4WD Expedition to Ulu Slim
At dawn, I was already on my way to meet the group at Restoran Tuuu … dia Pak Tam situated at Dataran Templar, Bandar Baru Selayang, Batu Caves, Selayang. My driver, Wan, was already waiting for us - me with my 2 young apprentice photographers, my son Aidil Fakhri Mokhtar and his friend, Firdaus. I hope my breakfast of Nasi Dagang, Daging Bakar and Salad with Hot Lemon Tea will last till lunchtime in the Ulu Slim Forest Reserve.
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| Duke Expressway |
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| Restaurant "Tuuu ... dia Pak Tam" |
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| My apprentice photographers - Firdaus & Aidil |
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| My breakfast |
At 8.30am, all the three 4WD left Selayang, took the North South Highway North bound and exit at Tanjung Malim toll (Exit 121). A quick pit-stop for toilet and cigarettes!! The next toilet stop will be 2 ½ hours away, at least for the ladies.
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| Away we go ... |
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| On the NSH to Ulu Slim | | | |
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| Banjaran Titiwangsa is the backbone of Peninsular Malaysia |
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| Banjaran Titiwangsa so close but yet so far |
Along the way, there was the desolate Kampung Ulu Slim Natural Hot Spring with temperatures reaching 104°C, apparently the hottest in Malaysia. One area of the hotspots is fenced up after a tragic death of a drunken Orang Asli.
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| Ulu Slim Natural Hot Spring |
As we proceeded to our destination, Camp Tenau, there were many deserted mining pools, rows and rows of bananas planted by the Temiar and Semai Orang Asli and cascading rapids with pristine water.
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| Cross path an Orang Asli with bunches of Petais |
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| Approaching a broken down truck |
Further into the interiors, Wan, my seasoned driver of 20 years experience, negotiated the ever changing road conditions - going uphill and sliding downhill in many instances - amidst big boulders jutting out from the deep muddy terrains and slopping hills. Its really brings out the best of man and machine in a test of skill whereas for me it’s one of the best ever 4WD holiday to remember!! I had tried 4WD expeditions – overnight Lata Kijang in Negeri Sembilan organized by Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan, overnight Miri - Mulu, Sarawak organized by Tourism Malaysia, day trip to Lata Berembun, Raub, Pahang and 2 Nights expedition from Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands via remote Kampung Medang, Pahang to Taman Negara Kuala Koh, Kelantan organized by Leisure & Incentive Tours Sdn Bhd.
This 4WD experience is not just about my body swaying this way (ouch!!) and that (ouch!!! ouch!!!) on the “simple ride” (according to Driver Wan!!!) along a village dirt road, it’s also about having all my bones rattled. This experience isonly for the adventurous at heart – Lucky-Me!!!
During the River crossing, one of the 4WD got stuck in the midst of the fast flowing and not too-deep river. “This is where you can learn various methods of getting a 4WD unstuck. It can be as simple as rocking back and forwards. You can winch yourself out if your truck has a winch or someone else can winch you out. Or a snatch strap which acts like a big rubber band. Hook it up between two vehicles. One drives off and boing out comes the stuck vehicle... Hopefully,” Driver Wan grinned as he explained some of the many ingenious ways employed. Well, what Driver Mat did was “rock” back and forth a few times and got stuck a few times whilst smoke came out underneath the tyres – with me worried that one of the Ulu Slim White Water Rafters came clashing onto the unfortunate 4WD – and boing the vehicle was unstuck.
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| In the midst of the River |
When I saw an abandoned Orang Asli hut, I knew we were approaching the Orang Asli Kampung Keding. In this village, I saw about 24 concrete houses built by the government, However, there were still new huts built from bamboos rattans, attaps, tree barks and hard wood. In fact, the back extensions were the old Orang Asli hut. They are still upholding and preserving their traditional way of life. I understood from Driver Wan, through the initiative of Department of Orang Asli Development “JAKOA - Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli”, they are now planting bananas, rearing goats and working at vehicle workshops. In fact, army personnel were seen building houses of recycled building materials.
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| Abandoned Orang Asli hut |
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| Concrete Orang Asli house built by JAKOA |
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| Army personnel building new houses at Kg Keding, Ulu Slim |
After a 15 minutes journey from Kampong Keding, we reached Camp Tenau which is maintained by the Orang Asli from Kampung Tenau. A group of Exxon Mobil staffs and Malaysian 4 Wheelers (M4W) led by Wan10 had already set their camp a night earlier. There was a separate camp area with 2-men and 4-men tents for the ladies. There were a few areas with four-legged and six-legged Camp Bed underneath Canopy (The right word is Fly Sheet!!) for both sexes (of course, separate sleeping area!!!). There was also an open tent complete with PA system and kitchen area. Hi-Back camping chairs, stools and a portable Changing-Room tent were also seen for the comfort for all campers. What missing were the hammocks? Well, the toilet and changing area was very basic built by the Orang Asli. Otherwise, the jungle and river is at your disposal!!! This is what “Back to Basics” is all about.
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| Campsite Tenau, Ulu Slim, Perak |
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| Comfortable camping beds and chairs |
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| Open air function area |
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| Picnic area |
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| Basic toilet facilities built by the Orang Asli |
The water was so-so-very-very cold and fast flowing with certain parts deep with strong under currents. Hence, I took my time to soak myself - feet first, then thighs and slowly the rest of my body. I had to watched my steps as there are many slippery and sharp stones in the river (at this time, the river water was a bit cloudy because it rained the night before). Maybe it was best to wear diving boots. Once my body is acclimatized to the coldness and currents, there are so many fun-filled activities to do and see such as taking photos, flipping hairs, challenging the river and casting fish net. Driver Man caught some fishes (I don't know the name of the fish as I am an avid traveller, not an angler) with a special net for fast flowing water.
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| The river flows through the dense rain forest |
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| Me and my son Aidil enjoying the cold water |
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| Aidil and Firdaus flicking their hairs |
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| June and friends challenging the fast flowing water |
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| Driver Man casting his special fish net |
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| Driver Man's catch of the day |
At about 4.00pm, we City Folks were ready to go back to civilization. After 30 minutes in the 4WD, all of us dozed off due to extreme exhaustion and oblivious to the now-familiar rock-and-roll of off-road adventure. Occasionally, my sleep was rudely interrupted by loud bangs against the window screens from behind by Mike and June and also by Lucky-Me. In my Dream World, it's bye-bye Campsite Tenau, Kampung Keding, Temair Orang Asli, Semai Orang Asli, Ulu Slim Hot Springs, bananas and petais.
At 6.00pm, Driver Wan conveniently made a toilet stop at the famous Restaurant Yik Mun. All of us had the steamed rice buns with various types of fillings – Curry Chicken, Curry Beef, Red Beans and Kaya, Roti Kahwin or toasted bread with Yik Mun’s Home Made Kaya with half boiled eggs and steamed coconut rice with normal condiments like sambal anchovies, boiled egg, cucumbers, peanuts and fried chicken.
I had the halal Curry Chicken bun with dense and not too oily curry fillings. It is simply delicious just as I remembered it during my father's must-stop on our journey back to our home town in Alor Setar, Kedah. The Roti Kahwin with the combination of Kaya and thick smell of butter on crunchy breads was heavenly yummy. During my next stop, I will try their equally famous Mee Hainan, Chicken Chop, Yong Tow Foo, Curry Chicken with toasted bread, Prawn Steak and Australian Roasted Short Ribs. (Wow, this is what I call diversion!!!) Maybe I don’t have to travel so far to Tanjung Malim - at No, 1, 3 and 5, Jalan Besar – and R & R Ulu Bernam PLUS Highway to KL, I can go to Hastamas Shopping Center or Fast Food Shop in Jaya Jusco KL.
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| Aidil and his "taupau" Red Beans pau |
On the way back home to Shah Alam, I am already thinking of my next 4WD Adventure, maybe this time overnight at Campsite Tenau.
For a Full Day 4WD Ulu Slim package is RM 1,050.00 per 4WD (with a maximum of 4 persons per vehicle) which includes picnic lunch with mineral water. Our 2D1N 4WD Ulu Slum package is RM 2,600.00 per 4WD (with a maximum of 4 persons per vehicle) which includes 1 breakfast, 2 lunch, 1 dinner, and accommodation in tents with own sleeping bags.
