Less than 2 weeks ago, Suan organized a day trip for us, and specifically for the hot chick to the Chiling Falls. This waterfall that is sitauted less than an hour’s drive away from PJ is listed as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Selangor. Together with ST, Kim, and FA, we had a great time two Thursdays ago.
More pictures at my flickr set
the guardian lion, temple at Rawang
We engaged a guide for this tour, which turned out to be an excellent decision as our guide, Yen, turned out to be very good at what he is doing. After meeting at PJ, we drove to Rawang and first stopped by a Buddhist temple for some prayers and photography opportunity.
Buddhist Temple
After that we stopped by the small town of Kuala Kubu Bharu for a heavier breakfast before proceeding with the journey. The small town reminded me of the Penang of yesteryears, very peaceful and simple. We had some really good wantan mee there.
Just before heading to the waterfalls, we also stopped by the Selangor Dam.
stopped by Kuala Kubu Bharu for breakfast
The Chiling Falls is actually located quite deep inside the jungle. To reach there, we had to track the jungle for over an hour through pretty thick growth in the jungle.
jungle tracking for over an hour
The trail was pretty challenging, we had to cross the river on 5 occasions and the water could be up to chest high. Luckily our guide is very experienced and came prepared with safety ropes. I had to pack the camera in waterproof plastic bag, and hence denied the opportunity to captured some of the more interesting moments whilst crossing the river. It was quite an experience.
hot chick crossing the river
The river falls under government protection and absolutely no fishing is allowed. The river is actually packed with a lot of native fresh water fish that are absolutely fearless to human. We fed them with some bread Yen brought with him.
The guide was a lot more prepared than I thought, he actually had a stove set and made some hot drinks for us from boiling the water from Chiling river. I made a joke that it would be perfect if he had a hammock as well, and to my utter disbelieve, he ACTUALLY have a hammock with him (sans the ropes to tie it around the trees)!
feeding the fish with FA
After hanging out at the main waterfall for over an hour, it was time to make the return journey. On the way back FA actually lost her shoes in the rapids and had to walk over half an hour barefoot. The guide also picked up some trash (such as broken shoes) that were left from the other irresponsible tourists. We then had a very late lunch at Ulu Yam before returning home dead tired.
The magnificent chiling falls
It was quite an adventurous trip and certainly a very enjoyable one. Perfect for a weekend getaway that does not involve going to the shopping malls. Yen can be contacted at happyyen at gmail.com or 017369 7831. He charges RM180 for a group of 2 to 8 person and will supply more guide if you have a bigger group.
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By suanie on Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
yen was awesome!
By Dabido (Teflon) on Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
I should have arrived a week or two earlier. lol
By Mama BoK on Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
Awesome waterfall..!! prolly need alot of stamina doing this eh..??
By VaLz on Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
NOTE : Do not wear flip flops =\
By KY on Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
Mama Bok,
not really a lot of stamina, just be prepared to suffer
By Yue-Li on Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
Hello KY,
I’ve been reading your blog on and off, and you’re really hilarious.
However, if you don’t mind, there is something I would like to share with you regarding your latest post.
It’s about feeding the fishes. I’m a diver, and during one of my recent dive trips, I was enlightened about the devastating effects on feeding fishes in the wild - the seas and rivers.
It might seem harmless to feed those cute little fishes some bread. But over time, these fishes will begin to rely on artificial forms of feed, and will cease to hunt for their own food.
The result are fishes that are more aggressive. An indirect result are corals that die (in a balanced ecology, fishes eat algae that that smother reefs).
Here’s a website link for more information:
http://www.coralreefalliance.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=611&Itemid=121
Sorry if I sound like an over-zealous environmentalist. But I’m not, really. It’s just that I’ve been victim to samseng fishes in Redang (they were trying to eat my legs!), and the reason is because of how we have disturbed the natural feeding instincts of fishes.
Thanks for reading
By steelrage on Jan 1, 2008 | Reply
you guys so bad never call me go one..
By KennyStyle on Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Where is this place..? is been awhile since the last time i went to a waterfall..
can we go there by ourselve or a guide is necessary..?
By KY on Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Yue Li,
I agree with what you said, especially from a diver’s point of view as I am one myself. The ecology of a river system is slightly different (no coral reefs) but the impact might just as dramatic. Will keep that in mind. Thanks.
steelrage,
Cos you almost never pick up your phone?
KennyStyle,
I think a guide is most recommended. It is located pretty near to Ulu Yam. Call Yen.
By Amei79 on Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
I like jungle tracking, wanna have it at Bako National Park, but til now not yet take an action…coz not in kch…will try to make it this coming CNY, if other frens want to follow…:)
By davidlian on Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Wah! Darn, sounds so fun - I wanted to go…
Anyway, KY…you’re a diver?!
By KY on Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Amei,
Good luck!
davidlian,
yeah but I haven’t dived in 2 years!
By Happyyen on Jan 10, 2008 | Reply
Hi! KY,
The fishes are brought in and cared by the fisheries department. They are feeding the fishes daily, with fish pellets. Ikan Kelah is not a native to this river.
I do agree with Yue Li with regards to feeding the fishes. A good example will be the feeding of eagles in Pulau Langkawi. Their stock seems to have declined. The big hotels in the island are no longer promoting this tour.
How are we going to tell the wardens of the area, not to feed the fishes?
By steelrage on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
but u never called me anyway…
By KY on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
steelrage,
blame it to suan.
By haan on Jan 17, 2008 | Reply
was the 3rd KKB photo photoshoped?
By KY on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
haan,
I only converted the photo to B&W during the RAW processing. Didn’t use photoshop
By haan on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
thanks for replying. that photo immediately caught my attention.. very contrasting..
By KY on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
haan,
playing with color channels during B&W conversion can create some dramatic effects akin to using color filters in film days.
By haan on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
ah.. that means not “pure” conversion to B&W lar.. u got do some “playing”
By KY on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
haan,
nobody really use a “pure” B&W conversion. that tends to make the picture looks very flat and grey.
By haan on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
ky, sorry for have posting few comments… coz your 1st and 3rd B&W pics look very different. so i was curious to ask. i also rarely do “pure” B&W conversion
By KY on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
haan,
nothing wrong with posting more comments. bloggers feed on comments!
By Happyyen on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Hi! KY,
Thank you. Recently Shanon read your website and he organise a group to Chiling Waterfall. They had a good time and really enjoyed the Chinese meal in Ulu Yam Baru.
Will you be interested to visit Lepoh Waterfall in Ulu Langat? About 1.5 hours hike up the hill?
By KY on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Happyyen,
Suan will be organizing the stuff.
We will surely engage you for any trip! You’re an excellent guide!