TRAVEL TO MALAYSIA

The Green Heritage and Aborigines of Royal Belum State Park

Older than the Amazon forest, the previously inaccessible 130-million year old Royal Belum rainforest is a literal playground for some of the most exotic wildlife in the world. The 117,500 hectares of land was given the Royal status on 31 July 2003 when it came under the protection of the Perak royal family.

Rich in biodiversity, 3 out of the 20 known species of the Rafflesia flower can be found in Royal Belum. And all the 10 species of hornbills in Malaysia also reside there.

It is one of the remaining places where you can view the animals roaming freely in their natural habitat. Avid nature lovers can get their fill of wildlife sightings from the observation shelters known as bumbun stationed near the salt licks located on the north and south part of Sungai Papan.

The estimated 60 salt lick locations in Royal Belum are natural salt deposits which animals regularly lick to get their much-needed mineral sustenance. Many wildlife species including elephants, the Sambar Deer, mouse deer, tapirs, wild boars, the Sumatran Rhino, seladang, bears and tigers visit the salt licks after dark.

Your Royal Belum experience would not be complete without a stopover at the Orang Asli (aborigines) village. The gummy smiles of the Jahai people of the Negrito tribe and their ancient song of welcome done to the rhythmic beats of bamboo shoots (Sewang) will warm your heart. You can also try your hand at popping balloons with the blowpipe. For the Orang Asli, the blowpipe is the single most essential tool for hunting and self-defence.

Take a tour around the village that comprises of thatched huts, some vegetation like banana trees and very little else. Cute little girls clad in colourful sarongs peeped at visitors shyly from afar. On sale are lovely handmade products like bangles and wooden combs. Rafting is also one of water sports that you can indulge in during your stay at Royal Belum. The aborigines made it look so easy, gliding gracefully over the lake waters on their main mode of transportation surrounded by the lush verdant rainforest that is Royal Belum..............................READ MORE

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GUNUNG BERANTAI ECO PARK
Kuala Sentul Pahang Darul Makmor

Gunung Berantai Eco Park is an adventure development project by Laili Basir Event Adventure and Nizam Excellent Enterprise as a part of the overall effort to promote Hutan Lipur Lubuk Yu as one of the most diverse adventure destination in Malaysia.

Gunung Berantai Eco Park works together with renowned members of outdoor and adventure industry to offer a variety of experiential learning event and learning events and human capital development programs that caters to all level of audience including corporate development programs, youth leadership programs and technical skill trainings.

Gunung Berantai Eco Park can also lend its experience and technical know how to assist any potential clients to organize and manage corporate events such as family day, executive retreats, corporate war games and even treasure hunts................Read More

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THE MALAYSIAN ELEPHANT CENTRE
AT KUALA GANDAH (PAHANG)

The elephant sanctuary is located near Lanchang (there is a small road heading north, just before a BP station), then left at the next intersection. From this point on just head due north and there are enough signposts to guide you. It's in the center of Peninsular Malaysia. About 150 km or no more than 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur.

The sanctuary is managed by the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks. This centre was established in 1989. It offers visitors a hands-on introduction to the largest mammal on earth. Worker elephants are trained to help "guide and mother' others during the relocation process to National Park wildlife sanctuaries. Visitors are invited to help bath them in the shallow river or ride them. The juniors have sense of humour, so watch out for a dunking as you try to clamber up their backs!

A base for the Elephant Relocation Team which started in 1974. Being the only centre in Malaysia, the team is dedicated to locating, subduing, translucent problem elephants from areas where their habitats are constantly being encroached by plantations, to Malaysia's National Parks such as Taman Negara. Over the past 25 years the team has successfully relocated around 400 elephants to national parks, bringing the wild elephant population in Malaysia from an alarming low of 500 to about 1200 (2003) ........................Read More

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TUN SAKARAN MARINE PARK
Island of Semporna, Sabah

Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) are situated at the entrance to Darvel Bay, off the East coast of Sabah near the town of Semporna, it took about 45 minutes by speed boat from the jetty of this small town. Named after then the Head of State of Sabah, Tun Sakaran Dandai, it was gazetted in July 2004 as Sabah’s seventh park. The Park is the largest Marine Park and covering 340 sq kilometers of sea and corals reef and 10 sq kilometers of land.

Comprising 8 islands, their surrounding reefs, and sea. Its main objective is to protect their environment and to promote sustainable use of natural resources. Geologically, the islands are formed from Quaternary pyroclastic material, which was ejected during explosive volcanic activity. Pulau Bodgaya, Boheydulang, Tetagan, Selakan, Sebangkat, Maiga, Sibuan and Mantabuan.

TSMP is one favourite spot for divers. Rich marine life may be found when diving in this park area. There is also hills which attracts for rock climbing activity. From scientific study carried out by Dr.Elizabeth Wood for over 20 years , found that the richness of marine life in TMTS is standing on par with the marine life of ‘Great Barrier Reefs' in Australia.
The Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies) lived a nomad lifestyle on boats adding to the uniqueness of the Park..........................Read More

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FIREFLIES
Kuala Selangor

Watching fireflies is an enchanting experience, there is nothing like cruising on a boat along the river in the night to capture the beauty of this natural wonder. The best time to watch is 1-4 hours after sunset. A nervous excitement fills most people as they step into the boats, as the darkness is quite thick at first. In a matter of moments your eyes adjust and the fairy like lights of the fireflies line the shore. The fireflies inhibit the branches of a certain tree, the "berembang" which line the riverbank.

Along the Firefly Park Resort Kampung Bukit Belimbing in Kuala Selangor you will never cease to be amazed as one of the fast gaining worldwide popularity site of one of the world’s most promoted fireflies (a tiny wasp-like insects) colonies. These fireflies inhibit around the branches of the berembang trees that grows along the riverbank.
Every night there is a stream of electric driven motor boats that ferry sight-seeing tourists up along the Selangor River silently to listen to the spectacular symphonic harmony of these fireflies while viewing their luminous flashes of light that is truly a magnificent sight to the eyes of the beholder.

Watching fireflies in Kuala Selangor has boomed into a mini industry. The Firefly Park Resort Kampung Bukit Belimbing is here to provide tourists with the convenience of a comfortable abodes by erecting chalets along the riverbank which take great pains as to not upset the ecological balance of this nature’s park. Built on stilts above clear riverine water that have abundance of different variety of fishes, the chalets also come with modern amenities Parents don’t worry the children’s playground, creatively designed; in bright colours have all the necessary safety standards. If an early morning jog is on the agenda a well-paved jogging track equipped with recreational facilities is easily accessible joggers can take in the beautiful landscape and fresh air without the sounds of traffic .............................Read More

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BOTANIC GARDEN
Penang

The Botanic Gardens on Penang are located at the end of Waterfall Road, about 8 kilometres form the Georgetown city centre. You can reach it by taking bus nr. 7 at the bus station down at the Komtar building.
The Gardens came to existence in 1884. Previously it was an old granite quarry. The the Gardens were known as "the Waterfall Gardens", because at the end of the Botanic Gardens is a 122-metre high cascade waterfall with its water flowing through the Gardens.
Nowadays you can't visit the waterfall, because it's on the territory of the water supply. Only on special occasions you can visit this waterfall. I think, the waterfall is only very beautiful, when it has rained very hard, because when you look at the stream from the waterfall in the Garden, it is very small.

When you have taken the bus, it will stop at the front gate of the Botanic Gardens. On the left you will se a small road going to Penang Hill. It's only accessible for the people who live up the Hill. Mind the bus: it's going once an hour. There is no admission.
You must buy a good brochure of the Gardens. We bought ours at the bookshop "Popular" and we paid only RM8 for this brochure. It gives a very clearly description of the Botanic Gardens.
It was written by: Dr. Chris K.H. Teo.

Early in the morning you can see the employees of the water supply going to their work. Other people come to the Gardens to jog, exercise breathe the clean and fresh air of the nature. As the day goes on, hundreds of visitors will come to the Garden. Just to sit on the lawn, by the stream or underneath the trees.
Till today, the Penang Botanic Gardens remains one of the most visited places on the island with some 5,000 people making a beeline for the gardens on weekdays alone. On weekends, public and school holidays, the figure doubles to 10,000. The Gardens are open from 5.00 am to 8.00 pm every day of the year. Admission is Free at the Main Entrance. .....................Read More