First thing we did when we arrived at the campsite was to take a dip in the cold refreshing crystal clear water and have our lunch (which we had “tapau” earlier on). I had “tapau” my favourite nasi lemak from my favourite stall in Wangsa Maju in the morning. After a hot day paddling under the Sun, the dip and lunch were simply refreshing and “fulfilling”.
Refreshing dip and "fulfilling" lunch.
Most of us had brought our hammocks except for Ray who brought his sleeping cot, and our bushmaster, Keong, who “made” his own sleeping cot, table, bench and whathaveyou. While relaxing in the water, I spotted two trees across the creek from each other and in a blink! it brought back the pictures I have seen at the Eagles Nest Outfitters website where campers strapped their hammocks across the water. Yeah, a perfect spot for my hammock.
A house with a natural pool and spa...
...a postcard-perfect view from my hammock.
Ray's quarter...a sleep cot and flysheet.
Kenny's quarter...he has a flysheet that can cover a family of ten.
Our bushmaster, living up to his title, chose the bushiest spot for his quarter.
Our firemaster, Richard, whose fire I "borrowed" to cook my bamboo rice.
Later, Ray and I decided to continue with our kayak fishing. I realised then hikers made good company as we did not have to worry about leaving our stuff behind. Usually, when we have all kayakers in the group, the campsite would be left empty when we go fishing…but thanks to the hikers, we didn’t have to worry this time. While fishing, we met Jim and his son who just paddled in in their canoe. We directed them to the campsite and continue fishing afterthat. After an hour or so, we decided to head back to the campsite as the fish were not biting.
Shortly after I started to my “bushcrafting” session, crafting a pot, a bowl, a mug, a ladle and a pair of chopsticks before preparing dinner. I cooked my rice in my bamboo pot on Richard’s open fire stove. Yeah, cooking on an open fire beats cooking on a gas stove anytime. Dinner was simple – rice, kimchi and sardine …washed down with a can of Guinness Stout.
Dinner under the Brunton light.
After dinner, we sat down together and chatted. Ray and I had planned to go night fishing but were too tired and decided we should fish early next morning instead. Jim had made some delicious bannock for supper…and we continue chatting and drinking for the rest of the night.
Top left: Ray, Keong, Stanley and Richard. Bottom left: Jim, Bryant (...I think), Kenny and yours truly.
It was beautiful moonlit night. The moon was almost full (a day after Chap Goh Meh) and I could see the water flowing underneath me. I was tempted to get up and remove the tarp above me (so that I could watch the beautiful sky and listen to the therapeutic sounds of flowing water) but laziness gets the better of me.
I got up at first light. Within minutes I was on my way paddling to Toman Bay. The Underwater Kinetics Vizion headlamp I was wearing lit up the whole place. I could see the bottom of the creek and even spotted a few fishes as I paddled through. As soon as I reached Toman Bay, I could feel the calm and quietness around me. I could see mist floating gently above the water. What a magnificent sight! Truth be told, this is what I came for. Fishing is just a bonus. And, I got my bonus…4 tomans in half an hour.
Ray joined me about 20 minutes later.
After my fourth catch I decided to go back to the campsite and have some breakfast. I brought back 2 larger tomans and release the other two. Our firemaster, Richard, had already got his fire started. He said he would smoke them….what a great idea, I thought. Never had a smoke toman before. As it turned out, it was smoking delicious. Everyone got a pinch-size to eat.
While the fish was smoking, I fired up my China-made multi-fuel stove to boil some water for my 3-in-1 coffee. I had wanted to use petrol for the stove and thought I could fill up the stove canister when I go to the gas station to fill up my truck. Wait a minute! my truck uses diesel. I can’t buy such as small quantity of petrol, can I? So, I end up using diesel for my multifuel stove. Avoid using diesel if you do not want a black pot. As for the stove, it works great. It can fire like a rocket booster – great for stir frying. Yes, I had my coffee in under 2 minutes but with a black pot.
Avoid diesel if you do not want a black pot.
By 11am we had already packed and ready to go home. I must say the trip has been very eventful…house with natural pool and spa, bamboo rice on an open fire, beautiful moonlit night, sounds of flowing water, calm and quiet morning in the lake, gentle mist over the water, and most of all, it was the great company that made this trip the perfect getaway.
Gerald K.
