Friday, April 28, 2017

2017 Good Friday Weekend Trekking @ Fraser's Hill

Good Friday Long Weekend, April 14 to 17
4 Days 3 Nights – Fraser’s Hill and Genting Highland in Malaysia


Making use of the Good Friday holiday, took leave on April 17, Monday to create a long weekend driving holiday. From Singapore to Fraser's Hill was suppose to be a 6.5 hrs according to the google maps but we arrive at the hotel around 6.00 pm.

Day 1
Reach Tuas' checkpoint around 6.00 am on Friday morning. There was the long snake of cars even before we reach the tunnel. It took 3 hours to clear both Singapore and Malaysia immigration. We were so hungry we immediately look for breakfast after clearing the Malaysia immigration.  We stop at the R&R Gelang Patah Arah Utara the only place for food in this area. By the time we arrive at 9.30am, the place was crowded. Guess everyone were hungry after the long queue to clear immigration and custom. Not much food choices in this rest stop. Filled up the car and continue the journey.
   
Our lunch stop was at Tangkak. We patronize the Bak Ku Teh shop next to famous Tangkak Beef Noodle. We order a bowl of slice beef soup to be delivered to our table at the Bak Ku Teh shop. We ordered both the soup and dry version of the Bak Ku Teh.

Immediately after driving back into the North-South Express Highway, the traffic was slow to 30 km/h. It took 30 mins to reach the trailer which was on it's side and the damage middle barrier. The south bound traffic jam tail back as far back at Ayer Keroh exit.

By the time we pick up the pace it was 1.00 pm. Now speeding at 130 km/h to cover lost time. Was informed by co-passenger that we need to reach the hotel before the dark creeps in as there are no street light in the winding hilly area. Is dangerous for a newbie in this area.


Truth enough THE GAP was a winding hilly road is challenging. Some part of the road was freshly wash away by rain.


Fraser Hill's Town Center


By the time we arrive at Shahzan Inn Fraser Hill, my arm was tired after driven up the gap.

End the day with dinner was at the hotel restaurant.




Day 2
The day began with breakfast in the hotel.

After breakfast we proceed to the entrance of the Bishop Trail. Here is the link to more information about Fraser Hill Hiking Trail -  http://www.fraserhill.info/bishop.htm





Bishop Trail is written as 1.5 Km but we took about 2 hours to reach the end of the trail. Due to the heavy rain during whole of the previous night, there was a huge fallen tree trunk blocking the way after hiking after an hour. We the help of another group of Malay family members, we manage to climb over the fallen tree trunk.

On the way back to the hotel we drop into The Paddock





After cleaning up in the hotel we had lunch at Mimi Strawberi near the town center clock tower.

In the afternoon we visit the Jierau Waterfall. Be warn, there is long flight of step to climb up and own. I would not recommend to those who knees problem to visit this waterfall.




In the evening we just relax in the hotel after dinner. There was live music performance at the public library stage near the town center clock tower.




Day 3
After breakfast we checkout and drive towards Genting Highland. Along the highway after Bentong, stop by a durian stall for tea break. We had seafood lunch at Restorant Yoon Kee, Gothong Jaya.






After early check in at Resort World Hotel, went to explore the new SKY AVENUE shopping mall. We end up playing jackpot in the Sky Casino. With the winnings from the Casino, enjoy a fabulous dinner at Burger & Lobster.






Day 4
Long drive back to Singapore. Stop by Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur for lunch and some shopping. A short stop at  Xiao Mei, Yong Pheng for the Muar Otak. Dinner was at Q House in Desa Bahru, Johore.






Friday, April 5, 2013

Taiwan Weekend Trip - Nanzhuang in Maoli County


Saturday, March 30, 2013
Travel from Taichung main railway station to Zhunan Station at Maoli. At Zhunan station took the Taiwan Tour Bus to Nanzhuang Visitor Center. Taiwan Tour Bus ticket was NT100. The bus ticket include unlimited bus ride for 3 lines. The 1st line Nanzhuang Bus , 2nd line Xiangtian Lake Bus, 3rd line Xian Mountain Temple.

Train ticket and schedule can found here

Typical Train Ride in the weekend with students on a trip. I had taken some train rides without a reserved seat. The train ride from Taichung to Zhunan varies from 55 to 65 mins, so be prepared to stand all the way.


Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus Ticket

Zhunan Train Station




Nanzhuang Bus Route

Zhunan Station(East) Taiwan Railway, Toufen Station, Toufen Backyard Garden, Sanwan, Lion’s Head Mountain Historic Trail Entrance, Gueihuling, Nanzhuang Junior School, Nanzhuang Old Street, Nanzhuang Visitor Center.



Nanzhuang Visitor Center Vicinity

The place worth visiting at the Nanzhuang will be the Nanzhuang Old Street.

Click on the picture to download for bus schedules and route

Pumpkins

Hundred Years Old Washing Point which is still being used by vendors




Entrance to the Nanzhuang Old Street


Nanzhuang Old Post Office

Home Stay for NT700





Xiangtian Lake Bus

Nanzhuang Visitor Center, Dongjiang Tribe, Donghe Suspension Bridge, Xiangtian Lake

Taiwan Tourist Bus Stop 

Xiang Tien lake Bus Stop





Vendor selling Unprocessed Honey are every where

The place worth visiting for the Xiangtian Lake Bus will be the Xiantian Lake. Sit in the garden to have lunch and surrounded by flowers and the green.

Xian Mountain Bus

Nanzhuang Visitor Center, Li Jing Guan, Xiaodonghe Tribe, Nankang Recreational Agricultural District, Siazhuang, Penglai River Ecological Park, Erping Tribal Village, 42 Tribe I, 42 Tribe II, Baguali Tribal Village, Xian Mountain Temple.

Xian Mountain area is occasionally covered by fog.



Devotes will need to climb these steps to reach the upper temple. They are steep and long, I would rate is moderate challenging - not suitable for those with knee issue. But I do find many aged devotees praying at the upper temple.



The view from the upper temple


Penglai River Ecological Park

The place worth visiting for the xian Mountain Bus is the Penglai River Ecological Park. Enjoy the amazing view of the stream, the fishes in the stream and songs of the bird. Spot the bird eating their catch.

I had alighted a stop after the Penglai River Ecological Bus Stop or Entrance. I have only to walk down towards the main entrance thus saving the return trip distance. Be prepared to walk about 5km in one direction.

I started from this end, near to a temple.

The sign at the Main Entrance 


Entrance to Penglai River Park