Monday, June 29, 2009

Chiling Falls

Hey People,

I just thought I'd share a bit on Chiling Falls. Seems like nobody's posting anything about actually going anywhere, so I guess this is a start; although I have not been there recently. This is from previous visits of mine to Chiling Falls. I have been there once to camp and once just to hike to the waterfall, which in my opinion is by far the best waterfall in Malaysia.

Chiling Falls is located on the way up to Fraser's Hill. To get there, get on the North South Highway and head to Kuala Kubu Baru. Kuala Kubu Baru is the town at the foothill of Fraser's hill. There are a couple of shops there. In case you forgot something you can always get it before you head up towards Fraser's hill. There's a coffee shop there which sells 'leong char' (herbal tea) in Brandy bottles.


On the way up, you will pass a damn on your left. The scenery is pretty good for a couple of photos.



After the damn, make sure you watch out for the arc to Sungai Chiling on the right. It's not that hard to miss. There's some space to park on the left side of the road.


Past the arc there's a trail leading in to the campsite. The campsite is is pretty well maintained. There's also a caretaker so it's not too dangerous. During the night, we were told that they change shifts and the night caretaker is some orang asli dude; we never did see him though. The campsite is just beside the river but no worries if it rains as it is slightly higher.




The rapids beside the campsite is a pretty good place to just soak in. However, the beatiful Chiling Falls requires about a half an hour hike to ge there. There's a map at the campsite on how to get to the waterfall. According to the map you have to cross the river a few times. When I was there my friends and I kinda took the wrong trail but eventually you'll reach the waterfall; just that its a longer hike.

Chilling Falls actually consists of three magnificent falls. The first fall has a nice pool to swim in. From the first fall you can't really see the second and third fall. But there's a trail on the right that leads uphill which leads you to a nice platform where you can view the second and third fall. I was told that you can actually hike to the top of the third fall but it is pretty dangerous. The second fall has a pool at the bottom as well but it's impossible swim in. Sadly, I have no pictures of the third fall.

The first fall

The top of the first fall, the portion on top is the second fall.



The second fall

If you plan to go there, do go early as you have to start hiking out at 5pm for safety reasons. Also, go during the dry season as if it's raining the caretaker won't let you hike in to the waterfall.

For more details click here.

-nick-

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Simple Thai words or Phrases

Hi Everyone once again,

Simple words or terms I learnt while in Thailand. Yes I've been there 3 times alone this year. Twice to Krabi (February and May) and Bangkok, just last week. Good for going around. Though more and more Thais in touristy areas can understand simple English. Some of them smile or looked impress when u can use a few words of Thai in your conversation





Sawadeeka (kap) - Hello. Its a general greeting, can be used during anytime of day. I dont think there is a term for good morning, afternoon and etc (please do correct me if I'm wrong). The words in Brackets shows the pronunciation for females.

Kun Thai - Thai national / citizen

Farang - Foreigner / Toursists

Tau Rai? - How much?

Mai Dai - Cannot (Me and my sis will have a good time laughing over this phrase)

Kiep Tan - Calling for the Bill

Kap Khun Ka (Krap) - Thank You

Moo - Pork (I know... weird isn't it? SO beef is Oink? LOL! I dont know what beef in Thai is though)

Goong - Prawn. I.e. Tom Yam goong

Kai - Chicken

Talay - Seafood. E.g. Pad Thai Talay

Pad Thai - Fried Flat Noodles Thai Style

Khao - Rice

Tom Yum Soup - Duh.... This also need to ask?

Tub Tip Krop - Red Rubies dessert

Soi - Little streets or Lorong

Suvarnabhumi Airport is Pronounced as Soo Wanna Poom

BTS - the Monorail train system that run above ground in Bangkok

MRT - The Subway system in bangkok

Khlongs - Rivers (Bangkok is built around the famous Chao Phraya River)

Wat - Temple. E.g. Wat Arun, Wat Pho

Rak - Love

Sabye - Good.

Sabye Sabye - very good or best

Tuk Tuk - Dangerous flimsy looking bikes that has been modified to pick up passengers. Found almost everywhere in Thailand. Does not have a meter.

Thats all I can think of at the moment. Please do not hesitate to add in more if you know more.
Will probably update this as i think of them.




http://boodys.blogspot.com/


Boodyboy, out!!!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Post Holiday Disease / Depression (PHD)

Alright, let mekick things off over here.

Its been awfully silent in this blog and it would be such a shame if this great idea didnt work out.

Instead of blogging about my most recent holiday (Krabi over a month ago, which i still have not gone about to finish it in my own blog), I'll be talking about Post Holiday Disease / Depression (PHD). THis is of course, not something that is medically certified. its just some random thing I came up with as I have encountered cases of PHD during my previous few holidays.

********************************

How does one contract this PHD?

First of all,it has to be known that this disease will hit any unsuspecting touristor holidaymaker who is enjoying their holiday to the max. Usually,you won't know that you've been infected until its too late.You know why? Cause you are too busy enjoying your holiday. Then suddenly, one fine day, you realise your perfectly enjoyable holiday is coming to an end. That's when you are most susceptible tothe PHD.


Is it contagious?

Well, there has been conflicting reports on the very existence of this disease. Some experts believe that it is a real virus that spreads around while some say its a form of mental illness. If it is a virus, then thereis ahigh likelihood that it is contagious especially if everyone in that group is enjoying themselves. It might not pass on to a person in that group who thinks thats its the suckiest/worst holiday he/she ever went on.

However, if it is a mental disease, some experts are wondering how this mental disease can sometimes spread among a groups of tourists. Could it be the same as the case of a yawn being infectious?


What are the symtoms of the PHD?

First of all, just before the holiday/vacation ends, one will feel like their holiday is too short. They start wishing it was longer, or that they could move and live there forever. They will say how much they love the place and come back again in the future.

Secondly, as the day of departure gets closer, they will start thinking about what they have done throughout the vacation and wished they could have done somethings differently. Maybe they missed a few places or went a few boring places which they didnt enjoy themselves. The words," I should have....." or "if only..." will invariably crop up.

Third, some people,on the day of departure will really start to miss the placeso much that it affects their emotions.They become emotional. Some may start crying, thinking about the wonderfultimethey had here. They REALLY wish they could stay there longer, and if possible, forever.

Lastly, when they get back home. They feel really exhausted.Then they start complaining about how bad their own state/country is compared to the place they havejust visited. The local weather or traffic or air quality gets to them. They say they really wished they were back in the place where they had just come back from.

Some may start feeling nauseous. Some may get headaches, flu. Some would have a very sore body from the rigorous enjoyment they had earlier. The next day, they fall sick, they take medical leave. It just makes them miserable to think that they have to go back to work again after coming back from paradise.


Is there a cure for PHD?

Well, there isn't any really tried and proven cure for this. It will go away once the person feels like he's ready to startthe daily grind again. When he resolves that he needs to get his a$$ off the bed and work to save money for another kick @$$ vacation, from which, hemight contract PHD again.

**********************

Well, thats all for today folks!
Please note that the above "article" is not written by a real doctor. its just a fictional disease I came up after seeing some friends fall sick after a great holiday. Well, actually, I'm one of them too. Guilty of catching the PHD a couple of times already.

Boodyboy, out!!!

http://boodys.blogspot.com