Gunung Lambak Day Trip 18 July

Gunung Lambak is a popular day trek destination with the locals and rises 510m above sea levels. The trek is an upward climb with lots of scrambling but should be completed in approximately 2-3 hours for a hiker of reasonable fitness. There is a radio tower and a shelter at the summit. From the summit, you will be able to get a birds eye view of the town of Kluang. Photo-opportunities are available with a sign that indicates that the trekker is at the summit.

Though this is considered a beginner's trail, it can be quite intense due to the steep climb (if you're less fit). Staircase climbing training is required to enjoy the trek. (You are welcome to join the bunch of us who are training for a few other treks or for general fitness at the 40-storey flats in Toa Payoh)

Gunung Lambak Day Trip

18 July 09 (Sat)

Register by 3 July 2009 (Fri)

0700 - 2230 hours

Kluang, Johor, Malaysia

S$35.00

Cost includes 2-way transport between Larkin and Gunung Lambak, dinner, and insurance. If you've never hiked with us overseas before, we will require you to get a tentanus jab and medical clearance from your family doctor prior to the trip.

Registration is now open over the counter at Toa Payoh Central CC only. Inquire within now or simply quote the activity code 'A14064446' when you register (You will need to provide your information in the overseas expedition form provided, so please make sure you have your passport information with you)

Itinerary (subject to changes):
0715: Meet at Kranji MRT
0930: Reach Larkin
1000: Bus to Kluang
1130: Early Lunch
1215: Head to Gunung Lambak
1230: Start Trek
1430: Reach Summit
1445: Descend
1630: Reach base. Wash-up
1700: Cab to Kluang
1730: Dinner
1900: Bus to Larkin
2100: Reach Larkin. Head for Singapore
2230: Home Sweet Home

Questions? Email guohui@gmail.com.

What's Next?

BOAT is over. What's next? Gunung Lambak. Its the "Bukit Timah" of the locals there, only three times higher. A great workout anytime. Shouldn't we be scaling greater heights? Definitely. We'd like to take it slow and to think big but start small. A few of us will be visiting Semeru, Kinabalu and India come August. We've got many interesting programmes lined up. Check out our calendar to find out more!!

Sungei Yong Waterfall Abseiling

Sungei Yong Waterfall Abseiling
30 Sep 2005 - 02 October 2005
by Josephine Poh
Toa Payoh Central YEC Adventure Secretary

Did you know that no two trips are the same? The different elements of a trip never fail to make it so, each time, you a different surprise too. Sungei Yong is not an extremely spectacular waterfall but what it has to offer is relatively unspoilt nature within close proximity. It is located at the north face of Gunung Belumit, Kluang (Johor) and has a 2-step water that is 80m in height at its highest. Sungei Yong is also a destination ideal for beginners to apply the skills they learnt.

Being technical in nature, all participants had to be sufficiently equipped with abseiling proficiency skills for when you are down there, its nothing by you, your rope and your equipment. This was a trip organized as a motivation for taking up the Abseiling Proficiency Course for some of us. And for the rest of us, it was just a chance to just go for a trip and be surrounded by nature.

Things were much simpler for me since I did none of the planning, though I did attempt to change the food plan so that we could have something more satisfying after a long day.

It was pitch dark when we arrived at our base camp (entrance of Belumut) for the night. On seeing such a large group of 20 of us, the “caretakers” at Belumut simply took the opportunity to earn a few quick bucks out of us and offered the porch of their home to us for the night.


We set off after breakfast and our last chance to visit a "civilized toilet". The hike to the waterfalls was a short one. Nothing strenuous or exhausting but we had to cross a small gully by balancing ourselves on beams strategically placed. Rumor has it that there are tigers in Sungei Yong. The recce team confirmed it. We saw the fresh tiger footprints on our way in and out.

Because it had been raining the night before, our safety officer decided that the large volumes of water made it impossible and dangerous for canyoning. We settled for one with less vertical descends. The way down was extremely slippery and at some places, bore sharp edges. It was very difficult not to slip. We had to be really mindful about where we stepped or placed our hands. Our technical team set up two lines and with the safety precautions in place, we were all ready to go. It was a good experience for the first timers and also a whole new experience for repeat canyoners. The terrain was stepped, so it felt like walking down a staircase at certain parts.

Though there was a lot of free time while waiting for the lanes to be available, it was not wasted. And those who found their spot in the sun had a wonderful time sun bathing and napping at the same time. With the sounds of the water flowing in the background, smell of the lush green forests and air that cannot be fresher, this is what we also know to be a "natural spa", perfect for unwinding and relaxing. We had the luxury of some splashing good fun in the waters before heading home too.

It was rained cats and dogs! Still, I think we ought to be thankful for the good weather for heaven has been kind to only allow it to rain only towards the end of the day. Till then, I will always remember the 10 packets (100) of hotdogs we had in those 2 days!

Pengarang Weekend Cycling

Pengarang Weekend Cycling Trip, 16 - 17 July 2005
Serene Giam (12th BOATER)

Hitting the road again on a gloomy day, our first overseas trip after 12th BOAT started off at Changi Village, where we rented mountain bikes and helmet from our usual supplier "Mr BIKE". Threats of an imminent rain were a trivial issue to us as we have already gotten used to hostile weather during our adventure course. Venturing in good spirits, we headed for the jetty.

We made a painful decision to leave two of our members in a separate bumboat as each boat could only take 13 passengers. As expected, the bumboat ride was a wobbly one due to the waves caused by the drizzling rain. The whole journey took 15 minutes longer than the original schedule because we had to make a detour due to an on-going land reclamation project. We started taking pictures of one another to past time. The photo of the day was one, which featured three pairs of hairy legs standing on the deck. Till today, I believe the "models" do not know about its existence.

As a safety precaution, we have assigned buddies for those who are weaker in cycling; it was definitely a relief to me. After some warm up exercise, the group rolled off at 11:20am along the small fishing village of Pengarang. The rain had gone. Cool breeze and countryside scenery embraced us as we cycled along a flat, tarred road. This reminds me of a scene taken off from a popular Thailand movie, "My Girl" where a group of teenagers cycled care freely in a quiet country surrounding. Along the way, we "met" our support vehicle, with our backup rider in it.

In the first quarter of the journey, one of our biker’s tyre was punctured by small pebbles. Our "repairman" took out his repair kit and spare tube and he started a repair operation for the bicycle. Soon we continued our journey to Sungai Rengit town. Flashes of kampong and sea view greeted us but nothing can be compared to the friendly waves of the village folks. Perhaps that is the reason why we missed our correct turn and ended up in a dead end, which was quickly rectified.

Being inexperienced, panic finally got to me and upon reaching the busy town; I braked suddenly, nearly crashed into a stationary vehicle and fell. My angels (read: first aiders) came to my rescue. After lunch at a seafood restaurant, we continued with the next quarter of our journey but this time round, the backup rider took my place. The view out of the car window was definitely less satisfying than riding in the open with the nature. How I wished I could be out sweating with the rest when cycling up the slope!

At about 4pm, gentle winds from the sea welcomed us to Tanjong Sepang resort. Some stayed in the resort to rest while most of us continued to cycle along the relaxing and quiet country atmosphere, with tall lalang grasses brushing our legs. The serenity of the sea seemed to be inviting us to have a dip and we gladly accepted. We walked to the "rock island" which was about 50m away from the beach and sat down to feel the sea breeze blowing lightly on our face before we our volleyball competition by the beach.

Perhaps sensing our tiredness, the kind resort owner helped us to set up the BBQ fire. Soon after, we had a table of fish, prawns, hot-dogs, chicken-wings, fried rice and fried bee-hoon for dinner barbequed by our diligent guys. It was a surprise birthday celebration for 2 of our members on the trip, Ridzwan and Joyce. We had secretly bought a cake Kota Tinggi town. Group pictures were taken and memories were kept.

Unlike our usual trekking activities, we skipped the washing up parts as they were taken care by the owners. We enjoyed the luxury of bathing and chit chatting into the night.

The next day at 8 a.m., alarm clock (someone's voice) woke us up for a scrumptious breakfast of mee goreng, nasi lemak, curry puff, milo and kopi. We stayed around to chitchat after breakfast with topics ranging from sharing of cycling expertise e.g. when to change gears to sharing of traveling experience.

With heavy footsteps, we left the resort in the late morning and continued the same way back to Sungai Rengit town. Along the way, the back-up rider was activated again as one of our riders was overcome with tiredness and fatigue.

As the sun began to set, we are back at the Changi Village hawker center for a reward of ice kacang.