Chapter 41: Bukit Senaling, Negeri Sembilan

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 breathtaking. The climb was rough, but the payoff was absolutely worth it. We didn’t just get the hike, we got the stunning panoramic views and the kind of deep conversations that only come over a good cup of coffee—strong enough to wake up even the most tired souls.

The descent was a breeze after that. My legs found a rhythm, and before I knew it, we were laughing and making our way back down like it was just another day on the trails. What really made the experience, though, was the time spent with my girls. You know those moments when everything feels just right? That’s what this hike was all about.

I love you guys long time. ❤️





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chapter 66: Bukit Batu Sawa, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan - the one we did in the rain....

Image
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. ...
Read more

Chapter 65 : Gunung Besar Hantu, Negeri Sembilan - The one that got the worst and the best out of us...

Image
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...
Read more

Chapter 100 : Day 2 of my journey to Annapurna Base Camp

Chhomrong to Bamboo It was 4 in the morning when I peeled myself out of bed. Outside our window, the mountains greeted us like God descending from the skies. The mighty Annapurna stood tall and silent, draped in early mist. Machapuchare, the sacred fish-tail mountain shimmered, mysterious and untouched, as though it was sculpted by moonlight itself.  Our room had an unbroken view of it, as if nature herself wanted us to remember this moment forever. By sunrise, our duffel bags were zipped and ready for the porters. I packed light, carrying only what I needed on my back.  This journey after all, requires shedding of all that was unnecessary, physical and emotional. The trail from Chhomrong to Bamboo is a dance of ups and downs. Not the brutal kind like yesterday's pure ascent into madness, but more of a winding waltz.  My legs began to understand the rhythm.  We crossed another suspension bridge, this one shorter and somehow less intimidating. I even found the courage...
Read more