IT HAS BEEN 3 DAYS since the moustached Englishman started the downstream journey. At 4:15pm, in dire need for fresh food supply, his convoy docked a small jetty. “This stone is addressed as the Toh Gajah and everyone passing is supposed to pluck a handful of grass or leaves and striking the Toh Gajah several times on the chest to ask for fine weather for the journey”, wrote J.W.W Birch in his diary page dated 30th April 1875.
This probably accounts for how Batu Gajah town, the epicentre of Malim Nawar wetlands, acquires its name. The sprawling wetlands are still locked in a time warp that kept its environs untouched by modernity.
The outback of Malim Nawar is the prefect off-road retreat that has something for everyone. History, rare scenes and unsung wetland wilderness. In 19th century, the vast frontier of Batu Gajah - Malim Nawar jungles was levelled to make way for tin mining by colonial English. Nonetheless, Mother Nature heals in a mysterious way.
Today, the hundreds of ex-mining pools and swamp pockets are prefect habitats from aquatic and semi-aquatic flora and fauna. What more, the ground is perhaps the only place in Malaysia where nature lovers can get up close to majestic big birds such as herons, storks and egrets. The frontier is strung together by a maze of sand trails carved by rural communities and with our insider accounts, urbanites can finally soak in wetland 4WD thrills minus the frills.
The day starts with a visit to Jalan Changkat that exude charming colonial leftovers like the Court House, Tudor-styled hospital and the famous olden expatriate cemetery God’s Little Acre. Get more to know more about tin mining history by stopping over at Tg Tualang to gape at Malaysia’s last intact dredge ship.
For lunch, savor the town’s specialty “grass prawn” and “wan tau long” (literally meaning “spinning head cocktail” in local dialect). In the afternoon, explore the outback and visit Kinta Bird Sanctuary. Only discovered 2 years ago, the lake’s islet is teeming with nesting big birds such as herons, egrets, stocks and a plethora of unique tropical semi-aquatic plants.
Tour Itinerary
* 9.00am – Pick up at hotel. Introduction, trip briefings and safety procedures.
* 10.00am – See a hill-perched castle touted as “Kellie’s Castle” built by 19th century English planter William Kellie Smith in memory of his beloved wife.
An Indian temple he helped fund for his workers to pray during the Spanish flu plague is still standing and those with keen eyes will spot a European figurine placed among Indian gods and goddess to commemorate his generosity.
* 12.00 noon – Visit a 19th century hub at Jalan Changkat to learn about its vibrant colonial past. See Malaysia’s oldest golf course, the first Court House and a Tudor-style hospital that’s still running today.
* 1.00pm – Enjoy a splendid local lunch that includes the local delicacy – Blue freshwater prawns.
* 2.00pm – Gaze at “TT5”, the last giant tin-dredge ship of its kind. TT5 is perhaps the only survivor left to tell the stories of Malaysian tin industry heydays. The year was 1939 when W.F Payne & Son built it, costing the equivalent of whooping RM30 million at today’s currency value.
* 3.00pm – Rummage the sand trails by 4WD in Malim Nawar wetlands to soak up its splendor. Truly a case of evolution in motion, large lakes and islets formed by abandon tin mines have created a new habitat for the 120 bird species flocking here; some 60 species under protection list.
And teeming fishes in the lakes feed them well. No signage, no landmark, not even a clue on how to get there - which is not necessary a bad thing - after all, too much publicity never make a good hideout. Getting there is an adventure itself; strictly 4WD stuff.
* 6.00pm – 4WD ride back to hotel.
Travelers can expect a day of some easy-going walks and ride in our 4WD vehicle. The field trip is suitable for the young and old as needs for safety and steadfast guidance are kept firmly in mind.
Couples, families and friends traveling together will have a good balance between activity and relaxation. Lunch will be enjoyed in a small holder air-con restaurant that’s hygienic and only uses locally sourced wetland ingredients.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- One meal (grass-prawn delicacy) during excursion.
- Private English-speaking naturalist guide.
- Private transport to all destinations & activities.
Please note that all trips are private-type and require a minimum of 2 people to operate; surcharge applicable for 1 person trip. Discounts are available for self-drive, groups, retirees, students, families and nature clubs.
All packages are ex-Ipoh, a town 200km north capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) and 150km south Penang. To reach Ipoh from KL, hop on the daytime hourly bus services available at KL Puduraya bus station. The ride takes 2 hrs and cost USD4.20 one way, air con. Recommended bus services are Transnasional, Plusliner or Sri Maju. Hotels are cheap in Ipoh as the town is non-touristy. YMCA offers basic room for USD11.80, budget hotel USD24 air-con room, 3 star hotel USD47 room and 4 star hotel USD80 room.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Malaysia
Archeology/History
Ecotourism
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