We were told that there were several waterfalls in and around Batang Ai area. Our campsite was actually half way to one of them. The stream that ran close to our campsite has been exceptionally low for the past few weeks according to our Iban guides. The [...]]]>

We continued our river walk towards the waterfall

We were told that there were several waterfalls in and around Batang Ai area. Our campsite was actually half way to one of them. The stream that ran close to our campsite has been exceptionally low for the past few weeks according to our Iban guides. The morning of our second day in the jungle, we were all pumped up to continue walking to  get to the waterfall.

We were told that the walk will be long and we were also warned that some sections can be rather difficult. The walk itself was indeed a long one but thankfully extremely rewarding and enjoyable. Some areas were a bit tricky but still passable with a little bit of care when moving. At one section of the river, we had to make a choice. Either chance walking on the river bank which was steep rocks or wade through the river. The choice was obvious for some of us.

Vincent wading through the river

Further upstream, there was some commotion among the 2 guides at the front. We caught up with them…beaming with pride, they showed us their catfish which took the bait they left overnight. There was sincere joy in their faces. We were simply over the moon!

Chong with on of the catfish that took the bait

Our Iban guides put out a few catfish lines the night before. If my memory serves me right, we got a fish on every line and there was actually one line that went missing! Guide Chong and Sabang secured the fish back to the river so that we need not carry them along the trek to the waterfall.

The first, lower tier waterfall

We arrived at the first tier waterfall not long after. Well, by all means it is not a magnificent waterfall but it is pristine. Sensing that we are not contended, guide Sabang pointed to us…hey…why not we go explore the upper tier then. It tooks us some scrambling up but not far above the first tier falls, the river opened up to a beautiful fall. According to Sabang, the locals call it Wong Meruntum.

A group photo at Wong Meruntum waterfall, Batang Ai

Wong Meruntum is a nice fall. Not big but it has sort of a cozy feeling to it. There was a brief silence when were were there. It is that moment when veryone seems to be immersed in the beauty of it all. And of course some of us took the opportunity to submerge in the waterfall.

Local Kuching guide Danney Tan enjoying the waterfall

Well, some of us really are happy with the waterfall. Just as we outsiders think that it is time to leave, one of the guide started climbing on the side of the waterfall. Seconds later…he emerged on top of the waterfall, shouting in Iban…’Hey…another waterfall’. Without a moment wasted, we scrambled up the other side (where it is safer) to get to the upper falls. It was a steep climb and the fallen trees made the climb a little harder. Finally…another upper tier, small but with a nice enough pool for a few of us to sink in. It was a fine day indeed.

Guide Sabang very happy to arrive at the upper tier

After spending some time at the waterfall, dipping and taking pictures, we started our way back to camp. Only to stop on a few spots to rest and collect the catfishes. Waterfall, bush tucker and good river trek…what more can one ask for?

Some of the fishes and river crabs caught for dinner

Here’s the thing, according to local guides, there are about 13 waterfalls in Semban and its surrounding areas. During this trip, we manage to visit 3 waterfalls (waterfall Bojong-Pain, waterfall Susukng and waterfall Petn). With 10 more elusive waterfalls in the area, I reckon my waterfall addict friend Jan [...]]]>

Lunch break at Kampung Bojong waterfall

Here’s the thing, according to local guides, there are about 13 waterfalls in Semban and its surrounding areas. During this trip, we manage to visit 3 waterfalls (waterfall Bojong-Pain, waterfall Susukng and waterfall Petn). With 10 more elusive waterfalls in the area, I reckon my waterfall addict friend Jan already have Semban penned out on his to do list.

The first waterfall we visited was midway walk up to Semban. It is located near Kampung Bojong, a place ‘to rest and have lunch before the climb up stairway to heaven’ according to Danny Voon (our main organizer). It’s a rather big river with a deep pool and the swim we had on our first day was a much needed one. A few meters away upstream is Bojong village itself.

We are really happy to be able to make it together on this trip

A village boy from Bojong village on a bamboo raft

The other two waterfalls we visited on the second day at Semban. We are not hardcore waterfall fans but the opportunity to tag along Jan and Aric and the guides to walk and see more of Semban was irresistible. It was a hot hot day and as it turns out, walking to the waterfall is really a blessing in disguise. The first waterfall we went to was Susukng. This is a massive waterfall with boulders littered all over. Getting to the bottom of the waterfall was a bit tricky. We took Sagen (one of the guides) advice and enjoyed the waterfall from a distance.

Susukng waterfall with large boulders blocking the way to the bottom of the falls

Another angle of Susukng waterfall

After spending a few minutes at Susukng, we made our way to the next waterfall. It’s not really far from Susukng but already the heat from the walk to the falls has started taking its toll. I personally can’t wait to get myself into the water…need to cool down the body. Probably in under 30 minutes, we arrived at the second falls. Strangely, I am not sure what it is called. I checked my GPS and I marked it as ‘Pain’ waterfall.

Meun standing beside the falls

The area of this waterfall looks like something from a theme park. The cascades look like they were formed by huge ‘strategically’ positioned concrete boulders. In the picture above, if you look closely, there is another waterfall towards the back. And that is not all to it…just a few meters downstream, a beautiful vertical drop reveals itself. Jan calls this a curtain drop, much like the ones I’ve seen in movies where you can go behind the ‘curtain’ into a secret entrance. Parts of the waterfall reminded us of the Upih Guling waterfall in Endau Rompin National Park.

Seen similar ‘natural’ holes in Endau Rompin before

A curtain fall, we spent quite some time exploring behind the ‘curtains’

The waterfall was such a blessing on this particular hot day

Naturally, we will be spending some time exploring the waterfall and having lunch. Our packed lunch were carried by the guides and beside this beautiful waterfall, we enjoyed our scrumptious meal.

Food always taste good when you are enjoying yourself

Ah…I really enjoyed the Bidayuh’s cooking and hospitality

What comes really good naturally after lunch of course is a nap. Meun and I decided to stop exploring the area and seek refuge from the unforgiving sun underneath some nearby trees. As we rested and me almost dozing off, Meun manage to capture these butterflies feasting on the sweat on the bandana.

There were butterflies all over the place!- pic by Meun

The walk to the waterfalls at Semban weren’t as tough as I expected but the heat of the day really burnt us. By the time we got back to the village, we were all exhausted and Sagen’s offer of young coconut drinks was nothing short of God sent. In a matter of minutes, Glen and Nyun offered us coconuts to help quench our thirst and fatigue. What a way to finish a beautiful visit to Semban’s two waterfalls!

There were butterflies all over the place!- pic by Meun

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

Our group’s objective is to trek to a famous waterfall in Sarawak known by many as the Julan Falls. My objective on this trip however was a little bit different. I have always wanted to experience the Sarawak jungle and meet its natives. This jungle trip to [...]]]>

The trail started at an abandoned logging trail

Our group’s objective is to trek to a famous waterfall in Sarawak known by many as the Julan Falls. My objective on this trip however was a little bit different. I have always wanted to experience the Sarawak jungle and meet its natives. This jungle trip to Sarawak gave me a good opportunity to do just that. We engaged local guides for the trip, mainly Kenyahs and Penans.

We started on the long hike into the Upper Baram very early in the morning. With all our gear in tow, we were transported by 4WD to the start of the trail, which unfortunately consists of an hour’s hike on an abandoned logging trail. This means gravel terrain under the scorching sun.

The guides, porters and some of the group’s gear

As we were getting ready to move, our guides started donning their huge rattan baskets. Besides camp supplies, some of the porters were also carrying some of the group’s personal gears. All these on top of their own personal items!

Besides the overloaded rattan packs, all the porters and guides had one thing in common on them…a Parang.  Smartly worn and tucked on their waists are their jungle Parang. Being a bit of blade enthusiast myself, I can’t wait to see how they use their Parang.

Our Penan guides have their trusty Parangs worn on their waist at all time

One of the Penan guides, Augustine with his Parang

Interestingly, Augustine has his Parang worn with the sharp edge facing upwards

The trek was long and winding. It started gradually climbing and later became a constant steep. It reminded me a lot of Bukit Kutu. Yours sincerely was with the last group. We were broken into the fast and ‘slow & steady’ (S&S) group. It took the last group about 9 hours to reach the campsite.

Below is a profile of the hike.

The terrain we covered in about 9 hours

While I totally enjoyed the jungle, the walk really did tire me out. We were all very motivated to get to our campsite…one way or the other and we pushed on. Our guide Willie was with the S&S group the entire time. I was not worried about the group being separated into two because not only were we in capable hands on the local guides but the two groups were also in constant communication via the VHF radios that we brought along (with spare batteries of course).
We were fortunate to have a doctor (a surgeon actually!) with us, medical kits with each walking group and portable evacuation stretchers. The guides also brought in rope to use as anchor and hand lines on steeper terrain.

We had some ropes with us to help us negotiate tricky terrain

There were many great sights along the walk but with all honestly, I was after the initial 5 hours of steep climbing, too tired to reach deep into my pack to grab the camera. The jungle was humid and the air filled with mist at higher altitudes. My SLR camera’s lens got fogged up a couple of times.

Certain part of the trail reminds me of the mossy forest (Gunung Irau) in Cameran Highlands

One scene along the track that really caught my attention was a tree which from a distance looks as if it has been painted white on an entire side. The tree was standing on the edge of a ravine and I couldn’t get close enough to do a size comparison. I got as close as I could and the ‘whitish’ area turned out to be spider web. The web covered the tree in a size that could fit an average young adult. I only manage to lean and stretched my hand out with the camera and snap some pics. This is the first time I saw such a big spider web colony (is it a colony?)

The ‘whitish paint’ turns out to be spider web

Enough to fit a young adult inside.

Then there is the bark-less tree. Occasionally I do see this tree in other jungles in Malaysia. The outer layer part of the tree seems to have been stripped off, leaving the woody part inside. We were already traveling close to the top of the mountain when I saw this tree. It stood out like a sore thumb in the midst of the other moss covered trees.

The jungle bark-less tree

• First time in Miri Town, Sarawak
• Wild durian & Kolok mee at Miri.
• 5 hours on a 4WD into interior off Miri.
• Unique local houses in Sarawak interior.
• Smoked wild boar…nice!
• Loooong hike to look for an elusive waterfall.
• Sarawak river boats and a raging river.
• Jungle vines and rattan used in the jungles of Sarawak.
• Umbut or heart of palm tasting, first experience.
• Harvesting of the umbut by the Penan.
• Malat & Penat; the Penan’s blades.
• Kitchen in a traditional house.
• Video on jungle kitchen & feather stick making.

Click here to read about another rainforest adventure in Semban, Sarawak.