First Skytrex Experience!

To say I am an adrenaline junkie is an understatement. I would say I am a person whose motto(s) in life is try everything, leave no room for regret or do first, think later or never try, never know or do it now or miss the chance. So basically, my philosophy in life is YOLO! (please don't kill me!)

It just so happens that everything I have done (sky-jumping off the Auckland tower, off-roading, racing, paintballing, jet-skiing, trapezing) or want to do in life (scuba-diving, backpacking, bungy-jumping, Tough Mudder) involves being in the great outdoors and involves adrenaline....Okay, so I am an adrenaline junkie. Which was why when my friend invited me for SkyTrex-ing in Bukit Cerakah forest reserve, Shah Alam, I was all 'YOLO!' (I can hear guns clicking...okay, I'll stop the YOLO-ing!)

At the entrance.

It was sunny Saturday morning when we got to Bukit Cerakah forest reserve, paid the RM3 per person entrance fee and boarded a bus heading to the SkyTrex Adventure. After some internal debate, I opted to carry my DSLR camera with me in order to get better pictures. It seemed I was not alone that day as there were many other who were weighed down with their big DSLRs. It turned out that Tourism Selangor had organised an day out for its fans and followers there too, explaining the large groups of people present. I also bumped into a blogger friend, Cindy after finishing the challenge. She did the Big Thrill so be sure to check out her blog for her take on Skytrex!

Preparation stage.

My group of eight quickly filled up the required 'I-will-not-sue-if-I-get-injured' forms, got lockers for our belongings and got our harnesses on. Gloves are a necessity because you'll be griping onto the ropes for dear life and can be brought RM3 per pair.

Briefing instructor - funny guy.

Before attempting the Extreme Challenge, we were given a safety briefing on what to do with our two carabiners and one pulley when up in the trees. All you need to remember is to make sure you're clipped to red-marked rope with at least one carabiner at all times!

Extreme Challenge

Once we have run through the trial course, we started off the Extreme Challenge with a tall ladder climb leading to the first of many flying-fox. I quickly discovered my wonderful ability to land facing backwards during the flying fox challenge. Dammit.

Camera ready!

As the group before us were so damn slow only three people were allowed to a platform, we had to wait in between obstacles during which I took the opportunity to snap pictures of my friends. And to camwhore.

Flying Fox

My least favourite obstacle was the pipe challenge where we only had the supporting ropes to grip on to. Not only were pipes oval, they would swing with each step, making balancing on them a challenge. I think I took up the most time on that.

Making it look effortless.

Prior to that, there was a monkey bar challenge much like in the playground except a few metres off the ground. Not to worry though as your carabiners and pulley will keep you from plummeting to your death if you let go. To my annoyance, my hands gave out midway through this challenge and I had to let go. I will definitely be back for the monkey bars!

Monkey bars.

But by this part, being so high up in the trees don't be an issue for most and your main concern will be crossing the next obstacle. As for the view, there was only trees and trees and....more trees.

Sis posing for camera.

Overall, it was great fun and after the initial sensation of vertigo, it was merely just powering through the obstacles. We took a number of pictures although not as many as I would like because the DSLR requires two hands to adjust. Most importantly, there was never a moment when I felt unsafe high up in the trees because I was high on adrenaline the course was so well-maintained.

Ayam exit

My group took approximately 2 hours in total to complete the whole Extreme Challenge and that included delays because the group before us were so damn slow I was trying to take pictures of everyone. The ending was sort of anti-climatic as we had to climb down a netting to descend to the ground. We heard the Big Thrill ends with a long flying-fox which sounds like more fun. But knowing my luck, I'll end it facing the wrong way.

Extreme Challenge finishers.

The next time I come, I will try the Big Thrill and hopefully this time, execute a perfect flying-fox and finish the monkey bars!

Tips:
1. Bringing a big camera is not impossible although you might smash it into a tree during the flying fox so just be careful.
2. Gloves and a good pair of sport shoes goes a long way.
3. Listen to the instructors and do chat with them. Being up there alone must be so boring at times.
4. Look out for the instructions on how to place your carabiners and pulley before tackling the challenges. There are two ways to put them on so check!
5. A bottle of water is recommended as it can get hot and exhausting up there. Bottle holders can be rented at RM5.
6. If you can't complete the challenge, opt for the Chicken Exit. Seriously, don't hold up the people behind you if you can't get your nerves together.
7. Check your carabiners and pulley before setting off to ensure they are usable.
8. Online bookings are recommended at all times. No minimum number of pax required.

Prices for Skytrex challenges are:
Little Adventure (LA) - RM 35.00
Big Thrill (BT) - RM 45.00
Extreme Challenge (XT) - RM 55.00

Hours:
Saturdays, Sundays and some Public Holidays.
From 8.30am onwards.

For more information or to make bookings, head over to their website, Skytrex Adventure.

For a sense of my experience there, check out my album here.

*****

And speaking of being adventurous and trying everything out for the first time, I am taking part in the Big Blog Exchange, a worldwide competition where 16 bloggers will be selected to exchange blogs whilst living out that blogger's life in their country for ten whole days!

So if you think I have what it takes to weave a story of a new life experience from the other side of the globe, vote for me at the link below:

PS: I do not represent BN or DAP so votes here will not influence the outcome of the coming 13th General Elections.

 

Read, vote, share and have a cookie!

 

Thanks!

DIY Nutella Popsicles

Hey, guys!

As some of you may know World Nutella Day was on 5 Feb and there had been a lot of Nutella dedicated posts going around. Remind me again, why World Nutella Day isn't a big-a-deal as Valentines' Day? It should be a public holiday, I say!

Where was I? Oh right. So, I came across this post:

I decided to give it a try and here is my guide to making Nutella Popsicles. The ingredients I used was the smallest jar of Nutella and low fat milk (890ml) as well as a Popsicle mould. I got my mould at Daiso for only RM5! This recipe can make 8 Popsicles.

Step 1: Buy ingredients and take outdoor product shot of ingredients.

 

Step 2: Take ingredients back into kitchen where it is cleaner.

Start by pouring the bottle of milk into the blender.

Step 3: Next, mix Nutella into the blender.

Step 4: Blend until mixture is smooth with micro bubbles on the surface.

 

 

Step 5: Pour mixture into Popsicle mould.

Leftovers can be refrigerated as milk shake.

 

 

Step 6: Place the mould in the freezer overnight.

 

 

 

Step 7: When removing popsicle from mould, place the mould in a

container of water to loose up the sides of the popsicle for easy removal.

 

 

Step 8: Enjoy!

Got your own version of a Nutella Popsicle? Share it! After all sharing is caring in the world of Nutella!

Cloud Atlas movie review

The trailer for Cloud Atlas has been playing non-stop on my Unifi television channels and it had me brainwashed intrigued by this movie. Obviously the advertisment worked. Thanks to Nuffnang, I was able to catch the premiere screening of Cloud Atlas at the new TGV cinema at One Utama.

Courtsey of Nuffnang

Gist
Based on a novel by David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas follows the lives of various characters in six different centuries and countries and observes how interrelated and connected a person can be in someone else's life in the past, present and future. It carries a cast of seasoned actors consisting of Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae and Ben Whishaw. These actors more or less are the main characters throughout the movie to look out for although their roles differ from storyline to storyline as they vary from main characters to supporting roles to protagonists to antagonists.

Verdict
The opening scene had me confused as it presented a montage for all the six storylines viewers will be about to dive into. The challenge there was to pinpoint the different storylines whilst remembering the main characters played by different actors. As it was a late-evening movie, my brain was aching from a headache from following the entire film.

The visual effects however were stunning as viewers are taken through six different worlds that consisted of interesting costumes, makeup, concepts and landscapes. The movie diverse in terms of genres as you have a mix of comedy, action, self-biography and most importantly, adventure. I was actually more fascinated with the numerous characters played by the actors. Some like Hugo Weaving made it a challenge to recognise them sometimes.

Hugo Weaving.

Mr. Weaving as usual, played diverse badass to the core regardless whether he was a man or a woman while Tom Hanks was brillant as a conflicted character that underwent a major character development throughout the movie. He certainly held my attention during his main story. Halle Berry's characters were.... predictable as it felt as though the movie was merely a cut and paste of all her previous movie roles. I found her plotline boring....

Jim Sturgess and Doona Bae were, for me, the two to look out for as they play characters attracted to one another but forced to put the bigger picture before them.

I was also thrilled to spot Zhou Xun in a minor but no less important role. I loved her performance as the demon fox in Painted Skin: Resurrection and she carried the same intensity over in her brief moments on Cloud Atlas.

Would I watch it again?
Maybe. Perhaps on a day when I am not tired and red-eyed from a lack of sleep. Halfway though the movie, I found myself wishing for the end...which came only after 45 minutes. Some of the storylines were interesting and fast-paced, others slow. It was like watching six mini movies or TV series in one and it can be mentally taxing. I can see why Cloud Altas got a polarized reaction from critics....Not advisable to watch if you're tired or have the attention span of a puppy.

Cloud Atlas hits the big screen on 21 Feb 2013.

Renoma Cafe Gallery - Brunch Buffet review

Warning:

The following post may cause salivating and hunger. Proceed at your own risk.

 

I first heard about Renoma Cafe Gallery, Bukit Bintang and their Sunday brunch buffet from Rebecca Saw's blog. Unlike most buffet places which have lines of food laid out before you, Renoma's version of buffet is different. At RM85++, you order whatever your palate desires from their special brunch menu with dishes ranging from starters to soups to sandwiches to main courses to desserts between 11am to 3pm.

Foodie galore!

Everything is prepared upon order, comes in smaller-than-usual portions but tastes superb! Of course this brunch offer is worth it if you're a huge eater craving for classy, refined food without having to break the bank.

The menu

Interior of art and food.

I brought two of my ex-college mates there recently and we got there at 11am to fully enjoy the entire afternoon just eating. Ah....bliss....

We started with several appetizers with the more memorable ones being the Tiger Prawn and Candied Pecan Nut, Salted Egg Yolk Soft Shell Crab, Crispy Mozzarella Caprese and the Croque Madame.



Tiger Prawn and Candied Pecan Nut

The Tiger Prawn was super crunchy, juicy and not to mention, fresh. The pecan nuts added in a nice sweet kick.

Salted Egg Yolk Soft Shell Crab

You can’t go wrong with the Salted Egg Yolk Soft Shell Crab especially with the softness of the crab meat.

Crispy Mozzarella Caprese

Crispy Mozzarella Caprese was oozing delicious cheese with a thin deep fried exterior layer.

Croque Madame

The signature Croque Madame comes highly recommended by many food bloggers and I could certainly see why. As soon as you slice it open, you are in for a treat to your palate consisting of beef pastrami, duck breast, chicken salami and black truffle egg.  

To give our tummies breathing space before the mains, we switched over to desserts. The Vanilla Panna Cotta was a real treat with fresh berries to accompany it. I had another helping in round two of desserts. The Orange Vanilla Crème Brulee was a little disappointing due to its tiny size and the super thin burnt crust of sugar on top but the zest of oranges offered an interesting twist. The Carrot Cake came thinly slice but I found the portion perfect for tasting with a nice mix of carrots and walnuts that went well with the smooth cream cheese.  

Forest Mushroom Veloute

Anyway, back to the main courses. The Forest Mushroom Veloute soup (a blend of black trumpet, oyster mushroom, porcini mushroom, crème porcini and white truffle oil) was so good we ordered two helpings of it.

RCG Classic Burger

RCG Signature Burger

My friends had the RCG Classic Burger and Signature Burger which came as half of a normal sized burger. It came with beef patty so my Hindu friend had to forgo it despite how good it looked. My other friend happily gobbled both burgers up, commenting on the patties’ juiciness. As for me, I was saving space for other dishes.

Char-Grilled Sirloin Steak

The Char-Grilled Sirloin Steak (Black Angus) was delicious with a chewy texture with a lot of smoked flavour saturated into the meat. But it was the Confit of Muscovy Duck Leg that made a huge impression on all of us.

Confit of Muscovy Duck Leg

My friend has no love for duck due to its odd taste and texture but she had no issue eating Renoma’s Confit of Duck, remarking on how lovely the texture and taste was. I agreed. The meat simply peels off the bone beautifully while the skin offers a crispy contrast.

 

Finally, round two of desserts came next and I admit we did abuse the buffet concept here as we ordered all but a few from the dessert menu.

Peach Melba

The Peach Melba was a light treat that offers a brilliant blend of flavours and textures as it comes with caramelised peaches, toasted almonds and raspberry sauce over a scope of vanilla ice cream.

Valrhona Chocolate Fondant

The Valrhona Chocolate Fondant was highly recommended due to its high-quality chocolate balanced out by a wild berries stew.

Pavlova

The Pavlova wasn’t too bad although I would have like more passion fruit sauce and perhaps a chuck of passion fruit to balance out the sweetness of the other fruits and berries.

Peach and Almond Tart

Whilst we had the carrot cake earlier, we now opted for the Peach and Almond Tart which was a good choice due to the juicy sweetness of the peach and the crunchy bite of the almonds.

To wrap up desserts, I ordered every ice-cream flavour on the menu which is of course, never a bad thing. It helped that it came in very small scopes to allow us to fully enjoy this eating experience. The Rum and Raisin and the Cointreau Crème al Orange contained alcohol though.

Coffee to stay awake.

Throughout brunch, we were topped up with an unlimited flow of coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices to help ease down the meal and to wash our palates. The services were fast and prompt although food took a while to reach us. That was understandable as dishes are prepared upon ordering. The ambience was very chilled and relaxed for a nice Sunday afternoon. Overall, I was quite happy with the experience.

To quote one of my friends, “We get to experience a wide variety of high-class dishes without having to pay through our noses.”

My best advice to making the most of this experience is to make full use of the four hours you have there and to pace yourself. Sharing dishes will definitely allow you to make the most of the variety of cuisine there and be adventurous!

Renoma Brunch Buffet is available on Sundays and Public Holidays from 11am to 3pm at RM85++ per person. Reservations are recommended for big groups.

Renoma Cafe Gallery

First hike to Bukit Tabur

 

Hey, guys!

First of all, Happy Chinese New Year to those who celebrated it and to those who didn't, Happy Holidays!

I bet your CNY holidays was spent getting stuck in traffic jams on the way home, eating and drinking, having reunion dinners, taking family portraits, house-visiting to collect Ang Pows and wearing red a lot.

As for me, my parents did go back to Taiping to visit my grandparents with my relatives....and left my sister and I behind. As we have a mind-boggling number of cats and dogs, we stayed back to babysit them and the house during the festive seasons. Not that we mind as we took advantage of a very-jam-free-KL.

Bukit Tabur

Bootcamp Tabur hikers (L-R): Sunil, Alex, Cherrie & Norizan.

Cherrie and I also went hiking for the first time in a long time at Bukit Tabur with Sunil, Alex and newly befriended Norizan from bootcamp as well as Yasmin from my swim team days on the first day of CNY. Due to the series of hikes and activities coming up, I got myself a new pair of New Balance trail shoes the day before and planned their maiden vovage to Bukit Tabur.

New New Balance trail shoes.

Our group of six got to the foot of Bukit Tabur at 730am and already, there were quite a lot of cars parked along the side of the road. Apparently the regulars come to the hill at 6am for a good workout.

Still it wasn't as crowded as Gasing Hill but that could be due to it being a public holiday.

Entrance near the Klang Gates Dam.

Bukit Tabur is a limestone ridge located in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur and is part of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge. Standing at less than 1000m, the hill consists of a few peaks and the most frequented entrance, Tabur West starts near the Klang Gates Dam. For detailed instructions and GPS coordinates, click here. 



photo credit: All about Tabur.

 Baby Steps

 

With the first rays of sunlight peeping out from behind the ridge, we made our way up the hill. The first stretch of forest had me panting and reminded me of Gasing Hill. For the record, cardio hikes are not my forte. However, after good ten minutes of forest hiking, the route became less strenous and the view got more rewarding.



'I am never leaving this tree' - Norizan

At the first peak, we stopped momentarily to admire the stunning view of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge that divided the Klang Gates Dam and the concrete jungle that was Kuala Lumpur. Behind us were two other peaks, running side by side like camel humps. As the sun continued to rise up from behind these two peaks, the rays broke across the scene and created a surreal sight.

Stunning.

We soldiered on, going higher and further along the ridge. We met several other hikers along the way, many posing for their cameras and some even, picnicking on the rocky flat spaces. During one of our breaks, my friend Shaun caught up with us, having arrived late and was panting and sweating hard by the time he joined us. But then again, he did sprint up the hill, a feat not many could accomplish.

The Climb

We had to conquer seven peaks that morning and each got a little harder and more challenging to get to as we went along.  Tall trees disappeared, replaced by limestone rocks and formations as well as shrubs and mosses. Photo opportunities were at an abundance due to yours truly being a 'capture-the-moment' person and truly every peak and climb had me snapping away.

Yasmin - No sweat!

Of course, Bukit Tabur wasn't as tame as Gasing Hill or Broga. On both sides of the ridge pathway was sudden drops and huge boulders created obstacles to scale around. The hill demanded respect from its visitors and you better give it just that as there has been reports of deaths and accidents on Tabur. People have gotten lost, injured or died due to their over zealousness and for underestimating Bukit Tabur.



Love at first hike.

When it came to the rock-climbing bits, I tucked my cameras away in my backpack to free up my hands and did the climb with extreme caution. I loved it though, despite or maybe because of the element of danger. I often had to rely on my upper body strength to boost me over ledges and if it wasn't for bootcamp, I wouldn't have the strength or the stamina to do it. Good hand and eye coordination also comes in handy when moving along the rocky ridge to avoid falling flat on your face. Being a parkour expert will be a huge advantage.

Midway though, we came across two paths to take around a boulder, one harder than the other. The harder (and scarier) route involved climbing rungs drilled into the rocks while the other requires us to climb down a short but vertical slope using a knotted rope with little foothold space. As some of us were rookies, our unofficial Tabur guide, Sunil opted for the rope and gave us precise instructions on scaling down. It was scary at first as beyond the tiny ledge was another sudden drop and all you had to cling on for dear life was the rope and your own arm strength. But when I actually did it (without making a fool of myself), there was a deep sense of adventure and satisfaction. Must be the adrenaline rush.

A marker flag

That also have me a good burst of energy that carried me through the next few peaks. I decided there and then, I was in love with Bukit Tabur. The greenery at the higher peaks were incredibly picturesque and we were fortunate to have a cool breeze cut through every once in a while.

Past the last peak and the turning point to go back, Shaun showed us a path that continued a little further on and ended in a sudden drop. He got lost here the last time and scaled midway down before the danger of it dawned on him, making him return to the original trail. As beautiful as Bukit Tabur was, its dangers should not be undermined.

Up, now Down

As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down. There were two trails that we could use to return to our cars. Go back the way we came or head down a dirt trail along the side of the hill. Majority headed for the latter although Superman Sunil opted to go through the rocky peaks again.

Time to head down.

The trail downhill was reminiscent of the trails I used to thunder through when I joined the Hash House Harriers but instead of running, we walked. Like normal people who just finished climbing a hill. It was relatively quite an easy, uneventful brisk walk back to the car, although albeit long. Alex lead the charge downhill, doing even the Gangnam Style (briefly) on the way. I did pause to glance back up at the ridge and I felt so tiny and amazed that I was even at its peak.


Are we there yet?

It was about 1030am by the time we reached the car to unload our backpacks and unwind (and to stare at chicks...and hens) while waiting for Sunil. He joined us 15 minutes later, delayed only because he stopped to help a group of girls stuck on the rung trail. Apparently their uncle led them there before heading ahead and leaving them behind. Tsk tsk. Bad uncle.

Due to the lack of human traffic on the hill, we completed Bukit Tabur in three hours with plenty of breaks and photo sessions in between. I really enjoyed loved the hike/climb, my new shoes and most importantly, the company. Really, the company makes all the difference in an activity like this.

Thank you, Sunil for planning this trip and guiding us through Tabur with the patience of a saint.
Thank you, Alex for (not ffk-ing) driving us there and leading us noobs down safely.
Thank you, Norizan for the laughter and jokes up there and for the most rewarding brownies ever.
Thank you, Yasmin for giving up your Sunday to join us and make new friends I hope.
Thank you, Shaun for looking out for my sister and also for helping us along.
Thank you, sis for allowing me to drag you along.
Thank you, adventurous random stranger who followed us all the way down.
And thank you, Bukit Tabur for reviving my adrenaline junkie and interest in hiking once more.

Tabur CNY hikers!

 For more pictures of our Tabur hike, click over to my Facebook album here.

10 Tips for Noobs

1. Invest in a pair of proper hiking/trail shoes, preferably lightweight.
2. Wear gloves for the rock climbing parts.
3. Go with an experienced friend and stick together.
4. Bring two bottles of water or isotonic drink.
5. Use a backpack to free up your hands.
6. Leave your ego at home. Better to be teased than dead.
7. Bring a camera.
8. Always let faster hikers through. But don't be afraid to ask for help if needed.
9. Don't look down! Seriously, watch where you're stepping at all times. Your next step could be a flimsy rock and your last....
10. If it rains, postpone the hike. Slippery trails are not your best friend.

It helps to read up more on other people's experience and on Bukit Tabur itself. I recommend All about Tabur and Vertical Adventure. Have fun and be safe!