| There is a 'Tree-House' resort in Damai Beach |
A 'Tree-House' resort? Hmmm..... I need to check that out for myself.
A 35km drive out of Kuching and I arrive at the Permai Rainforest Resort. Wow.
Look at this place. Secluded, with boardwalks and small paved paths that
snake all the way into the interior. Where am I going and what am I going to see
here? I feel like I am in 'Adventure Land'.
A 35km drive out of Kuching and I arrive at the Permai Rainforest Resort. Wow.
Look at this place. Secluded, with boardwalks and small paved paths that
snake all the way into the interior. Where am I going and what am I going to see
here? I feel like I am in 'Adventure Land'.
Miss Yap, Gary and Boniface, the Operations Manager at the Permai Rainforest
Resort, come running up to see us. "We have been waiting for you" they say. (It
is almost 2pm and I had planned to meet "Lets have lunch" I say, and off we go,
leaving the bags at the reception. We walk along the path leading to the
Rainforest Café. The foliage is thick and hangs over the path, but at the same
time it feels cool, as it helps keep the sun off our backs.
Resort, come running up to see us. "We have been waiting for you" they say. (It
is almost 2pm and I had planned to meet "Lets have lunch" I say, and off we go,
leaving the bags at the reception. We walk along the path leading to the
Rainforest Café. The foliage is thick and hangs over the path, but at the same
time it feels cool, as it helps keep the sun off our backs.
A short distance up hill is the open-air Rainforest Café. What a welcome sight
for us all. Wow. Look at the view. I can see the South China Sea from here and
the breeze feels great. It would be awesome to spend some evenings here,
especially at the lounging deck, watching the sun set. We are served a cool fruit
punch. Hmmm... delicious! I try to slow down when drinking the fruit punch but I
just can't stop. It is gone within minutes. "Would you like to have another one?"
Yes, please. (And, would you believe I had another one after that!....all 3 straight
in a row. I must have been thirsty).
for us all. Wow. Look at the view. I can see the South China Sea from here and
the breeze feels great. It would be awesome to spend some evenings here,
especially at the lounging deck, watching the sun set. We are served a cool fruit
punch. Hmmm... delicious! I try to slow down when drinking the fruit punch but I
just can't stop. It is gone within minutes. "Would you like to have another one?"
Yes, please. (And, would you believe I had another one after that!....all 3 straight
in a row. I must have been thirsty).
Boardwalks and paths make their way throughout the Resort
The Rainforest Café overlooking the beach
The lounging deck at the restaurant
After lunch we head out to find my room. It is past the café up a ways on another
path. As we are walking along, I hear all kinds of sounds coming from the
jungle within. I try to identify them but I guess I will have to ask Ahmad, my guide.
I also hear the sound of waves crashing nearby.
Oh my gosh! Is this my room...suite...tree-house?
path. As we are walking along, I hear all kinds of sounds coming from the
jungle within. I try to identify them but I guess I will have to ask Ahmad, my guide.
I also hear the sound of waves crashing nearby.
Oh my gosh! Is this my room...suite...tree-house?
excited. I have never spent a night in a tree-house before. Your bags will be
along shortly she adds. The porter will carry them up to your room. You won't
have to do a thing.
I have a big grin on my face as I walk up the stairs. The tree-house is about 20
feet above ground in the forest canopy and the stairs are a little steep. In my
excitement to get in, I can't find the right key and I fiddle with them until finally it
unlocks...all this time hoping I don't drop them.
Wow! I love this room! The bed is right in the middle with windows all around. I
rush to look out of all three sides of the room. I can see everything from here. I
am up in the treetops! I head to the sliding doors and push them open. Another
wow! The ocean is right below me! I pause for a couple of minutes to take all
this in.
Ahhh...yesss....It is wonderful to be alive.
along shortly she adds. The porter will carry them up to your room. You won't
have to do a thing.
I have a big grin on my face as I walk up the stairs. The tree-house is about 20
feet above ground in the forest canopy and the stairs are a little steep. In my
excitement to get in, I can't find the right key and I fiddle with them until finally it
unlocks...all this time hoping I don't drop them.
Wow! I love this room! The bed is right in the middle with windows all around. I
rush to look out of all three sides of the room. I can see everything from here. I
am up in the treetops! I head to the sliding doors and push them open. Another
wow! The ocean is right below me! I pause for a couple of minutes to take all
this in.
Ahhh...yesss....It is wonderful to be alive.
As I lay on the bed to relax for a minute, I remember I have to meet up with the
gang at the obstacle course. I quickly gather up my stuff and rush over to the
obstacle course which is up another path. Everyone is here, including Lenny the
instructor. Lenny does a quick lesson on how to use the safety equipment and
makes sure everyone understands that safety comes first. I strap on all this gear
including a hard hat. "Would you like to climb up the tree first?" asks Lenny.
"Ahhgghh....no, not me. Id rather watch how it is done first".
gang at the obstacle course. I quickly gather up my stuff and rush over to the
obstacle course which is up another path. Everyone is here, including Lenny the
instructor. Lenny does a quick lesson on how to use the safety equipment and
makes sure everyone understands that safety comes first. I strap on all this gear
including a hard hat. "Would you like to climb up the tree first?" asks Lenny.
"Ahhgghh....no, not me. Id rather watch how it is done first".
"You are up next" says Lenny. Did I really volunteer for this? I take a deep breath
and walk up to the rope ladder pretending to be brave. I hook onto the clip and
start to climb up the tree to the platform. This is not too bad.....just as long as I
don't look down.
Okay, I made it to the platform. I know....I hear you chuckle....she only got to the
platform...hee hee hee. Hey, when was the last time you got on one of these
obstacle courses?
Man...the 'floating steps' are harder than I thought. The more I stretch my right leg
out to reach for the next step in front of me, the further back my left leg goes. Use
your arms...use your arms...comes a chorus from below. Yeah, easy for them to
say!
So, it takes me three times longer than the average Joe but I made it. Now, can
Lenny come get me? I don't see a down ladder on this tree. "Lenny, I think I am
done. I want to get down. Can you help me off this tree?"
Well, there was a lot of persuasion from Lenny and the gang down below for me
to keep going but I finally won. Lenny came and rescued me. He climbed up the
tree, constructed a rescue rope, and rappelled me down. I spent the rest of the
time watching the others go through the course and poking fun at them. The
nerve of me. Ha!
and walk up to the rope ladder pretending to be brave. I hook onto the clip and
start to climb up the tree to the platform. This is not too bad.....just as long as I
don't look down.
Okay, I made it to the platform. I know....I hear you chuckle....she only got to the
platform...hee hee hee. Hey, when was the last time you got on one of these
obstacle courses?
Man...the 'floating steps' are harder than I thought. The more I stretch my right leg
out to reach for the next step in front of me, the further back my left leg goes. Use
your arms...use your arms...comes a chorus from below. Yeah, easy for them to
say!
So, it takes me three times longer than the average Joe but I made it. Now, can
Lenny come get me? I don't see a down ladder on this tree. "Lenny, I think I am
done. I want to get down. Can you help me off this tree?"
Well, there was a lot of persuasion from Lenny and the gang down below for me
to keep going but I finally won. Lenny came and rescued me. He climbed up the
tree, constructed a rescue rope, and rappelled me down. I spent the rest of the
time watching the others go through the course and poking fun at them. The
nerve of me. Ha!
My buddy Lenny. Don't forget to say "hello" to him.
Have you been on a Mangrove Tour? No, I have not, and I would love to
experience the mangroves and see the wildlife. When can we go? My next
stop.....the mangrove tour! (Right column)
experience the mangroves and see the wildlife. When can we go? My next
stop.....the mangrove tour! (Right column)
"I would love to experience the mangroves and see
the wildlife. When can we go?" That sentence
started it all.
The boat will be waiting at the beach at 5.30pm,
which is in about an hour or so. Don't forget to be
there on time. "I won't forget" I said to the gang, as I
headed back to my tree-house to rest up a little
before the boat ride. I climb up my stairs and make
it to my bed. I think I will just stretch out and chill for
a couple of minutes. The obstacle course took a lot
out of me.
What on earth??? What is that noise? I walk over to
the window and look outside. The monkeys are
here...the monkeys are here ...they are in the
treetops. It is feeding time!
the wildlife. When can we go?" That sentence
started it all.
The boat will be waiting at the beach at 5.30pm,
which is in about an hour or so. Don't forget to be
there on time. "I won't forget" I said to the gang, as I
headed back to my tree-house to rest up a little
before the boat ride. I climb up my stairs and make
it to my bed. I think I will just stretch out and chill for
a couple of minutes. The obstacle course took a lot
out of me.
What on earth??? What is that noise? I walk over to
the window and look outside. The monkeys are
here...the monkeys are here ...they are in the
treetops. It is feeding time!
There is the boat, parked at the water's edge. I make
my way down to the beach some good photos of the
crocs in the mangroves!
I hand over my camera to Ahmad and start to roll up
my pants leg. I take my slippers off and wade to the
boat. I get to the boat and I am knee deep in water. I
look around and there is no ladder for me to climb
in. I place my left hand on the motor and start to
throw my right leg into the boat. Oh no.....here
comes a big wave!
You guessed it. I am pushed backwards as the front
of the boat rises and I am falling into the water. I
finally find myself sitting on the seabed with water
up to my neck. This is going to be a cold boat ride. I
also find out that my PDA is clipped to my belt. It
doesn't work anymore. Can it be dried out? Ughhh!
Off we go heading to the mangroves. On the way
there we see one Irrawaddy dolphin. We slow the
boat down to get a better glimpse of the dolphin.
Perhaps there are more around. We idle for a
couple of minutes but we don't see any more. I think
the dolphin is shy, or could be avoiding us. Hey,
baby herring are following us. They are jumping out
of the water along side the boat. This is neat!
There he is. Do you see him? In the trees. The
Proboscis monkey. You know, the one with the long
nose. Where? Where?
my way down to the beach some good photos of the
crocs in the mangroves!
I hand over my camera to Ahmad and start to roll up
my pants leg. I take my slippers off and wade to the
boat. I get to the boat and I am knee deep in water. I
look around and there is no ladder for me to climb
in. I place my left hand on the motor and start to
throw my right leg into the boat. Oh no.....here
comes a big wave!
You guessed it. I am pushed backwards as the front
of the boat rises and I am falling into the water. I
finally find myself sitting on the seabed with water
up to my neck. This is going to be a cold boat ride. I
also find out that my PDA is clipped to my belt. It
doesn't work anymore. Can it be dried out? Ughhh!
Off we go heading to the mangroves. On the way
there we see one Irrawaddy dolphin. We slow the
boat down to get a better glimpse of the dolphin.
Perhaps there are more around. We idle for a
couple of minutes but we don't see any more. I think
the dolphin is shy, or could be avoiding us. Hey,
baby herring are following us. They are jumping out
of the water along side the boat. This is neat!
There he is. Do you see him? In the trees. The
Proboscis monkey. You know, the one with the long
nose. Where? Where?
Monkeys playing under my tree-house
| The Proboscis monkey in the tree tops |
We turn into one of the waterways that takes us
deeper into the mangroves. Here is where the
crocodiles live says Ahmad the guide. I don't see
any crocodiles....perhaps that is a good thing.
However, I remember from the 'Crocodile Hunter'
series, Steve there are crocs in there. Boy, there
sure are a lot of bubbles in these waters.
deeper into the mangroves. Here is where the
crocodiles live says Ahmad the guide. I don't see
any crocodiles....perhaps that is a good thing.
However, I remember from the 'Crocodile Hunter'
series, Steve there are crocs in there. Boy, there
sure are a lot of bubbles in these waters.
Why are they so close to the mangroves?
With the sun setting, it is starting to get cool in the
mangroves. Besides, I am starting to feel a little
nervous about the crocodiles now. Especially
knowing that there are bubbles in the water. Are
crocodiles nocturnal?
Well, today was an adventurous day. I am a little
sore from 'walking on the treetops' and feel a little
water logged from being wet throughout the whole
boat trip. As our boat heads back to the resort I look
at the horizon and watch the sun set into the ocean. I
think to myself.....I saw and did a lot of things
today...some for the first time. It has been a
wonderful experience. Yes...it is another glorious
day on beautiful planet Earth.
mangroves. Besides, I am starting to feel a little
nervous about the crocodiles now. Especially
knowing that there are bubbles in the water. Are
crocodiles nocturnal?
Well, today was an adventurous day. I am a little
sore from 'walking on the treetops' and feel a little
water logged from being wet throughout the whole
boat trip. As our boat heads back to the resort I look
at the horizon and watch the sun set into the ocean. I
think to myself.....I saw and did a lot of things
today...some for the first time. It has been a
wonderful experience. Yes...it is another glorious
day on beautiful planet Earth.
| MANGROVE TOUR |
| The Permai Rainforest Resort is situated on 44 acres of lush jungle at the foothills of Mount Santubong, just 35km from Kuching city. The Resort has a long history of doing training courses for the corporate market and school through the Resort with 2 beaches and a dipping pool filled with stream water from the mountain. The jungle treks are leach free due to the salty sea air. Wild life such as Silver Langurs, Flying Lemurs and Otters are visible in the Resort. Some of the activities at the Permai Rainforest Resort * Dolphin watching and Satang Island tour * Bako National Park tour * Evening Mangrove tour * Kayaking * Wall climbing * Mount Santubong Climbing * Beach games * Night walk Team building activities * Raft building and racing * Kayaking and overland expeditions * Bridge building * Jungle cooking * Mine filed crossing * Spider Web * Rope making lessons * Obstacle course If you are interested in any of our tours, please contact www.permairainforest.com |
Part of the obstacle course
Click on the 'Play' button to see the obstacle course
Well, it is getting dark and we have been roaming
the mangroves for a couple of hours now and I
haven't visually seen a crocodile yet. Perhaps it is a
good thing....at least for me. Ahmad says not to
worry because it is easier to see the crocodiles in
the dark....really? Yes, just look for the red eyes. He
brings out his flash light and starts to shine in the
mangroves.
We turn into another waterway and there before my
eyes are a million fireflies. They light up the tress.
Wow. It does kinda feel like I am in wonderland!
Did you see that? says Ahmad, shining his flash
light at the base of a clump of mangroves.....red
eyes! Where? Where?
the mangroves for a couple of hours now and I
haven't visually seen a crocodile yet. Perhaps it is a
good thing....at least for me. Ahmad says not to
worry because it is easier to see the crocodiles in
the dark....really? Yes, just look for the red eyes. He
brings out his flash light and starts to shine in the
mangroves.
We turn into another waterway and there before my
eyes are a million fireflies. They light up the tress.
Wow. It does kinda feel like I am in wonderland!
Did you see that? says Ahmad, shining his flash
light at the base of a clump of mangroves.....red
eyes! Where? Where?
| By Travelling Gecko |
| What's nice about Malaysia is that the weather is warm...well, maybe a little hot with some humidity...but warm all year round. So, outdoor cafés and restaurants are abundant. In fact, the locals prefer it that way. And, the attire....you guessed it....summer clothing. So, pack to have a great summer! |
| Cede Prudente and North Borneo Safari Exclusive Pkg for Fantastic Malaysia |
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| Attractions |
| Fantastic Malaysia |
| Beautiful places, beautiful people, beautiful Malaysia |
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