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| Victorious!!! Without our support team, the climb would have been too difficult! |
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| Leaving Noba Resort |
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| This time, they brought a bigger boat |
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| Our first shower right after the landslide |
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| Mr Lim's first dunkin' @ 12.17 pm |
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| In true team spirits, we always regrouped before proceeding further |
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| At 71 years of age, Mr Lim can copy all our tricks and even more! |
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| It was so hot and we were going so slow, Claudine decided helmets were no longer necessary. Besides, throughout our time at Gunung Raya, only 4 vehicles were spotted along the route; 2 of which belongs to our team, 1 belongs to Maxis whilst another was an old vintage Mercedes. |
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| Our modus operandi was "CLIMB" |
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| ...and "REGROUP"! |
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| Walking on a tightrope |
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| A little circus entertainment |
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| ...wait a minute!!! Isn't that Batu Asah, at the top of the hill where we had waited for Sandra??? |
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| The building at Batu Asah |
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| The view from the peak |
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| One for the road |
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Buang suay??
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| Pristinely clean beach at the end of Tanjung Rhu |
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| The 3 hunks |
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| Splashing time |
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| Our campsite |
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| Almost like a village |
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| Sunset |
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| Once every year, the tide at Tanjung Rhu gets so low, it is possible to walk to these rocks across the waters! |
As we were told that it will be difficult to find breakfast on Pulau Dayang Bunting, we decided to prepare simple meals at our chalets this morning. Out came the cup noodle, buns and biscuits which were downed with the coffee and tea brews; sachets collected from our previous stays!!!
Expecting our pick up to be at the same jetty yesterday, we had to make a turnaround when we later discovered our boatman was okayed to dock at Noba Resort's own private jetty. This proved more difficult as the jetty's long runway soon narrows and bobbed in the ocean, supported by empty barrels beneath.
Arriving back at Pekan Rabu, we made our way to Chill Suites to collect our camping gears, left at the reception for storage. These were then transferred to May and LC's rented Perodua Axia with some spill overs to Bernie and Suzie's. These were then transferred to Primrose Seaview Resort where LC had rented a chalet for the night.
When all logistics were sorted out, we made our way to the TOP of the hill at Batu Asah to meet Sandra. It was indeed as TOUGH as she had described which worried us further on our Gunung Raya challenge. This turned out to be only 4.7% gradehill at 1.5 km distance. How are we going to complete Gunung Raya at 5.7% gradehill over 13 km?
True as per Sandra's estimation, it took us about 20 minutes to get to her, arriving at the rendezvous around 10.30 am. However, we did not start our challenge immediately, begging for food instead.
Tasked on feeding us, Sandra took us on a hunt, detouring to Kampung Bukit Hantu. Unfortunately, all her usual haunts were closed. Instead, we chanced upon Nasi Lemak Mak Lang along Route 112 which served seriously good food.
We only began riding up Gunung Raya about 11.45 pm. Meng who had taken up the challenge previously decided to wait for the rest of us at the famous Nasi Arab stall, strategically located at the foothills. VT who was adamant not to take the challenge since the night before, left the group to meet May and LC at Primrose. They were charged to pack lunch and meet the challengers at the hilltop for a picnic lunch.
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| Time check : 11.52 am |
The first 1 km was tough. Claudine stopped immediately at the first milestone pondering how she will manage the rest of the 12 km!!!
Reaching a landslide, Claudine flicked out her camera to take a photo. Unaware, a car had stopped on the opposite direction, allowing us passage. She almost felt apologetic for the delay caused until she she found out to her surprise, it was only Bernie and Suzie! Both were already on their way down from Gunung Raya! They followed us for a short distance before leaving for their next destination!
As promised by Sandra, the ride becomes easier after the first 3 km. Besides, there were lots of small cascading waterfalls and spring water to invigorate the senses. The locals swears the piped sources were drinkable though none of us dared to try except for LC who claims they were sweet!
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| Time check 12.42 pm. Times like this Claudine wished she can shave off 10 kg from her 16.5 kg bike |
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| After the 8 km mark, rewarding views of the horizon get us going |
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| Bananas and water @ 1.30 pm |
The supporting team of May, LC and VT touched base with us at 1.30 pm. By then, we had passed the 8 km mark.
Our guardian angels had gone on a shopping spree returning with water, bananas and Nasi Arab for the challengers. Without them, we would never have made it as there are no stalls or shops all the way to the peak! The worry would have crippled us!!!
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| Time check 1.50 pm |
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| Time check 1.57 pm |
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| Time check 1.57 pm |
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| Time check 1.58 pm |
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| Time check 2.07 pm |
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| Time check 2.08 pm |
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| Time check 2.21 pm |
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| Time check 2.23 pm |
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| Time check 2.25 pm. Again we see the Batu Asah building |
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| Time check 2.26 pm |
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| Time check 2.32 pm |
Less than 2 km to the peak, the canopy of trees disappeared. With less tree covers, we were able to see Kuah and its surroundings. Far away, an archipelago of islands, possibly Pulau Dayang Bunting and Pulau Tuba too were in our line of sight.
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| Time check 2.32 pm |
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| Time check 2.33 pm |
Less than 900 m to the peak is a car park and viewing point. If you are taking the "Thousand Memories Eagle Steps" challenge, the final 4287th step will bring you to this point. Peering down, the stairs were seriously overgrown with creepers and lalang from all the misuse arising from all the long and multiple lockdowns.
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| Riding zig zag to reduce the gradient |
The last 320 m to the peak could actually cause a heart attack! Seriously not for the faint hearted, the 17% grade hill was brutal.
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| View from the peak |
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| Tribute to our support team |
We finally reached the peak about 2.50 pm. This was celebrated over Nasi Arab, a much coveted meal that even attracted the monkeys!
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| We had our lunch on the right side of the building ie the lower structure, across the road from the tower block. |
In order to avoid a struggle with these primates, we self invited ourselves to the Maxis office, located at the basement car park of the abandoned D'Coconut Hotel. Maxis must have made some arrangements with the owner of the building to use part of its premises.
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| Leftovers were brought down hill to feed the friendly dogs that we saw along the way |
Claudine was quite sure she heard one of the officers said the place was off limits but one by one our lot had barged into their pantry smiling sheepishly. They had no choice but to obliged. In order to appease them, we ensured we left the place cleaner than when we first entered and took all rubbish home with us.
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| Victory bath on the way downhill |
The descent was done with only one regrouping stop. Nobody seemed to care about cooling down their brake pads despite Claudine's caution. As usual, Amy and Mr. Lim always overtook from behind during descents and since they made no stops, neither did the rest!
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| The ride into our campsite |
Back on ground zero, we made our way to Primrose Seaview where LC was putting up a night. Unable to find lodging at the same place, Bernie and Suzie decided to stay at Labu Labi Residence which was strategically located next door.
Meeting up with May, VT and Meng at Primrose, we proceeded 4 km to the end of Tanjung Rhu where we found a superbly clean beach by 2 row of stalls.
It was a perfect evening. Located in a bay, the water was calm and clear. We could see our toes even at chest high deep waters.
Bathing was done at the Restoran Seafood Anis' toilet cum bathroom. At RM 2 per pax, the place was very basic with 2 toilets equipped with buckets and ladle whilst the shower room had a single shower head.
It was almost 7 pm, when we decided to get out of the water. The cubicles were almost pitch dark and with no lightings provided, a great strategy to keep patrons from balking over the cleanliness. So while we took turns to bathed, we also took turns to order and dined over Malay / Thai cuisines at Anis'.
Everything was almost perfect. Dinner was not bad. Bernie, Suzie and LC hopped in for Happy Hour. There were beer and nuts .... and then .... a rumbling in the sky, followed by a flash of lightning.
Soon the light and sound sequence became more frequent by the minutes. Within half hour from the threesome's arrival, the rain had arrived! Flashing her bicycle lights to the right, Claudine could only see a white wall fast approaching.
We panicked, we ran!
The rain though was merciful giving us enough time to keep whatever was necessary in the tent and take cover at a vacant stall functioning as a tour agency. When we were all high and dry, the mother of all thunderstorms fell upon us.
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| Photo taken at the flash of lightning |
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| Huddled in our shelter |
We were initially chatty but soon quietened down to endure the worst. Light mists of rain came into our shelter. The ground was soon flooded and the 3 inched high cement barrier built around the stall overflowed, allowing rain water to come in small streams. Luckily, the sandy ground drank up the water thirstily so we were still relatively dry.
Throughout the hour long lashings, we observed Anis packing up and turning off the lights. Later, a car came close to our refuge, the headlights shining into our hideout for the longest time. We had assumed the owner had returned and we would probably need to vacate but thankfully, the driver was only seeking the key to the toilets cum bathroom. Apparently he had left his pants inside and had hoped to retrieve it.
Much later, a young man came right into our shelter! He was totally drenched!!Pointing to the motorcycle parked behind us, we had assumed he was the actual owner of the stall. Instead, like us, he was a camper stranded on a beach in a huge thunderstorm. Tasked on a rescue mission, he was assigned to return with a car for his family members.
The rain teetered to a drizzle after an hour and with less noise, our karaoke session began. When we finally tired out, we returned to our campsite to check the damage.
Claudine was very pleased with her Nature Hike tent. It was completely dry inside so May and herself were spared. So was Meng!
Meanwhile, Amy and Mindy reported a slight leak in their tents but nothing too serious. They too were spared.
The hammock guys though were not so lucky. The rain had completely soaked through their hammock despite a tarp. Looking back, they should have unclipped their hammock leaving behind the harness but nobody had anticipated such an extreme storm.
VT was lucky to have brought an extra hammock which was meant for May. He replaced the wet with the dry.
Poor Mr Lim was the worst off. For some reasons, he did not vacate his sleeping arrangements to seek solace at the nearby stalls. Instead, he endured the cold and the wet like a true soldier!
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| View from Claudine's room |
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| The morning after |
Let's say, the night's episode changed our course for the next day...When tomorrow comes, we completed our round island tour ..... by CAR !!!
Photo credit :
Mindy
Amy
LC
Suzie
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