Tourism Selangor (TS) Day Out

10 February 2012 - 9.00 p.m.: The advance party from Tourism Selangor arrived late that night, after work, just in time for the barbeque and camp fire. They came early to get things ready for the main body, due to arrive early the next day. By my reckoning they were awake till about 3.00 a.m. on the varendah, doing God knows what.

11 February 2012 - 8.30 a.m.: We met the bus carrying the rest of the contingent (all 30 of them) in front of the Batu 18, Police Station. They were comprised of members of the electronic media.10 minutes later they were tumbling down the bus on to the river bank looking somewhat bewildered and lost. Can't blame them. They boarded the bus in posh Bangsar and before they know it, they were standing on the banks of a seemingly raging river, with a fleet of 20 bamboo rafts anchored on the side, not to mention, the 20 Orang Asli helmsmen (aboriginals) barking instructions and orders at each other. But they were alright. They put up a brave front, not to be outdone by the locals. Afterall city folks have their mettle too, though one was close to tears when told that she was riding alone with the Orang Asli guide. I heard later that she was the noisiest after the ride, recounting her near death experience, ironically with non-stop laughing.

Tok Batin Andak was no help. He told them that the trip was full of dangers with crocodiles and comodo dragons waiting around each bend. Anyway, they set of at 9.00 a.m. with all rafters back at Uluhati by 11.30 a.m., from the river to a farm. No too late later lunch was served. Typical Malay kampong fare (Negri Sembilan centric) comprised of keli salai masak lemak cili padi with belimbing buluh, rendang ayam kampong, sambal tumis udang with petai, goreng pucuk paku gajah (you won't find this in town, tropical asparagus) with an array of ulam and sambal belacan, tempoyak, cencalok and budu, guaranteed to make you swoon either out of ecstasy or disgust. No swoon, they came back for seconds, even thirds and fourths.

After lunch was over to Tok Batin. In his typically charismatic calm, innocent and wry humor he explained how the aboriginal blowpipe was made, their darts and poison and how to safely use them. Yes, for many of our visitors this was their first time hearing it first hand, what later to try them. No too bad, most got the target though a couple cheated by standing like two feet from the target, and one became a rabbit specialist. You see, Tok Batin explained that you almost always shoot upwards as the usual targets are birds and monkeys. So when our guest shot the base of the tree, someone quipped that we have a rabbit specialist in our midst. She graciously accepted the honor.

The rest of the day was spent getting to know one another in a very relax environment. The day ended round about 4.30 p.m. after the prize giving for the best photo taken throughout the day.

Advance Party  checking in

Night visit to the stables

The Sarong Brigade at breakfast. Nice to see them so at home.

Getting down to the river. "Life jackets?.. does it mean that we can die here...?.. Hmmm. seen that, done thatt... no sweat....what on earth am I doing here....?

Hulu Langat Armada

Off we go..courtesy of Azuan Zahdi

Courtesy of Azuan Zahdi

"it was a dark and lonely river.." courtesy of Azhan Zahdi

Bamboo surfing....? Courtesy of Azuan Zahdi

Lunch under the trees

"Now for those of you who don't know, this is not a broom stick. Its a blowpipe, don't use it for anything else". You load the pipe from the end...Why?...If you do it from the mouth piece you might pierce your hand with the poison dart. You drop dead and the monkeys will have a good laugh.."

"At the end is a rubber wrapping for stability...not decoration.."

"This "tabung" contains the darts. They are not oversized tooth picks..."

"the container contains the poison..NNOO!.. I won't tell you how its made... .a single contact with an open cut would mean an unscheduled meeting with your ancestors....no doctor can help you.."

One for the boys. "Don't forget to take a deep breath before engaging your mouth to the mouth piece. Inhaling with your mouth on the mouth piece will result in a mouthful of poison dart. This time the squirrels will join the monkeys laughing at you..."

"mee tooo....one for the girls"

Thank you Tourism Selangor for organizing such a great day. We had fun hosting you. Hope you enjoyed our company as well.

ULUHATI: Five Ladies and the Jungle

ULUHATI: Five Ladies and the Jungle: I was not quite sure if they were serious when they called on rather short notice that they wanted to jungle trek and bamboo raft down Sunga...

Five Ladies and the Jungle

I was not quite sure if they were serious when they called on rather short notice that they wanted to jungle trek and bamboo raft down Sungai Langat all on the same day. They definitely were when they turned up on time all geared up and raring to go that Monday morning. The program that day was a "short trek" from Uluhati all the way to the rafting point and from there bamboo rafting down the usual route. Have to clarify the term "short". Its all relative. What is short for Tok Batin Andak (the aboriginal Headman) may not be entirely so for others. He may sprint through the jungle while we may have to literally crawl on all fours. Be careful when a aboriginal tells you that the trek is only a cigarette away. A cigarette last the entire day for them. After a couple of puffs they are put out to, only to be taken out at the next stop.

Are we good to go?

Thats right, show those smiles, while you still have them

watch your steps

Shaolin mistress showing how its done. Her diciples (behind) making a monkey out of her

"now this plant is good for...."

Amazing, they still have their smiles

"I shud have stayed in Hongkong..."

"is this ever gonna end..?"

True grit

"Civilization...!!!!"

Anyway the ladies certainly proofed they were up to the challenge. Pails of sweat and generous donation of blood to the resident leeches aside, they appeared in high spirits as the emerged from the jungle at the rafting point. On the way they passed through various types of vegetation and had good insight into their uses.

Barbeque under the stars. Obviously recounting their battle scars earlier in the day.

Thank you ladies. You all got what it takes. Do come again.

TEEN EMPOWERMENT with MENONPROACTIVE

The farm suddenly looked deserted as the last car turned the corner at Wak Sarip's farm. In fact I could have sworn that the tree branches seemed to droop lower than usual as if in mourning. Loui certainly looked sad. Having been locked up for three days he only had one hour to play with the children before they left. He lapped up all their love and attention, but too soon it was over.

For three days we played host to Menonproactive Sdn Bhd for their Teen Empowerment program. 11 children ages between 14 to 16 from the city came for the program. Joining them was a teenager from Hulu Langat itself, fully sponsored by Menonproactive, very nice and generous of them.
I could still remember their faces in the van windows as they drove into the farm, a mixture of curiosity, amusement and maybe even dread. What have they got themselves into? Another of those boring weekends strongly "persuaded" by their parents with promises of "fun and adventure". Yeah .... sure... lets see.

Tumbling out of their van they stood arkwardly in their new surroundings not quite sure what to make out of what they see, what more with all the new faces. They were shown to their tents where they will stay for the next 3 days and 2 nights. Not much use in trying to choose the right tent mates, they might as well be from Jupiter or Mars.

After the usual intros and layout briefing, the first order of the day was the customary farm tour. Almost immediately they melt. Very hard to maintain that unconcerned macho and cool serene looks with all those humongous, cute, adorable and fascinating animals around you. Very soon the questions came in torrents about the dogs, horses, deers, chickens, turkeys, goats, etc. The goats being the most tame were subjected to hugs and kisses.

Farm tour over it was back to the Kedai Kopi (Coffee Shop) for tea. Following which was an exercise in trust, teamwork and leadership, so it seemed to me from far. Everyone seemed to take it very seriously. Not often you see that from teenagers. Dinner was typical Kampong Malay cuisine to which one teenager asked if it is alright to give the cook (my wife) a hug. By all means young man. After dinner was more in-house exercises and discussions which went on till supper. Lights out was suppose to be at 11.30 p.m. but we could hear chattering and laughter in the tents way into the night. Mohan insisted to maintain vigil throughout the night though we informed him that our personnel will maintain guard and that the perimeter is well fenced and lighted.

 Next morning began early with a predawn exercise before breakfast. After breakfast the farm serenity was broken by the roar of Mat Brons's scrambler as he drove through the driveway - our instructor for the nest event - jungle trekking and survival demonstration. I must say this session must have been one of the highlights of the 3 days. The teenagers were given an introduction to new world altogether. They were taught to highten their awareness of the world around them, to appreciate and value the environment and to care for it as well as how to seek sustenance from the land without hurting it. They were taught that there are other ways of doing things, to think outside the box and how to make do with less. All essential traits to survive in the concrete jungle out there.

Setting traps

Rice cooked in bamboo

Chicken cooked in bamboo

As they walked through the jungle they were taught names of various trees and plants and what are their uses, be it for food or for medicine or even glue. They were taught how to find directions by using natural signposts, how to make shelter and animal traps and finally how to cook in the jungle without your shiny cookware.

We do not anticipate that they will use these skills in the daily lives, but the key learning point here is that LIFE IS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES. Do not be trapped in a certain mindset or way of doing things.

Back to the farm a short debriefing followed by lunch. After lunch was a visit to the Goat Farm, again  a new experience to most city folks and an exciting one it was by the look of it.

Apart from further debriefing, the later part of the afternoon was given to an  introduction to horse riding and fishing. The group was broken into two groups, one for each activity. Though the horse riding was short it was an exercise of confidence. Apart from one or two, most of the teenagers had to conquer their fear just to get on the horse. That in itself is lesson learned, how to overcome one's fears. The anglers did not however have to overcome any fear. Their's was more an exercise of patience, what with the spool getting tangled all the time. Nevertheless two good size fish was landed which added to the barbeque menu that night.

Dinner was a lamb barbeque ala Uncle Ba'ah's recipe topped up with bread pudding which received all round approval. We got news that some were hoping for some left over bread pudding for breakfast. Time to relax and enjoy great company under the trees.

The third and last day was spent largely in rounding up what they have learnt with another round of horse riding and fishing for those who did not do so the previous day. The last session of conclusions by the teenagers were simply astounding. Difficult to imagine such insight and understanding coming from the mouths of 14 year olds.Pearls from the mouths of babes, they'd say.

If there is anything I could have got from the 3 days with this group of teenagers is the renewal of hope and confidence in the human race. After spending 30 years in the corporate world one could be forgiven for thinking that corruption and disease is order for mankind henceforth, but the teenagers taught me one thing. That beneath every human being is a goodness waiting to come out. Cover them with love, understanding and respect a beautiful flower blooms. Surround them with filth and instant gratification then reap the consequences. So get them young.

Well done Menonproactive. I have been to and seen countless courses and seminars, but none like what you did. God bless.