How the fish looked like out from the fire

Now…this is the way to enjoy fish in the jungle! Having just fished them out of the water, these fishes went straight for a jungle style cooking . Having taken the fish out from the fire, it was absolutely charred on the outside. We had doubts that the fish was eatable.

“Kopek saja sisik tu…” said our guide to us. The scales formed a natural ‘foil’ to protect the inner flesh from burning. Slowly, we peeled the scales and skin to reveal gorgeous white succulent meat.

The scales formed a protective ‘foil’

The scales and skin peels off easily.

My initial reaction was that the fish is going to be extremely dry. Wrong again. The cooked flesh inside was really moist and soft. The fish… cooked just right.

Can’t get better than this

With a packet of Nasi Lemak for each of us, fish cooked in the jungle is just perfect. A fishing trip at a remote location, no one but yourselves for miles around, surrounded by lush tropical jungle…what more can one asks for (or in this case we). Can’t get fish anymore fresh than this.

The fish was awesome with nasi lemak...petai would make it even better!

What’s left of my fish

The silence during ‘makan’ time says it all. Everyone enjoyed the fish thoroughly. I wish I could have somehow recorded the entire experience and repeat it over and over again. It was heaven.

Meun is always on to safety

This is our first experience cooking fish in the jungle using the Orang Asli way. It’s like a Malaysian bush cooking crash course.  We have cooked and BBQ fish in the bush before but it normally involves some form of stove or metal grill. There’s also the process of cleaning the fish, seasoning it with salt and spices and wrapping them in some sort of aluminum foil or banana leaves.

This particular experience cooking fish in the jungle changed how we used to view bush cooking. Simplicity is often the best way to prepare food.

We were actually on a fishing trip with an Orang Asli guide. While the fishing was great, the intense sun and light breakfast soon took its toll on us. By noon time, my tummy was screaming food and I just needed to makan.

That’s when our Orang Asli guide suggested that we cooked some of the fishes we caught for lunch. Well…the 3 packets (1 packet per person) of nasi lemak is kind of ‘little’. By my standards, I would have finished all 3 packets by myelf. Okay then, fish it is…

Our guide was really quick and by the way he does things, it is obvious that the bush is his second home. The fire was up in minutes.

Soon, these fishes will be lunch

Our Orang Asli guide got the fire going in just a few minutes. The yellow container with water at the side is just in case the fire goes out of control

No pots, woks or fancy Trangia sets for this version of cooking. All it requires is a fire and some pieces of skewers. Life tree branches are used as skewers so that they don’t burn too easily. With a knife, we made sharp skewers and ‘stabbed’ the fish through…alive unfortunately.

Our Orang Asli guide stabbing the fishes with the skewers he made from green tree branches

Our guide actually did the whole process and we swore he would have done it blindfolded. We watched in awe (and a bit of horror) as the fish being skewered alive and un-gutted.

The skewered fishes are then roasted over the fire

The fire we had going was really hot. It wasn’t long before the fishes start to cook and there were sounds coming from the fishes. Some hissing and popping, crackling fish scales as the burn over the fire.

In less than 5 minutes, our fishes are well done.

We stood at the side watching the fishes cook. Admiring how comfortable the guide seems  working around the fire, checking on the fishes making sure they don’t burn. He told us his people have been practicing this way of life for hundreds of years. They go out to hunt (or fish) and would often cook and eat whatever they catch over an open fire just like this one. This exact scene may have been repeated over and over again and it’s his people’s way of life for hundreds of years. As outsiders, we felt we were really  fortunate to be part of something that’s so authentic and natural. Something that would otherwise be rehearsed or copied for the sake of it’s ideals and romanticism. This was the real thing.

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.

Our boatman told us that we couldn’t have come at a better time. The lake has been drying up (it has not rained for months) and many areas have dried up, creating patches of smaller ‘ponds’ in this immense lake. What use to be green, almost clear water is now murky brown because of the lake’s muddy bottom.

Not all that nice for a swim though

We went around the lake to have a look around for about half an hour. After the ‘cruising’ part is done, the boatman took us to one of his favorite ‘lubuks’ (a favorite place…a ‘sweet spot’).

It didn’t take us long before we started landing fishes. To be honest, they weren’t big fishes but the excitement of fish biting and pulling is just too much. We can’t stop. Almost every fish we caught were undersize and we threw them back in. Waaay too small for eating but the fun of catching them is incredible.

PIC: Meun’s catch

Meun’s ecstatic with her catch

After about half an hour, the boatman tempted us with an opportunity for the ‘big’ ones. Hmmm…yes please!

Come rain or shine!

We left the boat and walked inwards on a small island on the lake. Using baits like worms, plastic lures and live fish, we endured the scorching noon sun for a taste of the big ones. Well…big fishes are hard to come by really. Meun made the smart move by just casting out a line and then retreated into the comfort of midday shade provided by the nearby bush. Not wanting to give up, I stayed out to continue fishing.

Battered ego, half baked and definitely dehydrated, I reeled in my fish ‘big’ one after about an hour basking under the sun. And to make matters worse, it isn’t all that big either!!! But hey, who’s to complain. At least I caught something that’s probably bigger than the average ikan kembung in the market!

Got me fish...me will eat for lunch...me hunter...

It soon became obvious that they smarter thing to do is to leave the rod out and take shelter from the schorching sun. I can take it no longer. I finished the last drop of my water and was already begging from Meun. Being a good wife, she of course let me have some…some.

Nevertheless, this lake fishing turned out pretty okay. We got quite a number of fishes, though they are NOT big, I decided to take them anyway. We caught mostly snakeheads (haruan, toman, bujuk) and a Belida. My boatman was glad that I did not throw everything back. He is to have lunch with us and the last thing he’d probably want to see is his lunch being thrown back into the lake.

At least we didn't go back empty handed

Well, we had a really good time fishing on the lake. Though bigger fishes would probably be more fun, we are contended with what we manage to catch. But more importantly, we had so much fun that day. Fun being in the sun and fun being together enjoying our time away from the routinely boring city life.