IN MEMORY OF LOUI

Got a shock of my life a few mornings ago, when I saw a dog which looked very familiar sitting outside the fence. My heart stopped for a moment, fervently hopping that what we prayed for all these months would come true. We had hoped that Loui would come back, but looking closely it was Duke, his son. Somehow he must have got through the fence in the night, but could not figure the way back in. So he waited till someone opens the gate for him.

Some months ago we went up to the jungle to service our little dam from which came our water supply from the hills. As usual Loui came along. Not only was he a more reliable escort, but also good company. I mean, it will take a really crazy animal to go up against him. Belgian shepherds whilst loyal to a fault, can be a real nightmare to those who intend to harm them or their master.

So there he was jumping from bush to bush, tree to tree inspecting everything, from the curious to the mundane. When we got to the dam, he would  take his usual perch and watched us doing our work. Sometimes I could have sworn he seemed to say, "if only I have hands, I would have helped you just as anyone else". Its that very human and animated look he has which seemed to communicate with you so well. After a while he would give  that "ahh well..." look and resigned himself looking bored.

But that day something seemed to bother him .Every now and then he looked around appearing somewhat agitated. Finally he got up and started to look around. Finding nothing he came back and sat as usual. He did this a few rounds until his interest got the better of him and he went up straight to the upper reaches of the hills. We called him but to no avail. We did not feel much concern then as we knew he his a very intelligent and capable dog and once he is satisfied he would come back. We finished our work but Loui was still not back yet. Then we got worried. We started calling and waited for two hours but no sign of him. Not even a bark. Going after him was out of the question as the jungle beyond was very thick and we risk getting lost ourselves. Reluctantly, we made our way back, hopping that somehow he is safe and would one day appear at our gate, looking tired and guilty but glad to be back. That day never came, until we thought a few mornings ago, but it was a false alarm.

Loui was special, as I am sure any other dog owner would say of his own dog. I can go for hours talking about him, but it would still not fully describe him. Loyal to a fault, playful and protective with children, he was the only dog we had who would sleep with a cat under his armpit, smell and all.

 

Take care Loui wherever you are... we all miss you. May the hunting be good and when you are done, stop fooling around and come back.

BABY SHOWER, BIRTHDAY PARTY, FAMILY DAY (BULB COMMUNIQUE -HAVAS GROUP) 2 - 3 February 2013

Farhah and friends had their 3 in 1 event at ULUHATI recently. The more adventurous ones took to the river in their bamboo rafts, whilst the rest seemed to have their own good time on solid dry ground as can be seen from the following shots. These great photos are a compilation of the shots taken by various members of the group, hence their credits.

To the rafting point via Hulu Langat Express

ALLL   ONBOOARDD!!!

Where's my steerman?

ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR RAFT...

ARRIVAL POINT

Volley ball Uluhati style. Not as simple as it looks. Should consider listing it in the Olympics. Not sure which was more hilarious, the game itself or the running commentary.

Yep, now you know how its like collecting all those durians...Come back in June and we'll show you the real thing.

Its either the bamboo rafting or the lunch, or both... I don't really care

no its not New Zealand, only Hulu Langat

That's Eleanor with her two kids. Eleanor is British-Alpine, hence her name

 Amazing how tall tales can be so convincing under the durian tree

 Get me OOUT OF HEREE!!!!

 

Prince ; I told that kid not to put his head where its not wanted. King: whatevver...where's the hay?

 Yep, Hulu Langat again

Did we lose any of our guests? No.. there's one guy near the goat house in the back.. Pheew...o..k..

Okay, enough showing off for the day

Comelahh, comelahhh....nice try

Thanks for visiting us guys. Some more new friends.

Knights of Nature Sustainability Camp at Uluhati 29 - 31 March 2013

We were honored to be chosen as the first venue for the first ever off-site for a Ecoknights, a Non Governmental Organization whose objective is to heighten awareness of the various aspects of the environment among young Malaysians. The program due to be held in the various states of the country kicked off in Selangor and we were honored to be chosen as the first venue to host such an event.16 young Malaysian ranging from 14 to 22 years old participated in the program.

Over the 3 days and 2 nights they were at Uluhati they discussed various issues pertaining to the environment from the dark rainforest of the country to the deep blue depths of our seas, the key word being "sustainability". Needless to say these issues are of dear to us as well, otherwise we would not be here living close to the environment. So I could not help eavesdropping, every now and then on their discussions.

We are glad to see such initiatives being taken, especially among our younger generation. From what we could see and from the few discussions we had with the youngsters they all seemed very well clued in and engaged on the subject.

From where I stand my take is simply this : this is the only planet we have at our disposal for now and the future generations. You cannot trade it in for another one when this one stinks. So learn how to take care of it lest we want our grandchildren to pay the price for it. Its not that difficult really : start thinking +  go easy on the greed (better still eliminate) = sustainability. Off course some people might say that the earth will somehow adapt itself and it can take whatever we can throw at it.That may actually be true. Question is : can we handle it when the earth makes its adjustments and adaptations. The irony being, whilst we humans may consider ourselves to be brightest creation, we are actually the weakest. Left bare, we are amongst the least equipped of God"s creation to survive in the environment.

As a Muslim, we were taught that Man is God's Vicegerent on earth, a kind of Custodian of the earth. That in itself carries an explicit responsibility to ensure that the earth is well taken care off in the best possible manner. Taking it back further responsibility for the well-being of the earth began with the creation of Man. So care for the environment is a mandate which began from the time of Adam (Pbuh) itself. It is not a new age thing.

And if we want to stretch it forward further, the Holy Quran mentioned several times how God not only made the mountains, rivers and oceans for Man but also subject the stars, moons, the sun and planets to Man. Many ways how to read this and God only knows best the true meaning, but in my humble mind two things come to mind : 1) somehow, someday we will learn how to harness and tap the heavenly bodies for the betterment of our lives, 2) in doing so we must always act responsibly.

Anyway, sorry if I get carried away, but having spent my early years in the kampong and now in my twilight years, back in the woods again, I am an unabashed tree-hugger. Now for some pictures.

THE CAMPSITE

DISCUSSIONS AT THE SERAMBI

MEAL TIMES AT THE BALAI, OUR LATEST ADDITION. NOTE THE BERTAM ROOF, VERY ORIGINAL AND VERY ECOLOGICAL, IF WE MAY SAY SO. MADE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOCAL ORANG ASLI COMMUNITY

VOLLEY BALL ULUHATI WAY

VERY ANIMATED DISCUSSIONS ON THE REEFS UNDER THE TREES

LEARNING THE RAINFOREST : VEGETATION, FOOD, SHELTER, MEDICINES, TRAPS, ANIMAL TRACKS, SALT LICKS AND GENERALLY HOW TO SURVIVE, UNTIL THE RANGERS ARRIVE

OVER THE TOP

ON THE WAY UP

DRUM CIRCLE UNDER THE TREES

ALL MY BAGS ARE PACKED AND READY TO GO

Apart from the above, the youngsters were also taught how to cook using bamboo, fish using traditional rods and of course, the obligatory horse rides. The hectic schedule did not stop them from having discussions long into the night around the campfire. The weather was great, that helps. I guess its being some time since they slept in the outdoors and they made the best out of it.

It has been a pleasure having them at Uluhati and the learning was not only theirs, but ours as well. Thank you for gracing Uluhati. Do come again and we look forward to hear great things from these youngsters in years to come. Salam Din/Safiya

MAJLIS PERBANDARAN KAJANG (MPKJ) TEAM BUILDING 1 -2 MARCH 2013

March began with a team building program organized by Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKJ), Kajang Municipality Council. 30 personnel came in for a 2 days 1 night stint at Uluhati, deep in rural Hulu Langat, away from the rest of the world. I guess this time they have no choice but to bear each other's company for the entire 2 days.

Interestingly enough, the participants were all drivers of the municipality. This is the first time I have seen so much importance being placed on the lower levels of the organization, what more when I saw quite a number of seniors showing up to provide moral support and encouragement to the participants. The seniors explained that motivational training should not only be reserved for officers or similar, but should extend to all levels of the organization. The equally critical roles of the lower levels is herewith recognized. Well done MPKJ. You put many top notch corporates to shame.

ICE BREAKING AND TEAM FORMATION AT THE SERAMBI

WHATS THIS? MISSION IMPOSSIBLE IN HULU LANGAT!

NOW, WHAT HAS DRIVING GOT TO DO WITH THIS? I GUESS IT MIGHT BE HANDY IN CASE YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF A CAR WRECK, OR WHEN YOU NEED TO GET INTO A HIGH SECURITY AREA

SOME GAMES NOT ONLY TO FOSTER TEAM WORK BUT ALSO TO WAKE UP THOSE HANDS AND ARMS FROM THE USUAL CIRCULAR MOVEMENTS. YEP, AND THOSE HIPS TOO ARE ALSO TO BE MOVED AS WELL.

STARTING A FIRE FOR....

GUESS WHAT FOLKS.... YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN HOW TO COOK IN BAMBOO. USEFUL SKILL TO HAVE WHEN YOU CAR BREAKS DOWN ON A LONELY ROAD, AND YOUR BOSS IS THE TYPE WHO MUST HAVE HIS DINNER ON TIME AT 6.00 P.M. ASSUMING OF COURSE YOU HAPPENED TO HAVE SOME CHICKEN, RICE AND VEGETABLES IN THE BOOT.

NO,THERE IS NO BUG IN THAT BAMBOO........JEEEEZE .. STOP POKING AROUND AND JUST LINE IT WITH THE BANANA LEAF...... NOPE, I'M NOT HEARING THAT

SO THE RICE IS FINALLY PUT TO THEN FIRE

NOW FOR THE CHICKEN ALA MAT BRON. DO IT WELL GUYS, THAT'S YOUR ONLY DINNER TONIGHT

MESMERISING SEWANG PERFORMANCE BY SUKU TEMUAN ORANG ASLI. BEST SEEN AT NIGHT IN BETWEEN THE TREESS AND UNDER THE MOONLIGHT

TOK BATIN ANDAK (CHIEFTAIN) LEADING HI S MUSICAL TROUPE

THE SEWANG PERFORMANCE HAS A CERTAIN HAUNTING NOSTALGIA OF ITS OWN. LYRICS AND MUSIC IS SIMPLE, BUT THE SIMPLICITY BELIES A HIGHLY ROMANTIC LIFE CLOSE TO THE NATURAL WORLD AND THE CONTENTMENT OF THESE CHILDREN OF NATURE WITH THE GIFTS HANDED OUT BY NATURE TO THEM.

IN CASE YOU HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN HITTING THE TARGET, YOU KNOW WHOSE FACE YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE AT THE END OF THE BARREL. DON'T WORRY YOUR SECRET IS SAFE.......BET YOU 10 BUCKS HE IS AIMING FOR ENCIK....NO, I SAY ITS PUAN....

THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN A FULL SCALE PAINT BALL COMPETITION BUT DUE TO LIMITED TIME IT WAS CONFINED TO TARGET PRACTICE ONLY. HORSE RIDING TOOK LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED. THE PARTICIPANTS USED TO TAKING ORDERS FROM THEIR BOSSES NOW HAVE TO COMMUNICATE,  MANAGE AND DIRECT THE HORSES TO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO. REVERSE ROLES AND AN APPRECIATION OF HOW THEIR BOSSES MIGHT HAVE FELT.

CLOSING REMARKS

And of course the mandatory group picture. Once again, well done MPKJ. You showed that you care.