Bako national park

We have made early plans for Bako National Park, without having an inkling what Bako is all about except that it is one of the have -to- visit places in Sarawak.

Making plans with doctors is not easy. Its a race against time. You must have an  open mind because there can be a new case as they are walking out,  last minute clerking or discharging of patients that can change their 5 minutes into 1 hour. So just switch on the radio or read something while waiting. And since 3 doctors are going to Bako with us, we have to be ready to be aware of the time.

On that particular day, it was sunny but there  was  one big black cloud  looming above us.  If it rains, the boats would  not take us and that worries Aishah . As usual with her, she excellerated,  to the jetty,  racing against clouds.

As soon as we got there, I saw a sign that says BEWARE OF CROCODILES. You mean, the crocs have the guts to come close or crawl up to the jetty? With all these people and houses? Wow!  I am happy I have done my 2 rakaat salat ( I heard about the crocs) .

The boat was more a big sampan with engine. It does not have a roof.  In case it rains,   we brought our umbrellas.  The small 3 passenger only at one time boat took us from the river into the sea! And since the sea was very choppy in this rainy season,  it was one hell of a ride.  We could see Aishah bouncing up and down as the boats were going against the strong tide and she could see us bouncing up and down. The engine and sound of tide drown  my reading of the Ayat Kursi.

My mind was going, 'where in the world is this Bako place anyway?'  I mean, we actually have to cross the sea!!!!

After half an hour, the boat man  started to navigate to the shores.  We saw many bakau trees, big boulders and plenty of vegetation ahead with  a not- so- big Bako National Park sign.  If I had imagine, the park is something like a safari, boy, was I wrong.  There is nothings catered for  visitors,  Everything is left as it is. With some few wooden houses.   A remote island ( is it an island? If it is, why doesnt it say Bako island?) or a remote place with wooden bridges and walk ways  raised from waters  that rise  in the evenings. It is also a place where we have to track away, tracking through  paths  to their information office, the forest  and the beach.

So track  we did, to see the big nosed monkeys and venus fly trap plants.  At first, we were all gamed, so we walked in the bushes and trenches and squeezed  in between trees and stones to get to this spot and there we saw  many monkeys with big noses.  Shaz couldnt see the nose,  since the monkeys purposely showed us their tails instead. But I noticed they were decending lower and lower so I asked everyone to flee quickly.

To see the venus fly trap,  we have to track into another direction and this time the track paths were more challenging as we have to ascend to that spot.  It looked difficult and just us 6 ladies exploring the jungle  to see a plant, we decided not to. I admit I was  a coward in there , since I have never been in  a forest.  I always shirk  away from forest, jungles or even tok chek's  woody backyard in the kampung.  Maybe being born in the big city, I am not in the element with  forests  and jungles but nevertheless, Bako was back to nature, and nature is always good for the soul.

As we drove back  from the jetty, the raindrops started,  then it  rained cats and dogs, while we think of our next adventure.