Waterfall Hunt, 2-3 August 2008

Our darling OCP, Gorilla.

On 2-3 August 2008, our dear soon-to-be-alumni member Gorilla organized a little waterfall hunt for SAC members. It sounded interesting, costing only RM50 per person and with promises of adventures in a 4WD hunting for waterfalls in the wild.
And interesting it definitely was! The waterfall hunters, which consisted of 15.5 members (to be clarified later), gathered for breakfast at Al-Rafi at about 9.00am. We started the journey to Lata Kijang, our first waterfall stop for the trip at about 10.00am. Along the way, we picked up Elephant who only joined us for one waterfall rendezvous, hence the 0.5 member. Here, the documentary director would like to apologize for not being able to remember the time well, but we must have arrived at about 11.30am. After driving through narrow kampung roads, we found a safe spot to park our cars (if yours sincerely is not mistaken, that area should be Kampung Esok). Then, like war refugees on our way to be slaughtered, we bundled into Wolf’s 4WD, with the majority of us stuffed in the back. It was another 20km drive further into the kampung area before we arrived at the waterfall. It was a pain-in-the-behind experience for those at the back as the road was a bumpy one.

Wolf taking a leak.

One of the kampung houses.

Taking a break to rest our sore butts.

But our rear ends were soothed once we jumped into the cold waterfall, which fortunately was isolated, hence we had the whole place to ourselves! We spent another hour or so frolicking in the water and snapping numerous pictures. The sight there can only be understood by those who were there themselves to see it. The tall majestic waterfall that came crashing down on the rocks below was, phew, breathtaking.

Lata Kijang waterfall.

^_^"

Just a couple of girls splashing fun at each other.

A floating piece of Kayu.

One of the pretty sights on the way back to Kg Esok.

After that, we were off for another butt-wrenching ride in the 4WD back to our cars. Nothing beats standing at the back of the vehicle, with the wind whipping through our hair, hanging tightly on to the railing and dodging twigs and leaves that would occasionally smack into our faces. It was almost like a scene from Indiana Jones, except with kampung houses and village kids running on the side of the roads waving at us. Best of all, we got to do it together as SAC and friends.

Yes, Alien is becoming sentimental. But this is not an official SAC trip, hence no official report to be submitted to the ECA people, so I believe I have the freedom to rant a little. Haha. Back to the trip, we stopped somewhere near the Semenyih Dam to make a big decision: to camp or not to camp. Now, the initial plan was for us to set up tent somewhere in the outdoors and be true to our adventurous objective. But the urban college kid side of us decided to ‘camp’ instead at Teddy’s lavish 3-storey house in Ampang, complete with hot shower and air-conditioning. So much for outdoor style, but we had fun anyway at Teddy’s crib. While we took turns showering, the rest watched television and prepared spaghetti for dinner. Unfortunately, some of us underestimated the capacity of Sky Adventurers’ stomachs, while some of us left precious sausages (which were supposed to be added into the spaghetti) in the refrigerator at home. So, some of us drove out in search of a mamak for real dinner while the rest continued watching TV and playing mahjong.

Making the tough decision : to camp or not to camp...

SAC in yau yeng mode.

Hurry! I can feel a huge lorry coming!!

The next morning, we woke up at about 7.00am. After washing up and watching Happy Feet, we headed out for breakfast at a nearby coffee shop.

Alien. Can you stop taking pictures?




Looking at Semenyih Dam.

We then continued our waterfall hunt, this time to Sungai Gabai. Clearly a more popular waterfall area, there was a large crowd there and we had to hike our way up a long flight of stairs and through other ‘waterfallers’ (no idea what to call these people) before we found a spot for ourselves. Though the view was not as wondrous as Lata Kijang’s, we had a whale of a time there as well and found a natural slide somewhere in the water.

Teddy want hug hug.

Delightfully cold, we headed back to our cars and then stopped by an unnamed hot spring. “It’s so hot I thought it was cold!” Such were the wise words of Kayu after sticking one toe into the hot spring. Not many were bold enough to step into the burning water, but dear Mew Mew (who seems to really have 9 lives) walked right from one end to the other like it was a children’s swimming pool. A screaming, thrashing Sushi followed suit.

Mew Mew: Aiyo, you guys are such babies. Where got hot?

After that, we drove to Kajang for the famous Kajang Satay, and spent more than RM180 wolfing down on sumptuous chicken, beef and mutton satays. With satisfied stomachs, we started the journey home to SS15.

The original Kajang satay. Yum yum.

An unfortunate event happened to Hippo’s car as we were on the Federal highway. While stopping behind a Wira in the middle of a jam, a 4WD (which we frightfully thought was Wolf’s at first) came slamming from the back. Hippo’s poor car was sandwiched between the Wira and the 4WD, causing damage to both his front bumper and boot as well as the Wira’s back. But all occupants escape bodily harm and we managed to drive back to SS15 with Hippo’s taillights hanging dangerously from its sockets.

Poor car.

After meeting up with the rest of the gang at TBS, the waterfall adventure finally came to an end. We said our goodbyes and each headed home. Alien would like to end this post by thanking Gorilla for this wonderful experience. Also special thanks to Teddy who, like his name, gave us tender loving warmth and care by letting us crash in his house. Buakaka… To the drivers, Wolf, Gorilla, Rain and Hippo. To the cooks and dishwashers, and last but not least, to all those who went. Hope to see more of this syok sendiri trips!

SAC rocks!