It's been some time since I went exploring the jungles of Malaysia, so me and a friend decided to drive in to collect some fishes and plants, of course, the real reason is to go pig out in Johor...heh heh...
I decided the route and we headed to the east side after a hearty breakfast at the usual nasi lemak joint.
The weather was not looking good and started raining, storm clouds were looming ahead at the causeway area. Then to our surprise, as we drove further upwards, it started to clear and we could see the sun!! Woohoo!!
We were travelling on the road where I know there was a roadside restaurant selling "Jungle Bak Kut Teh" basically it means "jungle Pork Bone Soup". We had been passed this place many times and we always say we want to stop by one of these days to try it out but we always never do. So finally, both of us decide to go try it.
As we just came from breakfast, we only ordered the Bak kut Teh and fried dough sticks. The style of the soup was herbal, none of that cheap pepper soup crap you get in Singapore. I have not had herbal Bak Kut Teh for quite some time now so was looking forward to tasting it.
It was Good! no wonder they have such a crowd in the middle of no where inside a palm oil plantation. There is a drawback however, it's pricy! we paid RM$27.00 for one claypot bowl of Bak Kut Teh, two Chinese tea ice, two bowls of rice and fried dough sticks.
After filling up our stomachs for the second time, we now head for the area where the fish is. The weather up to this point was fantastic, as it rain the night prior, the air had a clean, cool feel.
We followed the road around the forest reserve and stopped by any pool or drain we think holds fish. The water was very clear in the drains, that means its flowing out from the forest streams. Clear running water also indicates that only certain species of fish will be available. Definitely won't find any blackwater species here.
First dips with the net revealed that Rasbora Einthovenii was abundant here. They seem to be available in all states of Malaysia. The size of the Einthovenii here were quite huge, their colouration was also more vibrant, maybe due to the minerals present here. I notice some type of Barbs in the water too and tried to scoop some up. I don't know if they are Puntius Everetti of Dunckeri? I kept some of them to give to my neighbourhood aquarium shop. There were many Betta Pugnax as well, they had great big yellow eyes and was quite large in size as well. I caught a weird looking loach as well.
The water in the streams was cool and clear and felt good, if it was deeper, I'd take a swim in it!
We went on to collect more fish and explore more on the terrain. We came across a wider stream but the water was murky due to rain the previous night, lots of foliage around and we looked around trying to find fish or plants. I was plucking some sort of grass like plant and was looking around and then I discovered some tiny Cryptocoryne growing on the stream bed. They were really small, looked like very young plants and I have no idea which species they are. So, I plucked some to bring home to grow.
It was in the late afternoon by now, so we decided to call it a day. We headed for the seafood dinner joint as usual. Halfway, we passed Ulu tiram town and a roadside bazaar for the Ramadan month, lots of food there!! Pig out time again!! Hahaha!!!!
By the time we reach the seafood area, it was already packed with people and we had to wait beside tables that were finishing to fend off other hungry customers! We ordered fish, crab, vege...
After dinner, we went for massage as the causeway was jammed. The foot massage lady talked a lot and I was dozing off...zzzzz.
We went to fill up on gas, then car wash and headed home. Happy day.
I decided the route and we headed to the east side after a hearty breakfast at the usual nasi lemak joint.
The weather was not looking good and started raining, storm clouds were looming ahead at the causeway area. Then to our surprise, as we drove further upwards, it started to clear and we could see the sun!! Woohoo!!
We were travelling on the road where I know there was a roadside restaurant selling "Jungle Bak Kut Teh" basically it means "jungle Pork Bone Soup". We had been passed this place many times and we always say we want to stop by one of these days to try it out but we always never do. So finally, both of us decide to go try it.
As we just came from breakfast, we only ordered the Bak kut Teh and fried dough sticks. The style of the soup was herbal, none of that cheap pepper soup crap you get in Singapore. I have not had herbal Bak Kut Teh for quite some time now so was looking forward to tasting it.
It was Good! no wonder they have such a crowd in the middle of no where inside a palm oil plantation. There is a drawback however, it's pricy! we paid RM$27.00 for one claypot bowl of Bak Kut Teh, two Chinese tea ice, two bowls of rice and fried dough sticks.
After filling up our stomachs for the second time, we now head for the area where the fish is. The weather up to this point was fantastic, as it rain the night prior, the air had a clean, cool feel.
We followed the road around the forest reserve and stopped by any pool or drain we think holds fish. The water was very clear in the drains, that means its flowing out from the forest streams. Clear running water also indicates that only certain species of fish will be available. Definitely won't find any blackwater species here.
First dips with the net revealed that Rasbora Einthovenii was abundant here. They seem to be available in all states of Malaysia. The size of the Einthovenii here were quite huge, their colouration was also more vibrant, maybe due to the minerals present here. I notice some type of Barbs in the water too and tried to scoop some up. I don't know if they are Puntius Everetti of Dunckeri? I kept some of them to give to my neighbourhood aquarium shop. There were many Betta Pugnax as well, they had great big yellow eyes and was quite large in size as well. I caught a weird looking loach as well.
The water in the streams was cool and clear and felt good, if it was deeper, I'd take a swim in it!
We went on to collect more fish and explore more on the terrain. We came across a wider stream but the water was murky due to rain the previous night, lots of foliage around and we looked around trying to find fish or plants. I was plucking some sort of grass like plant and was looking around and then I discovered some tiny Cryptocoryne growing on the stream bed. They were really small, looked like very young plants and I have no idea which species they are. So, I plucked some to bring home to grow.
It was in the late afternoon by now, so we decided to call it a day. We headed for the seafood dinner joint as usual. Halfway, we passed Ulu tiram town and a roadside bazaar for the Ramadan month, lots of food there!! Pig out time again!! Hahaha!!!!
By the time we reach the seafood area, it was already packed with people and we had to wait beside tables that were finishing to fend off other hungry customers! We ordered fish, crab, vege...
After dinner, we went for massage as the causeway was jammed. The foot massage lady talked a lot and I was dozing off...zzzzz.
We went to fill up on gas, then car wash and headed home. Happy day.
