Khoo's B Day and Helen n Cheah 2nd Honey Moon

On 19 May 09 Payunghikers assembled at Weld Quay Restaurant, opposite the Penang Ferry Terminal to celebrate Khoo's 60th Birthday Day and Helen n Cheah 39th Wedding Anniversary which coincidentally falls on 17th May
As usual we had sumptuous food, lovely wine, and songs
Wish we could turn off the light and had some ball room dancing after the dinner to digest the delicious food
Many thanks to Helen and Cheah for footing the food bills, one step ahead of us
And Saw you have done a hearty job in preparing the cake
Not forgetting KC keeping the California Rossa flowing
MANY HAPPY RETURNS FOR THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Pantai Kerachut Camping 1 May 2009

Write up from Teows
We had a really good time at Kerachut . Excellent food especially the dessert , cakes , roast chicken, special thanks to Helen & Cheah . Appreciate their 2 days effort in preparing the food). Great company except for the "way past midnight" activities. Lack of sleep is a terrible feeling especially driving on the way to home.
For some of us. The highlight of the trip have to be seeing a shooting star flying directly overhead. Oh what a night to remember!
We did not have a group photo on this trip. Next time! Next trip, our captain would have memorise a few popular songs to sing for us. How about that, Captain Yeoh?
KC's remarks
Yes, we had many activities:
Fishing
Swimming
Hiking on New trail by Teow
Star-gazing
Playing mahjong/cards
Singing? (next time I would prepare some song sheets)
I do believe we all had a wonderful time there...honestly I did

Hiking Mt Kinablau...why increases in pricing

Reply from Government dept after many complaints re exorbitant new pricing mechanism wef 1 Jan 2008 hiking Mt Kinabalu:

http://mount-kinabalu-borneo.com/blog/the-story-behind-ssl-sabah-state-government-on-mount-kinabalu-management.html

Cambodia / Thailand Trip 12/3 to 20/3/09

Sawadee Khap
Now that the Cameron Highland trip is cancelled, as Yew was unable to book the Bungalow, four of our hikers will make an overseas trip instead to Cambodia and Thailand. Depart LCCT 12 Mar 09, a day before the sch holiday and return a day b4 sch reopens. So far Yeoh, Khoo, Yew and Yeap already booked the flight. They will travel to PNH, Angkor Wat, Pattaya, BKK, then back by train to B'worth.
Happy Holiday. Dee Mak Mak

Mt Fansipan Vietnam (Yeoh and Saw Kin) 01/12/08

Two of our Payunghikers Yeoh and Saw Kin conquered the awesome summit of Fansipan Nov/Dec 08, Vietnam, and Yeoh files the following report and the lovely slides on your right:

MOUNT FANSIPAN , VIETNAM ( 3143 M)

During my end of the year tour to Vietnam, a travelling companion and I had the golden opportunity to conquer Mount Fansipan ( 3143 m), the highest peak in Vietnam and the entire Indochina peninsula. We made all our arrangements of the trip to Mt.Fansipan at one of the many tour agencies in Hanoi. The cost was very reasonable. It was not that difficult to organize yourself to make the trip up to the ' Rooftop of Indochina.' We would have got a better deal if we made the arrangements in Sapa, a town which is renowned for its trekking and the place where we commenced our trek. Due to the constraints of time,we opted for the 2 days 1 night tour.To get to Sapa, we took the night train from Hanoi reaching Lao Cai very early in the morning. From Lao Cai, we took a 2-hour scenic drive uphill to Sapa.(1600m) After breakfast, a van took us to Tram Ton Pass (17 km), where we enjoyed the marvellous nature start of the strenuous trek to the base camp (2200m). We were fortunate to have a guide who led us the way and a porter to carry some of our things at that reasonable cost.The gradual ascent through subtropical forests offered us the spectacular views across to Mt Fansipan peak. The awesome scenery and ideal weather made our trek more pleasurable and less arduous. Before dusk we reached the base camp.( App.7hrs trekking ). On the second day (1.12.2008), at dawn, we continued uphill to satisfy our eager will and aspiration to conquer Fansipan peak. The steep path to the summit was very challenging as we weaved our way through bamboo forest. We had the chance to enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains, the valleys and the numerous villages in the far distance. At last, after 2 hours, we successfully reached the elevation of 3143 meters, the peak of Mount Fansipan. Here, at the summit, we were rewarded with panoramic views of the mountain ranges.The splendid landscapes and the breathtaking views from around the mountain made our hardship all worthwhile. From the top, we could look into China and Laos. After the usual mandatory photo shot, we descended to the base camp. After lunch began the tough trek, which was all the way downhill.( App. 8 hrs trekking for the day). At 5.30pm, the memorable expeditions ended.

H.C.Yeoh

Happy Valentine Day 14/2/09 ,,,,Saw Sawkin Carrie

And to celebrate Valentine’s Day, here’s a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning I thought you might enjoy (or if you still buy it?) :

To all the single members and not so single like Bob......

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Chap Goh Meh dinner at Weld Quay 8/2/09

Some members hikers viz Saw, Sawkin, Carrie, Yeoh, Bob,Yew and Yeap had a happy CGM dinner on same day of Thaipusam this year. Yew brought Toddy (Saw enjoyed it, but no kick for Bob) Yeoh got Fatt Choy and Koay Len Ko, Yeap (Lon Gan Syrup), Carrie (Mixed fruit). The food was value for $$$$, fried and steam fish, mixed vege, broccoli, belachan kankong, egg fooyong, herbal chicken. Later we adjourned to QE2 Pier and talk coxk till late. Pity we didn't drink wine that we brought along......