I went up to Penang Hill hike 2 weeks back with a group of almost 70% whom are strangers to me. Strangely when it comes to hobbies and outdoor activities, I tend to get acquainted pretty fast. Well basically the folks that I went with are pretty friendly people, sharing their experiences from ‘Ocean to Peak’, that is their group name by the way. Two of the hikers in the group did weight training on that trail, carrying over 10 kg (I forgot to ask what was in it) up in the 3 hour hike to the top of Penang Hill. Honestly, I’ve only hike up to Penang Hill twice, the first one was relatively shorter - approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, this was 3 hours! We started off almost at the same location, the previous place was near the train station and the other was near the trail up the Air Itam Dam. Didn’t expect that it would be such a vast difference, oh well … I didn’t ask anyway, I just joined the group when a colleague of mine invited. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining … it was fun! Tiring … but fun! I need the training anyway … Although it is tough there is always a good motivation factor , sort of like ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’ (the trail in this case) … it was the chicken pie. A piping hot and straight from the oven, homemade chicken pie. I didn’t order any (thanks to my colleague’s coordination!) but one of the hiker was kind enough to spare me half a pie, you could imagine how grateful I was holding that half a pie! I was either very hungry or it was just too good! So if you are organizing a trip up to Penang Hill, by foot or tram – do check it out but please order in advance (call them at 048299474), as they don’t entertain walk in customer.

Perhaps I was too tired or I didn’t see anything exciting, the overal group are moving pretty fast hence I don’t really have much time to compose and re-compose pictures. We took some hilarious group pictures in the mid way of the train station, while waiting for our malay train operators to complete their daily prayer routine, if not mistaken it was an hour wait or so. You see, we were sweaty and stinky hence soaking in them and waiting around is no fun! I am not posting the group picture up in my blog though since I don’t have their consent, nonetheless you’ll see some none human related images hehehe.

One interesting sighting to note, we saw a couple of bottle-brush-like-worms in the mid way. They look really cute, munching at the leaves in high speed mode. Of course none of us touch it, in case there was any chemical / allergic reaction. Speaking of worms … this reminds me of leeches … yes the trail up to Penang Hill do have leeches and yes, once I knew about that (as one of the hiker was almost bitten by that nasty little thing) … I was speeding away to reach to the top, prior to that I was at the taking-a-stroll-speed.

I am organizing a bus load of hikers to take up the Penang Longest Trail challenge this coming Saturday 7th June 2008, in conjunction with our King’s birthday (public holiday). For now, that would be my longest hiking experience in terms of the hours and the most difficult trail. So if you are interested do let me know! Don’t worry about being shy, I’ve not met at least half of the folks that I’ve invited. It would be a good experience!