Bako National Park
Good day, everyone!
Fauzi's university mates came down to Kuching over the weekend and they were looking forward for some wild and cultural adventures. So, being the supportive wife, I dismissed my fear of crocodiles swimming freely everywhere and suggested to bring them to Bako National Park.
Mainly because I wanted to see the Seastack Stone up-close. And I thought, it would be hell lot more fun to go hiking with some friends instead of just us.
Well, I thought wrong, though.
Because his friends could REALLY hike and there I was panting like a suffocated pregnant blue whale. It was NO fun being left out. Hahaha.
AWAS. DANGER!
BERHATI-HATI ADA BUAYA.
BEWARE OF CROCODILES.
Yep. There went all my confidence that I had collected the night before!
Too bad, the only way to get an access to Bako National Park is to go across the Nescafe-looking river, homed to hundreds of crocs, by riding a speed boat with questionable safety measures. Just look at the emergency vast I was wearing... If anything were to happen to the boat, I'd be drowned in the water and become crocodile's meal.
😖
Yikes! State government has got to do something about it before something does happen and a tourist does become a meal...
The speed boat ride was the longest boat ride I have endured in my entire life. Well, to me it felt like hours when it was only 30 minutes. Perhaps, the fact that I know there were hundreds of crocodiles swimming in the water made the whole ride...endless and petrifying.
I solemnly swear I will never do it again. Once is enough.
To top off my already nervous ride, the speedboat suddenly came to a complete stop and everything became too silent for my liking. The helmsman explained to us that this spot is famous for bird-watching activity, home to over 150 species of birds. And he went on to add, "when the tide is low, you can see crocodiles 'chilling' by the bay."
Oh-sem.
On the branch, looking all proud and brave are the colourful, majestic, monogamous Kingfishers. Lol. I am not kidding. Kingfisher is known for its one true love trait. Look it up, if you do not believe me.
😜
Due to the demographic, this river is not as deep as one thought it would be. It could reach about 8 feet deep, when the tide is high. But, when the tide is low, all you can see is mountains of muddy sand. With crocodiles as accessories, of course.
So, that explains, why there is a Malaysian flag being buried in the middle of the river, because that area is actually filled with sand. It's like a small hill. And we could not sail across that area without crashing the propeller into the sand.
According to the helmsman, that is the place where fishermen usually park their boats and sampans when the tide is low, and they would walk on the muddy sand to collect crabs, prawns and clamps.
The kind of job a man would selflessly and dangerously do just to earn an honest living for his dearest family...
😭
After half an hour and so, we finally made it to the old, run-down, dilapidated jetty. And the sky was a bit gloomy too. It seemed that we had to abandon our main mission to see Seastack Stone some time later in the day because we could not brave the storm without getting crashed into the strong waves.
Upon arrival, it is required for every guests to check yourself in at the registration counter before wandering off. This is to avoid any misfortunate that may come to your way. Had anyone gone missing, or got injured, at least, the rangers would be full aware with your presence and could came to your aid.
At the registration counter, you will be explained on all the trails and treks that are available and safe to be journeyed during the rainy day, or normal day, or even monsoon season.
With a map in our hands, we are good to go!
This little girl, came out of nowhere and shamelessly stood right next to me, while I was taking a selfie. Haha.
I would show you the photo of us, but I look terrible in it! I mean, imagine a monkey approaches you and you can see it on your visual line and you can feel its facial hair on your side... Would not you freak?
😂
It was raining heavily in the morning, so we had to take a shelter and wasted about half an hour of our day. A complete waste of time if you ask me.
Having none of it anymore, I told my husband to just get on with our hiking. My logic was, it would not rain as much in the forest, seeing that there were many tall trees, so, the leaves from the trees would shelter us. Correct?
Wrong. Haha.
The raining did not stop. In fact, it got heavier by the second. And the leaves were doing an extremely terrible job at shielding us.
😂
Despite getting soaked in the rain, this tough Proboscis guy, did not take a heed at all. In fact, he was contentedly scratching his balls while staring down at us, like we were some kind of weirdos.
😂
Teluk Pandan Besar and Teluk Pandan Kecil (Beach). We decided to take the red route because these two destinations were on the same route. Besides, this route is the second shortest trek. Haha.
And we could see the Seastack Stone from above the ground from Teluk Pandan Kecil. So, it's a win-win situation.
😉
Aaahhhh. The view from the top.
If you notice, on the left-side of this photo, hidden behind the small hill is a stone that looks like a snake's head...well, that is Seastack Stone. From afar.
Daring pose from me. Sitting at the edge of the cliff. Only God knows how nervous I was, as the cliff was a tad slippery for my liking.
Oh, and the person who took my photo, was my dearest husband, who was being silly by putting on his surgery cap because it rained like crazy.
😂
Enjoying the view as we, patiently, trying to tolerate a bunch of college kids raising ruckus.
Thank God, rain had completely stopped. Otherwise, I would have committed murder by pushing them down the cliff and screamed, "Guess, who offing wins, loser!"
After all, they were the ones, who were challenging and daring each other to stand at the very end of the cliff and howled.
Who do you think you are?
Tarzan?
Lion King?
This ain't Twilight, dude. Your silly, risky games could risk us too, you know. But, obviously, they were not thinking.
😒
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