Whether you heard about Mount Tahan (Gunung Tahan) is the most tougher and challenger mountain in Malay Peninsula and with the height of 7,175 feet. Well, this time I’m challenge the 2nd tougher mountain in Malay Peninsula – Mount Nuang.

Mount Nuang, with the height of 4,898 feet. Mountain scales across Pahang and Selangor states. And it is also a part of Titiwangsa Mountain. Mount Nuang is very famous for trekkers who looking for prior training to climb Mount Kinabalu or Mount Tahan.

There are three (3) hiking routes to the peak. Two of the routes start in Selangor which is located at Pangsoon, Hulu Langat and Kemensah, Gombak. Another route starts in Bukit Tinggi, Bentong – Pahang.

Well, we are choosing Pangsoon, Hulu Langat route. To avoid delayed, we depart at 5:45am from KL City and meet the rest of the members at Shell station just before the Cheras toll. Once all the members are arrived, we were then heading to Nuang National Park. On the way, we pass by a lot of hawker stalls, villages and school. I’m enjoying the scenery so much, especially the hills along the road. Once arrive the park, visitors required register and pay entrance fee RM1.00 each. Mount Nuang can divide into few section, they are as follow:-

- Entrance Point
- Never Ending Route (3km+…?)
- Dam
- Lolo Camp Site (4km..?)
- Pacat Camp Site (6.4km..?)
- Fake Summit
- Nuang Summit (9.4km@4,898ft)

Entrance Point
This is the place to register yourself with the park ranger officer and perhaps go for rest room before start your 9.4km journey. 19 of us choose to challenge Mount Nuang, of course not everybody wants to go summit. Do some warm up exercise and stress your body. 8am sharp (Timer Start: 0H00M), we start our journey.

Never Ending Route
I don’t know where the name came from by calling “Never Ending Route”. Wide, flat, rocky terrain, up & down hill has make some of us a little impatient. You will need to learn, control your stamina. There are three (3) rest huts in this route. We arrived at 9:15am (Timer Counting: 1H15M). We saw some people camping here. There is small stream and waterfall nearby.

Dam
All of us have 15 minutes rest before we start the actual hiking. 9:30am, we going to Dam. No more flat terrain. We are going through small pathways along the jungle and streams. We saw pipeline and finally arrived the Dam at 9:45am (Timer Counting: 1H45M).

Lolo Camp Site
Continue with the path and stream, walk for another 15 minutes and we arrived Lolo Camp Site (Timer Counting: 2H). There are a hut and camping site beside the stream. We saw people doing overnight camping here. It is not too difficult to reach this point. Most people choose to stop here. Enjoy and playing with the water, it’s chilling. If you expected the next pit stop have similar stream for you to enjoy, forget about it!

Pacat Camp Site

Heading to Pacat Camp Site is tough enough for us. We are going through the fallen bamboo/trees and red clay terrain. It was very lucky that no rained on the day and day before. Or else, the trail will become very muddy and slippery. My friend and I were little gone crazy with the vertically path challenger.

Our legs start cramping, body loosing of energy. It is never happen before on me even I have experience in climbing Mount Kinabalu 7 years ago (Year: 2003) and jungle hiking in my life. Going through the difficulty and at last, we arrived Pacat Camp Site at 11:55am (Timer Counting: 3H55M). Pacat Camp Site has a half basketball field size flat land. I don’t see people camping here as there is no stream nearby.

We have 15 minutes to rest and decide who want to challenge the peak. Some member has chosen stop at Pacat Camp Site. Our leader has comment we are very late and impossible for us push to the peak. If we choose to challenge, we must arrive the summit by 2pm. 8 of us (including me) has take up this challenger.

Fake Summit
Hey, its noon time and I am hungry. We have a quick lunch before it’s late. My lunch is RM4 raisin bread. After rest, we continue heading to “Fake Summit”. My friend and I were completely throwing behind the group as we are again suffering with muscle cramp (happen too frequent even after rest). The trial gets even steeper and we need to depending on the tree roots to ascend. I felt my bag is getting heavy and heavier (due to the vertically terrain). Felt like my bag going to pull me fall from the mountain. It’s scared me. I force to use both of my hand or I call it “limbs” to climb.

The environment and muscle cramp has suffering my stamina. I told my friend, “I can’t go up, it’s too steep. I want to give up”. My friend look at me and said “Come on, you can do it, we almost arrive. Don’t give up. Gambateh!” (p/s: “Gambateh” is Japanese language, means: continue your great work). I make a altimeter reading on my watch, touching 4,000ft. The summit shall be in front of us. My friend has giving his hand to pull me up the very steep hill. At last, we arrived Fake Summit at 1:30pm (Timer Counting: 5H25M).

Nuang Summit
There is a “T” junction at “Fake Summit”, always follow the path on your left hand side. We did not rest as it’s getting late. We not going to make it, arrive by 2pm. We saw a lot people start descending to the base from the peak and we are still on our way to the peak. They told us another 30 minutes you will arrive the peak. We keep walking and go through the muddy and slippery terrain.

Descending from Fake Summit has rebuilt our stamina and energy. My legs not longer suffered by cramp. We are expecting another tough ascending to the summit. We slowly moving step by steps going up and finally we arrived Nuang Summit at 2:25pm (Timer Counting: 6H20M). Hooray!

Nuang Summit (4,898ft)! Here I come. Yahoo…. Wait! First thing comes into my mind was… “Leech”! We were warning that there is leech along the way to summit. Have a quick check on both my foot. Thanks God! There is no leech bite me. LOL… We have a short break and refilling our hungry stomach. Then have a group photo shooting at the summit. Nothing we can see from the top. What we can felt is the cold wind like Genting Highland. Some people have chosen to setup overnight camp site here. According to the source, the temperature will drop to 16 Celsius at night.

Here is the 360 degree “Mount Nuang Summit” video clip. Click here if you are unable to see the video clip.

Descending from Summit
If you think it is so easy, well… I can tell you it’s not easy at all. The time clock at 2:40pm, we need to reach our base (Entrance Point) before dusk or before sunset. I do not have mood to taking out my camera to shoot with my very dirt hand. What I want is safely return home

We watch out our step very carefully during our descending just to avoid any accident happen to us. We are helping each other in a very steeps and dangerous area. This time, my friend was suffering injured on his foot due to uncomfortable shoe he wears. I slow down my descending speed wait for my friend. We even rest for 5-10 minutes for every 500-600 meters descend. Descending from “Nuang Summit”, “Fake Summit” and we arrived “Pacat Camp Site” at 4:40pm (Timer Counting: 8H30M).

After few minutes rest, we continue heading to “Lolo Camp Site”. Like what we did, rest every 500-600 meters. My friend has almost running out of drinking water with extremely foot pain. The descending speed has decreasing so much and took even more time to rest. I know the feeling and very sympathy my friend while nothing I can do except let him rest more during descending to “Lolo Camp Site”. Along the way, we are not sure how many times we saw the Lolo Camp signboard. We thought that we almost there. Well, at last we arrived Lolo Camp Site at 6:30pm (Timer Counting: 10H10M).

The sky is getting dark and we are preparing for walking in the dark. My friend almost lost track on the way from Lolo Camp Site to Dam. I always watching and notice people behind me just in case they getting wrong way. We arrived “Never Ending Route” at 7pm sharp (Timer Counting: 10H40M). What a good timing. Again, I checked on my feet see any leech bite me. What a lucky day. There is not

If you can recall what I have mentioned above, “Never Ending Route” is 3km+. Estimated 1 hour 15 minutes. Sound easy right? But it is not. “Never Ending Route” is more than enough to drain your mental and physically when you are already so tired, hungry and hurt. We are running out of drinking water and my friend has seriously injured on his foot. He has become so down. The fatigue and frustration has completely occupied him. Nothing I can do except giving encouragement and mental support. My friend ask “How far we going to walk?”, “How far we going to walk?” I replied “Not worry, we almost there. You see rest hut in front? We can have a rest there.”

I look at my watch. The time is approaching 8pm and we are still non-stop walking. Too bad that my cell phone battery drain out plus there is no signal inside jungle (in certain area). Or else, I can request for a help. Our members in front us start worried about our safety and find us. The last 1km (I guess), we heard a motorcycle sound approaching toward us. Hooray! It’s our leader who drives the motorcycle. Finally my friend can have a free ride returning to the base (Entrance Point). I continue proceed with my foot but with increasing of walking speed even I am in fatigue mode and suffering muscle pain. Finally, I reach the base at 8:30pm (Timer Stop: 12H10M).

Well, this is my personal jungle trekking record in a day. Walking 18.4km with the consumptions times of 12 hours 10 minutes.

How to Get There
From KL City to Pangsoon, Hulu Langat estimated 45 minutes. Self driving by using Cheras – Kajang highway, exiting Cheras toll and take the left turn. Go straight till you reach a traffic light. Make a left turn and follow the road. Does notice the signboard beside road to avoid lost.

Things to Bring
1500 liters Drinking Water (Minimum 2 bottles)
Energy Bars / Packing Foods / Breads / Snacks
Good Trekking Shoe
Torchlight (Be prepare walking at night)
Rain Coat
Camera

Extra Items:-
Basic First Aid Kit (Just in case you need it)
- Mosquito Repellant, Muscle Relief, Insect Ointment etc.
Energy Drink (RedBull/Livita)
Extra T-Shirt
Glove

Conclusion
If you are a 1st time climber that wish to challenge Mount Nuang, do not under estimate it. Always be prepared by doing some basic hiking training to build up your stamina. You think you are physically fit enough? Then take up these challenges. LOL…

Pictures Contributor: Me myself and Chin L.L.

Are you too bored during weekend or school holiday? Desired to have some outdoor activities or maybe enjoy natural clean fresh air? Here is the Malaysia Agriculture Park believed can fulfill your desire.

Malaysia Agriculture Park located in Shah Alam. It is Malaysia’s first agriculture park and opened to the public in 1986. The 1,295 hectare of Tropical Rain Forest and Agriculture Park are believed one of the largest in the world. Most of the visitors come here for cycling or maybe to have some Skytrex high elements/flying-fox adventurous. I come here for cycling

You maybe don’t know that there are bicycles available for rent and a free bus service provided to ferry visitors inside the park.

Due to overwhelming cycling activities in the park, we decided depart early from KL City. Spend 35 minutes on the road and finally arrived. Well, a clear and sunny sky turning into dark and cloudy sky and at last, heavy rain. We have no choice wait inside the car and pray for the rain stop. Another 20 minutes pass by and finally our pray apparitions.

Rain has stopped and allow us disembark from the vehicle. We then proceed to the Park HQ and purchase entrance ticket.

The entrance fees to the park are:
RM3.00 for adult 12 years and above
RM1.00 for children 4 to 11 years old

Other charges are:
RM10.00 license for 1 unit of video
RM3.00 for 1st hour of bicycle rental and RM1.00 subsequent hour

There are two (2) main trunk in the park, towards to the North (3.5KM) and also West (3KM). After chosen our bicycle and prepare for our journey, another heavy down pour. Again we wait for the rain stop. When the rain turning into drizzle. We start our journey to the west side. A tar surface track, up and down hill, plus a 26 speeds mountain bike, make the journey as easy as 123. But safety always first, I don’t want to fall from bicycle again

What to see inside the park?
There is a paddy field, cocoa trees, oil palm, rubber trees, coffee, coconut and other fruit trees. And there are many gardens in this park which are the Spice Garden, Ornamental Garden, Orchid Garden, Cactus Garden, Bamboo Garden and Mushroom Garden.

Mini Zoo
Various types of deer can be observed here and as well as some other animals.

Fish Feeding at Dam
By taking the free shutter bus from Park HQ or cycling, heading towards to the North side and ended at the Dam. Fish pond is build beside the lake. Visitors can have a close look at the fish and fish feeding. Very strange that the fish anti-clock nonstop swimming, it will stop once people get closes to it.

Observation Tower
A tree look steel reinforced concrete, five (5) story high observation tower was built beside the lake to observe the scenery of the lake and the garden.

Cultural Village
A double story traditional Malay’s wooden house. Ideally for various function or group activities.

Four Season House
This is one of the top attraction spot in the park. However, it was closed for maintenance during our visit, very disappointed. The entrance fee is RM3 per adult (12 years and above) and RM1 per child (4 to 11 years old).

According to the source, spring season garden is exhibited from March to May, summer season garden is exhibited from June to August, autumn season garden is exhibited from September to November and winter season garden is exhibited from December to February.

Operating Hours & Contact
From 0830am to 1630pm

Malaysia Agriculture Park
Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam,
40000 Shah Alam,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Administration/Office Tel. No.: +603 5510 6922
Booking Unit Tel. No.: +603 5510 7048
Fax: +603 5510 0922

Getting There
From KL Sentral by KTM Komuter train to “Shah Alam” station. Then take a taxi to the park with approximately 20 minutes.

Conclusion
Besides mentioning in the above, there are a lot of outdoor activities for visitors such as Kayaking, Fishing, Skytrex Adventure Park, Flyingfox, Swimming, Jungle Trekking and Camping. You could spend one whole day or days inside the park. Relax and calmness your mind, good place for picnic and spending time with your family around the park.

Chinese New Year coming soon on the 14th of February. A lot peoples was wondering (especially for those staying outside KL City) how KL City look like during Chinese New Year 2010. I have a chance to travel around some Malls and Street, capture the moment of this festival.

Thean Hou Temple
A place must visit during Chinese New Year. Buddhism comes to pray and wish everything goes smooth through the whole year.

Petaling Street or China Town
Let see how the decoration is. Oh! Look disappointed as nothing much New Year decoration except “Z sharp” lanterns hanging at the ceiling. It does not bringing enough Chinese New Year felt. But you can see a lot Chinese rushing buying new year goods and decoration items.

Dried meat shop showed good business during this festival. Whether you like chicken or pork favor, you choose.

Pavilion
Chinese New Year decoration in Pavilion looks magnificent. Especially the plum tree decoration at the side walk-way attracted a lot visitor.

Berjaya Times Square
Well done! They have built the streets and shops to recall the old days. I like the environment so much even I am not born in 60’s. Imagine how well if I could go back yesteryear.

LOT10
A unique Chinese Surnames design decoration at the main hall looks simple but very meaningful.

KLCC
Let see how KLCC decoration is. In my memory, everything must be in “Big” and “Tall”. Then only can representative the height of Twin Tower. Hope my guessing is correct.

Mid Valley
A gain lotus pond environment looks was built at Center, North and South Courts. Dragon flies flying around in the sky. Stage performance such as aerobatic, lion dance, singing and New Year programs makes the visitors unforgettable about this Chinese New Year festival.

The Mall
Basic looks and simple design at The Mall shopping complex.

Best wishes to all Chinese communities Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year. May all your wish come true and success in year of Tiger.

You intend make information search in Google search engine, then you enter a keyword or sentences in Google search box. The returned results display millions. Are you going to browse through one by one or page by page?

Here are some useful phrases or symbols you may use in Google search box to narrow down or broaden your search and give more accurate search by combining keywords, phrases or terms.

1. Use of Square Brackets ( [ ] )
Example:
[Black Dog] is one query.
[Black] [Dog] is two queries.
[Black Dog] represent one sentences, means Google will display the words that contain “Black Dog” only. While [Black] [Dog] will display the terms of “Black” and “Dog”.

2. Use of Double Quotes ( “” )
Putting double quote in a set of words, you are actually telling Google to extract words in that exact order without any change.
Example:
[“Simon George”] (with quotes)

3. Specific Website ( site: )
To specify certain website define by your query.
Example:
[Google Wave Overview site:simonlwc.com] (with quotes)
[Health site:.gov]
[University site:.edu]

4. Use of Wildcard or Asterisk ( * )
By using wildcard/asterisk is to procurator for any unknown term and find the best match.
Example:
[Canon Powershot SX20 *]

5. Use of plus ( + / AND )
Attaching a plus sign or AND word will actually telling Google to match exactly as typed.
Example:
[+mount kinabalu]
[+“sabah mount kinabalu”]
marketing + internet
marketing AND internet

6. Use of Exclude ( – / NOT )
Attaching a minus sign or NOT word is used to exclude certain aspects from the search result. You may exclude as many words as you want.
Example:
[Malaysia –petronas]
[Malaysia –f1 –sepang –KLIA –hotel]
marketing – retailing
marketing NOT retailing

7. Use of ( OR )
Use “OR” when your search result is too little. This will broaden your search and increase the amount of information you find.
Example:
[Aircraft OR Airplane]
e-business OR e-commerce

______________________

I hope this article will benefit you and try applying these search techniques or strategy into your search habit in Google. I am sure it will save your time and helps you find the most relevant information.

On a sunny day, I and my brother in law’s family decided visit to Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) located at Selayang, Kepong. It’s about 25 minutes from KL City center. We have never been in FRIM before. FRIM also describe as an ecotourism. Visitors have the opportunities to learn about forest and at the same time enjoy the fresh and unpolluted environment. Peoples have chosen this park for jogging, picnic, camping, jungle trekking, cycling, bird watching, nature photography and even classroom studies.

As said, this is the first time we visit to FRIM. We saw a lot peoples cycling around the park and we intend look for any availability bicycle for renting. However, we couldn’t find any. Has little bit disappointed as the park is big, by walking on foot will spend little bit longer time to explore.

After getting a park map from FRIM’s One Stop Centre, first thing comes into my mind, The Canopy Walk. In order for us to experience the Canopy Walk, we are requiring to purchase ticket. Below is the ticket cost for reference:-
RM10.00 Adults (Non Malaysian)
RM5.00 Adults (Local)
RM3.00 Students (Age 13 years onwards)
RM1.00 Children (Age 7 to 12 years)

Be reminded that, distance from FRIMS’s One Stop Centre to Canopy Hut is about 1500 meters (1.5km). Visitors are advice to register early. The walkway opens every day from 9:30am to 2:30pm. However, Monday and Friday will be closed. Last register shall be done before 1:30pm and subject to weather condition.

Due to uncertain weathers condition, we are preparing umbrella just in case we need it. First, we will need to walk 900 meters rover track, it is seen to be easy as we are slowly ascending. But it is tiring as we carried a lot foods and drinks (we prepared for picnic). There is a small hut for visitors to rest when we arrived at “Open Space” (as indicate in the map). To avoid heavy bundling foods/drinks, we eat and drink whatever we can to reduce the luggage weight.

After 20 minutes rest, we are now followed 500 meters canopy walk trial. It is 3x harder than rover track. The trial combination with some rocky, hard soil, slippery, up & down hill makes it even challenger and fun. This is what I hoping always (I like jungle trekking). At last, we arrived Canopy Hut safely without any problem except little bit tiring.

The Canopy Walkway located at Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, about 300 meters from sea level. Walkway was constructed by German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in 1992. Walkway system spans about 200 meters and suspended between trees which describe as “Chukrasia talularis”, “Intsia palembanica”, “Artocarpus elasticus” and “Shorea pauciflora”. Walkway was build 30 meters above ground.

I don’t felt any high disease and there is nothing to afraid walking on the canopy walkway. I don’t even hold the steel cable nor need a safety harness to support when the suspension is swaying. I am enjoying very much the scenery of natural environment (I don’t see any birds). We can observe a part of the Kepong town scenery. However, we cannot stay longer in the walkway as the park guide are chasing us move faster, we are actually last visitors. How lucky we are.

After visited the Canopy Walkway, we are advice to follow the original trial to decent as my sister’s daughter are following us. It will be very dangerous to follow another 900 meters slippery Waterfall Trial to decent. Be reminded, Always Safety First!

Important Notes for visitors
- If you have health problem or allergies, do inform park guides.
- Never ever attempt to jump or sway while on the walkway.
- Maintain 3 meters spacing between visitors and do not overcrowd.
- You need a good walking shoe, drinking water, energy foods.
- Insect repellant (beware of mosquitoes, there are a lot).
- Camera (of course you need it if you are photograph killer).
- An extra T-Shirt or towel (you will get sweat easily).

A part from the Canopy Walkway, FRIM also provided a picnic area located at Kroh River. A three (3) courts Badminton next to the canteen and a Football field just opposite. You may also want enjoy the scene of Malay Traditional Houses (Terengganu and Malacca style) next to the football field. A service fees may apply for those I mention above.

How to get there
Using Selayang – Kepong Highway, MRR2 Highway or follow Jalan Kepong.

To know more about Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), please visit to FRIM official website here or Wikipedia website here.