Camland New Year!

To the other Klangites, the last Camland Getaway seems very recent - Wii however likes our holidays and wouldn't complain. It's a holiday away from the usual hustle and bustle, why bugger about it unless there was a previous horrendous experience? Anyways, Wii'd ended up at Camland again to celebrate the New Year's with the Klangites (a change from wrangling with the crowd in Bangsar or Bintang Walk).

The ride up Brinchang was jam-packed with cars, thus dampening the spirit to drive far for lunch and exploration. It was a good thing that food and shops were nearby, as our legs were still on the road to recovery from muscle strain and Wii weren't too happy entertaining the thought of heckloads of stairclimbing (thankfully Wii recovered soon enough for the jungle trekking).

Wii'd rented an apartment this time, as 'Ward was afraid Wii'd trash his apartment couldn't join us for the trip. Say hello to Honeymoon Villa Apartments, Brinchang.

Not as large as 'Wards' Parkview Apartments but still big nevertheless, with 3 bedrooms able to accomodate 4 peeps each and with their own attached bathrooms, Wii were all comfortably settled in. Asides from 'Ward, Randall has also flown off to the UK, yet bringing down the numbers. But this trips still saw us 10 peeps strong - 'Nic, Vincent, Jun, KE, Ee Lee, Ivan, Unker Ray, Larry, Lynn and us.

Rain was a bit of a hassle in Camland, keeping us indoors for a fair bit but that didn't mean Wii couldn't be entertained.

We Banged! each other...

Hunted Chameleons for their pelts...

And whenever a player got saboh-ed, we'll just say, "That's Life," with a big grin.

One of the highlights of this trip was the food galore - led by the Food God, Ivan. Wii'd already learnt our lesson about eating at any other available place - Wii had weird lunch where the fried rice was tasteless and the kuey teow tasted of pure pepper. So, crowded restaurant = good food. Come dinner Wii had steamboat at this place called Restoran Jew May Yen, which was fairly crowded but thankfully Wii'd managed to get a table.

After steamboat Wii then headed down to the pasarmalam for a bit of a look-see. It seems that chocolate-covered strawberries have also hit Cameron - there were 2-3 stalls selling them for RM2 per stick. Hmmm, isn't that the same price as that Wii get at The Curve? Shall check back next time. There was also home-made ice-cream - now those wasn't half bad, altho the blueberry-flavoured one Wii had was rather thick and Wii couldn't tell the difference from blueberry to strawberry after that.

Highlight 2 - New Year's Eve activities! Our old friend JD paid a visit, bringing his mates Jim Beam and Bicardi along to celebrate as well. Together we yam-seng'd 2007 in, only to be copied by some neighbouring apartment who cannot stick with the usual "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" instead. Memories were tested with the School Song and the School Rally, and even the ex-prefects had their song (what was it called again?). All in good boisterous mood.

After a while of drinking games, we'd decided to cut to the chase - just open the top card, count the number of peeps and the fella drinks! A very fast way of achieving highness. It's a shame Wii didn't take any videos - Wii has a replacement 'entertainer' now that Randall has gone, although this one's more expensive as he can outdrink the rest of us before Wii get to watch the show.

Oh yes, must remember to stock up the pharmacy/first aid box before going on trips.

Next morning, Wii had Marvel Heroes set up for playtesting...except no one knew how to play the game. 'Nic was appointed rulesmiester and sent off to read up the rulebook while the game, all ready on the mahjong table, was put aside for later. Lunch saw us back at Jew May Yen for a 7-course lunch! Good food. KE and Ee Lee left us after lunch to head back to KL, bringing our numbers down to eight.

So Wii headed off for Highlight 3 - Jungle Trek: The Sam Poh Screw! Pray that you make it out alive!

Vincent prudently sat out of this one, leaving brave lads 'Nic, Ivan, Jun, Larry, Unker Ray and us. Unfortunately, Wii weren't clear about it being a jungle trek and thought that Wii were just off to see the temple. And so there we were, dressed in jeans and a polo-tee, equipped with wallet, phone and Ixus. The designated shorts and tee meant to be worn (and get dirtied) were left wailing in our backpack. Dressed like this spoilt things a bit for us as part of us were then now obsessed with trying to remain as clean as possible.

Still.

Last Camland Getaway regrets were that Wii had no pics of said experience - thankfully Wii had our Ixus with us this time. Now the only thing is to try and take shots that don't look shaky >:( A concern of ours regarding while we went trekking was that our legs would hamper progress. Miraculously Wii were bouncing along the trek all the way! Wii put it down to the trail being uneven, so that Wii didn't have to strain our already-tender muscles. Jungle Walk 2 was good - lots of slopes to climb, two streams to cross (the only bad experience for us was this bit, we were trying to avoid muddying the jeans and failed) and from Jungle Walk 3 out the Golf Course it was a clear easy trail. Interestingly enough some of the trees sprouted weird fruit - plastic-covered notices attempting to get the attention of a Japanese hiker who'd been hacking away with a big K-N-I-F-E and marking trees every 50 meters or summat (at this point Wii were muddy and didn't want to sacrifice our Ixus for the sake of a little camwhoring). Once out of the jungle it was the slow march back to the apartments, where, once in sight, led to the group of us racing back. Goodness. Much as Wii can bounce about in the jungle, our stamina still isn't good.

Comparing this trek to last Camland Getaway trek (Jungle Walk 5) this was deffy more fun and didn't take as long.

Dinnertime saw the Food God leading the eight of us against a 6-course meal led by Gen. Curry Fish Head. Justice was done. More games of Bang! (amidst cries of, "I'm the Vice! I'm the Vice! I'm the Vice!" and much kowtowing to Lynn, the Sheriff) and That's Life followed at night while the rulesmiester continued slogging through the manual.

Tuesday morning. Wii leaves today and so to minimize luggage the following mandate was put out: finish the junk food. Not very hard to carry out. After that, Wii'd killed time killing peeps in Pompeji, much to the chagrin of Marvel Heroes, which sat on the mahjong table all this time and was never played.

Was it time to go home? Nope. It was time for Highlight 4 - Gunung Brinchang. Up and up we go, to reach the top and climb the watchtower. The roads were narrow and steep, the scenery breathtaking at times, and Wii were supposed to be put to shame by the angmohs whom hiked all the way up rather than drive.

At our destination was another watchtower to climb - leading us to heaven.

Suggestions were then put out to trek or have a steamboat atop the watchtower (then again, it was nearly 3pm and Wii had not lunched). Wii just left in the end.

Next stop was the Sg Palas Boh Tea Centre, simply for a look-see, more photo opportunities and tea-buying. The Tea Centre is quite cozy and aesthetically pleasing.

It started raining as Wii left the Tea Centre, putting a damper on our plans to get fried food (from mushrooms to potato balls) at Kea Farm - just a quick stop for Unker Ray to get his Bharat Tea and the rest of us for snacks. Then began the long drive home.

Asides from the wee jam (and driving behind a groggy driver swerving all over the road) Wii made it back to KL by 8.30pm, stopping by Nando's for dinner. Extra Hot Peri-Peri 1/4 chickens, Peri Chips, free soup and Wii were happily stuffed.

So, for all the face-feeding Wii did, what was the damage? Weight before = 53.6kg. Weight after = 54kg. Wii loves the holidays.