Greenhorns no more!

Last weekend on 14th August, Adeline, Philip, Liza and their kids and grandkids made it to Bukit Pantu on their second hike in Lambir and Ben on his first try! Impressive! Despite the groans and moans along the way, the group did extremely well summiting Bukit Pantu after just one training, and here is the photo to prove it! I am scared to hike with these kids now, not only are they fast on their feet, they seem to possess unlimited energy too!


The group at the top of Bukit Pantu, tired but elated as well

There were of course lots of fun along the way with this group. Not even 10 minutes into Inoue Trail (which is up most of the way for 1km), Adeline wanted to go home and kept talking about catching a taxi. She piled the kids with chocolate at every rest stop but didn't take much herself and complained about empty stomach all the way. Kenisha wondered aloud when we started on Bukit Pantu Trail after a rather long rest at the first hut: what's wrong with this group, we can go back now you know . . . . and (at the first staircase) who invented hiking anyway?

Then half way up Bukit Pantu, Darren wanted to shoot himself with the water pistol he brought along . . . . for coming. Ben blazed the trail ahead of the others, keeping up very well with Dr Zang who went up to the summit of Mount Kinabalu last year in extreme weather condition and thought that it was just a walk in the park! Kendrick became a sushi chef on the way down, tying a hand towel around his forehead, setting a new fashion trend on the trail. :-)

Philip as usual was checking his e-mails whenever he could, looking after his business as he hiked, cool as a cucumber, while Liza was seen every now and then hugging a tree or sitting down on fallen tree trunks covered with moss (very comfortable in her own words).


An easy chair can be located at km 1.1 on the Inoue Trail...

Darren deserves a special mention here for the vast improvement he made on this trip. One minute he was unsure where to put his feet, the next minute he picked up a stride that was so confident that he zipped past us and was able to keep up with his cousins! Amazing improvement!


The Commando, the Sushi Chef and the Tourist (Photo by Philip Tho).

Jungle sprinter in action

Back at Lambir Canteen, we ordered a feast to celebrate our achievement, putting back most if not all of the calories we worked so hard to lose that morning! :-)

Congratulations to all, and we look forward to more hikes and fun in Lambir. And thank you Dr Zang for his assistance with the boys as well as capturing some of the amazing photos and candid shots.

Here’s a 13 year old’s perspective . . . followed by a 9 year old’s . . . of the trek.

Words by Sara Wong/MNS Miri
Images by Sara Wong unless otherwise indicated