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 [...]]]>

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.

This is real primary jungle. It is an area in the Taman Negara jungle that has neither been logged nor seen much human activity. A place inhabited by flora and fauna of all shapes and sizes. Where humans are probably the aliens and misfits. The sort of place that stretches your comfort zone and tests your ability to mentally overcome challenges. This is the place where once inside, there is no turning back. As exotic and postcard it may look and sound, this is not a place to be taken lightly.

Big towering and magnificent trees

Droppings of our ‘BIG’ friends is a common sight

This caterpillar gave one of us a nasty sting through clothing!

See if you can spot the kungfu master in the picture

There are just no certainties. After days of walking, having a fire not only helps to warm our bodies, dry our clothes but it also helps to lift the human spirit. Hammock camping makes sense due to the lack of flat ground for tents. Even with the scarcity of trees, one can always be creative and build an apartment of hammocks.

When there's lack of suitable trees, think apartment!

Fire is a matter of survival and in this case, it helps to dry our equipment, keep us warm and lift our spirits

My hammock partially setup on uneven ground

The terrain we walked on was mostly hilly terrain. They are not mountains by any means but the fact that it rained during the nights of the first few days made walking difficult. We were slipping down our bums, tumbling down river banks and walking cautiously on tree trunks that links us to the other side of the river bank. Each step we took is a calculated risk. Lower one’s guard and one may find oneself hurt very badly. Having parangs worn at the side of our waists makes such accidents even more dangerous.

It may not seem dangerous but that piece of stick was the only thing keeping us from the deep mud and steep ravine on both sides

Finding a good campsite beside a river is a blessing. It provides ample water for consumption as well as for cleaning up. After days of walking, we are practically drenched in our own sweat. Our sweaty bodies attract a host of insects; particularly sweat bees which can be really annoying. At our river campsite, we took every possible opportunity to clean up. After having worn the same sweaty shirt for days of walking, a well rinsed shirt is very much welcomed, even if it was worn wet. At least it smelled better.

Wee Siong taking the opportunity to rinse clothes in the river

It is a great relief being able to clean-up in the jungle river

Take every opportunity possible to rinse and dry your daily worn clothes

Camping in real primary jungle can be a challenge but not impossible with common sense and mental strength. There may be more seasoned and experienced campers around you but if you know what you are doing and doing it safe, you will be okay. The key to jungle camping, as a mentor of mine used to say is to be humble and respect the things around you. You are after all just a passer by. And as Benjamin Whichcote saying, ” None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.”

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 [...]]]>

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.

They weren’t kidding when they say we needed parangs for this trip. It soon became obvious that we are moving into an area of the jungle where it has not been ventured in by people for a long time. There are simply no trails at all. The only faint ones that we can identify are probably animal trails and may lead us away from where we are supposed to head to. Constant check on the GPS against the map was necessary to make sure that we are heading towards the right direction.

We had to stop often to compare the map against the gps to make sure we are heading the right direction

The deeper into the jungle we walk in, the darker it gets. This is the first ‘change’ I realize. There was little light on the jungle floor. The ground is covered with all sorts of plant matter, creepers, vines and rattan thorns that make our progress slow and at times extremely painful. We pushed on and on, bit by bit with the Perhilitan officer at the front slashing relentlessly to make a path for the rest of us to come through.

Some wild jungle fruits that has been partially eatan

A beautiful feather we spotted on the ground inside the jungle

Beautiful fruit that is accompanied with some serious thorns!

It wasn’t until a good few hours walk before we finally found the first Taman Negara plate. This is the first indication that we have reached the border. Our jubilation was short lived when we realized that it is the only tree marked. The direction of the border can be anyway!

It was already a long days walk and we were running out of water. We took every opportunity to fill up on water. Even the wines that were cut when making the path through the jungle looks tempting for drinking!

It was a long day, hot and humid. We filled our bottles anywhere we could. Used tablets to make water safe for drinking

Jungle vines is a source of drinking water but unless you know which one, best to stay away

They call the jungle rainforest and water is supposed to be abundant. But finding a clean water source at an area that is suited for camp can be a challenge.  Though the map indicates water sources, streams and even rivers, many have ‘disappeared’, some simply too doubtful (stagnant water) while others simply do not have enough flat land. Our group needed flat land because several of us using tents.

In desperation, we make do with a small stream for the first night. It was a small stream. Abang Mat (Perhilitan) was quick to work the stream by digging and damming it so that we have a pool of water to collect water for cooking and even washing. Whatever flat land was cleared for the tents while the hammock users picked their trees.

The small stream was an awesome relief after not being able to find any other more suitable sites

The first day was a tiring day. Resting in my hammock, I was amazed at how noisy the jungle is. I remembered the night well. It was about 8pm and just as I was about to doze off, a loud single burst of ‘uuung’ when off and this ‘call’ was responded by a similar call from opposite the river where my camp was situated. Seconds later, more such calls rang out in the jungle. They appeared to be frogs and they kept on ‘uuung-ing’ each other for the longest time. I came out of my hammock, reached for a piece of stick and try to disturb the ground, hoping that the frog near my camp would just move away. It did…for a few minutes that is. Soon it was back ‘uuung-ing’ away. Well, nothing much I can do. I lie in my hammock, thanking God for the good and safe journey and slowly drifted into my sleep.

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 [...]]]>

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.

One thing obvious I noticed with the Iban guides is how alert and aware they are with the surrounding jungle. Many times they stop to look at animal tracks, half eaten jungle fruits on the jungle floor and even the faint water ripples created by fleeing frogs in the river. There was even an instance where one of the guides showed me how some plants near the river edge has splatters of water on them. He reckons they were made by a deer that came to the stream to drink water. Only an experienced hunter- trekker would know that I suppose. Guide Ujin also spotted this strange looking lizard…just enough time to take a few pictures before it leaped away.

Strange looking jungle creature

The Iban guides have really good knowledge when it comes to spotting food in the jungle. While they prefer to hunt for wild boar, they are also very good at gathering plant food from the jungle. Ujin…a friendly and very knowledgeable guide identified the Lepayong fruits which can be eaten raw as well as for Pansuh (bamboo) cooking. The fruit tastes a bit sour but a welcome ‘perk’ during a long day trek.

The Lempayoing tree and fruits just beside the river

A good 'sour' taste to perk myself for the long day hike

Besides the Lempayong fruits, our guides also took the time to stop and gather vegetables for our meals. They consists of wild ginger stems, bamboo shoots and fern shoots (pucuk paku). It seems that they are able to spot eatable plants almost everywhere they look.

Iban guide Kemeri with harvested bamboo shoots

Iban guide Sabang with fern shoots harvested along the way for the night's dinner

Probably leftovers from previous hunts

And each time we stopped for a break or to collect bush tucker, one of the guides will surely whip out his parang for an instance sharp using a rock from the river. Use or no use, it seems to me that they take every opportunity there is to do something, be it finding food, collect jungle materials and sharpening their blades.

Guide Chong sharpening his parang using one of the rocks from the river

We were told that the hike to the waterfall usually takes the local Ibans a full day (2 way). Well, it took us a good 3 hours just to walk to our first campsite. And with the water level being low, I have a feeling luck was on our side. Judging from the river banks, the water level has dropped at the very least half a meter. If water level was at it’s usual, it would have probably been a more difficult and tedious walk.

Low level river water makes walking much easier

We got to our campsite somewhat close to 4pm that evening. It was a beautiful spot, by the river with ample space for cooking and setting up shelter. The Iban guides wasted no time and went straight into getting the campsite organized.

Never a big fan of waterfalls but when we (Jim & I) went for a walk in the jungle near Batang Kali, we stumbled upon 6 small waterfalls. An exhilarating walk through some really nice river, jungle and OrangAsli trail.

Jim is an [...]]]>

We came across close to 6 mini waterfalls on a one day walk!

Never a big fan of waterfalls but when we (Jim & I) went for a walk in the jungle near Batang Kali, we stumbled upon 6 small waterfalls. An exhilarating walk through some really nice river, jungle and OrangAsli trail.

Jim is an established canoeist (he is a Canadian after all) and obviously an avid adventurer who is really keen on exploring the jungles in Malaysia. I decided to invite Jim to this part of the jungle near Batang Kali as I have always been curious about the place since I last visited it. I never explored far in back then.

We followed whatever trail there was. But it became very obvious soon that there isn’t any actual trail around (so we thought). Having a parang then really helps as it cleared much of the way of which otherwise would be near impossible. Soon, we arrived at our first mini waterfall.

The first waterfall

Though we started at around 830am, the day was rather dark and gloomy that threatens rain. We were ready for that and continued on. However, taking photos were a challenge, especially when one has a camera with a broken flash unit!

Gloomy & cloudy day in the jungle, not good for pics

The initial 500meters of our walk was just covered in thick undergrowth. We had to cross the same river a couple of times. It is only then that we were able to pick up an old Orang Asli trail. The trail is clearly used and some patched of ground along the way has obviously been cleared.

Another one of the many mini waterfalls

Following the Orang Asli trail was a bit intimidating actually. There were plenty of bamboos in the area. I remembered walking on some of the trails, with traps and bamboo arrows that could have easily been mistaken for road signs. We walked slowly, keeping an eye on our surroundings.

Jim measuring the depth of a hole in the river

Jim getting trying to get a closer pic of a waterfall

After close to5 hours of walking in, we decided that it is best to stop, have some warm drinks and food. Jim brought rice and some bannock which I am more than happy to accept. We made some warm drinks, had lunch and enjoyed the last waterfall we came to.

We both had a great time exploring this jungle

My stove and Jim’s 'signature' pot

My parang at the base of a tree that has fallen. Note the rocks held together by the tree roots

With some food and warm drink into our tummy, it is time to head back. The clouds were already gurgling up above, a sure sign of rain. Walking out is faster (as usual) and what took us 5 hours to walk in only took us 2 hours to walk out. On top of that, we think we found an easier entry to the trail, so the next time around would be much easier. The start of the trail is marked by an abandoned Orang Asli hut.

An abandoned Orang Asli hut

We arrived at our car just in the nick of time. By the time we got the engine running ready to drive away, the rain was pouring. It was a day well spent, with 6 mini falls and beautiful jungle along the way, Jim and I had a wonderful time exploring this jungle near Batang Kali.

My friend Jan has been talking about exploring some parts of the jungles near bentong in Pahang for some time now. I always imagined Bentong to be hours of driving from where I live. But as it turns out later, it is only [...]]]>

One of the rivers we saw while exploring the jungles near Bentong

My friend Jan has been talking about exploring some parts of the jungles near bentong in Pahang for some time now. I always imagined Bentong to be hours of driving from where I live. But as it turns out later, it is only about an hour drive away and the jungle there is surprisingly nice.

Jan had an idea that perhaps Spencer Chapman did cross over from Bentong over to Kuala Kubu Baru back during the Japanese occupancy. I have to say that Jan has been very diligent in doing his research on Chapman’s trail. To help him, I got him some pretty cool topo maps for use.

There is a huge area of jungle in Bentong. As we drove around, we pass through a big open area which I believe used (and probably still is) a garbage disposal ground. But instead of the usual smelly stench you’d expect from a garbage dump site, this site is covered is clay dirt and flattened flat. But as we were driving in, we can’t help but notice what seems like lamp posts sticking out from the ground, littered all over the site.

The area is big and flat

But upon closer inspection, we found that the ‘lamp posts’ were actually wind turbine connected to big pipes stuck to the ground. We came up with some crazy ideas about what it is but we believe there are ‘breathing’ valves for the decomposing rubbish buried underground. Probably a way of releasing trapped methane gas from inside the ground.

A close up picture of one of the wind turbines

As we got closer to the fringe of the jungle, we started to notice a peculiar character in the landscape. Trees must have been chopped, land cleared exposing huge boulders. It turns out later that similar landscape is found in the jungle.

The land is cleared, exposing large boulders all over the place

Somehow I have the feeling that they jungle will not stay that way for long. There were tractors moving the large boulders to one side. Seems like a big project happening. Nearby there was a military camp doing some jungle exercise. I was tempted to take some pictures but decided otherwise. As long as they are not doing some firing exercise, I guess we should be okay.

There was an obvious jungle trail. We decided to follow it. Some locals we met told us it will lead us to some Orang Asal communities inside. It was close to noon time and the heat of the day was more than enough of a motivation to us to start walking.

Jan standing at the start of the trail

The river reminded me a lot of Sungai Luit. 10 minutes into the walk and already we had to cross a stream. A usual thing in the jungle. Along the trail, there were several bridges made of bamboos. We reckon these were made by the Orang Asal. Some of these crossings even had old remains of wooden bridges which were either rotting or has broken down.

One of the several bamboo bridges along the trail

Jan monkeying around (safely) on one of the bamboo bridges

We met an Orang Asal couple. Husband and wife walking into the jungle to hunt and set up traps. Ah Seng was carrying a blowpipe. I wanted so much to take pictures of him and the blowpipe but reckons our ‘brief’ encounter would be a bit of a rude shock to do so. He was telling us about the jungle and how he and many from his village go hunting there. All the while, I can sense that the wife is rather ‘suspicious’ of our intentions. He later pointed us to his hunting hut by the river, which we decided to stop for a break.

Ah Seng’s hunting hut near a stream

Most of the material to build this hut came from the jungle around

We parted ways with Ah Seng and his wife. We decided to move on. Further on the trail, we came to a small waterfall, much to Jan’s delight. I am just glad I could cool off in the water.

The waterfall as pointed out by Ah Seng

We explored the trail a bit further up later on. But at a point, there was a landslide and the trail was broken off. We decided that exploring further on would have to wait another day. This trip has to be a one day trip only.

Walking back on the same trail, we took more time to look around. Below are some scenes from the trail.

We wondered if this stacks of rocks are natural occurrence or man made

A ditch with rocks lined up on one side of the wall

A Lantern bug we spotted on a tree

A tortoise skeleton perhaps?

All in all, it was a good day out. The jungle is good with visible trail. I think it is safe to say that we made new friends with the Orang Asal which is something I am looking forward to. There’s plenty to learn and discover about the jungle and bushcraft through them. I am grateful that Jan managed to convince me to join him to explore the jungles of Bentong.

The walk up to Semban village, while painfully slow and tiring for me personally is nevertheless one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences. The trail is a mixture of good jungle, adventure and man’s ability to co-exist with the world around him. It [...]]]>

Part of the trail leading up to Semban village- Pic by Meun

The walk up to Semban village, while painfully slow and tiring for me personally is nevertheless one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences. The trail is a mixture of good jungle, adventure and man’s ability to co-exist with the world around him.
It took our group almost 5 and half hours to arrive at Semban village from the trail head with several stops along the way and a lunch break at a waterfall at Kampung Bojong. Our guide Danny walked much faster than most of us, often leading the way and stopping some meters away to wait for us. As we walked, chatted and marveled at the many things ‘new’ to us.

The bridges along the trail were most interesting. Depending on the width of the area to be crossed as well as flood risks, the bridges range from proper sturdy plank bridges to bamboo bridges hung on two suspended steel wire cables. These hanging bamboo bridges were the scariest for us visitors. I can literally feel my knees wobble and the fact the steel wire cables were anchored to dead trees didn’t help either.

The villagers got together to build/ repair most of the bridges

One of the suspended bamboo bridges- Pic by Meun

Soon, all these bridges will be submerged under water once the dam is completed

The beginning of the trail was relatively easy. It is clear and maintained by the villagers who ply the route almost on a daily basis. Some muddy and slippery walking path has been laid and reinforced with bamboo pieces as well as specially cut logged to help people walk. On certain stretches with steep ledges, the villager’s ingenuity created railings to help keep people safe using just bamboo found in abundance in the area.

The step carved logs really helps

The bamboo steps and hand railings built by the locals

The stops with shade and benches were a definite welcoming sight. With the afternoon sun directly upon us, we took every opportunity to stop and rehydrate ourselves. It is also at these stops that we met some of the locals who are also taking breaks. Some were on their way down with their children while many are making their way up with all sorts of goods, including gas tanks and crates of canned drinks.

A full gas tank making its way up to Semban

Some huts however are more of working sheds. There are several areas we saw been cleared where locals work, especially in harvesting and processing timber for the own use.

A place where locals process timber for use

Planks stacked to dry before use

We stopped for lunch at a waterfall at Kampung Bojong. This according to Danny is the ‘final’ rest before we tackle the ‘stairway to heaven’, a stretch of the trail that is up and up and up. We had a quick lunch and enjoyed a cool dip in the river.

The waterfall offered us a much needed break from the scorching sun

The sun so hot, pieces of river mud rocks literally cracked

Danny’s packed lunch at Bojong waterfall. Awesome stuff

Well, true to Danny’s words, the trail to Semban after the Kg Bojong waterfall break was mostly uphill. Though it was the tougher section of the walk, the trail seems to be much more shaded with trees. I huffed and puffed, many times trying to catch up with Meun and eventually made it to Kampung Semban.

Semban's trail profile according to my GPS

Other posts/ videos on Semban:

• Part I- A visit to Semban, the village above the clouds
• Part II- The hanging bamboo bridges of Semban
• Part III- The long walk up to Semban
• Part IV- The waterfalls at Semban
• Part V1- The Bidayuh’s traditional cutting tools
• Part V2- The kitchen and bamboo blades of the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part VI- Traditional bamboo smoking pipe and great food
• Part VII- Sunrise and morning walk around Semban
• Part VIII- Old tools used by the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part IX- Ladies of the rings in Semban
• Video- The bidayuh’s hill paddy
• Video- The home made wooden pack that carries EVERTHING up Semban!
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional furnace
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional blades

One of the ‘attractions’ of the Semban walk has to be the hanging bamboo bridges. Suspended on steel wire ropes strung across the river, these bamboo bridges are the only means of crossing the rivers during flooding in rainy season, a time when the river [...]]]>

Two such bamboo bridges to cross…not for the faint hearted

One of the ‘attractions’ of the Semban walk has to be the hanging bamboo bridges. Suspended on steel wire ropes strung across the river, these bamboo bridges are the only means of crossing the rivers during flooding in rainy season, a time when the river water can rise to almost 10m above its normal level.

It is hard to describe the bamboo bridges. They look like the most fragile thing to cross on yet the locals have been using them every day for transporting goods. ‘Why you worry, they even carry things like TVs and furniture over these bridges!’ Danny told me. To make things more challenging, some bamboos have cracked and simple local hardware store ‘dawai’ (wire strings) have been fashioned to hold the bamboos together. As I walked across, I can hear the bamboo crackling and swaying.

The bridge side view- picture by Meun

I have to admit that I was worried crossing the bridge-pic by Meun

Our group crossed the hanging bamboo bridges safely. It was scary but doable. According to Danny, those who are really terrified and not able to cross the bridge would have to scramble down to the water edge and use the bamboo raft (which at times may not be there!).

One of the smaller, more studier bamboo bridge

So who builds and maintains the bridges? According to our guides, members of the villages using the bridges would come together and repair/ refurbish the bridge every year or whenever it is necessary. It is sort of a ‘gotong royong’ that will involve everyone and it has been their ‘way’ to work together to ensure that the bridge is useable for everyone. Each village will send some of their representatives to help out each time the bridge need work. The bridge is important because they provide access to the outside world, enabling the villagers to sell and purchase goods and services. It is also the safer way for their children to go to school and return on weekends to visit their parents.

This suspended bamboo bridge of the Bidayuh is a definite first for me and I fully recommend that you go and try it out yourself!

Other posts/ videos on Semban:

• Part I- A visit to Semban, the village above the clouds
• Part II- The hanging bamboo bridges of Semban
• Part III- The long walk up to Semban
• Part IV- The waterfalls at Semban
• Part V1- The Bidayuh’s traditional cutting tools
• Part V2- The kitchen and bamboo blades of the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part VI- Traditional bamboo smoking pipe and great food
• Part VII- Sunrise and morning walk around Semban
• Part VIII- Old tools used by the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part IX- Ladies of the rings in Semban
• Video- The bidayuh’s hill paddy
• Video- The home made wooden pack that carries EVERTHING up Semban!
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional furnace
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional blades

We have been planning for this trip to Semban village since 2009. It was a rather impromptu decision to join a local Kuching guide, Mr Danny Voon after his relentless invitation to visit this ‘magical’ place. Meun and I have always loved Sarawak and this was [...]]]>

The early part of the trail up to Semban

We have been planning for this trip to Semban village since 2009. It was a rather impromptu decision to join a local Kuching guide, Mr Danny Voon after his relentless invitation to visit this ‘magical’ place. Meun and I have always loved Sarawak and this was our perfect excuse to go there again. Having returned from the trip, we’d say this is a very memorable trip indeed.

Semban is a Bidayuh village located roughly about 42km from Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak. The hike to Semban is nostalgic in a way actually. Though Semban is spared, it’s road access will be submerged together with the 3 other Bidayuh villages (Kampung Bojong Pain, Kampung Rejoi and Kampung Sait) located at lower elevations once the Bengoh dam is completed.

There were four of us in the group, both of us and our good friends Jan and Aric. We departed from Kuching about 10pm towards the trail head. Our first stop was the small town called Batu Tujuh or Seven mile, Danny’s favorite stopover for supplies to be carried to the village. Some fresh food, packed lunch, cans of 100plus isotonic drinks and an entire carton of 500ml drinking water were among the supplies purchased.

Guess what we had?

The drive to Semban’s trail head was pleasant. As we drove along, I can’t help but feel like we are in Ipoh. The limestone hills remind us so much of beautiful Ipoh but without the scarring of quarries and buildings.

Beautiful sceneries along the way

From Kuching, the drive to the trail head is about an hour. Just before we enter the dam area (which is under construction), Danny picked up his trusted guides and porters…Nyun, Glen (both from Semban) and Desmond (from nearby village Danuk).

Danny meeting Glen, Desmond and Nyun

Danny did tell us about the dam being in construction. Sad to say, the works on the dam during our visit looks like it is nearing completion. What an awful sight and the idea that it will be swallowing large tracks of jungle is really hard to swallow.

The dam nearing completion?

The sheer size of the dam is sickening

It was getting late; the sun is almost directly above our heads, so we hurried on with our gears. As we (visitors) were loading on our gears, Nyun and Glen were busy putting on their ‘improvised’ packs. And they carried all, ALL including the entire carton of drinking water for the entire groups.

Glen’s ‘pack’ probably weighs twice or more my pack

Nyun’s and his pack

With all our packs on our back, we started or climb to Semban, the village above the clouds.


Other posts/ videos on Semban:

• Part I- A visit to Semban, the village above the clouds
• Part II- The hanging bamboo bridges of Semban
• Part III- The long walk up to Semban
• Part IV-  The waterfalls at Semban
• Part V1- The Bidayuh’s traditional cutting tools
• Part V2- The kitchen and bamboo blades of the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part VI- Traditional bamboo smoking pipe and great food
• Part VII- Sunrise and morning walk around Semban
• Part VIII- Old tools used by the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part IX- Ladies of the rings in Semban
• Video- The bidayuh’s hill paddy
• Video- The home made wooden pack that carries EVERTHING up Semban!
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional furnace
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional blades

The start of the trail leading to Kenip waterfall begins just behind one of the Kampung Kenip huts, covered with low shrubs and foliage. Just a few minutes of walking later, the landscape changed. The green blanket we walked through at the beginning slowly changed to gold. Surrounding us was [...]]]>

The Semais main staple…hill padi

The start of the trail leading to Kenip waterfall begins just behind one of the Kampung Kenip huts, covered with low shrubs and foliage. Just a few minutes of walking later, the landscape changed. The green blanket we walked through at the beginning slowly changed to gold. Surrounding us was a sea of hill padi. The stroll turned out to be a very educational jungle walk.

Big areas, just behind the village have been cultivated with hill padi. We were practically walking through their rice bowl!

The hill padi planted by the Semais

Hill padi being dried under the sun

Rows and rows of hill padi

We soon entered the ‘jungle’ backyard of the village. One thing for sure, there’s lots of bamboos here. Not surprising that bamboo was the villager’s main building material. Very evident in the huts they build.

The useful bamboo everywhere

Rahim made prior arrangements with Pak Dollah to guide us into the waterfalls. A village elder, I had a long chat with Pak Dollah in my car as we drove to Kampung Kenip. Already a grandfather, this fit looking gentleman is told me he used to stay in an area very remote in the jungle, until the government encourage them to move out. I asked him if he feels that life is better now. No is his answer. He feels that it is more difficult to feed himself and his children. Hunting is bad and everything is expensive. But he does however appreciate the fact that medical help is much more accessible now. Pak Dollah still hunts with his blowpipe and I asked him to tell me more about the jungle during our walk, whenever there’s opportunity.

All Pak Dollah was carrying is his parang. Nothing fancy as well. Not long into our walk, he stopped to the side of the trail and stared at some bamboo shrubs. I assume he saw a snake or something but said to me…”Inilah buluh temiang…buat sumpit” (this is the Temiang bamboo, use to make blowpipe). He went on to describe the bamboo and the blowpipe to me.

What’ amazing about this bamboo is that it is small in diameter, light (thin wall), relatively straight and has a good length inter-nodes. Normal bamboos I have seen have inter-nodes about 30cm in length but this particular Buloh Temiang is at least a meter in length! I believe the scientific name for this bamboo is Poaceae Schizostachyum jaculans, also known as ‘buloh sumpitan’ in other communities.

Long internodes on the Temian bamboo. Pak Dollah hands are at the nodes of the bamboo

Me holding the nodes on a piece of Temiang bamboo. No wonder they use this bamboo for blowpipes- pic by Jan

The hike was mostly gradual uphill climb. For a person about 60 years old ( though he claims he is older than that!), Pak Dollah seems much fitter than any of us!. Later along the trail, Pak Dollah stopped and pointed at a tree. “Pokok Ipoh…racun sumpit”. This is the tree where the poisons for the blowpipes darts are obtained. The cut marks on the tree trunk is evident that the tree is being harvested

Pak Dollah beside the Ipoh tree

The sap from Pokok Ipoh

This is an interesting jungle walk no doubt. It was becoming more of a bushcraft jungle walk to me. Closer to the waterfall, we walked pass a trapped (unfortunately dead) porcupine. It looks like a snare, made out off thick fishing line caught the left rear leg of the animal. Could this would be a young Himalayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura)?

The porcupine size, compare to my parang

The snare still attached to the animal leg

We left the animal as it is. The Orang Asal will surely come back to check the trap later on. We continued walking and not long after, we arrived at the Kenip Waterfall No. 2.

Continue reading…

Part I – A visit to Semai’s village at Pos Betau

Part II – The remote Kampung Kenip

Part IV – The waterfalls at Kenip

Final part – Hill rice, blow pipe & traditional fire starter of the Semais

We did this walk somewhat [...]]]>
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.

We did this walk somewhat in December 09 I reckon. Pak Abu and Jan have been tediously working on history books, modern and old sketched maps to hi-tech GPS mapping software to determine the closest possible route that may have been used by the British Military Officer during the Japanese occupancy. Both Pak Abu and Jan are dead serious about doing as much as possible of the trail.

The start of the trail is clearly marked. Obviously this area has been a popular picnic and hiking spot. There were works ongoing to repair some areas of the trail that has collapsed.

Parts of the initial trail is very clear

Later on the trail, Jan’s GPS is pointing to another direction. So, we had to take a detour off the main trail and another trail. Ah…this is what I call ‘off the beaten track’.

The hidden trail

We did find another trail. Not too old but probably have not been used for many months. We followed the trail as far as we could before cutting into a fast flowing stream. We followed upstream, some parts we had to scramble up mini waterfalls.

One of the mini waterfalls along the stream

Pak Abu and I striking a pose at one of the waterfalls-pic by Jan

The bigger waterfall

We continued walking, stopping only occasionally to take pictures and have some feed. Some parts of the walk along the stream open up to clearings with sandy beaches. There were many signs of wild animal being there, especially wild boar. But one particular animal footprint stood out. It didn’t look like any other prints I use to see.

This can only be wild boar!

This particular foot-print sent chills down my spine

We realized we were getting quite high up the hill when the stream was getting smaller and smaller.

Pak Abu walking along the stream higher up the hill

A rather unique and beautiful part of the stream we were walking along

Nearing to the end of our walk, our path following the river was overshadowed by a big uprooted tree. Not that I have not seen an uprooted tree but this tree was unique as to its size and it’s roots that were still holding on to the number of big rocks from the ground. It just wouldn’t let go.

The roots of this uprooted tree held on to big rocks

Time flies when you are having a good time. Several hours have past and we knew we had to turn back before it gets too dark. Jan was obviously keen to go further and we had to literally pull him away.

On the way back, Pak Abu used his Sarawak parang to show me how a horizontal bamboo cooking pot is made. But of course we used our usual pots to brew our teas and coffee. Blissful.

The bamboo pot prepared by Pak Abu

Pak Abu making his brew

Our jungle walk ended with warm drinks and a dip in the refreshing waterfall. Pak Abu and Jan were satisfied with the distance we have covered this time around. It was a beautiful day indeed and most of all, we have accomplished what we came here to do and that feels great!

Click here to read the first part of the Spencer Chapman walk.