Kuala Lumpur - June 1998
Before continuing, let me just say that it was a fantastic trip! Many thanks to the cool participants who are willing to try out the exciting sport of rafting, and all the other fun stuff. Thanks so much for Yan-thiang who has graciously brought us around KL/PJ to give us a glimpse of how "happening" Malaysia can be.
Okay, let's start things off. We almost could not make it across the Causeway on time due to the huge number of people waiting at the JB checkpoint It is, after all, a 3-day week-end. What we did was that we asked Yan Thiang to quickly go the Larkin Bus-stand and ask the bus to wait for our arrival. That helped and we finally got to the bus.
Kuala Lumpur
Saturday night, we had a tour around PJ with Yan-thiang's help driving the van. Since we arrived at around 5:30pm, there wasn't much we can do until the night. By the way, we actually saw a part of the infamous "Anwar Ibrahim"-riots at Jalan Tuanku Addul Rahman while cruising in KL.
First stop was Sunway Pyramid, and then the Resort Hotel. In one word, the place is awesome with the Lion's head and the Pyramid structure. The Hotel is another wonder since it was built at the edge of a tin-mine. That means that street level is actually on the 13th Floor, with the pool at 1st Floor. Have to visit the place to really see the effect. Corporate price/night RM315...could be something to think about.
The program later that night was food at SS2, hawker style. Interesting finds were len-chee-kang (a hot/cold concoction of among other things, quail-eggs, white fungi, dried longan, lotus seed), luk-luk (similar to satay, but a lot more variety such as liver, shellfish, fishball, jellyfish), and lobak (assortment of meats, century egg and tofu, fried golden brown and sweet sauce). Being crazy, we finally got back to the hotel and to bed at around 3:00am. That means 4 hours before the run!
The run
Yes, the day of the rafting. Initially, everyone was really excited, making tons of noise at every little rapid we encounter. Wasn't until the 1st big rapid that we realize the strength of the rapids. A "small" waterfall of about 5 ft is able to throw off a full-grown man. Audrey actually got stuck in a whirlpool for close to 20 seconds before the guide plunge in to pull her out. Patrick was at his "crucified stance" while Susan and Lula (from another group) clung to the upright (yes, it is vertical!) raft. I was flung to one of the rocks, and got hold of Lula when she could not hold on any longer. Nigel was already swept downstream about 30ft away. And this is just one "small" waterfall.
At the Grade 5 fall, Patrick was thrown off the raft and if not for his helmet, would have had over 20 stitches on his head when he hit one of the huge rocks beside the fall. Needless to say, all of us were completely awed by the raging river rapids...one thing's for sure. The experience has taught us to never underestimate the power of nature.
Dinner and rest
Dinner was at "The Ship" for a steak dinner, escargots, soup, and a bottle of wine which came up to slightly less than S$20 per person. Cheap, eh? After dinner it was off to Bangsar, the most happening place in town. Just imagine Holland V in S'pore and multiply it by 2 times the size. Now that's Bangsar for you. Coffee was at KLBC (Kuala Lumpur's Best Coffee)...pretty good, really. Then it's off to Modesto's in KL for some dancing. After dancing it's back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest.
Same place, next year?
Did we enjoy ourselves? I think we did. But to God be the glory for the safety of everyone in the trip. Some of us got sunburnt, some rashes, some bruises and cuts. Overall, this will probably remain as one of the highlights of 1998 for all of us.
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