Gunung Tapis & Rainbow Falls, Kuantan, Malaysia

In September 2006, nineteen enthusiastic trekkers embarked on an adventure to Gunung Tapis & Rainbow Waterfalls. They survived encounters with countless leeches, one snake, and one rat (nicknamed Stuart Little by the group), to return refreshed and raring to go for another trek !

This short expedition to one of the less well-known places in Malaysia inspired Amanda Woo to pen a short, but no less meaningful short story. Read about her adventure here !

Day 1

Nineteen like-minded trekkers in two vans. Armed with digital cameras in our hands. Waiting patiently at Marsiling MRT Station. 'One and a half hour late!' screeched Joyce Heng. Hmmm... did I say patiently !? Hee . . . "Engines kena stolen' cried Joseph. Redeemed himself at supper time, he was RM$100 poorer .

Day 2

Leeches and sandflies greeted us before we could embrace Mother Nature. Dampened us they did not, stride by stride we progressed. Cold and wet Stuart Little came. He took refuge in one of the girls' tent. 'Patrick ! Patrick !', Damsel cried. With courage as his alibi, the brave knight charged forth. Ravage left and peace returned, into slumber realm we went.

Our wild stallion, the lorry!

The team...

Rainbow Waterfalls

Amanda Woo, signing off

During the ride to Rainbow Falls were potential and talented horsemen and horsewomen discovered. Saddles we put on and a wild stallion we mounted. And a painful bottom the color of bright blossoms we inherited. Ouch !

Appearance is deceiving which is so very true. We soon found out that our "old mule" possessed a horse power greater than a Ferrari and Mercedes combined. Brought us to Rainbow Falls it did; a sanctuary left untouched . . . well almost, by us. Hee.

Allured by its beauty and welcoming turquoise pool we dived in. Led by Rachel our captain we swam on. Hopeful, a chest of gold may await us at the abyss of the depth. Gold we found none, but with our mind, body and soul restored we headed for home.

Rainbow Falls, I surely fell. Twisted and dislocated my left knee cap, limping home in dirty laundry is what I recollected. A fortnight in bed almost slaughtered my will. But once recovered, up the mountain I'll go. For there is none that's stronger than the call beyond . . . one which bestow upon me the gift of nature.

Text by Amanda Woo
Pictures by Ng Pek Gnee & Joseph Foo