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.

ULUHATI: ANNOUNCEMENTS

ULUHATI: ANNOUNCEMENTS: In conjunction with Karnival Pelancaran Kempen Promosi VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2014 ULUHATI is pleased to offer the following packages, sub...

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.