Archive for September 2010
Tempurung Cave in Perak
You will be awed by five gigantic domes with ceilings resembling tempurung (coconut shells) forming the cave, and giving its name Gua Tempurung. The cave system stretches about 1.5km, and is believed to have sheltered prehistoric communities since 8000 BC.
Crawl, scrabble and even lower yourself into impossible looking crevices as you go deep down to uncover the secrets of the largest limestone cave in Peninsula Malaysia.
An underwater river called Sungai Gua Tempurung runs about 1.6 km through the cave which you can indulge in some spelunking activities. An absolute delightful excursion for the adventurous and those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty as they embark on the thrill of caving.
Penang National Park
It is the smallest national park in the country with a size of 2,562 hectares. It was gazetted in 2003 and is home to 46 species of birds such as the stork-billed kingfishers, white-breasted waterhens and great egrets.
A 2000 expedition led by the Malaysian Nature Society recorded 417 flora and 143 fauna species. Before the area was designated as a national park, the locals knew it as Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve. Some of the activities carried out are fishing, swimming and hiking.
The pure, sandy stretch of Pantai Kerachut is also a favourite nesting place of Green turtles from April to August, and the Olive Ridley from September to February. The turtle hatchery set up in Pantai Kerachut in 1995 is now managed by the State Fisheries Department along with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and the Forestry Department. They also manage the upkeep of the park, which is in pristine conditions.
