18 July 2023My cousin wanted to see wild boars at the peak, so we did not waste time, taking the most direct (and steeper) trail to the top. Midway, we allowed ourselves a brief stop when a break in the foliage revealed the city skyline. Ten minutes later, we reached the peak only to learn …
According to Worldometer - real time world statistics provider, Mongolia is the- 19th largest country in the world by area - 3rd most sparsely populated (6 people per square mile)The landscape is largely steppe, desert, and semidesert, with 75% of the land used for livestock grazing. And that is what makes the Mongolian road trip …
Our next stop was Ogii Lake in the Arkhangai province of central Mongolia, 80km northeast of Kharkhorin. As such we had the morning free to visit the Kharakhorum Museum and Erdene Zuu Monastery. Erdene Zuu Monastery Founded in 1585, Erdene Zuu Monastery is Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist shrine, built with stones from the ruined capital …
I've always associated Sekinchan more with rice fields than a fishing village. As 180 sqm of paddy field transitions from growing to ripening, the vast expanse of green cultivated land transforms into a sea of golden fields. This colour changing landscape happens not once, but twice a year! Having seen lush green fields when I …
On this second trip, we decided to explore the northwest of Mongolia, namely Lake Khuvsgul. As two of our party of five are visiting for the first time, we included Hutsai and Karakorum into the itinerary. So when Hurley, our guide said that we will be stopping at Mini Gobi, I readily agreed. Five years …
A visit to Sky Mirror is like a Jumanji adventure - where hidden dangers and pre-historic creatures lurk around every corner. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride! Jurassic Island - somewhere in the Strait of Malacca. Totally submerged most of the time, this unchartered island is only revealed briefly at low tide, for about …
I got my first taste of hiking in South Korea in 2016 at Jaunbong Peak, Dobongsan. The experience was so memorable I vowed to return, setting my sights on Baegundae Peak, which finally materialised on 11 September 2023. Highest point of Seoul At 836m (2,744ft), Baegundae Peak is 280m higher than the Lotte World Tower, …
I felt very small and insignificant when I hiked Bukit Cerakah. The vast openness of the area, coupled with gigantic trees, boulders, borderless grassy plains and endless rows of palm oil effectively reduced me to Liliputian size. The trail head is easily accessible from Persiaran Puncak Alam 11, immediately going uphill along a double track …
Though rare, there are positives arising from the pandemic. Bukit Pudu Ulu is one fine example. This little known hill experienced a revival and gained popularity as a neighbourhood hiking destination at the height of Covid-19 restrictions in 2020/21. Established by the community with an existing trail of about 700m, this small hill (172m) nestled …
A glimpse of Mirror Lake from a week ago, inspired this 4-5 hour hike from Alam Budiman trailhead. The budgeted time was based on taking the most direct approach and omitting Bukit Sapu Tangan. Starting from the double-track Trail 10, we stayed on the lower contour for its more gradual incline though longer meander to …
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