 This is a follow-up research trip to the Penang National Park, as a part of the earlier visit done in December 2007. A convoy of 4 cars packed with 11 researchers journeyed up the Northbound Highway to Penang from KL.
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The ferry jetty entrance at Seberang Perai in the mainland, the old and only entry route to Penang Island before the construction of the new Penang bridge.
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Queing up to board the ferry.
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A 15 minutes ferry ride heading towards the Penang Island. Seated passengers on the upper deck, while cars on the lower deck.
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Admiring the view from ferry railing.
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The Park is located at the north-western corner of Penang Island, and the Park's ecosystem is a diversity of habitats with hills, sandy and rocky beaches, streams and coastal forests -representing much of the natural habitats of Penang. It is the smallest national park in the country with a size of 2,562 hectares
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A GoogleMap view of the access to the Penang National Park
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Entry to the Park can either be from the Teluk Bahang route, or via the mangrove beaches of Sungai Pinang. There are altogether an estimated 417 flora and 143 fauna species, according to a local daily report in May 2006. Despite its size one can view 25 species of mammals, 53 species of butterflies, 46 species of birds and a considerable variety of coastral life.
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The fishing boat jetty at Teluk Bahang.
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Bundle of trawling nets and floats all set for the morning fishing outing.
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Small fishing boats anchored by the beach
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Tour boat operators readily awaiting for arrivals of customers
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The rockhead resembling the head of a crocodile, just past the coastline of Muka Head.
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Another natural rock formation of a turtle.
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And this one resembles a hare.
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The other groups of researchers overtook with a faster and more powerful boat heading to the mangrove coastline of Sungai Pinang.
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The other entry point to the Penang National Park is via the Sungai Pinang route in Balik Pulau. Sungai Pinang is a busy chinese fishing village built along a stagnant mangrove river. Kampung Sungai Pinang in is home to fishing families who make heh bee, dried shrimp used in Malay, Chinese and Nyonya cooking.
The fishing village offered enthusiasts the choice of going out to sea, fishing from the brackish water canal or Sungai Pinang River and that the mangrove swamp at the mouth of the river was an excellent spot for Siakap and Mangrove Jacks. Needless to say, the natural beauty and serenity of the place together with the great possibility of spotting other forms of wildlife are part and parcel of this attraction.
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The deep sea fishing trawlers anchored at the fishermen harbour along the Sungai Pinang..
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Everyone busy aiming their camera and videocams at the habitants of the mangrove swamps.
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A fleet of birds flying by, disturbed by our boat's presence
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A closeup view of the birds in flight.
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The majestic Brahminy Kite Eagle (Haliastur indus) perching high on the tree.
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The sharp vision of the White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) scanning the river for fish.
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A Little Heron (Butorides striatus) blending well with the background dead twigs aling the mangrove mudflats.
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The Great Egret (Egretta alba) patiently stalking for fish in the shallow water.
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The Little Heron (Butorides striatus) typically solitary, is a stand-and-wait hunter, patiently stalking for fish in the stream.
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Brahminy Kite Eagle holding fish in one of his sharp claws.
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Pantai Kerachut Recreational Forest is located within an interesting surrounding fronting a beach. Therefore, it is a suitable site for activities such as camping and picnicking.
Not far from the beach is an area perfect for fishing. Monkeys can be seen scampering around the forest and lucky visitors may get to witness ‘hawksbill’ turtles clambering up the beach at night.
This recreational forest which covers an area of eight hectares, contains creepers and shrubs, which are features of a coastal hill forest.
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The boat landing jetty, off the coast of Pantai Kerachut.
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Following the jungle trail, looking for flora speciments
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Appreciating the beautiful natural textures and patterns
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Time and time again, the beauty of the pitcher plants still continues to captivates me.
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A more closeup view of one of the pods.
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The bio-diversity of the park is also impressive, with 1,000 species of plants including five different species of the Bintangor tree. Some of the best hardwood trees can be found here, especially from the shorea species, such as Meranti and Merawan Baru. In fact, the area is the only known place in Penang where the red, paper-like barked Gelam trees grow.
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The Nepenthes pitcher plant variety hangs from tendrils
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A forest orchid plant
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The team taking time off to do some quick sketching
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Jai buzy entering data and sketches into his journal.
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The exposed mangrove tree roots as the ground slowly erodes away by the tide.
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Ema and Adila studying the species of precious rocks found in the stream.
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Jai, Lan, Mohaini and Ju doing their sketching of the scenery.
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The observation jetty on the extreme end of the dried merometic lake
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The jungle trail eventually leading back to the Pantai Kerachut beach
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Our Research Team had a great time in documenting the diversities of flora and fauna of this natural rainforest reserves. We are convinced that if given time, we may have many many work that need to be accomplished
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A delicious lunch awaiting everyone at the base campsite
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Camping Tents in the background belongs to a group of school children that stayed overnight in the Park.
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Undisturbed, unspoilt & tranquility is what best to describe Pantai Kerachut. This relatively unknown place is normally frequent by locals who went there to explore the lush greenery of the Park and to camp at the designated campsite near the beach. And when evening comes, it is where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the beautiful sunset, amidst the beatings of endless ocean wave coming down the shores.
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The Park Ranger Post on the Pantai Kerachut
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Pijoy taking a micro-closeup shot of the specimens
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Jai peeking into the camera viewer LCD
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Dr. Baha, trying up the closeup lens, observed by Dr. Rus and Pijoy.
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Pijoy doing Video recording whilst Jai doing watercolour painting activities
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Jai and Lan continously capturing the angle cast by the shadows at intervals.
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Converting some of the Nature's waste into a beautiful sculpture by the beach.
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The rocky cliff at far end of the Pantai Kerachut.
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Crabs crawling out, feeding on foods in the rocks
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Playing hide-and-seek amongst the huge rock boulders.
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Before leaving the beach, everyone trying out their creative skills in designing headgears from the materials found in Nature.
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It is with heavy heart to be leave behind the serene and beautiful beach of Pantai Kerachut.
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The rainforest has different layers -from the top of tall trees or emergents to branches and leaves, forming a canopy to the understorey, then undergrowth at the ground level. Each layer hosts different flora and fauna, adapted to specific conditions and environments.
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As our boats returned back to Teluk Bahang, we pass by a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagle high upin the Tualang tree.
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The brown ball-like clump in the tall tree is the Eagle's nest. The white speck on the left is the Eagle
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Closeup of the White-bellied Sea Eagle's nest high up in the emergents layer of the Rainforest
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Another pair is spotted high up in the tree by the coastal forest.
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Gracefully flying home back to their nest to roost
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The Water Monitor Lizard basking under the afternoon sun, on the rocks by the coastline.
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It is truly an educational experience for all of us during our exploration of the jungle of Penang National Park. The National parks like Taman Negara Pulau Pinang has succeded in conserving our priceless natural heritage.
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