THE HOUSEBOAT

HOUSEBOAT

"Okay guys, pretend that the houseboat is yours now. Think of what you will do with one houseboat, in the middle of the lake. with your darling friends and family. Away from the city problem. the traffic jammed, the 'lion' boss, the problems or anything! arghh. Even I wanna come again and relax there."

  Boat house is one of accommodation provided for those who plan to stay a few days in the Lake of Temenggor. There are 11 boat houses available for a reasonable price offers to all visitors. Each boathouse is different in size and amenities.You can choose any boat that fits your budget, family size, and activities that you wanna do. 

"Our Houseboat Owner"

            Permata Belum boat house owned by Mr. Zulkarnain Bin Abd Manas who has 10 years of experience in the business boat house on Lake Temenggor. This invaluable experience has been supplying a wide range of skills and knowledge to Mr Zul about the business environment and market conditions of boat house on Lake Temenggor. 

Mr. Zul, who was a fisherman before, got the inspiration to start a boat house business through the encouraging development showed by the business of boat house in Lake Kenyir. He started his business with a small boat rented from his friends who have started this business first. Through sales generated from small boat business allows him to make a deposit to make sure he has enough capital to buy his own boat.

            His undivided efforts rewarded when he was able to buy four small boats where three boats used for fishing and 1 boat for sightseeing and leisure activities. Then he began to see the potential to launch a boat house business and successful to have his own boat house on early 2015. 

By using RM100K of capital to develop the boat house, along with 4 small boats he has, he knows that he can generate an attractive business with this boat house. With the help of his friendly employees, who are also brothers and his own relatives, Mr.Zul believes that this boat house business can help in developing tourism in the Lake Temenggor.

The Facilities

           

Permata Belum boat house can accommodate 25 people at one time. It has 4 bedrooms which are equipped with basic facilities such as beds, mattresses, pillows, sheets, pillowcases, blankets and a fan. You can ask for extra blankets and mats which are available to them. 

There are facilities for hanging clothes provided in all guest rooms to allow guests to organize their clothes neat and orderly. There are windows in every room to allow airflow in and out for added comfortable to guests. 

            

Apart from that, there are two bathrooms that were clean and neat, which is also equipped with basic amenities. Adequate space of bathroom is provided to enable guests to bath comfortably.

Just take a note that it is a 'comfortable' bathroom and not a bathroom of a 'five star hotel'. So act like ones guys. Ain't took a bath for too long. Others want to use it too. okay?

            Very satisfying cooking facilities are provided in the kitchen area of ​​the house boat to ensure that guests feel like cooking in their own home. The large kitchen area that can accommodate many people at one time, allowing the cooking process is carried out in a short time. 

Basically you are running away from your busy life but you can never deny you duty to cook. yeah you girl. and the guys also. Ain't pretend like. "eh i forgot la", "eh i don't know how to cook la". You the liar you. Cook or starving? choose either one. hahah

Here i suggest that please bring a partner that know how to cook. If not you will come back to the city with 5kg lost since you just drink a water there. okay nonsense. hahah.

Basic equipment like gas tank, stoves, spatulas, pots and many other cooking utensils are provided to guests. Sink are also provided for to allow cleaning process is performed before, during and after cooking. There is a shelf next to the sink filled with supplies for dining such as plates, glasses, cups, and bowls and etc. 

However, brings your own raw materials guys. There is no place to shop there. It is either you prepare it well or you are going to starve there. My part is done since I've reminded you guys okay. Fuhh! *wipe cold sweat

            Permata Belum boat house also has a living room or it can be called a rest and leisure area. Various indoor activities can be done in this area because it has a large space. 

Activities such as groups discussion, fishing and BBQ, can be done in the rest area. Here also will be the place for you to dine while enjoying the beauty scenery of the lake. There is a TV in this area that can be used by guests at any time.

Water and Electric Supply

 Water and electricity the boat house were generated and distributed in a very systematic way. Water supply is obtained from the lake where it is processed before being released into house boats for guests to use. The water then goes through the screening process again for the water to be used for drinking and cooking.

But here I suggest you to bring your own drinking water. You know. As a precaution steps. You don't want to have a food borne illness later on right? So take a good care on your stomach by bringing those drinking water that I tell you before okay. *brosfist

            Electricity is obtained through the generators provided by the owner of the boat house. These generators provide enough electricity for be use by all guests during their stay. Electronic appliances such as irons, camera and the phone can be charged without any hindrance.

Safety 

Boats owners have prepared and adopt the best precaution to avoid any mishap occur. Life jackets are available in sufficient numbers to be used in each activity that water take place. Whether to board small boats to the area of activity, or bathing in the lake and also to bath in the waterfalls, all guests must wear life jackets.

            Permata Belum boat house is surrounded by a fence for safety added features of the boat house. However, for guests who want to bring their children, they are advised to always keep an eye on their children to avoid any unwanted outcomes.

 "Prevention is better than cure" Remember that you always have to put your safety at the first place. since you are in the lake guys. with no land. So careful okay. *winks

The Houseboat Operation

The houseboat that has been rented will then moved to a specific destination. Then the houseboat will be parked farther than the other boats. This is to prevent the occurrence of accident , especially during night since there is no lighting.

Next, the area need to have a sturdy wooden stump to tie the rope to avoid the houseboat from moving too much when there is wave formed. In addition, the edge of the cliff is also a selection of boat driver to put the houseboat.

 In order to go to places that have been set for activities, we'll be brought by two speedboats and a large boat. The speed boat can accommodate up to nine people and a large boat can accommodate up to thirteen people for one time.

THE ULTIMATE RAINFOREST.

SUNGAI KOOI WATERFALL

From Pulau Banding, we will enter Royal Belum state park by boat and reach a deeper part of the rainforest by trekking. It takes about 20 minutes from our boathouse by boat. The most unique is the Sungai Kooi waterfall with a height of 50 metres. We will follow the Sungai Kooi trail and pass nearby the stunning Kooi waterfall. We will have to climb a bit but it is not a heavy trail. 

During the trekking, there are an extraordinary view of the tropical forest where we can see various species of flora and fauna.The gushing water does not cascade but showers down. Hence, it is also known as the “shower waterfall”. When arrived at the upper part of the small elevation we will look for specimen of blooming Rafflesia flowers.

RAFFLESIA

The best product founded in this rainforest is the Rafflesia, the largest flower on Earth. This flower is found in tropical rainforests throughout Southeast Asia, the Rafflesia is an iconic symbol for Royal Belum. Then, a “normal” Rafflesia flower has five petals but recently, a flower with ten petals measuring 40cm in diameter was discovered at Sungai Gadong. There are several species of Rafflesia in this rainforest like Azlani, Kerrii and Cantley.

The Rafflesia can be found at altitudes of between 500 and 700 meters in the forests of Malaysia, Southern Thailand, Sumatra and Java in Indonesia. In these tropical rainforests, the climate is continuously warm and humid with very high humidity. It is especially difficult to see in bloom, the buds take up to 10 months to develop and the blossom lasts for just a few days. 

Rafflesia have small, brownish, scale like leaves and fleshy and various sizes. The distance from the boathouse, it takes about 20 minutes from the boathouse to Sungai Kooi rainforest by boat. Along the distance to the habitat of Rafflesia we passed by the Sungai Kooi waterfall. In order to reach at the Rafflesia Habitat’s it takes about 15 minutes hiking distance and we also can see a lot of herb’s plant that use for traditional purposes.

There are many benefits that we can get from the Rafflesia. It shows by the Rafflesia blooms that have not been collected by indigenous people to use in traditional medicine. The flower buds can be dried or cut into small pieces before it is dried. They use Rafflesia cooking water drunk by pregnant women and postpartum to clean and constrict uterus. It also use to shrink the stomach and for the youth. 

For example the Rafflesia hasseltii which buds extracts show to be effective on wound healing process. Wound can be treated with placebo contain in buds extract increased rate of wound closure and contraction.

Rafflesia is a strange plant. In fact, when it has flowers it produces extremely foul smell and plants are also quite heavy. Rafflesia has no leaves to process carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce sugar and oxygen. It also a parasite in which it is no necessary to produce it own nutrients. It is only necessary to absorb nutrients from their host where the host is also other plants.  It has no roots to absorb water and minerals from the soil to be processed as a protein. The tissues look like tiny tubes entering ling host plants.

ANIMAL’S MINERAL (SALT LICK)

A mineral lick also known as a salt lick is a place where animals can go to lick essential mineral nutrients from a deposit of salts and other minerals. Mineral licks can be naturally occurring or artificial such as blocks of salt that farmers place in pastures for livestock to lick.

Natural licks are common, and they provide the bio metals which is sodium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and trace elements) required in the springtime for bone, muscle and other growth in deer and other wildlife, such as moose, elephants, tapirs, cattle, woodchucks, domestic sheep, fox squirrels, mountain goats and porcupines. 

Such licks are especially important in ecosystems with poor general availability of nutrients. Harsh weather exposes salty mineral deposits that draw animals from miles away for a taste of needed nutrients. It is thought that certain fauna can detect calcium in salt licks.

After the Sungai Kooi trail, we are gets to motor boat and proceed to a salt lick area at Sungai Papan. It takes 25 minutes from the boathouse to arrive at salt lick. When we arrived there, we have to take suspension bridge in order to cross the lake. Then, it takes about 10 minutes from the suspension bridge to salt lick area by hiking. 

Along the hiking, we also can see various types of flora and fauna. For examples, species of insects also forest plants include “ketapang”, bamboo and “gaharu”. They provides an easy track for visitors to reach the salt lick area. There are 12 areas where wild animals would come by to obtain their salt nutrients. The famous licks are Sira Papan, Sira Damar Siput and Sira Rambau.

The types of soil of such area hold natural mineral deposits and play an important role in the diet of many animal species especially Asian elephants. It is not easy to spot wild animal since this species extinct. Salt licks are mineral springs or grounds that contain sodium and other essential nutrients such as zinc, magnesium and calcium. Animals come to obtain minerals for their bodies requires and to aid the digestion of food.

KELAH SANTUARY, SUNGAI RUOK

Kelah sanctuary is SUPERB guys. SUPERB! should I say three in one activities here? a little bit of hiking, the amazing waterfall and fish! yes fish guys. Tons of fish in the water, cause the water I'll test. hahah (thinking of you playin'). 

So basically it takes up to 10 minutes from the boathouse to arrive at Sungai Ruok. But, crucial guys, wear a safety jacket okay. And yet, 'remember' you are seriously not allowed to fishing here. Just spent your time to appreciate the nature. Can you? yeah great.

Oh yaa. for your notes, Sungai Ruok is having numerous species of Mahseer fish. This fish got many benefit guys. If I said that I'm having a foot spa fish there, would you believe me? hahah. Believe me guys. Put your trust on me. IT IS TRUE! For example, we can soak the feet as a spa fish. This will make us feel the real experience about the natural. Besides, many activities can be held such as recreation, bathing, feed the fish and take picture as a memorable moments.

Mahseer inhabit both rivers and lakes, ascending to rapid streams with rocky bottoms for breeding. It fetch high market price and are potential candidate species for aquaculture. Several of the larger species have suffered severe declines and now considered threatened due to pollution, habitat loss and overfishing.

THE ' ORANG ASLI'

THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

At first, when i'm arrived at the village of indigenous people, honestly speaking, I AM AMAZED! You know, a new environment. a new 'people'? Should I say that guys (hm Im rude. so rude!). but nevermind, a new experience though. You guys should come too. Basically you will feel oversea. hahah jokes okay. Aint be so serious lah. *kangcepattua

Okay so here we go. A brief information about the village of indigenous people in Royal Belum, Perak. FYI, is not as bad as I've described guys. It's seriously okay. and I'm also salute the tok batin and villagers there. Since they make everything themselves. Even build a house (kau mampu?) hahah

Hm continue reading okay. I'm gonna go and get my popcorn jap. Hope it is not boring. New info guys. Positive positive!

There are two major groups in Belum; the Senoi and the Negrito. The Jahai is the main sub-ethnic group among the Negrito. There are 18 indigenous tribes living in Peninsular Malaysia forest and about 5600 of them comprising the Temiar, the Jahai and the Kinchu tribes lived around Temenggor and Belum Rainforest. 

They stay at rural area especially in Perak north east and Kelantan west. Most of they, choose to stay near riverfront or along the river (Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli, 2004). The locations of their village are Banun Sungai Tiang and Lake of Empangan Temenggor at Perak and Kelantan.

The structure of their house is look like banana bunch, it build from bamboo and make from “bertam” leaves and “tepus”. The house is very simple due to they will migrate when there is death and disaster and also to find a food supply at new area. Nowadays they have their own place and government will gives fund and helps to these ethnic. 

There are 3 villages of indigenous people at Hutan Royal Belum which is Kampung Aman Damai, Kampung Seri Wangi and Kampung Sungai Tiang. We take about 15 minutes from our boathouse to go there by 3 boat which by divided by group.Besides that, there is another ethic that stayed at this area which is Temiar.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

The economic activity by Jahai is collect forest product, catch fish and plug planting. The forest product will be collected once in a week. It is herbs plant such as tongkat ali, kacip fatimah, rafflesia, bamboo, eagle wood and rattan. 

Rafflesia is one of the wildlife plants that are rarely found in any forest. It has three types of rafflesia in this forest such as Kerrii, Cantleyi, and Azlanii. From the information by indigenous people, they inform that this kind of plant will give a benefit to the giving birth woman which is it will shrink the uterus rapidly when a woman drink the water from the boiling of the rafflesia petals.

 This is the knowledge that not many people realize but it is hard to find rafflesia because this plant is gazette under rainforest. Tongkat ali and kacip Fatimah also have their own benefit which is will include the treatment for diarrhea, boils, ulcer, tuberculosis, jaundice and dysentery. But Tongkat ali is widely known for its ability to enhance sexual activity in men.

Other than that, a man from Jahai ethnic will caught fish every day starting from 6am. They will use trawl to catch a fish. This activity was at around Pulau Banding. The species fish baung, toman and also kelah. Some of the fish that they caught, they will sell to the wholesaler and wholesaler will sell to retailer.

Normally this transaction will be held at grocery store nearest to Pulau Banding. The Kelah fish is become one of the places to visit during the tour which is it will be found at Sungai Rouk. It will take around 10-15 minutes from their village. A scientific name of Kelah fish is Malaysian Mahseer. At the Sungai Rouk, tourist can swim together with the kelah fish and they also can feed the fish if they bring along the bread of fish food.

Other than fishing, the indigenous people will hunt an animal by using “sumpit” whereby make by themselves using the long bamboo. An animal that they will hunt is squirrel and birds. Sometimes this ‘sumpit’ also will become their weapon when they are threatened. It is because they do not have any modern weapon such as gun or pistol with them.

FOOD OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

The main food is tapioca, but because of illegal activities such as cut down tree at Belum Forest, so many of wild animal such as elephant, wild boar and ape run to their village and will damage their plant. Now, indigenous people at this area changed their appetite to eat the rice and they can buy from Gerik market or brought by agent to their village.

THE CHALET

THE CHALET

Boat ride from Banding Public Jetty and stop for entrance check at post x-ray to Sungai Tiang Chalet and Campsite will take 30 to 40 minutes. The view always stunning especially during sunset and sunrise. Cool and breezy wind blow while swaying in the hammock by the lake.

The Royal Belum Chalet are divided into four camp which is “Kem Sungai Tiang”, “Kem Sungai Kenarung”, “Kem Sungai Kejar” and “Kem Sungai Papan”, that have its own uniqueness in each of their design in chalet. You better come and check it out if you're not interested in staying at the houseboat.

So, I've already check it out on  “Kem Sungai Tiang”. The only thing that i can say to describe this chalet is it is unique. Fyi, “Kem Sungai Tiang” chalet has started the construction on 2003 and finish on 2004, so it is a newly constructed chalet there. I mean as compared to other laa. hahah

Based on the interview with the chalet’s keeper which is Mr. Mohd Shakir, he said that the chalet’s width of “Kem Sungai Tiang” is about 30 acres. Other than that, he also told that the Royal Belum chalet is managed by “Perbadanan Taman Negeri Perak” itself since Royal Belum is under the state management.

Facilities

 Every chalet has their own facilities and attraction that is provided with the special rate. 

Kem Sungai Tiang.

Sungai Tiang campsite is complete with kitchen, dining hall overlooking the lake, surau, toilet and BBQ griller. They also have office, and counter reception for visitor check in and check out or to get any information about the activity or lake. 

The facilities that Kem Sungai Tiang have are:

FACILITIES	NUMBER OF UNIT
Toilet	1 unit
Kitchen	1 unit
Bbq griller	2 unit
VIP chalet	5 unit
A-shape chalet	2 unit
Dining hall	1 unit
Surau	1 unit
Campsite	6 unit
Benefaction	4 unit
Sentry post, office	1 unit

For VIP chalet, they put a name for each chalet. They use the type of fish, animal and birds. For example, Chalet Enggang, Chalet Kijang, Chalet Jelawat, Chalet Kelah and Chalet Toman. While, for benefaction they put name based on flower’s name such as Cempaka, Mawar, Angsana and Bidara. 

As for the kitchen, they only provide equipment only. So you guys need to bring your own wet stuff to cook there. Take note okay!

Kem Sungai Papan 

Sungai Papan campsite will take about 20 to 30 minutes from Pulau banding Public Jetty ride by boat. This place is also part of the tourist attraction because they have two place of salt lick that is north and south. Lots of tourist came to this campsite and having an overnight there. 

However, on this moment, I mean after the flood that occur last year, this chalet and campsite are closed to tourist. 

The facilities that Kem Sungai Papan have are:

FACILITIES	NUMBER OF UNIT
Benefaction	1 unit
Toilet	1 unit
Bathroom	1 unit
Suspension bridge	2unit
Sentry post, office	1 unit

Kem Sungai Kenarong

Sungai Kenarong campsite will take about 30 minutes from Pulau banding Public Jetty ride by boat. Sungai Kenarong campsite are open on Januari 2012. The construction cost was around Rm200,000. 

However, me and my mates are not visiting this chalet since there is no enough time for us to visits all the chalet. So, we obtained this information from our tour guide. 

The facilities that Kem Sungai Kenarong have are:

FACILITIES	NUMBER OF UNIT
Chalet	2 unit
Cottage	4 unit
Dorm	2 unit
Benefaction	1 unit
Dining hall	1 unit
Kitchen	1 unit
BBQ griller	1 unit
Generator star	1 unit
Bathroom	8 unit
Toilet	7 unit

Kem Sungai Kejar

Sungai Kejar campsite will take about 30 to 40 minutes from Pulau Banding ride with boat. We also not visited this campsite. So we just ask our tour guide that is the crew of Permata Belum Houseboat. 

The facilities that Kem Sungai Kejar have are:

FACILITIES	NUMBER OF UNITS
Surau	1 unit
Benefaction	1 unit
Bathroom and toilet	15 unit
Kitchen	2 unit
Dining hall	2 unit
BBQ griller	1 unit
Campsite	20 unit
Sentry post, office	1 unit