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