So this time by hook or by crook I have to go..

Even it’s raining. lol

Gunung Gading is at Lundu and it’s around 1 hour drive from Kuching..

Depends on traffic and ur driving speed..

As expected, u have to go through a series of jungle-like road before u can actually reach there!

Last time I “tried” to go there by following Google’s map..but..

In the end the stupid Google’s map was outdated and it led me to FERRY!

I was like “What the hell, nowadays where got ferry somemore?!”

So I knew I went into the wrong route and turned back.. haha

So this time no Google map, no GPS.. I asked my classmate who lives in Bau..

Bau is near to Lundu.. Ok, at least nearer to Kuching.. lol

So I managed to reach Lundu safely..

It’s just pity that it’s raining that time..

So in the end I did not get down..Just stayed inside the car.

Borneo’s icon bird!

As usual, first thing is to see the park information..

Holy RM10 entrance fees! Luckily Rm5 for student.. So have to go la when u’re student.. hehe

But I did not get down from my car so I did not pay.. haha

Mental injury.. Don’t got scared by the monkeys ok!

Saw quite a number of cars there.. overnight there..

I asked one of the man in-charge..

“Bila ada bunga ya?”

“Sekarang tiada la..”

“So bila estimated ada ya?”

Two shocking words “Next year”

Then we decided to go turn around Lundu town..

Saw Loji Perawatan Air.. lol

Next to Gunung Gading..

And saw Lundu town hall..

Stopped by Petronas to….

Not pump petrol..

Not buy drinks..

What else?

Tumpang their toilet..

And saw this boat..

The water from Thailand.. No la, Jk jk

Suprisingly saw this Chinese Temple..

I thought Lundu is bumiputra town area.. weird

Before going back.. last peep at Gunung Gading..

I will come back again one day to conquer u!

It’s still raining when we drove back..

*Photos taken with iPhone 3G, edited with iPad 2 Adobe Photoshop Express*

It is a place for family with kids to play around or place for people to jog..

This time I did not go alone with Jun Ing only..

With her sister as well!

They dare not cross this bridge at the first place.. lol

But I wanted to!

It was a sunny day and just took me half an hour to 45 minutes to “tour” this park..

Climb up their hill to see Sibu scenery..

I also saw a group of Ibans having BBQ early in the morning =.=|||

The door of miracle.. lol

We also found our fun in the park! Long time did not play swing already.. lol

And I bought a RM1 fish food to feed the fishes there..

Lots of fishes.. but no BIG fish.. sienz..

It seemed like no ppl feed them for quite some time.. lol

All rushed to us for the food!

Anyway, this is one of the place in Sibu that u can visit just in case u ask

“Eh, Sibu got place to visit ma?”

Touched down at the Kuching International Airport at around 2.00 pm. LWJ and JI were there to fetch us to Tune Hotel Kuching.

This was the 4^th time we visited Kuching. The first two times we stayed at Harbour View Hotel and the third time we stayed at Telang Usang Hotel Kuching. Actually I had no complain about these two hotels as they were clean, comfortable and convenient too. However this time I got an email from Tune Hotel offering 50% discount on room rate.(RM 35.00 per night without add-on)  Actually I was hesitating whether to stay in this budget hotel as my previous experience in Tune Hotel LCCT was not pleasant as the hotel’s windows are facing the corridor, so there is no privacy at all. And the hotel room is so small that you could hardly move around. May be the hotel was designed in such a way that the guest has no choice but to opt for air conditioning as you can’t open the windows! Anyway I told myself that Tune Hotel Kuching may not be the same and the offer was too good to resist. So we decided to give it a try. We were in for a pleasant surprise after checking in. The room was clean and the window was facing outside. The locality was superb as it was walking distance to the waterfront and also shopping centre. The receptionist was very polite and helpful.

Public bus to Bako

We were told by the reception that the public bus to Bako National Park starts at 7.00 am and will depart in every one hour interval. We could wait at the bus stop at the waterfront which is just about 100m from our hotel. So we arrived at the bus stop at around 7.15 am. Well, breakfast first and then catch the 8.00 am bus. That should be ideal. Just as we were leaving the bus stop looking for breakfast, the bus suddenly appeared. We got no choice but to hop into the bus and found out that this bus was actually the first trip. Never mind, breakfast would come later at Bako village as I told mummy. Majority of the passengers were angmoh and some local Sarawakians. Actually this bus also stops if there is any passenger boarding or alighting on the way to Bako Village.  And interestingly, the bus even stopped at the middle of roundabout! The bus ride was comfortable except the chairs were a bit too small, only suitable for primary students! The bus fare to Bako Village costs RM 3.50. The trip took about 45 minutes. The bus plies between Kuching and Bako Village from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm. Be prepared for long waiting as the bus is not punctual!

So we had out simple breakfast at the cafeteria at the jetty.

The entrance fee to Bako National Park is RM 10.00 per pax and RM 5.00 for children and students. Together with a retired Chinese couple and 3 Malay students from Universiti Malaya, we hired a boat to go to the National Park. Actually the boat trip costs RM 47.00 per boat for 5 people. Since there were 7 of us, the boatman asked for RM 9.00 per person. We didn’t bargain with him and off we went! The jetty was situated at the mouth of the Bako River.

Ha, don't play-play! Crocodiles are commonly sighted in this river!

So the boat took us out to the South China Sea heading for the National Park which took about 45 minutes. On the way we saw kelongs (wooden structure built in the open sea to catch fish) and also beautiful rocky cliffs on the coastal line. According to our boatman Mr Eddy, this was the peak season for travellers to visit the national park. No wonder there were so many angmohs. The best time to visit this national park is from July to September.

Our boatman Mr Eddy

The first ‘wild’ animal to greet us upon arrival at the national park was a ‘wild’ boar. This wild boar looked quite old. Look at the beard on its face!

We had to choose our trail before registering with the department. I told myself I would choose the furthest trail as it would be more challenging!

Yes this one, 5.75 km and 7 hours per way.

Oops! Wait, To and fro will be 14 hours! Are you sure you can make it in terms of time and stamina? I asked myself. After consulting with the other members of the trip, we settled for this Teluk Paku trail, which was 0.8 km and 1 hour per way.

On the way, we managed to see some proboscis monkeys;

Of course I didn’t snap this photo lah. I got from internet!

Yes! This was the one I took. Alas I could only snap the backside,  not the face!

We also saw a viper snake and lots of hermit crabs.

Hermit crabs are soft crustaceans which hide themselves behind the seashells to protect themselves from predators.

The trail was not very tough though some part were quite steep.

Finally we reached our destination, Teluk Paku after slightly more than an hour ‘gruelling’ jungle trekking.

On the way back, we also saw a wild lingzhe, a type of fungus which the Chinese believe to have medicinal properties. But not sure this one was edible or not.

By the time we returned to the head-quarter, everyone was so tired and our shirts were soaked with sweat. It was lunch hour. There’s a cafeteria at the park. It’s self-service. It was not very expensive, but the taste was so-so only.

This one costs RM 4.00

This one costs RM 11.00

After lunch, it was time to go back.  Alas it was low tide. The boat could not anchor at the jetty. If we wanted to go back at this time, then we had to go out from the beach and wade through the water or else we had to wait until the tide rises which would take another 3 or 4 hours waiting. So we decided to wade through the water to reach the boat.

Well, the most famous rock was at Teluk Pandan Kecil which we didn’t go as it was 1 ½ hour per way. Actually LWJ and JI went there before. So I suggested we took a boat there to see the famous rock. Mr Eddy agreed to take us there for an extra RM 6.00 per pax on the way back. Everybody agreed.

Look at the magnificent rock! Look like the one at Krabi, Thailand and also at Halong Bay, North Vietnam. This is the icon of Bako National Park.

On the way back, it started to rain. The boat did not have a well-covered roof. Anyway, these umbrellas just came handy.

We waited for about 45 minutes before the bus arrived. On the way back, everybody was so tired that most of us dozed off all the way back to Kuching.

A group photo before we parted

As usual, I asked LWJ to take us to Topspot for dinner. This is my favourite place to dine. This place is famous for seafood and has become a tourist spot. It’s a food court situated at the roof-top of a multilevel car park.  The seafood is fresh and the price is cheaper than Johor Bahru comparatively.

We ordered lobster cooked in Thai style, mussels, midin(a local Sarawakian vegetable) and sweet and sour grouper for four.

Lobster

mussel

midin

Grouper

The bill came to RM 108.00. For those we wish to visit Kuching, I would strongly  recommend to try this place! And of course if you have the time, make a trip to Bako National Park; you will not regret it!

They wanna see firefly but I actually sat inside it?! Opps~

It’s a 50 minutes drive from my house to the jetty and after taking dinner at opposite the jetty (I suspect they are from the same boss!), we dashed to the  cruise operator’s office at the jetty! Why?

Coz the kiasu Singaporean went there so early made us gam chiong only.. lol

All BLACK! No lights, no flash when photography etc..

Yes, can u see what I saw? Lots of tiny tiny lights in the sea of black.. lol

FYI, the river cruise takes about 45 minutes and costs RM15 per pax. There’s a seafood restaurant opposite the jetty.

Interested party may contact Michelle (016-7347250) from  Kota Tinggi Firefly Park.

Actually Jun Ing planned to bring me there before I left Sibu..

So this was a win-win situation!

The entrance fees was Rm2 if not mistaken..

It was a rundown place I would say.. Maybe of the expensive entrance fees..

There used to be a very popular place for the youngster to hang around..

But now it  has lost the spirit liao.. >.<

Dirty water..

And even “carpet” on the floor!

I think this road has not been stepped on ages by human beings.. lol

It was just a very short trip coz inside nothing much to see..

Then on the way back, Grace  had a crave to eat Durian!!

Curious to know who is Grace? The black T-shirt hot girl

Anyway, these are our group members.. with 1 Japanese student, Ken Ji as well

Yeah, taking photos with the durian.. lol

The durian seller and our group leader Mr Aris!

I did not try the durian coz too “heaty”~

So I shot with my iPhone 3G

This was a hospital loong looong time ago and was closed down  in year 2008..It was then turned into a memorial muzeum.

This was the main hospital in the past and now has been replaced by Sibu Hospital..

Dr Tan Poh Tin.. sounds familiar huh?

In the past, they also provided surgical services..

That guy in the above pic was our community posting leader, Mr Aris! haha

Hey! Our Dean! So young! haha

And our YB Dr Annuar! lol that time only MO

Their O&G equipments..

And the surgical instruments..

Dr Chew! Sarawak’s chief physician!

The sexy nurses. XD

It’s good to visit this museum and know about the history of medicine in Sibu

Prepared a few things and set off to Bako with the help of Papago GPS.. Luckily routed to the correct place..

It took me around 30 minutes to reach the jetty..

Before reaching the car park, u will pass by a few kampung houses and there will be signboard stating Bako National Park 50m ahead.. so not to worry too much

Ohhh… so Bako was launched by YB Dato Wong Soon Koh

The most informative board in the registration office..

It showed the map, boat fees, entrance fees, chalet pictures & info, places to visit etc..

The boat fees..

It’s standardized price.. I do not know if there is any underground boat service.. lol

The photos of the chalet and entrance fees..

Entrance Fee: RM10 for adult, Rm5 for student & children.. Damn, i forgot to bring my student card but Jun Ing did.. So RM15 for entrance fees..

Below picture shows the trails in Bako National Park.. i planned to take the Telok Pandan Kecil to see Sea Stack.. What’s that? Stay tuned

Colour coding is very important!

Opps.. Rough water condition for us..

So the view at Kampung Bako.. Actually opposite of this jetty is Kampung Bako where almost all the boatman lives.. (He told me this lol)

Jun Ing is standing right in front of it.. And u can see our boat as well..

Another view of the Kampung Bako.. the other side.. Dark side.. lol no la..

Without me version

And another view of Kampung Bako as well…

So Jun Ing was getting ready to get into the boat while the boatman was tidying the seat for us..

While waiting for boatman..

Preparing the engine and roaring off!

Here we go!

The boat to Bako main entrance will cost RM47 (one-way) for a boat with max 4 people a boat during monsoon season and 5 people during non-monsoon season..

Whatever it is, we only have 2 here.. So i paid RM94 for the boat service by Teruna, boat no 21 (014-9998712) lol

So here is our handsome Teruna!

I actually advertising for him… but i like his service.. He was also our tour guide during the boat ride, explaining all the places u can see around and also answering all the questions u asked.. patience and considerate..

He will automatically slow down the boat whenever he saw u take out the camera.. lol Nice one! The best part is he speaks English!

So it’s a 30% river ride & 70% South China Sea ride.. So it will be affected by the monsoon season.. We were lucky enough to try the rough ride.. lol

We’re still in the 30% route.. lol.. but getting out soon..

The wave is quite big until he has to stop the boat down and let the wave to take on our boat naturally.. But pity i cant take the picture..

Ah ha, u can see Gunung Santubong in front..

The mangrove swamp..

Gunung Santubong!! And u can see a mini Kelong where they catch fish..

And the wave on the way to Bako main entrance!

Getting near to it.. u can see rocks, jungle..

Different different pattern of rocks.. Got COBRA shape somemore.. later i show u

Ah, glaring.. Cant see this place clearly? No worries, when low tide, i’ll walk till here and take a closer picture of it (And i really did lol)

Oh, means we have reached the main entrance

Whole journey took around 30 minutes including a few stops due to photography, wave & Q&A with the boatman.. lol

Part 2 coming soon..

I could barely walk steadily..

Albeit my legs hurt like hell, i still wanna go visit a place.. So it was Fort Margherita’s turn..

It’s so near yet i did not know there is such a place until 1 week ago.. lol

We have to take a boat across the river to reach there or alternatively u can drive there.. But i prefer the boat coz it’s something different..

“Pak cik, ada pergi Fort Margherita ke?”

“Ya, sini pergi”

“Berapa ya pak cik?”

“5″

“5 ringgit??????”

“Eh, 50 cents la!”

“Ok!”

Luckily.. i thought he wanna chop my head..

Saw that road behind Jun ing? That’s the road to Fort but we did not know and we took a big round.. haha

This sign board is only visible after u walk for 2 minutes..

Lol, it should be visible when after u came out from the boat..

We still have to walk for a distance we could reach there..

So we were extremely SLOW!

But i still managed to jump

On the way to Fort, we saw nothing but this.. So we took quite a few photos with this building..

But until now we still dunno what’s that building

Finally we reached there..

Ish, 背光！

Yes, this is it!

1880.. TAG Heuer is older than u.. haha..

No need entrance fees!!! Yeah!

I took this picture also for the sake of u guys

but i dont really understand what it meant by

“Open daily except 1st day of Public Holiday”

Anyone?

Opps, u cant read the words..

Read this then..

But no bags are allowed.. So u have to put into a locker but it’s free also..

We have to climb up this stairs for 3 floors to reach the top.

1st floor..

2nd floor.. lol 2 floors of empty room

So now i know i have height phobia.. Jun Ing also..

Again, we went up the stairs extremely slow also due to out pain & phobia..

Combo!

After reaching the top, neng ka already

Hooo.. Hilton Hotel..

The place where they fight the enemies..

The inscriptions of the original tombstone.

It’s pity that they locked this tower.. or else i wanna go up also..

1 line only my eye

Forced to smile..

2 mini jail..

She said she cant see anything..

But i saw Paris Hilton changing in the Hilton Hotel! Woot!

The place that we went up just now..

They purposely put this inside a room with a skeleton picture outside..

Ish, i forgot to take that picture..

I think they purposely put this to scare ppl off.. haha

Luckily we are medical students and we are used to it

Until now i still dunno how this works man!

I thought it is a see-saw.. haha

So many of them..

Not the real tombstone la..

The inscriptions only..

The whole fort..

Side view..

Actually we met a group of indians..

They were ahead of us..

Then when they saw this road, they were afraid.. lol

They turned back and told us it’s closed.. WTF?

I don’t believe them & went to ask a villager there..

He told me just go in coz it’s still far inside from here..

Lol, the indians just went back like this.. so scared for wat? Aduh!

The village around the fort..

It’s time to go back..

The jetty..

Inside the sampan..

Bye bye Fort Margherita!

Dont smile so happy hor..

Jun Ing was so scared at first to sit the sampan..

So she asked me to sit beside her..

When i got up and went to her side, suddenly the sampan nearly terbalik.. lol

The passengers inside quickly said “Eh, duduk sanalah..”

Haha.. Sorry, my bad

Yes, finally!!

I have been in Kuching for 4 years but i have never taken a picture with the cats here..

So today is my day!

Admission fees: Rm10 for adult, Rm5 for students

That is the mountain that we wanna go..

Actually i wanted to go to the waterfall at first.. but…

The first thing everyone will read when they reach there..

And also to take photo.. lol

The second thing everyone will read also.. the trails available in the park.

So after looking at this board, i decided to go for the summit trail..

The board showed 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach summit while 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach waterfall..

So that’s why i decided to go for the summit trail.. waterfall? I did not bring any clothes and i do not intend to get myself wet..

So this was my destination.. 2600 feet..

Start walking.. luckily it’s cement road..

Wah, still long way to go..

Finally, our 1st 400 feet.. lol

Half dead already..

Lol, finally reach 900 feet.. wah so long way to go!

Halfway we saw Natural Frog Pond.. We decided to take a look how natural it is..

Not a single frog.. lol.. they have migrated to another natural pond

Halfway saw the Rayu trail.. will need another 3 hours from here to reach the end.. lol

FYI, i have already spent around 45 minutes to reach here.. haha

Waterfall trail!! Need another 1 hour from here also before u can see the waterfall.. But i think u only need around 30-40 minutes to hear it.. lol

The floras..

I also dunno what to show in this pic..

Wah finally.. at 1400 ft.. 10 mintes to reach 1600????

I took 30 minutes.. lol.. So steep leh u know..

U jog then can 10 minutes la.. walaoeh

See, half dead already..

Still struggling..

Finally reach the 1600 ft rest station..

Again, 5 minutes???

I took around 10.. lol

zzzz… No one is climbing the mountain except 2 of us..

Sitting on middle of the road to rest..

Nice weather!

I took extra 1 minute to rest.. lol

zzzz… this type of info board is my motivation to reach 2600 ft.. haha

So i took picture for all of them!

Ferns..

Lai liao lai liao.. Go go go!!

WTF?

Michael Jackson’s 45 degree 60 degree.. lol

“Neh, that one la!”

“Wah! So high!”

Nice nice weather

The final 100 feet!!!!!

Saw this “natural mineral water” but did not dare to try.. hehe

Aduh! Another 75m!

Saw this interesting thins..

Oh, they have mini cable car.. Don believe?

Nah, believe it now? but not for human being.. hehe.. but…

Stopped operating already..

Really or not? go down and collect?

It took me 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the viewing point..

And to take the next following photos and went down again.. lol

Here u go.. spend more time to see la.. at least i spent 2.5 hours leh..

Another one..

Gotcha!

Leng lui

Leng zai

First one to reach here on 12.11.2010 lol

Poke poke..

Kiap kiap..

So deep..

Yeah!

I can fly..

I think they were too busy picking up the rubbish down the valley and forgot those on the ground.. lol

This was the 7th car that passed by us during the mountain climbing..

Poor butterflies..

Last stop before we go.. Turtle pond!

Luckily there is 1 turtle there.. only 1..
Overall it was quite a tiring but interesting trip..

I actually dont believe that i can climb up that mountain.. lol

Hopefully Bako will be a nice place to visit or else i will not dare to go Kubah.. lol

Basically i think is jungle trekking.. Hope everything goes well tomorrow.. especially the weather!

If rain then all plans are gone.. stay at home to sleep.. lol

Bako National Park

Kubah National Park