Last year after I gotten my referral fee at work, my colleagues, Woon, Yee Jah, Joan, Yee Ling & me planned to go somewhere. At first, we planned to go to Tioman or Perhentian island, but at the very last, we decided we should go to Langkawi as most of them never been there. Our flight was on 9th May, at 7pm (Unfortunately, the flight was delayed for 30mins). It was the first day AirAsia operating from the new airport, KLIA2.

I can't recall where we stayed but we got a pretty good deal. It's an apartment which cost us only MYR100 per night. We rented a car, Nissan's Grand Livina for about MYR120 per day. We arrived at around 8pm+, took our rented car and went straight to a seafood restaurant, Orchid. We were already starved at that point of time. 

Right after our dinner, we went strolling for a while at Pantai Chenang area and went to our apartment right after. 

On the next day, we took an island hopping tour. 

monkeys. i hate monkeys.

eagle feeding

Unfortunately, it was raining heavily right after we went eagle feeding (i loved this the most!). The tour ended around noon and we proceed with our main objective; shopping! We went to Kuah and around Chenang area. Mind you, I bought 2 sunglasses! which one of them now have a scratch on the lens. Sick.

On our last day, we planned to go to Langkawi Cabel Car, but unfortunately the line was too long we cancelled the plan. For while, we lost our way when we try to find the black sand beach. 

We then stop by hot spring, Telaga Air Hangat. 

We continued with more shopping before depart from Langkawi :)

This hiking adventure happened last year in December. The gang and I has planned for the hike to Mount Irau for years. And we have actually went up to Cameron, twice, for the hike, but no success. Our so-called guide was a no-show, twice.

Anyway, I then took over to plan the hike. I asked an acquaintance whether he can be our guide, but unfortunately he couldn't. But luckily he referred me to his friend, Bob. For a small fee, Bob agreed to guide us. At last the plan seem work out. Near to the date, half of the gangs back out until it left only five of us; Vijay, Fong, Adel, Prakas and me. We carry on with the plan anyway.

We started the journey to Cameron at around 2am. I was the first driver but as I was too tired and sleepy, I asked Prakash if he can take over. I can't drive long distance. I would definitely snooze off. We arrived at Tanah Rata around 5am in the morning and met our guide there. Bob brought his friend along for the hike. Hey, the more the merrier. :P

We parked somewhere, I can't recall, but we went up using 4 wheel drive. A big mossy forest sign welcomes you with a series of stairs. The trail towards Mount Irau starts right after the last stair going down.

the entrance

the last stair. mount irau trail start after.

It was around 3 - 4 hours hike and the view is like no others. Like most mossy forrest, the trail is, yupe u guessed it, mossy. It was like hiking in a different world. The view was amazing! The trail itself was easy to moderate.

our guide, Bob was way ahead of us.

We arrived at the peak at around mid day. 12pm+. I just have bread for lunch. The usual chocolate bread from Gardenia. That just not enough. On our way back, I felt sooooo hungry it almost make me sick. I felt like vomiting the whole way back! I should have tapau nasi lemak. 

During my way back, I have this hallucination that I'm so near the stair, which trademark the trek is over. I swear I saw the stair only a few steps in front of me and that Fong has already climb it. When i get nearer, the stair wasn't there at all and it was another 1 hour trek towards the stair from that point.

So, please bring enough food for hiking.

I feel like I have done my best. But it seem like my best is not good enough.

So, I told myself, why bother staying...

Oh, i almost forgotten. i made a video about my trip to Mulu. Enjoice :)

I start the year 2014 by traveling somewhere close to home. work has been crazy, so this much needed getaway is the best getaway ever. it was only me, the girls and mother nature :)

it began when my girlfriend, leanor told me about her plan to mulu and asked if i want to tag along. well… how could i say no, right? i have always wanted to go to mulu! story cut short, we went to mulu on 4th april for 3 days 2 nights. my flight to miri was on 3rd april, night. leanor picked me up and i sleep over at Fei's house before heading to mulu on the next day.

Me & Fei. Awaiting for our flight to Mulu at Miri's Airport. Pic credit to Leanor :)

Our flight was delayed for around 30mins and we arrived at around 10am++ and was being picked up by our tour agent, Duke. We called him Duke of Mulu. The four of us, Leanor, Fei, Daisy and me. Lami came a little bit later than us. Our other friends, Marcella, Andrea and Jelo were supposed to come via after flight, unfortunately the flight was cancelled due to bad weather and was re-scheduled to the following day. Due to that, we changed the plan to have all the planned tours the next day and to have our first day free & easy.

We did what we do best, wandering. Wandering in the rain-forest. Literally!. It was raining when we did our so-called adventure. No wonder the flight was cancelled. Along the way, we met two caucasian gentlemen whom were just back from Paku Waterfall and told us the most amazing things about the waterfall. We decided to follow their lead and trek towards the waterfall, following the ready made trail.

plankwood walkway in the forest where we wandered without direction.

it was raining heavily.

It was around 30 to 40 mins trekking in the rainforest towards Paku Waterfall with rain poring heavily. We almost gave up halfway as we can't find the waterfall at all and at the same time, we were scared we get lost. There wasn't any plankwood walkway like my photo above. It was really trekking on wet soil due to rain. When we arrived at the Waterfall, we felt terribly disappointed…. you would know why by looking at below photo. the so called most amazing waterfall by the two gentlemen. Sigh~ 

Paku Waterfall.

After trekking back, it was almost 5pm. We then headed towards Deer Cave following the plank wood walkway. It was another 30 - 40 mins walk. Our aim was to watch the bat streaming out from the cave. The highlight of Mulu! This phenomena was only found in Deer Cave, Mulu. Thankfully, the rain has stopped when we arrived at the observation deck. We were told the bats won't come out if it's rain. It was as if the bats knows there will be a lot of spectators and they seriously performed the best show ever! 

the girls and me in front of Deer Cave.

bats streaming out from Deer Cave is a must watch. 

It was already dark when we headed back towards our chalet. We have also booked for night walk and paid RM12 for the extra "tour". It was actually walking through the same walkway that we walked earlier when we wandered on the plankwood. The only plus was it was a guided tour and looking at night wildlife aka all the bugs, frog, insect and so on….. right after the night tour, we headed back to our chalet, refresh and sleep after a long tiring day. the best sleep i had.

On our 2nd day, after picking up our "unfortunate" friends that flight was cancelled, we went straight towards wind cave. by long boat!. This is a very typical Sarawak. From where I came from, there's no other way than river way :)

 me enjoying the morning sun :)

long boat ride towards wind cave

the gang is complete at last :)

2 caves side by side. the name was literally what the caves represent

the wind caves was windy and clearwater cave has large underground stream running in the cave, just like a river. due to rain, the water level was quite high.

Wind Cave

here, you can feel the cool wind breeze, thus the cave was named after.

look familiar? It's Confucius! 

Clearwater Cave

We continue the adventure to Clearwater Cave, located just beside the Wind Cave.It can be reach by following the plank way.

Super drama these girls. I love them anyway :)

Can you see the underground stream?

it was a long way down and need to climb back up

this was just half day… after lunch, we headed back to our chalet just to have a 15 mins rest!.

Lang Cave

Located just beside the Deer Cave, Lang caves is a must visit for it's "rock formation". Just like those behind us in below pic. Can you guess what it is? :P

Deer Cave

We were back on the plankwood walkway towards Deer Cave and & Lang Cave. Deer Cave is known as the world largest cave passage in the world. It homed the famous "Abraham Lincoln" profile that can be viewed from the inside of the cave. This cave is also home to millions of bats to perform the evening show :P

After the full day caves adventure, we stayed at the observation deck, waiting for the bats show. The time for the show is uncertain. We waited almost an hour or so. Then we headed back, took shower and lepak at the balcony of our chalet. 

For our last day, we decided to take another tour before we check out. 

I enjoyed Mulu a lot! It was tiring but way too much fun with the girls. The best type of travel buddies anyone can find. I wish I can go to visit Mulu again next time, to climb the pinnacle. That would be a tick in my bucket list.

Wosh! This is the longest i have ever written. 

i almost forgotten how fun it was writing for my so called online diary aka blogging until my girl roslin, reminded me. i suddenly felt so sentimental browsing through all posts. not all but enough to get me pumped up to write again. thanks kak ros for being my loyal stalker (yes, i know you'll read this :P).

I promise, i will try to update as and when i feel… well, i think i better not. knowing myself, i won't be able to keep my promise. anyway…. i think i will only write about my travels and avoid those personal and work related. it's too dangerous to be updated here :P

where do i start?