Outing

The initial track

The steps seemed never–ending

Shots from the first viewpoint

A view from the first stopover/viewpoint

One of the walking/jogging tracks around the hill

Perlis State Cultural Park, located next to the hill.

Another climb after the one I had last month (The Climb and The Climb II)? I wish! I drove to Bukit Lagi with the intention to climb again, but I wasn't feeling well. So, I walked along the jogging track and had dinner with a friend after, which turned out to be not too bad an evening after all.

Seaside

These were taken by the seaside during low tides recently. The seaside is about 20–min drive from where I live. There are food stalls along the 'beach'. Many people go there during the weekends for the sea breeze, cheap food, views of the sunset and Langkawi Island. Some children would play kites by the sea. There's also a night market here on Sundays, selling food, clothes, toys and such.

Chinese New Year

Lanterns in Kuala Selangor

Wishing my Chinese readers Gong Xi Fa Chai! Have a wonderful time with your loved ones. May the Year of the Ox bring you much joy, good health and prosperity.

I'm still recovering from the feeling of mentally tired and lethargic due to the amount of studying I've had to do and the irregular sleeping pattern. I've a one–week break from attending classes, but still have to work on a couple of assignments due early February. It doesn't help that I get weekly assignments, reading (lots of it) and class preparation (discussion and presentation). Wish me luck!

Quotes

Someone asked Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, "Teach me a work, such that when I perform it God and men will love me." Prophet Muhammad said, "Desire not the world, and God will love you; and desire not what men have, and they will love you." – Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

"He is not a perfect man of fortitude, who hath not fallen into misfortunes; and there is no physician but the experienced." – Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

Quotes

"He who leaveth home in search of knowledge, walketh in the path of God." – Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

"Whoever seeketh knowledge and findeth it, will get two rewards: one of them the reward for desiring it, and the other for attaining it. Therefore, even if he did not attain it, for him is one reward." – Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

More Sweet Treats at al

Laksa utara (rice noodles in thick fish 'curry' garnished with chopped lettuce, onions, chillies and hard–boiled eggs)

Cucur udang (prawn fritters), served with peanut sauce.

Hot peanut sauce for prawn fritters

Roti jala (plain lacy pancakes), served with curry. A set is sold for RM1.70. Cheap!

Chicken curry for roti jala

Pulut udang (glutinous rice stuffed with cooked grated coconut, dried prawns, chilles and spices). 3 for RM1.

Curry puffs, 4 pieces for RM1.

Kuih cara (made of wheat flour, screwpine leaf syrup and coconut milk). All for RM1.

Kuih cara and buah melaka (made of glutinous rice flour, screwpine leaf syrup, palm sugar, grated coconut and salt).

Kuih cara (made of wheat flour, screwpine leaf syrup and coconut milk) and cara berlauk (savoury cara), all for RM1.

Kek lapis karamel (caramel layer cake), RM1.30 per slice.

Agar–agar sirap (rose syrup jelly), 4 for RM1.

More treats from the popular stall nearby.

Quotes

"Riches are not from an abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind." – Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

"He who knoweth his own self, knoweth God." – Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w is my one and only idol. You'll be seeing more of his quotes here in the future.

Muharram Spread

Tapai (fermented rice), a traditional delicacy. You'll either like it or hate it. I don't like it.

My sister's beef with my pistachio and cashew nut purée. An unlikely combination, but it tasted not too bad.

Bawal masak taucu (pomfret in black bean sauce)

Steamed siakap (barramundi). My brother caught and cooked this himself.

Fried kangkung (water spinach/convolvulus)

Fried mackerel

Udang masak kunyit (prawns in turmeric sauce)

Sotong masak kicap (squids in soy sauce)

Puyuh masak kicap (quails in soy sauce)

Fried chicken

Bihun goreng (stir–fry vermicelli noodles)

The Climb

The 'calm before the storm'. The sign in blue says, "Beware of the steep steps".

We started climbing from the South to the North point.

Fishing is prohibited within the vicinity

The first view shot from about 20m up

The initial 45º track. The steps get more challenging and steep as you go up.

'Autumn' leaves

A view of Kangar and Chuping from the second viewpoint

A view of Seriab and Kuala Perlis from the top. The Mini Putrajaya building on the right is the Chief Minister's office.

The view was worth the tiring climb, don't you think?

My neighbour and brother taking a breather

My brother, neighbour and I climbed up a hill called Bukit Lagi recently. I've always wanted to climb this particular hill and didn't expect it to be very steep, up to 80º – 90º on some tracks! There are a few viewpoints/stopovers on the hill.

So far, I've climbed and walked up some local hills and mountains. However, I haven't done any climbing in a long time, and this was my first climb since my fractures a few years ago. Mind you, the thought of giving up did occur to my mind, but I kept thinking, if my little niece and parents could do it, why not me?

I survived the tiring, nearly 1–hour climb and would like to climb it on a regular basis from now on. Any takers? You need to be suitably dressed, i.e. wear sport shoes, and carry as little as you can. Forget your heavy DSLR and bring a compact camera if you must. Do bring a bottle of mineral water and some sweets in a bagpack. Your hands need to be free for the climb.