After we have finished our lunch in Chemor town, we got into our car and took a ride around Chemor town, before driving back to Ipoh. It was a hot, sunny day with clear blue sky. At that time of day, the traffic on the road was not heavy.
On the road, we were following behind 2 lorries carrying big timber logs. Many years back, we used to see lorries carrying very big timber logs but nowadays, the number has dwindled and the girth of timber logs are getting smaller. Sometimes when the logs were so big, the lorry can only carry one, two or sometimes, three on each trip, depending on the girth of the logs. I remembered I used to avoid going near these lorries carrying big timber logs, afraid that the chains holding the huge logs may broke and the logs may come tumbling down.
All the way we chatted and somehow our conversation happened to touch on those days when we used to take our boys together with our friends to Ulu Chepor waterfall for picnics. It seemed such a long time, almost 20 years ago. It was really fun being together with our friends, joking, laughing and playing in the cold water. We used to sit on the rocks with our legs dipping in the cold, running water, under the shady trees.
"Welcome to Ulu Chepor Village"
The canteen, all seemed very quiet and hardly any activity at all.
Free entrance during weekdays. There is a minimum charge of a few Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) during weekends and public holidays.
The place looks like the same as before and the water very clear.
We did notice something different. The wooden huts have been replaced with these new resting place for picnickers. Looks much cleaner and neater too.
There is a bridge leading to these chalets on the other side.
Some young men playing in the water.
Playing and bathing in this water can be fun and enjoyable but it can be very dangerous too. It can be all calm and peaceful and then all of a sudden there may be a powerful gush of water coming down.
It is good to be informed when bathing in waterfalls. Be on the alert and lookout for warning signs:-
- Dark clouds or sign of rain near the area,
- There is an increase in the speed of the water flow,
- Rapid rise in the water level,
- Clear water suddenly filled with dirt particles,
- Smell of fresh earth and
- A distant rumbling sound from upstream.
If you noticed any of the above warning signs, immediately move out of the water onto the nearest, higher ground, as far away from the edge of the stream.
If for family outings, it will be more fun and safer to come during the weekends or holiday season. At least the place will not be so deserted. Current times are no longer safe.
Some parts the water is shallow, some parts the water is quite deep. These rocks can be very slippery when they are wet and not safe to rock hop.
Saw a group of youth at the other side of the stream. Too far to see what they were doing. Probably playing games after their dip in the water.
At this point, we decided not to go any further. For the more adventurous ones, you can go further up and then walk up the path. This was the furthest for us and we decided it was time to head for home. It is good to refresh our memories and also good to know that the place has not changed much and has remained the same all these years.
God is not a man, that He should lie,
nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.
Does He speak and then not act?
Does He promise and not fulfill?
(Numbers 23:19, New International Version-NIV)
