Lata Kijang, Negeri Sembilan

THis is my post about Lata Kijang, which i just visited recently. Lata means waterfall.w

This Lata Kijang was just something crazy I decided to do. THinking about it now, it was a pretty risky and dumb thing to do. Driving a Perodua Myvi deep into Banjaran Titiwangsa (Main Range) to find a waterfall. THe trail is so bad that I recommend you use a 4WD to get to this fall the next time.

Some parts of the road were tarred, some cement, but more than half the way, the roads are all broken and some just a trail of pebbles and rocks. I pity my poor Myvi whow as forced to go along this ride. Her suspension must have hurt.

The journey started from the old road to Hulu Langat in Batu 9, Cheras. At the cross junction that goes to Ampang (to the left); Batu 18 Hulu Langat, Tekala, Gabai and Batangsi Falls (Straight); and to Semenyih (right), we turned right. Then drive straight and you will pass a winding road up the hills. YOu will also pass by some Orang Asli settlements along the way. After about 20 minutes, you will reach a T junction. To the right will be Semenyih town or Kajang, and the left is to Kuala Klawang and Batu 18 Hulu Langat. Turn left here. You will see los of monkey by the road side here and you will definitely not miss the Semenyih Dam on your right.

Semenyih Dam

After passing Semenyih dam, you will continue driving straight until you see a turning to the left, to Batu 18 Hulu Langat. Continue heading straight. More windign roads up and down the hill from here. I love driving these type of roads. Country road with little or no traffic.

Now all I need is an open top convertible (Peugeot 308 cabriolet, Audi TT insert your dream car here) and I'm set for the perfect weekend drive. Once you reach the top of the hill, theere will be a sign which serves as the border between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

ITs about 10-15 minutes drive from the border. And you will see a signboard saying Gunung Hantu Besar / Lata Kijang. Turn left and drive straight. once you drive past a river, get ready to turn left. From that turning, it is only about 20km to the waterfall.

But here is where the 4WD adventure begins, the road is in pretty bad condition. If you have any car that is pretty low or has skirting, avoid driving on ths trail. Or else you will cry. Just drive straight for about 30-45 minutes before you reach a FELCRA settlement, then continue straight. You will pass a few more settlements before reaching the waterfall. Just befre you reach the waterfall, you will pass by a camping site which is quite big. ANd the road jsut before the waterfall is in good condition. How does LAta Kijang look like? Here it is!! I've also put up a picture of it from ahelicopter point of view. Its right in the middle of nowhere.

ANy1 wants to visit this place and in need of a guide? Heheheh...

Boodyboy, out!!!

Tasik Bera

Gosh, the guilt is kicking in...what guilt you ask? Well, the guilt of starting this blog and not having the time to pen down a few words of my own. =P Well, finally MADE the time to sit my fat ass down to write some travel stories of my own. :)

Has anyone heard of Tasik Bera? I'm sure most of you will be going ... "Huh, tasik what?" TASIK BERA - well it's situated in Pahang. Just some geography class for some of you, there are two natrual lakes in Pahang; Tasik Bera being the larger of the two and is Malaysia's largest natural lake.

Honestly, I myself have not heard of this place until sometime last year when I attended a friend's wedding where a common friend was telling me about her trip to this lake. Sounded very interesting - PLUS the best part was it she said it only cost RM180 per person for 3day 2night: accomodation and food, plus some free activities such as kayaking, fishing, etc.

WOW, I thought! Thats amazing. So I got the guy's contact : Mr Aziz - 013 623 1199 and gave him a call a few days later to book a room for myself. :)

On the first day of our trip, we left in the morning after breakfast. I think the drive there took about 3 hours or so. I was feeling a lil sceptical about this place as it was so cheap. Perhaps it will be run down, I thought. Or the food might be crap. But when I reached Tasik Bera, to my surprise I was so wrong!



The room was clean with air-con, hot water and most importantly clean toilets. I was so pleased. We had lunch right after we set all our stuff down in the rooms. Lunch was white rice with one veg, one meat and omellete. Yum!

After lunch we walked around to check out the place. Tasik Bera Resort, the only accomodation available in Tasik Bera is pretty small, with probably around 10 rooms and one main dining area. We walked towards the lake (of course with my camera in hand) to find a wooden pier. We sat there enjoying the quietness and fresh air. Just want I need to calm my nerves - far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The second day, we got a free boat ride around the lake by Mr Aziz himself. He tells us about how big the lake it and how DEEP it is. The lake feels like a huge maze - one could easily get lost among the water plants, but I'm glad to know that Mr Aziz knows his way around.

Are there crocodiles around here? Sometimes he says. *cringe* He continues to tell us about the lake people and their ways, about the biggest fish they've caught and how he runs Tasik Bera Resort by mostly himself.

After the 1 hour ride, we thank him and enquire more about fishing. "Oh fishing...sure sure" He takes out two thin bamboo rods, tied with fishing line at one end...takes out his cangkul and starts 'cangkul-ing' the ground, looking for earthworms. He puts the earthworms into a paper cup and passes it to me. I look it. Eww, I thought. *giggle*

"You can take that white sampan down there and paddle yourselves out to the lake and start fishing" Mr Aziz told us. Well, looks and sounds easy enough, I thought. No prob!

I was so wrong. We took such a long time just trying to get into the sampan and to get the sampan out into the water without getting ourselves wet or falling into the water. Finally, we managed to get out into the water and started paddling to the other side of the lake. We found a place among the water plants with some shade to dock ourselves.

Excitedly, I took out my bamboo fishing rod...and now come the hard part (well, for me at least)...to hook the bait. I tried my hardest not to touch those icky earthworms and omgosh, it was sssoooo tough, but I finally managed to hook the bait on. I plunked the bait into the water and waited.

I waited and waited and waited....

Oh, I felt a tug! I quickly pulled my line and there is was - my first fish! :) I was so pleased although the fish was like about 4 inches long. Muahahah! But it was nonetheless, my first fish. And if you were wondering what I did with my fish - well, I let it go back in the water. Didn't want to kill the poor fish.

The sun was setting and it was time to head back to land. We paddled our tired selves back to the bank and headed back to get a shower and dinner after.

The next morning, we packed up and said our goodbyes and headed back to KL. I would say that it was quite an experience - my first time catching a fish (with a bamboo rod), paddling myself out the onto the lake in a tiny sampan, but most of all, it was a good retreat from the busy city. Should start planning another trip there in the next few months to come....

Ok, so till my next travel story....muaks!

Trez