Activities Report Jan 2000 Newsletter
Camping on Pulau Sembilan/Pulau Jarak (17-19 December)
Following a successful day trip to Pulau Sembilan on 12th September
1999, MNS Perak Branch organized another camping trip there. Logistically,
this trip is more difficult to organize as it is longer and there is no
contact person on the islands. In addition, the organizer had to cater
to camping, fishing, snorkelling and diving (eventually diving was taken
off the intended list of activities) needs of the participants, not to
mention cooking and toilet facilities. We also had ambitious plans for
an elaborate menu for each meals by pooled cooking. Figuring out who to
bring what and ensuring that these actually landed on the island was a
delicate task. In fact, Dr AL Chan, Sharon and Stewart actually went there
before hand to recce the islands, determine the facilities available and
find alternative campsite in case our choice campsite happens to be occupied
at the time we arrive. The campers were divided into five groups each given
a list of cooking utensils/food to bring and duties to perform. Everyone
complied, and Ah Lak, the leader/organizer for the trip, would like to
extend his appreciation to all for making this trip a success.
Everyone reached the International Yacht
Club (our meeting place) on time. Following a two-hour journey on Stewart's
boat, we arrived at Pulau Lalang to find that a lot of people were already
on the island. Not long after, we were relieved to find out that these
were only day trippers and they soon got onto their boats and left the
island. There was no jetty at the island and so everyone and everything
had to be ferried from the boat to the beach using Stewart’s small dinghy
fitted with an outboard engine brought by Dr. Chan Ah Lak who was promptly
nicknamed our 'taxi man'.
So, all seventeen of us had the whole
island to ourselves. A quick survey revealed a kitchen complete with fresh
water and a tank, a surau, three toilets/bathrooms and enough space to
pitch our tents. The campsite was shady and windy - one of the trees even
had a wooden plat-form which was a great place to lie on and catch some
sea breeze. A few concrete benches were also present. Although a "Jaga
Kebersihan" sign and several large drums for rubbish had been in place
the beach was strewn with trash. A friendly wild boar was the first living
land creature to greet us.
After pitching tents and having our
packed lunch, it was time for nature. The first place most of us headed
to was of course the sea. Swimming and snorkelling! Although the sea was
clear, there were many rocks and worse - many pieces of broken glasses
on the seabed. Some of us took the trouble to pick up as much as we can
and send them to the shore.
The rest of the trip was Makan, Nature
and leisure. Some went fishing at the beach or from the boat. Stewart took
some of us to the adjacent islands for sight-seeing, snorkelling and fishing
while a few stayed back to look after the campsite. Several pairs of white-bellied
sea eagles regularly showed their aerial courtship displays accompanied
by their calls. Two nests were seen. In fact, some of us climbed up the
hill hoping to see the nest from higher ground. However, the dense
canopy on the hill prevented us from looking into the nest, despite
the fact that Ah Lak actually located the nesting tree from the hill. The
other nature activity was birding. Several Pied Imperial Pigeons were found
to roost near the campsite. Their numbers seem to be decreasing according
to Ah Lak and a Chinese man who came to the island. Other birds found were
a Eurasion treesparrow, a female sunbird and at night, several island flying
foxes.
A notable finding was a LBB (little
brown bird) sighted near the kitchen early in the morning. It was running
and hopping on the ground, skulking under the grass and fallen leaves very
much like a mouse. Although many of us had a good look at it for at least
half an hour, no one could identify it (the converted video still pictures
were later sent to birding gurus who promptly identified it as the Lanceolated
Warbler which was an unusual sighting as it is known to be very secretive).
There were several wild boars on the
island. They often wander into the campsite scavenging for food. One came
into the kitchen during the day. At night, they rummaged through our rubbish
bags while we were asleep.
The meals were much better than what
one would expect from camping trips with a well-thought plan and co-operative
spirit. Due to the pooled cooking, those who were not on duty cooking had
all the time to enjoy without having to worry about food*. The dinner on
the second night was particularly delicious as Stewart and Salmah barbequed
steak (Do you want it rare, medium or well done? Salmah asked), chicken
chop, sausages, garlic bread and brought two salads. We even had fresh
fruit cocktail and ice cream for dessert! Someone commented that we were
getting better food than at Endau Rompin, another trip where 'makan' was
particularly good.
Loke had brought along a guitar. At
night some joined him on the beach singing No Body's Child, Red River Valley,
Leaving On A Jetplane, If You Are Happy And You Like It Clap Your Hands
etc. Oh, Those Were The (scouting and guiding) Days! On the second night,
Merlene, Sharon, Chong and Salmah could not resist dancing to the songs.
On the last morning, Stewart showed
several non-divers how to use the SCUBA and they tried it out at the seaside.
The luckier ones managed to see some colorful creatures including the 'Portugese
Dancer'. Like the earlier two days, the sky was mostly overcast on the
last day and so Ah Lak decided we should pack up and get onto the boat
earlier than scheduled. It was not wise to ferry our things and non-swimmers
in the small dinghy in case it rained and the sea gets rough.
We took back three bagfuls of rubbish
but obviously could not do a thorough clean up of the island before we
left. The amount of rubbish scattered around the island is something to
worry about. It may be too difficult to enforce anti-littering regulations
on remote islands but to keep enjoying the beauty and help preserve the
fragile ecology on the islands, we need to think of something strategic.
Perhaps periodic clean-up campaigns, sponsored by the relevant district
authority and assisted by interested NGOs such as MNS, SCUBA clubs etc.,
can help reduce the amounts of litter on the island. Another measure to
consider will be to educate and encourage boat owners to take back their
rubbish whenever possible.
In conclusion, this was another great
Makan, Nature and Science trip, thanks to Ah Lak, Stewart and all co-operative
participants. The trip generated a revenue of RM215 which was handed to
the branch chairman as donation for the building fund. (Report by Dr. Chan
Kai Soon)
*Special thanks to Dr. Chan Kai Soon who generously donated his
wife’s delicous cakes. Chairman.
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Created on 15th Jan 2000