Jeram Besu, Raub (Pahang, Malaysia)

Jeram Besu (Besu Rapids) is among the best white water rapids in Malaysia. It located at Sungai Lipis (Lipis River) in Raub district (Pahang, Malaysia).


How to reach there?
This area can be reach thru Raub Town if you come from Kuala Lumpur via old road from Bentong Town. After Bentong Toll, just turn left toward Bentong Town. Follow Raub or Kuala Lipis signboard until you reach Raub Town. Then find for Kuala Lipis or Benta signboard. Its about 6 KM before Benta Town. This area is easy spot as the location just beside main road on your left. Normally journey from Kuala Lumpur will take about 2-3 hours.

If you wish to overnight here, please make a reservation because its hard to find a hotel or motel here. Through my observation there is only 2 hotel/motel available here. One is Countryview Recreation Park and another one may be belong to the local youth centre.

The area is suitable for rafters, kayakers and canoeists. But beware of their rapids and stones. Fishing activities, camping, picnic and adventure activities such as 4X4, river crossing and flying fox also can be done here. Please contact local tourist operators for details.

This area is not new for me as I quite often come here since I'm bachelor. Its only about 35 minutes journey from my father's house in Jerantut (Pahang, Malaysia). furthermore, I always stop here for a break during my trip to my hometown. I personally have been here for flying fox and river crossing during my studies may be 10-15 years back.

What I don't like about this place is they lost their main identity when the hanging bridge is gone. During my last stop may be last 4 months, the hanging bridge is no more there, and I also don't know why. Toilets here is worst. Food stalls is just OK and lot of flies. Once a while during my pit stop here, I often drink its delicious 'Ais Batu cendol with Gula Kabung' or just request for 'Sup Tulang (bone soup)'. This area also not visitor friendly as very less rest area provided. Local authorities, please do something!


Photo : My wife and our son, Luqman Hakim at Jeram Besu Hanging Bridge. (The bride is no longer exist).

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FISHING KNOTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

This is among the best website of fishing knots that I personnaly think is good to surf. This website is actually recommended by my friend, Mr. Noreza from Shah Alam (Selangor, Malaysia). He can be contacted via email noreza@gmail.com

http://www.animatedknots.com/
http://www.tnoutdoorsmen.com/knots.htm
http://www.fishingcairns.com.au
http://www.sportsfish.com.au
http://www.fishnet.com.au
http://www.marinews.com

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LATA BAYU WATERFALL IN BALING (KEDAH, MALAYSIA)

Photo : Myself at Lata Bayu Waterfall during my studies in UUM

Lata Bayu Waterfall is located in Teloi Reserved Forest in district of Baling, Kedah (Malaysia). This waterfall also known as Lata Asam Jawa.Its located about 30 KM from Baling Town or about 90 Km from Alor Setar Town. Its only can be reach thru road by own transport, taxi or local bus. to visitor which using public transport, its advisable to take a cab (taxi) or bus from Baling Town to save cost.

The unique of this waterfall is its 20 meter height waterfall and natural pond which known as Lubuk Lesung. This waterfall area is suitable for picnic, camping and tracking. Food stall and souvenirs shop also available here. To overnight in this area, all visitor is required to get permission from Forestry Department of South Kedah at 604-4903760.


Photo : Myself with friend, Hardy Rose


For details please visit this website :-
http://waterfallsofmalaysia.com

http://www.forestry.gov.my

TELUK CEMPEDAK BEACH (KUANTAN, PAHANG)

This is some photos during our trip to Pantai Teluk cempedak (Teluk cempedak Beach) in Kuantan, Pahang (Malaysia) on July 26, 2005. In Kuantan, we stayed in my younger brother's house.

Teluk Cempedak Beach is located just 5km from Kuantan town. It is very popular spot in Kuantan as visitors love their white sandy beach and crystal clear water.

To water sports lovers, you can try jet-skiing here. If not, you can just swim, relaxing, fishing, sun bathing or just watching people.

Souvenirs such as t'shirt, cap, kites, key chains available here in very reasonable price. Local food also can be found here.

Along the beach, there is the Hyatt Regency hotel if you would like to stay near to Teluk Cempedak beach. Otherwise, you can also look for hotels in the Kuantan town, which only cost you 10 minutes drive from here.

If you wish to overnight, Hyatt Regency Hotel just less than 5 minutes walking from the beach. If you prefer another hotel or budget hotel, you can find in Kuantan Town. Local bus is available almost every 30 minutes to and from Kuantan Town Bus Terminal.


Photo : My wife with our son, Luqman Hakim


Photo : Myself with Luqman Hakim

ULU YAM DAM, HULU LANGAT (SELANGOR MALAYSIA)

Since I have nothing to do on Sunday (March 09, 2008) due to heavy rain, I spent my time indoor; read newspaper of Malaysian General election result and analysis, watching AXN, play games with my son, and re-arrange photos in our albums.

Then I realized that its good if I can share my previous journey or others activities related to hobbies in my blog. I take out the photos,scan and then store the photos in my laptop. Now I realized how important to bring camera anywhere. Even I'm not good in photography, I will make sure I will captured my activities as a memory to remember. Now, I'm prefer my kids or my wife as subject. Even our trip to Cameron Highland last February I captured more than 200 photos, there is only less than 10 photos is my photos.

I love to travel and spent my time outside rather than indoor. Since I already married and have kids, I would spare my time outside with them, except if I go for fishing with other friends. I prefer going to sea, river and jungle because I think its interesting. Until now, I have travelled around Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak). Oversea? I only managed to reach Thailand (Ish..ishh... poor me).

OK let start with my experience in Ulu Yam Dam in Hulu Langat (Selangor, Malaysia). During my bachelor's time, I used to come here at least 3 times per year. It is a very ideal place to hideaway from my routine which I can consider quite stressful.

This Ulu Yam Dam actually is reserved area for water supply and electric generator. Its suitable for camping, fishing, picnic and other activities. Normally, we just go there for camping, fishing and barbeque.


Photo : With my housemate during bachelor's with Ulu Yam Dam as background.



Photo : Myself (with blue black t'shirt)with close friend, Bob having lunch at Ulu Yam River.

HOBBY NO. 9 : CAMPING

Camping is just cool and interesting hobby to somebody which brave enough. If you're too coward of the darkness of the night and hate of accompany by singing birds during midnight; please don't even think about this hobby.

Since i'm not sure how to start this topic, I just want to share my personal experience on scouting and camping.

As a boy scout (known as Pengakap in Malaysia) since standard 4 (age of 10 years) in secondary school at Sekolah Kebangsaan Damak, Jerantut; I start joined them for camping. As safety measurement to new boy scout, they teach us on basic scouting such as basic cooking, how to make a knots, life surveillance's, basic camping and etc... During primary school, we only given a permission to camping at our school compound, normally school field with fully guided by trained scouts.

Then, I continued as boy scout in my secondary school at Sekolah Menengah Damak, Jerantut. I even excited of camping. Thanks God as I has given a change to camping at various places such as reserved forest, waterfall and etc..

After completed my Form 3, I moved to other school named Sekolah Menengah Padang Saujana, Jerantut. Here, I'm forced to joined Fire Brigade Cadet for 2 years. But, I'm not just left my hobby behind. I joined another group of people to fishing and camping during school holidays because I'm staying in school's hostel.

As my form 5 result, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (malaysia Certificate of Education)is not excellent, I prefer to continue my studies in form 6 at Sekolah Menengah Jerantut. Here, I'm joining senior boy scout (Pengakap Kelana) and helping others scouts during their activities and camping. I also joined numerous camping activities organised by school management.


Photo : One of the camping activities that I'm involved when I'm still studies at Sekolah Menengah Jerantut. This Camping was held in Lata Meraung Waterfall, Jerantut. (Note: I will kicked this photographer because not warned us before taking this photo as I'm still drinking when this photo was captured... Ha..ha..ha..Just joking).

When I'm in Universiti Utara malaysia (UUM), Kedah; I still continue my camping activities. I'm choose to become a scout leader by joining Kelana Siswa (University Scout). I even dare to joined their first camping just after our orientation week. Here I was teach on every aspect to be as scout leader. Here, I was awarded as scout leader (Manikayu 2) after completing all their requirements. Thanks to Pak Mat, Cikgu Mail and Cikgu Hassan for their guidance.

I joined numerous camping such as National & Asia Pasific Jamboree in Terengganu with other scouts around the world. Even happy moment for me during this scout Jamboree is all by siblings were here as scouts represent their own school or scout committee. My sister (Idayu), my younger brothers, Imran and Noorhisyam were represent Jerantut, Pahang. While myself is represent Universiti Utara Malaysia as Chief De-Mission (Contingent Leader).


Photo : During National & Asia Pasific Scout Jamboree.

However, as time changes i'm no longer active in scouting and camping. Not because i'm hate scout and camping; it's just because i'm quite bussy with others activities. My heart still remain as scout and camping is still in my interest. I promise to re-start my camping activities when my 2 childrens growing as I can bring them togethers.

JERANTUT (PAHANG, MALAYSIA) - PERFECT HIDEAWAY

Photo : My son, Luqman Hakim posing at Mutiara Taman Negara Boat Jetty

Today I just browse for Jerantut.com website to find any latest news. Even i'm now staying in Selangor, I'm keep reminding myself and my family that we are from Jerantut, Pahang Darul Makmur.

Every month (almost)since last 7 years, I will be at my dearest hometown; Kg. Batu Balai, Jerantut, Pahang to meet my father and other family members. 2-3 hours of journey to Jerantut for me is nothing compare to the feel when we reach in Jerantut.

Jerantut, even quite ulu (remote area), Jerantut have everythings! Myself for example, I completed my higher secondary education in Sekolah Menengah Jerantut (Jerantut Secondary School) after finish my Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (Malaysian Higher Certificate of Education). Then, I continue my studies in Universiti Utara Malaysia (Northern University of Malaysia) in Sintok, Kedah in Human Resource Management (HRM).

I then married with someone which also originated from Jerantut. Even when my wife is giving birth to my first son, we prefer him been delivered in Jerantut Hospital.

In Jerantut, we live in peaceful. Im being neighbouring to Chinese and Indian without any problems. We are sharing same school, football field and ect...

Here in Jerantut, there is a lot of interesting places to visit such as :-
1) Taman Negara (National Park) - Reserved Forest
2) Gua Gunung Senyum (Gunung Senyum Cave) - Cave exploring
3) Gua Kota Gelanggi (Kota Gelanggi Cave)- Cave exploring
4) Sungai Pahang (Pahang River) - Water refting, river expedition, fishing, camping
5) Air Terjun Lata Meraung (Lata Meraung Waterfall) - Picnic, Camping, fishing, absailing
6) Hutan Simpan Kenong (Kenong Reserved Forest) - back to nature expedition, camping
7) Air Terjun Rengat (Rengat Waterfall) - Fishing, camping, picnic


Photo : Some of my family members at Jerantut Railway Station

How to getting here?
1) By bus directly from Pekeliling Bus Station, Kuala Lumpur or Klang Bus Station. Its very cheap and easy to travel here by bus.

2) By Taxi from any parts of Malaysia. Most of the taxi operators willing to sent you here. But, please watch-out the fare.

3) By train. Just stop at Jerantut station if you use Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train. The fare also quite cheap.

4) By plane? There is no direct plane to Jerantut at the moment. Alternatively, you may rent a shuttle helicopter to reach Jerantut (make sure you're pretty rich to use this service.)

For more details about Jerantut, you may login to this website www.jerantut.com and please regularly visit this blog. I promise to give you more information about Jerantut. As local, i'm the best to refer to know Jerantut better.