Heng’s Gaming Blog

While doing a bit of research online for the upcoming Cameron trip, I found some interesting facts about jungle trekking in Cameron:

1. Apparently the ‘best’ trail in Cameron is the Gunung Irau trail. Highlights of the trail is the unique ‘mossy’ trail, so called because of the moss and lichen growing all over the track and trees.

2. Some people call the ‘mossy’ trail fantasy-like, Lord-of-the-Rings-like and fairy-tale like. Well, I’ve been to a trail in Camerons before where a small section of the trail was like that, and I tell you, it’s really beautiful, like being in Hobbiton in Lord of the Rings. For those poor unfortunate souls never got to experience the mossy forest, here are some fantastic pictures found on the net:

3. The Gunung Irau trail is extremely challenging, takes about 3-4 hours trek to reach the summit. From online descriptions of climbing over tree roots, climbing up 70 degrees slope(!) and that many people turned back before reaching the top means that this trail is NOT for the weak and faint hearted. However, from the descriptions, I can surmise that the Gunung Irau trail is half as difficult as Gunung Kinabalu, but twice as difficult as Gunung Datuk.

5. There are warnings by online bloggers of getting lost in the forest ‘loops’. I think it means that there are false trails that look like real trails but goes in a circle. This is quite dangerous for first timers if it is true.

6. There is another ‘mossy’ trail nearby called the Coral Hill, which takes only an hour to trek. This is more beginner friendly, but the directions found online to the trail is kinda vague. Not sure if I can find it at Cameron.

7. There are many many more trails in Cameron.

But given the choice, I’ll try for the Gunung Irau or the Coral Hill Trail. Mossy trails, here I come!

Gaming has been low for a while since Raya, but I aim to rectify that in the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, starting with The Intergalactic Space Mega Battle TM (Twilight Imperium III) this saturday, most likely at the Outpost @the Curve.

In the mean time, enjoy the following outdoor adventuring report!

Early morning: Wake up early to have Bah-kut-teh at the Emporium (which serves midnight-dawn BKT)

Mid morning: Speeding our way to destination Gunung Datuk, located between Rembau and Tampin. Reportedly the training ground for KK wannabe climbers. Passed by two separate accidents, an overturned truck and an overturned car. Nearly become an accident myself, damn stupid F1 driver wannabes.

Late morning: Reached Gunung Datuk after a slight detour (landslide on the road) Hiking up after registering with the rangers. We are late according to our schedule.

Early noon: A fellow climber becomes dizzy, fainted and vomited after 45 mins climbing. This mountain is no joke. The climber and a volunteer have to beat a hasty retreat. The rest soldier on. Large tree roots and vertical steps make the going interesting:

Noon: We reached the top! Spectacular view. You gotta see it for yourself… that is if you can make it! Can you make it? These guys can:

Another shot, this time all girls, on a different angle:

If they can make it, you can too! Enquire for details how to challenge yourself to a quarter of KK’s difficulty.

Just for everybody’s info, a soft toy pig named Bubbles made it to the top of KK and I have a picture to prove it. So challenge yourself, start climbing and don’t lose to the pig, oink, oink!

Calling all boardgame enthusiasts, a little piece of news found off the web, which I may be going for:

At Toybox, we can never get enough of games, so what better way to mingle with our customers than a gaming event that will set to stretch your physical and mental limits. Toybox will be organising our first annual game fiesta in January 2007.

Date: 20 - 21 January 2007
Time: Beginning at 7pm until 7am (That’s 12 hours of gaming!)
Fee: RM40 inclusive of dinner and unlimited drinks (while stock last of course)

There will also be lucky draws and you can expect really good stuff up for grabs. Well, maybe once in a while, we will give you our favourite "magic pen". As for what games can be played? Anything and everything from trading card games to board games and even miniatures! Registration close January 8th.

Please make your payment at Toybox by January 8th.

Register at http://www.toybox.com.my/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89