XPDC Camping N9

Spent my one week holiday escorting students to a Camp at N.9 along with another fellow j/u.
Have to admit... I missed my comfy bed.

The first 2 nights were spent at a Camping & Recreational Spot at Kg. Sungai Besar at Gemas. Kayaking and Orienteering/Navigation were the main activities. For the Kayak aktivity, students kayak-ed about 2 hours down some parts of the Muar river ( THE very river where the legendary Hang Tuah had used to spirit away Tun Teja... so history said la). Murky river it was as it had rained heavily a few days before. I could smell the mud in the teh-tarik colored river. And I knew in such conditions, ada lumpur, ada kerbau... ada lintahhhhhhhhh... not that I'm queasy or afraid of leeches la...

I must say, the time difference between West and East Malaysia is something I almost forgot. I was wondering why I was feeling so hungry when the sun had yet to set. As I put up my wrist to offer my eyes better confirmation of time, I was quietly jolted. Uiikk... 7pm.. the sun was still out. Patutla my stomach was protesting..

The 3rd day saw us packing up and moving to the train station at Gemas. Hahah... kind of funny for me. Of all the years I was studying at UPM, never have I boarded the train before. I should have. It was a short 30 odd minutes ride to Bahau but enough to add to anyone's experience. We got off, boarded the many coaster buses and proceeded to Kg. Lonek for the Homestay Program. Kg. Lonek was a sweet, small village to visit. There the students were given a chance to go round the village and participate in some of the prepared homestay activities via bicycle ride. There were the craftmaking through the use of Rubber tree leaves and the dehusking of coconut using wooden spokes. Then there was the 'mengoca' or catching catfish using bare hands. 'Mengoca' comes from the word 'kocak' in malay or to agitate the water fiercely- to stun the catfish - and quickly catch them.

Raising the state flag

body rafting/ water confidence

nice sticker..

briefing before the kayak activity

my first time seeing a kelong in a river..

all aboard...

this chinese girl from Pahang wanted to take a picture with me.. don't know why..

welcoming troupe at Kg.Lonek (Homestay programme)

err... not enough bike helmets...

Dehusking the coconut

Have you watched te malay thriller movie 'Waris Jari Hantu'? I haven't. This house (the Pengerusi of the Kg.Lonek Homestay's house) was apparently in the movie... the waris jari hantu's house.

'mengoca'

Haa... Paintball mania... the jurulatihs preparing the markers..

Load them up!!

Crazy paintball... this is what happens if you play with no rules and wearing thin tracksuit only... more than two weeks passed before the skin looked almost normal

oh..ya.. we won 2nd place in the Cultural Dance Competition..

not bad for last minute preparations