BEAP 2006 on YouTube

Hafizah (Diplomatic Residence Area - 21st March, 2007)

A Bittersweet Experience

First of all, I’m very glad for the return of BEAP this semester. In my point of view, learning about the natural environment has to take place in nature itself. Only in this way can we truly understand and appreciate nature.

As much as I was pleased to be able to venture out into the forest, sad to say, I felt rather disappointed due to the fact that the trekking still had a number of drawbacks. Again, this time, the speed at which the trekking was done was not slow enough to enable the trekkers, especially the new ones to look around. Yes, I agree that the pace was reduced compared to the previous ones (last semester), and we did stop a few times, but many of the trekkers were not explained about the forest and the things that were found in it. However, I’m not saying that the trekking lacked educational values. I believe that by going into the forest, and by exploring it, there are still a lot of valuable lessons that can be gained. Watching documentaries on rainforests and wildlife, no matter how realistic they may seem, is not the same as being in the forest itself. There’s nothing like experience; experience is the best teacher!

One of the aspects of this trekking that I was really glad about is that the bin managers collected the rubbish that were littered in the forest. The lecturers and some of the other trekkers also helped in keeping the forest clean, by picking up pieces of papers that went unnoticed, and by removing the tracking ribbons that were used for this trekking and the ones that were used previously by other trekkers. In addition, the bin managers also collected the litter outside the forest after the trekking. A job well done! It is very important that we observe cleanliness of the natural environment. A responsible trekker leaves nothing behind, except footprints.

Hafizah (Bukit Patoi, Temburong, 10th November, 2006)

Stepping Stone

As this was my first trip to Temburong, I was quite thrilled that morning. Wait, dawn was more like it. : )

We left the jetty at 6:25am. The river view was scenic and relaxing. As the sun rose higher, the river sparkled with its reflections. I was as usual busy shooting photos. At some point during the river cruise, we entered Malaysian waters. The view was noticeably different from Brunei. The trees on Malaysian soil were much less in number and were of different types.

At 8:10am, we set off to the peak of Bukit Patoi. One of the things that never failed to amaze me was the giant forest ants (Camponotus gigas). There were about an inch long! Other enchantments of Bukit Patoi were its HUGE tall trees, moss-covered boulders which added to the enchanting air of the forest, different types of fungus, Batu Tergangam, and of course, the breathtaking view at the summit!

This trek benefited me in a number of ways. One, I learned a lot of names of plants and trees, including their uses and medicinal values. Second, I became increasingly appreciative of the natural environment. Third, I had the opportunity to explore and see new places. Last but not least, this trip up the Patoi hill was in a way or another, served as a stepping stone to higher and far more challenging hills and mountains!

Bkt. Patoi, Temburong (10th nov.) - Puspa Rahayu

Friday, November 10^th, 2006 we had our final expedition for this semester at Bukit Patoi, Temburong. We left female hostel at about 6 in the morning by using UBD’s bus. We reached at Jalan Residency Jetty in Bandar Seri Begawan in 15 minutes. Around 6.30am we left the jetty by using boat and arrived at Bangar jetty at approximately 7.15am. So, it took us about 45 minutes. Along the journey to Bangar, we could see mangrove forest and we were told by the boat driver that we could see crocodile by any chance relaxing at the river bank. When we arrived at Bangar, we used buses to go to Bukit Patoi which is located about 15km from Bangar town and it took us about 15 minutes. We started our hiking at 8 am as we need to wait for the ranger to come and guide us walked to the peak of Bukit Patoi. While waiting for the ranger to come, we were asked to wander around and I was attracted to the tortoise pool as well as the different type of tree such as Kumus, Damar Hitam, Kembang Semangkok, Kapor Bukit, Kapor Paji, and Resak. I also took the chance to see the map of Bukit Patoi Forest Recreation Park. From there, I could see other hill which is Bukit Perdayan. Besides, Bukit Patoi is actually part of the Perdayan Forest Reserve which has been designated as a recreation forest by the Brunei Department. The ranger said that if we were going to complete the whole passage, it would take for about 8 hours. On the other hand, our journey to the peak of Bukit Patoi would only take about 2 hours (for slow walker like us). The distance was stated on the board that is, 1601.9 m for Bukit Patoi whereas 4601.9 m for Bukit Perdayan. Before we started our walk, they gave us a brochure about Bukit Patoi. Around 8 am we began our expedition from the Guard Post at the base of Bukit Patoi. The pathway was quite good but halfway through, there were a lot of rocks and boulders which were slippery as they were covered by the fungi. There were steps made of wooden (board-walk) and along the way, there were sits as well as Pondoks (huts) for resting purposes. As we trekking to the summit, I could see some plants like Lianes (climbers), buttress roots that supported massive trunks, fungi on the trunk and on the forest floor, and ants and termites nest. Moreover, there were few things that impressed me, namely, Batu Tergangam, Batu Berdinding and Batu Gangsa. The ranger also told me that one of the Batu Berdinding’s corners used to be a meditation place. At 9.20am, we reached the peak and had a rest for about 10 minutes. We did capture group photo for us to keep it as our sweet memory. Then, we only need less than one hour to go down hill. By 10.20am, we already had a rest outside the Guard Post while waiting for the others. We left Bukit Patoi by bus at 11 and had our lunch at Bangar town as we arrived there. Around 11.45am, we left Bangar jetty and arrived at Jalan Residency Jetty at 12.30pm. It was such a beautiful day and pleasant experienced as it was my first time to Temburong. I gain a lot of new knowledge. For me, this is the best jungle trekking compared to our other trip. I would love to rate it 9 out of 10. Superb! and Fantastic! (0^_^0)

Bkt. Serdang (nov. 1st, 2006) - Puspa Rahayu

On the1^st November 2006 (Wednesday) was our first trip after the fasting month. We went to Bukit Serdang at Jalan Kota Batu. Since only few people join the trip so we used cars as our transportation. It took us about 15 minutes to reach our destination. About 5pm, we started our walk. The slope was quite steep but luckily the slope was terraced in order to make it easy for people to climb up. The path looks like steps. At the top of the hill, we could view very nice and beautiful scenery. We could see some parts of Kampong Ayer, pulau Baru-baru, local fish farm as well as Brunei’s estuary. There were also evidences showing that it used to be a cultivation area such as tapioca plant plus the ‘sulap’ (small houses) for the farmer to take rest or stay overnight in order to look after their crops. Furthermore, we have encountered some plants such as pitcher plant, flower, simpur and others which were unknown or anonymous. At the foot of the hill, we could see some deforestation. The journey was quite leisure but somehow I still gain additional knowledge about the Brunei’s rainforest. It took us about one hour to complete the walk. Around 6.15pm we left the place and headed to Dr. Asmah’s house as she invited us to her ‘open house’. Last but not least….. Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir & Batin (o^_^o).

trip to bukit patoi

last week, we have a trip to bukit patoi in temburong. we head to the jetty as early as 6.00a.m in the morning. we took the boat and reach Bangar 45 minutes later. we took the bus and reach bukit patoi 20 minutes later. upon ariving, we have to wait for the rangers to show us the way up the hill. the initial point was challenging as we have to climb up the stairs that is built there. moreover the hill was really steep and i have trouble balancing myself while climbing up.

the bukit patoi is an example of the tropical rainforest. here two types of forest are found, the mixed dipterocarp forest and the kerangas forest .the rainforest are known for their high diversity of plant and animal species. among the notable characteristic of the forest includes the height of the tree which can grow up to 60 metres tall. the trunks are columnar and often butresses with plant like extensions of roots. the trees are evergreen and there are gaps in the forest caused by fallen trees. other forms of plant life found in the tropical rainforest includes climbers, lianas and epiphytes. all these plants depend on other tress for support. too bad we did not see any animals around. maybe because it was aware of our presence but we do heard the sounds of the insects or animals coming from the thick forests.

as i walk along the walkway. i notice that there are a lot of leaf litter around. this is due to the leaves that fall to the ground which attract many decomposer organisms. among them are ants and termites. i also saw the nest of the termites which is as hugh as a ball. as we walk further up, which was around 700 metres from the walkway, we saw the sight of the Kerangas forest. the walk there was getting tougher as there are many big rocks along the walkway. we have to be very careful when stepping onto the rocks because it was covered with green moses and algae and it is really slippery. the algae covering the rock was really nice and it looks like a carpet grass. some of the trees around has bracket fungi grown on it. we spooted that the fungi grown in the mixed dipterocarp forest and the kerangas forest are actually different.

not long after the that we reach the Batu Berdinding. it was a really hugh structure of rock with water dripping out from it. the rock was wet and covered with some kind of algae or liverworths. we reach the peak of the hill after one and a half hour and it was really satisfying because i have accomplish the 1,600 metres walk. the scenery was really nice up there and we can even see our neighbouring country from there. after taking a few pictures, we head back down the hill again.

the trip to bukit patoi is really enjoyable and interesting. the forest is beautifully preserved with minimun destruction. this can be seen from the diversity of the plant and animal species found there. it is hope that other forest can be preserved so that we can enjoy the beauty of our flora and fauna species.

trip to bukit serdang

after the fasting month, we have our first trip to bukit serdang. i thought it was only a leisure walk but unfortunately it has not been easy for me. i have to climb up the steep hills and it was really tiring. it took us a while to reach the top since we have to stop occationally.

the scenery was really nice at the top. we can see the brunei bay and the islands around. after that, we continue our journey ahead. along the journey, we found some plant species that is available there. this includes the simpur, kodok-kodok, wild flowers and some species which i am not quite sure of. there was not much to see because of the deforestation. the place which was once a place for cultivation looks deserted. it would be nice if there is someone can clean up the place and restore the beauty of the forest again.

Bk. Serdang