Hey YOU..DoN't B1OcK the BlOgGerZ

After applying for Sunway Photography trip (a 2D1N trip to the Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh), my many weeks of waiting ended after I received a call from Michael, AMBP selection. I’m very much delighted and immediately agreed to join the trip. Applying for leave is not a problem for me  . AMBP,relatively new in Malaysia, has setup creative programmes for young blogger like me. The project collates ideas and constructively encourages to think differently and at the same time cultivate hidden skills - for example photography. Upon receiving the itinerary I was  busy preparing to ensure that I’m equipped and geared. We left to Tambun at 10:30am from Menara Star (Phileo Damansara). Transportation along with coach was sponsored by MayFlower. Seating in the bus is comfortable and conducive. The tourist coach gave short presentation on our arrival and other safety measures. . Mayflower provides travel services for almost all top notch companies and it is well known to deliver what is promised and it is a well known virtue of theirs. Prior to this, many times I have used Mayflower services for most of my business trips to Europe and in Asia. When we reached Tambun approximately at 1:30pm, my (our) stomach was growling louder than the tigers in the valley.
We’re received by the Sunway Officals followed by Malayana Tribe dance. What I could hear next was sounds of ‘clicks and flashes of lights’ … Yes photoshooting !!! Then, We’re taken for a short train ride. Ms.Christine (Sunway official) gave a splendid explanation on the salient features of the Park at Sunway Lagoon Resort. At Tiger Valley, which was the next hop, I’m amazed to see such a huge tiger after almost a decade (the last one I saw was at Singapore Zoo when I’m just merely 10 years Old)  It’s amazing to witness the way Sultan, the tiger, grabs its piece of cake (meat). My excitement and amusement continued by the appearance of cute tiger cubs. In the midst of smiles and laughter, i thought to myself "God! You and Your creation indeed beautiful!" The tiger cubs are so adorable kiddos !!
So far entertained my eyes!! Time to entertain my stomach (since it’s signalling for food)!!! So, walked into Kepura Cave for a sumptuous and delicious lunch (first time having lunch at Cave, without bats and other creatures). Now that stomach is full, it is time for some action! A Photography workshop was conducted by Sham, a freelancer for European Agency, who taught and gave tips on photography. I must say that the session is excellent.
Now, it is camping time! At Needle Village, With the help of Vicki , Raaja and Novin i set up my tent where I’m the only resident. My little hut.. Home Sweet Home…is surrounded with trees,bushes and mountains. I rejoiced the connection with Nature that Sunway had painstakingly built and created a beautiful retreat.
Time to get wet! 4 of us walked to soak ourselves at Splashing water park. Me being first timer, I found it quite amazing to feel the solitudes of water and freshness everywhere. Although I didn’t join the trio , I enjoyed capturing the memories in the little device of mine. I’m filled with laughters and happy moments transformed my mind into childlike.
Stomach growling again , it is time for dinner. The aroma of bbq spices and sauces is intoxicating and created gastronamic effect in our tummy. The chef are busy preparing dinner for all of us. We had mouthful of satays, bbqued chicken and sausages and fruit cocktail to wash down the sauces in our mouth. We continously posed to the clicks from many different angles. Next we played the live Counter Strike - The Ultimate Tactial game, it is fun, we’re geared with guns (that can be reloaded) and "ammunition ". We lost to our opponents however it is an adventurous game which involves strategy. However we had fun, that is more important. Raaja’s team won the strike !! Great ! We enjoyed the rest of the night listening to the music of insects’ screeches and rhymes while soaking our feet in the Natural Hot Spring. We yakked away and throwed some grapes to our "Human-Dolphins" in the hot spring.
Another wonderful day!! The next day I woke up as early as 6:30am to catch the early sun-rise plus milk feeding to cubs. I would say that I was frozen without air condition inside the camp !! The morning fresh air creates spikes in our body. It is very fascinating to view the surrounding mountains around Sunway City while watching the cubs being fed with milk. I took light breakfast later, getting prepared for the 6th Mile cave exploration which is arranged by Sunway Officials. We’re divided into 2 groups which consist of 15 of us. Vicki’s group went to Gua Datok while ours to 6th Mile Cave exploration - it is a wet adventure. We did a light excercise to relax our muscles. We wore the cave gears such as head lamp, life jacket and safety helmet. Our cameras are packaged into durable plastics, we’re given Carbo snack and a bottle of mineral water. We swam to the entrance of Cave, we need to cross the river, however due to thick mud (till my waist) we’re supposed to float/swim by holding a rope towards the cave. It is adventurous floating….The entrance of the cave is much smaller than my dog’s tunnel,and it is the same till the end pheww !! The water level is upto my chest.. Arghhh !! Well it is adventure and challenging. The cave was utilized and re-made by Communism during the world war, It is amazing to witness, the hidden treasures of Sunway -deep inside the cave. The crystals shines in dark, the huge array of rocks built by Communis is breathtaking, the patterns of the cave is engraved by Stalagcytes and Stalagmites, the drops from the limestones is chill enough for goosebumps that travels on my spines !!! Not forgetting bats that are dancing on the top !! We reached the end of tunnel, some mountains, we traced the river bank to find for its origin, the water fall is very cool and chilling, I took my chance to give a Shampoo advertisement shot.. hahah  the next moment I know.. I slipped and fell, Im too much delighted with the water fall till forgets to watch my steps on mosses rocks. Yeah I’m hurt terribly but the water is chill enough to distract the pain. I feel very connected and attached to Mother Nature and started enjoying everything that I saw and feel, even when I fell and got hurt. We managed to take some shots of mother nature, Bunga Kantan ( a spice that is well used in Rendang and Curries). We walked back through the same cave to reach our camps. So it is double adventure for all of us, those who missed to capture the uniqueness of the cave had a second chance to witness the art and creativity of divine. Although tired and soaked in fresh water, Im still energetic. Sunway officials had prepared hot steaming food for lunch, I enjoyed the lunch very much, it is one of the best lunch that I ever had, so fresh and tasty. Next I took the final oppurtunity before we head back to KL to soak myself in the Natural Spring Water, the high water pressure from Rock Tiger eases our tiredness away and it is rejuvenating.
Time to pckup!! All of us are busy bringing down our camps and the trio helped me to fold the camps and instruments back to the origins. Before we onboarded our bus, Sunway Officials presented us with a momento, something for us to remember every morning - Yes !! Ipoh White Coffe. After boarding the bus, the next moment all of us dozed off !! Tired but very adventurous experience.

I would like to take the oppurtunity to thank AMBP ( Michael and Andy) , MayFlower and Sunway City Management for arranging such an adventurous and challenging trip for us. It will rejoice in each and everyone’s mind and Sunway Lagoon Resort is a great retreat that one should opt for after medling in a hustle-bustle city life. It’s fortunate to be part of AMBP and looking forward to get myself involved in their upcoming activities.
 
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