Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Why Did I Join Ironman Langkawi 2010?
Why did I join Ironman Langkawi 2010?
I have to say this. I recently broke up with my girlfriend and wanted to exorcise her demons away through an Ironman induced absolution.In order to purify and cleanse my wounded soul, I needed a suffering experience that would make me drive out the shattered pieces of hurt that still laid inside of me. I was a hurt locker.
Ironman Langkawi 2010 covers a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run -a total of 17 gruelling hours to complete and cut off time for each discipline to boot.
Here's what happened. A friend of mine had already registered and paid(RM500) for Ironman Langkawi 2010. However, she had just started a new job and was not able to obtain leave for this February Ironman event. Rather than letting it go, she asked me if I wanted to replace her. I looked at my schedule and agreed. This all happened in December 2009 which meant I had 3 months to train for my first ever Ironman.
I trained as much as I could within the 3 months. With preplanned trips already made before my Ironman decision, I had to sometimes forgo my training. I was missing a lot of training days. As the days grew closer, I became more and more nervous. I trained in and around Putra Heights, going through the loops for about 2 hours and swam in my 20metre long apartment pool every night. Rainy sessions and work related trips also threw a monkey wrench in my training programme. The guilt of not being able to train was overbearing especially when the competition was only 20 days away. Most of the time, a bit of me whispered the word "quit". I was halfway in and just trained and trained as much as I could until 27/2/2010.
On the morning of 27/2/2010, all 500 of us lined up at the jetty to start our swim disicpline.
We started our swim at 745am and by the time I reached the halfway point, I was beginning to feel hungry.
I swam free style and have no vision of the jetty. Every 25 strokes, I would stop and try to find my line of sight(LOS) with the jetty. Tick tock tick tock my friends. However, I had help from a fellow swimmer. There was a participant who swam breast stroke beside me and I used him as my directional beacon to the jetty. He always had line of sight with the jetty. There was no 5 second pause for me to find my directions any longer. I locked on to him like a heat seeking missile and swam my heart out and completed the 3.8km in 1 hour 57 minutes. Not bad for a guy who just swam one hour per day in an apartment pool and for that, I pat my own back.
I took 6 minutes in the swim/bike transition area and is now at the heat of the Ironman moment.
I was ready to charge the 180km road and hills that came before me.
I made the first Durian Perangin- Ulu Melaka loop and arrived at Bukit Hantu. With my inexperienced handling of the bike, I dismounted from the road bike and pushed.
Other participants were riding pass me uphill and seriously, I felt horrible and but not ashamed to be pushing up the bike.
The worst moment for me was passing by Hotel Helang en route to the station aid. The road was in between the airport runaway and the sea. The heat literally yanked my soul away. The heat around Langkawi was totally unbearable. 180km is the distance between KL and Ipoh and I was riding since 10am.
By the 4th round, as I was approaching the hills at the Naval Base and with almost 7 hours already on the road, I broke down and cried while riding. The catalyst for breaking down was seeing a bunch of kids playing amongst themselves looking really happy with no care in the world. One word - innocence. Somehow that moment of Khalil Gibran clarity towards a child's ionnocence coupled with my fragile
emotional state produced a bucket load of tears. I am a sensitive bugger .......sprinkled with MCP toppings.
I looked at my watch : 545pm and that's when the marshall came and asked me to discontinue. I had another 40km or so to go.
And that's it - I DNF - Did Not Finish. DNF or not, I had an awesome experience and I can't wait to come back next year for some justified vengeance. It will be 200 degrees and they will call me Mr Farenheit - burning through Langkawi Island.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sipadan-Kunak-Tawau Weekend Adventure
Any Malaysians who are divers should at least dive in Sipadan once in their lifetime. Sipadan is after all in the top 3 dive sites on the planet. I had a chance to dive in Sipadan last week and here's what I can say -Everyone has their own version of paradise, mine would be Sipadan.
I had purchased a return ticket to Tawau six months ago for the price of RM108.00 and applied for the permit way back in September 2009. Permits to Sipadan is like having Kobe beef in a Somali prison - hard to obtain and expensive.
Here's my experience :
I floated downward through shoals of colorful fishes, darting in and out, following the current as they go along. Sipadan is all about wall diving and one can see unusual coral gardens hanging on all sides, the perplexity of shapes and sizes of all the marine life. A few metres away from me a white tip shark swims alongside and a moray eel below darting in and out from a tiny gap between the corals. Schools of baracudda and jackfish swerve to a certain
direction like they all knew their oceanic passageway. A hawksbill turtle came out of nowehere and white tip sharks laid at the sandy bottom getting all too familiar with Sipadan divers. The highlight for me was entering a cave called Turtle's Tomb. Apparently, turtles swim into the cave, gets disorientated, suffocate and die. Until today, nobody knows why the turtles swim there. I touched a couple of turtle bones and I wanted to leave immediately.
My permit only allowed me to dive 3 times in Sipadan and by the time, we were finished , it was already 4pm. Back on mainland, with no time to spare, I hopped on to the resort's river cruise. The river cruise featured probocis monkeys, giant fruit bats, mangrove beauty and a heavenly view.
The next day, with my flight at 9pm, I decided to rent a car to do the following :
Madai Falls (Kunak)
Madai Caves (Kunak)
Eat wild deer meat (Kunak)
Tawau Hills Falls (Tawau)
Bukit Gelas Falls (Tawau)
Eat glorious seafood (Tawau)
The moment I started the engine of the rented Kancil, I floored it. Tick tock tick tock mind you. Driving 120km in a Kancil made the front portion and dash board shake, rattle and roll. After driving like Evel Knievel for almost an hour, I reached my first destination- - Madai Falls. Nothing can prepare you for the waterfall's aura because the moment I laid my eyes on the waterfall, I was enchanted. With the height of a 5 storey building and green moss growing behind it, you can't help but fall in love with this easily accessible waterfall.
Later on, I drove to nearby Madai Caves. My main aim to Madai Caves was to take a picture of my biblical shaft. Unfortunately, I came at the wrong time but nevertheless, I enjoyed the enormous
archeological cave.
After Madai Caves, I drove for another hour and reached Tawau Hills Park. Unfortunately, the Tawau Hills fall was fenced up. Too many people were killed there because beside the fall is a tall cliff and they use the cliff for their jumping stunts. If I make my way back there one day, I will definately trespass and swim in the pool.
The Bukit Gelas Waterfall was a 4km hike deep into the forest reserve. I enjoyed the hike because throughout the trail, a beautiful and wide brook was always present . Finally, after 40 minutes, I reached the Bukit Gelas Falls, also another awesome waterfall inside the well maintained Tawau Hills Park.
By the time, I left the park for my glorious seafood in Tawau, it had gotten dark. I ordered fried soft shell crabs,salad prawns and scallops with the bill coming up to only RM50.00. With my final break neck speed driving, I arrived at the airport just in time for my 9pm flight.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Trekking With Sarawak's Adventurer, Michael Lo
Last weekend, I took a flight to Sarawak on a Saturday morning from KL and return the next day at night.
In 36 hours, I experienced
Limestone Trekking
Mighty Jangkar Falls
and it was bloody worth it. I thought I'd be roaming aimlessly on the streets of Kuching but a couple of days before, I made contact with Sarawak's version of myself. Michael Lo is truly Sarawak's adventurer and a foremost expert on flora and fauna. His
Michael Lo's Blog and Michael Lo's Photos will verify his reputation. Even my Godfather of Waterfalls Jan's Blog & pics has visited Micheal Lo. Michael Lo is different from the people I've trekked with because Mike Lo knows the surrounding flora and fauna's scientific name.That is what was impressive about Mike. While trekking, he would stop and say "Teoh, look at this erochilus caladenia. it's rare and can only be found in this region" or "Teoh, look at this scaphiostreptus parilis, a milipede that only curls itself into a round shell if disturbed"
Flora By the 4th identification, I took off my National Geographic cap and put it in my knapsack.
Anyway, he picked me up from the airport and straight away, We went to a limestone hill nearby the Padawan region and explored a section of the hill which Mike has not been to. Here are some pictures courtesy of Michael Lo :
Roots are good for balancing
I love the limestone shapes
The view from the middle of the limestone hill
Our destination
The next day, Mike picked me up at 6am to visit Jangkar Falls. I've only seen pictures of Jangkar Falls and it looked mighty powerful. We drove for about two hours to the Indonesian border and arrived at a river. From there, we river trekked (my fav)
River trekking and it was just pure joy to be in a Sarawakian virgin jungle. Nothing gets more virgin than a Sarawakian jungle unless the competition is a Japanese porn star.
In the distant horizon, I saw a white line high up on the mountain. Squinting my eyes for a clearer look, it was without a doubt the Jangkar Falls. I quicky took out my Moleskine notebook and jotted down information and drew a sketch of Jangkar.
Jotting down thoughts in my Moleskine
I tried to follow the footsteps of Charles Darwin on his Galapagos trip or Sir Walter Raleigh but then I realized I had an invention called a camera - a digital one nonetheless. However, it was still good to be bringing along a Moleskin notebook you know , just for the heck of it.
I was beginning to feel excited and went ahead of my host eventhough I didn't know the way. Sorry Mike if I was too eager. You understand my enthusiasm right? A few clambering and mounting later, I stood in front of Jangkar Falls! MAGNIFICENT!
Powerful
From the side
Video Of Jangkar Falls
Check out the rainbow
I was still far away from the fall and yet, I could feel the water spraying all over my face. That's how powerful this waterfall is.
We spent at least an hour mucking around the base of Jangkar Falls and yes, the water was extremely cold. On Mike's cue, we decided to trek higher which is the top of Jangkar Falls and an astonishing view was waiting for us. Mike has seen this view countless times but for me, it was just superb. The second Jangkar Fall laid in
front of my eyes :
Second Jangkar Fall
and a 180 degree turn, the view was :
Crazy view
Moleskine lagi
Infinity Pool
Apparently, there are 5 more huge waterfalls that laid in front of us. I persuaded Mike to name one of the waterfall - Michael Lo Falls but he's not that type. Sadly, I am one and I am still searching for a Teoh Yew Aun Falls and I reckon it should be this year.
We've been here for almost 5 hours and enjoying myself so much so that Mike had to remind me of my flight back to KL in 3 hours time. Reluctantly, I left Jangkar falls and headed back to Kuching.
What can I say?
1)Air Asia tickets = RM60.00
2)Tune Hotel = RM50.00
3)Petrol = RM20.00
4)Trekking With Sarawak's
Adventurer, Micheal Lo &
Jangkar Falls = Priceless
I will return again to Sarawak to carry on my journeys with MIchael Lo because it truly is an honour and privilege to team up with this outstanding man.
In 36 hours, I experienced
and it was bloody worth it. I thought I'd be roaming aimlessly on the streets of Kuching but a couple of days before, I made contact with Sarawak's version of myself. Michael Lo is truly Sarawak's adventurer and a foremost expert on flora and fauna. His
Michael Lo's Blog and Michael Lo's Photos will verify his reputation. Even my Godfather of Waterfalls Jan's Blog & pics has visited Micheal Lo. Michael Lo is different from the people I've trekked with because Mike Lo knows the surrounding flora and fauna's scientific name.That is what was impressive about Mike. While trekking, he would stop and say "Teoh, look at this erochilus caladenia. it's rare and can only be found in this region" or "Teoh, look at this scaphiostreptus parilis, a milipede that only curls itself into a round shell if disturbed"
Anyway, he picked me up from the airport and straight away, We went to a limestone hill nearby the Padawan region and explored a section of the hill which Mike has not been to. Here are some pictures courtesy of Michael Lo :
The next day, Mike picked me up at 6am to visit Jangkar Falls. I've only seen pictures of Jangkar Falls and it looked mighty powerful. We drove for about two hours to the Indonesian border and arrived at a river. From there, we river trekked (my fav)
In the distant horizon, I saw a white line high up on the mountain. Squinting my eyes for a clearer look, it was without a doubt the Jangkar Falls. I quicky took out my Moleskine notebook and jotted down information and drew a sketch of Jangkar.
I tried to follow the footsteps of Charles Darwin on his Galapagos trip or Sir Walter Raleigh but then I realized I had an invention called a camera - a digital one nonetheless. However, it was still good to be bringing along a Moleskin notebook you know , just for the heck of it.
I was beginning to feel excited and went ahead of my host eventhough I didn't know the way. Sorry Mike if I was too eager. You understand my enthusiasm right? A few clambering and mounting later, I stood in front of Jangkar Falls! MAGNIFICENT!
I was still far away from the fall and yet, I could feel the water spraying all over my face. That's how powerful this waterfall is.
We spent at least an hour mucking around the base of Jangkar Falls and yes, the water was extremely cold. On Mike's cue, we decided to trek higher which is the top of Jangkar Falls and an astonishing view was waiting for us. Mike has seen this view countless times but for me, it was just superb. The second Jangkar Fall laid in
front of my eyes :
and a 180 degree turn, the view was :
Apparently, there are 5 more huge waterfalls that laid in front of us. I persuaded Mike to name one of the waterfall - Michael Lo Falls but he's not that type. Sadly, I am one and I am still searching for a Teoh Yew Aun Falls and I reckon it should be this year.
We've been here for almost 5 hours and enjoying myself so much so that Mike had to remind me of my flight back to KL in 3 hours time. Reluctantly, I left Jangkar falls and headed back to Kuching.
What can I say?
1)Air Asia tickets = RM60.00
2)Tune Hotel = RM50.00
3)Petrol = RM20.00
4)Trekking With Sarawak's
Adventurer, Micheal Lo &
Jangkar Falls = Priceless
I will return again to Sarawak to carry on my journeys with MIchael Lo because it truly is an honour and privilege to team up with this outstanding man.
Monday, January 4, 2010
How I Spent The First Day Of 2010
Due to the monsoon season, I was kept indoors for most of the time. It is actually still monsoon season but staying indoors and watching reruns of Sex & The City was driving me bonkers. Bonkers or not, Sex & The City presents some amazing scripts don't you think?
I couldn't help but wonder if the monsoon season was still brewing at my destination. Taking a risky chance, I headed off on the eve of new year and camped overnight at the enormous and mysterious age old Temenggor Lake.
I arrived at the start of my trek and noticed that the roaring sound of the river was loud and deafening.
That meant monsoon season was still ongoing. Coupled with a heavy current, the menacing rocks did not help either. Anyway, I made my way through eventually
and finally arrived at a more serene and calmer surroundings. I guess that was nature's way of thwarting unwanted visitors.
After clearing the challenging obstacles, I reckon I stumbled onto an amazing discovery - a pool twice the size I found 2 months ago. The colour of the pool was completely jade green. Who can resist falling in love with this spot?
I went up to further explore upstream and since it was quite high in the mountains, cloud vapours forming around the mountains in the far end of the horizon was a sight to behold.
Now, a word from my sponsor. If you noticed, I did not bring any water container and the picture below shows that I am drinking straight from the stream via a portable filter called LifeStraw. Lifestraw, a Swiss product that can filter a minimum of 700 litres, providing safe drinking water.Seriously, this device provides me with a lot of flexibility when it comes to moving around.Lifestraw is constantly on my neck and you can't never go wrong with Swiss made products for example Nestle. These guys brought us Maggi for crying out loud. You can now obtain your Lifestraw products in Malaysia from Nadir of Outdoor Dynamics (www.outdoordynamics.com.my)
One last interesting bit from this adventure was coming across a section of the stream where it looked like a private shower room with two shower passages as seen in the video at the beginning of this blog. I love that it has like an opening path to the shower space with enclosing walls on either sides. Awesome isn't it? One thing though, you can't control the water volume and there is no such thing as a HOT shower here.
What a great way to spend the first day of 2010!