Excursion: Bako

NOTE: This is a picture heavy post due to the change in picture settings and resolution. Modem buster precaution needed. You have been warned!

My friends and I have been to most of what Kuching city itself has to offer us. Cafes, restaurants, eateries and entertainment outlets. Practically, we were to bored of the city, or perhaps, the city was too bored of us. The only alternative reachable by driving, was to travel to the outskirts and do a little bit of exploring ourselves.



So, roughly 2 weeks ago, the gang & I made a trip to the Bako National Park, one of the many national gazettes in Sarawak. In fact, this park was the very first national park reserve in Sarawak, dating back to 1957 and thus, making it the oldest. Yeap, it's been 50 years since this park existed and yet, for all of us, our very first visit.


Mua, at the entrance of the park

Setting off after a breakfast of laksa, we drove for 40 minutes before reaching the riverbank village of Bako. People occasionally flock to this village to buy fresh seafood, mainly crabs and a variety of fishes. Besides that, this village is the starting point for those who want to get to the national park, which requires a boat ride from the jetty.


Bako village, a sense of nostalgia

Few moments of inquiring and we found ourselves on a boat ride which will take us to the park. The boat ride, taking us to the river mouth before reaching the park, will take around 20 minutes.


Brendan & Lee, getting in the boat

Along the way to the river mouth, we had glimpses of the "kampung" life, as though everything around us was a roll of film reeling...


"Kampung boys"


A structure used to catch fish when the tide is high. Forgot what it's called...


Boatmen returning from the sea

As we near the river mouth, the majestic looking Mount Santubong could be seen afar.



Nearing the sea, the waves were getting choppier. The boat stalled a few times for refill, and during those awkward moments , we were reaching for anything solid we could grab hold of, as the boat was bobbing left and right tremendously. Scare factor was amplified because there wasn't any lifejacket on the boat, nor an extra engine in case of a failed one! Luckily, non of us were sea sick after that ordeal.


Brendan & Lee, sharing a light moment before it got, um...choppy.


Ed, visualizing...


A wave battered rock

After enduring our rocky boat moments, we found ourselves anchored at a point where the boat couldn't proceed nearer the beach as the water was too shallow. So we took off our socks & shoes, and splashed our way towards the reception center, which was a good distance away.


Ahoy mates!


That's our boat right there on the far right

Walking on the soft flatland was a weird feeling. The sand was damp but rather "cushiony" and had these wavy textures. A different walking feeling compared to those seaside beaches.


Shyt?!?!?!


Us, walking on the flatland


Brendan, in the middle of nowhere...


And a giant foot appeared from nowhere...

A few beautiful scenery shots thanks to Edward. Majority of the scenery pictures in this post was from his camera.





It started to rain and so, we hurried towards the reception center at the park HQ, till someone yelled out...muddy sand! A warning too late as my next step saw my foot sank ankle deep into the mud.


Dirty fun!


My footprints

After the brief walk, we reached the reception center, shoes in our hands and mud on our feet. A few sheds with groups of tourists were seen but what took us away was breathtaking views of the sea and the low tide.







Wasting no time, we had our feet washed at the nearby taps, without knowing that this was sneaking up on us:


Apparently, this bearded wild pig is a common sight near the reception counter. IMO, it was placed there to scare the tourists. xD

After registering ourselves at the park HQ, we proceeded to do some jungle trekking. The park itself has many trails, but due to the lack to time, we only could choose one. The trail we decided on was the Teluk Pandan Kecil trail which will eventually lead us to a beach. According to the park ranger, compared to other trails, this was the most popular and takes a relatively short time to complete it.





We were greeted by wondrous sights upon the start of our journey.


Morning glory, a sign of a morning broken...


Leaf monkeys playing hide & seek with us

Straight ahead was a vast clearing of space where one could feast their eyes on the scenic surrounding. Walking on the boardwalk above the swampy ground, the clear skies made views spectacular.




This picture looks like Siberia, or some wasteland


The mountain range in the distance


Uprooted tree


A shallow stream leading to the sea.

Here we have a family of Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), minding their own business. They don't seem to be afraid of us humans.



We spotted a swine of pigs,



And a group of adventure junkies,



Meanwhile, someone is missing from the group photo,


Ahh...busy snapping pictures eh?

The boardwalk eventually leads us to a small jungle opening where the trail starts. A mini waterfall creating a foamy froth on the way down the stream had us gasping in wonder.



After probably years of having the water droplets dripping from tree roots and leaves onto the rocks, mini crater looking potholes were formed.





The trail was pretty easy on the foot, set aside a few slippery rocks and puddles of water. Amazed at the wonders of the rain forest, there was plenty to see & touch. Rocks, plants, branches...even moss.


Moss - micro shot

Ahh...finally the city boys found themselves in the wild...


Feeling the water droplets dripping from above.


Me at the bottom of a mini rock cliff.

After a few huffs & puffs, we made to the top of a hill with a long water soaked path ahead of us. Barren grounds soon followed with minimal vegetation and undergrowth as we approached higher grounds. Due to less shade from tress, we were baking hot under the midday sun.






The amber colored waterlogged path with a nice ripple-like texture

A brief pit stop at a shed for us grab a bite, rub on some sunscreen lotion and take a group photo?



Noticed how hagged and tired we look? I guess we underestimated the hike. And we were only halfway on the trail. LoL. Anyways, the trail which followed bears resemblance to the Gunung Jerai hiking trail I did months ago when I was at Kedah. The landscape around was the same plain dead looking trees, and as we were tired, only a handful of pictures were taken.



After nearly 2 hours of jungle trekking, a sound familiar to us was heard. No, it wasn't some wild animal, but the sound of waves breaking from the distance. Happy as we were, we made haste and hurried down the trail. No sooner, these magnificent views enchanted our tired souls:









We found ourselves on this crater looking cliff which looks like the moon's surface. The cliff overlooking the beach below gave stunning views of the sea and everything around us. A truly rewarding sight.

Behold, the explorers:



After I showed the above picture to my mom, she told me she had a photo of hers taken on that very same cliff too, back in the 70's. Hmm, I think I would look like this if I had a picture taken back then:


Haha...

We threaded down the cliff after the lookout on the cliff. A few tourists were seen on the beach before we arrived.





We wandered around the beach after the tourists had left. Wadding our legs in the stream and running around barefooted along the sandy beach, busy snapping photos along the way.


The cliff where we were earlier


Of sand & skies...


And rocks & waves...


This beach is a hidden treasure...

Brendan and I actually did a jumping photo on the cliff earlier as to our beach jump. However, the picture wasn't that great so we had to settle for the latter.



Lee had his moment with the monolith rock:



Rain started drizzling. The tide was coming in and our boatman, whom was suppose to come pick us up was nowhere to be seen. We felt like cast-aways, stranded on no man's beach.


Malaysia's next top model photoshoot?

Eventually, our boatman arrived in the midst of the pouring rain and gusty winds. We found ourselves in a tight situation on the boat, bobbling around in the now very choppy waves. Yet, we managed to persuade our boatman to stop awhile and allow us to take the infamous photo which made Bako a landmark,


The ROCK!

The boat ride back to the village HQ was a rain soaked one. A brief cleanup at the village and we headed home, sunbaked, muddy, and wet, but definitely an eventful moment for all of us. It was sad unable to spend a night at the park, yet, vowing to return back, we were pretty satisfied with our trip.

I guess this trip was the pinnacle of my 4 months holiday here in Kuching. My life as a dental student begins next week in a fairly new environment, a brick jungle...