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Joseph Johnathan Zhao


Joseph Johnathan with Mr. Tan Chuan-Jin, 10th Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore

Halogen Foundation Singapore – National Young Leader Award 2017 Finalist

Joseph Johnathan Zhao

Mount Ophir – Gunung Ledang

This is a long overdue post but this being the first hike i have done, i want to blog the positive experience that i had at Gunung Ledang, also known as Mount Ophir. I traveled with my brother Joseph Johnathan Zhao. We did not spent a long time preparing, we merely purchased basic hiking gears at Novena Square and Decathlon – proper bag, shoes, thick shoes, gloves and coat. Spent around $250 SGD per person on the gears.

For the record, we hike the mountain on 31st December 2016, stayed one night in the mountain and descend on 1st January 2017. Yes – we “Happy New Year” at the peak.  I do understand some old post mentioned the park may be closed between Dec to Feb due to monsoon season. I recommend calling in to check if that would be the case.

We walked into Malaysia via Woodlands Checkpoint on 30th December 2016 night – Yes, you can walk in and we didn’t pay a single cent for walking in.

While we were in Singapore, we booked Citrus Johor Bahru for 2 adult standard room 1 night stay for $49.50 SGD. The accommodation is merely 5 minutes’ walk from the customs. We stayed in the accommodation for a night on the 30th December.

On 31st December morning, we sought help from the hotel reception to get us to Mount Ophir, Gunung Ledang. The hotel has decided to get us a blue taxi and cab us up. It costs around 350RM for the cab ride (after a discount!) for around 1.5 hours ride. I came to understand that the red cab is cheaper than the blue cab for such travel. [Clearly, we aren’t prepared] In fact, if one has done proper planning, can arrange for a bus ride to Lekin bus terminal before another ride to the mountain.


When we reached Mount Ophir at around 1pm, we walked in and the park attending came to us. We were told to grab our lunch nearby and advised that we don’t do the hike in 1 noon + night as the descend will be dangerous. We took their advice and were drove nearby to have some food before our climb to 1276m Mount Ophir.

When we came back, we were greeted by our guide – Zul (+60142754793). he is a young chap and carried 3 times more items than us. We were at first puzzled what he brought with him. Before we walk up, they checked our bags and count the amount of plastic bottles and plastic bags that we are carrying with us. We were warned that a penalty will be imposed should we leave any plastics behind.


There are 2 routes up to the peak. We took the Lagenda Trail from the Park office towards Bukit Semput CP1. We faced a long flight of stairs immediately which caused me to vomit out my precious chicken rice lunch. We took a short break at CP1 and continued towards CP2, CP3, KFC. When we were at CP2, the rain started to fall and it continuously rained. It was difficult to climb as the floor is muddy and it takes extra strength to lift your feet up. In certain cases, we were uncertain whether we may slip and fall if we were to step on the rocks. There are various points where there are sturdy ropes support for us to hold onto.

It’s around 7.45pm that we reach Bukit Botak and were told that we can take a short nap and rest – we wash up at a river nearby and changed into a new set of attire and slept in our sleeping bags. Its to my amazement when Zul opened up his 3rd bag and took out cooking devices and started to cook hot coco drinks for us! We were offered biscuits and the drinks. Its one of the best things you can asked for in the cold and wet weather. Shortly after, we took our naps and prepare for the “Happy New Year” at the peak. As the place we sleep is too near the river, it was very very cold and we kept waking up.

We woke up around 11.15pm and were told to take around 20-30 minutes to climb up. As there’s a cell tower nearby, we found reception when we were nearing the peak – Happy New Year messages start to flood in! We reached the pitch black summit at around 11.45pm. Joseph and myself painfully brought 1 can of Carlsberg up and roasted peanuts and we toasted each other at the peak and yes, we unloaded 0.33kg off our shoulders – we shared that one can!


We then went down to the place we slept earlier and slept all the way till the next day morning when we started descending down. Along the way, we saw many people coming up. The descend was much easier this time as its not raining now and the floor has pretty much dried up!

Special Mention to Zul (Whatsapp +60142754793), he took very good care of me and Joseph during the whole journey. When i slowed down to catch a breath, he would wait for me and encourage me to carry on. The continuous motivation helped me to reach CP1,CP2,CP3. He would occasionally check in to see if we are fine as well.

If you wish to climb any mountains in Malaysia, do feel free to find Zul (Whatsapp +60142754793).

Total damage (as of Jan 2017)
Entrance Fee – 50 RM / pax
Hotel – $49.50 SGD
Guide – 300RM (2 Pax)
Cab – 350 RM (after discount)

PAYM Loves Red Launch 2015

PAYM Loves Red Launch 2015 event will be held in Town Green, NUS University Town 36 College Avenue East on 5th July 2015 between 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm. This year is going to be a very special one as we are celebrating our nation’s 50th birthday as well!

It will be a evening full of fun! There are carnival and one can treat themselves to

  1. Live performances
  2. “Under the Stars” screening of “That Girl in a Pinafore”
  3. MP3 Experiment Prequel
  4. Exciting games booths
  5. Free food

and much more

Ticket holders will be entitled to a FREE goodie bag! NUS Students can sign up here : https://esurvey.nus.edu.sg/efm/se.ashx?s=1CC7023E2B96570D

This is proudly brought to you by the People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM) and NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU).

Similarly to last year, Punggol CC YEC will also be holding 2 PAYM Loves Red event this year. Looking forward to update the blog when more details are available!

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For Long Term Car Rental Singapore, please feel free to visit http://www.rentcars.sg/long-term-rental/

PAYM Loves Red post updated with photos

I hear you! I have added more photos into my PAYM Loves Red 2014 by Punggol CC YEC!

Standby for more updates on the Teens Conference (#hihstc14) that was held by HIHS on 16/8/14! Kiat Siang, Huile, Christipher and myself were there to help in the facilitation!

PAYM Loves Red 2014

PAYM Loves Red 2014 was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on 5 July 2014 at Sengkang CC. A total of 141 projects by the youth volunteers will be conducted during the span of 2 months and I am proud that Punggol CC YEC had organised 2 PAYM Loves Red in 2014.

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks
In conjunction with Bedok Reservior Punggol’s Red & White Picnic Under the Stars @ Hougang MRT station open field, Punggol CC YEC held its PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was the GOH of the event. PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks had seen a total of close to 2,100 youth outreach on the day itself with close to 20 youth volunteers from Holy Innocents’ High School. There were a total of 12 life-size kampong games (which include eraser war big as 10 shoeboxes, pick up sticks as tall as 10 year old young kid, skipping ropes and more), photo taking booth, face-painting, balloon sculpturing, gift redemption counter for those who completed the Youth Challenge and musical performance by the youth groups(which includes Punggol CC IAEC, Cornflake City and Vincent Lum) at the Busking Corner.

It was also an honour to have PM Lee Hsien Loong visiting the YEC booth during his tour at the carnival to understand what the club has been doing so far and knowing what are the upcoming events. We also took the rare opportunity to present a gift for him and his wife that was handmade by us with a message from the youths after getting him to pen down his wishes for the youth! We also took a selfie with him just before he left!

Some photos from the PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks event.

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Eraser War

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Eraser War

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Jenga!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Jenga!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Pickup Sticks!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Pickup Sticks!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Presenting our gift to PM Lee!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Presenting our gift to PM Lee!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks A selfie with PM Lee!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks A selfie with PM Lee!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Message from PM Lee!

PAYM Loves Red @ Community YOUthSparks Message from PM Lee!

PAYM Loves Red @ Holy Innocents’ High School
On 8 August 2014, Punggol CC YEC team went down to Holy Innocents’ High School to celebrate PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS. Punggol CC YEC stepped in this year to allow the 20 odds pioneer generation beneficiaries from the Lions Befriender to join in the annual fund-raising carnival and to celebrate Singapore’s 49th birthday! PAYM Loves Red shirt and a Singapore flag were also distributed to all secondary 2 students (whom run all the 30 odd carnival stores ranging from games to food sales). Bedok Reservoir-Punggol CCC chairman, Victor Lye, was also present that morning with the YEC members. The day was started with a parade by the school’s uniform groups in the school parade square following a National Day concert by various performance groups in the school hall.

Punggol CC YEC also distributed items like “Our People, Our Home” foldable fan, Singapore flag’s design pin, Singapore tattoo sticker and gift cards for students who “liked” our Facebook page!

Some photos from the PAYM Loves Red @ Holy Innocents’ High School event.

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS - YEC Booth

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS – YEC Booth!

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS - School Canteen

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS – School Canteen

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS - Jackson sharing about the YEC page

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS – Jackson sharing about the YEC page

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS - Kampung Games at HIHS too!

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS – Kampung Games at HIHS too!

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS - Me sharing the page to a member of the dance club!

PAYM Loves Red @ HIHS – Me sharing the page to a member of the dance club!

A special mention to Lim Cheng Lei and Koh Kiat Siang for making the 2 PAYM Loves Red events possible! Of course, not forgetting all the volunteers involved on the 2 events, once again, thank you!