Mount Murud 2007 Journal - Part I

Rona and I have to drive from Miri via Brunei despite my passport validity of one more month. However we thanks God for His intervention. We reach Lawas earlier than we expected. The next day, we travelled overland to Ba Kelalan which takes approximately 5 good hours! Other options are by flight which takes about 35mins from Lawas.




Upon early breakfast the next day, we prepared to leave for Lepo Bunga - the first stopping point before starting your trekking. We leave few days earlier to join my dad and few Ba Kelalan folks who was there few days earlier. The weather was fine and few village folks also joined us trekking to Mount Murud earlier.




The first trekking and climb was rather challenging. Trekking in dense jungle at an altitude of 3000km or more above sea level, one cannot avoid the leeches. But surprisingly that day, none has greeted me.




As you climb higher, the trek was getting tougher and you have to trek on the tree roots.




But despite the exhaustedness, the beauty of the jungles still prevail.




Ba Kelalan youngsters and men are all ready to carry your bag with porter charges. They are men with big heart, helping you all your way up.




Along the way, I was amazed with so many beautiful things that God has prepared for us.

Be it a blooming wild flowers..




Freshly dewed greenish mosses...




Shy and helpful people..




Little bright coloured and furry pitcher plant...




Nothing amazed me more.. I kept on rising my eyes and stole a glimpse of blue sky above the bushy tree tops.

How can I not praising the Lord for His goodness?





As you rest your tired feet and to catch some breath after few rough climb, the view of perfect tree greeted by the sunlight and blue sky really take your tiredness away.

How can I not wept in the beautiful presence of the Lord?




See the beautiful orchid on the tree as you climb higher..




This is man made steps done by Ba Kelalan folks to ease your climb to the mountain. But it could be slippery sometimes,so one have to be very careful.




Rona leading the porter team up to the plank bridge.




After two good hours of trekking in the jungle, you will reach the starting point of the plank bridge. Taking a rest at the open space with our fellow villages, there are lots of sight to behold around us.





See the blue sky again? It was sooo amazingly beautiful there..




This is the plank bridge, which was prophesized by God through the late Pak Agong - the man that God use during his time. I still remember well, I was in my primary school when Pak Agong came to our house and share this vision to my mom. He said that in the next years to come, there will be bridge to be built to mount murud for the convenience of those who come to the mountain to seek time with God. During that time, I found this idea is somehow ridiculous - humanly speaking, by looking at the structure of the mountaineous area.

But as you can see today, it has been realized. Never underestimate God's power!




The bridge has been called Jambatan Sukacita (Joy Bridge) and I could felt the lump in my throat the first time I step on this bridge. God's presence was there and always will. The feeling was so peaceful.




My sister with few aunties resting on the bridge.





Rona and the youngsters resting on the bridge while enjoying the beautiful nature,







After 1 1/2 hrs trek along the bridge, then we start to trek into the jungle again. This time, you will notice that the trees and the forest are different - due to altitude. Its a dense and swamp forest but I enjoy it most...




Because you will get to see lots of beautiful things.




Pitcher plant.





At one point, you will see the peak of Mount Murud - the highest mountain in Sarawak.




And further up, you could see the rooftop of the Church Camp or Reked Meligan. This is the point where lots of people would wept because of God's greatness.





And lots of other beautiful things along the way that amazed you.. For those who are not so used to jungle life, if you see this beautiful plant in the jungle, never make an attempt to touch it because it is poisoneous.




But there are things that brings smile to your face and remind you that God loves you.




After a trek of 45 min through the dense swamp forest, finally we reach the Reked Meligan (Holy Ground). No smoking and alcohol allowed on this mountain as this has been sanctified by God for His presence.




Porters are not for free. Weighing stuffs that they carried.




After paying our porter, we rest by the fire drinking hot tea while waiting for the water to boil for our first bath in the climates of 10 deg celcius.

One has to take shower, no matter how cold it is to balance your body temperature with the climates. - Learn from Borneo Jungle Safari!

That was my journal on Part I.

Stay tune!