Day 4: The End

30/5/2011

Distance 13.5 km, 5 hrs 50 mins, 2795 calories burnt, and level of difficulty: moderate but tiring

The last day of trekking. Sleeping in Camp 3 wasn’t without drama. The first thing we observed about the camp was the presence of sulphur powder laid around the edges of the camp. There was only one thing that came into our mind – it was probably to ward off snakes!

The other one was the presence of leeches on the floor which managed to crawl up into the camp from the loose wooden flooring. But worst of all was the story told by our two trekkers who stayed behind in the camp the night before that they heard children running and playing in the middle of the night!

The day break was a welcoming sight. The night seemed to be too long especially if the mind was restless to try getting a proper sleep.

Three of us made a dash to reach Camp 1 and later to base camp. That took nearly 6 hours. The sight of civilisation, the sound of mobile ring tones, the irisistable taste of 100-plus, all were indescribable after such a torturous journey. The leech attacks on this part of the trip were quite ferocious. A number of us got bitten and swamped with the crawling creatures at many unimaginable places. Alas the trekking was finally over.

We clocked a total of 51 km and nearly 26 hours of trekking over many undulating and challenging routes. We have done something that was almost impossible to imagine for city folks like us.

The awards were blistered legs, countless bitten marks, sore bump, torn pants, wet and soiled clothes, but compensated by elevated pride and a few kilos less weight.

We stayed at the newly built chalets, each costing RM220 per night. Next door sits the impressive restaurant and the reception centre. The hot shower and air-condition rooms were such a contrast to the places we slept for the last 3 nights.

Day 3: The Assault

29/5/2011

Distance 17 km, 8 hrs 50 mins, 5384 calories burnt, and level of difficulty: another day of torture.

The final 5 km to reach the summit, a 500 m elevation climb. The route was mainly through mossy forest, most of the time tip-toeing on large roots and overgrowths. In fact we were hardly stepping on proper earth as the whole place seemed to be made of piles of dead leaves and intricate network of roots and tree branches. Most of the time one would be looking at hollow ground below, at other times walking on the edge of steep cliffs saved by a small patch of earth and roots.

The final climb was littered with a number of rope climbs, a few instances of clinging to large roots and tired ropes for dear life. The upper body strength was tested to the maximum to be able to push further on the ascend.

We reached the summit after 3 hours. The celebration was quite long, much needed to please oneself after making such an incredible feat of conquering the in-famous Mount Mulu and perhaps our hardest climb ever in our life.

The descend to Camp 4 was equally challenging, a much shorter affair taking some 2 hours.

After a small meal, we proceeded to decend to Camp 3, our place of stay for the night. The rain however started an hour into the walk. Feeling cold, wet and tired, the whole place seemed foggy, dark and mysterious.

What was supposed to be an easy 7 km stroll became an arduous and lonely walk for me. It took me 3 hrs 50 mins to decend. With the whole place being muddy and slippery, the walk was a real torture. There seemed to be no end to the descend. I reached Camp 3 just as darkness set in, feeling totally drenched and tired. What a day to remember.

Day 2: Day of Torture

28/5/2011

Distance 14 km, 8.5 hrs, 5611 calories burnt, and level of difficulty: survival mode

Day 2 was warned as the toughest day. Andrew wasn’t joking, hearing the seriousness of his tone, I felt really nervous and silenced for a while. The first group of 5 set off at 7am leaving the rest and the supporting group behind.

The first hour was a gentle climb to an unmarked Camp 2. From there it was a 900 m climb that took a solid 3 hours to reach Camp 3 at 1270 m. We were a determined group, hardly stopping except for some intermittent short pauses to sip some water to quench the thirst.

The problem with the track was the lack of signboard showing distance or location. So it was like walking endlessly not knowing when the climb will end to reach our destination.

We reached Camp 3 after 4 hours. Totally drenched, we waited for another hour before Andrew turned up. The words from Andrew weren’t something that we expected. He was saying not only two in our group were struggling but all the porters were making very slow progress going up the 900 m climb.

After two hours at the camp, none of the porters managed to reach the camp yet. Andrew mentioned that it will take 5 to 6 hours to reach Camp 4 at 1800m. So five of us set off again at 1 pm. The first hour was again a steep climb before going onto an undulating plateau which seems to go on forever.

We reached Camp 4 after 4.5 hours at 5.30 pm. Although our sole leader was well ahead - reaching 50 minutes earlier! The place was quite cold and we were deperate for fresh clothing and food. Our fear was that the porters would totally abandon the climb to Camp 4. But after a long wait, it was such a joyful sight to see the first set of porters arriving at around 7.30 pm. The last one arrived at 9 pm.

Day 1: 72 Hours

27/5/2011

Distance: 6.5 km, 3 hrs 18 mins, 1878 calories burnt, level of difficulty: easy

We set off from the Mulu Park Base Camp at around 1 pm, marking the start of 72 hours without any contact with the outside world. Mobile phones became redundant in the mountainous jungle.

We stocked up as much bottled water we could possibly carry. Of course there were also a stockpile of energy bars and supplementary drinks in our rucksacks if required.

The start was an easy 1.5 km walk along a nicely built wooden footpath before setting off for a 5 km jungle walk. We passed through two small streams with water level almost knee high requiring the boots to be taken off.

Apart from the long walk along a muddy trail, the other real challenge was how to ward off from leech attacks. This small creature, a native of the steamy jungle, could propel itself towards a trekker. Once attached, it will start doing its business - sucking blood until it get bloated, sometimes without the person even realising it.

The best protection is to wear a pair of leech socks which provides another layer of protection especially for the vulnerable lower leg. Then add this by spraying with whatever anti leach or insect repellents one could find from the drug store. Anything that could help will make the mind a little bit less tense as we navigate the muddy and sometimes poorly marked path.

We reached Camp 1, standing at just 150 m in elevation, a simple hut by a river. A quick dip in the cold river water really freshen up the tired body after the long and strenuous walk.

The night in the jungle was quite dark and noisy. After a simple meal, it was time to take the night sleep. Suddenly the night was animated by lightning and a heavy downpour. The sound of the swelling and torrential river below made us realise that we were really in the wild and felt really vulnerable.

Back from the Wild

Just back from five days in the deep mountainous jungle of Borneo. At the back end of Bumi Bertuah sits the majestic Mulu Mountain range, dominating the skyline and standing there longing to be conquered.

There we were, a group of target-oriented corporate citizens, having a common passion for trekking and armed with Annapurna and Everest Base Camp experience, we set off for a 4-day trekking to conquer the highest summit of the mountain range – Mount Mulu. The offer to take on the Mount Mulu challenge was something that could not be refused.

Our logo – “Bring It On”.

Our group was made up of Hj Zainal, Leong, Hj Rosly, Al-Jeffery, Pg Khashiem, Hj Yakob, Iscramuon and yours truly.

We set off from Miri on the twin propeller plane for a short 30-minutes flight passing through the meandering Baram river, the land to the right almost completely savaged for the sake of palm plantations, whereas to the left still sits pristine jungle of the land known as Bumi Bertuah – Brunei Darussalam.

We landed on a small landing strip next to some protruding hills, on a flat land next to Melinau River that forms the boundary with the mountainous South. As we landed, we felt belittled by the Mulu Limestone Mountains that dominate the place.

There are a couple of prominent peaks that could be seen at a distance. Mulu summit is about 25.5 km from the Mulu Park HQ. It will take 3 days to reach that summit. The base camp is only 20 m in elevation and the summit stands at 2376 m. In fact in terms of actual climb this is higher than climbing Mount Kinabalu.

But the real challenge for the Mulu climb is that most of trekking have to be done in the most humid of condition which makes it really hard and tiring. The track is also seldom tried, a testimony of its reputation of one of the hardest mountain to climb.

We were expecting the worst, armed with some stories from previous trekkers. Our check list was extraordinarily detailed, but to limit 8 kg of stuff for each person for our porters to carry is difficult to achieve without sacrificing some basic needs of our modern living. On top of that it is needed (actually critical for survival) that each one had to carry 3 litres of water each day to overcome the steaming condition and the fast dehydration of the body.

We got the service of a very experienced guide by the name of Andrew, a native of the Bakalalan of Limbang, helped by another guide and a troop of 6 porters. Between them they have to carry our luggage, food and other basic amenities for the 4-day trek. Indeed it was quite a large group, 16 in total but the next few days would see that each person would be on his own to try to make the climb, even the experienced porters would face a real ordeal completing the journey.

Holed in an Island

It's another trip to Singapore again, this time staying at the newly renovated Shangri-La Rasa resort in Sentosa. I have never been here but was quite impressed with the setting and the unique view. The sea is just littered with possibly hundreds of ships of different sizes, a good sign of how strong and vibrant the country's economy is.

Sentosa itself is apparently a lot cooler than the city centre because of the constant sea breeze.

Staying at the resort is all work and no play though. In one of the evening, had the chance to hear an incredible talk from one of the key government figure, Ambassador Ong who is the Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He shared the story on the challenging journey that the island state went through to be be successful and truly well developed and having a vibrant and mature economy as it is now. In particular, the main formula was the constant re-inventing of herself in almost all sectors of the economy over the last 40 years. This is even more incredible as the country has no natural resources, dwarfed and constantly competing with and under threat by the larger neighbours.

Shahbandaring

I came to know this new word from the local radio - Shahbandaring - I guess it means the act of going to Bukit Shahbandar for a bit of walk and exercising.

Indeed I can be counted as a regular Shahbandaring person .

For the regulars, one of the most annoying part of the park is the large troop of monkeys scavenging the dustbins and sittings on cars. Although they are not aggressive but can be quite menacing when in a group and dangerous for children.

There is now some development going on in Bukit Shahbandar to spruce up the place and provide more decent facilities for the general public. A new toilet block is in the making which will be a most welcomed addition to the park.

The backtracks however need a bit of attention. The small bridge across one of the stream is nearly collapsing. It has been like this for the last three months. With the current prolong wet condition in Bumi Bertuah, some of the trails are fast deteriorating due to erosion and are becoming slippery. Hopefully the park wardens have plan to rectify the problem.

Cricket and Life of Luxury

It's the cricket fever. Amidst the high tech and ultra modern buildings that make the city, the formidable forces that sweat and labour behind the contructions always remain anoynymous and hidden.

But tonight outside one of the sport shop at the Marina Bay Shopping Complex, we saw this amazing concentration of people from the sub-continent seated in an orderly and discipline manner watching the match between India and Pakistan. What a sight.

The Marina Bay Sands shopping complex is huge. Known as The Shoppes, it boosted a high-end and luxury shopping destination, filled with renowned luxury brands and designer labels shops.

But amidst all these, it is pleasing is to find a big food court within the complex and best of all it also has a couple of halal stalls. We learnt that the whole Marina Bay Sands complex employs something like 10,000 directly.

Green Revolution

Here in the heart of the concrete jungle, I was walking on a swath of greenery on top of a building. The building is part of building complex that forms Singapore's newest public hospital, the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. The rooftop gardens have been built to reduce heat and the impact of carbon dioxide. The hospital recently received a prestigious award for the way it was designed and built - green and energy-efficient. Patients at the hospital can be assured of a comfortable, soothing and healing environment through the enhanced daylight design, good natural ventilation and cooler interior environment.

On the Edge

On this trip to the land of no natural resources but plenty of smart people and innovative ideas, I am staying at their latest attraction - the landmark Marina Bay Sands Hotel which has nearly 2,600 rooms!

I always envy those who have been here before and having first hand experience of being up there on the 57th floor. This is where the SkyPark and the amazing swimming pool are located, offering the most breathtaking views of the city of Singapore. What is even more incredible is that this part of Marina Bay development was an empty piece of reclaimed land just three years ago.

For the next few days, I'll be passing by the Casino next door on my way to place of work at the Convention Centre. That Casino is just amazing, full of overtly rich people, having the most stupefying moment of their lives in parting away with their hard-earned money.

Indeed there are rows of ATM machines lining up outside the casino to feed the frenzy minds and the only winner is the Casino. Last year, the Casino generated 1.7% increase GDP for the country in the 9 months it operated!

Class of 78

When I wiki-ed what’s significant about 1978 – nothing really. The three main things that popped up were Camp David Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt, Argentina winning the World Cup and the current Yemeni president came to power.

But for a bunch of 12-years old boys including yours truly, that was the year when a new beginning started, away from family for many years to be sent to lodge in a government hostel in Singapore and attending secondary schooling.

Last year we came together to mark 32 years since we converged as a group at the Brunei International Airport before flying off. This year we decided to do the same and tried to get all nine of us meet again with our spouse. So tonight, the 5th of March 2011, marks the 33 years since that day. Unfortunately one could not make it, but 8 out of 9 is already quite a feat to be able to sit together in one place and talked about the old days.

The five of us were put in Victoria School. Apparently three of Singapore presidents did their schooling there! We were really struggling in the beginning as the environment was very competitive. But with time we improved and clawed our way up. Nowadays, all of us will agree that each have done well in our own ways both in the Government and private sectors. But whatever jobs or positions we hold right now, those sweet years when we were together as young boys in Singapore will forever bind and strongly bond us together.

Still The Unsung Heros

Sans oil, Brunei runs huge budget deficit
Brunei Times. Thursday, March 3, 2011

WITHOUT the oil money, Brunei Darussalam is looking at a staggering deficit of at least $4.8 to $5.2 billion annually based on records of government expenditure and revenue in the past four years.

This is an "alarming image" of how much the country's economy continues to depend on the oil and gas revenue, said Second Minister of Finance at the Prime Minister's Office Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Ibrahim.

It is a matter that should be "taken into serious consideration to ensure the stability and sustainability of our source of income", he said yesterday at a meeting of the State Legislative Council (LegCo) 7th session. The minister revealed this finding as he submitted the motion proposing a budget of $5.8 billion for the 2011/2012 fiscal year.

Maulud Nabi

Today is Maulud Nabi or the birthday anniversary of the most important, blessed and influential person ever born in this world - our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

In our small town, the affair was simple but meaningful. After a short dikir presentation, the mass walk or procession across town started. The distance covered was only two kilometers but was still quite an effort.

As usual the procession was well attended, although not truly in orderly fashion (except for the army of course!), was well attended by young and old. It was as if everyone in our town were there.

A New Project Beckons

This year we are embarking on a pilot green project next to our house!

After the plot of land has been cleared back in December last year, grass has quickly grown over and now it looks quite impressive especially after the fence has been installed.

Now what is left is to plant the trees.

A New Day in Egypt

It was expected, just a matter of time when the inevitable became a reality. The very people that he was championing in his early days were becoming restless and tired of the autocratic rule. As with many despotic leaders, the never ending thirst and hunger for power and money made him to keep his higher ground as long as possible.

But alas the people power was strong and finally brought him down on 11th February 2011. But the most amazing thing was the sight of people cleaning up the streets the next day. Young and all, the people of Egypt now given a fresh start, embraced the new era and put upon themselves to start and help the new nation.

Now the wave of change is spreading across the hard and difficult lands of Arabia. With Tunisa, Egypt and Jordan already making the steps, others such as Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain and even Oman are being challenged daily by their people.

The big message is clear. People are fed up. They need equality. The widening gaps between the rich and the poor have become unbearable and unfair. Not only that but the excessive privileges, cronyism, monopoly of business and lack of respect for the poor and have-nots have made it even more discerning. As satirically described in George Orwell's Animal Farm - all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. How true it is in this world.

The Most Memorable Lane

A father-and-son bonding trip. We thought of going to the Universal Studio but ending up just trolling along Orchard Road. I kept on telling my son that I know this place like the back of my hand. Well.. he was sort of half interested! This is the place I spent many hours and free time when I was sent here at the age of 12. So I felt really irrestible to show him where I used to live. Before heading to the airport I asked the taxi driver to make a short detour to this wooded area close to the shopping haven of Singapore, along Tanglin Road, we entered this most memorable road called Tanglin Hill.

Then it was a short drive to the end of the road to a gated place. The place, a former hostel better known as AKBS, is still quite imposing and felt the same like the last time I left and passed that gate. That was in March 1982, nearly 30 years ago. The place is now deserted and full of big trees.

Rainy Days

First trip out in the year - a short hop to Temasek.

The first month of the year has gone by swiftly. The one thing that January could be remembered for was the relentless rains and flooding.

Our Earth seems to be experiencing an untypical prolong wet period, flooding of mega proportion in Australia for example. Here in Temasek, what seemed to be a few spots of non-menacing dark clouds over the sky became torrential downpour for most of the afternoon.

Nonetheless the place was still very much crowded today. The big news today in the local paper was that about 11.6 million international visitors arriving in Singapore last year, which is a 20 per cent increase from a year before. What is more amazing is the level of tourism receipts which hit a record $18.8 billion, a 49 per cent increase from that of 2009. This is definitely something that every country would like to replicate.

Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year to all.

We wish everyone joy, peace and success in 2011.

This is the view at 12 midnight from the 23rd floor at our place of stay. Quite a spectacular sight.

A Year Gone

The last Friday of the month. We went to KLCC mosque for the Friday prayer. The mosque itself is quite interesting, for the sermon it uses multimedia to help convey the message. But best of all the sermon was in English, most fitting as there were many non-locals amongst the jemaah.

The sermon was quite interesting. It touched on Generation Y. I didn't know what Generation Y is until today!

Apparently Generation Y are those who are born between 1980-2000 and are now between 10 to 30 years old. The previous generation is Generation X, my generation, the generation born after the post-World War II baby boom ended i.e. born in the 1960s and 70s.

Generation Y are considered as the most technology savvy generation. They have grown up with all the modern amenities and comforts. They are the luckiest of the generations because they are born during the age of technology.

However they are also the generation who are less likely to socialize in public. They are less likely to be seen in helping or active in local communities or villages. They tend to be missing in action.

Their idea of social networking is through mobiles and the internet. All they are interested in is keeping in touch with their friends by using these model tools. And so they tend to lose the link with their elders, the Generation X. The sermon said because of that they are less guided especially on religious matters and tend to follow the current trend or guided through their social network. It is the duty for Generation X to link up with them and help to bring them back to the guided path.