Charity drive to Pos Tohoi, Gua Musang (25 - 28 Nov 2011)

For our charity drive we chose Pos Simpor, a orang asli settlement in Gua Musang, to receive the basic daily requirements. Encik Shamsul, a regular in visiting orang asli settlements, led the expedition organized by NGO and 4x4 gang.

With eleven(11)4x4 vehicles, we started our journey approximately at 9.00pm and re-group at R&R Behrang. 2 vehicles were overloaded and we had to redistribute some of the items to other vehicles. We then stopped at Simpang Pulai for re-fuelling and supper. When nearing to Lojing, we experienced thick fog with poor visibility and decided to stop. Coincidently one of our colleague was exhausted and rested, while some made coffee to keep awake and warm.




We reached Masjid Gua Musang in time for subuh prayers. After freshening up, we were called for a briefing. After breakfast we continued 60km to our destination, Pos Simpor. The journey itself was very challenging, the road leading to Pos Simpor was slippery uphill and downhill. A few days before our expedition it rained heavily and that explained the slippery road. Nevertheless all had a good time polishing up their skills on handling off roading.






We were about 20km to Pos Simpor when we met Jabatan Kesihatan staff who informed us that the road leading to Pos Simphor was impassable. Even with equipped vehicles they had to wait for 2 nights to come down. We still had another 20km to reach Pos Simpor and had a discussion with our group on the next plan. Everyone agreed when Encik Shamsul proposed for us to visit Pos Tohoi, a settlement which we passed through earlier. We made a u turn and proceed our journey to Pos Tohoi which houses 120 families with a population of 500 people.





It was Saturday late afternoon when we finally reached Pos Tohoi. Everyone sighed with relief, tired but determined to carry out the charity work. After arranging the vehicles, we unloaded the contributions to an allocated spot. While that was happening, some help setup the kitchen and cooked a simple dinner for the volunteers. Saturday night was wet, cold and after dinner most of us slept early to catch up on sleep and rest after a long tiring day.

Sunday was bright and sunny and a celebration day at the settlement. The orang asli were feted to coqcodok for breakfast(fried anchovies balls). After breakfast, our group packed ready the contributions and later the volunteers and orang asli assembled at the school hall to give away the packed donations. In the late afternoon, some of the volunteers visited their homes and had sessions with the children while other volunteers helped out to cook nasi beryani ayam for the special dinner. The orang asli were early and waited patiently for dinner time scheduled at 6.00pm. It was sheer satisfaction to see them enjoying dinner and felt really good to be able to be with them.






On Monday morning, we had early breakfast and dished out food to orang asli during breakfast. After eating, some volunteers and orang asli went round to ensure the areas are cleaned and rid of rubbish. Others packed and loaded their belongings onto the vehicles as we had to travel quite a distance back to Kuala Lumpur. Before we departed, we took photographs for memories and bade them farewell. We hope that some day we will be back to visit them again.



For more photos .......
https://picasaweb.google.com/PAKMID/CharityDriveToPosTohoi2528Nov2011TheBeginning

https://picasaweb.google.com/PAKMID/CharityDriveToPosTohoiGuaMusang2528Nov2011AndTheJourneyBegin

https://picasaweb.google.com/PAKMID/CharityDriveToPosTohoiGuaMusang2528Nov2011MakingThru40KmOffRoading

https://picasaweb.google.com/PAKMID/CharityDriveToPosTohoiGuaMusang2528Nov2011OrangKampongGetTogether

https://picasaweb.google.com/PAKMID/CharityDriveToPosTohoiGuaMusang2528Nov2011DinnerWithOrangKampong

https://picasaweb.google.com/PAKMID/CharityDriveToPosTohoiGuaMusang2528Nov2011TillWeMeetAgain

Ulu Bernam 09 - 10 October 2010

It was much awaited trip after Ramadhan and Hari Raya holidays and was sure a memorable one.


A large signage was posted prohibiting 4x4 vehicles to enter the usual route and we had to find alternative route to go in. Luck was on our side as we were given permission by the resort's owner to cross the river and proceed to our destination. The resort's participants watched anxiously as each of the four vehicles took turns to cross to the other side of the river. Some resort to capturing it on camera as each vehicle glided its way in the river to land.
















The route was pretty much the same except for the overgrown lallang and shrubs, a sign that the route has not being used for quite awhile. The second river crossing was tough as it has a soft bank with boulders in the way. One has to carefully manoeuvre the vehicle to free of the obstacle and continue journey. There were no other obstacles until we reached campsite.























We were here last year but this time around, the place is unkempt. We still made the best of it and had a good time with the gang. One of our friends actually drove all the way from Penang to join the outing and he actually had a good experience......

















Please view the link below for more photos

http://picasaweb.google.com/pakmid/UluBernam910October2010

KEMBARA - ASYIK KAMI PRIHATIN ("Kandek Sayeg Ma Nyob")

Kembara.net and Asyik FM bonded together for community service of the Orang Asli at Pos Blau, Gua Musang, Kelantan. The objective is to donate food, improve education awareness, health and spirit of helping others.

We were given a rousing traditional welcome by the Village Head and villagers and enjoyed the "sewang" and groove to the music beat.

























For more photos, please view the link below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/pakmid/KembaraAsyikKamiPrihatinPosBlauGuaMusang56Jun2010

Endau - Rompin (Selai) Johor National Park, 14 Feb - 16 Feb 2010

In conjunction with the chinese new year holiday, my family & I travelled to Endau-Rompin(Selai) Johor National Park for a 3 days 2 nights jungle adventure. The journey took approximately 4 hours from our place at Bangi to the campsite in Selai. We met up with Jazrin & family at the Management Office in Bekok, Segamat and other friends who were waiting to bring us to the campsite.
After registration, the four 4x4 vehicles, led by Jasin an Orang Asli, convoy to Lubuk Merekek Campsite located 26km from the office. The road is ok but very dusty due to the dry weather spell. The road will take you through the oil palm estate and re-settled orang asli villages.








Upon arrival, we saw other groups were already there but the campsite is big enough to accomodate all the vehicles. As usual, we setup our camp and relaxed as it was only about 4.00pm. The campsite is equipped with 2 cooking areas, a dining area complete with log tables and benches, separate common bathroom and a praying area. When we saw the river, certain part had a depth as it looked dark green and a shallow part for children to play in the river.









Pak Tunku arrived later in the evening, followed by another 5 more 4x4 vehicles and by nightfall, the campsite was like a festival. It was pure relaxation after dinner, talking and visiting friends at the other campsites. By chance we met our old friends 9W2JM - Pak Jani and his XYL 9W2ENA - Ena and their children.

Next morning after breakfast, my daughter and I along with Jazrin's family trekked to Lubuk Tapah Base Camp which is only 500 meter from our campsite. The Base Camp is also equipped with wooden huts, separate common bathrooms, kitchen and dining area.
We scout around and admire the surroundings. Jazrin and my daughter were busy taking photographs and found a suspended bridge. It was unfortunate that the bridge was out of bound for the public as it is faulty. By the time we walked back it was nearly time for lunch.









After a simple lunch, the children and families were lazing around and playing in the river. I went around the campsite and chatted with the crowd. Most of the groups left the campsite and by evening fall there were only 7 vehicles left. After dinner, we celebrated Jazrin's son birthday, complete with 2 cakes, ballons and even invited a chinese family to the party... The night went by quickly and we had a good night sleep.









Morning breakfast was heavy, my wife cooked nasi lemak and had french toast courtesy of Datin Gee. After breakfast, we cleaned, started packing and loaded our things into our vehicles. We convoy out of the campsite and headed straight to Jasin's village. When we arrived there, we saw ladies playing card while the men were welcomed us. We were given the honor to write in their guest book and each family pen a few words. We went round and at the back of one house, we saw a monkey and musang in a cage! Orang Asli gave Pak Tunku a fox (kept in cage) for him to bring back to JB. The kids were so thrilled to see the animals and they had a good time.
We said our departures with 4 vehicles heading back to JB and the other 2 vehicles back to Kuala Lumpur. I'm glad we made the trip and definitely will organize future trips to Selai. Appended below is the information on Selai with its tagline "Beyond The Ordinary."



please view ........
http://picasaweb.google.com/pakmid/ENDAUROMPINSELAI14th16thJAN2010
Selai is the western gateway to the Endau-Rompin, Johor National Park and has an area of 29,343 hectares from the total area of 48,905 hectares. Selai is the land of countless waterfalls, great and small are found inside the park and visitors will be amazed by their magnificence and get to enjoy nature at its best. Selai is special, there is a sense of adventure in the air, exploring a country as yet unexploited. It is a place where the spirit of wilderness thrives-where the forbidding becomes the beautiful. Best time to visit is between February and October. The park is opened daily and entry is strictly by prior booking only and certain fees to be paid. For more info, please contact the Management Site Office as follows;

Endau-Rompin (Selai)Johor National Park
No.8 Jalan Satria 1, Taman Berjaya
86500 Bekok, Segamat
Tel : +607-9222875
Fax : +607-9222576
email : enquiry@johorparks.com.my
website : www.johorparks.com.my