Kuala Tahan dirt biking trip! Day 2

Friday, April 22, 2011 Dirt Biking , Food & Nutrition , Nature , Outdoor & Adventures , Overnight Trip 1 Comments

Day 1 here!

Day 2 of my trip. I woke up multiple times because the bed I've 'stolen', literally, is really dusty and dirty. I was itching all over and I realized that I had lumps below my armpits - both side. Its a really big itch lump. gosh! And had lumps near my belly button too! Well, what can I expect... it's only RM100 for the whole trip per person. Anyway, I woke up at around 3 a.m. went to the toilet to realize I had those lumps and then slept back. The air-conditioner was set at a pretty high temperature so and...I didn't had any blankets with me as I expected they'll have so I used my wet damp towel to cover myself. At least I had something to cover me...! :D


Then, I woke up again at around 6.15 a.m. and went to the toilet, walked around the area, took some pictures and finally sat down with the guys. They greeted me and were all boiling water to cook Korean noodles. hahahas. They asked me if I wanted any and I said no thank you. I'll admit I'm a little shy when taking other people's stuff because that's me. I felt that it's not very nice to take other people's thing even when they offered it. So I grabbed a chair and sat in the somewhat formed circle around the stove. And listened to them chattering away in Cantonese until we heard loud snores comming from the camp next to the hut we were sitting. They were LOUD! The loudest I've ever heard in my life...! I'm not making things up but seriously, they were absolutely LOUD. And of course, those jokers I'm with took the opportunity to make fun of the 'snorers' (as I would call). They started relating those snores as the 'booming' sound from the exhaust pipe of the dirt bike. They mimicked the sounds of the snores and related the softer snores as gear 1 then a little louder and harsher snores as gear 2 and so on. It was really hillarious and I laughed heartily. Gosh! You gotta love those guys....! They were absolutely fun to be with and were all so friendly and nice!


Then, after that, we had breakfast made by the indigenous people and no, they don't serve us stuff that is made from their saliva (not trying to insult here), or stuff that has been stomped with their foot but normal everyday food you'll see around food court. They made us curry puffs, mini doughnuts, fried noodles, water and milk tea. I love their mini doughnuts! Not too sweet and very yummy...! After breakfast, I started walking out of the place and started taking photos and realized that these orang asli (indigenous people) are really really creative people! They had thier own petrol station too! Cool huh? If I know they had their petrol station, I would not have brought my own extra 8 L of petrol from KL. Heavy! Oh and the weather in the forest is absolutely cool and nice. It's so much better than the weather in KL.





And so, after about 20 minutes of walking, I went back to our accomodation and started packing the stuff, filled my petrol tank and got ready to leave. I am suppose to follow Usop (remember? Ah Lu's mechanic, the dude who helped me pull my bike outta the mud) because I want to learn stuff from him - riding techniques. He's really good though! But, my dad wanted to leave early, ahead of the pack and he asked me to follow him. I said no, I'll follow the mechanic. He seemed a little hesitant at first but later said okay. So, I waited and then when my dad left the gate, Ah Lu asked me to follow my dad. So I told him I'm gonna follow his mechanic but he said in : "You'll follow your dad and then he (the mechanic) will follow up to you." He spoke in Cantonese of course. I was a little hesitant but agreed and by the time I left, I couldn't see my dad anymore. I decided to wait at the entrance for someone to come and give me direction and yea, someone did came. Not the mechanic though. He pointed to the left and so I followed him and little did we know that it's the wrong route. We were suppose to turn right. (I, later found out that it's actually a whole big miscommunication...He, for goodness me knows what reason thought I asked him to turn left when I on the other hand, thought that he asked me to turn left.) After 20 minutes, we realize that there were no one so we turned all the way back to the starting point. Everyone left and what's worse, that guy realized his tires were punctured after the orang asli told him. Thankfully, the indigenous people had a foot pump and he inflated his tires and quickly left to catch up with the pick up truck that had the electronic 'tire-inflating device'.


I was left behind to eat dust. HE WAS FAST! So, I went along until I saw 2 forked roads.. I don't know which one to turn. I started panicking and then I stopped. I started praying, again. Then, after 15 minute, as I was about to leave for the road that's nearest to me, I saw an off road jeep. I started following him behind and after awhile, I guess he knew that I'm following him so, he stopped. He wound the window down and I asked him how do I get out. He said all the way straight and.. I told him I was left behind.. more specifically, I hinted that I was lost. I said I want to trail gate him out and he said you sure? You'll be eating dust as this road is really dusty! I said yea,I don't mind, as long as I get out.

Then, after travelling for 30 - 40 minutes, a pick up truck came by and passed me. YAY! I'M FOUND! :D They said they were worried sick about me and I saw a relieve sign in their face when they saw me. I felt like a pig though, for making people worried about me. Then, I followed the truck and met up with a few other people ; Ah Guan, one dude I'm not sure of his name, Usop and Ah Meng (aka Ng Kok Chin, the dude that had his tires punctured. I realized that it was him after he took off his helmet and... it was this guy that I 'stole' the mattress from. I'm a shit.) So then, later I followed Usop and he taught me stuff that I pretty much already known but never know how to apply. It was good. I really enjoyed it and had calluses forming around my hands despite having gloves. It's like a great intense workout...! My thighs as well as hands were burning! This is the first time my thighs burned!!

We arrived at about 4.30 p.m. at Jerantut. And then, I had to face the horrible music from my dad. He scolded me, not too much but with a super stern face and then later, I felt so freaking bad and *glums* :( Then, the dude that bandage my leg tried to make me happy by saying : "Ey! you know when you got missing, your dad was worried sick about you you know? Yea sure he scolded you but he was actually worried like hell!" I gave a broad smile and said yea... (Actual conversation was in Cantonese but I translated it to English)

So we waited for another hour, for Jopol's truck to come with dad's bag and also we were waiting for Ah Meng (that dude whose tires were punctured) as he decided to car pool with us as well. Oh and did I mention that there is 2 Ah Meng? One is the guy that picked us up from our home, dad's mechanic friend and the other Ah Meng is the one whose tires were punctured and also the one whose mattress got stolen by me. Well, actually, that 2 Ah Mengs... had specific 'names'. One is Dai Meng (literally means Big Meng), which is the one that picked us up from home and the other one is Sai Meng (literally means Small Meng). It was the age difference that had them come up with this 'specified name'.




So we ate dinner at this restaurant at some place... I couldn't recall and reached home at around 9.30 p.m. Tiring adventure but I never fail to love each one everytime , despite all the bruises that I have gotten. Every bruise serve as a lasting permanent memory to my body. :P

Lots of <3,




P.s: I'm going to post my "Motocross turn muscle aching trip at Ulu Yam" soon!

Kuala Tahan dirt biking trip! Day 1

Friday, April 22, 2011 Dirt Biking , Food & Nutrition , Nature , Outdoor & Adventures , Overnight Trip 1 Comments

Hola Chicos! Yes, that's Spanish for "Hey Guys!". Have been taking Spanish class recently at my college so, am going to apply what I learn :) Ah yes, I've been dirt biking again and this time, it's a 2 days 1 night of hella fun awesome ride. It was on the 16th and 17th of April 2011. I have been enjoying myself to the maximum despite getting bruised all over. It's a total of 180 km pure mud and dirt and 80 km on the tar road. Before I left home, I've blended some bananas, honey and a tiny bit of protein powder into my gel flask as my energy gel. Plus, I've added some pink Himalayan salt into my 2 litres drink pack to prevent muscle cramps.

Anyway, so, we left home at about 7.30 a.m. and car pooled with Ah Meng, dad's mechanic friend from Sri Kembangan. He's a real nice dude as he came all the way to our home to bring us to the waiting point which is at Jerantut. It was about a 3 hours plus ride from our home to Jerantut and he did all the driving. We did stop for awhile at Cameron Highlands though, for breakfast.


And so we arrived there and wow...! The numbers of dirt bike is amazing! there were about 50 - 60 dirt bikes everywhere and all the sound coming from those dirt bike exhaust pipes were loud!! they were booming all over. :D *thumbs up* There were loads and loads of Kawasaki, a handful of Honda and a few KTM dirt bikes that's in the group. Plus, there were a bunch of Cameron Highlands guys that were tagging along with us too! And so, we waited for about 1 hour for everyone to arrive before we start our journey. We went at about 11 am


After probably 45 minutes, we made our stop at this little food court where we rested and ate. 1 of the bike had a little problem and needs fixing. The rest of the bikes were still good. And while we rested, I started getting really really awkward stares after taking off my helmet. Especially from those that have not seen me before. You could just feel that glare and literally read their lips saying : "oh my gosh! Is that a girl following us?!" in Cantonese. Oh boy...! *eyes shuts tightly with lower lips pouting out* I felt a lil embarrassed though and I tried not to look at them.


Anyway, we drove another about 1 km before bidding good bye to the road. The road wasn't that bad but I was pretty crappy though. I was one of last one of the packs and was way behind everyone else. I didn't even have time to take photos along the way as I kept falling and whenever everyone rests, by the time I reach there, they were ready to go. I was really really slow. :/ I guess going for motocross doesn't mean that you're any better at Enduro. It's really slightly different in Enduro. Loads of standing and less sitting. I learnt that from Ah Lu's mechanic, Usop. :) Nice dude. And this trip, because I had this fiery sensation burning inside me, whenever I drop, I shouted %$^#$% and SHIT! I know it's stupid and all but I just couldn't help it. I was so mad at myself for dropping and I think I'm loud enough for everyone to hear and I'm probably the only idiot who shouted when I drop. I was really frustrated with myself that I accidentally shouted at dad and I didn't even explain (that I was actually frustrated at myself, not him) and apologise. Well, Ah Lu thought that I was tired because I kept dropping but actually I was not. I did showed a shitty pissed off face when I rested and so I guess he probably interpreted it as me being worn out.


Anyway, after about about 3/4 of the ride, we stopped at this really muddy part and this is the part where you will need loadsa skill to be able to pass this obstacle. My bike couldn't go through the muddy part so I had to use the hill to help me out. Well, I was really excited to put my skills to the test but I screwed it by being stupid and unobservant. I drove into the mud that's next to the hill. Thick slushy brown mud. both my wheels were halfway stuck and 2 guys, including Usop had to help me out. After getting the bike out of the mud, Usop took my bike and drove on the hill. Bummer. I actually wanted to clear the hill myself but I know he was just trying to be nice to help me out. Damm. Out of the entire trail, this part is the most exciting and challenging part but.. I didn't get to try it out. *sigh* failed. I wanted to stop him and say : "hey! Don't do it for me! LET ME TRY!" But I was TOO SLOW. SLOW.



So after that, it's the pick up truck's turn to go over the mud part. Darn! I'm even more in love with the Land Rover Defender after seeing it go through the muddy part. That will be car in the future okay? I don't want a fancy nice Honda, BMW, Mercedes, Mazda or etc. I want a defender! You hear me?! DEFENDERRRR!!! So that I can go dirt car drivin'. And load up my Kawas. &lt;3
Getting back to the trip ; the Land rover didn't make it through though. It was struggling in the soft mud. Then, another guy took over, a Malay dude. He used the thick wire cable from the built in pulley system, hook it onto the front of another pick-up truck and then pull itself (the land rover) out from the mud. Then, he accelerated and manage to clear about 3/4 of the muddy part and stalled there. At least he cleared it more than the first guy did and the land rover was nearer to a tree. So, he used the wire cable again and hook it onto the tree to pull the land rover out of the mud part. Cool ey? I &lt;3 Land Rover!! :D Sucha sweet thing!


Oh and so, there were about 3 more trucks to be cleared.. dad & some few other dudes couldn't wait so they wanted to go first. First, it's getting dark as it's already and 2nd, the clock shows about 5.30 p.m. Okay cool and all then suddenly, dad's exhaust pipe dropped. It's pretty funny and no, I forgotten to take a shot of it. :( Then, I had to ferry the pipe back all the way to the truck and it took me a good 15 minutes to go back to the truck. Then, another about 10 minutes back to dad. We continued by following the orange neon sign that says "Moto cross -->" until someone came on a blue bike and said that we're heading the wrong way because one of the sign was misplaced. Great. So, we tracked back and looked for the last sign and...... after awhile, we got lost. Yea. In the middle of the jungle. No hand phone line. Clock was already showing 7.48 p.m and we decided that we shouldn't move anymore and rest. Yes. Rest and stop to wait for help. The skies were dark and it was pitch black. I started praying. Obviously! In a situation like this, praying is necessary! Well, both me and my dad prepared for the worse. We agreed that if no one comes for us, we'll just sleep in the wild. It won't be that bad plus, there's the pretty starry skies above us and our bikes to accompany us. Thankfully, after about 30 - 45 minutes, we heard the sweet sound of a dirt bike's muffler and it's coming closer to us! I was OVERJOYED! and I started honking to get attention. He lead us back to campsite and it was another 5 km before we arrive.


Everyone cheered when we got there. hahahaha X) I guess they were crazy happy and relieved as well to see us in one piece! We stole the limelight for awhile as everyone flocked around us to ask us how we have gotten lost. Well, it wasn't that of a great limelight though..! And so, I went to shower and had a GREAT BATH! The best shower of my life! X) And ate heartily. BBQ made by the orang asli's were great! Food was awesome too :)

After talking and eating.. and getting 2 pieces of fruit from the Cameron Highland dudes.... (They were really nice peeps too! ;D Thank God friendly people were throughout the camp...! Else I'll be a loner) * I really want to cut this whole entry short okay..? I think I'm making my readers sleepy now.* and joking, lights off. Did I mention I stole someone's mattress?! there was not enough space for everyone that some had to set up tents!!! D: I thought when they said accommodation, I was expecting like some no star motel in the hutan simpan (reserve forest) and at least a room each for a family or person! NOT! one room had almost 10 people squeezing inside! I was such a pig by the way, for stealing someone's mattress. I felt so bad that I apologized the next day. I felt like a bitch. I mean, I don't know what I was thinking but I just grabbed that mattress that was against the wall and slept. I didn't even ask who's going to have the mattress. Sigh..

Well, as for Day 2, I'll post it another day. This is getting too LONG!

Lots of <3,


P/s: Click here for Day 2