 It is again that second time of the year when we customary bring all the new batch of postgraduate students for outing activity. An ideal occassion for them to get to know each other, none other than during a walkabout in the rainforest of Ulu Perdik in Ulu Langat.
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The calmness and stillness of the morning is very theraupetic
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The chirping of birds and the shrieks of the cicadas is a music of a kind
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Standing tall into the sky remind us how small we are in comparison.
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The sense of anticipation and inquisitiveness about what to expect during this walk can be seen in every faces.
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A busload full of postgraduate students arrived at the Ulu Perdik Forest Reserve around 10am that morning, accompanied by several senior students and academic staffs.
The day was clear and the trek condition was perfect for the occasion. Everyone looked very excited and are looking forward to the walkabout. After a quick early snack of fried mee, the large crowd parted into the wilderness, split into five smaller groups.
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Dr. Baha delivering a briefing about safety and the ettiquette of jungle trekking to the participants before flagging them off in smaller groups.
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Trailing along the narrow trail, and over streams
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At some areas, the canopy practically cuts off the light from reaching the ground
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A clump of bamboo trees towering high above us
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Amongst the many, many more crossing across slippery bed-rocks.
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Wild ginger shoot emerging from the ground
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Jelly-like litchen glittering in the morning sun
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As we ascend up along the narrow steep trek uphill, lay hidden underneath the undergrowth and along the forest floor is the graceful collections of God's magnificient creation.
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The white flower stands out in contrast to the green background
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Millipeed creeping out from underneath the rotten logs
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The scales on the back of the millipeed very much reminds me of the shields of Roman soldiers during thier battle combat formations.
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Fresh mushrooms getting their nutrients from the decaying logs
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A magnificiant fan-like formation of the mushroom
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Lichens sprouting in brilliant golden colours
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The Cup mushroom feeds on trapped insects that has fallen and drowned in its sac
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At some point the river crossing is quite deep
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Crystal clear, cool, clean water of the stream gushing through the rocks.
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All the tough grasping and puffing for breath as we all scaled up the hill is being rewarded with a spectacular view of the water fall high up the hill. Many did not want to miss the opportunity of chilling out all the sweats on their body by bathing under the gush of the waterfall that provides an invigorating natural spar for the bathers.
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The climax of the climb is a very scenic view at the base of the Ulu Perdik waterfall
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The opportunity to relax and to breath the sweet and natural fresh air is highly appreciated by everyone.
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A sense of accomplishment for some who were earlier skeptical of their readyness to undertake such a challenging adventure.
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That rest at the base of the waterfall gave many, the time to be at one with nature and to be absorbed by the surrounding. The smell of the fresh forest air, the hypnotic tunes of the forest and cool shower breeze from the waterfall all touched every soul up there on that afternoon.
As a momento of the occassion, this magic moments were captured in a group photo with the waterfall as the background, before we all descended back to the base site for a hefty, finger licking lunch of "nasi baryani kambing".
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Many other insects such as this spider is also out hunting for meal.
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Even the red hot coloured centepede is up and about too.
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Fariza and her daughters having a good lick of the ice-creams as dessert after lunch
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What is accomplished by the end of the event is the establisment of strong sense of camarade amongst all the participants
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Despite the fatigue, everyone continues on with their conversations and seemed hesitant to end the beautiful day event.
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The Dean giving a final parting pep-talk, before leaving for home.
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This half day trip has achieved its objective of exposing to the postgrads about loving nature and conservation. Many expressed their eagerness for another such visits and are looking forward to participate in the next excursion to Taman Negara at the end of the semester.
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