A visit to Orang Asal Semai village, Pos Betau Pahang (Part I)

Keong — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:57:42 +0000

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 [...]

A beautiful jungle walk with Pak Abu and Jan

Keong — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:29:59 +0000

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 [...]

Sarawak parang gift from Danny Voon

Keong — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:23:25 +0000

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 [...]

Tok Ali’s blow pipe, aquarium and herb garden; Final Part

Keong — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:38:39 +0000

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.

Tok Ali had showed us two pieces [...]

Another traditional fire piston, Endau Rompin, Johor Malaysia; Part I

Keong — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:01:23 +0000

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 [...]

In search of the light house at Jugra, Banting

Keong — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:44:12 +0000

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. [...]

Exploring Sungai Luit in Kuala Kubu Bharu

Keong — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:38:19 +0000

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, [...]

Putting in a wooden handle for a friend’s parang

Keong — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:45:49 +0000

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 [...]

River trekking along Sungai Batu

Keong — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:45:51 +0000

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.

Spencer Chapman is [...]

Hammock…the best way to camp in the jungle

Keong — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:59:25 +0000

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 [...]