Woke up early morning to perform Subuh prayer then sat at the Sg. Kejar jetty while watching people fishing by the shore..inhaling the morning fresh air in Belum gave a wonderful feeling and satisfaction..last night, one of the soldiers who joining us camping there has caught a medium sized 'Toman' just using plastic bottle and fish fry as the bait..some of us who brought rods were excited and tried their luck hoping that they could land one too..2nd day's activities were solely water based and some trekking..we did kayaking to the waterfall and started trekking inside the woods to learn and explore some of the Belum's specialties..we've found elephant dungs along their track or so called 'highway'..we were told about 'tongkat ali' (Eurycoma longifolia) and 'kacip fatimah' (Labisa pumila) with their nutritional facts..actually, the main objective of the trekking session is reaching the salt lake or 'sira'..salt lake or saline water is a landlocked body of water which significantly has higher concentration of salts and other minerals than most lakes..it is believed that herbivorous animals will come to this place to lick the salty water as digester agent..however different types of animals have their own salt lake which is barely unknown..unfortunately, the route to the salt lake that we headed to was steep and slippery..thus, our ranger decided to postpone the trip and we returned back to the waterfall..so, we just enjoying our time at the fall then back to the camp for lunch..
After lunch, we prepared for Orang Asli visit at Perkampungan Orang Asli Sg. Kejar, about 5 minutes boat ride from the camp..we were given a lively welcoming ceremony by the villagers with their very own music using bamboo sticks played by a few young ladies..the visit is part of our exploration program cooperated with Taman Negeri Perak Corporation dan Perak State Government..we were giving the Orang Asli food buckets containing rice, sugar and groceries for their daily consumption..after the ceremony we were shown about their survival and culture..we were taught how to use 'sumpit', setting up traps and cooking using bamboo sticks..its an interesting experience to know about their culture and how they survive in the woods..
The ceremony took about two an half hours time then we returned to camp to prepare for another waterfall spot..the rangers took us to another spot which nearby the camp but still have to be accessed by boat..3 minutes walked from the shore then arrived at a very beautiful waterfall spot..having our time while eating steamed corns and teh tarik is unforgettable..after playing with cold water and everyone started shivering when went back to campsite around 7pm..
We were having a great bbq with roasted venison and almost 50 grilled Jelawat prepared by the park staffs..after dinner we had a night walk..we walked along the track behind the campsite..nothing much sighted since there had been raining a few days before our visit..so those glow in the dark plants/fungi didnt bloom..hmm not our lucky night..much of us were attacked by the leeches..hahhaa war between human and bloodsucking creature..brace yourself!!! the trip ended at 12am and everybody had a sleepless night itches here and there..
