Royal Belum Exploration (Day 1)

I was excited when a friend of mine had invited me to join their Royal Belum Exploration program from 6 to 8 April 2012..i have been informed the day before the travel day to Perak..originally, i thought the group would travel on the friday night but actually on thursday night which is i have to take a leave for friday!!since i have given the commitment to join the program, its my part to ask for a permission from my immediate boss and granted..i rushed from parliament and pack for 3D2N needs..we assembled at the Ministry of Health building and off to Gerik..

Royal Belum Rainforest is located in the nothernmost corner of Perak, a large, undiscovered and claimed as older than Amazon rainforest (about 130 million years)..there are many entrance points to Belum Rainforest but famously from Tasik Banding, Gerik..There is a Belum Rainforest Resort which operates the activities and acts as permit issuer..

We arrived at Belum Rainforest Resort around 5am and waited for another group from Perak Secretary Office..we had our lovely breakfast by the verandah viewing the beauty of Belum Rainforest in the morning..gosh, like no other!

We hopped on the boat to our very first destination - Kelah Sanctuary at Sungai Ruok..a 20 minutes ride from 'jeti awam' at Belum Rainforest Resort..upon the arrival, we could hear the waterfall splash at the upper side of the jetty..5 minutes walk to the upper stream and we saw groups of Kelah and Tengas are waiting for us to be fed..the trekker threw some fish bran and they scrambled while snatching d food..

We had our rest there and swim around with the fishes..its been a while im not swimming at the waterfall..now i had the opportunity never let it go..hahaha puas!! Then, we continue our ride to Sungai Tiang for lunch..another 10 minutes away from Sungai Ruok..Sungai Tiang has accommodations and chalets for tourists..viewing the crystal blue Tasik Banding and greeny scenery is perfect for nature lovers..we had local meal such as 'kerabu umbut bayas' which ive never experience it before..review: the taste quite good..

Sg. Tiang jetty

After lunch, we headed to our campsite at Sungai Kejar, another 30 minutes ride from Sungai Tiang..Along the ride to Sungai Kejar we passed by a few 'Orang Asli' villages by the river..they used bamboo raft to commute from one place to another..happy and simple life indeed..

Sungai Kejar is purposely set for camping and facilities were sufficient and could cater up to 60 person..there was a hall and dining place, separated toilets for mens and ladies, for me its like we were in forest hotel..dinner was served with local food as well and the we were having 'ice-breaking' session as to know all the participants..the night ended with briefing about Royal Belum histories by Mr. Fatkhy, our honorable ranger..