1) H2o is the way of life (and hike). If in doubt, bring more
Up to 60% of a human body is water, but my fluid composition is rapidly decreasing. My sweat ducts ooze urea like a water hose on a perfectly manicured lawn. The compromised water level makes me pant like a deer for a river, and I stagger along like an injured version of said deer.
I exhausted my 500ml water bottle, and I long for a wishing well so I can (1) wish for water (2) drink the wishing water.
Remember to BMW: Bring More Water.
2) Is this the “big rock”?
Bloggers relay that the “big rock” is the trail’s rough midpoint. This information had us wondering “is this the big rock” upon every stone and pebble that came our way.
Breaking news: If you have to ask, IT IS NOT THE BIG ROCK.
Because when the huge ass boulder materialise before your eyes like angels in the nativity story, YOU WILL KNOW.
3) all routes lead to rome, but not all lead to bukit kutu
If you see a junction, stop and stare… I think I’m moving but I go nowhere…
I thank God for bloggers. Without them, we might be stranded in a virgin jungle right now, eating leaves and drinking our pee for survival.
Maybe not, but we’ll be very very lost, because not every route lead to Bukit Kutu.
Special thanks to blogger Grace Abundant, whose detailed directions and accompanying pictures are the reason we live and breathe (we followed it like Captain Jack Sparrow’s compass).
4) sikit-sikit, lama-lama mendaki bukit: every step brings you closer to the peak
Persevere.
2 hours 45 mins of churning the lactic acid mill uphill. We step climbed tree roots, traverse mud cakes, and scaled sandy slopes…
5) beware of creepy-crawlies
… and the effort lands me 3 leeches sucking on till kingdom come.
Red ants the size of my finger nail march everywhere like it’s the middle of a business day in Kuala Lumpur.
Not to mention the humongous centipede (see pic above!) just sitting there minding its own business, giving me the creeps, but not enough to pass of the photo opportunity. It’s length exceeds that of my size 6 feet! (My aunt calls me “da jiao po”(big foot lady)
6) the view is worth the climb
All the sweat, tears and blood (no thank you, leeches) bleed (no pun intended) together to reward my resolution: a stunning view of nature’s perfection. Distant hills stand proud, circling the irregularity of a water dam. Stratus clouds spot the blue sky, made better only by our front row seats.
Heck, I love Bukit Kutu.