouds and gorgeous sunrise after an hour plus of trekking.




Descend back to our campsite and started to pack up and trek back to the our starting point. We even got our certificate of conquest of Mount Pulag!

My first mountain trekking experience was full of great memories of the climb, the nature, the views and the people. Thankful for June and the friendly peeps and guide who encouraged me along the way!


Sunday, 27 January 2019

Bukit Panorama

Panorama Hill is located at Sungai Lembing, Pahang of Malaysia.

Did a sunrise hike in June 2018. (Day 2 of Sungai Lembing trip) Read Day 1 on Rainbow Waterfall.

Getting to the trailhead:
Took a night coach from Johor Bahru Larkin Bus Terminal to Kuantan. Bus journey is about 7 hours with toilets stop in between. Took a cab from Kuantan Bus Terminal to Sungai Lembing. 

The Panorama Hill is near the hawker center.

We started walking up the stairs at about 5.50am. There are about 1000 steps, took around 30 to 40 min to walk up.

Once you reach the top, sit around and wait for the sunrise!


As you descend, you will get to see misty clouds too! Felt as if you are walking on clouds.


The views are great! Looks like nature's painting.

At the end of the hike, walk to the hawker center to have the yummy Yong Tau Foo! πŸ˜‹


Saturday, 26 January 2019

Double Rainbow Waterfall, Sungai Lembing

Rainbow waterfall is situated at Sungai Lembing, Pahang of Malaysia.

Did a day hike in June 2018.


Getting to the trailhead:
Took a night coach from Johor Bahru Larkin Bus Terminal to Kuantan. Bus journey is about 7 hours with toilets stop in between. Took a cab from Kuantan Bus Terminal to Sungai Lembing.

Our guide picked us at 5am at Sungai Lembing Hawker Center area. It is a small town that is walkable. Panorama Hill is nearby too.

The four-wheel drive was about an hour to the start of the trailhead.

On the way, we stopped for a misty view of the area.


From the trailhead, it's a mix of muddy forest and rocky path towards the waterfall. The hike is about an hour. Ropes are provided along the trails especially when nearer to the waterfall area.



We reached around 9.15am to wait for the rainbow! Spotted the rainbow at about 9.30am!! 🌈
No double rainbow though, still awesome to find the rainbow at the end of the trail. πŸ˜„

Had cup noodle and milo to warm ourself as it can get pretty cold at the waterfall.

Make sure to waterproof your belongings as you are bound to get wet at the waterfall.


Guide info:
Ah Teck
60 19 9144 6167

Saturday, 19 January 2019

Sakurajima

Sakurajima, ζ‘œε³Ά - volcanic island in Kagoshima of Kyushu, Japan.



Took a hike along the Nagisa Lava Trail in Dec 2018, which is an easy walking path along the sea. The trail starts from the Visitor Center and stretch towards the Karasujima Observation Point.



Getting to Sakurajima:
Take a train to Kagoshima Station or tram No. 2 to Suizukukanguchi stop and walk to Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. Take a 15 minutes ferry ride to Sakurajima, with high frequency. Visitor Center is about 10 minutes walk from the ferry terminal.

Along the way, you can find public foot bath/onsen to soak your leg if you are tired.

Rock formations from the volcano are seen along the trail. You can also see smoke coming out of the volcano from time to time. It's an active volcano after all.

Official website: http://www.sakurajima.gr.jp/svc/english/guide/


Saturday, 5 January 2019

Mount Kawanori 川乗山

Mount Kawanori 川乗山, (altitude ~1363m), situated at Okutama region in Tokyo, Japan.

Did a solo day hike in Jun 2018, took about 6 hour for the ascend and descend.


Getting to the trailhead:
Took the train from Tokyo to Okutama Station. Then, take a bus to Kawanori bashi bus stop. From the bus stop, walk along the forestry way to get to the trailhead.

Many Japanese love to go for hike in the mountains and forests. There is even a term for it called Forest bathing, Shinrin-yoku, to immerse in forest atmosphere, taking it in through our senses.



Through the forest, rocks and stream, I pass by Hyakuhiro Waterfall for a brief stop to enjoy the cooling air and water.



After that, continue the trail towards the summit with more steep climbing.
Many hikers had bear bells with them as there used to be sightings of bear in the mountain area. But, thankfully, I didn't bump into any.  πŸ˜