Geli-Geli Ulu Temburong National Park

Salam hormat

On 24^th Mar 2019 7.00 am, we gathered at Jetty Bandar for a boat ride to Bangar, Temburong. Hey the  #KoyokAdventureTeam are back in actions after Mt. Kinabalu’s climbing. this  time we went to Ulu Temburong National Park. We called our trip as “Geli-geli Ulu Temburong” and the word “geli-geli” mean quick getaway.

#KoyokAdventureTeam at Campsite

Ulu Temburong National Park is located at Temburong district of Brunei Darulsalam. For most of us, this is first or second time to Ulu Temburong which also known as Green Pearl of Borneo. We took a boat ride from Bandar Seri Begawan to Bangar Temburong and the cost is BND7.00.  The boat ride take about 45 minutes.

Boat ride to Ulu Temburong

We booked our trip through Brother Adi for a day trip and cost us BND90/ pax including transportation from Bangar to Ulu Temburong by van, another boat ride to campsite and Ulu Temburong National Park; lunch and a guide; not to forget activities e.g. jungle trekking, canopy walks and tubing along the river.

Diamond tree 150 years old

From Bangar we took a van to Ulu Temburong around 20 minutes and then a boat ride to campsite for 25 minutes. We were introduced to our guide of the day by name Hafiz. Young and passionate person. At campsite, we had “kuih Melayu” – Malay traditional cookies for breakfast. After nice hot coffee, we continued a boat ride for another 20 minutes to National Park.

Entry to Suspension bridge

Suspension bridge

The short steep stairways up to a suspension bridge. We crossed the suspension bridge and another hiking to canopy areas. If I am not mistaken the total stair is 750 plus. The highlight is the Canopy Walk 47-meter height and reveals impressive view of the Green Pearl of Borneo. 

Jungle trekking to Canopy Walk

My tip here is do not look down! I am not comfortable with the height or “Acrophobia” but not climbing up may face “jadi bahan setahun” or became a funny joke for a year. Anyway, I made it and wish to return up here again for sunrise view. Insyallah.

View from the Top of Canopy

Definition of Acrophobia from Wikipedia:

Acrophobia is an extreme or irrational fear or phobia of heights, especially when one is not particularly high up. It belongs to a category of specific phobias, called space and motion discomfort, that share both similar causes and options for treatment.

Top of Canopy - 47 meter height

Nazim and Dr. Fahmi

After reached the Canopy “summit”, we walked back to the river for another memorable activities – mini waterfall in hidden area and free fish spa. We trek for 10 minutes to a small pool of free fish spa. I am not felt comfortable with fish pecking at my feet but the rest seem like enjoying so much. 

The hidden waterfall

With a bit of climbing, we were at the hidden mini waterfall. Just imaging, only us swimming here and feel like our private waterfall.Wish too! The fresh water very cool and some spots may reach up to  2-meter depth. We spend nearly an hour swimming here and still feel not enough.

Fresh cool waterfall

We put our life-jacket on and started tubing along the river with some rapids back to campsite. The river current is quite strong. Somehow Dr Fahmi and I were hit an obstacle in the river and fall-out from our tube. We were swept away in the strong current of the river but tried to maintain our "macho-ness"! Ha ha ha it was fun experience for us! It is so true that don’t ever fight with the nature, just swim through and stay calm.

Tubing along the river 

After tubing activity, we felt so hungry – we changed our clothes and the lunch are ready for us. “Nyaman” the Brunei word of delicious. Fascinating experiences.

After rest, we took boat ride back to check-point and van ride to Bangar. By 5 p.m. we were in Bandar Seri Begawan. It worth experience for quick getaway over the weekend. 

Us! 

More coming from #KoyokAdventureTeam... insyallah we plan for Annapurna BaseCamp - ABC - Nepal in September 2019. With this Getaway Adventure in mind, we "force" ourselves to maintain our fitness. 

We make our dream become reality.

SirNoordin

Ulu Temburong 

Link: 
https://sirnoordin.blogspot.com/2019/03/koyok-adventure-team.html
https://sirnoordin.blogspot.com/2019/02/mount-kinabalu-climbing-for-alaf-fund.html

KOYOK Adventure Team

Salam hormat


Sudah lebih dari sebulan kami selesai mendaki gunung Kinabalu namun kesannya begitu terasa sehingga ke hari ini. Bukan sahaja pada Akinabalu tetapi juga keinginan untuk melaksanakan aktiviti sepertinya. Barangkali juga nilai persahabatan  "brotherhood"  terbegitu terserlah semasa pendakian tersebut juga memberi kesan positif. 

Penuh koyok di dada ha ha 

Puas juga bercerita pengalaman masing-masing, berseloroh cerita-cerita lucu dan tidak kurang juga "bako membako" begitu mencuit hati dalam menghadapi stress kerja seharian. Cerita yang paling melucukan ialah bab Koyok - "Medical plaster".. kerana pada malam "summit attack", semua kami melekatkan koyok di badan masing-masing. Barangkali juga kehangatan koyok tersebut dapat memberi sedikit kelegaan dan kesan positif untuk sampai ke puncak.   Ha ha ha... maklumlah kami semua sudah melepasi 40an. 

Oleh kerana bab koyok ini banyak cerita kelucuan dan kegirangan maka kami namakan  kumpulan ini sebagai "Koyok Adventure Team"... ha ha ha...cukup memberi motivasi untuk merancang banyak "adventure" seterusnya. Dalam sessi lepak Jumaat malam sambil layan kopi Vietnam di Cafe Borneo, kami juga merancang banyak aktiviti seterusnya termasuklah mendaki Annpurna Base Camp - ABC yang akan dilaksanakan pada tahun ini juga.

Antara kembara yang dirancang :

1. Ulu Temburong, Brunei (Geli2 Day Trip)
2. Mulu National Park, Sarawak
3. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), Nepal - Sep 2019
4. Bukit Kubung Labuan, Malaysia
5. Mount Kinabalu - MK3 - Mar 2020
6. Mt. Kilimanjaro - in 2020
7. Scotland (Kg Dr Fahmi)
8. Mt. Fiji
9. Mt. Rinjani dan lain2 lagi. 

Minat sama melahirkan nilai suatu persahabatan yang membawa kepada banyak  pengembaraan menarik yang bakal dirancang. Bak kata salah seorang dari sahabat, "ramai dah terkena  #sakagunung, itu yang ketagih mendaki", selorahnya. Namun hakikatnya keindahan alam hanya dapat dilihat dari atas puncak gunung, kepuasan suatu pengembaraan serta jauh dari hiruk piruk pejabat kepuasan menjadi tagihan. 

Kami

Insyallah kembara seterusnya ialah Annapurna Base Camp - ABC pada 21 - 29 Sep 2019. Perancangan rapi masih diperingkat perbincangan. Semoga dipermudahkan Allah swt hendaknya. 

Credit to https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/annapurna-circuit-hiking-guide/

Sementara itu, kami juga merancang untuk ke Ulu Temburong pada 24 Mar 2019. Aktiviti Day Trip Geli2 Temburong sempena cuti persekolahan di Brunei. Ada di antara kami sudah bermukim hampir  3 - 5 tahun di Brunei namun masih tidak sampai ke Permata Hijau Ulu Temburong. Maka dengan adanya aktiviti ini dapat juga merasakan keindahan permata hijau Borneo. 


Kepada yang berminat untuk mengikuti aktiviti kami, bolehlah berhubungan dengan kami. 


SirNoordin

Minda Positif Hidup Sihat

Salam hormat


Baru-baru ini sir ada terima WA dari seorang kawan menyatakan kekecewaannya dalam kehidupannya. Dari mesej tersebut dapat sir lihat elemen-elemen negatif dalam pemikirannya mungkin akibat dari "stress" yang dialami. Semakin lama jika tidak di "brainwash" boleh menjadikannya seorang yang negatif. Semua perkara akan kelihatan buruk dari pola pemikiran yang negatif.

Warna hidup dengan Ceria

Dalam kehidupan kita tidak dapat lari dari masalah. Masalah adalah sebahagian dari kehidupan. Bagi yang sudah berkerja, pastinya tidak dapat lari dari masalah kerja, politik pejabat dan macam-macam lagi. Bagi pelajar-pelajar, tidak dapat lari dari masalah keremajaan - ingin popular, cinta monyet, 24 jam dengan "games" dan pelbagai lagi. 

Dalam buku Rahsia 100 Impian #R100I tulisan sir, "jangan lari dari masalah - lari bukan penyelesaian". Sebaliknya jadikan masalah kita sebagai cabaran dalam kehidupan. 

Dari sudut pemikiran negatif, masalah adalah suatu bebanan tetapi dari sudut minda positif masalah adalah suatu rentetan cabaran yang . perlu diselesaikan. Kita mempositifkan masalah kepada cabaran kehidupan. Cabaran menzahirkan sikap positif yang kita ingin menghadapinya dengan penuh keberanian. 

"Aduhh banyak masalah yang perlu aku hadapi... tak habis satu, datang lagi masalah lain..." - jika kita mendengar keluhan begini pun rasa sedih dan longlai. 

ATAU 

"Banyak cabaran yang perlu aku harungi... insyallah aku selesaikan satu persatu sekadar yang mampu" - jika kita mendengar kata-kata seperti ini, kita pun jadi semangat dan kuat malahan memberi motivasi pada orang lain pula. 

"Kehidupan positif bermula dari minda yang positif"

Ada orang cuba menyelesaikan semua masalah dalam satu masa, ini menjadikannya amat "stress" kerana tiada satu solusi mampu menyelesaikan semua masalah. Selesaikan satu masalah dalam satu masa kerana ada kalanya masalah lain selesai dengan sendirinya tanpa perlu kita melakukan apa-apa. 

Minda positif memberikan keyakinan yang kukuh pada diri sendiri. Terima diri seadanya! Jika kita telah terima diri seadanya, bererti kehidupan kita begitu sihat dan bermakna. Dengan bersyukur sepenuhnya akan memberi satu kekuatan motivasi dalam diri serta keyakinan yang tinggi. Kita berupaya menikmati kehidupan dengan penuh bermakna.

"Jika kita bersyukur dengan apa yang kita ada bererti kita telah ada segala yang diperlukan" 

Minda Positif Hidup Sihat

Minda sihat dapat menjauhkan diri dari elemen negatif - kita tidak mudah mendengar ejekan dan fitnah. Jika kita mempunyai minda negatif - semua benda positif pun nampak negatif! Orang lain melihat seribu kebaikan sementara kita pula  melihat seribu keburukan. Alangkah buruknya minda tersebut!

Iyelah senang berkata sentiasa minda positif tetapi bagi yang menghadapinya... nak positif macamana lagi? 

Tepuk dada tanya selera! 

Sir pelajari satu perkara semasa mendaki gunung Kinabalu. Kekuatan fizikal mahupun stamina hanya menyumbang 30% dari kekuatan sementara 70% kekuatan sebenar adalah kekuatan mental. Ramai juga yang tak mampu ke puncak walaupun stamina tinggi, sebab utama mental "koyak". Betapa penting kita berfikiran positif dalam apa-apa perkara dalam kehidupan. 

Berminda positif juga memberi kita ruang untuk menerima buah fikiran orang lain. Sebaliknya orang minda negatif tidak akan mendengar pendapat orang. Seawal bicara mereka telah menolak segalanya yang tidak selari dengan pemikiran mereka. Biasanya mereka lebih banyak bercakap dari mendengar! 

Sebaliknya orang minda positif lebih banyak mendengar dari berbicara. Mereka memproses setiap pendapatan baik selari  atau sebaliknya. Mereka bersetuju dengan pendapat yang berlainan. 

Senyum kan Sedekah! 

Maka berterusan melatih minda untuk berfikiran positif - Jangan lihat pada masalah sebagai halangan sebaliknya tukar masalah menjadi cabaran untuk selesaikan. Yakin setiap cabaran pastikan dapat diatasi. Jauhkan diri dari orang yang minda negatif. Jangan bazirkan hidup kita dengan berfikiran negatif. Rugi memori jika  "barang buruk" dalam minda 

Bila minda positif, kehidupan bertambah sihat dan ceria. Senyum selalu. Senyumkan sedekah! 


SirNoordin
1 Rejab

Mount Kinabalu Prep

Salam hormat

I am writing this for my future notes just in case I might lost these information and the best place to keep this info is here. Also these information may beneficial to others who plan to climb Mount Kinabalu.

Typically climbing Mount Kinabalu taken 2 days & 1 night and with licensed Mountain Guide. 

On day-1, you need to register yourselves at Kinabalu Park to get the Climbing Pass. Then go to Timpohon for first check point. The distance between Timpohon to Laban Rata (Panabalan) is 6 km and estimate time around 3.5 hrs - 7 hours depend on fitness. 

Preparation for Day Climb

• Long sleeve light T-shirt
• Short/ Track pant
• Trekking stick
• Knee & Ankle guard
• Footwear (Water proof)
• Backpack & cover
• Raincoat/ Poncho 
• Water camel
• Energy drink / Foods e.g. Apple
• Small towel
• Sock x 2

On Day-2, night climbing will start around 2.30 am. The distance is about 3 km and may take around 3-4 hours to reach the summit. It is always recommended to reach Sayat-sayat Checkpoint (KM8)  before 5 am. Estimate time from Sayat-sayat checkpoint to summit is around 1.5 - 2 hours. 

Preparation for Night Climb 

• Scarf/ Balaclava
• Warm hat
• Base layer (Thermal)
• Jacket
• Headlamp (must)
• Gloves
• Tick pant

Additional (not necessary)

• First aids/ medicine
• Koyok (ha ha ha)
• Dry change clothes 
• Camera
• Personal hygiene
• Sandal
• Power bank  

Porter services - 10 kg for  MYR$65 x 2 (return)

From summit decent to Laban Rata taken about 3 hours (leisure & enjoy scenery). After breakfast at Panabalan and another decent to Timpohon for another 4-5 hours journey. 

Hilang malam bertemu pagi

Bertemu pagi dipuncak Kinabalu

Sekian lama telah kami pergi 

Mengapa diri masih merindu

Naik pedati bertemu tamu

Bertemu tamu di pinggir negeri

Rindu amat pada Akinabalu

Ada rezeki kami sampai lagi

Insyalllah we plan to climb again in March 2020 for MK3 (3rd climb).

SirNoordin

Rindu AkiNabalu

Old Photos of Brunei

Salam hormat

Disclaimer:
I received these photos from Whatsapp group.   
I can see beautiful history of Brunei and I do not want to lose these photos. 
Credit to the owners of these photos. 

I will try to find more information about these photos and share here. 

Congratulation for 35th National day of Brunei DarulSalam on 23rd February 2019.

"Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung".

SirNoordin

Brunei DarulSalam

Mount Kinabalu Climbing for ALAF Fund

Salam Hormat

Alhamdulillah mission accomplished! 

Mount Kinabalu Low Peak 6.30 am

On Monday 11 Feb 2019, we reached the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 4095.2 metre. We did this as charity to raise fund to help underprivileged children in Brunei. You can donate generously just click at http://bibd-alaf.org/donate-to-alaf/

"Only a Life lived for Others is Worth Living" - Albert Einstein

We ready to conquer Mount Kinabalu

Early morning AirAsia flight AK215 from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kota Kinabalu. We went to Imago Mall for meeting another friends from Kuala Lumpur before heading to Kinabalu Park. There were seven amigos on this great journey to Mount Kinabalu’s summit. We stayed at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Kinabalu Park. It is good for climatization at 1,400 metre before heading up for 4,095 metre.

Timpohon Gate with our Malim Gunung

On Sunday 10 Feb 2019 morning, we were among the first group registered for climbing permit and were introduced to our guide knowns as “Malim Gunung” by the name Joseph and Jonny. Both of them look small in size but very strong! The weather on our side.  Skies are clear. After breakfast we took minivan to Timpohon Gate at the base of the mountain where the journey begins.

Panalaban

We started our part one climbing to Laban Rata where the basecamp is.The journey started at 9.30 am. Initially we were climbing together, somehow after 2 km – Dr Fahmi and Hakim had increased their pace which left us far behind. On the other hand, allow us to walked at our own pace and enjoy the beautiful cool breath scenery. They reached Laban Rata at 1.00 p.m. after 3.5 hours trekking and we joined them at 2.30 pm (5 hours trekking). The skies clear blue and windy. We hope the weather is still the same for night climbing to summit later.

Yukhairi, Nazim & Affizan

We took rest and dinner at Panalaban Hut. The stunning views of the mighty mount Kinabalu stretches above the clouds during sunset make it all worthwhile. By 7 p.m. most of us on the bed already as we need to wake up early morning for climbing to summit.

Final briefing before climbing 2.30 a.m.

We woke up at 1.00 a.m. and bundled in layers to face the freezing temperature. Hot Milo and biscuit really help to boost our calories.  We started our climbing at 2.30 am, it was really struggle and difficult to catch breath. We were climbing the wooden steps at very slow pace to maintain our breathing. Suddenly the nerve-racking situation when Affizan lost his step on the loose gravel and off the narrow trail from rope fence. Lucky one of us managed to hold and pull him up.  It was so dark and we weren’t sure what was outside the trail. Scary!

Short break at check point - Sayat-sayat 4.30 am

As we gain the altitude, the climbing becomes near vertical where required us to use rope to climb up. We don’t know what to expect as it was dark and freezing cold. After each time we used the rope, we felt so exhausted and breathless. We reached Sayat-sayat check point at 4.30 am and we knew we had enough time to reach low-peak before 7.00 am.

“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing”

We did it! Awesome...

My age factor started give sign of limitation and I felt like I will never reach the summit as every step is killing me. I felt dizzy and my legs can’t take it anymore. At every few metre climbing, we took a few minutes break. Our Malim Gunung kept saying, “just a bit more… “ and we got to trust them. The trail seemed endless and felt like quitting through my head. The last obstacle of 20-metre-high of jagged rocks forced me to crawling up with nothing left in me. Even I can see Hakim was struggling on his own pace to reach the summit. It is so true that the 30% is physical stamina while 70% is positive mindset!

South Peak View

Finally, we reached summit at 6.30 am. Stunning views! Out of sudden, all the pains and hard time just gone with the wind. We were so excited at the highest peak of Mount Kinabalu. We did it! It was so surreal that we were standing at the top of the tallest mountain in Borneo. We spent nearly 10-15 minutes before descending to south peak. Personally, I got to say this,  “We have a great team who supported each other to ensure everyone reach summit at the same time.”

Stunning view

"The climb might be tough and challenging, but the view is worth it. There is a purpose for that pain, you just can’t always see it right away" – Victoria Arien

Climbing mountain gave us physically challenge while descending is torture. Barely find enough energy to walk down the trails back to Panalaban base-camp. We reached base-camp around 9.30 am. After quick breakfast and rest, we continue our journey descending to Timpohon for another 6 km. 

We are Together!

The knee and ankle started giving the sign of pains, but we are very persistent not to stop walking. We were ecstatic when we reached Timpohon Gate at 3.30 pm – “welcome back” really make us grateful. We were walking for almost 14 hours non-stop ascending to summit and descending to Timpohon. Awesome!

Final 20 metre climbing - exhausted! 

Thanks to the great team who supported each other up to the summit and descending from peak. The climbers were our youngest participant, Hakim 15 years, Dr. Fahmi Ibrahim, “RMC-boy” – Faiz & Affizan, Nazim “Annapurna Climber”, Yukhairi Yahaya@Singa Utara our Penglipur Lara and ‘orang lama’ SirNoordin 49 years old.

Safely back at Timpohon Gate

Thank you to all who have made donation to BIBD ALAF. The donation still open until we reached our target to raise $4,000 which is equivalent to height of Mount Kinabalu. The last 50 metre to reach summit, we were out of breath, our arms and feet were trembling and shaking. Every metre was tough! It shows every dollar can help and change lives of underprivileged children.

You can donate generously just click at http://bibd-alaf.org/donate-to-alaf/

SirNoordin

AkiNabalu

Related Link:
https://sirnoordin.blogspot.com/2019/02/bibd-alaf-programme-mount-kinabalu.html

Hakim Climb Mt. Kinabalu for raising BIBD ALAF Fund

Salam and Hi, 


Hakim Climb Mt. Kinabalu for raising BIBD Alaf Programme

My son and I will be climbing Mt Kinabalu this Sunday with small group of friends. This is the highest mountain in the region just above 4,092 meter of sea level. Given that I am 49 years old, this would be a tough challenge for me to conquer the mountain. My son Hakim, 15 years old is the youngest team member and still study in Chung Hwa Middle School Brunei. Together with us are Dr. Muhamad Fahmi, Mohamed Faiz Amar, Affizan and Hairul Nazim Saleh.

As someone who loves jungle trekking and hiking, I always enjoy the scenic view and cool breath the of mountain. This time around I would like to see how the view looks like from the top peak of mountain is. I would imagine the difficulties that I have to endure for approximately 7 hours up to Panalaban base-camp and another 4 hours to low peak and not to forget the descending from mountain. Thin air, change of weather, the steepness of trail, altitude sickness is the main challenge to overcome. I don’t know what to expect to be honest! However, I have been doing reasonable ‘training’ for last couple of months by hiking at local Tasik Lama trail during weekend, brisk walk/jogging early morning before work and cycling as part of cross training. Not easy to juggle around work and training.

We are doing only for one purpose; to raise money for BIBD ALAF (http://bibd-alaf.org/). As an expatriate, I embrace this initiative to support the local educational needs and of underprivileged students in Brunei until they graduate. There are children out there who unfortunate due to different of circumstances that need help from us. It would be such a waste of talent should they have not received adequate resources to become asset to the country. Therefore, I’m taking up this mountain challenge out of my comfort office-life to replicate how hard for certain children to secure their future with poverty and illiteracy. I’ll keep in mind this on every ascending step enroute to the peak. 

As for Hakim, he hope to give an excellence motivation values and inspiring his friends to be risk takers and challenge them to go out from their comfort zone.

The money raised will be used by Bank Islam Brunei Darulsalam- BIBD for the ALAF programme. Please donate generously. Your donation will keep us going and change life of underprivileged children! We target to raise $4,000.

Please donate generously by click following links http://bibd-alaf.org/donate-to-alaf/

SirNoordin

Brunei