Fraser Hill is my top choice for weekend retreat as the place is relatively quiet compared to other highland retreat in Peninsular Malaysia. The temperature is low around 17°C to 25°C and thick mist of fog will engulfed the entire area particularly during rainy days. It was opened by Louis James Fraser in 1890s while searching for tin ore in steep ridgetops of Raub. Started as a settlement for mine worker’s brought in by Louis to work with him, it soon become abandoned when the tin ore deposits dried up.
It wasn’t until 1922 when it is officially opened for public following a report by C. J. Ferguson-Davie who went on expedition to look for Louis James Fraser who vanished at the settlement. At the present day, Fraser Hill flourished as one of the highland retreat under the care of Perbadanan Kemajuan Bukit Fraser, a unit under Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Pahang.
I was invited to host a ride and camp by my fellow
university alumni, whom are keen to join a ride and camp trip. It was a
majority vote and Fraser Hill was selected as the campsite. The plan is three
of us will ride from Klang Valley, one from Gambang and one will drive a car from
Temerloh.
On that Saturday, Nasrol and I met at BHP station in Gombak
around 10.30 am and we rode to Lemang To’ki, Bentong. Our third friend, Zaki has
some errand and delayed his departure and met us at Bentong around 12.30pm.
The place's boss (in red) stepped in the frame
Hafiz who rode from Gambang alone, arrived around 12.45pm and we had delicious
lemang with rendang. We also met Mr. Hairil whom was on his way back to his hometown.
Being a famous stopover, the place was crowded and there was
one group of customers flew in a helicopter. We departed around 1.30pm head
towards Kampung Sang Lee.
It was a grizzly climb towards the gap and there are
a few landslide on FT55 after Tranum. Riders are advised to take precautions as
this route isn’t suitable for high speed corners.
We arrived at the gap around 2.30pm and it has stopped
raining and ambient temperature was around 23°C.
This is their first climb on motorcycle for Nasrol, Hafiz
& Zaki to Fraser Hill and all of them rode cautiously up as the tarmac surface was
slightly wet. About 3.15pm we reached the clock tower roundabout and the
weather started to get gloomy.
We stopped at a restaurant behind Fraser Hill
mosque to eat and pray.
It was 4.30pm when we started moving towards the campsite at
Jeriau waterfall and it began to rain lightly. The site was wet but clean with
the grass was properly trimmed and a few huts are available for shelter. There
are also 2 small shops selling sundries right in front of the area we planned
to camp. Further downstream, there was another group of campers settling by the
river.
Jeriau Waterfall Campsite N3.72496 E101.71463
Facility: Waterpoint, Hut, Stall
The weather continues to gloom that afternoon with
intermittent light rain and thick cloud formation, ambient temperature was around
20°C.
We finished setting up tent around 5pm and I began preparing for dinner.
The
river water remains clear even after the rain and I braved the cold water for a
quick dip before dinner to freshen up. As I finished preparing meat curry around 7.15pm, Azhari
arrived on foot as he have to park outside and he settled below a hut. He began preparing our side dish
and we had dinner around 8pm.
Masterchef Azahari at work preparing stir-fried cabbage
the hopeful, awaiting dinner!
On the menu was white rice, meat curry with
tomatoes & potatoes and stir fried cabbage. It continues to drizzle and ambient
temperature dropped to 19°C.
Around 10pm, Hafiz began putting his marinated lamb slice on
the pan.
The aroma immediately filled the hut as we continue to chat under it. About
11pm, I called it a day and retrieved to my tent. Azhari, Zaki & Hafiz share
a tent while Nasrol & I had our own tent to ourselves.
Throughout the night temperature continued to drop and
sleeping bag helped to provide the necessary warmth as the ground felt really cold
with only thin layer of canvas separated us. I woke up around 6am for Subuh
prayer and began preparing breakfast.
By 7am, we had Tomyam fried rice and bbq sausage with coffee for breakfast.
The weather began to clear up around 8am and Nasrol, Hafiz, Azhari and I went
for a morning dip in the river.
We pack our tents and began clearing the
campsite around 9am.
We head to a few places around Fraser Hill for pictures
before heading down to the gap.
Nasrol 'babyface' Hakim
Zaki
'Sir' Hafiz Husin
It was 11.30am when we arrived at the gap and
all of us head to Raub for fuel and food. The road surface was dry as the weather
has improved from yesterday. There was not much traffic on FT55 and riding down
was smooth.
We had lunch at Raub we said goodbye to each other soon after.
I rode to Rawang alone through FT8 and and E8. The traffic
at Bentong town was packed but it was smooth as I entered Karak Highway (E8). I
arrived home around 2.30pm.
Ride snippets
Riders:
Nasrol Hakim Y15ZR
Zaki Mohtar Y15ZR
Hafiz Husin RS150R
Myself KLE650
Azhari on a car
Distance: 408km
Duration: 2 days
Petrol: RM45
Date: 1st – 2nd April 2017
Average moving
speed: 51km/h
Lowest
temperature: 18°C (Campsite Jeriau Waterfall)
Highest
temperature: 34°C (BH Petrol Karak)
