There are many cheerful moments in life, among those moments which counted : re-visit an unique place with people who we have in mind all these years, which we wish someday we will be visiting this special place together.
This someday finally happen on 2018 Aug 30th.
Exciting journey begin after Kahang National Park registration office.
Road condition is been improved a lot since 2011. The used to be all way off road bumpy and muddy drive became driver and passenger friendly with minor bumping condition nowadays.
Is a trip which involve road, river, jungle trail. As the transportation changed from 2 cars to a pick up truck then to speedboat and hiking boots.
National Park guide suggested to everyone to keep wearing the sandal just in case there is a need to push the boat at shallow area due to quite dry season. We are very lucky to get to experience the boat pushing several times along the boat ride, given us the excuses to dip our foot into the clear Endau River.
45 minutes boat riding is always the most enjoyable and pleasant moment with the fresh wind blowing away the dust contained within.
Transportation mode change from 4 wheels to motorboat and lastly trekking on our own hiking boots. First mission everyone have in mind upon entering the jungle - "Trying all kind of method to keep the hiking boots dry". Let's Try !
Put on the hiking boots, take off the hiking boots has been carried out several times. The price to pay to keep the hiking boots as dry as possible was sitting on the almost burning rocks to wear and take off the hiking boots.
Kuala Marong campground is seen after approximate 80 minutes trek - Campsite with good facilities of resting hut, washing, cooking basin and washroom which just been renovated few months ago. It is a 7 stars standard facilities in the wilderness.
Tasek Biru (Blue Lagoon) water remains as clear as crystal, water is still as mirror reflection above surface. With the fish population increase after the protection act been reinforced, we get the chance to swim along with lots of it surrounded us curiously.
Sudden rain fall had cut the happy moment short to leave the nice big crystal clear pool.
It sounded not too tough according to how guide mentioned it - "Is 3 hours go and 3 hours return, along the trek there are leeches due to raining on yesterday evening"
Let's go .....
Ohhh No !!!!!
The leeches are as excited as us, standing, dancing and waving to us the whole trail. Some of it decided to tag along or sneak into the hiking boots. They are hungrier than we have expected, the only standard posture when there is a stop - everyone look down into the hiking boots, hand into hiking boots and pulling the leeches away.
With the more frequent stopover on pulling lots of leeches away, the 180 minutes added to 210 minutes to reach Buaya Sangkut upper area - We are exhausted from leeches attack !!!! It explained to on the 3 hours go and 3 hours return statement as the trail is up and down hill constantly.
Let's do some Profile Picture captured following PH's posture.
Same angle, same camera, same background, but totally different end result.
Conclusion :There is always big difference between someone who had rounded the globe with the rest of us.
This is not just Endau Rompin trip to us, this is Endau Rompin trip + World is right in front of us. Many travel stories, destination and experiences shared by PH to us. We are located at Buaya Sangkut waterfall, but listening to Amazon scenery or South Africa Safari experience or Grand Canyon adventurous. Her present had make this expedition became ERNP + The Globe.
So Good to Have you - PH Loi.
At last, we are at the Top view of the legendary Buaya Sangkut waterfall - It is indeed a giant crocodile rock formation.
24 years plan is finally been executed on "someday we will visit Buaya Sangkut".
There were moments of old time conversation, introduction of ERNP, Buaya Sangkut stories whispering around.
Another round of heavy rain pour started, perhaps is the expression of the national park to showed its overwhelmed response too with our visit beside the leeches.
It is another round of battle with the leeches at slippery trail. Many methods of trying to prevent the leeches to get too close, many methods tried to pull it away. It was truly "just between me and the leeches" moment on this final 210 minutes return to Kuala Marong.
Some of us even started to think about "what's are the leeches purpose and contribution" in the ecosystem. The answer will be another day as there is not data connection in national park.
"ERNP is like Jurassic Park, especially all the rocks formation at Upeh Guling "
By Ong Phei Ying 2011
Her information digging, research and park visit 7 years ago is the ticket to us to visit on 2018.
At age of 20, her imagination had brought us went beyond than description.
In fact, Endau Rompin is one of the oldest tropical rainforest complexes in the world and features some rock formations 248 million year old.
Thank You for given us the ticket to visit this astonishing place - Ong Phei Ying !
Your Phrase is always been remembered !
Another reason was among those we wish to revisit together this place happen to be available after rounded the globe;
Another re-appear after years of putting the backpack aside, messtin/camping knife missing;
Trip leader happen to be available as well.
Special Thanks to behind the scene 2 ladies with all the pre-trip preparation, info had given, nice pre-cooked curry chicken which had filled up our stomach.
Thanks to all who had made this trip happen with all the loads been carried, bleeding stories, heaving rain pour , burning rocks, driving with sarong experience and laughed.
7 years later, another 6 ladies, with sufficient info, lesser obstacle, but have faces more distance trekking with continuous rain and leeches attack!!
Endau Rompin is definitely worth to revisit, let’s hope it stays as it is which is the last few remaining virgin tropical forest in Peninsula Malaysia.
