Icy Phoenixes + Generic Patrol Outing – Bukit Cendara Hike 5th Dec. 2015
Nicholas Khor
On an early Saturday morning on the 5th of December 2015, scouts from the Generic and Icy Phoenixes patrols started to arrive at Dalat International School at around 7:30 A.M. Scouts Liwei K., Nathan C. (Icy Phoenixes APL), Gabe R. (Generic Patrol Leader in place of Yusoof M.), Panda C., Ryan B., Luiz C., Ethan C. and outing organizer Nicholas K. all arrived at Dalat to participate in the long-awaited and anticipated patrol outing, which was a hike up Bukit Cendara. Some adults also decided to join in the hike, including Mr. Khaw Chong Joo, Mr. Ing-Hai Koh, and the hike guide Mr. Peter Chan. The scouts passed in their required permission forms, grabbed their gear, filled up their water bottles, and were separated into two cars that were available. They then began their journey to the Moongate: the starting point of the hike.
It took around 20 minutes to reach the Moongate. The Moongate was situated close-by to the Penang Botanical Gardens. After the two cars found some parking space, the whole group gathered at the Moongate. Two more participants decided to join us: Justus G. (scout) and Mr. Michel Van Crombrugge (adult). They gathered quickly at the Moongate, took a quick group photo, and was quickly briefed by Nicholas K. (Patrol Leader) about topics on the Buddy System and Leave No Trace. Once that was completed, Mr. Peter Chan guided the way to start the hike.
The trail wasn’t an easy one to scale. Bukit Cendara, as mentioned by Mr. Peter Chan, is a pretty challenging course and trail as the terrain is not always flat and the steps/rocks to climb are very steep and rough. It is pretty much like that for about 93% of the hike. This was obviously a great workout for the scouts and adults! Despite the burning calories, tiring and endless high steps, and large quantities of sweat being excreted, the adults and scouts were able to endeavor their way through the hike, with the occasional entertainment from adults Mr. Khaw Chong Joo, who “complained” about certain aspects of the hike just to keep the participant’s spirits up. Along the way, scouts and adults chatted with each other to keep each other motivated to continue.
We took about 4 major rest breaks, where we replenished our supply of water, munched on a little bit of trail food, wiped the enormous amount of sweat off our faces, stretched out a bit, and took a sign of relief to know that we are gradually making progress to scale the mountain. Bukit Cendara is roughly 3.5 kilometers when going up, but the beautiful, lush, natural, and tranquil rainforest setting provided a calm, peaceful, and comfortable hike.
We even saw a part of the rainforest where a forest fire had previously occurred. There was a semi-barren and burnt rainforest area where there were fire marks, black marks on trees, and a dramatic loss of leaves in the trees. Mr. Peter Chan says that because, at the time of summer, the climate was extremely hot, so along with the suns heat, it just sparked a fire. However, there are also some theories that someone had thrown a lit cigarette, and with the addition of the heat, it just spread through the entire forest. This was an interesting witnessing of environmental damage in our community.
“Being surrounded by natural scenery is comforting when hiking, especially when you live in the city 24/7 every week,” says Nicholas K., “as scouts, we promise to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Unplugging and taking a step back to reflect at our beautiful planet really helps you to recharge and re-energize your spiritual, physical, and mental aspects. It was truly a relaxing experience.”
At around 9:45 P.M., the scouts and adults had finally reached the summit. The summit was nothing more than just a small, flat area where you could sit down. There was a beautiful view of the ocean and the western part of Tanjung Bunga. The adults and scouts breathed a sigh of relief, cheered with accomplishment, and sat down to rest for the descend. Mr. Peter Chan even made some tea at the summit, offering some to the adults, whereas the scouts were frolicking around the summit, sliding down a tiny mudslide and getting their butts dirty.
After roughly 30 minutes of recharging at the summit, the group had a quick photo at the summit and began their descent. This time, they took another trail which lead to a few openings that allowed you to view the breath-taking view of the island. At one spot, you could practically see a panoramic view from Straits Quay to Komtar tower. It truly was a stunning sight to see!
After a few photos, the group resumed their trip down. Because of the descending slope, the faster scouts had a lot of fun doing “parkour” (jumping on and off rocks with style) and running down with the help from gravity. They did this until they reached the bottom, which was the Moongate again. Tired, exhausted, but altogether accomplished, the scouts and adults met at the starting point all sweaty and breathless. However, they were delighted to know that they were going opposite the Moongate to grab a quick coconut drink. They commuted there in an orderly fashion and bought their coconuts and coconut water. After they had finished, they began their journey in their cars back to Dalat. Both cars reached Dalat at around 12:30 P.M., and the parents of the scouts were waiting to take back their exhausted sons.
This was truly a great outing for the scouts and the adults. This was a good workout, a great way to unplug from the busyness in the week, and to bond together as two patrols.
Photo credits below by Mr. Khaw Chong Joo and Mr. Peter Chan.
Nicholas Khor
On an early Saturday morning on the 5th of December 2015, scouts from the Generic and Icy Phoenixes patrols started to arrive at Dalat International School at around 7:30 A.M. Scouts Liwei K., Nathan C. (Icy Phoenixes APL), Gabe R. (Generic Patrol Leader in place of Yusoof M.), Panda C., Ryan B., Luiz C., Ethan C. and outing organizer Nicholas K. all arrived at Dalat to participate in the long-awaited and anticipated patrol outing, which was a hike up Bukit Cendara. Some adults also decided to join in the hike, including Mr. Khaw Chong Joo, Mr. Ing-Hai Koh, and the hike guide Mr. Peter Chan. The scouts passed in their required permission forms, grabbed their gear, filled up their water bottles, and were separated into two cars that were available. They then began their journey to the Moongate: the starting point of the hike.
It took around 20 minutes to reach the Moongate. The Moongate was situated close-by to the Penang Botanical Gardens. After the two cars found some parking space, the whole group gathered at the Moongate. Two more participants decided to join us: Justus G. (scout) and Mr. Michel Van Crombrugge (adult). They gathered quickly at the Moongate, took a quick group photo, and was quickly briefed by Nicholas K. (Patrol Leader) about topics on the Buddy System and Leave No Trace. Once that was completed, Mr. Peter Chan guided the way to start the hike.
The trail wasn’t an easy one to scale. Bukit Cendara, as mentioned by Mr. Peter Chan, is a pretty challenging course and trail as the terrain is not always flat and the steps/rocks to climb are very steep and rough. It is pretty much like that for about 93% of the hike. This was obviously a great workout for the scouts and adults! Despite the burning calories, tiring and endless high steps, and large quantities of sweat being excreted, the adults and scouts were able to endeavor their way through the hike, with the occasional entertainment from adults Mr. Khaw Chong Joo, who “complained” about certain aspects of the hike just to keep the participant’s spirits up. Along the way, scouts and adults chatted with each other to keep each other motivated to continue.
We took about 4 major rest breaks, where we replenished our supply of water, munched on a little bit of trail food, wiped the enormous amount of sweat off our faces, stretched out a bit, and took a sign of relief to know that we are gradually making progress to scale the mountain. Bukit Cendara is roughly 3.5 kilometers when going up, but the beautiful, lush, natural, and tranquil rainforest setting provided a calm, peaceful, and comfortable hike.
We even saw a part of the rainforest where a forest fire had previously occurred. There was a semi-barren and burnt rainforest area where there were fire marks, black marks on trees, and a dramatic loss of leaves in the trees. Mr. Peter Chan says that because, at the time of summer, the climate was extremely hot, so along with the suns heat, it just sparked a fire. However, there are also some theories that someone had thrown a lit cigarette, and with the addition of the heat, it just spread through the entire forest. This was an interesting witnessing of environmental damage in our community.
“Being surrounded by natural scenery is comforting when hiking, especially when you live in the city 24/7 every week,” says Nicholas K., “as scouts, we promise to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Unplugging and taking a step back to reflect at our beautiful planet really helps you to recharge and re-energize your spiritual, physical, and mental aspects. It was truly a relaxing experience.”
At around 9:45 P.M., the scouts and adults had finally reached the summit. The summit was nothing more than just a small, flat area where you could sit down. There was a beautiful view of the ocean and the western part of Tanjung Bunga. The adults and scouts breathed a sigh of relief, cheered with accomplishment, and sat down to rest for the descend. Mr. Peter Chan even made some tea at the summit, offering some to the adults, whereas the scouts were frolicking around the summit, sliding down a tiny mudslide and getting their butts dirty.
After roughly 30 minutes of recharging at the summit, the group had a quick photo at the summit and began their descent. This time, they took another trail which lead to a few openings that allowed you to view the breath-taking view of the island. At one spot, you could practically see a panoramic view from Straits Quay to Komtar tower. It truly was a stunning sight to see!
After a few photos, the group resumed their trip down. Because of the descending slope, the faster scouts had a lot of fun doing “parkour” (jumping on and off rocks with style) and running down with the help from gravity. They did this until they reached the bottom, which was the Moongate again. Tired, exhausted, but altogether accomplished, the scouts and adults met at the starting point all sweaty and breathless. However, they were delighted to know that they were going opposite the Moongate to grab a quick coconut drink. They commuted there in an orderly fashion and bought their coconuts and coconut water. After they had finished, they began their journey in their cars back to Dalat. Both cars reached Dalat at around 12:30 P.M., and the parents of the scouts were waiting to take back their exhausted sons.
This was truly a great outing for the scouts and the adults. This was a good workout, a great way to unplug from the busyness in the week, and to bond together as two patrols.
Photo credits below by Mr. Khaw Chong Joo and Mr. Peter Chan.