A FIELD TRIP TO HULU DUNGUN, DUNGUN, TERENGGANU
On October 16, 2010 I had conducted a field trip to Hulu Dungun, Dungun, Terengganu to visit the oldest and probably the largest Cengal tree (Neobalanocarpus heimii) in the world. Personally, this is the most anticipated moment in my entire life to see something that very big and ancient could ever existed. Subhanallah, all praise to Allah who created all of us and the universe.
A day earlier, we had a trip to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Jengka, Pahang for the same reason as we did to Terengganu. Actually, these three most exciting days were an academic visit to fulfill the requirements of CW102 (Forestry and Forest Product) course practical.
During the stay at UiTM Jengka, Pahang, my students had learned the correct method to measure a tree height, proper techniques of tree felling and a bit of tree identification. I do enjoyed to see my students in a good mood receiving knowledge from UiTM's lecturers especially those from Diploma In Wood Industry.
We packed our stuffs in the early morning for our next destination, Terengganu Darul Iman. The journey from UiTM Jengka to Hulu Dungun took over than 4 hours to complete. I really impressed by the natural intact forest on my left and right views during this trip. I think this is the most memorable sightseeing that I ever commited.
Eventually, we arrived at Pasir Raja Rest House nearly nightfall. This rest house has a capacity to cater about 100 - 200 persons at one time. It consists three main blocks, which is one block is for dining hall attached together with dormitories and another two are for twin sharing rooms. Mr. Kamal and I stayed in twin sharing room.
After took a heavy breakfast in the early morning, Mr. Kamal and I take a walk around the rest house area. This is what we found:
An abandoned still good-looking winched san tai wong.
A night stayed at Pasir Raja Rest House, Hulu Dungun, Terengganu.
Then, the real deals awaiting us ahead. We stopped at a small stall located besides the junction awaited for Kumpulan Pengurusan Kayu-Kayan Terengganu Sdn. Bhd. group of 4X4s. After a little bit delayed, the group has appeared along about 10 4X4 pick-up trucks.
(From left): Mr. Kamal, Mr. Amini, Me and Mr. Wan waiting for 4X4 group of Kumpulan Pengurusan Kayu-Kayan Terengganu Sdn. Bhd.
After taking about 15 minutes, we arrived at the end of paved road. This is the first checkpoint before entering the off-road track. Mr. Kamal and I had a snapshot before the first bumpy journey.
A snapshot before entering the off-road track.
Earlier, I thought this off-road journey would be so comfortable but everything gone mad actually. This 45 minutes off-road rough bumpy travelling makes me wanna vommit. I'm so lucky because of heavy breakfast. Anyway, the views of surrounding during this off-road trip drove me to understand the greatness of Allah, the creator of heaven and earth. Subhanallah.
The first part of the journey was via 4X4. It took about 45 minutes to reach Sg. Loh.
Some of our students gestured happy ride!
This shot was taken after that truck passed over the stringer bridge.
We did it!
A stringer bridge.
After the very rough ride, we has arrived at Sg. Loh's bank at last. I can only managed to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of Sg. Loh rather than speak about it. The smell of river, foliages and calm drove my entire conscious into fascinating day-dreams.
We were told by Mr. Hakimi that the next by-walk journey must cross the river first to get to the other side. I took my boot off in order to maintain it dry when we reached at the other side. But my judgement always goes wrong. In the beginning of crossing, the river's floor is quite sandy and very shallow. Later, a terrible disaster occurred.
When we reached at the middle of the river stream, there are a lot of small sharp stones lie beneath the river floor. As the crossing almost completed, we have to proceed no matter what. It was so painful and awful river crossing that I ever experienced. I almost fell quite a numbers before reached the other side of the river. Just some good advice, never took your boot off while crossing a stony river's floor.
Crossing Sg. Loh to get to the other side of the river.
We walked along the abandoned off-roader track for another 1 hour. This tracking really challenged my physical fitness because of the ascendant terrains. After a very tough tracking, we arrived at the point just a few meters from the Big Cengal tree. Here, we were briefed by Mr. Omar Mohamad and Mr. Hakimi regarding the background and history of this Cengal tree. We were being honored by short brief from the discoverer of this big tree, the one and only, Mr. Omar Mohamad.
Briefing session by Kumpulan Kayu-Kayan Terengganu Sdn. Bhd. personel before entering the jungle's track to the Chengal Besar.
After a short break, we advanced to the tree's lairs following the narrow passage by climbing steep ascendant terrain! After all, the most glorious moment just clearly visible in front of my barenaked eyes. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present you the oldest and largest Cengal tree in the world just in front of me at last!
The basal part of this tree is very colossal.
Take a look of her monumental height!
A 1300 year olds Cengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) tree.
Big buttresses formed to prop the weight of the whole tree.
Another potential gigantic-growth of Cengal tree has been sighted not far away from this mammoth tree.
The formation in the red circle appears-like a seat and is believed a lair of "unseen" creatures according to Mr. Omar Mohamad.
Me and Mr. Kamal in front of colossal living Chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) in Malaysia. This tree stand and aged majestically 1300 year olds. Subhanallah, I may say.
I've been surrounding by PSA's flowers.
From left: The honorable Mr. Omar Mohamad (he who first discovered the tree), Mr. Hakimi, Mr. Kamal and Me.
Before leaving, we had a chance to have a snapshot to commemorate our visit. This is to proof that we were the first ever Malaysian polytechnic that managed to reach this magnificent natural wonder created by Allah.
The first ever polytechnic group that has reached the tree. What a proud moment we get there. Long live TBK!!
A short break enough to reenergize my energy.
It was already afternoon when we arrived at 4X4 pick-up trucks parking area. Mr. Kamal and I took this oppurtunity to have short break dousing our exhausted bodies into cool and warm Sg. Loh streams while the students preparing their lunch. We returned back to the paved road where we came from nearly late evening. After a short farewell ceremony, we were heading to the nearest mosque to perform Solat 'Asar and refreshing as well. We travelled back home at 7.00 p.m. End of a very memorable trip.
A token for my viewers. Watch it live!
An astonishing work piece from DBK1A June 2010. What a great effort! Congratulations!
The author of this article is a lecturer from Wood-based Technology Program, Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.
Written on 22 June 2011 and re-published on 2 Nov 2011
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