“Run, run, run!” shouted the pilot. Those words rang in my ears as we ran towards the edge of the cliff.
Moments later, we were flying over the verdant mountains of Bukit Batu Pahat in Kuala Kubu Bharu (commonly known as KKB), Selangor.
Paragliding is a popular sport in the small town, and a group of us had the opportunity to try the tandem flight at KKB Paragliding Park during a recent media trip.
A flight typically lasts between five and 10 minutes. Depending on the participants’ preference and experience, paragliding operator Mohd Nazri Sulaiman said a flight can go up to an elevation of more than 1,200m, though this is not advisable for newbies.
Here’s a tip for those with a fear of heights: focus your eyes on the horizon, as looking at a point in the distant can help fight motion sickness.
Once you are in the air, slowly look down and enjoy the scenery.
We were also specifically told to not jump or sit during take-off, because it can endanger both the pilot and rider.
“Some of them would do these actions because they panic,” said Mohd Nazri, who is also the co-founder of Cloud Bass (the company that operates the park).
He added that weather conditions and wind direction will determine whether it’s safe to fly. Luckily for us, the weather was on our side that day.
As we glided through the air about 420m above ground, we were treated to the glorious views of the surrounding areas.
My pilot effortlessly manoeuvred the glider before our descent – we landed in an expansive field at Taman Tasik Millenium.
For an even more thrilling flight, the pilots can also perform paragliding stunts with the participants.
KKB Paragliding Park was set up a decade ago, providing a safe space for folks to do paragliding activities.
“I have always loved paragliding,” said Mohd Nazri, who used to work in a bank, but is now retired. He decided to turn his hobby into a full-time career by becoming a paragliding instructor.
“I visited many potential locations in the state (of Selangor) and KKB’s lush surroundings captivated me,” he shared, adding that when the weather is really clear, participants would even be able to see Genting Highlands all the way in Pahang during flight.
Mohd Nazri said that the exhilarating pursuit is best enjoyed between April and November. At the moment, the park has 13 certified pilots.
Rewarding experience
Besides paragliding, white water rafting is another extreme sport available in KKB, regarded as one of the best destinations to do the activity.
This is specifically done at Sungai Selangor, a roaring river with rapids graded from level three to five. Unlike other rafting sites in Malaysia, which commonly require only one guide per trip, two guides are needed to navigate Sungai Selangor.
Before venturing out, we were briefed about the safety procedures, and given other instructions.
Throughout the four-hour rafting experience, torrents of water welcomed us as we traversed the meandering river. At times, a member or two fell overboard; this usually happens when the raft hits a big wave or a rock. So, brace yourself!
Having led white water rafting tours for five years now, our guide Mohd Shafiq Azmi said, “I’ll never get bored of it.”
He mentioned other sites that are famous for this extreme sport, including Ulu Slim, Gopeng and Sungkai in Perak, and Padas and Kiulu in Sabah.
“While the water flow in Sungai Selangor relies entirely on the release of water from the Selangor Dam, the water flow in the Perak (and Sabah) locations depend solely on the rain.”
Another back-to-nature activity that can be done in KKB is hiking. There are various trails with varying difficulty levels that you can find here. Among them are Bukit Batu Pahat, Bukit Batu Belah and Lata Makau.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to hike to most of these spots because of time constraints and bad weather. This is also a reminder for hiking enthusiasts to be wary of hiking during the rainy season as it can be dangerous to do so, what with most trails being slippery.
The tranquil countryside provides a peaceful escape from the daily grind. A popular spot is the Chilling Waterfall, where visitors can unwind with a relaxing picnic or go for a refreshing swim in the ice-cold pool.
The trek to the waterfall is fairly easy and takes about an hour to do. Along the way, you may chance upon some pitcher plants and Malaysia’s national butterfly, Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing, as you walk through the woods.
KKB is a great place to go camping, too. You can either pitch your own tent at one of the many campsites available or opt for a unique glamping experience out in the wild, where they can spend the night gazing at the stars illuminating the dark night sky.
The Gombak trail
About an hour’s drive from KKB you will find the Jungle School Gombak, a programme for folks who want to learn some nature survival skills. The “school” was founded in 2011 by Major (R) Kalam Pie, 56, who is from the Orang Asli Semelai tribe (a sub-ethnic of Proto-Malay), and his wife, Dr Norzalifa Zainal Abidin.
The husband-and-wife team said the school is an initiative to not only help empower Orang Asli folks to earn a living through tourism, but also to preserve their legacy that has been passed down through generations.
The school also serves as a platform for the Orang Asli community to showcase their culture and traditions to the public. Visitors can gain insights into the community’s way of life as well as pick up some useful skills.
“We have welcomed people from all walks of life, who saw this as an opportunity to learn about the Indigenous heritage in Malaysia,” Dr Norzalifa shared.
The programme includes a tour that starts at the Muzium Orang Asli Gombak – said to be nearly 40 years old – which offers information on the Indigenous communities living in Peninsular Malaysia.
The Orang Asli community residing in this part of the country comprises three ethnic groups, namely Negrito, Proto-Malay and Senoi, with the latter being the largest. The three are further categorised into several sub-ethnic groups in Malaysia.
Displayed at the museum are old hunting tools, miniature houses and musical instruments, among other exhibits.
“We hope to educate the public about Indigenous folks here while cultivating an appreciation for their culture,” said Dr Norzalifa.
Visitors can delve into the art of nature survival skills like how to light a fire using the “api lantak” (a fire piston, which is a fire starter), and rooftop weaving, guided by the Temiar people, a sub-ethnic of the Senoi group. The roof thatch made of bertam palm leaves is a characteristic feature of the Orang Asli traditional dwelling.
Another prominent feature of an Orang Asli home is their raised design. Each home is built on stilts that can go up to about 3m in height, as a way to prevent wild animals from entering the house or damaging it.
Some communities also live in longhouses, hosting up to 150 inhabitants per house.
Aside from learning all these facts, visitors get to learn how to forage for food in the forest, too. Through this activity, they are made aware of the importance of forest sustainability.
Lunch is served as part of the programme so visitors can get a taste of Orang Asli dishes, prepared before them. For instance, chicken cooked in bamboo that is usually served by the Mah Meri (another Senoi sub-ethnic group) and Temiar folks.
“This programme brought the different tribes together, giving them a purpose, especially to the younger ones who struggle to find their feet in the city.
“Unfortunately, this is a constant challenge faced by them,” said Dr Norzalifa.
In the coming holiday season, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a good and meaningful holiday as Malaysia has plenty of wonderful places like these featured attractions in Selangor.
-TheStar