Conquering the Climb, Not the Plateau: A Day at Jamo Falls

11th April, 6.02pm. My friend and I departed from Kuching at 4am and reached Dapoi, Ulu Tinjau Baram after driving for more than 13 hours. 

11th April, 6.17pm. We can see Jamo waterfall in front of us. We plan to hike up to Jamo waterfall and hike along the plateau to reach the other end to explore that area.

11th April, 8.07pm. To our surprise, a homestay is just near the waterfall, run by a Chinese named Mr. Wong from Miri. He offers us to stay at the homestay. Our initial plan was to go camping. 

12th April, 2.59am. I woke up to go to the bathroom, and notice the night sky, and the Milky Way, could be seen by naked eyes.

12th April, 3.04am. The temperature also drops to around 21 degrees Celsius. A good temperature to sleep, I just snug into my sleeping bag and go to sleep again in at hammock. 

12th April. 4.14am. I can't fall back to sleep again. So I told myself, not every day I can see Milky Way in the night sky, so I got up and took more photos on the mikly way. 

12 April, 6.09am. The Dapoi river next to the homestay and the Jamo waterfall. 

12 April. 6.11am. The sea of clouds on top of the mountain. 

12 April. 6.15am. Jamo waterfall is seen from above. And opposite this plateau is the Usun Apau National Park. 

12 April. 6.19am. The trailhead of Jamo waterfall is just in front. Sunlight, a celestial spotlight, painted the mountain in a warm glow. Wisps of mist danced across its surface, lending it an air of mystery

12th April. 7.15am. The signboard says that this Jamo waterfall is under the community Kampung Apau Nyaring, Kampung Long Liaw, Kampung Long Kerong, Kampung Long Buken, Kampung Long Lobang, and also Kampung Long Sengong watch. So whoever wish to enter the waterfall area, need to obtain permission from either one of these Kampung first. 

12th April. 7.34am. Fifteen minutes in, and it's been nothing but uphill. My valiant attempt at a six-pack seems to be hiding under a layer of determination (and maybe a donut or two). My breath sounds suspiciously like a wheezing accordion, and a rogue pebble has declared war on my pinky toe. Still, gotta channel that inner mountain goat and reach that waterfall... eventually.

aching

12th April. 8am. We conquered the base of Jamo Falls! The 80-meter cascade tumbled down serenely, a gentle giant whispering secrets to the rocks below. No time to linger, though. Our map whispered tales of another waterfall hidden in a valley on the far side of the plateau. Adventure beckoned, and our weary legs, fueled by wanderlust (and maybe a hint of waterfall envy), obeyed.

12th April, 9.20am. The climb intensified. The higher we ascended, the steeper the path became. Some sections resembled near-vertical walls, demanding a cautious hand on any sturdy root or plant life that could offer a lifeline. One misstep here could mean a nasty tumble. We pressed on, each handhold a testament to our determination (and a silent prayer for the occasional handrail!).

12th April. 9.49am. We finally reached the source! A gushing stream, the very lifeblood of Jamo Falls, snaked its way across our path. Relief washed over me – we'd made it safely, and what a journey it had been! Exhaustion gnawed at my muscles, a delightful ache earned by the breathtaking beauty surrounding us. This, I thought, is a sign. Time to trade donut-fueled hikes for a life brimming with healthy eats and active adventures.

12th April. 10am. Casually dangling my legs off the edge of this waterfall (like a total badass in the photo, at least). Don't let the picture fool you - my insides are doing a synchronized swimming routine of pure terror. But hey, gotta conquer those fears, one death-defying pose at a time, right?

12th April, 10.06am. The homestay can be seen from the top of the waterfall.

12th April, 11.11am.We pressed onward, the plateau beckoning us to explore its hidden secrets. A shady haven by a gurgling stream offered a welcome respite. Here, we paused to recharge, the cool water whispering tales of the valley ahead.

12th April. 11.20am. A splash of color caught my eye along the streambank. There, nestled beneath the crystal-clear water, thrived a vibrant plant. Its petals, a spectrum of reddish-pink, swayed gently in the current. It's amazing how nature finds a way to flourish in even the most unexpected places.

12 April, 1.02pm. Nature unveiled another wonder along the stream – a series of natural potholes resembling jacuzzis! One of my adventurous friends couldn't resist taking a dip in this geologically-crafted hot tub. It boggles the mind to imagine how long nature took to sculpt these marvels.

12th April. 1.23pm. Our hike followed the stream, punctuated by dramatic drops that tumbled into cascading waterfalls. This particular one was a showstopper – wide, powerful, and several meters tall. Sunlight speared through the sky, illuminating the cascading water. As it crashed at the base, a plume of mist erupted, catching the sun's rays and exploding into a vibrant rainbow. A perfect confluence of nature's elements, right before our eyes!

12th April. 2.08pm. The photo captures the majesty of the waterfall in all its three-tiered glory. The second tier reigns supreme, cascading down into a sizeable pool before gracefully continuing its descent.  This spot whispered "camping paradise" to me. Easy access? Probably not. Daily visits? Now that's a dream worth chasing! 

12th April. 2.30pm. The final waterfall guarded its beauty fiercely. Tucked away in a basin, access demanded a baptism by the rushing current. Determined to capture the moment (and maybe a little phone-obsessed), I clung to my phone with one hand while doggy-paddling with the other. It wasn't exactly graceful, and a mini-panic attack ensued when I nearly went under (hello, water resistance!). Thankfully, a quick reality check and a switch to two-handed swimming propelled me towards the base. And there it was, a breathtaking reward for my slightly soggy adventure!

12th April. 3.53pm. While we didn't conquer the entire plateau, the day unfolded perfectly. We delved into the heart of the stream, the very source that feeds the mighty Jamo Falls.  Exhausted but exhilarated, it was time to retrace our steps, our hearts brimming with memories and legs yearning for a well-deserved rest.

Exploring Bung Sa'a: A Hike Through History and Nature

I went for a hike with my brother and friends. The trail offered not only a great viewpoint but also some historical artifacts—two bunkers built during the Japanese occupation era, which was really interesting. On a previous hike to Bau, we also discovered something historical, which you can read about on my blog here.

I haven't been hiking regularly and have gained some weight, so I hope I can keep up with the group.

Very muddy trail

This is a Japanese bunker, cylindrical in shape, with windows on each side. I’m guessing the windows were likely used to set up machine guns. It’s visible from the outside and not hidden underground.

This is the second bunker, and it’s completely covered by trees and vegetation. It has two chambers, built with bricks. Inside, it’s damp and wet, with fungus growing on the brick walls and tiny roots covering the ground. Surprisingly, it hasn’t collapsed.

The summit viewpoint of Bung Sa'a stands at 389 meters above sea level. The final stretch was really tough—I felt exhausted and out of breath when I reached the summit. Could it be that I’m getting old?

After descending from the summit viewpoint, we encountered a large wall. At the edge of the cliff, we saw a group of bats hanging from the ceiling of the wall.

The fungus grows from the rotting tree bark, and if you imagine five of them together, they look like fingers emerging from the ground—spooky!

To return to the starting point, we’ll need to cross this river. The trail forms a large loop. The water level reaches up to my knee, and while the current is somewhat strong, it’s manageable. We just need to cross slowly to avoid being swept away by the current.

The villagers told me that a man had committed suicide in an abandoned house, and ever since, it has remained deserted.

 Watch my video here

A Family Adventure: Hiking to Jangkar Waterfall

Last weekend, my brothers and I embarked on a memorable hiking trip with my two energetic children, aged 6 and 7. Our destination was the renowned Jangkar Waterfall nestled in the picturesque Sematan area of Kuching. Excitement filled the air as we set off early in the morning, eager for a day of exploration and bonding amidst nature.

The trail began gently through a rubber plantation, the morning sun filtering through the canopy above. Accompanying us was a friendly local dog whose curiosity matched our own adventure spirit. As we descended, the anticipation grew for the crystal-clear waters that awaited us at Jangkar Waterfall.

Halfway through, we faced an unexpected twist — we missed a trail turn and found ourselves navigating through the waterway instead of the jungle path. Large boulders challenged our footing, but with teamwork and laughter, we managed to forge ahead. The children, despite the occasional stumble, were thrilled by the adventure, their faces lighting up with each new discovery along the way.

Finally, after a bit of adventurous detour, we reached the breathtaking Jangkar Waterfall. The sight of the expansive cascade tumbling into a pool of clear water was awe-inspiring. To recharge, I treated the children to some donuts while they recounted their favorite parts of the hike.

After a quick snack, it was time for the real fun — splashing and playing in the cool, refreshing water. Watching my children explore the pools and chase each other around filled my heart with joy. These moments of unbridled happiness and closeness are what make these trips priceless.

On our way back, we made a delightful stop at a nearby local homestay. The place was adorned with traditional musical instruments, hunting weapons, and colorful local attire. A serene pond with fish added to the charm, providing a peaceful ending to our adventurous day.

As the sun set on our hike, I couldn't help but reflect on the invaluable memories we had created together. It's moments like these that remind me of the importance of family, nature, and embracing the unexpected. Our hike to Jangkar Waterfall was not just an adventure, but a journey that strengthened our bonds and left us with cherished memories to last a lifetime.