We reseached about hiking up the highest mountain on Langkawi. All we got from the tourist agencys was: Don't go there it's too dangerous, many snakes and scorpions, steep stairs, easy to get lost etc.
The places where we checked on the internet was something like the same, like it's easy to get lost, make sure you have signal on your cell phone all the time and so on. We found only a few places where people wrote about the hike, but they still made it sound like it was a difficult one, and the start of stairs wasn't easy to find. We wanted to give it a shot anyway, but waited until next day, so we would have enough time to find it and climb it.
This day went by with swimming and relaxing on beautiful Cenang beach.
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| Cenang Beach, seen from land |
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| Cenang beach, seen from the waterfront |
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| It's hot enough |
Wednesday 19th March
The first part of the stairs didn't seem to cause us any problems, it was concrete stairs with handlebars. We slowly realized that this trek wasn't as dangerous as everyone said, I mean we were affraid of coincidentally stepping on snakes, since it's dry season and the stairs were filled with leaves, they could hide under, but other than that the trek was great. We met some craftsmen working on the handlebars, so they were actually maintaining the stairs eventhough no one (except for us) go there. All 4287 steps up was made out of concrete, and most parts had handlebars aswell. So no need to worry.
The view from the 881 meter was amazing, we could see the islands around Langkawi, a really great view. It felt good to have accomplished this hike and I think we enjoyed the view much more than the people who drove up there. Our first plan was to hitchhike down the mountain, but after a while of resting on the top, we decided to walk down the stairs instead. We didn't meet any terrifying animals neighter on the way up or down. Erik saw a giant monitor lizard crossing the stairs, and we heard the loud and weird noises of hornbills flying, but that's pretty much all wildlife we experienced.
We were very satisfied with ourselves and our adventure. We later found out that the reason why all natives think it's a dangerous trek is that it has been closed a few times, cause trees were falling down and had to be removed before the stairs were accessible again. So they heard it was closed, and assumed it was for the fact of toxic animals, or maybe they once heard about a snake was discovered up there and that's why it got closed. They never heard that it was re-opened and approachable.
We felt like we had to tell everyone about our discovery, and did tell a few locals in town about our it. The rest of the day we relaxed and worked on the blog.
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| Cows passing by our guesthouse |
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| Mt. Raya informations |
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| Handlebars are just thrown down the mountain, so you gotta watch out. |
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| Almost there |
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| The spectacular view from the top |
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| The mountain reached 881 meter over sea level |
Thursday 20th March
In Georgetown we quickly found a nice room at 75 Travellers Lodge, although a bit over our budget. We didn't bother walking around to find the perfect place, we both had painfull calfs from the trek the day before. After checking in I went out to look for a cheaper accommodation opportunity for the next day, and quickly found a good deal. I discovered there was ladies night every night at Reggae bar, so I went back and picked up Erik, so we could have some drinks.
We met Tom & Verity again, so we took advantage over the drinks with them. Had en excellent Indian dinner with them, and finished back at Reggae bar. We arranged to meet up the next morning and go for some sightseeing.
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| Corn in cup.. Yummi |
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| What you shouldn't bring on the ferry to Penang |
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| Street cafe in Georgetown |
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| Charming little taxi |
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| Random chinese building in Georgetown |
It was a little painful to walk, since our muscles still was sore from the trekking. We visitied the botanical gardens, where we saw a lot of different animals we didn't expect to see. We watched giant black squirrels eating fruits from the trees, and saw spectacled leaf monkeys playing and fighting. They look so adorable with their big white eyes, and is much more shy than the kings of the park, the macaques. They're running around freely, and is not scared of humans. Everyone knows that they can get nasty and greedy, when you feed them, but despite that some Indians fed them anyway, and the macaques got nasty and made the family really affraid, by surrounding them and trying to steel their food bags.
In the late afternoon we got back to town, and it was time for some free drinks for the ladies. Met a lot of other travellers and shared stories and experiences during the night.
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| Tom, Verity & Erik are impressed over the many turtles in front of the temple |
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| Kek Lok Si Temple in full colour |
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| Kek Lok Si Temple |
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| The botanical garden |
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| Clean clothes for only 24 RM |
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| Tom & Erik are having a beer tower at Reggae Bar, while the girls enjoy the free drinks |
Penang Wildlife video
Saturday 22nd March
I really didn't enjoy it, and I was starting to feel sick aswell. After 1½ hour we reached the turtle beach where we had a rest for some hours. Fortunately there were a tourists agency who arranged boattrips back to the entrance of the park. I wasn't able to walk back, felt too sick and tired, so we arrranged a boat back.
We arrived in Georgetown around dinner time. Erik, Tom and Verity went out for some delicious Indian chicken tikka masala, and I went straight to bed. I think it was a tropical cocktail of too much alcohol the night before, muscle pain, dehydration and too much sun.
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| Smelly tropical fruit |
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| Nothing is impossible |
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| Turtle beach |
Sunday 23rd March
We booked a bus to Cameron Highlands and left early in the morning, together with Tom & V.
We enjoyed having some travel partners, and got along very good. We were tired of sticky clothes and humid weather, so we were all looking forward to the highlands, since it would be a lot colder there (around 25 C.). Trekking and visiting local agriculture was on our to-do-list while visiting.
Got to Tanah Rata in the early afternoon. Tom & V. already booked a place at Kangs Travellers Lodge, we asked for availability and considered if we should stay there, or have a look around. I was still feeling a bit sick, so after only checking a few places out, we went back and booked a room at Kangs. Got an even cheaper room than expected, only 35RM (malaysian ringget) with 3 beds, hot water and shared bathroom. Due to the Malaysian holiday, there was a lot of malaysian tourists in this nice and cold area, but where we stayed, only western backpackers. Kangs had a big common area, so most people were hanging out there, and the atmosphere were great.
In the night Erik saved us some money with inviting a 19 year old german girl into our room, she was looking for a place to stay, and there was no rooms left, so instead of letting her walk around the town in the dark, we offered her our spare bed. Went for dinner with her, Tom & V. It got quite cold during the night, and we really enjoyed the normal heat. It felt so good to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and prober shoes. Oh yes, you CAN get enough of hot weather and sweaty clothes. Felt great to go to bed and slip down under both a blanket and a sheet. Usually we only sleep with a sheets next to us, but we rarely use it. Cameron Highlands was a perfect escape away from the tropics .
Monday 24th March
The weather the next 3 days wasn't really good - mostly rain, so since this was the only day with good weather we went trekking. There's lots of numbered trails in the hills surrounding Tanah Rata, so it easy to do the treks without a guide.
We were just the four of us, trekking on trail no. 9 this day. It was a beautiful trail, yet some steep and narrow paths, but it was an excellent adventure. We saw a lot of agriculture plantages and enjoyed the nature. It took us around 2 hours, before we hit the normal road again. Tom & V have travellled in India before we met, so they know all the good Indian specialities, and have introduced us to some of it, this night we were having chicken tikka masala (again), and we simply loved it. Spend some time around the open fire at jungle bar, playing cards and eating roasted marsmellows. A lot of people from the hostel were hanging out around the open fire, and half of all the people, I think we were around 14, were germans. Impressing, and yet a bit scary that the germans are everywhere (don't mention the war!)
Tuesday 25th March
Consider the weather conditions it was most clever to do some trekking again today. The weather forecast changed, so today was another great day.
We went on trail no. 1, which should be the most challenging and beautiful trail to do. It was raising 475 meters, so when we reached the top we were a bit over 2000m. The trail was pretty awesome, very fertile and beautiful with all its roots and moss. And the view from the top was stunning. The way down was breathtaking aswell, every hill was covered with tea plantations, and the view was really amazing. We hitchhiked and got a ride home from a malaysian guy. Luckily all four of us fitted in the back of his pick-up truck. Just another great adventure day had passed. We were all knackered when we arrived at the lodge again.
The night went by with relaxation in the common area and a bit of blog writing/working.
It was time to rest, and the day went by with chilling at the hostel. We tried the special and famous strawberry scone, and had chinese hot pot at night. All together with our british friends. We arranged a bus to Kuala Lumpur the following morning.
We enjoyed having some travel partners, and got along very good. We were tired of sticky clothes and humid weather, so we were all looking forward to the highlands, since it would be a lot colder there (around 25 C.). Trekking and visiting local agriculture was on our to-do-list while visiting.
Got to Tanah Rata in the early afternoon. Tom & V. already booked a place at Kangs Travellers Lodge, we asked for availability and considered if we should stay there, or have a look around. I was still feeling a bit sick, so after only checking a few places out, we went back and booked a room at Kangs. Got an even cheaper room than expected, only 35RM (malaysian ringget) with 3 beds, hot water and shared bathroom. Due to the Malaysian holiday, there was a lot of malaysian tourists in this nice and cold area, but where we stayed, only western backpackers. Kangs had a big common area, so most people were hanging out there, and the atmosphere were great.
In the night Erik saved us some money with inviting a 19 year old german girl into our room, she was looking for a place to stay, and there was no rooms left, so instead of letting her walk around the town in the dark, we offered her our spare bed. Went for dinner with her, Tom & V. It got quite cold during the night, and we really enjoyed the normal heat. It felt so good to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and prober shoes. Oh yes, you CAN get enough of hot weather and sweaty clothes. Felt great to go to bed and slip down under both a blanket and a sheet. Usually we only sleep with a sheets next to us, but we rarely use it. Cameron Highlands was a perfect escape away from the tropics .
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| The most comfortable busride ever.. Look at the seat sizes |
We were just the four of us, trekking on trail no. 9 this day. It was a beautiful trail, yet some steep and narrow paths, but it was an excellent adventure. We saw a lot of agriculture plantages and enjoyed the nature. It took us around 2 hours, before we hit the normal road again. Tom & V have travellled in India before we met, so they know all the good Indian specialities, and have introduced us to some of it, this night we were having chicken tikka masala (again), and we simply loved it. Spend some time around the open fire at jungle bar, playing cards and eating roasted marsmellows. A lot of people from the hostel were hanging out around the open fire, and half of all the people, I think we were around 14, were germans. Impressing, and yet a bit scary that the germans are everywhere (don't mention the war!)
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| Without saying it her body expression says: give me your money you rich european |
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| The worlds happiest girl about the worlds smallest banana |
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| Dirty river that we passed on our trekking |
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| Beautiful surroundings met us at the end of the trail |
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| Mountain agriculture |
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| Indian chicken tikka |
We went on trail no. 1, which should be the most challenging and beautiful trail to do. It was raising 475 meters, so when we reached the top we were a bit over 2000m. The trail was pretty awesome, very fertile and beautiful with all its roots and moss. And the view from the top was stunning. The way down was breathtaking aswell, every hill was covered with tea plantations, and the view was really amazing. We hitchhiked and got a ride home from a malaysian guy. Luckily all four of us fitted in the back of his pick-up truck. Just another great adventure day had passed. We were all knackered when we arrived at the lodge again.
The night went by with relaxation in the common area and a bit of blog writing/working.
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| Mossy forest trail |
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| Just loved walking in this nature |
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| Just can't get enough of this view |
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| Inappropiate.. Naaah..!! |
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| Neat tea plantations |
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| More tea |
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| Happy people getting a ride |
Trekking in Cameron Highlands video
Wednesday 26th March
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| Cake time |
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| Chinese hotpot |
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