Realtor On Trails

Talk about easy hikes with high rewards, Bukit Batu Sawa is exactly that. For those coming from Kuala Lumpur, the drive to Jelebu takes about 1.5 hours. Just plug in "Bukit Sawa Trailhead" on Waze, and it will guide you right to the starting point.  Here’s a tip: if you’re visiting on a weekday when there aren’t many hikers, you can park closer, right by the roadside in front of the trailhead. We didn’t realize this and parked a little further down, but hey, the extra walking time gave us a chance to warm up. I made this trip last Friday with my hiking buddy, Siti. It had rained the night before, and the skies still carried a light drizzle when we arrived around 9 AM. The weather wasn’t exactly on our side, but we have a rule. Always show up and let the trail and Mother Nature decide. Sometimes the forecasts are spot on; other times, they’re way off. If you’re chasing the legendary awan karpet (cloud carpet), you’ll need to come much earlier to catch the sunrise. ...

The world seemed to pause for a moment. No phone buzzing, no one needing my attention, not a single sound except the rhythm of my own breath. For a while, it was just me and the jungle. The green leaves sparkled like they were alive, catching every bit of sunlight. The dew clung to my skin, sharp and cold, waking up every nerve. The air smelled like earth and life, damp and rich, while the soft rustle of leaves sounded like whispers of encouragement. Even the occasional chirp of a bird and monkeys felt like nature cheering me on. Despite the burn in my legs and the sweat dripping down my back, I felt an overwhelming calmness as I climbed, step by step, rock by rock, root by root. The trail was no joke, with its steep climbs, tangled roots, and slippery mud, but that only made the satisfaction sweeter. Mindless chatter with my trail friends made the climb even lighter. Our hearts felt unburdened, and if there was any darkness trailing us from the week, we let it spill out on...

  26/8/2024: Day 1, Heading to Kinabalu   Left home at 5 AM to catch my 9:15 AM flight to Kota Kinabalu. Khaled drove me to the airport and dropped me off at 6:30 AM. Met up with Siti, and we checked in our luggage before grabbing a quick breakfast of coffee and a chicken sandwich to fuel up.   The flight was smooth, though I took my first dose of Diamox at 8 AM. It’s a must for AMS, taken twice daily starting 24 hours before your climb. It made me feel a bit floaty, and the plane’s descent hit my ears harder than usual, but it was manageable. Landed in KK at noon, and Siti mentioned feeling numbness in her fingertips, which is apparently a common Diamox side effect.   At the airport, we met Francis and Mimi, our cheerful organizers. They whisked us away for the three-hour drive to Kundasang. Along the way, we stopped to stock up on essentials like water, snacks, and a few first-aid items and took a short break at Jambatan Tamparuli.   In Kun...

Oh boy, where do I even begin? By now, you probably know I try to hike once or twice a week, usually to easier spots. "Easy" here means no permits, no long drives, and definitely no nights away from home. But every few months, we like to challenge ourselves with a big hike. This time, we decided on Gunung Besar Hantu. Being the highest peak in Negeri Sembilan at 1,426 meters, just the name itself gave me chills. Add to that the daunting 20-kilometer journey to and fro, and I was already nervous. But I thought to myself, if not now, then when? The mountain is in Jelebu, and the drive there felt a little like Fraser’s Hill, twisty and narrow. Siti had booked us a campsite to rest before the hike, and we arrived at around 7 PM. She told me not to bring any fancy camping gear; we were going "basic." When we got there, I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful it was. The camp had already set up a flysheet, so all we needed were our rain ponchos as ground covers and ou...

Gunung Alai in Gerik, Perak, offers an adventure that is as rewarding as it is challenging. With its moderate trail spanning roughly 7.5 km round-trip, hikers traverse serene bamboo groves and lush forests, culminating in a stunning summit view often enveloped by dreamy clouds at sunrise. The Start of My Adventure We set off from Kuala Lumpur on a five-hour journey, arriving at our modest lodging around 5 PM. After preparing our gear and trying to catch a bit of sleep, we embarked on our hike at 1 AM. With just two hours of rest, the climb became tougher than expected, an important reminder of how vital sleep and proper meals are for early-morning adventures. The trail itself, though not extremely technical, tested my endurance. It’s not just about physical strength but also mental preparation. A guide joined our group, an invaluable presence for navigating the path safely and ensuring we stayed on track. At the Summit Reaching the peak was a surreal experience. Shrouded in darkness, t...

As I’ve clocked more trail hours, I’ve come to appreciate the art of packing light. It’s a constant balancing act: carrying just enough for safety and comfort while not overloading yourself with unnecessary weight. Through trial and error, I’ve swapped out gear and rethought my essentials to achieve a minimalist setup. Here's what I’ve learned and how my gear has evolved: Gear Evolution 1. Backpacks My journey started with the Deuter Trail 30, a reliable pack but heavy at about 850g. I switched to the Osprey HikeLite 26L, which trimmed the weight to 585g while maintaining comfort and functionality. My current experiment? A Hypergear pack with no internal frame. It’s ultralight but lacks support. I’m testing it tomorrow, fingers crossed! 2. Bowls and Utensils To shave weight, I’m switching to IKEA’s kid-friendly bowl and cup set. Perfect for day hikes, they’re lightweight yet functional. 3. Knee Support I ditched bulky knee guards for kinesio tape. It’s effective and eliminates the ...

Bukit Kutu, near Kuala Kubu Bharu, isn't just a hike; it's a full-on adventure. Misleadingly called a "Bukit" (hill), this trek challenges you with a steep 13 km round trip and an elevation gain of 1,050 meters. It took us around 12-13 hours to conquer it. By the end, I couldn’t feel my legs. Despite the exhaustion, every step was worth it. The breathtaking views from the summit and the camaraderie with my hiking crew left me smiling even through my post-hike trauma. To make it safely up Bukit Kutu, preparation is key. The trail is a mix of river crossings, steep inclines, and even slippery boulders. Along the way, hikers pass unique landmarks like the Cobra Rock (Batu Tedung), named for its serpent-like shape, and the haunting ruins of a British colonial-era hill station. These remnants tell stories of a bygone era, adding a touch of history to your adventure. The summit is a cluster of smooth boulders, topped with ladders and ropes for the final climb. It rewards yo...

There's so much i wanted to write about this hike. It was not the easiest. But definitely we had the highest level of satisfaction. We made way to Fraser Hill the night before and took an airbnb coz we wanna avoid driving up in the wee morning. Had a good rest and was at the trailhead by 8am. The journey to the first summit Gunung Gap was around 1 hr 15 minutes. Zana had a bad low sugar reaction and we thought to get to the first peak first and access the situation. She was ok and regained her strength after some food. Gunung Gap is 1183M above sea level. Gunung Ulu Semangkuk is 1394M. To go to the second peak, we have pass through Ulu Tranum Trail. This second leg of our hike was brutal. Its crazy incline. And certain parts we had to climb on roots and hope for the best. The weather was very chilly and it helped. It was a mossy forest. It was beautiful, untouched, and challenging. We got to the second peak in 2 hrs 15 minutes. Had our lunch and rest for a bit. The sky was starting...

My non-scale victory after six months of consistently showing up for hiking. I've missed some chapters with the girls, but I always replaced them on my own. So technically, I've never missed. 1) I never said I want to quit real estate anymore. When things got hard before, I always said, "Maybe it's time I find something else to do." These days, I realize I handle stress better. It's the same shebang, but I manage better. 2) I can run up the hill, show more houses, climb up and down with ease, and never get out of breath. 3) I don't need to take naps anymore. I thought I just liked sleeping, but these last six months, except on Fridays when I am recovering from the hike, I just don't take naps. It's really worth the blood, sweat, and tears. I love it! #RealtorThatHikes

  After 50 hikes in 1 year, i have some tips for heavier person to start hiking. 1. Always watch your heart rate. Set it on your watch and always stop to recover. Learn what is your max heart rate. I use this to calculate and i was careful not to burst it (approximate maximum heart rate by multiplying your age by 0.7 and subtracting the total from 208). Eventually your heart will get stronger and will be able to tolerate harder and longer climb. 2. Invest in good shoes. It made all the difference. Ditch hiking boots, opt for trail running shoes. 3. Learn to pack lights. You are already heavy. Every ounce counts. 4. Start with easier hikes to build stamina and endurance and gradually go on longer and harder hikes. Can refer to AllTrails aps for suggestions, maps, and reviews. Before u go for a hike, always check various reviews and videos to learn more about the track you are going. 5. I hydrate properly and replace my electrolytes. When i was only drinking 100plus or Pocari Sweat, ...

I had barely slept two hours the night before, but somehow I still left home with a mindset of, "It's okay, it's just a 30-minute hike." I had read a review from a trail runner (probably someone who does this in their sleep) and convinced myself it would be an easy one. Boy, was I wrong. The trail ended up being a lot more challenging than I anticipated, but that's how it goes sometimes, right? We completed the hike in about 1.5 hours, and I quickly realized that I had left my watch at home. So there I was, relying on nothing but my own body, listening intently to my heart rate and trying to feel my way through it. The hike itself wasn’t as difficult as some I’ve tackled before, but I had already set my expectations so high that it threw me off from the start. Lesson learned: never go in with too many expectations, especially when you’re sleep-deprived and a little cranky. But, as always, nature had a way of making it all worth it. The views were nothing short of ...

Was it on my birthday last year? I think it was. My girl gang and I, together with our guide, set a goal to summit Gunung Berembun. If you remember reading my updates then, we turned back and didn't summit. Since I couldn't sleep, I thought it would be nice to tell you what happened. We left KL early in the morning, headed to N9 where Mount Berembun stood tall and proud at 1014 meters. I was nervous because we had a lot of rain in November. Most mountains were closing very soon too. We started with our usual stretching exercises and prayers, and off we went. The hike was okay. Nothing unusual. The weather was fine. The track was a long one, and we got to our first stop, the waterfall. Had our breakfast. I could hear thunder. It was getting a little bit cloudy too but it passed. I had a small birthday celebration as Siti brought a cake all the way up for me. (Love you babe) Didn't feel anything unusual here. Kyro, our guide, did mention that if we saw anything out of the ord...