Jerangkang Falls

This year has been busy. I started out thinking, I want this to be a "slow" year, with lotsa rest. Yet here we are, already coming to the end of April, and things have been/ are busy. Still we managed a little break in March, when we took a short getaway to Jerangkang Falls.

We drove to Sri Jaya, where we stopped to have breakfast and met up with rest of the gang.
From there, we hopped into a friend's 4 wheel drive (parked our car outside the police station for safety) and began our journey in.
The journey in took about an hour through palm oil estate. It was mostly dirt road with lots of forks. For the first part of the journey, we mainly kept to the right road everytime it forked. Also the driver of our 4WD said, "When in doubt, head towards the mountain/hill where the falls is." Eventually we came to a tunnel under the highway. From there, red markers (strips) marked the path everytime the road forked. Watch out carefully for them.

I saw these directions on someone else's blog here.    

How to get there. 

1. Exit Sri Jaya

2. At the junction, turn left (If you want to go to the breakfast place, you take a right turn here and the shops are on the right)
3. After driving for about 10 minutes you will see a signboard "Hutan Lipur Jerangkang" - turn left in
4. From this junction basically you follow the main path. Drive for about 5km you will come to a tunnel. Go past the tunnel and turn left
5. At km 6.3 (from the junction) there is a fork, keep left
6. At km 8.7 keep right at the fork
7. At km 10.6 there is a pondok, keep right
8. At km 11 turn right into a bridge
This road will take you right up to the campsite

1)This was the first campsite we came to. It's huge, with lots of huts and public toilets. But we found it too far from the river, so we decided to move on to the next campsite which was a mere 20 min walk away (well, less if we didn't have to carry all our stuff.)

2) When I arrived huffing and puffing with my load of luggage, the kiddoes were already in the falls, and my lil one had found a "home" already, where she would spend lots of time building a bed of straw, kitchen etc.

3) Our campground which was really lovely. The falls is just a slope down from our tent.

4) I read that Jerangkang is actually a series of 40 something falls. Amazing isn't it. If you're fit, there are camping sites on higher ground. Well, we decided to explore some of the falls further up, and so here we were on a trail.

5) On our way we came across these pretty butterflies -Chocolate Grass Yellow puddling on the ground for minerals. There were so many of them, beautiful indeed, especially when they all went fluttering together!

6) Having a light snack while sitting on the edge, listening to the roaring falls and enjoying the coolness and serenity of it all.

7) We came to a large greenish pool. Water here was deep and very cold. My kiddos and the hubby swam here the second morning and said it was the best swim they've ever had! (Lots of fish though that will nibble on your body if you go shirtless.) This water is also deep enough for diving, which provided great fun for some.

8) The night sky at Jerangkang is Amazing!! We got all the kids to the nearest rocky path right by the falls. There we switched off all our torches and looked up at the amazing sky. Imagine, cool wind, soothing sound of cascading falls....shooting stars. Yes, we saw shooting stars (meteor) too. And that was the highlight of the day. In between, two of our kids screamed coz a little frog decided to jump on their faces! heh heh..

9) This is what happens when you let your kiddo try to take a pic of the sky. Art work!

10) The night was cool and lovely and the morning fresh air well..refreshing! Definitely a reason why we'd go back again to get away from city smog.

11) I haven't quite gotten the technique of catching sunrise, but here's an attempt at taking a shot of the sun peeking from between the forest trees.

12) The children didn't have to be dragged out of beds, but were up early and down by the pool to swim and play. BEWARE though, that the greenish water at the far end, IS deep and nearly pulled 2 people down and away. (Although it would bring them to a shallow end, it still it is dangerous for children.) So ALWAYS keep a lookout and children SHOULDN'T be allowed to play there unsupervised. Remember, though beautiful, waterfalls are dangerous.

13) I was making breakfast when magnificent fluttering orange caught my eye. After a time of fluttering courtship, they, Plain Lacewing (Cethosia penthesilea methypsea),  decided to make out on a shrub at the edge of the slope near my tent. So very quietly, I sneaked in as close as possible and caught a picture of these young lovers. Note on the upper left, it's the old skin of a caterpillar. 

14) I couldn't get a better picture of this beautiful butterfly Common Tree Nymph. They usually float/glide by in two's. They remind my children of fairies....fairies frolicking in the sun...in a carefree manner.

So that about summarizes our trip to Jerangkang Falls, a place we'll definitely visit again!

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2014

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Sg. Lembing, Rainbow Falls

 We love the outdoors. Sg. Lembing, (to us), is really a piece of paradise on earth.  So before I begin, bear in mind, that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. (Just saying coz, I once told a friend about the beauty of certain place..and this friend went and later said "There was nothing to see at all."

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So our journey began at 5:45am. Our tour guide was Ah Tak, who is a fantastic, fabulous tour guide! (highly recommended.) (His phone number - 019-9446167)

Since we don't own a 4WD, we hired him to take us in. His truck can take about 12-16 people. The journey in  at a moderate speed, with multiple stops along the way (to take in the breathtaking view), took more than an hour. Ah Tak, our guide, knew just where to stop for photography.

This was followed by an hour plus of trekking. (I know, this duration might be insulting to fast trekkers...but alas, we are not speed trekkers, but rather trekkers who stop to enjoy the beauty along the way.) So here,  a short  (may be long winded) photo post about Sg. Lembing.

Journey In

 As we drove across the dirt road, we saw the beautiful Sg. Lembing meandering peacefully, calmly, way below us. Such serenity.  Most campers along the way were already up, watching the sunrise, for indeed the sunrise there is an awesome sight to behold. Beautiful, and glorious.

The water is so crystal clear, that despite the distance between us and the river, we could see right down to the river bed. Slowly as we journeyed, the sun began rising and the forest came to life.

Trekking

Finally after a rather long bumpy journey, we arrived at trekking point. The trek in is not difficult, with some  slopes, river crossing and clambering over rocks. Just be watchful of roots, and slippery rocks (there are ropes along to way to hang on to.) But then, if you're not a regular hiker, then it's good to stay with the guide.

Several river crossings along the way, so wear suitable sandals, with good grip. Our guide Ah Tak, ensuring  that the children cross safely.

As usual, the children were way faster, and several times, we had to yell for them to come back, as it can get dangerous.

Minor hurdles along the way

Finding the path across rocks just before Rainbow Falls

Arriving at the falls

After passing several smaller, beautiful waterfalls along way, we finally came to a small pool, and beyond it was the Rainbow falls. What attracted me first wasn't the rainbow, but the strikingly green, beautiful moss that grows on rocky walls beside the falls.

The sight before me transported me to a fantasy world. I imagined pterodactyls  flying across the cascading falls, and possibly brachiosaurus and all gentle dinosaurs feeding on the green green trees that grow there.

Behold part of the amazing falls. Unfortunately, my lack of photography skills doesn't portray the beauty of this place enough. (Note* I read elsewhere, the falls is not spectacular in dry season, and only lovely after heavy rainfall. It is a tall fall, and under normal conditions the water comes down as a spray. It is this spray which results in the famous rainbow, but only when the sun is still low.)

We were fortunate that we had the falls to ourselves (usually it can get very very crowded up there, said the guide,) and thus were able to fully soak in and enjoy the beauty of the place. (I can't describe the beauty enough,....but I feel it in my heart. )

The rainbow at the falls comes and goes, depending on the clouds. But to catch it you have to be there before 10am. While watching for the rainbow, at slightly before 10am, the sun hit the falls at a certain angle creating this beautiful rainbow!!! Oooohhhhh!!! went all of us!!! My lil one began imagining mermaids...she dived in and out trying to catch the rainbow.

An interesting thing about this falls is that, if you approach the rainbow, and sit down on a rock beneath the pool right below the falls, you'll actually see the rainbow on the surface of the water, coming all the way towards you, creating a full circular rainbow. So Spectacular!! An amazing experience. I don't own a water camera thus I wasn't able to capture this phenomenon, but it's forever etched in my memory.

After 10am, the rainbow did not occur anymore and we picniked there a little longer, taking dips in the cold refreshing water. Then slowly we trekked back, taking longer this time as our guide showed us the amazing variety of fauna found along the trail.

Below- just a few pictures of insects/fauna we found along the trail. Too bad, my batteries ran out half way through the trail.

** Just outside the forest reserve boundary, we saw extensive logging going on. Sad :( :( 
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Underground Tin Mining

There are other places worth visiting at Sg. Lembing but this trip we only managed the falls, a tin mining museum, and a tunnel at the old mining site. The tunnel has been opened to tourists since January. It usually costs RM30 per adult and RM15 per child. We, however, got in at a very very good discount. Don't ask me how, but we did. (photos taken with good old handphone.)

Entrance to the mining tunnel

They called this a mouse hole...tunnels made to seek out more tin.

Lots of interesting info along the tunnel

Trying out the handcar/pump trolley

ok...this post is getting "photo heavy." So will end the post here. So Sg. Lembing, we will definitely be back! As for the town of Sg. Lembing, it is a really sleepy, small town. I love it. Feels like going back several decades in time.  :)

[for my own records about my stupidity: Back to Rainbow falls, as I approached the falls after a long trek, I was so struck by the beauty of the falls before me, that I totally missed the path towards the falls. Just before the falls, there is a pool of water. To get to the falls, one must trek AROUND the pool. I, however, stupidly trekked right into the pool, all the while, gaping at the stunning beauty before me. At certain point, the water actually went up to chest level, and that wet my pouch and part of my backpack. Thus I had to hold everything (including my camera) up above my shoulders and continued wading through, until I noticed a few tourists who were leaving, laughing at me. I wondered how everyone seemed starked dry, and then it dawned on me, that they had all trekked around the pool, while I, dumb tourist had waded through the pool, bags and camera above my shoulder.)

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2013

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Tower of Straws

Five doctor's appointments this week! In the mean time, it's been a long time since I've posted stuff on the children's activities. Here's something we did in August, before my surgery.

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Earlier this year, I gave Jo some toothpicks and playdough and had her make shapes. She discovered the tetrahedron's strength on her own.

This time, I gave my children and their friends a whole bunch of straws. Their goal was to build a high tower, that would be able to support a bag of beans. The first group, comprising of younger friends, built a really tall, wobbly tower, (which I called the tower of goo.) :)   The tower which was taller than 4 feet, stood for a while, and then twisted and folded like jelly. But they had lotsa fun building it.

The second group, had to build a tower, while taking note of length of straws (especially when cutting), stability, and I wanted them to incorporate the tetrahedron shape. They weren't too meticulous and the mums came in last minute to help even out lopsided sections. (And the mums had fun doing it too. :)  )

Building the base of the tower.

Tower getting taller (and really didn't get very tall at all). Lots of red tape, I think the children rather enjoyed the process of taping more than measuring!

Finally, the tower that started off well, began to become lopsided when they lost focus. However, it managed to withstand the bag of beans (in plastic bag on the top right corner),  for a total of 19 seconds, 1 second shot of the 20 second goal!! .:)

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During the weeks where my constant headache started, it was public hols, and so I kept the headaches to myself and continued activities as usual. One of those days, we went for a picnic at the Templers waterfall. It was great fun.

 Going behind the falls

Climbing slippery rocks carefully,  and just enjoying the cold cold water.

 A pretty damselfly dropped by

 Lots of fun just watching children build castles, catching tadpoles, collecting rocks,  shooting waterguns and just having fun. :)
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The trek to the falls though was heavily guarded by leeches! The brave children made it. :)
 A group of strangers who wanted to trek in with us (1 hour ++trek), freaked out when one of the teen girls got bitten. They screamed, jumped and ran off still screaming despite us shouting "Come back, come back!"  (and they didn't even look back or say thank you or goodbye, it was really like a comedy! :D) 
 So that left the falls entirely to ourselves.  (wink) Lovely. :)

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012
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Adventure on Kenyir Lake

Just got back from an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL holiday adventure with my usual camping group. This time we had a total of 10 adults and 17 children! We spent 3 days on a houseboat out on Kenyir lake, through rainy and sunny weather. It was superb except for a few drawbacks.

1) they provided us with filthy black mattresses and pillows, bed bugs included!!!
2) a very small and horrid toilet

but the above is ok, if you're regular campers I suppose. and..yeah, we've seen worse toilets. Also the beauty on the lake is soo breathtaking..nothing else matters.

Our Boat House..which was actually just planks kinda built together as a sort of shelter.

 There were 3 boats that came with the boat house, and these provided additional fun on the lake!

 First night we were visited by hundreds of Mayflies, and some other variety of insects. lovely for camera shoot! We saw hundreds! Mayflies are very sensitive to pollution, and as such are usually only found at high quality, minimally polluted sites.

Why I loved Kenyir??

1) Beautiful scenery, fresh air, clean water where we were. Some parts of the water I hear is polluted,especially near the Gawi area. We were far from that area parked between 2 waterfalls, and another day on an isolated river on the south side of  Kenyir.

  An early morn by the lake. Our boat was parked between 2 falls, this was one of it.


2) Swimming in VERY cold refreshing waterfall. However, remember waterfalls are DANGEROUS and always be on lookout for danger signs. Few years ago sudden surge of water from a fall crashed an entire floating chalet. Even as I swam on that calm day, I could feel the current gently pulling me towards the falls.

the roaring powerful falls!

 
3) Swimming in clear water lake.

Swimming in the lake. Cool..refreshing! and counts as a shower. ;) making a circle..

My little ones swam too, and throughly enjoyed it. life jacket is very important! water is very deep more than 100 meters. there's warning that every year several children drown. so be very cautious, but enjoy. and if you're all the way there, you MUST swim in this refreshing water.

4) speed boats and row boats

    boating on the serene lake..ahh...what joy

5) Breakfast/lunch on the deck

6) cooking with friends in that TERRIBLY noisy kitchen coz the engine was where the kitchen was.

 

7) most of all, WONDERFUL fellowship and fun with good company. :)

Early morn at the boat house. The sound of insects at this time of day is AMAZING!!! fascinating!

    typical scene at Kenyir..which makes it so beautiful

fresh fish from the lake, ummmm....illegal..don't ask us how we got these fish, EVERYDAY, every meal! YUMMMM!!

       some parked houses on the lake

more children chilling on the deck. they took bottle caps, made holes through it, tied strings, and let these caps skip on water. Innovative!

    Drizzling on the lake

Cloudy day on the lake

        great fun and adventure...and the children made some best friends forever and memories that will last forever...