The Lembeh fruits at the ‘armpit’ of the plant
An Orang Asal guide once told me that jungle plant Lembeh (the Curculigo species) bears fruits that once eaten will make plain water taste sweet (through drinking) for hours later on. I did not have the opportunity to taste the Lembeh fruits back then because all the Lembeh plant we found were fruitless. However, during a recent trek to a waterfall, I stumbled upon some Lembeh plant and walaaaa!…Lembeh fruits!
Continue reading Sweet tasting Lembeh (Curculigo); Jungle plant food
There's 'em water in the bamboo grass
“Bamboo is another sure source of drinking water in the jungle”…well, that’s what people say anyway. So, we decided to give it a go to see how true it is during a recent walk in the jungle.
Continue reading Tapping water from wild bamboo
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.
Continue reading Enjoying fish in the jungle; Part II
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.
Continue reading Cooking fish in the jungle; the Orang Asli way- Part I
Cooking food using natural wood
Coming together on big occasions and helping each other out seems to be a norm in most small, tightly knit communities. Such is the case of one particular Orang Asli in the Bera region in the state of Pahang.
I was fortunate to be part of a nature trip led by Malaysian nature guide John Chan into the remote part of Bera. The Orang Asli community there was already expecting us and come lunch time, it seemed obvious that a lot of effort was put in by the villagers to feed almost 37 of us.
Continue reading Community cooking at an Orang Asli village
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
I bought a plate of Buah Jering (Pithecellobium jiringa) from the Slim River wet market on my way to Tibang waterfall . Mind you, this is no ordinary Buah Jering. These few fruits have been planted in the ground till they grow shoots, which supposingly makes the fruit even tastier!
RM1 for a plate of Buah Jering
Continue reading Buah Jering & evil spirit talisman from Slim River
I had the opportunity to witness and experience first hand some of the traditional ways of the Semelai people during one of my recent rainforest adventures. I have always been intrigued by how aborigines (Orang Asal) co-exist with the natural world around me. In fact, one of my dream is to spend weeks with some Orang Asal in some remote places and learn first hand from them the skills to survive and live off the land. Many of my friends did tell me that this dreams is rather easily achievable, but I guess I am not confident with myself enough to take that step.
The Semelai people are friendly and very helpful. Their way of life seems to detach them from the ills of the modern world, namely money. While the dough is useful to them, they seem to be very contended with what they have. They still live in simple houses made from jungle produce. Wooden pillars, tree bark walls and bamboo flooring is cooling and very comfortable. The lack of big scale deforestation has probably continued to supply the Semelais with ample building material.
Continue reading The traditional ways of the lake people
Joining two enthusiastic friends, I recently visited a tranquil and almost hypnotic inland natural freshwater lake in the state of Pahang. Unlike the man made Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu, my experience at this natural freshwater lake gave me an insight to how life may have been hundred years ago.
We started our journey in the evening. Nature Guide John drove all the way. It was quite a long drive with several stops along the way to get supplies. We were planning to camp out, so canned sardines and instant Maggi noodles would be the order of the day. By the time we got to the town of Temerloh, the sun has set. It’s still a long way to go…so the journey begins.
Many stalls such as this along the way
Continue reading A natural freshwater lake of Malaysia; a journey back in time…Part1
Okay…in one of my previous blog entry, I was preparing myself for a hike into Perlus waterfall with Nature Guide John Chan. This is my second time going into Perlus and I am all excited and at the same time a bit scared as we will actually be accompanying a group. My concern weren’t really about safety and group management but more of whether I can catch up with them. My stamina as a 5 days week pencil pusher isn’t exactly something to be proud about.
My ‘first’ experience with Perlus waterfall can be described as exhausting. I remembered upon arriving at the waterfall, I spent at least 20 minutes napping on a rock. Though I am not sure whether it is due to the fatigue of perhaps due to the big packet of nasi lemak I just whacked when I got there. It felt like heaven either way. The rock I choose was in the middle of the river, flat enough for me to lie down comfortably but perhaps a bit short for my height. The sound of cascading water and the cool mist filled breeze is simply awesome. I was in heaven.
I jumped on the opportunity to join John on this trip. Learning from my first experience, I was in a away more prepared this time. I was determined to keep the leeches out this time. I had all my gear packed the night before. As usual, Meun feels that its an overkill but I’d rather bring whatever I need than having to look for alternatives later on. 6 am the following morning, the Vitara is packed up and I am on the way to Hulu Langat.
Continue reading Perlus waterfall, PART 1
