Meun has always wanted to visit the River Kwai bridge. For Bhat120 per person for a train ride that brings you to Pathom Chedi, River Kwai and Sai Yok Noi waterall, one can’t complaint at all. The bridge, a popular tourist attraction [...]]]>

We visited the fames River Kwai bridge on a Bhat120 train ticket!

Meun has always wanted to visit the River Kwai bridge. For Bhat120 per person for a train ride that brings you to Pathom Chedi, River Kwai and Sai Yok Noi waterall, one can’t complaint at all. The bridge, a popular tourist attraction and obviously rather old is a monument of Thailand’s history and we get to travel on it as our train chugged on!

Our train stopped at River Kwai bridge for about 25minutes. A short time really. So many things to see and read actually. Many tourists on the bridge itself when we got there. I think many were quite surprised that a train is actually on the track ready to cross over the bridge.

A lot of people at the River Kwai bridge

The famous bridge

Our train parked on the track waiting for passengers to 'visit' the River Kwai bridge

Not so many people on the opposing side of the bridge- Pic by Meun

25minutes flew by really fast. Before we knew it, we were on the train slugging on towards the bridge. Did not expect the train to go on the bridge really but that is what it did exactly. As the train started chugging along, people on the bridge started to scramble. Special standing platforms were actually built on the sides of the tracks for people to seek ‘refuge’ from the train. I can see some really annoyed faces but most has a ‘how come no one told us about this train service?‘ look on the face. It was priceless!

Then and now?

The marble monument telling the history of River Kwai

According to Wiki, Pathom Chedi is the world’s tallest Stupa in the world. At 127meters, this beaitiful and magnificant structure is located at Nakhon Pathom and is the first 40 minutes stop on our train ride towards Sai Yok Noi waterfall. For just Bhat120 per person for [...]]]>

World's tallest Pathom Chedi in Nakon Pathom, Thailand

According to Wiki, Pathom Chedi is the world’s tallest Stupa in the world. At 127meters, this beaitiful and magnificant structure is located at Nakhon Pathom and is the first 40 minutes stop on our train ride towards Sai Yok Noi waterfall. For just Bhat120 per person for this train ride, this first stop is beginning to be very interesting indeed. According to some websites, the ‘original’ stupa actually lies beneath the current structure. No one is allowed to enter to view it and it is supposed to be more about 2000 years old.

Walking towards the Chedi, we passed some lanes bussing with stall vendors selling all sorts of food and items. Like the lanes around Chatuchak market, pushcarts adorned with barbeque drills, chilled fruits, kuih chap and women squating at the sidewalk with baskets filled with fruits and vegetables. It is this ’sights’ that I like the most. It is like walking through a street of buffet line!

Yummy!

Thais somehow are really good at making their food look (and taste) good

Even their fried bananas look more interesting

Monks receiving alms from Thais near the Stupa

The Stupa is obviously a busy place. At the time of our visit, there seems to be some renovation/ repair works going on. Nevertheless, the place is full of people praying and placing their offerings.

The Pathom Chedi from the courtyard

Devotees praying at the main 'entrance' to the Stupa

While most visitors to the Stupa is busy praying, we decided to venture about the compound. As many other things…there’s always something really interesting hidden around the corner. We soon found out that the place has Chinese influence as well.

One of the 'Chinese' statues that guards one of the side entrances to the inner court

Chinese influence?

Nice place to see and take pics. Not to mention all the food that we can indulge in. The final outcome? A 100meter dash for the train that was already starting to move. Meun wasn’t really happy with me about that. But we made it anyway and we are on our way to the River Kwai Bridge next.

Its been a while since Sox went out with us on a jungle walk. So, with a free weekend around the corner, we decided to bring her out to a patch of jungle not far from Kuala Lumpur. We headed for one of our favorite [...]]]>

Meun and Sox walking pass the bundles of cut bamboo

Its been a while since Sox went out with us on a jungle walk. So, with a free weekend around the corner, we decided to bring her out to a patch of jungle not far from Kuala Lumpur. We headed for one of our favorite trails, pushing off from our home as early as 7am. It was a nice day indeed, though we know the leeches will be waiting for us as it has been raining the day before.

With the car parked, we started to head for the trail. On the first hill, we came across several bundles of green, freshly chopped bamboo. As we were looking around, a couple of Orang Asli came to claim their ‘grass’. Seems that they are to be sold to buyers for making ‘lemang’. It was quite a distance to the car park but the Orang Asli lady seems to be at home hauling them bamboos down. The bamboos by the way are tied together with jungle vines.

The bamboos were bundled and tied together with jungle vines

The Orang Asli lady hauling away the bundled bamboos

A few meters away from the bamboo stasg, I spotted what looked like wild chestnuts or Berangan (in Malay). A check with the Orang Asli says that the ripe ones can be eaten. Obviously, the shells and some of the fruits are littered all over the place. Some animals up in the tree must be enjoying them and tossing down the leftovers. Naturally, I collected some ripe ones while the rest I pocketed just to have a closer look at them later at home.

The wild chestnuts we found littered all over the trail

It was a good day. It was cloudy, hence not too hot. We came to the small stream and Sox as usual gets overly excited. She went straight for the water, being very impatient about getting in. It did not take much convincing to get her to wade across the river onto the other side.

Sox checking out the river

Surprisingly, Sox waded through the river confidently

Along the trail, we spotted a Keladi Murai or Tacca integriffolia.

Keladi Murai

Sox coming for her food

Scouting around the area, I found some Bertam fronds. Decided to try my luck fishing. Put on a simple rig on the Bertam frond and using earth worms I dug nearby, I went out to the water edge. I used a really small hook from my minimum kit. Always carry them with me.

The bertam frond I found nearby

A line, small sinker, small hook and a rubber band

Well, there was certainly plenty of interest from the fish in the river. But I only managed to land some really small fishes. Probably suitable only for bait. I returned them into the water of course.

Manage to catch several of these (really) small fishes

Meun was busy attending to Sox. She brought Sox for a walk around the area while I fished. But it did not last long our stay there cause Sox is like a 5 year old curious about every single moving thing. Some ducks came close to us and that really got her excited. We had to restrain her, otherwise she would have probably gone after them duckies.

After an hour of fishing and relaxing, we decided that it was time to go. We walked back and after changing into some fresh clothes, set for home. We spend about 5 hours walking with Sox in the bush this time around and not long after we started driving home, Sox was already curled up at the back seat.

Sox had an exciting but tiring day obviously

Ah!…clams…but this time around, they are fresh water clams. I believe the locals around Sungai Perak calls them Kepah. After a short ‘test run’ on our kayaks on day one, I decided I would try to look for these bivalves. At the water edges, I can see [...]]]>

Many many clam shells at the water edges

Ah!…clams…but this time around, they are fresh water clams. I believe the locals around Sungai Perak calls them Kepah. After a short ‘test run’ on our kayaks on day one, I decided I would try to look for these bivalves. At the water edges, I can see many of the shells lay open (dead ones), so there must be some live ones around. I was right.

Me collecting the fresh water clams

Being burried inside the mud in the riverbed, I let the clams soak in a tub of water for a night at least. This would allow them to spew out sand or mud that’s inside them. Well, that is what locals advised me to do anyway. There can’t be any better advise than local advise I reckon. Asking around, I found out that the local folks do eat them but doesn’t seem to have a liking towards them.

The flesh inside the Kepah – pic by Meun

The following day was our paddling day. So, I decided to prepare and cook the clams after we return from paddling. In case the clams would send us sitting on the ‘throne’ for relief, at least none of us would miss the paddling part.

Preparing the clams was a slimmy affair. I decided against boiling the entire clams as I don’t have a pot big enough and it would probably take forever. Using my Mora, I slit the clams open and dug the flesh out.

Used me trusty Mora to do the work- pic by Meun

The flesh inside the Kepah – pic by Meun

Opening the clams wasn’t all that hard. But I have to say that the slimmy flesh inside came with a rather strong ‘muddy’ smell. Nadir took a sniff and he has his mind made up about eating them. I don’t blame him really.

With the water boiling, I poured all the clam meat in. Let it boil for a good 5 minutes before taking them out. The verdict? Well, I can understand now why the locals don’t really fancy them. Without spices, the clams are not all that tasty. In fact, the smell could kinda of put you off. The most difficult part of the clam meat is probably it’s stomach (I think it is the stomach). It’s like a sac of something….one of us (not going to name him!) described it as probably a sp#@m sac!

Okay, the freshwater clams or Kepah from Sungai Perak would probably tastes better cooked as rendang or in some sort of curry. Boiling them ain’t really the best way to eat them…now we know.


More on our kayak trip to Sungai Perak:

• Yau Kee Chicken at Kampar
• Paddling along Sungai Perak & beyond
• Wild water buffalo on Sungai Perak
• Lotus lagoon along Sungai Perak

Its been a while since we been kayaking anywhere. So, with plans made as early as two months before, we headed to Sungai Perak for a kayaking adventure.On the way there, we decided to stop and try the famous Kampar ‘Chicken in Bread’ at a restaurant called Yau Kee. How did we [...]]]>

The herbal chicken

Its been a while since we been kayaking anywhere. So, with plans made as early as two months before, we headed to Sungai Perak for a kayaking adventure.On the way there, we decided to stop and try the famous Kampar ‘Chicken in Bread’ at a restaurant called Yau Kee. How did we know which restaurant to go to? We don’t, the GPS did!

Turns out we had two choices. Either go with the curry chicken or the herbal chicken. We thought to be on the safe side, the herbal chicken is the way to go. In less than 2 minutes, smiley aunty got our ‘bread’ and started ‘dressing’ it. In style I would say.

Aunty 'preped' our bread profesionally

The bread being peeled away to reveal the inside

Yummy!

Walaaaa...the herbal chicken is 'contained' inside a paper wrapper INSIDE the bread

Not bad these 'Chicken in Bread' stuff at Kampar, though a bit pricy

Well, the entire dish tasted better than I would imagine but a little bit pricey I suppose. After we had our makan, we continued on our way to Sungai Perak. Halfway, we made a quick toilet break, a good opportunity to take the picture below.

Our kayaks on our new 'old' pajero

A few hours later, we arrived at our launching place. Somewhat near lenggong area. After checking into our homestay place and all, we got our kayaks down, can’t wait to hit the water.

Meun by our boats...ready for a 'test' drive

All of us went for a ’short’ paddle on day 1. Did not go far, just to get the feel. Jim (our expat friend) too took the opportunity to paddle out his canoe. All in anticipation for day 2, paddling day.

Jim and his canoe

More on our kayak trip to Sungai Perak:

• Paddling along Sungai Perak & beyond
• Tasting the fresh water kepah clams
• Wild water buffalo on Sungai Perak
• Lotus lagoon along Sungai Perak

One of the hardest things for us is to find a place close to KL that would be dog friendly. Kota Damansara Community Forest Park is one of the few places that we were told to be dog ‘friendly’. We have our doubts but decided to [...]]]>

Sox and Meun walking past a pile of leaves

One of the hardest things for us is to find a place close to KL that would be dog friendly. Kota Damansara Community Forest Park is one of the few places that we were told to be dog ‘friendly’. We have our doubts but decided to give it a shot. Whenever Sox walks with us, she would always be on a leash and when we start our walk as early as 7am, the chances are we will be the only ones around!

It was a cloudy morning that day. Rain clouds scattered above us as we approach the park entrance. It is obvious that it has been raining…probably the night before. The ground was wet and puddles of water on the road.

The entrance, being in front of a school is never free from rubbish. I have visited the park on a few occasions and it is always the same. Rubbish everywhere.

There’s always litter here at the entrance just opposite the school

Luckily…not so much rubbish can be seen inside the park. There are many trails in the park. I even got a booklet about the trails and some of the ‘attractions’ within the park itself. We decided to just walk and see where we end up at.

Meun of course had the responsibility of holding on to Sox. I kept an eye out for interesting things to see and hopefully, take some pics as well.

A nice sculpture I reckon

Some unusual flowers and plants we saw along the trail

The cloudy day and early mornings did not help with my picture taking. My flash camera’s built in flash just doesn’t cut it. But one thing I saw and really interest me were these fruits strewn on the ground at this particular spot. I looked up to find the tree but there wasn’t anyone that stood out with the fruits. The weird thing about the fruits is that they are almost palm size and shape almost identical to the ‘Genuak’ or ‘Kerdas’ fruit . I used my parang to split one of the fruits open, looks very much like the Kerdas but without the smell.

Some really oversized Kerdas?

The trails at the park are clearly mark. Some groups, obviously ‘dog’ related has been on the trail recently. We know this because we come across many of the little pieces of paper markers with dog paw printed.

We saw many of such markers on the trail

We decided to follow the markers. It let us around the park, to a small lake and through some pretty nice obstacle. We can tell Sox is having a ball coz she is like a 2 year old on sugar diet. She was ecstatic and just charged up to continue exploring the park.

Sox has a fascination with flowing water

Sox taking in the beauty of the lake

We found out a few things about Sox during this walk. Sox is fascinated but somehow very scared of water. Probably because she is not exposed to water bodies from a young age despite the fact that dogs are natural swimmers (well, that is what my vet told me). The other thing is that Sox is an acrobat! We came across this fallen tree trunk and had to go over it. Sox was hesitant but once Meun crossed over, Sox followed suit. Sox stood on the tree trunk and went up and down the log, sniffing and looking out like a watch guard on duty. She kept herself on the tree trunk for quite some time….until yours sincerely lost patience.

Sox seems to enjoy being on ‘high’ places

We walked our Sox a good 1 hour that day at the Kota Damansara Community Forest Park. We were glad we did not come across anybody that day. It is a nice park with nice trails and we would probably come back again.

Here are some pictures of Ulu Muda when I went kayaking there with Nadir. While the water levels have risen considerably, the lake is stunningly beautiful. Nadir, who was at the lake a few months back before the rainy season started was [...]]]>

Such a nice day for paddling…right up until we arrive at the campsite

Here are some pictures of Ulu Muda when I went kayaking there with Nadir. While the water levels have risen considerably, the lake is stunningly beautiful. Nadir, who was at the lake a few months back before the rainy season started was astonished at how much the flooding have changed landscape.

Our major challenge taking pictures at the lake is the humidity. Many times the lenses fogs up and we had to ‘warm’ them up before taking pictures. My ‘setup’ was particularly more challenging as I have my camera only in my dry bag. Nadir has his in the Pelican case.

A view of the lake from the jetty early in the morning before we unloaded the kayaks

Nadir on the kayak, with his Pelican case and camera out ready to take pics

The Lake in a way has all the other characteristics of other man-made lakes in Malaysia like Kenyir and Banding. The eeri, wide, open space slowly swallows you up and engulf you with a feeling of awe and astonishment. I would say this is the ‘privilege’ feeling only to those who have spent time on large lakes like this one.

Thanks to the higher than usual water levels, we were able to make some shortcuts, with some navigations around these sort of terrain…amazing!

Note in some of the pictures how the lake water turns from green/ dark to brown. Well, the brown water indicates a river we were paddling up. The river feeds into the lake and its brown water is a result of soil and mud being washed in from the river banks when the rains come pouring down.

Where the river water meets the lake

Dead trees submerged in rising water

Somehow this picture reminds me of the movie LOTR

Great picture opportunities around dead trees

As the water rise, some trees became submerged. On such trees, one can find many insects trapped on the tree branches. Too scared to risk the ‘swim’ across the waters.

A Praying Mantis on a tree branch.

This ‘couple’ took time to get to know each other better I suppose.

Manage to take a snap of these two perching on the water edge

Thanks to the risen waters, we were able to paddle close to the river edge which effectively used to be dry land. There are so many kinds of jungle fruits we say. Including the Chaplong fruit used on the Chaplong gun.

The Chaplong fruit. Have not seen these for some time now

Looks like tomatoes but nothings seem to have eaten them…hence probably poisonous

Nadir working on his GPS to find the way

Nadir taking pictures

Okay…we were told that there are to be no fishing in the Ulu Muda dam. What surprised us was that not only the locals were fishing but they used nets. Lots and lots of nets everywhere! Paddling pass by one of the nets, we can’t help but check to see what kind of fish were caught. This is probably one of the biggest Lampam I have ever seen.

The locals at Ulu Muda use nets to catch fish!

I think our trip to Ulu Muda was simple waesome! The humidity really hindered us from taking more pictures of the lake. This lake is going to be more accessible soon with new roads being paved in to promote the place as a tourist destination. I got to thank Nadir for agreeing to this trip. Ulu Muda lake is certainly worth a re-visit. Nadir…when?

Finding a place to go camping with a dog in Malaysia is really tricky. A suitable place needs to be safe, campers friendly and away from people who may find dogs offensive. Sox is more than a pet to us. She is part of [...]]]>

Sox going for an overnight camping for the very first time

Finding a place to go camping with a dog in Malaysia is really tricky. A suitable place needs to be safe, campers friendly and away from people who may find dogs offensive. Sox is more than a pet to us. She is part of our family and it is only natural that we want to try to bring Sox for a camping trip. So we found a place…but things did not turn out as ‘rosy’ as the TV series Lassie.

We found an Orang Asli village near Temerloh. I spoke to a villager before the trip and he agreed to ‘rent’ one of his jungle huts to us and our dog. I am surprised that he wasn’t apprehensive about a stranger bringing in a dog into his property. He said as long as it is not one of them huge guard dogs, he is fine. I guess he must be referring to a Rottweiler.

Well, we certainly had a lot of expectations. We have brought Sox out for jungle walks and such. She seems to be very friendly towards strangers. The only thing she can’t stand is motorbikes. She even barks at me when I go off to work on my Honda motorbike. I packed most of the camping gear and Meun packed most of Sox’s stuff. Her favorite chewy, dog biscuits and of course…leash.

Sox coiled up at the back of the car

As usual, we departed at ridiculously early morning, 5am to be precise. Sox sensed something ‘big’ was about to happen. With all the packing and her leash gone from its usual place she followed us like our shadow around the house the night before. That and probably also because we did not feed her dinner. No dinner means no pooh the next day. Can’t have Sox doing her business in the car. Learnt that the difficult way once.

Our jungle hut was situated at the fringe of a rubber estate. The owner’s house was about 200meters away. Better still, the hut is about 1.5m above the ground. The moment we got there, Sox was pulling on the leash so hard. She was like ‘let me go…let me go…I wanna go roam this place!’. We looked at each other and agreed that we need to give Sox a go at roaming the place without the leash on. After all, what is camping when you are chained up?

Meun took a deep breath and took the leash off. Ziiinnnng and Sox was off. Chasing her imaginary squirrel. I swore Meun froze for a minute just watching Sox go. Sox ran and ran…then suddenly she stopped. Probably realizing we were not chasing her (which we would normally do if the leash accidentally came off), she turned around and sprinted back to us!! She came back! Like proud parents watching their little baby walk for the first time, both of us knelt down with open arms to receive Sox. Zoooom she ran pass both of us. She did her ‘avoid them’ maneuver just in time to avoid our arms. Off she went around the corner. We lost sight of her. The few seconds felt like forever. I called out for Sox. Then…from the corner, Sox came charging at us again. I could sense her joy being so free! This went on for about 5 minutes…until one of the local villages came on a motorbike.  Sox went berserk! The hair behind her back stood up and she chased and barked at the villager. Ever felt like something bad is going to happen? Well, multiply that ten times and that was how we felt. Meun froze, I guessed I must have fainted cause honestly, I can’t remember what happened after that!

So…the leash went back on. We were too frightened that Sox’s relentless barking at motorbikes would cause an accident. We decided to put Sox on a long leash. Well, it ain’t as cool as running free but at least she gets to roam around (more).

We obviously upset Sox. We can see it in her eyes. 5 minutes with the leash on, she decided to put a pity face and lie down on the ground. Following me closely wherever I go.

Sox ‘merajuk’, coiling beside me while I build our camp fire

Sox gave us the cold shoulder and decided that a bunch of old coconuts are better than us

Meun and myself were both relieved but at the same time sad that we had to ‘chain’ Sox up.  We spent the rest of our camping day there with Sox on a long leash. Occasionally we will let her loose again and go through the entire ‘grab her quick’ scene whenever we hear a motorbike coming from a distance. At other times, we would have Sox with us in the hut.

Sox helping Meun prepare dinner

When we are all huddled in the hut and there is a sound of an approaching motorbike, Sox would leap up and headed towards the door to have a look. ‘Grrr…..grrrrr…woof…woof’ she would bark at the sound of the motorbike, even when it is still a distance away. Me and Meun could just watch in disbelief.

Sox checking out the motorbike passing by the jungle hut

Me and my 'dog-ther' watching the world from the door of our jungle hut

Well, bringing our dog Sox for a camping trip here was a really good idea but obviously Sox had ‘ideas’ of her own. Besides yearning to run wild and free, she also found the flies and other insects very entertaining. She doesn’t seem to enjoy the bumpy car ride too much but like all things, after awhile one would get used to it.

We all got back to K.L about 11pm and the moment we arrived home, Sox went straight into the house, upstairs, into our bedroom and onto our bed. There is no way for us to remove her from the bed now. She slept and slept and slept. Sleeping is probably the only thing she did for the next two days besides eating and nature calls. We reckon her first camping trip has been a blast for her…either that or she is recovering from the long driving hours. We the dog-parents are just glad that Sox had her first real ‘roam free’ (well…almost) outing and we all came back home safely.

I have heard a lot about harvesting the heart of palm, locally known as ‘Umbut’ as jungle food. This umbut has often been listed as one of the survival food in the jungle. In my years of traveling, I have not come across this Umbut, [...]]]>

Our guides harvested the palm heart for the group’s dinner

I have heard a lot about harvesting the heart of palm, locally known as ‘Umbut’ as jungle food. This umbut has often been listed as one of the survival food in the jungle. In my years of traveling, I have not come across this Umbut, up until recently. During the trip to Sarawak in August 2009, I had my first encounter with Umbut.

The Umbut is actually the inner core of the palm’s growing bud. I was expecting it to taste very blend and dry but it turned out to be extra crunchy and tasty. A pleasant surprise indeed. Harvesting the Umbut is no easy task. For a big tree, the growing bud is usually located at the top where the bud is growing. This means the tree has to be chopped down and then only the Umbut can be harvested.

The heart of the growing bud or Umbut

Yes, the process probably kills the tree. But according to our guide in Sarawak, the practice of harvesting Umbut is done only when they are traveling deep into the jungle when they have limited food supply. Furthermore, on a hunting trail, a felled palm tree for Umbut will be revisited weeks later for it’s palm grubs. The grubs are a favorite local delicacy.

I manage to follow and witness a Penan guide harvesting Umbut. Will upload the video once I have compiled them together.

Lok, a Penan busy harvesting Umbut

Lok with his harvested Umbut

Oh…the Umbut is so tasty! I was expecting it to be fibrous and yucky but it is totally the opposite. It was crunchy and tasted very sweet. It was awesome! Now I am beginning to think that the Umbut is a luxury food rather than a survival food.


Continue reading other parts of this adventure below:

• First time in Miri Town, Sarawak
• Wild durian & Kolok mee at Miri.
• 5 hours on a 4WD into interior off Miri.
• Unique local houses in Sarawak interior.
• Smoked wild boar…nice!
• Loooong hike to look for an elusive waterfall.
• Sarawak river boats and a raging river.
• Jungle vines and rattan used in the jungles of Sarawak.
• Umbut or heart of palm tasting, first experience.
• Harvesting of the umbut by the Penan.
• Malat & Penat; the Penan’s blades.
• Kitchen in a traditional house.
• Video on jungle kitchen & feather stick making.

Click here to read about another rainforest adventure in Semban, Sarawak.