Off to the peak of Gunung Jerai

I have not been diligent enough to update my blog lately. As much as I wanted to finish up the long overdue post and get up-to-date with the places I have been recently, yet I seems to always be in that ‘no writing mood’. Perhaps it was because of work and the busy schedule. But then, that is probably just some lame excuses for my own. I guess it is just merely me of being lazy!

Enough said…Let’s get on to this long outdated post. After all, hubby has been asking when I am going to start writing about our impromptu trip to Gunung Jerai, occurred on the Labour Day which has passed many months ago *shy*

Like mentioned above, it was our impromptu trip to head up to Gunung Jerai. Well, that is us! We always do the spontaneous stuffs. For this round, it happened so coincidentally when both of us were thinking of having a ‘Just-for-Two-BBQ’. Then hubby came out with this nice little getaway plan. So with practically nothing at home that can be use for the barbecuing, both of us head out for a last minute shopping spree. We got ourselves a small BBQ stove, tiny pack of charcoal, disposable plates/cutleries and assorted meats to marinate in Lea & Perrins along with honey and butter for the barbecuing later on. Of course, not forgotten are packets of junks and drinks too.

As morning came, we packed the marinated frozen meats in a big Styrofoam box along with all other stuffs bought the night before. Then, our little expedition begins…

First stop was to fill up our empty stomach and nothing else is in the menu other than our usual, Tim Sum. With tummy filled, the journey continues and we make no other stops until we reached the destination, top of Gunung Jerai.

As we approached the peak of hill, we saw familiar faces waved at us from the roadside. To my amazed, my in-laws were there too! Neither of us ever mentioned of the trip, but such a coincident that all of us are there at the same time. We chatted for a while before parted to separate directions.

Then hubby and I went to check on room availability, but to our unfortunate the chalets were all fully booked. Never did we anticipate that the place would be packed and full of visitors! Now, with no rooms for the night, we need a chance of plan. Where to for a BBQ with just the two of us? Discard the thought of BBQ for that moment; now that we are at the top of the hill, we might as well explore a little of the newly refurbished area.

While we were about to leave after a delightful lunch at the restaurant, thick white clouds seems to surround the area then started to pour heavily. As we were stuck without an umbrella to shade us back to our car, we stood by under the building shade to enjoy the magnificent view. Pouring rain and a beautiful garden, what else could be better? Well, it was until about 3 in the evening that we finally left back to home. As for the BBQ, we still had our BBQ for two but by the beach and it was for supper!

Here are some of the pictures taken on that day...Cheers!

Sungai Sedim day trip

Sungai Sedim, a recreational forest located in the northeast of Kulim, Kedah is popular for its treetop walkway (of reinforced steel) recognized to be the world’s longest at the spans of 950 meter above the lush green rainforest trees and also white-water rafting to those that is adventurous enough. The park also offers packages for teambuilding activities which include paint ball, flying fox, jungle trekking, down the river tubing and many more. For those who are simply nature lover or even photography enthusiast, Sungai Sedim is certainly complete with natural beauty of flora and fauna for one to explore and experience.

Having heard of Sungai Sedim since the recreational park open its door to visitors many years ago, five crazy friends planned for a trip to visit the park for the first time (actually it was their first but already my second as my first was with company teambuilding). Excited over the short trip, the five of us squeezed into a small car headed to Sungai Sedim via Kulim Hi-Tech Park. By the time we arrived, it is almost noon and still very few visitors at that time. We went straight on to experience the famed treetop walkway. Entrance fees is RM10 for adult while RM5 for children, opens from 8:30am to 5:30pm every day. Sigh...I have to say that I actually felt the price is a little too expensive for a squared walkway. Anyhow, we tried to enjoy the beauty of nature from the top of walkway.

Before walkway entrance

Starting point of the walkway

Excellent view from the above

Several educational signage along the path

Steel walkway

At the highest point

Rainforrest surrounding the walkway

Of course, plenty of flora

Though the sun is not shining directly on us, but the weather is still humid and hot. We were all soaked in sweats by the time we reached the end of trail. Hmmm….what else would be the next fun thing to do other than soaking our butts in the cool running stream of Sungai Sedim. We went back to our car to pack our clothes and snacks for our mini picnic. By then, the riverside started to get a little over crowded with visitors in groups of families and friends. But lucky us, we found a secluded area for just the five of us to enjoy ourselves and splashing water at each other like little kids without feeling shy of being seen by others.

Unfortunate that my Nikon SLR is with repairer. Pictures taken with my old Canon Ixus 700

Mr. Toad that won't budge though we kept disturbing him

Almost an hour or more later, we decided it was time to start our journey home. Once again I was disappointed with the level of maintenance of the area. To enter the public toilet cum shower, each had to pay 30 cents (which is still alright). However upon entering, I was let down by dirty dark toilets and worst when there are no water in the shower rooms. In the end, we just change our wet clothes without any shower.

On our way home, we stopped by Kemunting Lake View Restaurant at Sungai Kob, Mahang for our early dinner. The restaurant is on a floating platform above man-made lake full of reared fresh water fish swimming around. Obvious enough that the restaurant served all kinds of fresh water fish dishes.

Entrance

The restaurant area

Man-made lake

Fresh water fishes

We ordered almost all of the famous dishes recommended by the staff there - 3-Flavours Talapia Fish, Deep fried Patin fish on light soy sauce, Steam Pak-Su-Gong with ginger, Stir Fried Deer Meat, Sambal KangKung (Stir Fried Water Spinach with chili) and Salted Fish Beans’ Sprout. 

Dishes we ordered...I forgot to snap picture of Salted Fish Beans' Sprout dish

The aftermath

All of that plus a jug of Luo Han Guo (fruit of Siraitia Grosvenori) drink totaled up to RM208. For a meal of five person, I guess the price was pretty much alright!