Waterfall Hunting Series: Puteri Waterfall

Date: 26th August 2009
Location: Puteri Waterfall, Johor
Event Category: Waterfall Hunting

Mamenez's Waterfall Hunting series in Johor has chosen this Puteri Waterfall as one of the collections. Puteri Waterfall is ranked as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Malaysia. The waterfall alone is not the only main attraction, it is attached to the Legendary 1276m high Gunung Ledang (or Mount Ophir).

Gunung Ledang is very famous among mountain climbers in Malaysia. The mountain ranked 6th most difficult mountains in Malaysia, has been the most climbed mountain as well. More on the mountain soon, as Mamenez is planning to climb up to the peak of Gunung Ledang soon.

Located in Sagil, (District of Muar) it is pretty easy to find this waterfall. By using the mountain itself (as it is tall enough that you can see while you are driving), and lots of road signboards, anyone can get to the Puteri Waterfall without getting lost.

From Kuala Lumpur or Johore Bahru (Singapore), you can use the Malaysian North-South Highway (PLUS) and exit Tangkak. By the time you pass by the toll counter, at about 200 metres ahead, you will find this very big signboard "Welcoming you to Ledang District". Smile, because you are exactly on the right track. Next, turn right and just follow the way to Gunung Ledang, and from here, you can actually see the peak of Gunung Ledang clearly.

Next, you will find this small town area and that is Sagil. From here, you will start to see more and more road signboards showing you the direction to Gunung Ledang. Roughly, from the highway exit to Gunung Ledang, it will take around 1 - 2 hours drive depending on the traffic and weather. Talking about Puteri Waterfall, there is a legend behind it. The story line is like this;

"There is a popular Malaysian folklore which told of a Princess with magical powers who resided on the mountain. She was wooed to be the wife of the then Sultan of Malacca. Sultan Mahmud Shah. However, she set impossible conditions for him as a means to reject his proposal.
The first condition was to build two bridges . . . one of silver and one of gold. For which he switly constructed, having all the nation to participate.
The second was to fill a tempayan (large earthen water-barrel) full of blood from mosquitoes. For a second time, the nation participated in this seemingly impossible task and succeeded.
The third and final condition, was for him to gather a bowl of his sons blood. The Sultan was put into a state of dilemma; and after long days and restless nights of consideration, he stepped into his sons room in the night, with a dagger in one hand - and a bowl in the other.
He approached his sons sleeping body, and as he drew close, the image of the Princess appeared before the Sultan and said to him that she could not possibly marry a man willing to wound his own son. And then she vanished, never to be seen again.
Folklore has it that the gold and silver supposedly found on the mountain are attributed to; and a testament to this story."

And another further legend;

"Further legend has it that the princess eventually married one Nakhoda Ragam, a hero whose name unfailingly struck terror into the hearts of those who had dared to oppose him. However, this hero was later to die at the hands of his princess-wife. Ragam was fond of tickling the Princess’s ribs. One day, in an uncontrollable burst of anger, the Princess stabbed her husband in the breast with a needle she was handling. Thereafter, the Princess returned to Mount Ophir and vowed never to set her eyes on another man."

That is why this waterfall is named as Puteri Waterfall (Puteri is Malay word for Princess).

For its beauty, this waterfall is now under the care of Johor National Park, and off course the state government has spend some money to upgrade the facilities here. Carpark, toilet, restaurants, shops, muslim praying hall, chalet and even a resort has been equipped here.

The waterfall receives visitors almost everyday. Weekend and public holiday is where you can see hundreds of people visiting this waterfall.

There are 2 entrance to Gunung Ledang from the main road. If you here to visit the waterfall, you need to enter via Entrance A and if you here to climb the mountain, you need to enter via Entrance B and that is where you will find a ranger office for you to register and proceed with mountain climbing.

Yup, once you park you car, make a little walk, climb the hundreds of stairs and the waterfall is just beside you. If you are lucky, when the water is heavy, you will definitely amazed by its beauty.

If you are thinking for a swim, there are several ponds that you may stop over and swim. The water is purely cold, crystal clear and refreshing.

That is it.

Mamenez is likely to make his return to Puteri Waterfall for its cold water, if anyone interested to join, message me on www.facebook.com/mamenez

See you there.

Waterfall Hunting Series: Ulu Kenas Waterfall

Date: 23rd of September 09
Location: Ulu Kenas Waterfall, Perak
Event Category: Waterfall Hunting

Another Mamenez's waterfall hunting series was held in Perak, one of the State in Malaysia. If I say that our previous waterfall series were challenging and risky, but not this one.

Located in Kuala Kangsar district in Perak, Ulu Kenas Waterfall is one of the main attraction here. Basically, almost all the villages (kampung) in Kuala Kangsar has its own waterfall. And for sure, there are more hidden waterfall has not been discovered yet.

Back to this Ulu Kenas Waterfall, it is publicly advertise and almost everyone who lives in this district knows and been to this waterfall. Basically it has its own level of difficulty, from easy to the most difficult level.

On the day we've been here, its a bit cloudy so we decided not to proceed further to the most difficult level. I have been once there, and it is very nice and I love to say, it is an 'untouched' area. Not many people dare and able to climb up further to the top due to the difficulty in climbing, wild tiger, and off course, so many people get lost in this jungle already.

So yup, if you dare to climb up to the top, definitely you will see the hidden part of this Ulu Kenas Waterfall. The waterfall is not tall but it is too unique. It seems likes 'someone' is looking after the hidden waterfall and arrange the stone nicely over there. Miracle.

By the way, on the day we've been here in September 09, due to cloudy and 'going-to-rain' soon, we cancelled our plan to climb up to the top. Thus, we just spend our time at the most basic and accessible waterfall area.

Everybody can come and reach this area. From the main road, you can drive up to the main carpark area and next, you have to walk a little up further. The place is big, I believe it can accommodate 500 people at one go.

Also, there is a resort area plus chalet as well. People from far may choose to overnight here.

Yup, if anyone interested to join me in my next Waterfall Hunting Series, please feel free to contact me via www.facebook.com/mamenez

Thank you.

Road Trip Series: Kuala Lumpur

Date: 11th of August 09
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Event Category: Road Trip
Batch: 01/Aug 09

Mamenez's road trip event for the year of 2009 happened again, and we choose Kuala Lumpur. It is located about 300km away from Johore Bahru, and it took about 3 hours drive. It is definitely a long and tiring drive but with good companion, it turns fun!

The journey started from Singapore, as another two member are from there. So we have to cross the Johore Causeway first and entering Malaysian Federal Highway next. So, we have Rahmat from Malaysia, Faizal from Singapore and Bong from the Philippines.

The journey started as early as 6:00am, because we have to pass the Singapore and Malaysian Imigration Checkpoint. So, step out early will save us from getting stuck at the Checkpoint. and Yup! we are lucky because everything goes as planned. Everything goes smoothly.

We entered Johore around 7.30am and start our 1st kilometre of Malaysian Highway to Kuala Lumpur. And another 300+ remaining. Pheww..

After 1 hour plus drive, there comes the not-FUN part. There was a police roadblock and we have been stopped by the officer.

Rahmat: "Yes Sir, anything?"
Police: "Hmm you drive fast, exceed the speed limit of 110km/hour"
Rahmat: "Oo okay.. how fast I drive?"
Police: "170km/hour"
Rahmat: "What!.. are you sure? I wont drive that fast Sir"
Police: "Oo okay.. let me check again.."
...After 5 minutes of checking...
Police: "Sorry, its 130km/hour"
Rahmat: "Oo.. okay.. hmm it just a little bit over.. because we are in a hurry.. I promise to drive slower.."
Police: "Sure?"
Rahmat: "Yes Sir"
Police: "Okay.. I let you free this time.. but dont exceed the speed limit again okay"
Rahmat: "Sure Sir... thank you very much"

Pheww.. we were free from traffic summon. Lucky! And next, continue our journey to Kuala Lumpur, and yet.. after about another 100km, there was another police roadblock!!! Hmm we dont drive fast this time... so nothing happened.

Yup, we reach Kuala Lumpur about noon time. And the first place we visited was this historical Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It used to be a place where Malaysian celebrated their independent day every year, on every 31st of August. But lately, the celebration was held in Putrajaya, one of the government city in Kuala Lumpur.

After taking few shots, we were heading to main city area and on the way there, we saw this 2 building which actually attached on the based. According to my friend, this building was designed and built by Italian Architecture. This building is now used by Hilton Hotel and Le Meridien Hotel, two 5-Star Hotel to run their hotel operation in Kuala Lumpur.

Amongst the places we visited in Kuala Lumpur is the National Planetarium. It is where the government putting all the photos, aerospace and spaceship equipment, facts and historic info on aerospace and many more.

Attached with the Planetarium, there is a look-out tower that you can visit too.

Another attraction at the Planetarium that you should try is the No Gravity Room. Until now, Im not really sure how they do that, but it really feels unbalanced when you step in that room. Beware, if you have migrain, I wont recommend you to try.

After spending about 1 hour at the Planetarium, we drove to Kuala Lumpur Tower. Its just about 15 minutes away from the National Planetarium. By the way, if you are into nature, there is a zoo and bird park just steps away from the National Planetarium.

Kuala Lumpur Tower, is actually a Telecommunication tower and it is number 4 tallest tower in the world.

For RM38 per person, its inclusive of a lift ride to the top of the Tower, Formula 1 Simulator, Mini Zoo entrance plus a free horse ride.

Berjaya Times Square is part of our itinerary too. Times Square is one of the unique building in Kuala Lumpur. In that building, at the top to be exact, there is a middle size fun park, with Roller Coaster and few other games in it.

It is pretty different actually, because while you are having fun with the Roller Coster, you can actually see people shopping and eating in that mall.

Next, we were heading to the MUST VISIT place, KLCC Petronas Twin Tower. We had our dinner here at the Suria KLCC, a shopping mall attached with KLCC. We spend most of our last hour around KLCC. It has a park, located outside the building where you can hang around and take picture. I can say, from the park, you have the best shot of KLCC and take picture of the building from this spot is the best!

We spend time around KLCC until about 8:00pm, just to watch this KLCC at night. Honestly, KLCC looks more expensive at night, with the whole building lighted up with white neon light.

After taking few shot and do crazy stuff at KLCC, we decided to start our journey home. Kuala Lumpur, used to be my playground before, will be missed!

I definitely will come back, bringing more and more people from the Southern part of Malaysia (Johore) and even from Singapore to visit you.. more frequent!

For anyone interested to join Mamenez in his Road Trip to Kuala Lumpur in future, please do not hesitate to contact him via www.facebook.com/mamenez

See you in Kuala Lumpur soon!

Beach Fun @ Desaru Series: Batch 01/Oct 09

Date: 1st - 2nd of Oct 2009
Location: Desaru Beach, Johor
Event Category: Beach Fun
Batch: 01/Oct 09

As Mamenez Event Management (Mamenez) is now based in Johor, most of the event organized in Johor. Taking into consideration that Johor is rich with its flora and fauna, mountain and waterfalls, beaches and rivers, Mamenez is concentration more on the outdoor activites such as Mountain Climbing, Outdoor Camping, White Water Rafting and many more. On the 1st of October 09, Mamenez and the team has conducted its first trial run for Outdoor Camping activities. Targetting on Beach Camping, which is Desaru, well known for its 22km long white sandy beaches and few number of resorts there. Yes October is a raining month, but we were lucky that the weather on that day was SUPERB! Just 3 of us, with the objective of "feeling" the windy Beach (camping), we start the trip on Thursday morning. The day was bright! We were blessed!

Thursday, 01 Oct 09, 10:00am:-
We started the day with shopping, for some raw food, chicken, camping equipment and off course, some food! Back to my house to marinate the BBQ chicken and did some final preparation.

Thursday, 01 Oct 09, 02:00pm:-
We departed for Desaru. The traffic was clear along the way, as it was weekday, not many people are going to Desaru. Roughly, it is about 100km from Johore Bahru City Centre, and 125km from Singapore. And it took about 1 hour 25 minutes to reach there. In fact, the federal government are now working on the highway to connect Johore Bahru City Centre to Desaru and it will cut the journey time into half. Cool!

Thursday, 01 Oct 09, 04:00pm:-
We reached Desaru. Since Im too hungry, we get the BBQ set up first and camping tent comes later part.

Yup, eventhough it was weekday, few local people spend their time swimming and hanging around the beach.

It was pretty cool to come on weekday because major camping area is your. However, as per the Beach Caretaker, it is crowd on weekend especially Sunday. Many Singaporean choose to spend their weekend in Desaru too, just to get away from home perhaps.

By the way, the beach is clean and windy, sand are white and wide. A lot of activities can be organize on the beach itself such as Volleyball, beach soccer and infact, some sea actitivites are available too. You can try the banana ride, jetski, kayaking or even fishing if you like. The beach equipped with a basic facilities of toilet, changing room and restaurant.

Thursday, 01 Oct 09, 06:00pm:-

Its the time to set up the camping tent and rest! YAY!

If you are thinking to go for swim, please do it during the day time, as the wave is a bit wild a night, and it could be dangerous too. And, if you are thinking of seeing the sunset, forget about it because you can only see the sunrise.. =)

The beach is facing the South China Sea and that is why, only sunrise will turn up.

So, all of us passing thru the night on the beach. It is very safe, windy and with a nice waves sound, it pretty heaven overthere.

Friday, 02 Oct 09, 07:00am:-

Wake up! Wake up as early as you can so you wont miss the sunrise. That is the most important things that you are not suppose to miss! It very nice, showing the miracle of God and you can spend almost 1 hour for that.

With the coolness of the wind, nice sound of the waves.. its another point why you should go to Desaru and spend atleast, 1 night there.

For big group of family or friend, there are a lot more activities you can do like Treasure Hunting, Sports and many more.
Mamenez is looking forward to organize another trip to Desaru, bringing more people and off course, having more and more activities for its group member.

See you at Desaru soon!

For more info, contact me via www.facebook.com/mamenez

...and infact, you may be part of Mamenez too! Just drop me an email.