Monday, March 15, 2010

Sungai Gabai Waterfall, Lui Cafe, Hulu Langat

It's difficult to believe that within less than an hour of leaving your home in KL, you can be in a different world altogether. Heck, on a weekday, 45 minutes barely lets you reach Midvalley Megamall from a short stretch, say from PJ Hilton.

When my cell group (home group sounds less cell-tic) member suggested a waterfall trip to Sg Gabai, inwardly, I groaned. Early morning, jostling with the hoi polloi to get a decent spot, driving to God knows where.....however, for the sake of camaraderie, and esprit de corps, I complied, meekly, like a lamb led to the slaughter.

Older son was kicking up a big fuss, being awakened from his weekend slumber, and having had a late night the night before didn't help. However, his younger two siblings were far better behaved and obediently got dressed, albeit drowsily.

It's been years since I've been to these parts. GFAD (Girl from Abu Dhabi) mentioned she remembers camping at the foot of Gunung Nuang, in her pre-sex days. (quoted verbatim). It must have been pretty untainted then. The area, I mean. Hulu Langat. Verdant tropical jungles, lots of bush, lots of trails, clear waterfalls. Untainted.

To my surprise, Sg Gabai was actually very clean, despite the thronging masses, ranging from the photographic society of Petaling Jaya, to families who build full fledged fires to cook a full fledged meal, from peeling potatoes, and slaughtering chickens in situ. (okay, maybe not, but sure seemed like it).

Ah, Sunday morning with nature. I can imagine AWHIFFOFLEMONGRASS shuddering in horror at the very idea. Nothing like a good trek in the morning, to perk up one's sagging spirits, and butt.



You know, you do not need to spend an arm and a leg bringing kids abroad for holidays. One reason why I am reluctant to send my kids to private schools are the expecations for holidays. No stamping of passport, no boarding pass, no holiday. Throw them in a stream, and watch them derive the same pleasure as they would get by going to Disneyland.





Nothing like a packet of warm nasi lemak after a dip in the icy cold waters.








A godmother and her goddaughter.


The place also boast a menagerie of fauna....from Daddy Long Legs, to pretty butterflies.





The simple pleasures of life.... only cost RM1.


Blood brothers.


Sharing is caring.

After the waterfalls, we stopped over at my friend's cafe, CAFE LUI, which is along the Sg Gabai road, just after Sungai Lui, or thereabouts. It is actually a private homestead, with the Cafe at the front.



Apart from the Cafe, they also have a Kelah farm. Kelah is an expensive eating fish....apparently up to several hundred bucks a kilo.








The milos are served with style...a sprinkle of milo powder over the ice....on a sweltering hot day....bliss.


Drinks are named after famous Malaccan heroes, from Hang Jebat to Hang Lipo. (not Liposuction)


My watermelon fizz was an oasis in the desert....



Delicious home made mee rebus!!!! Gorgeous gravy, with delectable condiments, and yellow noodles. YUMMMY!!!


The kiddo's fish and chips.


Look at that delicious mee rebus!!!!!
Well, if going to Sg Gabai or are in the vicinity of Hulu Langat, do drop by at this cosy cafe. It opens only on weekends.

Yeah, so, moral of the story, you can have a jolly good time at minimal cost. Kids do not need to be pampered in 5 star hotels. Let them rough it out a bit. Bring them on Cuti Cuti Malaysia.

The kids are already asking when they can go to the waterfall again!

28 comments:

Unknown said...

MANNNN... I must have been beaten with the "slow" stick because I just figured out (thanks to your post) what GFAD stood for!

qwazymonkey said...

Oh wow, the nasi lemak looks awesome!!! I'm easily impressed too!

J said...

*has no kids but is definitely inspired on this whole cuti-cuti Malaysia thing*

Yin said...

Oooh, the last time I was there was two ex-boyfriends ago :P

Can I tag along please the next time you go? Pweeeaseee?

Ciki said...

wow ahpa! u featured ur kids on the blog and they look great!
yup have to admit nasi lemak after jumping in and out of cold water non stop is like the perfect energy boost!

(btw, ur collage is off alignment abit)

hugs,
ciki

FBB said...

yikes, ciki, you arent meant to really SEE the kids. all the pics with them are blur. yalar, i dunno how to fix the collage. part of its chopped off. cis!

yin yin, ooh, like the girl from abu dhabi then....you were there before it was tainted?

J, indeed. the trip, excluding lunch, cost us probably RM50.... incldg park fees, fuel, nasi lemaks, and gourmet ham sandwiches.

FBB said...

Frat, ROLLLL EYES...what DID you think GFAD stood for then?

monkey, next time you can tag along with ahpa.

KY said...

why never bring tembikai!

UnkaLeong said...

Ahhh..the school holidays. Traffic eases up for a bits ;)

You need to resize the original pictures to fit it in the collage.

Have fun in CH!

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

hahah yes, private school does create disillusions..but not all are that bad la..

i had to go thru 11 years of hearing friends travel around the world while i rot in KL and ipoh and when the blue moon rise, we only went to phuket, singapore and HK..

Christina Kim said...

Oooo....outings, outdoors, nature, that is just so old-school! =) But it just sounds so serene and brings back good old memories, although I am not one for camping too! =P
Milo and nasi lemak...gosh, really back to those school days...LOL!

Precious Pea said...

Never heard of this place before...I guess I shall note this down for my next trip home. Yep, am still in KL till next Tuesday.

gfad said...

But your kids DO get their passports stamped every year wat..

Can you imagine what kind of business a Milo Van would get at a place like this? And for some strange reason, nasi lemak bungkus ALWAYS taste supremely delish after a romp in the river. Must be something the water.

Ya lar, Frat. I oso curious. What did you think GFAD stood for? Thank gootness I don't live in Abu Thabi.. ^_^

minchow said...

That is some majestic looking natural habitat, considering it's closer car ride than Mad Valley to PJ HIlton, haha! What a wonderful idea for this weekend!

Babe_KL said...

gee so near home man! we tried looking for the falls but failed (pre-GPS days), looks like we need to drive further in!!!

thule a.k.a leo said...

next time I go there.... will ring you ok??? Just a rough guide and I should be able to locate it!
Now I'm actually compiling a list on the places to bring my daughter to.. of course, domestically :P

PureGlutton said...

Ok... I am sooo going to a waterfall this weekend!!

Tummythoz said...

So there's where good Mee Rebus goes!

Kenny Mah said...

Those RM1 nasi lemak looks so good. I remember having some just like that, after a long trek in Taman Negara. Something about the rainforest and nasi lemak that go well together hor?

P.S. Pre-sex days? I can't even remember mine... Eeks.

Diary of Kay El said...

I love Milo dinasour!!! Ahh.... I long for those days when I need not think of metabolic rate and calories...

Yin said...

hihihihihihihihihihihihihi

notch tellings ;)

Rebecca Saw said...

The kids really looked like they had FUN!
U mean nowadays there's no more "lawatan sambil belajar" in schools?

fatboybakes said...

TNG, got la, but they're to places like aquaria, etc...none of these roughing out..and they're in SRJK okay. can you imagine those private school kids? probably lawatan sambil belajar minum teh di carcosa seri negara.

yin yin, cis.

diary of kay el, oooh, is that what its called? MILO DINOSAUR? why ah?

fatboybakes said...

LFB, of course you wouldnt. (remember). yes, nasi lemak and equatorial jungles go together like...thambies and tangechis.

tummythoz, yup, and then it goes back in the stream.

pure glutton, so so so, didddd you gooo?

fatboybakes said...

thule, its surprisingly well sign posted....all the way. ya, call me for directions la. BUT AIYO, if you waiting to bring your dotter....i guess you'll call me in two or three years time

babekl, its easy to find la. well signposted. even though there is a 8km gap along the road without any signs (but no turns either la), and you wonder, oh shoot, am i lost...

minchow, love the pun..madvalley...

fatboybakes said...

GFAD, gufffaw, abu thabi...gfat. quite the clown arent ya.

precious pea, how come leh, never heard of?

christy, i cant even remember MY school days.... its so far away...

fatboybakes said...

nipples, whatchew complaining about...at least you went to garden...us plebs were lucky to go to kebun.

unka, yalar, have to resize hor. thanks for the tip.

KY, guffaw, gila ka, lug tembikai there. as it is, i thought we were carrying stuff for the haj.... so much barang.

Jessie said...

That place is so amazing, the waterfalls and the adventure spots.

Hoteles Rio