2019 Pine Tree Trail, Fraser's Hill (Day 1)


Dare to make the trek less travelled up to 1,448m above sea level were the 10 hikers (L-R) Vincent Yeoh (videographer), Dr Tan Liam Chwee, Eddie Yap (hiking guide), Ong Hua Meng, Teh Beng Choon, Jeffrey Tan Cheong Chai, Alan Koh (birding guide) and wife Theresa Ong, Ching Neng Bin, Victor Choo (team leader).

We decided on a 3day 2night trip (15-17 July 2019) to Fraser’s Hill staying on the highest point is the High Pine Bungalow in order to have more time for birding, hiking on the 2nd day and to enjoy all days appreciating the nature and atmosphere around us. What a surprise when we ended up for a durian eating marathon on the third day.


Day 1 (15.07.2019) was travelling 115km to High Pines Bungalow via Serendah and Kuala Kubu Baru.

We had our 9.20am breakfast at Yuu Lee 友利 Asian Restaurant in Serendah. After breakfast, we drove to Kuala Kubu Baru for a walkabout to buy some famous biscuits and cakes at 昇雲西菓店 Teng Wun Bakery. Eight of us met up for a morning hot deep at Kuala Kubu Bharu Hot Spring at about 11am. 12.40pm lunch was at Restoran Teo Kee No.8, Kedai MDHS, Jalan Merdeka, KKB. The other couple, Alan Koh and Theresa Ong drove directly to Fraser’s Hill at 6am for birding.


We had our 9.20am breakfast at Yuu Lee 友利 Asian Restaurant in Serendah.


After breakfast, we drove to Kuala Kubu Baru for a walkabout to buy some famous biscuits and cakes at 昇雲西菓店 Teng Wun Bakery.


The former Coates Theatre, build in 1953, which is now a snooker centre.


Kuala Kubu Baru wet market.


Kuala Kubu Baru bus station.


St. Paul’s Catholic Church which conducts sermons in Chinese built in 1957.


Eight of us met up for a morning hot deep at Kuala Kubu Bharu Hot Spring at about 11am. KKB Hot Spring is a little known hot spring in the Taman Arif area. A concrete pool with a sub-divided section where the spring emerges. The water is hot but bearable.


Kuala Kubu Bharu Hot Spring is a little known hot spring in the Taman Arif. A concrete pool with a sub-divided section where the spring emerges. The water is hot but bearable.


12.40pm lunch was at Restoran Teo Kee No.8, Kedai MDHS, Jalan Merdeka, KKB.


12.40pm lunch was at Restoran Teo Kee No.8, Kedai MDHS, Jalan Merdeka, KKB.


Stopped at the lookout point of Sungai Selangor Dam. Vincent Yeoh assembled his DJI drone to fly.


The Sungai Selangor Dam was completed in 2002, flooding the valley of Gerachi Jaya and Pertak off Kuala Kubu Bharu.


A picturesque Selangor Dam that lies along the trunk route to Bukit Fraser from KKB town. It is also a popular stopover for photographs and fishing activities.


The bridge boundary of the states of Selangor and Pahang. This long suspension bridge as viewed from the main road.


After a 8km winding steep one-way road up to Fraser’s Hills from the Gap we arrive at 2.21pm.


Town centre with the clock tower roundabout. It takes about 1hour from KKB. Rising 1,500 meters above sea-level on the Titiwangsa mountain range of Peninsular Malaysia. Named after a Scottish pioneer, Louis James Fraser, who set up a tin-ore trading post in the 1890s, it actually consists of seven hills.




High Pines Bungalow, belonging to the Russell family, owners of Boh Tea plantations, it is one of the highest dwellings on the hill, and over the years, the gardens have been a focus for birders.


Bungalow High Pines in Fraser's Hill. Owned and managed by Boh Tea Plantations. The caretaker is Mr Tan who is undoubtedly one of the best cooks in Fraser's Hill.


Bungalow High Pines in Fraser's Hill. Owned and managed by Boh Tea Plantations. The caretaker is Mr Tan who is undoubtedly one of the best cooks in Fraser's Hill.








At the main entrance, you see a big staircase to the upper floor and a large space for sitting.


On the right side of the main entrance, is the large lounge.


This is room No.3 on the ground floor with two single bed renting at RM120 a night.


This is room No.4 on the ground floor with two single bed renting at RM120 a night.


The large dining room on the ground floor.


The narrow pantry on the ground floor.


The small kitchen on the ground floor.


The large TV area on the upper floor.


The large room No. 2 on the upper floor for 6pax renting at RM160 a night.


Another view of room No.2 on the upper floor.


Another view of room No.2 on the upper floor.






Dr Tan, Victor Choo and Ong Hua Meng


Vincent Yeoh our videographer is getting ready to fly his DJI drone.


Vincent Yeoh our videographer is getting ready to fly his DJI drone.


All the flowers here around High Pines Bungalow were taken by Ching Neng Bin.


The beautiful flowers around High Pines Bungalow.










































Alan Koh our birding guide and assisted by his wife Theresa Ong. Many thanks to Alan Koh for the photo of birds taken in Fraser's Hill.


Alan Koh our birding guide and assisted by his wife Theresa Ong. Many thanks to Alan Koh for the photo of birds taken in Fraser's Hill.


01. Cuckoodove Little


02. Cuckoodove Little


03. Flycatcher Ferruginous


04. Flycatcher Ferruginous


05. Bulbul Mountain


06. Drongo Bronze


07. Laughing Thrush Chest


08. Primate


09. Sunbird Black Throated


10. Sunbird Black Throated


11. Vincent's Drone


12. Mesia Silver Eared


13. Mesia Silver Eared


14. Niltava Large Male


15. Laughing-Thrush spec


16. Laughing-Thrush Black


17. Bulbul Ochraceous


18. Niltava Large Male


Dinner time at High Pines Bungalow. For Reservation, please call Mr. Tan the caretaker at 0133031048 as he does not accept walk in customers. One has to be guest at High Pines to partake of his food.


Dinner time at High Pines Bungalow. For Reservation, please call Mr. Tan the caretaker at 0133031048 as he does not accept walk in customers. One has to be guest at High Pines to partake of his food.


(L-R) Theresa Ong, Alan Koh (birding guide), Ching Neng Bin, Victor Choo (team leader), Teh Beng Choon, Dr Tan Liam Chwee, Jeffrey Tan Cheong Chai


(L-R) Teh Beng Choon, Dr Tan Liam Chwee, Jeffrey Tan Cheong Chai, Ong Hua Meng


Alan Koh (birding guide) and wife Theresa Ong


(L-R) Jeffrey Tan Cheong Chai and Ong Hua Meng


(L-R) Teh Beng Choon and Dr Tan Liam Chwee












After dinner was the night-time lookout for owls as we all heard the owls calling among the pine trees.


After dinner was the night-time lookout for owls as we all heard the owls calling among the pine trees.


As we were not able to sight any owls, we then took photo shots of the beautiful moon instead.


As we were not able to sight any owls, we then took photo shots of the beautiful moon instead.


It was then sleeping time to get good rest for the next day 10km hike on the Pine Tree Hill Trail of Fraser's Hill. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow morning at 6am.
 
Kuala Kubu Baru walkabout and hot deep at KKB Hot Spring
- taken by Vincent Yeoh

 
High Pine Bungalow, Fraser's Hill - - taken by Vincent Yeoh

Dinner at High Pine Bungalow - taken by Vincent Yeoh

Click below to view

Pine Tree Trail, Fraser's Hill (Day1)

Pine Tree Trail, Fraser's Hill (Day2,3)

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