In remembering the late Bernard Lee Kar Giap
Gunung Suku Climb 1,797m / 5,896 feet on 12.04.2014
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| L-R: Lian Goet Ean, George Aeria, Thong Kok Cheng, Ching Neng Bin, Neoh Choo Loa and Koay Saw Hoon not in the picture. We were at Bernard Lee's Place, Gunung Suku, Cameron Highlands with flowers and prayers for the late Bernard Lee Kar Giap. (GPS: N04.33120 E101.19561). |
12.04.2014 - In remembering the late Bernard Lee, five of Bernard’s trekking friends from Penang, requested me to guide them up to the summit of Gunung Suku and also to pray for Bernard’s soul. In the year 2010, Bernard and I joined the Penang friends for the 3-day trek from Gopeng to Cameron Highlands through jungle trail. By the way, we are all members of the ‘Malaysian Outward Bound Youth Association'.
At 9.15am we all met up in front of the Simpang Pulai Bomba fire station and then had ‘nasi lemak’ for breakfast at a stall opposite Bomba. It was very thoughtful of the Penang trekkers to celebrate my birthday at the stall with birthday cupcakes bought in Penang.
At 9.15am we all met up in front of the Simpang Pulai Bomba fire station and then had ‘nasi lemak’ for breakfast at a stall opposite Bomba. It was very thoughtful of the Penang trekkers to celebrate my birthday at the stall with birthday cupcakes bought in Penang.
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| At the car-park - (GPS location: N04.33346 E101.19353). |
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| The trail-head of Gunung Suku is just across the road. |
At 9.45am we started trekking up Gunung Suku and 25 minutes later we were at Bernard’s Place. I planted a bougainvillea tree and a flowering plant beside the cross marker. Ms Koay Saw Hoon brought three rolls of jasmine flower from Penang and placed it around the cross. We then said prayers for Bernard’s soul. My last prayer was on 24.03.2014 with my wife Catherine.
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| The trail-head of Gunung Suku. You will see lots of wild orchid flowers here. |
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| Beautiful wild orchid flower greeted us as we track on... |
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| Ching Neng Bin showing off his new RM750 Pathfinder Casio watch. |
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| A happy good looking Lian Goet Ean showing off her new i-phone. |
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| A sudden ray of sunlight piercing down from the sky. |
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| Taking a break. |
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| Taking another break. |
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| A type of fungi. |
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| You will see plenty of these wild palm-fruits along the trek. |
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| Just like my previous hike on 24th March, these strange flowers welcome us to Gunung Suku to pray for the late Bernard Lee Kar Giap. The flowers on the main tree trunk instead of branches. |
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| The flowers came out on the main tree trunk instead of branches. A close-up view of the flowers at the base of the tree. |
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| All the 'Star-flowers' on the ground to welcome us to Gunung Suku. |
Ching Neng Bin taking a break
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| I was planting a bougainvillea tree beside the cross for Bernard Lee Kar Giap. I also planted a flowering plant here and hoping to see the flowers on my next trip. |
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| Ms Koay Saw Hoon brought three rolls of jasmine flower from Penang and placed it around the cross. We then said prayers for Bernard’s soul. |
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| A Catholic prayer for the late Bernard Lee Kar Giap R.I.P. "God our Father, your power brings us to birth, your wisdom guides our lives, and by your command we return to dust. Lord, those who die still live in your presence, their lives change but do not end. I pray in hope for Bernard’s family, relatives and friends, and for all the dead known to you alone. In company with Christ, who died and now lives, may they rejoice in your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family, to sing your praise forever and ever. Amen." |
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| A Buddhist prayer for all beings in the jungle of Gunung Suku. With Loving Kindness Metta: 'Namo, tassa bhagavato, arahato, samma sambuddhassa' 3x (I pay homage to the exalted one, free from defilements & perfectly enlightened by himself). Buddham saranam gacchami, Dhammam saranam gacchami, Sangham saranam gacchami. Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami, Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami, Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami. Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami, Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami, Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami. May I be filled with loving kindness, May I be well, May I be peaceful and at ease, May I be happy (or free from suffering. May you be filled with loving kindness, May you be well, May you be peaceful and at ease, May you be happy (or free from suffering). May all beings be filled with loving kindness, May all beings be well, May all beings be peaceful and at ease, May all beings be happy (or free from suffering). We share these merits with our parents, teachers, all beings, friends, relatives, petas (hungry ghosts) and devas (deities). Sabbe sattā, sabbe pānā, sabbe bhūtā ca kevalā, sabbe bhadrāni passantu. Mā kañci pāpamāgamā. May all creatures, all living things, all beings without any exception, experience good happiness only! May they not fall into any harm. Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.67. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! |
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| A group photo at Bernard's Place after our prayers for the late Bernard Lee Kar Giap RIP. |
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| A "tripod stand" as marker to help in locating Bernard's Place. |
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| Lets go! Carry on trekking... |
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| We came across this little Alien..... |
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| This tree trunk is covered with flowers |
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| Ha! Ha! We have a Koala bear here! |
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| The huge Ling Tze on the trek. |
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| A 10-inch long black millipede on the track. |
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| The staircase to heaven! |
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| Another staircase to heaven! |
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| It was happiness at the false peak taking a good rest. |
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| George was so hungry, biting a "Bak Kua" in his mouth and at the same time looking for more... |
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| Beautiful weather with the cool temperature in the jungle ambiance. |
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| Saw Hoon had a muscle cramp and I did some massage on her leg. |
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| The fruits from the rattan plant. |
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| Beautiful green ferns. |
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| The trail onto the mossy forest. |
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| Into the mossy forest — with Lian Lian and Saw Hoon Koay. |
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| The mossy forest trail. |
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| At the bull-horn rest area. |
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| At the bull-horn rest area — with George Aeria. |
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| Very misty and also very cool - unable to view anything. |
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| At 1.45pm we arrived at the summit and had a short rest. As the sky was getting dark, we tracked back at 2pm. A short while later it was raining cats and dogs for about an hour. Half way down we met a group of 10 young Malays from Kedah be camping at the summit. |
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| Very misty at the small campsite at the peak. Very sorry, no scenic view today. |
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| We are members of MOBYA and proud to hold the association banner. |
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| At 5pm we arrived at the car-park. I must say that we had a very slow 4 hours hike up to the summit and down in 3 hours - enjoying every minute of the cool and peaceful jungle ambiance. It was a good trek indeed. |
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| To clean up our shoes and clothing, we drove to the road entrance bridge of Kampung Pos Slim to wash at the small river that runs below the main road. Here we met an Orang Asli Mr. Aron and chitchat with him. He told us that he could guide us up to Gunung Chabang 1693m. |
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| George Aeria said that the water is very cold, so you Mr. Neoh, please jump in first. |
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| George said: "Don't take picture of me with all the Bak Kua in my stomach..." Mr. Neoh calling us to go upstream.... |
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| This is the Water Paradise Resort at Pos Slim. |
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| We were all fresh and clean after the bath. — with Saw Hoon Koay, George Aeria and Thong Kok Cheng. |
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| Quite reluctant to go back and wish to stay here a little bit longer. |
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| At the end of the day in any other outdoor adventures, having a good meal is utmost important. We therefore had our sumptuous dinner in Gopeng at Restoran 668. |
TO THE LATE BERNARD LEE KAR GIAP RIP
THE CLIMB IS DEDICATED TO YOU MY FRIEND
YOUR UNSELFISH FRIENDSHIP AND SOUND ADVICE I TRULY ACKNOWLEDGED
“I take a moment to dedicate a few words to him because I am very grateful that he had led us on many backpacking trips for the past seven years. One of the things I will never forget is his great passion to travel that aroused onto us. He made us enjoy difficult journeys and gave us voice of encouragement which made us able to accomplish every backpacking trip. His absence will be difficult to get over, may his soul Rest In Peace.”
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Dear Mr Cheng - you are such a good friend to Bernard. Though you don't know me, I knew Bernard. And I know he would express exactly the same sentiments that ran through my mind when I saw your two commemorative climbs and postings in memory of your dear friend and I must thank you. Until we get to "Bernard's place", where he really is now, and gratitude can be more adequately expressed, thank you will have to do. Thank you, Mr Cheng.
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt thanks to you for organizing the commemorative climb in memory of our great friend, the late Bernard. I look forward to one day visiting the place where the cross was planted.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
PK
Shakespeare says: One who has many friends shall find no one to spare. And that's what Bernard Lee would probably say if he were to be still around, about what Ching NB and members of his Climbing enthusiasts have done so to commenmerate about his passing.
ReplyDeleteNB told me that the departure of Bernard Lee was an immense loss and a huge blow to them as he had been their group's planner since years back. He's a rare gem in comradeship.
It's an apt gesture (though quite a strenuous one)to climb the 1,797 m high Gunung Suku as a way to remember Bernard.
The mossy forest of Cameron Highland reminds one the scenes in the movies LOTR (Lord of the Ring) series,as well as the scenes of Harry Potter movies too.
I could see all the climbers were highly spirited and enlightened after offering prayers to BL. All were suitably rewarded by soaking in the shallow waterfall that followed (or is it just a mountain stream?). Rejuvenated and dinner followed at the Restoran 668 in Gopeng Town sure was bonus further rendered. Tauhu with fried small onion slices and Kangkong are great village delicacies that attract my glance. Great day of outdoor adventure to remember and cherish.
Regards, Alan K., KL.
Till to-date I cannot accept that Bernard is gone. He was such a kind soul. He had left behind so much of his kind generous doings. The 1st time I met him, I thought he was a priest. He has taught me so much things that I myself can't imagine I could do. Backpacking is the last thing on my mind. With his guidance I survived 4 backpacking trips with him & friends.
ReplyDeleteExperienced my first backpacking trip through Cindy Chong with Bernard Lee as the leader. He was gentle but firmed and definitely very organized. Learned a lot from him and have since caught the backpacking bugs. Thanks Bernard.
ReplyDeleteTo someone who loves nature so much, I believe spiritually he chose to make the exist in such memorable manner. Trip to Gunung Suku made me understand why Bernard choose this path. Thanks Ching for organizing the trek to Gunung Suku for through it I felt Bernard's present in the little starry flowers laid on the path, orchestra of the jungle, mist welcoming us and the rain that chased us home. Bernard must have guided me to the right path when at one time I went to the wrong trail walking alone. He is gone physically but he, the kind and beautiful soul will be remembered forever.
ReplyDeleteChing Neng Bin, Thanks for the post. Awesome photos. Yep, keep yourself fit so you may have many, many more years to enjoy your passion. Regards.
ReplyDeleteHi Neng Bin,thanks for sharing your wonderful tribute to the late Bernard Lee. Always enjoyed your travel and adventure blogs. Hope to do some backpacking myself when I retire soon! Joe
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an amazing adventure and you've put this together beautifully. Your friends will really appreciate this.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ching. I do share with you. May Bernard Lee Kar Giap RIP.
ReplyDeleteBest regards. Rama.
He was simply a mentor to you and he knows from above that you are equally capable to lead the pack.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for sharing with me all your interesting travels. May you continue to do the things you like and keep us excited every time we receive your travelogues.
Best wishes to you always,
Jackson Au
Dear Mr Ching,
ReplyDeleteI am an avid reader of your blog, "Backpacking travel & Outdoor adventure". I enjoy reading your well-written articles and viewing your beautiful photographs. Please continue with your good effort. I am sure many people enjoy them too and also find inspiration from your enthusiasm in travel and adventure.
I read about your hike up Gunung Suku in April this year. I hope you can kindly provide me with some information concerning this mountain in Simpang Pulai/Cameron Highlands. My friends and I are planning to hike up this mountain soon.
1) Is the trail up Gunung Suku very clear and well-marked? ( just like the trail up Gunung Irau?)
2) Is it possible for hikers to hike up Gunung Suku without a guide? (it would be our first time there}
3) Is it safe to park our cars at the roadside near the trail head?
I look forward to your kind advice. I wish you a nice day and a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you very much.
With regards,
Peng Aun.
Dear Peng Aun, I would say the trail is clear but not well-marked. It is possible to hike up without a guide, but need to do your own marking just before reaching the summit. The car park is safe as far as I know.
ReplyDelete