Sungai Ayer Puteh Waterfall and #TravelTips

If you are looking for an easy trail when visiting Gunung Ledang or even if you feel-feel wanna visit Gunung Ledang yet not wanting to climb us (I feel you dude), well… what you can do is just take stroll at Sungai Ayer Puteh and enjoy the waterfall. Don’t worry, it is not as tough as the want at Endau Rompin as this one is simpler and easier, most importantly this is pathed. Yup! There’s a proper path (hence I said stroll *wink*).

Am not sure whether is there any other way to get to the waterfall but I start the stroll from Taman Lagenda Gunung Ledang as I was staying here. Makes it rather easy I guess.

It is a loop trail so one can enjoy diverse riparian forest and streamscape (if there is ever such word, I can’t be calling it a riverscape as I feel it is to small kan), the of course the waterfall itself. The place is naturally taken care of, you’ll a few picnic area and gazebos along the stream suitable for family and group outings. Apparently if you are lucky enough, you might bump into black giant squirrel, dusky leaf monkeys and long-tailed macaques unfortunately we aren’t lucky. We only saw the tamed porcupine, Taman Lagenda Gunung Ledang popular resident. Will share more about the accommodation, surrounding and its resident – Bujang.

#TravelTips
1. Try to avoid school holidays and public holidays as it can get really crowded here.
2. Monson/rainy season is to be avoided especially, it is from November till February. This is for the fear of ‘kepala air’ or ‘large column of water’ (that rushes from upstream to downstream),  a very situation to be in.
3. Come in early, as parking me be scarce
4. Do not litter hence, bring own litter bag and dispose at your house or at proper a prober bin
5. Do not pluck any plant, ruin our beloved rainforest.
6. Do not feed wildlife. Human food is not healthy for wild and that it creates a  dependency on humans thus weakens the animals natural and it survival abilities. They can end up starving.

I found this on Wild Life Land Trust website and I thought it is good to share.

· Rinse all recyclable glass and plastic containers to remove any food remnants and odors. Some animals, like skunks, can get their heads stuck in containers and wind up starving to death.
· Cut and/or crush plastic containers, and cut each ring of plastic six-pack carriers.
· Feed your pets inside.
· Make sure plastic food wrap is rinsed and secured in a tied bag or securely covered garbage can.
· When visiting parks and similar settings, clean up after yourself and follow the rules regarding wildlife. Encourage others to do the same.

Gunung Ledang National Park (Taman Negara Gunung Ledang)
Batu 26, Jalan Segamat

Sagil, Tangkak
Johor

Photo credit : Azwan Ali 

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/azwanali/

Majestic Johor Eco Adventure Media Trip 2020 is in collaboration with Tourism Johor and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

Perlis | Kelam Cave or Gua Kelam

Proud of myself

I walked the whole 3.8km of Kelam Cave 2. It is said to be the 2nd longest cave in Peninsular Malaysia.

Background

This is a limestone caves of Nakawan Range and is located within the Mu Forest Reserve. Kelam Cave is estimated to be 100 million years old and is used to be an alluvial tin mining cave back in 1930s, alluvial tin is the purest tin ore. The cave is located at Kaki Bukit village, Perlis. Kelam means dark or darkness, and gua means cave (obviously). There are 3 entrance to Gua Kelam and I took Gua Kelam 2 and came out via Gua Kelam 1 as both caves will meet at a secret garden where there’s a clear pool for you to swim and enjoy a good picnic.

Gua Kelam 1, it is all boardwalk till the secret garden, no steps/climbing at all. Some areas in both caves has stream/river flowing underneath. As for Gua Kelam 2, it is cemented and with proper steps, so worry not. You will also get to see rails for ore trucks as well as paved cemented paths for tin miners back in those days. My biggest concern was on leeches, bats and etc. Errr… Didn’t bump into any. Not sure whether is it because I am lucky or maybe there isn’t one (mungkin ada kot but tak meriah jer and depa dok diam-diam tak kacau orang). And both caves are very very very clean tau.

We were told that some of the scratches or marks were due to the dynamite explosion. I personally finds it interesting interesting. You canview the video HERE on my Instagram.

Other interesting thing was on the so called ‘door’. Apparently at some section on intersection you can see rocks resembling door and when asked, I was told that its function is similar to current told gate, if one company was to go thru another company territory/land, then the tin miner (or their company) is required to pay the ‘toll’ or ‘tax’ to the territory/land owner.

We also learnt that huts with buckets were built and placed near the underground mining tunnel, this is for the ‘guard’ or ‘jaga’ to inform the miners (those covering deeper ground) if there might be a possibility of flood due to heavy rainfall outside (as they have no clue of day and night, nor rain and shine). If there’s water dripping into the bucket means it is raining outside, and if the drip gets faster and/or more, it means heavy downpour that might lead to flood, landslide and etc. Smart kan.

Other activities available at Gua Kelam are fying fox androck climbing manage by Perlis Climb Development (Instagram : @perlis_climb_development).

Gua Kelam is managed by the Perlis State Forestry Department since 1997.

Thank you to Jabatan Perhutanan and @perlis_climb_development foreducating and sharing valuable information. And also to @unicastanaholidays for bringing and introducing us to Perlis.

Operating Hours

Daily : 9:00am - 6:00pm

Entrance fee

Adult : RM1.00

Kids : RM0.50

Gua Kelam

Kaki Bukit

02200 Kaki Bukit

Perlis

Pesta Angin Timur 2020 Media Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Perlis and all its sponsors.

Beach ATV ride in Labuan

You guys know that I like outdoor adventurous stuff kan despite I don’t like the hot sun, leeches, stickiness (usually from hanging by the sea) and etc. But when there is ATV in an itinerary, I usually won’t say no, never (well, unless I have to climb or it involves height) … Well, seeing ATV as one of the activities in our Labuan trip doesn’t exactly awe me, ‘been there, done that’ was my reaction. As for toughness level - I have done a few tough/extreme ones, I have even experience riding an ATV around the Siem Reap villages and paddy field at sunset. Hence, it takes a lot to impress me (flip hair).

And you know what?

They did just that.

They impressed me.

Kow tow.

In order to keep things in perspective and in a structured manner, I will share their unique selling point that I certainly appreciate (it’s more clear cut this way lah kan).

1. Friendly and prioritise safety

Well, most ATV operators are. And this one is too. Showed us the steps, guided us (those forgetful few – yeah! Like me!), ensuring we have driving license (eh!) and accommodative (ni penting).

2. Terrain

Technically it is not that extreme or tough as we did not cover jungles, rives or plantation and whatnot. Having said that, jeng jeng jeng…. They promise us that it will be an experience of a life time (gitewww), hence, muddy terrain was enhanced (read ; purposely), steepness of molehill was not forgotten, slim log bridge was included (at a few places). Adventurous – check.

3. View

All you need to do is cross the road, and it’s the tadaaaaa… beach!

4. Vehicle

Its sturdy and robust. No squeaky sound nor does it rambles like a motorboat.

5. Beach ATV ride

My dream came true (sampai mimpi kita, wak…). Well, with one strict rule though – no riding in/near the water (salt waterkan, nanti rosak ATV tu). The moment they say, we riding the ATV at the beach, everyone starts taking out the cameras, smartphones and drone. We ride like there is no tomorrow, speed without worrying the bumpy surface, breaks ever so freely as no one is blocking you path (and if they do, the beach is wide kot, corner ler tempat lain kan) and allowing the sea breeze kisses our sun tanned beach boy/girl face. Heavenly feeling with rugged on the side. We were the outriders!

6. Photo

Here’s the thing – single photo BY the ATV, single photo ON the ATV, single photo KONON-KONON RIDING the ATV, group photo BY the ATV, group photo ON the ATV, group photo KONON-KONON RIDING the ATV. Of course then there’s the photo with the mud splashing the ATV, photo KONON-KONON SKIDDING, photo taken from the back view, photo taken from side view, as well as photo taken from the front view. Eh! Belum habis lagi…. Photo by the beach, photo by the beach with ATV, photo BY the beach ON the ATV… etc etc etc. By now you got the drift lah kan kot. You can guess berapa juta photos we have on our camera of ourselves and of others kan. And mind you, all the above mentions were excluding the drone footage tau.

What I would have appreciated even more (of which I doubt they will comply. Ever.) is to have a long journey ride – like those snow mobile ride, and ends it with a barbeque by the beach. It will be so cool kan (hint hint). Whaddayathink?

Operation Hour

Wednesday – Sunday : 9:00am - 4:30pm (booking is required)

Walk-in on weekends

Smart Ryders ATV

Email: smartrydersatv@gmail.com

Whatsapp: +60143580027

Explore Labuan Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Perbadanan Sabah and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel as media coordinator.

Huskey sled. Reindeer sleigh. My Finland Trip! (Part 3)

Huskey sled.

Reindeer sleigh.

My kind of holiday.

As featured in my earlier entries here and here, the Ranua Zoo is worth the visit as it also offer a few other rides outside its compound such as Snowmobile ride, Husky sled and reindeer sleigh ride; and all these at a reasonable price. This is what I have been waiting for from this whole trip and we save the best for last keh keh keh…. (kalau tak dapat buat memang nangis meraung kalah polar bear hokkay!).

My trip highlight and plan was this :

Santa Clause Village, Husky sled and reindeer sleigh in Finland

Viking ship and Noble House in Norway

Gamla Stan and Skansen in Sweden

My so called future plan (tak tau bila) will be Aurora Borealis, Ice fishing and snowmobile ride in Iceland, Legoland in Denmark to complete my Scandi countries. Obviously I plan to do a repeat in Norway especially, to cover Bergen, do some hiking and perhaps a few of the smaller cities up north. All these depending on rejeki, in-sha-Allah.

Anyway, there’s nothing much to share except pictures… do bear in my that during the rides, one’s face can froze (beku) but it was worth it (and funny too). I also attached the price and bus timetable to help you guys plan better *smile*.

 This is the best part, wanna know how the bus stop environment looks like. Check out the below.

So, make sure you are well covered yah... we waited almost an hour for the bus and after a while it was freezing cold and sky gets dark pretty fast. Plan well!

Mt. Untersberg in Salzburg, Austria (Sound of Music site)

I insisted.
If in Austria, mountain we must go.
So go we did.
Regret we did not.
*smile*

This was tricky, I wasn't that excited about The Sound of Music sites ie the mansion, abbey, castle or pavilion when I was in Salzburg. You know what I mean right, this is what Salzburg is famous of and yet my excitement level was just so-so, at the scale of 1-10 (10 being the best), mine was between 5 to 6. What is wrong with me?

So, you must be wondering... If I am not interested with The Sound of Music and stuff, what is there for me to look forward to? Well, there is this 3 things I was excited about (of which I kinda regretted it, a repeat trip need to be plan as usual huh) :

• My accommodation at the foot of Mt. Untersberg
• Mt. Untersberg itself
• Stepping foot in Salzburg - UNESCO site.

I'll share my accommodation with you later, you'll love it! But now, we shall talk about the mountain itself - Mt. Untersberg. The journey from the city to the cable car station takes approximately half an hour or so, hence plan your day well as you need to coincide with the bus service there.

#TravelTips 1 : You can only visit the mountain on a non cloudy day. The cable car close if it is too cloudy, you can't see much anyway kan.

#TravelTips 2 : Operating hours changes according to month/season. You can check HERE on the operating time.

The ride up takes around 10 mins or so and... as as everyone would have known, Austria is a beautiful country. Very beautiful.

Don't you just wish you live here.

#TravelTip 3 : Cable car fee changes according to season, check HERE for more detail.

#TravelTips 4 : If you wishes to follow The Sound of Music trail, click HERE for the list and whereabout.

As we ascent. 

I have to admit, abit gayat by this time lah. 

This mountain is not so popular hence you hardly get any crowd, you don't have to be kiasu nor need you rush to go up/down. Just walk and take your own sweet time.

There is also a cafe up at the mountain station, you can always have your lunch here or sip your hot coffee/tea while enjoying the magnificent view. Bottom line, don't rush and pace your self.

Alternatively, you can also hike here on good weather. Perhaps I should try this one day as the view is superb I heard.

#TravelTips 5 : Nature lover, you can also hike here. Found this blog on the route etc, hope this helps.

I wouldn't dare to stand at the end like this.

The most I do/dare. 

I climbed higher actually till this point HERE, but surprising and as usual lah I didn't take any picture. Hahhahahhah....

I will share with you on where I stayed while in Salzburg in my next entry. Very quaint local house *I loike*. Till then, good night.

Skywalk - Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast.

Business travel is not fun travel.

I remember blogging about this few years back. Anyway... I am on a business trip of which we arrived half a day earlier, giving us ample time to venture into new frontier *wink*. We decided to visit Mount Tamborine and do some hiking, well; simple walking actually. Truthfully, it's more like I want to do the tree top walk or Skywalk after hearing my colleague Felicia bragging how fun and interesting it was in Perth and today, my colleague have been con to coming here and experiencing it with me. Muahhahahhahah (evil laugh). 

After doing the walk, I am positively 100% sure that this is smaller than the one in Perth (kiranya tak berbaloilah, maka sila layan gambar ajer). 

Looks fancy schmancy right, well it is not, very short walk, you can complete it within 45mins or so. Don't get all too excited over this (dahlah bayar mahal).

  

Thank's about it. Easy peasy right *smile*.

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
333 Geissmann Drive,
North Tamborine
Queensland
Australia
Tel : 07 5545 2222 / 07 5545 2333
URL : http://rainforestskywalk.com.au/

Operation Hours
Open :  9.30am - 5.00pm
Last Walks : 4.00pm
* Open every day except Christmas Day

Entrance Fee
Adults (17 Years & over) : $19.50
Children (6-16 Years) : $9.50
* Children 5 years and under are free.

Family (2 Adults + 1 Child) : $44.00
Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) : $49.00
Extra Children in Family : $5.00 per child
Seniors Card Holders : $16.50
Full-time Students (I.D required) : $16.50
YHA Cardholders (I.D required) : $16.50
* Children (16 Years & under) must be accompanied by an adult.