Simply beautiful
I decided to join Jan on a trip to an Orang Asal (a.k.a Orang Asli) Semai village in Pos Betau in Pahang. Jan obviously was in search of another elusive waterfall in Malaysia while I was more than happy to be part of the recee trip. This will be my first real visit to a Semai village and I was also hoping to find some new sites that I can use for work. As it turns out, this trip had so much more to offer than just waterfalls and village life.
Continue reading A visit to Orang Asal Semai village, Pos Betau Pahang (Part I)
Partly a continuation of the Spencer Chapman trail, this is a jungle walk with Pak Abu and Jan at one part of the jungles surrounding Templar Park near Rawang. Surrounded by lush beautiful jungle, we came across mini waterfalls, numerous signs of wild animals and an endless supply rejuvenating mountain streams.
Continue reading A beautiful jungle walk with Pak Abu and Jan
The beautiful parang gift from Danny
Since my trip to Sarawak, I have fallen in love with parangs from Sarawak. Old school it may be but these blades of the Orang Ulu are amazingly functional and tried tested. I have a few parang Ilang but recent pieces given to me as gifts by Danny Voon of Kuching has really impressed me a lot.
Continue reading Sarawak parang gift from Danny Voon
Traditional ciggies?
Besides the traditional fire piston, Tok Ali was also kind enough to tell us more about his blow pipe, aquarium and herb garden. With his charm and willingness to share his knowledge, we felt that the 2 hours spent with him is nowhere enough to learn more.
Continue reading Tok Ali’s blow pipe, aquarium and herb garden; Final Part
Tok Ali’s fire piston, handed through generations
‘Saya pernah ajar dia orang sekali, lepas tu dia orang try buat sendiri, tak jadi!’ This was what Tok Ali said to me, referring to the attempts by some tourist guides who tried to demonstrate the use of fire pistons after just one lesson from him. Tok Ali then came and sat with us, holding with him a plastic bag that contains his fire piston.
Continue reading Another traditional fire piston, Endau Rompin, Johor Malaysia; Part I
The light house from a distance…a lot of bush to cover really
During a recent recee trip to a training camp at Banting, I decided to go for a bushwalk to look for the Jugra lighthouse. The area is located nearby the river that feeds into the ocean, separating the Jugra side from Carey island. I was told that there is a jungle trek that leads to the lighthouse which I later discovered was entirely misleading.
Continue reading In search of the light house at Jugra, Banting
The jungle never cease to surprise me- Photo by Jan
I am beginning to realize that I am most happy exploring new places. A friend and teacher, Jan invited me to join him exploring a river called Sg Luit in Kuala Kubu Bharu one weekend. A well learn historian, waterfall addict and a good friend, I find it difficult to resist a walk in the jungle with Jan.
Continue reading Exploring Sungai Luit in Kuala Kubu Bharu
A parang handle making project
This is a small parang ‘gift’ project for a friend. I will have to make the wooden handle for it, as well as a sheath. The blade was purchased from the Bidor parang maker some time back. A standard blade sold everywhere. I decided to do this project for two reasons. As a gift and more so as a ‘practice’ at making handles for parang.
Continue reading Putting in a wooden handle for a friend’s parang
A scene along Sungai Batu
It was Pak Abu’s idea to go river trekking along Sungai Batu. Pak Abu has been doing quite a bit of trail finding, based on the Spencer Chapman book ‘The Jungle Is Neutral’. A knowledgeable and skillful bushcrafter, this 4 hour walk along the river is really satisfying.
Continue reading River trekking along Sungai Batu
Personally, hammock is the best jungle shelter
One of the best ways to camp in the jungle is by using a hammock with a tarp over. The hammock keeps you off the ground, away from the wetness of the rain and creepy crawlies. Personally, it is by far the single type of shelter that is practical and jungle friendly.
Continue reading Hammock…the best way to camp in the jungle
