Fishing Day @ Tasik Banding

Early in the morning we woke up and get ready for the important day. We arrive at the jetty around 8 in the morning. Our boatman was late by 30 mins as he was held back by the elephant on his way to Pulau Banding from Gerik. How lucky of him. We wish we too had had the same chance to see the wild elephant along the Lebuhraya Timur Barat but no luck. According to him the elephant was upset and throwing woods to the road. Luckily no car was damaged as the result of the elephant tantrum.

Scene like this is pretty common among the locals. But it definitely big thing for people like me. Yea, I do admit I am quite jakun..Hahahaa

According to local, Tasik Banding was a man made lake as the result of Temenggor dam constructions. Water from nearby river spill over the lower part of the jungle thus the lake was made. The dam was build in 1970 and completed in 1974, according to wikipedia. This lake is located at Lebuhraya Timur-Barat, between Gerik, Perak to Jeli, Kelantan.

The lake is well known with fresh water fishing for Kelah, Temoleh, Baung, Kelabau, Loma, Sebarau, Haruan among others.  According to our boatmen, the best season to fish is December.

 See my other half is a happy man when it come to fishing. His second hobby is shopping for his toy. On this trip he mis-step his own fishing rod. He was extremely upset and I asked if he did that on purpose so he can have a reason to buy a new rod? He said I was insensitive towards his feeling.... Well, you can't blame me because just recently he hinted he needed a new rod but I stopped him from buying as he already has 4 fishing rod at home.

We couldn't get the live bait so he has to do casting. Casting means using fake bait and throwing the bait repeatedly. After few try I gave up as my throwing skills sucks and having trouble with the rod.

The boatmen took us to the side of the lake - fish favourite hiding place.

While in the middle of the Reserved Belum Royal Forest, we heard a few gun shoots. At first we were worried as there has been constant highlights on newspaper of recent gun incidents Later we were relief when we saw a group of army were jungle trekking between the jungle and the lake as part of their practise. We later learnt that those shots were from them as part of their training. 

Peaceful lake reminds me of malay proverb - Air yang tenang jangan di sangka tiada buaya. 

An old tree blocking the part of the route

At the close up, see an old bee nest @ old tree.

My other half nearly caught a Haruan but that fish bite off the bait within few second. We conclude that the escaped fish must be at least 3 to 4kgs because the rod that we used actually mean for smaller fish. 

By the end of the day we caught two small fish less than 1kg, it was just too small for my other half appetite we release the fish back to the lake.

Overall, we had lots of fun and will definitely be back again.

Belum Rainforest Resort

The very first time I come across this name was at Groupon. That time they are having some 3D2N promo with the hotel. After some google-ingI realized this place is a very much fishing paradise. I made the reservation and told my other half we are going for a fishing trip.

Given the location at Gerik and the price of RM300++ per night we have high expectation for this place as this is the most expensive hotel in that location. However the service offer here is equivalent to 1-2 star hotel.
There is no TV in the hotel room. Internet connection is slow even if you bring you own Internet dongle mainly because the coverage is powered by GPRS. They do provide free internet surfing at the hotel lobby. That doesn't mean this is not a great place. If you like nature and enjoy fishing then come here.

The hotel  located of the island by the name of Pulau Banding.
No you don't need to take any boat ride to the resort. Pulau Banding is connected to the mainland with 2 bridges built during the construction of Lebuhraya Timur Barat.

The new block of rooms which I believe could be Executive Deluxe

The white roof is newly build glass villa facing the lake directly. 

The walkway towards the hotel private jetty

Hotel private jetty. The shot taken from the Houseboat.

Still under maintenance swimming pool, according to the staff it will commerce in August. 

Gathering area with beautiful view of the lake.

Unlike KL, Pulau Banding is particularly cloudy and windy. Perhaps is due to its reserved forest.

Some locals caught this fish and we borrowed  for cam whoring.

Things to do here

Fishing @ the lake for Haruan, Kelah just to name a few. The hotel provide you fishing facilities but you need to inform them one day in advance as they need get the bait from Gerik which is about 30 mins away. Preferably, you call the hotel in advance if you would like to take their fishing package. Alternately you could rent a boat from Pulau Banding jetty. It normally starts at 8am finish around 3 to 4pm.

Price: RM150 per pax (Hotel) or RM450 per boat (4 pax)

Guided tour to rafflesia and around the lake @ every 5pm at hotel jetty RM50 per pax. The tour lasted for about an hour. We didn't go for this because we come for fishing.

Belum Reserved Forest - one need permit to enter this jungle whereby one need to apply 7 days in advance. If you keen on this contact the hotel weeks before your stay to ensure all approval is done prior to your arrival.  

Staying here means eating in otherwise you could drive to Gerik for more options.  

Belum Rainforest Resort, Pulau Banding, Perak
http://belumresort.com/

Durian @ Kuala Kangsar - Lenggong

Durian ..Durian..Durian..
I seems to hear the King of Fruit is calling me whenever we passing the fruit stalls..
No!! No!!! I must hold..I must contain my needs for durian..
But ...we failed kow kow and finally made a pit stop..

my other half is in charge of selecting the fruits

Pak Awang opening our first fruit

You see the content -  in yellow color..deep in taste of bitter & sweet. 

For a durian kampung breed, this is really yummy!!!

Pak Awang's stall located between Lenggong to Kuala Kangsar route. They provide chill air sungai for you to wash up in you intend to eat on the spot.

Located between Lenggong to Kuala Kangsar route
If you wanted the GPS location please pm me.