Sunrise at Broga Hill
Nov 9, 2008 – 5.00 a.m. Have not woken at such ungodly hour except when we had to catch the early morning flight to Hanoi last November. Nevertheless, the alarm rang to remind me of my intention to catch the sunrise at Broga Hill. Thought of snoozing for another 5 minutes but Mei wouldn’t allow me to do so.
Honestly I have not heard of Broga Hill until I received an invitation from Hong, my Waterfalls Survivors mate last Saturday. Since I work Saturdays, I couldn’t join him but the pictures taken during that trek flamed my interest. Since it is so close to home, I had to check it out.
Left the house at 5.30 a.m. for our sunrise jaunt. We got lost in Semenyih and wasted about 10 previous minutes. Finally, found the correct junction and arrived at the starting point at 6.35 a.m. We were rudely shocked to see about 6 cars arriving at the same time just ahead of us. Soon there was a long queue in front and we decided to fall back and take it easy. The only sad thing is that we will not reach the peak when it is still dark. The silver lining is that we won’t be lost.
The trek to the first summit took 30 minutes. The first 5 minutes was through a palm oil plantation, 20 minutes uphill trek through secondary jungle and the last 5 minutes was through field of “lalang”. The first summit is a great spot to catch the sunrise.
It is another 3 minutes to the second summit. It is much windier here than the first summit and offers a great view of the surrounding rolling hills.
The real and 3rd summit is just another 3 minutes up. The 3rd summit offers a spectacular view of the 2nd summit.
Beyond the 3rd summit, lies a trail down the hill through a field of fern, some secondary jungle, a durian orchard, a rubber estate, a fruit farm and a palm oil plantation. It was an endlessly long walk and we finally reached our car after a one and a half hours trek where we were relentlessly attacked by mosquitoes. Insect repellents helped repelled some of the mosquitoes but in the end, Mei had more than 50 bites while I had at least 30.
11.00 a.m. we proceed to Broga town for the famous Pan Mee and Ice Kachang. Found out that the stall is only opened for lunch. A little wait wasn’t going to stop us so we just sat and relax watching the small town idling its time.
Our verdict
The Ice Kachang is a bit diluted. The Kachang however is really good.
The Pan Mee was a disappointment. It is above average but nothing to die for.
The bonus was the Yong Tau Foo where the pork stuffed chili was really delicious.
Broga Hill is a nice short outing for a morning work out.
The close proximity to KL is just perfect as we were home by 1.30 p.m. to catch up on our sleep.
I really salute you people for waking up early… then have to trek mountains.. going UPHILL just to get a glimpse of sunrise.. which is not even guaranteed (thick clouds, haze). Hahah!
Nice pictures, Tony!
gina
November 13, 2008 at 10:53 am
Oh wow..you make the place look so deserted & peaceful …even though there were so many many ppl there. Good thing we managed to perch ourselves on a strategic boulder to take our pictures – ahahahaha!!!
Yeah, the pan mee was so so only yah? But then again, I guess its coz we took the ice kachang first since the noodles weren’t ready yet. Gluttony rules yet again! Thanks for a great trip!
shorthorse
November 13, 2008 at 3:45 pm
All Pan Mee tastes about the same to me.
Pink Jeans
November 13, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Gina – Actually waking up early makes the weekend feel longer. That’s the consolation. Thanks for your compliment.
SH – Ha.Ha. I always make places look deserted. If only I could make the whole KL city crowd dissappear and take pictures in a ghost city.
If we didn’t need to wait for the Pan Mee, I think I would have tasted better.
asme
November 13, 2008 at 11:12 pm
PJ – My Gawd! Cooking Pan Mee is a science.
The thickness (or thinness) of the dough is important. The texture and how long you allow the dough to breathe, all contribute to the taste. You need some oil in the dough to improve the smoothness. Then we come to the soup. What you put in it is essential. Even the Ikan Bilis must be chosen correctly. When you put the dough in and how long you leave it in soup determines whether it is a success.
We also have dry Koon Loh Pan Mee, Curry Pan Mee, Claypot Pan Mee and Fried Pan Mee.
asme
November 13, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Ahahaa…since you have researched the art of making pan mee so well, you should consider opening pan mee stall when you retire ..
shorthorse
November 14, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I was just going to say that although I have made Pan Mee before, I shan’t be making any to serve to you…scaredlah, you Pan Mee connoisieur!
Pink Jeans
November 14, 2008 at 5:37 pm
No worries. I am a Pan Mee Glutton. Good or bad, still can eat. So if we come to London, we would expect you to make Pan Mee.
asme
November 14, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Mmmmm,
Can FD make me Pan Mee?
I come over in KL.
TQTQTQ
Yit Peng
November 15, 2008 at 11:02 am
Then you must try to pan mein in selayang!
the claypot one.. in curry, kon lou and soup.. or, the chilli pan mein!
gina
November 15, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Ahahaha…. YP … I’ve been waiting for FD’s Pan Mee too …
shorthorse
November 19, 2008 at 3:40 pm
YP – Let me know when you are free and I will make one for you.
Gina – you truly are the No 1 when it comes to where to eat. Will check out the Selayang place one fine day. Right now, trying to walk more so that I can finally eat more. hahaha.
SH – will experiment b4 YP’s visit. hehehehe
asme
November 19, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Thanks for sharing the information about this place. I am planning my trip to Broga Hill this coming weekend, but knowing many friends of mine keep losing their way to that area even though they have been there so many times, is there any hints or landmark that easier for us to locate the position? And also what is the time roughly for the sunrise? Would be very appreciate if you share with us your experience.
p.s. we will be coming way from KL & PJ.
sengkit
December 1, 2008 at 12:58 pm
You will need to get to the old KL-Seremban road. When you reach Semenyih, continue on the trunk road towards Seremban and you will see a Petronas station on your right. Immediately after, is a traffic lights junction. Turn left here towards Broga town.
Proceed straight past Nottingham University. Note that the double lane road will end into a single lane road. Slow down as the turning to the palm oil estate is just a head on your left hand side. Note that the turning is 25 meters before the rabbit farm on your right and 35 meters before the 1km to Broga milestone you see at the top of my blog.
For a reference map, check the following map to Nottingham University at http://www.nottingham.edu.my/AboutUs/MalaysiaCampus/SemenyihCampus/Documents/LocationMap.pdf
Park your car after you turn in the palm oil estate. Just walk in the direction where your car came in. Keep left and when you get to a clearing, you should see a small up hill trail on your right. Just follow this trail all the way and it will bring you to the top of Broga Hill.
Alternatively, reach there early by 6.15am and wait for others who know the way. Normally this place is packed during the weekends.
You only get to see the sun about 7.15 am but if you wish to see the change from dark to light, you have to reach the palm oil estate by 6.15 am as it is about 30 minutes trek up.
Hope my instructions are clear. Enjoy your trip.
asme
December 3, 2008 at 10:24 pm