Titi Hayun Outing

This was today.... Still trying to squeeze whatever that is left of our hols, a few of my church friends planned for a picnic. Originally we had called it off but after Ah Ho took charge, the plan came back on and the place we chose was Titi Hayun in Yan. It was supposed to be small thingy involving just a few families; but in the end the group ballooned to 48 people!

We made plans to go and come back early. So in a convoy of about 10 cars we got there at 8.35 a.m. There weren't many people around then but much to our chagrin and disappointment, the place was littered with rubbish. Our country may aspire to be a first world country but definitely the mentality of our people leaves much to be desired. Such a pity cos it indicates that we are such poor stewards of our Mother Nature. Goes to show that we pay scant attention to the well-being of our environment.

The first instinct was of course to leave but there were those among us who were game to stay. In the end we stayed. Struck me the different personalities that we all have...those who want to cabut immediately and those who try to make the best of even difficult situations. And almost immediately some started clearing up the rubbish in the surrounding. They have my utmost admiration. We managed to clear most of rubbish in and around the water area.

Anyway, while the clearing was going on, another group got the food ready...breakfast. The kids were already in the water by then. Kids usually don't mind .... it's the older ones who mind. We become the products of our environment....the older we get the more set we are in ways...

And the 'outdoor kitchen' kept churning out food for the hungry stomachs.... this one.... garlic bread with cheese. Was a hot favourite churned out by Siah and ma. No lack of takers.

Young and old had a good time...no age gap as far as we are concerned. Kids, teenagers, young adults and adults played 'monkey' in the water. Some sat around and lepak.... therapeutic lepak-ing. LOL!

It was hard to tell the adults from kids. LOL! It is good for everyone to be able to have fun this way. Something different for a change. So often, our way of spending time together as a family these days would mean walking the supermarket or going for structured tours. Family members don't get to play with each other..... I think such kinds of activities where we are close to Mother Nature is a good way to create awareness of our surroundings and also for bonding. Moreover, many kids today grow up in super-duper disinfected environment that they find it 'geli' to even jump into the natural streams which are deemed dirty!

It wasn't just all swimming...there were among us some photography buffs and 'photography buff wannabes'. We spent time shooting away. Digital cameras are god sent. One can shoot and shoot and shoot...no real extra costs. LOL! So you have it in the pic above - I shot her, she shot him, and he shot me..well not exactly. He was trying to get the running stream, while the 'sifu' looked on. He got a polarizing filter just for this trip. LOL! Caught in a triangle.......

One of our very own 'bandaran' workers who is also a photographer wannabe. But don't underestimate this sweet young thing.... she's a young lady with many talents.

Then there were also those who took time off from the water to do some reading, out in the open nature....with the sounds of running water shaded by the leaves of the trees.

According to one of the signboards, there was supposed to be a waterfall 3km from our picnic spot. So being slightly on the adventurous side, we thought we'd walk up.

And this is what happened....

Two roads diverged in a humid tropical secondary jungle,
And we, we took the one less traveled by,
And we ran helter skelter down after just a couple of metres
Chased by small, tiny, hungry 'pacat(s)'
Which stalked and attached themselves to us
Drawn by the smell of our blood!... LOL!!!

I was fortunate enough to escape unscathed. But there were some among us who counted as many as 7 leeches on their legs..... LOL!!

We packed and left soon after lunch. By that time, the place was filled with people. Also, we left the place cleaner than when we came. But I don't doubt it will be littered with rubbish in no time. We, Malaysians have to undergo a paradigm shift in our thinking where conservation of our environment is concerned.

But overall, today's outing was good. People reconnected with each other, let their hair loose, had some fun......