Day 1: With Pandragon Marine Cruise & Bewah Cave
Day 2: Lasir Waterfall
(20/07/2015) Our last day in Lake Kenyir was spent in Kelah Sanctuary in Sungai Petang, a research and conversation center for Kelah fish (Malaysian Mahseer). Kelah need clean streams that are highly oxygenated to survive and due to this, they are consider as an endangered species. You probably don't know, but Kelah fish, the king of freshwater fish is the most expensive freshwater fish in Malaysia. A kilogram of the fish can cost up to thousands of ringgit.
The sanctuary is open to public from 8 in the morning to probably around noon only. Entry to the sanctuary are actually limited to 40 per day with granted access from the sanctuary headquarter. Playing and feeding the fish are the main activities beside swimming. Fishing, of course, is strictly prohibited. No fish could be taken out dead or alive. The penalty is RM 10,000 fine per fish or banned from entering again.
Entering the well guarded area
Before going any further, we were given briefing on the Do and Don't when in the sanctuary
From here, park rangers will escort visitors to the lubok
It is about another 20 minutes boat ride from the HQ
Sun shines bouncing off its clear water and highlighting the spellbinding scenery
of the surrounding hill
Everything in this picture scream tranquility
Seeing natural at its best with magnificent sparkling rivers and
rapids along the tracks to Kelah Sanctuary
The sight of thousands of Kelah greeted us the moment we arrived at the lubok
I never imagine that it would be that exciting and thrilling to visit the sanctuary. When I first found out that we were going to a sanctuary from the travel itinerary, I imagine it would just be a setup area with tanks of fishes breed for research and conservation. With a handful of fish pallets in the water, the water immediately turns into a feeding frenzy of hundreds to thousands of Kelah. The water literally bubbled with the Kelah's mouth bobbing up and down, swallowing gulps of fish pallets.
My first attempt at catching a Mahseer with my bare hands
The fish are so used to human contact that visitors can lift the fish up for a quick picture but not too long before the overprotective park rangers head for warning. There are quite a few species of fish there (which I clearly can't recall already. I did ask the park rangers) but the most expensive Kelah would be the ones with red scales. My park ranger said it is expensive due to their color and fish enthusiasts love to have them in aquarium where they will shine beautifully.
It's simply amazing
Dipping my feet into the Kelah Sanctuary's cold, glassy water with thousands of Kelah nibbling at my feet would be the best au naturel massage I ever had thou it can be ticklish at first. Some determined Kelah even pushed themselves out from the water trying to get the pallets that dropped on the river banks. Without experience it myself, I would never imagine such place exist, what more in the heart of Tasik Kenyir.
Adios !!
We bid farewell with the friendly fish around noon before heading back to the main boat for last round of swimming. We started our journey back to Pangkalan Gawi after lunch. We were suppose to stop at Taman Herba and Orchid Farm on our return journey but we traded them for another swim at the Soak Waterfall. Soak Waterfall is a 20 minutes boat ride from Pangkalan Gawi and is common with tourists.
Soak Waterwall that afternoon
Undeniably a nice place for picnic with family and friends
That ends my trip to Tasik Kenyir. I would say, it was an experience worth going. My siblings who are on the trip keep asking why the hell would I go to such a deserted place with no internet access whatsoever. I guess it is the experience that bring me there. Now, if any of my friends ask me what interesting places to go in Terengganu, I can proudly answer Tasik Kenyir besides Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian.
All in all, it was a fascinating trip and I couldn't help but to feel a little melancholic at our departure. To all who had thought that Tasik Kenyir is merely a place that act as a dam only, you know nothing. As General Macarthur once said and I will say the same. "I shall return..." Perhaps in future, we can see more attractions in Tasik Kenyir. You know what, jet skiing or a tree top adventure would be just perfect for the 38000 hectares of water and lush jungle.
Thanks for reading
See you soon
p/s: I don't bring along a camera with me this trip hence the lack of photo. Besides, I tagged along and went with another group of family so it is just wise to protect their privacy
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