44/12. 44 bloodsucking leeches - 12 mortals. An average of 3.6 leech per person. Me? 5 leech bites. Lost out to Donovan and Lee Wen, a joint record of 8 bites. 
Gunung Senyum, my 4th visit, has left me smiling. I’m forever captivated. I sat at the camping area on the last day, fulfilled, and yet I was pensive to leave. We’ve conquered it, leaving us with virtually no excuse for another visit. But, we do now, as the ranger informed us that the 90 degree mountain climb is open. I remembered my first trip (school) in 1993, where a horizontally challenged girl fell and broke her leg in 3 places. Yikes!
Gunung Senyum is separated to 2 parts - Gunung Senyum (1st day) and Jebak Puyuh (2nd day). First day was a sneak preview of what was to come. On the first night, we had a small jamming session at the campsite, where I took out my dust-covered yet faithful guitar which I haven’t played for ages, and jammed for an hour plus. I couldn’t play any full songs because I forgot the chords, except one full song, Bon Jovi’s Always.
Jebak Puyuh has breathtaking caves. This time, we hired a guide, to ensure we didn’t miss any caves. And that’s where the leech fest started. The 45 minute hike saw us come face to face with a army of leeches, small little buggers, which I’m sure if you zoomed in, is probably dressed in some military outfit. The downpour last night didn’t help either.
This cave, had some interesting rock formations, particularly this one, which is pointing upwards. There was one that resembled a feet too. The dude with the green pants and brown shirt was our guide, Husin. We paid him RM150.
I wanted to get a silhouette shot of me meditating in the caves, but I didn’t realize that there was a invertebrate creeping down behind me. BTW, she goes by the name of “Puteri Cavesitter”, as her ass has blessed all the caves. What’s the number for that pathetic Malaysian book of records?
Looked like we were in Mars, with snake tracks. The best cave of ‘em all - Gua Ular, because of its winding chambers. And caves within caves.
Inside each shoe was a leech or 3 waiting to be found. 44 of them between us. OLE!
A secret garden in the depths of the Gua Ular cave.
Yup, I lost weight, no thanks to Lent. I am planning to work out again soon after quiting last October.
I’m currently having Gunung Senyum withdrawals, so much so that I’m thinking of another spelunking excursion after June, to either Kota Gelanggi in Jerantut, or Tasik Bera to experience the lives of orang asli. To all other bloggers who read this, there is MORE TO LIFE than just blogging/nerding. Live it before it’s too late.
From Top Left: Wan Shen, Anelie, Lau, Kam, Donovan, Chelva, Andrew (Endroo G), Szelin (Tihtahpah)
Seated in Front: Lee Wen, Me, Yan Keat, Gerald (Pixelated Mo),
A Year Ago
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April 26th, 2007 at 7:40am
looks really nice
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April 26th, 2007 at 7:53am
It was indeed a nice place. We almost got lost in the jungle on the first day.
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April 26th, 2007 at 9:15am
Nice pics! And for a second there I thought that huge thing in the 1st pic was a giant pinecone or something! LOL..
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April 26th, 2007 at 9:52am
leaches!!!
*faint*
ouchhhh
cool! looks like u guys had great fun!! =D
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April 26th, 2007 at 10:04am
Dandy dan, since you like cave exploration…you may want to consider organizing a trip to Mulu. The caves there are amazing!!! When you’re there, do the adventure caving at the Sarawak Chamber and do the pinnacles. I had an unforgettable cave and forest experience! I want to go back there again.
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April 26th, 2007 at 11:58am
Wow the caves look very fascinating! And were there any snakes in the Gua Ular?
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April 26th, 2007 at 12:11pm
haha, u guys had fun, that’s great.. But i still will not prefer caves. I prefer beach…
I do have a life, diff from your taste onli
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April 26th, 2007 at 1:38pm
oh wow, sounds like fun!!
the only cave that i’ve been to is gua tempurung in perak… the 2 hours ride is not that challenging, and no leeches thank god hehe. can i know where is gunung senyum? is it somewhere in pahang?? and from the pictures u took it looks beautiful! 
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April 26th, 2007 at 1:55pm
what’s with leeches la… like a competition….
must work out again dude!
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April 26th, 2007 at 2:38pm
oooh that looks fun
actually quite a number of bloggers have better lifes than non bloggers ;p
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April 26th, 2007 at 3:06pm
There’s more to live indeed.
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April 26th, 2007 at 3:11pm
clement It was.
endroo G Almost getting lost is part of the fun. But I wasn’t worried.
JACQ It does look like that doesn’t it? It’s my customary spot for a group photo whenever I visit Gunung Senyum.
huei Leeches are harmless, you don’t feel a thing.
Lady Stiletto I will conquer Mulu one day, but right now, I’m thinking of a highly unlikely backpacking sojourn to Europe next year.
Sha There were snake tracks, but I didn’t come across any snakes like I did the last time.
cely I love the beach much more than I love the caves. I love nature.
conan_cat Isn’t Gua Tempurung now a commercialized hoopla? Gunung Senyum’s approx 40km away from the town of Temerloh. And yes, it IS beautiful.
zewt LOL. It was, and I thought I won! Basket! Hahaha! Well, yes I need to start working out soon, as soon as I’m done with my exams in June. Need to check my shoulder ligaments and maybe a small surgery after that. Bah!
visithra Yes, that’s true, and hopefully by meaning “better lives”, it revolves to more than just shopping malls.
Chapree Da Grande I’m already thinking of the next caving trip.
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April 26th, 2007 at 3:20pm
I had a fantastic time…. too bad my stamina like shit…
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April 26th, 2007 at 6:17pm
You guys look like you had a lot of fun.
Probably need to go to a blood bank…lol
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April 26th, 2007 at 8:58pm
Ermmmm here’s a stupid question….where is Gunung Senyum?
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April 26th, 2007 at 9:39pm
i demand a recount!
me am proud owner of 9 leach bites and my first ever both-my-legs-are-bleeding & me-holding-looks-like-long-worm-blood-clot pictures! woo! good fun!
er… almost lost? i think we did… for a while anyway…
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April 26th, 2007 at 9:53pm
Mo Mine was just as bad. I can hardly wait to get on the treadmill again in the coming months.
Rudy Yeah, it was bloody.
There was one disgusting shot of Donovan holding his own coagulated blood.
sabrina Approx 40km from Temerloh town. Once you’re there, you can ask the locals, it’s pretty easy.
donovan A recount is not applicable after a decision has been made. Wait til the next trip.
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April 27th, 2007 at 4:54am
leeches is something minor for me.. once, when i was climbing mount Gading here in Lundu, Sarawak, my feet was sucked by damnbastard 12 leeches..*pengsan* :)…
anyway, is there any bats inside the cave? sure got rite? their poo poo is so like bau!!hahahaaa…
nice pics capture there.. captivating sceneries.. wish to go there someday..
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April 27th, 2007 at 9:37am
priscilla Exactly, leeches are overrated.
It’s the slug-looking river ones that disgusts me. Oh yes, there were bat droppings, but the smell is not as bad as durians. 
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April 27th, 2007 at 9:40am
aih.. durian sedap wat..
hahaa..
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April 27th, 2007 at 9:43am
Sab, Its in Temerloh, Pahang…
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April 29th, 2007 at 1:25am
looks like a place i would like to go
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August 31st, 2008 at 7:17pm
Gunung Senyum baby!!
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