My second trip to the longhouses of Batang Ai, this time to experience its jungle
I was introduced to a local Bidayuh guide Danney Tan from Kuching somewhat early this year. A few months later, we hatched the idea of going camping with the Ibans from the longhouses of Batang Ai. Yes, I have visited the longhouses of Batang Ai before but I knew I had to go back there to see myself the bushcraft traditions of this famous tribe of Borneo.
Continue reading A jungle camping trip with the Ibans of Batang Ai, Sarawak- Part I
Our fur-kid Sox enjoying his visit to the Orang Asal village
Recently, our nature guide friend Mr John Chan invited us to join him and some close friends to the village of Chuweh in Temenggor. A village of Orang Asal Jahai, this was my second visit to the island. Having been there before, we explored the possibility of having Sox on the trip. John made a few calls to the Jahais and after a few days of deliberation, they said yes. So…it was a weekend away with our fur-kid Sox to Temenggor, staying in bamboo huts and swimming in the lake. This is my second visit to Chuweh.
Continue reading 2nd visit to Chuweh, with Sox! ; Part I
The engine and the name of the loang boat we were on
A ride in a narrow Iban long boat on the Batang Ai is really something. I guess our group was luck (in a way) as the lake was choppy when we pushed off from the jetty. The boatman reassured us that it is only choppy half the way (which is true) as the open lake is prone to strong winds at time.
Continue reading Long boat ride into Batang Ai; Part II
A view from the jetty at Batang Ai, Sarawak
I was in Kuching after a second visit to Semban village when a few of us decided perhaps to squeeze in a short visit to a authentic Iban Long house in Batang Ai, Sarawak. I have heard about long houses but this would be my first time visiting one. Our guide guranteed us this is an authentic long house, as authentic as one will ever find. “Okay…wow me I told the guide”. Nothing like Anna Rais longhouse it seems.
Continue reading A visit to traditional Iban long house at Batang Ai, Sarawak; Part I- The journey
Day 2 is kayaking/ paddling day!
All is go on second day kayaking on Sungai Perak. After breakfast, there is this busy silence of prepping kayaks & canoe, donning gear and packing on supplies going on. We plan to paddle towards Tasik Raban, Chenderoh and its surrounding areas. Within half an hour after breakfast, we were all in our boats, ready to kayak away!
Continue reading Paddling along Sungai Perak and beyond! Part II
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.
Continue reading Pictures of Ulu Muda lake, Kedah; Final
Nadir busy bushcrafting
This kayaking trip to Ulu Muda dam is probably more bushcraft inspired than anything else. While I have been trying to learn and trying out bushcrafting, Nadir seems to have it built into his genes. Both of us tried our hands on a few projects, some turned out okay, some better left unsaid.
Continue reading A bushcraft inspired kayak trip; Part III
A trip that took months to plan, the two of us finally paddled the Ulu Muda dam
We have been planning for a kayaking trip to Ulu Muda dam in Kedah for months. There were endless correspondence of email between myself and Nadir about logistics, equipment and other planning works. Well, it finally happened. 2 friends paddling kayaks on a 5 days exploration trip into the Ulu Muda dam. Nadir by the way is the guy behind what I consider Malaysia’s best outdoor gear retailer. Check out his online shop at Outdoor Dynamics!
Continue reading A kayak expedition into Ulu Muda dam in Kedah; Part 1
Lake Kenyir is huge
Kenyir Lake (Tasik Kenyir) is THE lake of Malaysia I would say. This man made lake in Malaysia had me going back almost every year since the first time I visited it back in 2005 probably. Since then, I have been back to the lake many times over, fishing, camping or just plain relaxing. It really is a place to just get away from it all and relax.
Continue reading Kenyir Lake, THE lake of Malaysia…; Part IV of Terengganu road trip
One of the other ‘adventures’ that I and Meun enjoy a lot is lake fishing in Malaysia. Though I have been known to be an impatient angler, the enthusiasm to go fishing never seems to dissipate (even though 9 out of 10 trips I come back empty handed). So, when a friend suggested us this particular lake in Pahang for fishing, we jumped right into it.
A lake gives a sense of freedom
We didn’t know what to expect really. It was sort of like a last minute thing. We packed the red mini tank with all the gear we can think of the night before. Two fishing rods, some tackle gear, hats and a whole load of enthusiasm and mixed emotions.
We arrive at the lake early. Our boat was already waiting. The boatman gave us a strange look as I was unloading our ‘gear’ into his tiny boat. I had to ask him if our fishing gear are okay. “…tak payah banyak itu rod…panjang sangat” (no need to bring that rod, its too long). Okaaay…I trust him. Worry not, the boatman has a few rods with him.
I like fishing on a lake because it gives a very liberating feeling. Wide open spaces with miles and miles of the natural world, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This particular lake is no exception. In fact, Meun and I concluded that we have in a way ‘fallen’ in love with the place.
Continue reading Lake fishing in Malaysia
