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 Hammocks are the way to go in the jungle I have walked and camped my fair share of jungles but this trip with MYCAT was one of the few rare occasions where a jungle experience is stretched a few notches up. An absolutely satisfying experience with a sigh of relief at the end of it all.  Large pig mud holes Okay, we were literally walking into restricted areas of Taman Negara, inaccessible to the general public. All we had was a map (with some pencil lines drawn on it) and two units of GPS to help guide us. Once inside, we have limited communications to the outside world. 10 minutes in and already the jungle starts to reveal itself.  On our way to the Merapoh entrance to Taman Negara Taman Negara Trailblazer jungle trip…here I come! It was a Wednesday morning and we all gathered at the Gombak LRT station. With all our fully loaded packs, we hopped onto the MYCAT Hilux and headed for Karak highway towards Merapoh. We only stopped for breakfast and toilet breaks. Man, the only rep from MYCAT did most of the driving while the rest of us chatted about matters ranging from parangs to blood diamonds (it is a long drive). Continue reading PART II: The journey into Taman Negara begins  Visit MyCat website by clicking the picture above Some months back, I received an email with an attachment on MYCAT ‘Trailblazer’ project. Being a member of Malaysian Nature Society, I am aware of MYCAT works but have not been able to get involved personally. This particular project seems interesting, with volunteers spending multiple nights in the jungle with Perhilitan officers doing border clearing and patrols (though volunteer are not doing the actual partoling itself). But the email indicated that this would be the first trial run for the Trailblazer project. Trial runs usually mean uncertainties and this holds true as the days unfolds.  An Iban elder taking rest from the hot day in the long house I doubt if I can get over the parangs used by the Ibans, jungle food and the long houses in Batang Ai. Just a couple of weeks after the trip and already I am thinking of going back. There is simply too many things I wanna see, learn and experience still. As brief as this trip may be…I think the group of us ‘visitors’ had a really good time, hosted by these lovely people.  We continued our river walk towards the waterfall We were told that there were several waterfalls in and around Batang Ai area. Our campsite was actually half way to one of them. The stream that ran close to our campsite has been exceptionally low for the past few weeks according to our Iban guides. The morning of our second day in the jungle, we were all pumped up to continue walking to get to the waterfall.  Our Iban guides with the parangs on their waist ready to setup camp This was my first experience seeing the Ibans bush skills in the jungle. We have walked a good 3 hours to our campsite, along one of the local Iban’s usual hunting grounds. With our packs down on the ground, our guides started to scan the area for a good spot to build shelter and kitchen areas. The chief guide then gathered the rest of the guides…murmurs a few words and they all disappears. Continue reading Jungle skills with the Ibans of Batang Ai, Borneo  We stopped a couple of times along the way, the beauty of the jungle is mesmerizing Walking in the jungle with the Ibans of Batang Ai Sarawak is a first for me and many of my friends on this trip. We were walking along a river, most of the time in the river towards a campsite. Set up camp and on the second day continue with our minimum pack towards a waterfall deep inside the traditional hunting grounds of the Ibans. Continue reading The jungle walk with the Ibans of Batang Ai, Sarawak.  Iban guide Sabang preparing his hunting pack My aim going jungle camping with the Ibans from the Longhouses of Batang Ai was to experience and learn their jungle/ bushcraft skills. Though most Ibans have adapted to modern style of living, some basic knowledge still exists. The Ibans from the Longhouses in Batang Ai certainly still live off the land and this was a good opportunity for me. Continue reading Going camping with the Ibans of Batang Ai, Sarawak- Part III  We spent one night at Menyiling long house, Batang Ai Sarawak before entering the jungle Traveling in an Iban long boat on Batang Ai towards the Menyiling long house marks the beginning of our adventure. The longboats, powered by mere 15hp outboard engines are quite fast and rather ‘flimsy’ to my liking. Continue reading The welcoming ceremony at Iban Longhouse Menyiling, Batang Ai, Sarawak. |
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