Hash Walk, Penang

March 26 - 27, 2010

I drove to Penang to join a big group of walkers participating in a hash walk organised by General (R) Datuk LC Soon. Botak Chin, Margaret and Han joined me for the drive. We stayed at Air Itam Training Centre (AITC), near Kek Lok Si Temple. It was a basic hostel accommodation. For RM170, we got 3 nights stay at the hostel and 2 days breakfast and packed lunches. Not bad.

We planned to walk from Teluk Bahang in the north to the base camp in Air Itam and continued all the way south to Gertak Sanggul the next day.

The Group photo before the start of the walk. There were over 70 walkers from all over. I counted only another Malay guy, Adnan in the group. Adnan was the guy who cycled to Beijing before the Olympic.

Ready to Go. We were flagged off by a local politician.

Rest stop with BH Tan. He was struggling so I had to leave him and went on my way alone.

I came across this lady with the umbrella inside the jungle shade. Her husband also carried umbrella. Interesting couple.

One peak conquered, a few to go

Shirley climbing a steep slope with her husband.

We started the walk in high spirit. After hours of gruelling walk, it began to take tolls. I separated from my walking partner and room mate, BH Tan as he was having some pains. I continued the walk with no one in sight in front or back of me. I just prayed that I did not get lost. I was following the paper trail.

I stopped for lunch by a stream just after the farm and before going into the jungle again.

Pitcher Plant

The walk took us through hills, farm lands and jungle. There was steep climb and descend. I came across some beautiful flowers, water falls and abandoned old colonial buildings. I walked under the canopies of Bunga Kantan trees of which flowers are used in the assam laksa that Penang is famous for. I had a field day taking photos.

Towards the end of the walk, I regrouped with Wu, Collin, a New Zealander and Shirley.

Air Itam Dam. Having walked since 8.40am I was glad to see the dam. It meant that I was close to the AITC, the hostel where we stayed. At exactly 4pm, I reached the drink wagon marking the end of my day's walk. It has been 7 hours 20 minutes of walking, climbing and going down steep hill slopes. My legs started to wobble and become rubbery.

After dinner, I retired early. I decided not to continue walking the next day and instead joined my family at Holiday Inn, Batu Feringhi. I felt bad of not completing the mission but glad to be with my family again. I believe half of us decided not to continue on the second day.

Back to the 5-star comfort of Holiday Inn. This was a far cry from the hostel at Air Itam Training Centre where I stayed during the Hash Walk. Still wearing the Hash Walk shirt.

We went to look for the famous Line Clear Nasi Kandar near Lebuh Maxwell. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovation. I managed to snap a photo of this colourful old building around the area.

Sunset in Batu Feringhi Beach, Holiday Inn

Anas strolling on the beach

Nina & Anas dozing off on the way back to KL