Inside the Genting Skyway gondola.
Photo by Wuan.
During the previous trip to Genting Highlands Resorts, William had suggested that we take a ride on the Genting Skyway. He said that the view would be exceptional. And I wonder how I was going to get into the small gondola. Incidentally, on that same day, we met fellow blogger Din who is one of the executives with the Skyway. Din assured us that it had been done before and invited us for a ride the next time we are there.
The view from above.
Photo by Wuan.
We went to Genting Highlands Resorts again last Saturday. The weather was not as cold or a foggy as the previous time. We met Din at the Skyway Station at Highlands Hotel. I still had reservations on how I was going to get into the gondola. There was not a long queue but with Din around, I do not think we needed to wait in line anyway.
On the way down from inside the gondola.
Photo by Wuan.
When it was time for us to board, the Skyway was briefly stopped to allow Din and William to carry me into the cabin. It was a struggle initially when Wuan’s backpack that William was carrying got caught in the doorway. Din got one of his staff to take over and before long, I was inside the cabin. The seat, being a hard bench, was not the most comfortable one for me to be sitting on. We left my wheelchair at the station as we did not plan to get off at the Main Station at Gohtong Jaya.
Main Station at Gohtong Jaya.
Photo by Wuan.
After that first hurdle of getting me into the cabin, my next anxiety was whether I would slip off the seat as the gondola made it way down the mountain. I hung on to dear life on the support pole inside the cabin. After those few harrowing seconds when the gondola left the station and there was nothing below us except trees many hundred feet below us, I began to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Din began to explain to us about the technical aspects of the Skyway system and the various sights along the way.
The gondola moving in the other direction.
Photo by Wuan.
What I liked most about the ride is the flora all along the way. It was all green as far as the eyes could see. The sights were great from up there. The silence was tranquil, except for the intermittent mechanical squeaks of the moving gondolas and our own chattering. The temperature in the cabin was not as cold as I had anticipated. In fact, I was warmed up from the exertion of holding on to the seat for the entire ride.
Moving away from Highlands Hotel Station.
Photo by Wuan.
When we reached Main Station at Gohtong Jaya, Din explained about the workings of the flywheel and the counterweight. This guy is a veritable tome of all the technical details of the entire Skyway. Ask him anything and he could go on without even pausing for thought. According the Din, the maximum speed for the Skyway is 6 meters/second makes it the fastest cable car system in the world but it usually runs at 4.8 meters/second. The surroundings were undisturbed as much as possible in the process of constructing the Skyway in order to preserve the natural environment. He also briefed us on the safety and maintenance of the entire system and the pylons.
Din and I.
Photo by Wuan.
The ride back up was even more spectacular. The view up, although similar was different. Perhaps that was from the opposite perspective. Wuan and Cynthia took most of the photos. I had my digicam with me but had both my hands firmly on the seat and the pole and did not get to take any. Before long, we reached Highlands Hotel Station again. The clouds that partly obscured the complex made is such a divine sight. That was another experience that I will not forget for a long time. This is one of the things that I had wanted to do and thanks to William and Din, I got to fulfill it. This goes on to prove that with great friends nothing is impossible, almost.
Din is the man! 😉 Perhaps I will give him a call when I visit Genting. Ahaks!
Glad you enjoyed the ride, Peter! Nothing is impossible with so many helpful and kind bloggers all around to help you out. 😉
wah what a treat 🙂 i havent been to gentings in years myself. must go soon.
take care!
I’ve been on it once, and the view was breathtaking. A friend of mine was so scared, that what was a normally very talkative person kept quite until we reach the top station 😛 Had loads of fun teasing him Kihkihkih
Din is a gem. I sat in one of those cable cars up to Genting before. I was scared shitless. I took a taxi back down.
Din and William … Major Thumbs up to both of you man !!!! Peter glad that you enjoy the ride lah.. and no need to q somemore.. great!! Well you are famous… people know you lah… Peter the man…. give face to you one mah… and oso where can everyday you meet fellow blogger from Penang some more in KL ??!! or Genting ?? Well you actually did it twice liao meeting bloggers in Genting…. Maybe KL is not that big after all…. hahhahah What am I saying… Eh you vely chut mia one you know…. cheers man
oh wow, anybody coming up next time just leave me a comment. 😉
glad you enjoyed the ride Peter. do let me know the next time you come, i’ll know what to do. heheh.
I always hate the ride up but it’s the fastest way to get there instead of driving up the winding road to the top. It’s especially scary if the winds are strong and the gondola starts swinging. Anyway, glad to know that you too have experienced riding the gondola. And yeah, it’s good to have great friends! 🙂
Peter, you should have got my numbers from KY and we could met up. Well, maybe next time we can meet again up in the hill.
I like cable cars. They’re really breathtaking. I am very glad that you had a good time. Touched by your post. Cheers!
being on a walking aid,i’m happy to know such situations r able to be dealt wif quite hassle-free =) glad u enjoyed d trip on d gondola.i think it beats going up/down on winding roads.when i was invited to go up with my frens,one of d major setbacks was d gondola ride.
huahhh Din lookin hensem smart =))
Juz came back from Genting.
The photos are nice and bring back good memories!
Cheers!!!
Jason,
Yes, Din is the man. This is evident of what blogging has gained for me.
adriene,
It was great. The scenery was absolutely “different” from up there.
BawangMerah,
It was not as scary as I first thought it would be. I really enjoyed the ride.
JoMel,
Try again?
FindingMe,
Let me repeat this again: With good friends nothing is impossible. Thank God for that.
Din,
I did enjoy the ride and the meal. Nice meeting you again. Will certainly look you up when I am at Genting again.
Bkworm,
Both modes up the highlands presents different kind of views. One day, I want to ride the cable car in the night when it is clear where I can see the blinking lights of KL. Din?
foodcrazee,
I will remember to get your number from KY the next time I go again. 😀
Yvonne,
My next goal is to ride on the rollercoaster. I had a good time because of friends like William and Cynthia and Wuan and Din. I am so fortunate.
jupiter86,
It is evident that the cable car personnel are very helpful. Try it. All the best.
cyber-red,
And I do not?
GhOst,
Thank you and you are welcome.