Hiking @ Bukit Tabur, Ulu Kelang

So, after a hiatus (actually more of having good kaki's around and a good enough reason to partake) of about 15 years or so, I was going to climb/hike/panjat/mendaki/naik a hill (bukit). About a month or so back, a close friend of mind posted a picture of this place. It was serene and I was looking to get some fresh air into my lungs as well (what with the current haze around KL). So Aizi had called me to go for this hike for the last weekend, which unfortunately I could not attend. So, he called me again this week. I had another plan cancelled and looked like a good opportunity to get some sweat rolling and take some pictures.

As soon as I arrived, I was excited (man, I am big, but I had always thought I was thin/yeah I know). Despite the disillusioned imagery of me, we started the climb. It was a tough first section with, with some technical midsections (I thought it was hill climbing, not rock-climbing, okay!). Finally, after about 2 hours of hiking, I just could not continue, (not with vertigo, a weak left leg and a less than average balance). So, thankfully my buddy, Aizi, understood and accompanied me back down.

I must say that even upon reaching back to our car, and after the numerous curses and truckloads of sweat, I am considering another trip there, albeit not anytime soon. Bukit Tabur, one day I shall conquer thou! As for Aizi, Am, Hanif, Ikram and Akram, you guys were great and thanks for the opportunity.

Some of the pics that I managed to capture.

#1

#2

Both these 2 pictures were either taken @ Checkpoint 2 or Checkpoint 3. For more pictures, please drop by http://www.flickr.com/photos/aic_76

Slimy slitherins.

I have always admired Austin Stevens. Who? You might be wondering if I was referring to Steve Austin (3:16), but no. Austin Stevens? Who is this guy? If any of you guys watched Mr. Crikey! Crocodile Hunter, Mr. Stevens here is wildlife photographer who shoots snake. Man, I always enjoy his takes on whatever snakes that he goes to shoot. This guy is like so wacky that if he happens to see something in the wild that attracts him, he'll just drop his gear and go after the snake, just like that. You'd have to watch his show to really see how crazy he can get. And for that, I really admire him.


When he shoots snakes, he makes the snakes comfortable around him. The thing with snakes is that I've had a misconception that they are harmful. How wrong could I be? Wild animals are just trying to survive. They are just afraid of us as we are afraid of them. Their natural instinct is to protect themselves if they sense danger, wouldn't we do that as well? So, this is where I admire Mr Stevens. His understanding of snakes and their behaviors allows him to make the snakes comfortable around him, enabling him to take wonderful picture.


I've seen him wrestle the likes of anacondas and pythons (really big ones). I've seen him pat the head of a King Cobra and caress other types of snakes as well. Watching him in action has inspired me to take some shots of snakes as well. However, I'm not heading to the wild, I'm gonna shoot pictures of snake in enclosures.


These four shots were taken in Zoo Negara as well. All shots were taken handheld using the Olympus E-3 and ZD 14-54/2.8-3.5 with manual focusing (to avoid the AF for mistaking the glass panels). I had boosted the ISO due to very low light conditions and changed the WB setting to Tungsten setting. For more info on Mr. Stevens, he's on Animal Planet's Austin Stevens: Most Dangerous series. You could google him up as well and watch his adventure on youtube.

Click on images to have a bigger view.

Cheerios and thanks for viewing.