History Trip : Muzium Insitu and Bukit Jugra

From a distance, we obviously saw the Jugra massive billboard, right on top of the Jugra Hill, alongside the lighthouse and the tower. Beforehand, we stopped at In-Situ Museum and did a quick snapshot. The admission is free but it is closed at 5.30pm daily.

We then drove towards the hill and the scene was a bit creepy, with ruins of old palace and Chinese cemetery. It is said that this hill full of demons and ghosts with disturbing stories about voices and what not.

I must admit that this hill is too soundless.

So we tried not to state anything obvious.

Once arrived, there were 2 cars parked by the road side. The lighthouse was on our right, but the gate was closed. Right on our left, there was one small pathway, heading up into the bush, where I saw few joggers on the opposite way. 

“Owhkayyyyy…scary.”

We walked towards the famous letters of J.U.G.R.A, where we meet other visitors. There was shaded seated that I believed, built for para-gliding spectators. Looking down the hill was pretty scary coz there was no barriers at all. Hubby tried to get as far as he could to get all the letters in one frame but I warned him not to push of the limit. He was wearing thongs so he might get slipped off easily.

Further down, we saw one bushwalk. I used to read that you can try to take this route (upward, not downward) to reach the lighthouse. Along the bushwalking, you may find beautiful fauna, including snakes. You will also enjoy looking at flora, especially organic dragon fruits.

A bit of history on how this lighthouse is built.

"In the early days, many ships had tried but all of them failed to reach the beach that supports this great Jugra Hill, which locals then called Bukit Kerang, directly translated as Cockle Hill. In the late 19th century, British vessels had been travelling for weeks along the Straits of Malacca and each time they closed in, the shores of Bukit Kerang sneakily moved

backwards further inland, breaking these mighty fleets as they yielded to mounting frustration. Tired and thoroughly aggravated by the situation, the English constructed a lighthouse on top of the hill to guide their vessels. From then on, deep into the night, when all were asleep a beacon of light would part the darkness searching for ships to welcome ashore."

"Violated by the construction of the lighthouse atop its sacred peak, the hill bled continuously for 30 long days. The waters surrounding this great knoll assumed the rusty-red colour of the cockles that resided in the area. Ironically, the cockle population started to dwindle and slowly disappeared not long after the incident." Source: Tourism Malaysia.

Myth will be always be a myth. 

We waited until sunset and enjoyed the breathtaking view of amazing panorama. It would be perfect if it wasn't hazy. I wish the sky was blue, so that it can blend well with green trees and the river.

When we were there, no para-gliding activity being held. I have no info whether this activity is still relevant and do-able at Jugra Hill, but you may contact Captain Ikhwan at 019-3734858/012-281 8032 or paragliding_msia@yahoo.com for more information. The total cost including accessories is about RM1,300 (quoted here, read more for her experience doing the para-gliding).