Report: Branch trip with MNS Selangor & MNS Kedah
By Aiden and HY Leong
Photos by MNS members
Fifteen participants from the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Selangor and Kedah branches embarked on a four-day trip from 21st to 24th June 2024, to explore the natural and historical wonders of Kedah. Here's a summary of this enriching adventure:
Day 1: Friday, 21st June 2024
The trip began at the Sungai Sedim Tree Top Walk, located just 30 minutes from Kulim, Kedah. At 2p.m., we embarked on a walk along the world’s longest rainforest canopy walkway, stretching 925 metres and rising 26 metres above the forest floor. As a light drizzle cleared, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the rainforest. Along the way, we spotted birds, primates, and, in the far distance, a towering Tualang tree laden with the beehives of the Giant Honey Bee (Apis dorsata).
This canopy walk also marked the start of our Scavenger Hunt, where participating teams were given clues to solve over the next three days.
Yeoh Liew Kee and Monica Ng from the MNS Kedah Branch contributed to the experience by bringing a delightful spread of kueh, homemade yam cake and juice. The nearby café, though closed, kindly allowed us to use their space for the gathering.
"The after-rain experience at the canopy and the wu tau koh (yam cake) and mulberry drink tea-time bonding made it a good start for the trip," recalled one of the participants.
This thoughtful gesture from MNS Kedah Branch created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, giving participants—many of whom were meeting for the first time—a chance to connect and bond.
Later, we carpooled to Sungai Petani for dinner and our overnight accommodations.
Day 2: Saturday, 22nd June 2024
We began the day at the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum, exploring ancient Hindu-Buddhist temples. This cultural and historical experience was an eye-opener for many of us. "Kedah Tua is before the Maya and the Incas," remarked a participant. "What a discovery. A must-visit."
From the museum car park, we hiked to Lubuk Semenanjung, an unexpected journey that took us through a fruit orchard (we had missed the turn). Our Kedah Branch friends, Liew Kee and Monica, introduced us to various local fruit trees along the way.
As part of the Scavenger Hunt, we snapped creative photos with stink bean or petai (Parkia speciosa) stalks before continuing to the lubuk. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find litter in the area. We had not come prepared with litter bags, so we took a few photos and returned to our cars.
A few members felt more time should have been allocated to view Bujang Valley. "Would have appreciated more time to explore the candi areas," said one member, suggesting that, considering its significance, a 10–15-minute introductory briefing on Bujang Valley would have been beneficial.
"Maybe more than two to three hours to spend just walking around," agreed another.
As we had to reach Merbok River in time for the high tide, members were given the choice to explore either the museum and its grounds or the lubuk, but not both.
We then tried kayaking, for many it was their first time, which led to many humorous moments as pairs struggled to navigate the narrow mangrove channels. Guided by nature expert Mohd Nazmin Othman, we learned about the Sungai Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, home to 40 of the world’s 60 mangrove species. While two kayaks briefly got lost, everyone was quickly reunited.
We stopped in the middle of the mangroves to take a break. Nazmin sliced open a watermelon for everyone to enjoy, and then we began the hard work of searching for lokan (Polymesoda expansa), a large mud clam buried in the mud. By the time some of us had gathered enough for the evening’s barbecue, the tide had receded, and we had to pull the kayaks over the mangrove roots to reach deep enough water to paddle back home.
One member enthusiastically shared, "I enjoyed the kayaking, boat cruise, and learning about the mangroves. It was an excellent and fun outing for the group!" Several others agreed.
Later, we enjoyed a guided sunset river cruise on the Merbok River, part of Jerai Geopark. Along the way, we learned about local oyster farming and were treated to scenic views. Dinner was a BBQ feast, where we savoured fresh oysters—a highlight of the evening.
However, the boathouse accommodations were not without issues. Poor ventilation and water leakage in one of the bedrooms prompted some members to move to the living room for the night. There was also low water pressure during showers.
"Accommodation was a bit stuffy," recalled a member. "Oysters were fresh. The hosts were hospitable and knowledgeable."
"The rooms are hot and not so great," wrote one member in the feedback form, "got a bit of a stomachache from the food."
Despite these challenges, the day was filled with memorable experiences and camaraderie.
Day 3: Sunday, 23rd June 2024
The day began with a delayed breakfast, so the cavers skipped theirs and had breakfast on the way to Gunung Keriang Recreational Park, where they met their guide at EscapeZONE Kedah.
The rest of the group enjoyed a delicious nasi lemak and kueh before departing Bakau Hijau and arriving at the parking area in the shadows of Gunung Keriang. There, members either hiked to the summit or birdwatched at the base of the 250-million-year-old limestone formation, which stands 218 metres tall and resembles the shape of an elephant.
Those that hiked to the peak enjoyed the scenery of the surrounding paddy fields. "Great workout and scenery," said a member.
"Steep hike, panoramic view," added another. "Good company (won't get lost)."
Thanks to Pathfinders Joseph Lee, Grace Chin, and Jimmy Chew for safely guiding the group to the summit and back down. One member thanked Jimmy for his dropped pins in Google Maps, as they helped in navigation. Some of the destinations had no mobile signal.
After touring the rice production process, some members participated in a demonstration of planting paddy saplings and tried planting barefoot in the mud. We all ended up in the farm shop, purchasing organic rice before enjoying an unexpected afternoon tea with Laksa Kedah and local treats.
The Cavers Return
Later in the day, the three successful cavers—Liew Kee, Shaun Ho, and Muna Noor—rejoined the group, sharing exciting stories of their underground adventure.
Arrival at UMSEC and Introduction to Ulu Muda
In the evening, we arrived at the MNS Ulu Muda Scientific Expedition Field Centre (UMSEC), on the shores of Gubir/Muda Lake, our accommodations for the night.
The MNS Kedah Branch had launched the Ulu Muda Scientific Expedition from this field centre in February 2019, with the aim of documenting the flora and fauna of the vast 162,000-hectare Ulu Muda Forest Reserve and promoting sustainable ecotourism. Although the expedition was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, this trip provided an opportunity to introduce the project to MNS members and three committee members from the Selangor Branch. It allowed us to familiarise ourselves with the area and prepare for future contributions to research and conservation efforts.
Stargazing with Sahabat Langit Utara (SALUT)
That evening, we were joined by Sahabat Langit Utara (SALUT), an organisation dedicated to raising awareness of astronomy and environmental conservation. Nurul Fatini Jaafar, the founder of SALUT, and her team set up an exhibition in the outdoor foyer of UMSEC.
Fatini advocates for sustainable practices such as minimising light pollution, respecting nature, and adhering to local regulations. Through educational stargazing events, she promotes an appreciation of dark skies, highlighting their environmental and cultural significance. SALUT’s mission is to deepen our understanding of the cosmos while ensuring the preservation of natural ecosystems for future generations.
Dinner, Scavenger Hunt Results, and Evening Talks
After a delicious dinner hosted by MNS Kedah Branch, Joseph Lee, the Scavenger Hunt’s Clue Master, announced the winning teams. Prizes, including organic rice and books, were generously sponsored by the Selangor Branch and a private donor. Congratulations to the winners - Team Sarang Semut (1st Prize), Team Crystal (2nd Prize) and Team Rhino-beetles (3rd Prize).
Following Maghrib prayers, we attended a series of insightful talks:
The Greater Ulu Muda Forest Complex – Presented by MNS Kedah Branch
Jerai Geopark – Presented by MNS Selangor Branch
The Northern Night Sky – Presented by SALUT
Astronomy Session and Stargazing
During the astronomy session, SALUT members taught us how to read a star chart and use the Stellarium mobile app. Moving outside for a practical stargazing session, they helped us adjust to the darkness by converting our white torchlight into red light to minimise light pollution.
UMSEC proved to be an excellent location for stargazing, with little artificial light interference. Although the full moon limited star visibility, telescopes provided spectacular views of the moon’s surface.
Members enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with Kedah Branch exco members and appreciated the hands-on astronomy session.
"Nice, got to learn about astronomy and see stars during the session," commented one participant.
A Fulfilling but Exhausting Day
This was the longest day of the trip, packed with diverse activities and significant travel distances. As the night drew to a close, we settled into sleeping bags and a tent, reflecting on a day rich in adventure, camaraderie, and newfound knowledge.
Day 4: Monday, 24th June 2024
We were jolted awake by the sound of rain, followed by water dripping—then suddenly gushing—through the roof, flooding both the men’s and women’s sleeping quarters. Everyone quickly packed up their sleeping bags and mats, and once the rain stopped, a few members helped mop up the water.
After cleaning up UMSEC and thanking our gracious host and SALUT, we headed to Gunung Kerengga.
The trail starts on a mostly tarred road. Along the way, we came across elephant droppings, signaling an active wildlife crossing, as indicated by a warning sign for hikers. The climb provided stunning panoramic views of Pedu Lake, while some members stayed behind to birdwatch.
Our journey concluded along the road to the abandoned Mutiara Pedu Lake Resort with the hopes of sighting some rare birds. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird app, Pedu Lake is Kedah's No. 1 hotspot for birdwatching with 348 species of birds recorded and Sungai Sedim Recreational Forest (on Day 1) is listed as No. 3 with 289 species recorded.
Unfortunately, by the time we started birdwatching, it was too late in the morning for good sightings. "Was quite okay," said a birder, "managed to watch a number of birds overall."
"Thanks to the team for organising and handling the uncertainties—i.e. weather, logistics, leaking roof, etc.—with patience :-)" said a member. "Overall, it was an enjoyable trip well packed with activities."
Two members suggested reducing the number of locations/activities due to long travel times in between. To put this into perspective, Kedah covers approximately 9,500 square kilometres, making it about 48 times larger than Langkawi.
Acknowledgments
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of this collaborative branch trip. First and foremost, we extend our sincere thanks to our gracious host, MNS Kedah Branch, for their warm hospitality and support throughout the trip. Our appreciation also goes to SALUT for their invaluable assistance in introducing the northern night sky to MNS members.
The MNS Selangor Branch once had an Astronomy Special Interest Group, led by an enthusiastic young member. Who knows, maybe one day it will be reactivated, bringing back the excitement and wonder of stargazing and astronomical exploration.
A special mention is owed to the organising committee: MNS Selangor Branch committee members Joseph Lee and Grace Chin, vice-chairperson Leong Hon Yuen, Bird Group Coordinator Wong Shea Hong (for loaning binoculars and leading the birdwatching sessions), and MNS Kedah Branch Treasurer Yeoh Liew Kee.
We also extend our thanks to all participating members, whose enthusiasm and dedication made this experience unforgettable. Their cooperation and teamwork were instrumental in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable adventure.
Despite a few members dealing with suspected food poisoning, the trip was a perfect blend of history, nature, and adventure, leaving us with lasting memories.
Lastly, we would like to thank the natural environment, which provided us with awe-inspiring views and an opportunity to connect with the beauty of the wilderness.
"A BIG thank you to the
Selangor Branch members who made the great and much appreciated effort
to come and visit us so far up north in Kedah," said Liew Kee. "Monica
and I had a great time getting to know all of you and sharing all the
beautiful memories. Feel free to come and visit us anytime in the
future. Lastly, if there are any shortcomings, please accept our sincere
apologies."
We left Pedu Lake, each heading in different directions—either onto more adventures or back home to the Klang Valley.
