Mesmerising Mt Fuji

Mt Fuji (3776m) is only open for hikers in July and August yearly. There are 4 main trails to hike Mt Fuji. The most popular and easiest trail is Yoshida Trail. There is a bus from the base town of Mt Fuji, Kawaguchiko, to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station in about an hour journey. The suggested hiking time is 5-7 hours but I took a total of 9 hours! 

The beginning of the hike with gradual slopes

The trail towards 7th station

The hiking journey started in the afternoon around 1pm on the 1st day. We just need to register for free and paid a donation fee at the entrance. After 3 hours of slow hike on a gradual wide trail, I reached the 7th Station, where I had pre booked an accommodation for the night. Even though it was supposed to be for the night, by 11pm, most guests started to continue the hike up in order to catch the early morning sunrise the next day. The accommodation is more for a rest rather than for a sleep, It is a basic accommodation, with only sleeping bag lying on the floor side by side. As the evening approached, the weather turned into a chilling freezing night.

Accommodation at 7th Station

At 11pm, I packed my luggage to continue the hiking journey with headlamp in pitch dark. However, the crowd and mountain huts along the way illuminated the scene with sounds and lights. It was a steep long hike from 7th to 8th station, with added challenge from the thin air in high altitude that made the trek breathless and sleepy. I dozed off momentarily at one of the mountain hut passages along the trail not long after starting the hike. The trail becomes narrower and steeper after 8th Station.

Can you see the sea cloud?

Finally, after 6 hours of dark endless slow hike, I saw the first ray of bright orange sunrise amid the clouds at 5am. It was near the peak of Mt Fuji and the sense of awe was beyond words. Finally, I reached the peak of Mt Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan with clouds below.

Finally the sun ray appeared

Light from heaven 

After about 2 hours of rest and pictures, it was time to descend, as the sun rose upon the sky. There are 2 separate trails for ascend and descend in Yoshida Trail. The trek downhill is rocky on a gradient slope. It is indeed a volcanic mountain. Another mountain checked! 

Crowded mountain top with vending machine

Looks like another outskirt town on the top

Seats to rest

Separate rocky trail to go down 

Tips to hike Mt Fuji (Yoshida Trail):

• Bring winter clothes, gloves and jacket as it can be freezing up there
• Bring a headlamp for night trek
• A walking stick could help for support
• Pre book accommodation early as it is a peak season
• Try to book accommodation at 8th Station onwards as it is nearer to the peak
• Bring small change for Bio/Toilet Break. The higher the elevation, the more to pay for Bio Break (from 1000 yen to 3000 yen)
• The hike can be done overnight without staying at the mountain huts. Many locals start hiking around 8pm from 5th Station and reach by 5am to view the sunrise before descending to reach the base by 1pm the next day.
• The hike can be done solo or on own groups without joining a trekking tour

Koh Tao - Gate to Diving Heaven

Koh Tao is a tiny diving heaven located on the far east coast of South Thailand. If you think Phuket is full of westerners, Koh Tao is no exception, with the difference that could be far more young backpackers who come here for the sole purpose of learning diving, instead of partying. 

It is told that Koh Tao has one of the world's cheapest diving lesson spots. A discovery diving lesson is Koh Tao could cost only as much as USD300? If you are not into diving as myself, fret not. There are vantage point places to explore. 

Mae Haat Pier

Upon reaching the jetty early in the morning at 5am after a sleepy boat ride, I checked into my hostel. The town is centered around the jetty. One can rent a motorbike to explore. I explored on foot instead. I walked from the jetty toward the south to the viewpoint called John Suwan viewpoint. It is a short hike from the bottom. What a beautiful sandy beach and blue sea down under! 

John Suwan Viewpoint

Later, I explored the nearby Freedom Beach and Taa Toh Beach connected via a narrow concrete footpath. The beaches here are less popular but more relaxing with less crowd.

Freedom Beach

Cement  footpath connecting Freedom and Taa Toh Beach

Taa Toh Beach

Taa Toh Beach Viewpoint

On 2nd day, I joined a day of  snorkeling and island hopping trip. The most impressive island is Koh Nang Yuan, an island consists of 3 tiny islands joined by 2 white sandy strips. We could hike to the lookout point to have an awesome island view across. 

Koh Nang Yuan

Vantage viewpoint

The the last day, I walked from the pier along the narrow lane flanked by restaurants and shops on both sides to the popular Sairee Beach. The beach is behind the shops on the left. Sitting at one of the seaside restaurants, enjoying Pad Thai (Thai style fried noodle) and coke under the breeze overlooking the vast sea was a blessing. Strolling and resting along the beaches is a luxury experience. 

Sairee Beach

View from restaurant

Best drink to chill out on a hot day

Beautiful sunset

Red cloud

The most memorable experience was seeing a red cloud over the sunset as I was walking back to the hostel. It was the first time I have ever seen a beautiful sunset sky. Then, it was time to say good bye as I was preparing to board the slow boat trip back to Surat Thani at 10pm.

It is a long boat journey from the mainland port of Surat Thani and vice versa. The speedboat takes 4 hours while the overnight slow boat will take 7 hours. The advantage of overnight boat is we can sleep on the dormitory style double decker bed. It also saves the travelling time. The boat is a giant 3 story boat with toilet facilities. 

Luxury boat to Koh Tao from Surat Thani

Dormitory style bed on the boat

Besides the sightseeing, it was a memorable trip where I had a chance to chat with fellow travelers from other parts of the world, at the hostel and on the boat as we were leaving the charming island..

Trekking in Myanmar

Visiting Myanmar is like visiting the past relative to the 80s of Malaysia, with the dusty single lane highway meant for 2 directional car ways. However, there is more to discover in this strong Buddhist country with colorful livings.

The best part of this journey is enjoying the 3 days 2 night trek from Kalaw to Inle lake, under scorching hot sun! The view however, is enthralling with bald mountains and simple basic villages along the trail. 

We started from Kalaw and walked for about 9 hours with lunch break and rest. As it was the 1st day of trek, it was quite tiring by the time we reached the basic guesthouse, where the bathroom was outside the house in a typical traditional village. The trek ascended gradually with great mountain valley view, passing by a temple and lastly walking along a railway trek. As it was in Feb, the weather at night could be freezing cold.

Beginning of Kalaw Inle Trek

View from lunch break

Lunch break

Cow seeking refuge in shady hut

Our 1st night guesthouse

On 2nd day, we started our trek in a flat land, passing by big palm plantation, then crossing the main road before continue trekking in remote mountainous area. We had the best fresh lime juice for our lunch as it was a scorching hot day. Upon reaching the village for the night, we could see cows being reared in the backyard of houses. The villagers here are expert in bamboo basket weaving, which was told only sold for a minimum fee for the hard work. That reminds me of how blessed we are, getting to travel to open up our mind and heart. 

The journey continued on 2nd day

Bull cart near village

Ginger harvest

Mini Angkor Wat along the trek

2nd night guesthouse

Bamboo basket weaving

Traditional toilet

                               

Mountain village

On 3rd day, our trek was only half a day down hill before we continued our journey in a boat ride to Inle Lake. Seeing Inle Lake from afar at a vantage point gave the hope of finishing our trek soon. Coincidentally, there was an antique car racing on part of the dusty trail.

The journey continued on 3rd day

Can you see the antique car?

Locals walking along the road

A school in the middle of mountain

Journey ending soon

End of trek

This has been one of the best treks besides Nepal I have ever had travelling overseas. The best time for trek is from Nov to Feb, as the heat will be unbearing from Mac until May before the rainy season starts in June. It will be advisable to visit Myanmar as soon as possible before it gets over developed with foreign tourists as it is growing in popularity. 

Taking a boat to Inle Lake from end of trek

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Our lovely journey started from Melbourne to Torquay, the first town in the Great Ocean Road, about 100 km away on Day 1. There, we had our first glimpse of the Great Ocean Road coast. After lunch, we walked on a small hill to enjoy the enchanting view of the majestic cliff with pounding waves of the Great Ocean Road coastline. We then made our way to Lorne, a small town famous for surfing. Walking along the bridge in the town with blowing winds can be chilling yet calming.

Torquay coast

Tranquil picnic spot

Lorne

Our journey continued along a scenic winding cliff road towards Kennett River. There, high up on the tree, a wild shy koala could be spotted sleeping. The attention stealer was the colorful parrots in green, orange and red that flew around and perched on top of the tourists' heads and shoulders. 

Frothy coast 

Wild Koala at Kennett River

Colorful parrot at Kennett River

We headed to our destination of the day for our night rest in Apollo Bay. It is a small town with wild unperturbed beaches. The host of the hostel I booked was friendly and he offered to provide us a free accommodation as he overlooked our booking and was away. Luckily, there was a friend of him that helped to take care of the premise whom opened the doorway to lead us in. It was a late autumn in May, hence, considered the low season for tourists as the weather was starting to chill especially at night. 

Apollo Bay

On Day 2, we headed to Cape Otway Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Victoria. I love the quaint scenery of the white tower perched at the end of a white lined walkway with the blue ocean at the backdrop. The drive along the journey was flanked by green plain fields and serene forest, providing a countryside sentiment.

Cape Otway Lighthouse

Finally, we reached the pinnacle of Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell, where the key attractions are located. The first stop was the iconic Twelve Apostles, with towering limestone stacks surrounded by swirling white ocean waves. There are only eight apostles left apparently due to weather and sea erosion. It was raining with strong winds but that did not deter the excitement of savoring the wonderful nature created by God.

12 Apostles

Next, Gibson Steps, where walking down the 86 steps carved on the cliff to the beach provides a stunning view of the limestone coast. On the beach, one can have a closer view of the 2 Apostles, named Gog and Magog rising up from the ocean. 

Gibson Step beach

Can you see the Gibson steps?

Loch Ard Gorge truly mesmerized me with magnificent limestone rock formations such as Razorback, offshore stacks and a sandy orange beach facing the 2 long stacks with arch and blowholes. The frothing sea around the rock formations enhanced the picturesque scenery.

Razorback formation at Loch Ard Gorge

Shipwreck Coast

London Bridge is a unique sight, as part of the bridge collapsed in 1990, causing a gap of sea in between the main coast and the remain of the rock formation. The bright orange sunset ray fell upon the bridge, illuminating the brown rock.

London Bridge

Our final destination was The Grotto, a naturally carved out cave and an archway at the bottom of the cliff, where the rock pool formations and sea horizon view made it a perfect spot for photo. 

The Grotto

We ended our Great Ocean Road journey in Warrnambool for a night, before we continued to The Grampians. It was indeed a dream came true, as I had a plan to visit my dream place just a few years before...