Well before Josh followed us on the final trip, we had another trip a few weeks before that. This time we went further upstream and since we couldn’t reach there by boat, we had to drive in. This is because the upper reaches of this river flows through…an oil palm estate. Why am I not surprised? Well that seems to be the fate of most of the forests in our country.

The upper reaches of the swamp forest. The forest around the stream has been cleared.

To the right of the above picture you could see poles of a barbed wire fence. Well that’s the buffalo enclousure. We had to cross this huge fenced up area in order to get to the river.

A view of the river through the buffalo pen

After crawling through the fencing, Ricky gets to work and starts fishing

We searched for various fish as we walked along the river upstream and then when we arrived at a turn, we were shocked to see so many monkeys crossing the river over to the forest side. Apparently they heard us coming. Someone must have told them that two bald-looking guys from Zoo Negara were on their way or maybe it was our T-shirts that gave us away. Well, whichever it was…those poor things scrambled for dear life crossing the river. There was even one fellow who seemed to be like the big ‘taiko’ there. He went ahead of the troop, stood by the opposite sand banks and waited for everyone to cross before he scrambled in. Talk about responsibility! Some of us could really learn from that big ape.

The last monkey is seen leaving the bank once all of his gang had crossed the river.

After searching the area for new fish species and crypts, we left and headed back. We didn’t find anything interesting this time except for some additional fish for the checklist. Driving through an oil palm estate without proper guidance can rather difficult, all the roads and ..trees look alike! So we got lost…..what else to do, praylah..

Its amazing what happens if you just call on God. I remember telling Him that I was really disappointed that I couldn’t find any crypts but it was just a simple wish. Soon we were driving out when suddenly a voice kept telling me to slow down and look right….well after driving for at least 500m all I could see were rows and rows of oil palm, dried up oil palm fruits and the occasional dried up ditches overgrown with…….huh, what’s that?

I couldn’t believe my eyes at first so I had to stopped the pick up and scrambled down this ditch and….woooh!

A beautiful view of several spathes

Close up of  the spathe. Observe the rough orange colored spathe with smooth yellow collar

This always happens to Josh and me. Each time we go out crypt hunting (here or Borneo) we always ask God to lead us. Well why not, since he planted them in their place He should know where they are. Beats having a map or GPRS.

Well after enjoying ourselves with our new find and of course, collecting them, we headed back to base.

The next day we packed our bags and loot and headed up Kahang as we wanted to do some fishing and collection along the Jemaluang-Kahang stretch. After driving along, we come by this beautiful C.schultzei site. It was a pretty hidden location, but sad to say that the downstream of this little stream which was across the road will soon be cleared for an Acacia plantation…..there goes Malaysia’s biodiversity yet again!

C.schulzei

A close up some emergent C.schulzei. Observe the accumulation of leaf litter they are growing in.

A view of the forest stream with C.shultzei. The clearing in front is at the opposite side of the road where the Acacia plantation is going to be!

The stream also has loads of interesting fish such as clown barbs, t-barbs, and Betta pugnax. Sazali, our driver/fisherman and Ricky got so excited when he saw large full grown B.pugnax coming out to feed on the bread the threw in. So, apa lagi tunggu….turun lah! (what else, get down lah)

Ricky trying to capture some clown barbs and hopefully some B. pugnax while Sazali holds the bag

After fishing here ans several stream along the way, we headed for Sg. Kahang where we fished for various other fish before leaving for KL.