Wet Wet Wet
That's the song to describe my feelings as I trekked up Lumbong, Kota Tinggi, Johore.
Number of times in the water...Uncountable.
Coldness of water...simply shiok!
Highest record of slips/falls per person, unmentionable and unforgettable.
Lumbong 20-21 Sep Trip, PRICELESS.
For everything else, there's NUS Rovers.
Day started off pretty well, with 5 comm members (Meena, Candice, Heng Hong, Safraz and myself) and Huan Liang and Peizhen gathered at Kranji MRT with 13 other participants raring to go. We reached Larkin Bus Terminal earlier than expected. Well, I would've preferred that in any case, since getting there earlier would mean we would start our trek slightly earlier, since I was unsure what would the speed of the people be like.
Asking the cab uncle for the weather conditions for the past 2 days, he said that there has been heavy rain for the previous 2 mornings already, and I was relieved.
I was wrong.
The initial part of the trek was slowed down with us having lost sight of 2 people at a turn in the plantation. Granted, the plantation is an easy way to get lost, and so would be rest of the trek itself.
After clearing the 1st waterfall with relative ease (and falling off a slippery rock, thereby making lacerations my right leg), we stopped for a rest. There was a distinct change in weather, and Candice and I took out our raincovers in anticipation for the rain.
It came, just as we were crossing the 'valley'.
And it was also a high water level for the 'valley'. In fact, it was up to my waist level already. The rain became heavier and we stopped at the 2nd waterfall to decide on our next course of action. Visibility had definitely dimmed, and it would not be adviseable to move forth for fear of the ability of the participants to continue effectively in the rain.
And we waited for half an hour or so, and the rain drops became smaller, and we decided to move on to do the river crossings ASAP. The ground was much more softer and slippery, and that slowed movement, especially the vertical climbing portions.
Still, we managed to reach the first river crossing from the 2nd waterfall en route to the 3rd. After a moment of deliberation of the fast moving water current and unsee-able ground, we managed to get all the people across the river, and reached the 3rd waterfall soon enough. By then, the rain had already stopped, and sunshine peeked through, for now.
When we reached the summit, the feeling and morale of everyone suddenly increased. Thoughts of food, and the pitching of tents, certainly kept everyone going. Alas, weather decided to play a trick on us, with rain and lightning coming after us shortly after our tents are up. Huddling together, the wind was simply making us feel cold, and the rain didn't help either. It seriously reminded me of my 5d 6n Recruit days in BMT. The cold. The wetness. The shivering. I decided to go around and check the tent, 'cos I had a feeling a rain this big would definitely cause the underside of the tent to collect water. So, I tried digging holes near the places were the water was starting to collect.
To my horror, the ground showed that the rushing of the water was going towards the tent. We quickly tried to build up a layer of sand to keep out more water from going to the underside of the tent (it would make the insides wet mah). At that moment, you are shivering from the cold wind and drenched state, and feeling like a bangla worker building something in the rain. Not funny, at all. But memorable? Yes definitely ;)
Soon, the rain subsided. (Yea...AFTER we've built it all up -_-") Started on Phase II: Project Remove-the-water-from-the-tent. It was a mini-flood in our 8-man tent. Not a pretty sight indeed.
Phase III begun soon after, with the setting up of our BBQ pit (finally!) and our food finally appeared in the open. By then, the other participants had already had their fill, and we have only just begun! It was around 9pm then, and the sky was dark and cloudy. Rumbling happened in the background, but soon faded away.
The night was great, with all the people sitting out there, eating, talking, playing (with those funny games of theirs lol). Basically, entertainment :)
Realised that the food brought up was simply too much, esp. with the presence of the BBQ pit. Imagine, bbq-ed chicken wings for dinner, with fresh vegetables and the standard staple of noodles. Irresistable! *craves for more*
The night soon quietened down, as the participants went to sleep, whilst we were still helping ourselves to the dessert (nata de coco, longan, pineapple, fruit cocktail) using an old-fashioned can-opener (oh yea, physics does not teach you how to use that!) and poking the fruits using satay sticks (force/area...hmmmm).
The next day was pretty okay, woke up a lil' groggy, possibly due to the lack of sleep. Plus, my head was wet, maybe due to my travel pillow (which was wet) or the ground of the tent. Either way, it wasn't about to stop my appetite for breakfast. Had a rather hearty breakfast, though I felt that the rest of the comm din seem to be interested in eating much.
Broke camp soon after, and made our way downwards. Was supposed to lead the way down, but I stationed myself along one of the obstacles, and Candice ended up leading, with no 2nd man behind her. Managed to catch up, but it sorta wasn't procedural already. OTOT, it seemed. Was in the middle mainly to help out with the participants on the way down, but after Samantha sprained herself, the line really grew too long.
In the end, we had 2 groups travelling, the faster (led by Candice, cos we needed to rush for the cabs) and the slower group (led by Safraz). Was the last man to help and pick up the end of the line, but we slowed down after the river crossing en route to the 2nd waterfall. Managed to get down there using another route (under the big tree trunk) which was muddy and offered lesser grip, in comparison with the route we went up by.
So, I managed to try another alternative route.
On the way down, the leeches struck. First Safraz, then me, then Olivier. Pretty minor for me and Safraz, but for Olivier he had it pretty hard. Bleeding non-stop, and it was actually(!) my first time looking at leeches along a trek in forested areas and water sources (including Singapore).
Time was running short, and the cabs were about to arrive, so Nasri and me went forward (or should I say, ran) to the entrance of the plantation to meet the cabs, so that they would not go off.
And it reminded me of NS again. Full Pack running. FBO running. Heh.
After the main group went off with Candice to Marrybrown in Kota Tinggi, Zhi Han and I waited for the second group at the plantation gate with 2 cabs, and the sky overhead became overcast. Rumbling could be heard in the background.
Definitely a onimous sign.
Luckily enough, the second group came out quickly enough, and we managed to get into the taxis just before the rain poured on us. Soon, we were back in Kota Tinggi, and linked up with the rest of the group.
Washed up and dried myself, soon it was time to take the bus and back to Larkin. A quick debrief, and most of the participants went home via 170, while 8 of us (Candice, Farah, Huan Liang, Nasri, Olivier, Peizhen, Zhi Han) went for a feast at Taman Sri Tebrau Hawkers Centre.
Funny thing: I was asked by a chinese man how to get up the waterfalls, and I said there's a route. He asked if it was easy, and whether there was a need for the guide, and I SOOOOO wanted to tell him that he can employ Rovers people as guides. Wahahaha...
This is a trip full of threes!
3 groups started off the trip (2 participant groups and comm group)
3 waterfalls to clear
3 leeches seen on 3 people
3 cabs left first
3 times it rained heavily
3 comm and 3 participants in the later group
3 slips by Nasri on the way down (okay, din mean to put this also...but....:P)
And yada yada yada....
Take care of yourself guys, especially those who were wet from the rain and subject to the torturous winds ;) And those who obtained injuries courtesy of this trip, rest well...
More revisions, tent washing, to do tomorrow -_-"
Farah & Me
Look at the bags!
Getting ready
Here we go!
Into the plantation...
All ready!
Deadfall along the way
First Waterfall
Crossing the river
Nasri showing the way
3rd Waterfall
3rd Waterfall...really nice!
BBQ-ing!
*growlz*
Zhi Han having nice marshmallow...
One thing you won't expect to see outfield: Umbrella
Rovers @ Lumbong!
Me & 3rd Waterfall
Picture Perfect!
We EVEN queue here. Definitely favourite pastime =X
Sugarcane vs Tiger Beer
Yummmmm....Seng!
Tucking into a hearty meal ;)
*growlz* x2
Satisfied! ^_^
Current Mood: 
Sore, Injured, TiredCurrent Music: X-One - Wet Wet Wet
Exhausted
In Thought
Busy
Stressed
Sleepy