Pengerang Sea Shore

Sungai Rengit: What and where to Eat. Yummy!

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 20:12:00 +0000

Today is Halloween. In my own culture, it is never part of our 'habit' to celebrate this event. But in my adopted country, this is big! The children are looking forward for "trick or treat" in their disguises. Houses are well decorated with pumpkins, scared crows and some other scary things such as wicked face of a witch, ghost, skull... It becomes part of my activities with my children, to curve the pumpkins into the Jack O lanterns. Right now, it is raining heavily here. Ironically, this is the warmest weather for this whole week, at around 17 deg C. It had been a cold week at 4-7 deg C and temperature dropped to under 0 at night. Not a best day to go out for candies, but hopefully the rain will subside in the later evening.
These few days, i had been missing home (my homeland) terribly. Can't wait to go back and tuck in to those food which i ate growing up. So, i would share about food here today! Yum yum... I am a vegetarian now, so i don't really eat those things back home anymore. I feel hesitate to kind of "promote" eating seafood at my blog, but unfortunately, this is a big part of what my hometown is about.

Pictures are taken from either facebook or this blog:
http://johorkaki.blogspot.ca/2012/07/lobsters-jade-garden-in-sungai-rengit.html?spref=fb

This is a simple map from Johor Kaki blog about the location of the major seafood restaurant in Sungai Rengit. My family personally prefer Sungai Rengit (Si Wan as above) Seafood Restaurant, but the restaurant was caught on fire one month ago. Probably had been rebuilt by now. If you come from the direction of Kota Tinggi and choose to drive through the town instead of choosing the fork road goes by the sea, then Si Wan is the first seafood restaurant you would see at the left.

This is kind of the more popular tourist restaurant as it had won the Singaporean TV program as one of the best restaurant in Johor. It is kind of popular to the local too, as they don't serve pork here. So if you have an Indonesian muslim maid, you probably will choose to eat here. I personally think their service is the worst during the weekend, when the restaurant is jam packed with all the tourists. I would go next door.

The restaurant at the right of the picture, Sin Kong, is just right in front of Jade Garden. The last time i heard someone talked about here was from my sister. She went for a take away of some kind of seafood noodle and my mom said, she had been charged with a 'tourist rate'. I am not sure what does it means.

I knew nothing much about the restaurant at the left of the picture, Hyann. It had been changing name a lot since my childhood. But the small shop beside of this restaurant is selling ais kacang 红豆冰 by the same owner since i was in primary school. Go for the ais kacang!

At the left, Super Lobster, i would say this is the newest restaurant of all. Again, i don't know a clue about this restaurant.

At the right, You Kee, just right beside of Jade Garden, have been there since my primary school year. I still remember went there to eat with my teachers and classmates after some kind of school activities. It was a rewards from the school to us.

If you are not the fan of seafood like me, there are something even vegan can eat as well! They are way cheaper, authentically local and they taste great!

This picture was took by Joane Yeo, i took it from her facebook. According to her, these ota 乌打 were good. You can buy it just right at the walk path of the photo shop, opposite to the taxi station of Sungai Rengit. (顺顺乌打,四湾美美相馆店外面在卖)

So, this is what i mean by saying that, even vegan can eat: soy milk 豆奶 and bean curbs 豆花. The black thing, i think is black glutinous rice 黑糯米, which you eat with coconut milk 椰奶. The other picture is the deep fried prawn cake 炸虾饼. The owner of the stall was selling it for as long as i can remember. After he passed away, his son-in-law took over the cart to continue the business. Try to find the cart just some where by the road. In my memory, it moves around! (Picture from Sons of the Sea facebook page.)

The two dishes above, i ate them as breakfast throughout my childhood. The below is wanton noodle 云吞面 and the above is "pig intestine roll" 猪肠粉. The "pig intestine roll" is basically make with flour, with pork and prawn inside the roll, steamed. You could order just the roll, without the meat inside as well, which make it vegan! Serve with diluted soy sauce and chili. The shop used to be beside of Tai Hoe hotel or Am Bank, right across the Sungai Rengit taxi station. But i sister told me that, it had moved to the same row of shop houses with the ais kacang shop. (Picture from Sons of the Sea facebook page.)

Looking back, History of Pengerang

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:55:00 +0000

So, the 13th general election of Malaysia had passed. The same government who had ruled us for 56 years, once again, won. (Let's just not talk again the legitimate of the whole election process here, i don't mean to talk about politic.) This same government who introduced the same petrochemical project to Pengerang, won over two third majority in the state government, while in the federal level, lost the two third majority. Nonetheless, undoubtly, this local residents hated project would proceed. For some of us, the fight to save our hometown continues.

From the Taiwanese TV programme: Our Island - Angry Lobster first and second episode

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ov2XuWcOmo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOkkNhqpMMA

我們的島 - 憤怒龍蝦(上)(下)

Photos below were taken from Darren Chu's FB.

Text below is from Sin Chew Jit Poh.

时代变迁新旧交替边佳兰变化大

政府在2011年初宣布的石油与天然气工业中心计划，让位在柔佛州哥打丁宜县东南角的渔村边佳兰，顿时成为举国上下的焦点。

边佳兰区内，主要分成了丹绒本格烈(Tanjung Pengelih)、边佳兰镇(Pekan Pengerang)、头湾(Kampung Jawa)、二湾(Teluk Empang)、大湾(Sungai Kapal)、三湾(Sungai Buntu)、四湾(Sungai Rengit)、五湾(Teluk Ramunia)、六湾(Tanjung Sepang)和七湾(Pungai)。当中最让人知晓的，就是“四湾岛”了。

可是，四湾明明就是一个海湾小镇，为何会被称作“岛”呢？

原来，当年由于四湾的内陆交通并不发达，未有道路从哥打丁宜通往边佳兰，当时当地人若要往外去，都必须经海路通往其他地方，当地居民仿如就像生活在一座小岛般，才衍生出“四湾岛”这个名称。

时代的变迁，也让边佳兰的繁华情景出现变化。

曾是主要行政中心

The sunset from the fishermen's wharf of Kampung Jawa. (By Karen Hong) 头湾版的渔人码头的夕阳。

早年，许多政府行政中心设于边佳兰镇，副县属、邮政局、警局、医院、土地局、推事庭等都聚集该处。但是，边佳兰在1977车被纳入哥打丁宜县议会后，副县属已不存在，不过，主要的政府部门现今仍在该处运作。

也因政府部门林立该处的关系，早年很多居民都居住在边佳兰镇的大街旁。但是，新村制实行及主要通往其他市区的道路开通后，人口的外迁造成大街现今只剩下几户人家仍住在该处，热闹街景已不复在。

此外，再前往边佳兰丹绒本格烈码头的路上，如不仔细留意看路边，该处仍保留着几座当年英军为防卫日本兵而特别建造的战壕，但却被丛林给掩埋了。

至于原本居住在边佳兰各处的华裔居民，因政府在1957年实行新村制度，四面八方的华裔居民都被迫集中搬迁至四湾。因此，四湾就变成了主要华裔居民的聚集区，也就演变成今日边佳兰主要的商业区。

沈丽华：感谢借宿一晚 当年柔苏丹赐地爷爷

《新山历史图片集》里的柔佛华人港主增补表，记载着边佳兰的附近一带的港口为兰玉港，但却未注明港主为谁。

星洲日报走访边佳兰一带时，采访了据说是当年兰玉港港主的后代沈丽华，从她的口述中获悉，当年她的爷爷沈大梓，就是当年三湾和四湾一带的港主。

“曾听闻当年柔佛苏丹阿布峇卡，在前往道佳兰一带打猎时因天色已黑而在森林里迷了路，途径爷爷的住家时，在爷爷家留宿了一夜。”

她说，当时她的爷爷并不知道此人既是柔佛州苏丹，而对方在隔天离开时给了爷爷一支类似拐杖的物品作为信物。

不久后，苏丹再度来访她爷爷时，带了一张地图，并表明其身分。她指苏丹称要感谢爷爷的帮忙，因此赐予爷爷土地。而她的爷爷只在地图上画了一个圈圈，就是现今三湾至四湾约500英亩的土地。

第二代无法负荷地税出售

The vegetable plot right beside of a house. The vegetable is for own consumption and to sell to the vegetable hawker and local grocery shop. (Photo by Sim Li Li) 四湾居民住家旁的小菜圃。住家菜，不放农药。有多余的就卖给街上的店或是巴刹的小贩。

“当时爷爷不知道这一画即是那么辽阔的土地！”

不过，沈老虽然获得了大片土地，却因当时的人烟稀少而致土地并未获得良好开发。但是，沈老还是尽自己的能力，努力开拓了三湾和四湾一带。

沈丽华说，该片土地直到父亲沈坤德那一代的长辈，则因无法负荷地税而决定出售，最终由一名来自新山的大老板购得。

3道路以领袖名字命名

边佳兰的四湾，共有3条道路以当地领袖名字命名，分别是Jln Hee Seng、Jln Koon Teck和Jln Abu Bakar。

星洲日报驻边佳兰通讯员颜英杰指出，“jln Hee Seng”，是以四湾新村于1981至1992年的村长刘熙成的名字命名；“Jln Koon Teck”，则是1970至1975年地方议会主席沈坤德的名字命名；“Jln Abu Bakar'，则是一名边佳兰的巫裔太平局绅阿布峇卡。

沈丽华说，当时他的父亲沈坤德成为地方议会主席时，也是当地的大慈善家，以批发椰子为业，曾帮了不少当地居民，因此政府才以父亲的名字命名街道。

每个海湾至少有一座庙

Big incense sticks during temple festival. 作酬神戏时都有点的大香。

当地另一个地方特色，是每一个海湾都至少有一座庙宇，内里供奉的神明都是要来保佑每一处渔民的平安。

77岁在码头谋生 王可传：现今生活改善了

Sunset at Sungai Rengit Hawker Centre (Medan Selera Sungai Rengit). 四湾小贩中心处所看到的夕阳。

14岁从海南岛南来的王可传(99岁)表示，他年轻时住过很多地方，直到17岁时才前来边佳兰谋生，常在丹绒本格烈码头售卖杂货给日本人及印度工人。

他说，当时边佳兰树胶芭园主多属日本人拥有，因此有不少日本人在此生活过，二战时虽然日本兵有进驻此地，但印象十并未大开杀戒，只是路经此地。

他指出，44岁时他才举家定居于四湾，售卖传统海南咖啡，之后才转为在家售卖咖啡粉，直到现在都还是一手包办，收钱算钱都难不倒他。

“边佳兰的变化的确很大，当年的咖啡一杯才卖2分钱，如今生活改变，大家日子都过得好多了。”

夏恭廉：当年仅沿海有人住 边佳兰狮城交往频密

9岁就从中国汕头与母亲飘洋过海，前来边佳兰与父相聚的夏恭廉(88岁)指出，当时他和母亲坐了整整一个星期的船，才到达头湾与父会合，之后便在此落地生根。

他说，当时边佳兰只有沿海一带有人居住，通往哥打丁宜的道路还未开通前，大家都以为边佳兰是一座岛，因此“四湾岛”、“大湾岛”等称呼才会因此出现。

他指出，当时父亲饲养鸡鸭和猪，通过水路运送至新加坡售卖，因此两岸人民的情结非常深厚，就算是新加坡独立后实行了护照入境制，但两地人民的来往都从未间断过。

年轻人往外发展变老人村

The main street of Kampung Jawa. 大湾的大街。老人，老街。

“当年乘坐渔船前住新加坡璋宜码头只需50分钟，两岸人民的来往非常频密，渔获椰子等都是批发至新加坡。”

夏恭廉表示，六十年代出边佳兰还有很多人居住，直到七十年代尾开始交通发达后，很多年轻人都往外地发展，边佳兰也就慢慢成为“老人村”。目前多数的居民都只剩老人和渔民仍居住此地。

他说，其实边佳兰除了盛产龙虾外，“峇拉煎”的原料小虾，也是其中一个边佳兰享誉全国的本地产品。不过，因海床受到影响，小虾子不适应目前的海床生态，小虾子已经慢慢减少了，“峇拉煎”的原料供应也就慢慢消失了。

颜英杰：早期道路发展不完善 72公里路骑8小时摩哆

当年被委派前来边佳兰育本小学当临教的颜英杰表示，他本身是笨珍文律人，当年道路发展不完善，他单单是从四湾骑摩哆车到哥打丁宜，72公里长的路途就需花费8小时。当时，一路上只见黄泥地及原始森林，全是崎岖不平的道路。

他说，边佳兰共有4所华小，分别是大新华小、育本华小、培民华小和培正华小，而他本身就曾在育本、培民和培正服务过，目前则是育本小学的合约老师。

“以前放学后我都会骑脚车在海边闲逛，当时的海岸线非常的美丽，可惜却遭到天灾和人为影响，美丽风景逐渐消失。”

99年大涨潮掩盖大片沙滩

View from Desaru Bridge. 拍自迪沙鲁大桥。

他犹记，1999年曾发生过大涨潮，海水推前数百米，造成大片沙滩深埋海中。而90年代初很多国际货船因我国停泊费低廉，因此都会停留在边佳兰海域一带，一望无际的海域风景也就这样被遮盖了。

颜英杰说，以前的屋子多属于高脚屋，底部用作饲养家禽或存储物品的地方，但随着时代的改变，还保留下来的高脚屋底部都改为房间，现代人都充分的利用空间。

“虽然很多人认为边佳兰是一处遥远的渔村，可是曾在此处生活过的人士，都会詖此地乡情和风景所吸引，因此我才决定在此落地生根。”

==========

A Bit of the Chinese Residents' History From Studying the Old Tombs at Different Cementries:

Night view of beach at Sungai Rengit. 月亮圆，四湾海滩的夜景。

畢業自北京大學國際政治系法學碩士的青年學者莫家浩，昨天在新山陶德書香樓「周日書香下午茶」系列講座主講《邊鎮遺事：邊佳蘭義山考察》中指出，邊佳蘭在港主時代有甘蜜種植，之後又有幅員廣闊的膠園和椰園，還有豐富魚產和礦產，是一個集人文歷史、生態自然，尋找傳奇故事的寶地。若從歷史探源，觀音山的觀音亭建廟可上溯至1810至1830年上下，這個年代比柔佛新山的開埠（1855）還要早。

邊佳蘭幅員廣大，資源豐富，往北溯柔佛河可達舊柔佛王都，沿岸是江山多嬌的柔佛東南大森林。南臨新加坡（德光島）和廖內群島，是捕漁和海商的必經之地。

莫家浩在講座中，以邊佳蘭頭灣、二灣和三灣義山的實地田野調查，整理分析墓碑數據，勾勒出邊佳蘭華人歷史模糊的輪廓。簡言之，早在19世紀中葉邊佳蘭已有華人拓墾的足跡。就義山墓碑的統計考察，頭灣廣東義山主要以豐順客為多，大埔客次之。而福建義山以紹安人為多，另有東山、澄海邑人之墓。惟二灣義山則以金門（陳氏）人士為主，三灣義山則是紹安、金門、澄海邑人之墓各佔三分一。

邊佳蘭地區亦有清朝古墓，並發現有與會黨相關的「氵月」墓多座。特殊的是，這些「氵月」墓並不相類於新山的潮州人墓，而是金門人士之墓。

就業方面，豐順客家人早期在較內陸地區割膠，紹安、澄海人則以捕魚為生，另有椰園種植。港主時代有甘蜜種植，但分布區域似乎是在東岸的七灣和中部較內陸的觀音山一帶，該地亦有清朝同治年間的潮州墓。

沒有史料，就沒有歷史的發言權，青年學者莫家浩為邊佳蘭歷史做了一些填補。

當天出席觀眾有不少年輕人，邊佳蘭住民亦特地前來聆聽並全程錄影，他們懇切希望主講人能把這些史料訊息也帶到邊佳蘭社群中去。其他出席者還包括書香樓副主席葉迎章、理事劉隆昌、新山客家公會前會長蕭光華及新山華族歷史文物館管委會主席何朝東等。

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:04:00 +0000

This is extracted from China Press after Pengerang became a national attention due to protest over the petrochemical project. Many medias made visit to Pengerang since then, including some from Taiwan.

Pengerang, Quiet no more

A simple small town, famous with seafood, Pengerang is changing its face.

Located at the north east of Johor state, currently undergoing massive land reclamation to make place for the petrochemical project RAPID, it is losing its peace as just a tranquil fishing town.

Generations of villagers saw the sea right in front of their houses been replaced with land, many houses, schools, temples and grave yards of the ancesters are all going to be destroyed. Thousands of fishermen are affected, traditional fishing households are facing the difficulties in lives, losing their income. This so called development bring nothing to the local people but sadness and damnation.

邊佳蘭靜中帶枉

純樸的小鎮，擁有廣闊海水及豐富漁產的邊佳蘭（Pengerang），逐漸山河變色。

位于柔佛州東南部的邊佳蘭，目前大興土木進行填海工程，將發展提煉及石油化學綜合發展計劃（RAPID），但卻破壞當地的純樸漁鄉面貌。

生活好幾代的居民，看到前方海水被一堆堆泥土填塞，部分家園、學校、神廟及祖墳即將夷為平地，還有近千名捕魚人家遭受前所未有的打擊，傳統漁家面臨斷炊命運，因此對邊佳蘭的大型發展乍喜還憂……

http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/304156

Peaceful and quiet, but won't be anymore.

The traditional chinese pastry. This shop has been there since i have memory.

What else other than to mend their net if the fisherman couldn't go to the sea? Or worst more, there is no more sea with fishes.

The fisherman jetty at Sungai Rengit.

The coconut trees used to be abundance in my childhood, now we see this only at the more inner areas of the villages. But soon, wont even see this anymore.

This tailor shop is there since i have memory as well.

Part of the Sungai Rengit town from the bird view. Sungai Rengit town center will be spared from destruction, to keep it as a supply town to the petrochemical plant, around 5km from here, if no nearer.

Maps for Sights Seeing and Hotels

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:33:00 +0000

From time to time, people asked me about what to see in Pengerang. I hope these few maps and hotel numbers here will be helpful to those who are going for a visit.

(These maps and phone numbers are the courtesy of Pengerang Frontline and Kampungku Suaraku of Facebook.)

https://maps.google.com.my/maps/ms?msid=207113113209446504833.0004cc9524a5344bc3e97&msa=0&ll=1.361232%2C104.178114&spn=0.073365%2C0.132093

May be you can find the location of some temples at google map. (Link above.)

I personally think this map is very well done! Detailed and helpful description for your visit.

This is the area before Desaru Beach. I knew some of my friends from Singapore went to Sedili for home stay, retreat or to observe the nature habitat there.

This is for Desaru area. Bandar Penawar is the biggest town at this area. You will pass by here before Sungai Rengit. The sandy beach is a real treat for children. The wave is always a bit too strong from time to time though. I had never been to the museum, i hope i can drop by a visit some day.

This area is where people think of when you said Pengerang. The whole place will be gone and affected by the up coming petrochemical project (RAPID). There are land reclamation activities going on now, so if you are the first timer, you had missed the beauty of the place. Pengerang was a very calm and pretty escape just year before. (Click the Save Pengerang at the side bar to see the villagers efforts to save their homes and please supports if you can.)

This map is a bit blur, but gave the general ideas of the location of places to visit and some useful phone numbers.

边佳兰位于哥打丁宜县，由多个村庄组合而成，包括头湾（Kampung Jawa）、二湾（Teluk Empang）、三湾（Sungai Buntu）、四湾（Sungai Rengit）、五湾（Teluk Ramunia）、六湾（Tanjung Sepang）和七湾（Kampung Punggai），柔州最著名的海滨旅游度假区迪沙鲁和边佳兰靠得最近。

头湾处，有个连接马新两地国民的重点码头，叫做丹绒本哥利渡轮码头（Tanjung Pengelih），它与新加坡樟宜尾码头连线，供输送两地游客的小型渡轮靠岸，船程耗时不及半句钟。

每逢假日，当地会出现一个有趣景象——成群的邻国游客或穿上休闲运动服，或全副武装的户外运动服，扛着脚踏车乘渡轮到丹绒本哥利渡轮码头，从头湾骑车到迪沙鲁，享受阳光的户外运动。

渔村乡镇纯朴味：
二湾和三湾是小村庄，椰树和橡胶树肆意生长的基地；而六湾和七湾则是边佳兰度假村的集中营，这一带较著名的度假屋有Batu Layar度假村、D Punggai度假屋、Punggai Bayu度假村、Sepang Indah度假村、Sea View度假村、Titian Indah度假屋、Ramunia Sun Rising度假村、渔夫度假村等。

必须友情提醒的是，到当地度假村下榻的旅客千万不要带着追求五星级豪华享受的期盼前去，否则会换来无谓的失望。

当地的度假屋并没有进行华丽或大工程的人造建设，一切的设计都忠于渔村乡镇的原味，既纯朴又自在，你只要放松心情面对大自然就好了。

而六湾跟七湾之间就是西马半岛的最东南端，座落在四湾的东部，面向南中国海和新加坡海峡，从该处可眺望对岸的白礁灯塔。

边佳兰其他好去处，还包括著名的迪沙鲁鸵鸟观光园、迪沙鲁蜜柑园（一般称迪沙鲁水果园）、位于大湾（处于二湾和三湾之间）的草药园、位于五湾的鳄鱼园等，都是值得旅客驻足参观甚至耗上一整天时间浏览的地方。

五湾的迪沙鲁鸵鸟观光园是边佳兰相当具代表性的观光景点。园主郑国仁说，园里养了300多头鸵鸟，是号称全马饲量最多的鸵鸟园。

四湾岛的海鲜餐馆街：
如果你是专程为边佳兰的丰富海产而去的话，那四湾岛的海鲜餐馆街肯定是必到之处，老饕餮必会闻香而来聚集。单在这条街上，便有8家海鲜餐馆.

但逢周末、学校假期或公共假日，邻国旅客和本地游客都会蜂拥而来，其他日子的游客就比较少。

餐馆的招牌菜，当然是龙虾啰！单单一个龙虾，就有多种烹调方式，如上汤龙虾、龙虾沙律、麦片龙虾，其他海鲜料理还包括清蒸螃蟹、砂煲醉虾等。

Phone numbers of the hotels in Sungai Rengit (no preference):

新兴 (Xing Xing): 07-8263254 -- Cellular Phone: 016-7806749
力成 (Lek Cheng):07-8263292 -- Cellular Phone: 019-7222991

成发 (Cheng Fa): 07-8263830

新海湾 (Xing Hai Wan): 07-8263240
协和 (Xie He): 07-8263111
米店 (Rice Shop): 07-8263225
大和 (Tai Hoe): 07-8263855

Where it used to be the shore, behind of Yok Poon Primary School

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Moaning for the Lost

It was really heart broken to me to see my favorite shore in Pengerang get into this kind of state. If you browse through my very early posts about Shore behind of Yok Poon Primary School, then you will see what kind of beautiful creatures used to live there and the beautiful shore line. All these are gone now, i dont know what to say except for it is really really sad.

(Pictures of nowadays taken by Yan Ah Kow, retrieved from facebook. Year 2012

Pictures before taken by me in Year 2008.)

1.) Where it used to be the habitat of thousands sand bubble crabs and fiddle crabs.

A reclaimed trail covered the original beautiful sand bar. How ugly, how sad.

2.) The rocky shore where i used to find anemone, shrimps and where we used to harvest clams.

Partially destroyed by the land reclamation. Are they going to turn the rocky shore into a piece of flat land?

3.) The beautiful small island which is accesible during low tide was a lively habitat full with black sea cucumbers, mudskippers and not to mentioned all kind of sea snails.

Are those cute little animals still around? i wonder what was in the mind of those workers who carried out the task of destroying such beauty.

4.) When you look from the small island towards the inner land, you used to see the coast side by side with the school.

Try to do the same thing now, you will see machines and man made land. What had we lost forever?

A video i took in year 2008, which you can see the beautiful untouched coastal line.

Leisure Pengerang (4): A Zen Temple, Teluk Ramunia

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:22:00 +0000

The departure to go back home for this time was an unexpected and sad one. We were there to attend to the funeral of my grandma. Little did i expect that, she would be gone so fast. Eventhough her health was deterioting, but i thought she would be like my late grandfather. He hang on and was bed ladden for the later years, all together for 7 years at least. My mother said, grandma used to say, she would not want to be the burden of anyone and in fact, she did not become such. The last time i saw her, she said, i wont be able to see her for the last time, since i am so far away. i told her, then, at least i will come back to send you for your last journey. i cant control of been married far, but at least i made it to see her for the one last time, eventhough that was just her body.

Funeral is perhaps the only time that one could really see all the relatives, both close and distant one. I was happpy to see all my cousins, now all of them grown up and a man. I caught up with my family and we talked about also the future of our hometown. This piece of land where my uncles and aunties, some of my cousins and all my siblings grown up is now under the threat of been developed into a petrochemical industrial park.

One of the disappearing kampung, Langkah Baik or tou2 wan1. There is only one main street in the village and the whole village is just right beside of the shore. One oil rig is so near to the village that, you think you should be able to swim there.

The billions worth of project affected several kampung (villages) and whether like it or not, the project or land clearing are already started. I am sure this means 'development' and money to the decision makers (ordinary citizen like us won't know who are they though), who dont even know this place or come here before. Unfortunately, for those really get affected, those who are really staying here, it means the lost of HOME. Place where our ancestors came and made it into a home, place where a few generations of people tight our hearts. If you asked me, i personally would prefer my kampung to stay the way it is, many of the people think as me too. There are many groups of villagers fighting this big wave of change with their small voices, you can find them at facebook. Here are a few:

停止工程，保留我们的家园-边加兰 Selamatkan Bumi Pengerang --- http://www.facebook.com/pages/%E5%81%9C%E6%AD%A2%E5%B7%A5%E7%A8%8B%E4%BF%9D%E7%95%99%E6%88%91%E4%BB%AC%E7%9A%84%E5%AE%B6%E5%9B%AD-%E8%BE%B9%E5%8A%A0%E5%85%B0-Selamatkan-Bumi-Pengerang/348816058473855

KampungKu SuaraKu 我的甘榜由我做主 ----- http://www.facebook.com/KampungKuSuaraKu

If you want news about Pengerang, including events going on and all kind of other information, you could look for it here: 边佳兰前线 Pengerang Frontline ---- http://www.facebook.com/groups/158422210931553/
You probably can ask the creater of the group too. He is still staying in Sungai Rengit.

Except for seafood, Pengerang produced talents too! This is proudly done by the son of my neighbour.

You can read about the trip of Mediacorp artist, Zheng Bin Hui here: http://zhengbinhui.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/边加兰之旅

Now, let`s talk about the temple. To access, you can take the massive red soil road at the left, after the `T`junction of Kota Tinggi highway, then turn into the small road at the right. It is easier to take the small one vehicle-pass-only road before the left turn to the lastest housing estate in Teluk Ramunia (i don`t remember the name of the Taman). You will be able to see the Guan Yin statues if you keep looking at the left, when you drive from Sungai Rengit.

I do not remember when was the last time i came here. i remember washing the pool with my friends though. This pond and the statues are there since i was in primary school. But now, it is more colorful.

i heard that, the whole temple got rebuilt due to termites infestation. It looked even bigger and nicer than 20 years ago. The temple used to be surrounded by the bushes, but now a housing estate is built near by.

The Buddha statue under the bodhi tree is something new to me. i like it. Somehow, it reminded me of the one i saw at Sarna, near the Deer Park in India.

Special Feature (4): What is going to happen to Pengerang?

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:55:00 +0000

We saw the oil rigs on the sea around the shore of Pengerang since years ago. It was really a very bad news for many of us who are from there, disregard whether we are still staying there or not, there will be some kind of refinery & petrochemical project in this regions.
Some of my old friends who remain to stay in Sungai Rengit show concerns over the land acquisition at different kampung in the region.
For us, this is our hometown. For people like my around 80 years old grandmother, where do you expect her to go eventhough if there are reasonable compensation for the relocation? She have lived all her lives here, this is the only place she knows. Her children had offered to bring her away to the cities where they are staying, but she choosen to stay here, just with an Indonesian maid, despite of her poor health. Why one thinks she wanted to stay alone here? Because this is her HOME. Money buy house and land, but not home.
Even if the town remains there, but with a oil refinery nearby, can you imagine that kind of living condition? Staying in an industrial park!
I really dont care about the economy contribution or jobs creations or whatever things generated from this project. I just hope my hometown can remain as a peaceful and quiet small village, with its slow pace life style. I personally think this project will wipe out my hometown and only now that, i can understand how people feel when they are asked to be relocated from their home. Well, i am not even staying there anymore, imagine those who are staying there!
I came acrosed this some where else, but this is very closed to how i feel about my hometown:
Being born and bred here, naturally we hold this small place closed to our heart with beautiful memories of growing up, gorgeous landscape, unique lifestyle and harmonious people. For many who chosen to stay, nothing is more important than the unhurried, steady and unrestricted life. Each day, they are among friends and life is the way they see it.

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發展邊佳蘭石油天然氣工業‧州設單位監督落實計劃

丹絨浪沙是柔州政府重點發展的石油與天然氣工業區之一。（檔案照）（圖：星洲日報）

(柔佛‧新山8日訊）柔佛州務大臣拿督阿都干尼透露，州政府已經設立一個名為“柔州石油與天然氣單位（Unit Minyak dan Gas Negeri Johor）”，以監督及落實邊佳蘭成為本區域的石油與天然氣工業樞紐中心的計劃。

阿都干尼今日在柔佛州立法議會提呈2012年度財政預算案時，透露上述發展計劃；他說，州政府把上述計劃定位為關鍵經濟領域（NKEA）的項目之一。

政府接獲私人界數建議書

他說，在此之前，州政府已經接獲來自私人界，包括戴樂集團（Dialog）有限公司，以及國油的數項建議書，發展邊佳蘭的石油與天然氣工業。

他說，上述建議書包括有戴樂集團有限公司的獨立深海石油終端計劃；以及建設原油及石化工業的綜合性中心。

他指出，預計到了2020年，柔佛州在邊佳蘭、丹絨賓及丹絨浪沙等地區開展的石油與天然氣工業計劃，將為國家帶來170億9千500萬令吉的國民收入總值（GNI），或製造7千950個就業機會。

此外，他披露，柔州政府接下來將把招引外商的焦點，投注於更具有“群聚性”的招商活動，以便在州內產生工業聚集區（Industrial Cluster）效應。

柔州擬設專屬性工業園區

他說，在這個策略下，州政府將把招商目標投注於吸引電子工業、化學、食品、石化及金屬領域業者，以便在柔州設立專屬性的工業園區，致力把柔佛州打造為更加親商地點的黃金投資地帶。

他說，這種有目標性的吸引外資，將能在柔佛州產生工業聚集區效應；這包括在迪沙魯設立生物谷產業聚集區（Kluster BioValley）；在南部工業物流園區（SiLC）開發BioExel產品；以及在五灣（Teluk Ramunia）發展成為另一個石油工業樞紐。

他也說，政府設立新的工業聚集區時，也將繼續鞏固原有的工業園，確保現有的工業園區不會受到忽視。（星洲日報／大柔佛）

http://mykampung.sinchew.com.my/node/169090?tid=9

------------------------------------
Petronas’ RM50b RAPID investment

Najib (left) and Petronas president & chief executive officer Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas after the announcement of the project at the Petronas headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The prime minister says the project is larger than the combined capacities of Petronas’ existing refineries in Malacca and Kerteh (pic by Shahrin Yahya)

The proposed Petroliam Nasional Bhd's (Petronas) US$20 billion (around RM50 billion) Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) in Pengerang, southern Johor, is expected to benefit oil and gas (O&G) players like Dialog Group Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PCGB).

Dialog, an integrated specialist in technical services in the O&G and petrochemical industry, already has a major presence in Pengerang and the O&G construction segment, said equity analysts.

The company stands to benefit from the RM50 billion investment by Petronas, said an analyst with a local investment bank.

Dialog already has an ongoing terminal project in Pengerang. It has established a significant presence in the downstream segment and has a track record of building various Petronas’ plants across the country.

The terminal is also expected to generate RM1.6 billion in gross national income by 2020.....

http://themalaysianreserve.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=184&catid=36&Itemid=120

-----------------------------------------
边佳兰多处土地遭收购

(新山23日讯)有鉴于国油提炼及石油化学综合发展（RAPID）计划，以及独立深海石油终站发展计划，边佳兰多处土地将遭收购，可是，当前市价不一，令当地居民不知所措。　

为协助解决有关居民的困扰，柔州公正党成立边佳兰土地收购行动委员会，欢迎居民致电提出疑问。　

该委员会主席朱基菲里今日下午召开记者会，宣布上述消息。

他披露，在这两项计划下，一些代理相信接受有关当局的委托，开始向居民游说脱售土地事宜，首阶段受影响地段包括头湾、大湾、二湾及三湾等。　

土地报价不一致

但是，居民获得的报价不一致，有者每平方尺15令吉，有者却仅数令吉，令居民感到困惑。

该委员会希望居民勿冲动售地，或可向他们求助讨论，确保在合理价格下完成土地交易。

公正党柔州法律局主任潘伟斯指出，若有关当局无法透过代理购得土地，政府仍可透过1960年土地征用法令下强制购地，之后土地局会公布所涉及土地的详情，一旦没有异议，将自动以政府公布的价格售地。　

政府未解说计划内容

他说，若有异议，居民需在六周内前往法庭申请调高售地价，再由法庭决定最终土地价格。　

公正党柔州副主席刘文清认为，政府至今尚未对居民解说这两项计划内容，令许多居民不了解本身的家园未来将会如何。

他希望政府在边佳兰土地局放置发展大篮图及模型等，增进居民对此课题的了解。　

居民若有疑问，可致电联络朱基菲里（012-75 71860）或委员会副主席张亚成（019-769 2020）。

http://www.nanyang.com/node/400874?tid=512

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Malaysia - Petronas RAPID project

Petronas Rapid Project - feasibility study ready by 2011 year end.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will make its investment decision by the last quarter of next year for its proposed integrated downstream oil and gas project that has been earmarked with a capital expenditure of US$20bil (RM60bil).

It announced yesterday that it was undertaking a feasibility study for the development of a refinery and petrochemical integrated development (Rapid) in Pengerang, Johor. The announcement confirmed a breaking story by StarBiz on Wednesday.

Petronas’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas, told a media briefing after the unveiling of the project that the feasibility study would be completed by the end of this year.

Key facilities under Rapid would include a crude oil refinery, a naphtha cracker and a petrochemical and polymer complex, with Petronas also considering the possibility of developing a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving and re-gasification terminal. The project was mooted on anticipation of strong future growth in the demand for differentiated and specialty chemicals, which will enhance Malaysia's petrochemical industry.

“We will make a decision before the end of this year about developing the LNG in Johor. The LNG import terminal in Malacca will be ready by end-June next year, and we are going to introduce open access (which means that Petronas will no longer have a monopoly). So any parties that wants to bring in LNG or gas, can do so,” he said.

The aim of the LNG in Johor would be to cater to the energy needs of the Rapid complex and help diversify the sources of gas supply to meet existing and future demands in Peninsular Malaysia. The new LNG re-gasification terminal will involve receiving facilities for LNG carriers and a new pipeline to tie-in to the existing Peninsular Gas Utilisation system.

“We are no longer going into basic commodities, which is a sunset industry,” said Shamsul.

The national oil major said naphtha-based feedstock provided the opportunity to capture demand growth and that diversifying the feedstock sources would ensure robustness and business sustainability. An analyst told StarBizWeek that local oil and gas service providers would benefit from engineering, procurement and construction contracts that would be dished out from the Rapid project.

“Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd will also benefit from this project tremendously, as it seeks to move up in the value chain and look for better yielding product,” he added.

http://www.trade.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/export/countries/asiapacific/southeastasia/malaysia/businessopportunity/141480.html

Some Nice Random Shoots of Sungai Rengit

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:21:00 +0000

This is my Home, Sungai Rengit

The creator of this video is 林威正 ‎from Sungai Rengit also. i do not know him personally, but thanks for allowing me to put this video here. i watched it a few times, i think it is very well done, comparable to Singapore TCS production and the song bring out the slow pace of life in Sungai Rengit.

Some Good Shoots of Sungai Rengit

My friend, Khoon, was backed to hometown for 'recovering retreat' after removing his wisdom tooth. Some nice pictures of the town from him. Thanks!

The town is so just beside of the sea that if you are staying in a higher building, you can see the lights from the boats at night. There are a few food stalls in operation at night.

The same view as above, but bigger and during day time.
The things that i miss the most in Malaysia no matter where am i, are the delicious street food and the kind of relaxing feelings to have a bite while having a drink and see the world turns around me.
This is really different from sitting at the WIFI starbucks.

This should be the beach or coast line along the road between Tanjung Pengelih Jetty and Sungai Rengit. In my momory, the beach or seaside is never looking as good as this. This looked almost like a tourist beach!

This fruits stall at the site of the old cinema (the cinema was already long gone when i went to primary school) has been there since i can remember. During primary school, my friends and me used to come here in the evening right after the co-curriculum activities in the school, to get some fresh cut fruits.

We called this part of the sea as 'east side', chinese 'dong1 bian1'. East side is a fishermen areas with fishing boats and some small jetties around.

One of the jetties at 'east side'. The fishermen will unload their catches here. It could be a surprising encounter if you are lucky enough to be there when they return from the sea.

This must be the work of a fisherman who is staying here!

The Parade of the Goddess Mazhu -- 妈祖游神

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 06:52:00 +0000

The Greatest Event of the Year

The greatest event of the year in Sungai Rengit is the parade of the Goddess Mazhu in celebration of Her birthday. This happens every 3 years and almost every villagers participate. Those are not staying in the town or those working else where, young or old, everyone comes back to join the fun.

The temple of Goddess Mazhu is the richest temple in the town. The temple even build its own 3 storey building. The temple itself is small and never got expanded over the year though. The Goddess is said to be a good carer to Her believers, especially to the fishermen. From time to time, there are tourist buses coming here just to bring the believers to pay respect to the Goddess.

Inviting the Goddess to control the 'holy stick' (hokkien: ki2 ki1－起枝) before the starting of the parade. The holy stick would sit in one of the sedans.

Nowadays, people or teams from outside of the town are also invited to join the parade, such as this dragon or lion dance team.
When i was a teenager, i thought joining activities of the temple is really superstitious －迷信 and old fashioned - 老土 (i think this is a phase of growing up. :) Now, i like it to see the younger generation to join the events hold by the temple, i see it as the passing down of the culture. －薪火相传

In the team of the lady flower basket carriers, most of them are the young local girls. But if you take a closer look, there are even adult men who dressed like a girl to join the team, as a repay of the kindness to the Goddess.－酬神

The believers joined the parade and crowded the road - 万人空巷. They walked with the parade team for 5km to reach the other temple by the sea at Sungai Buntu －三湾. The hardcore one, walked there and walked back. But most people would come back by bus or van or car.
My husband was the representative of my family, he walked 5km with the parade!

Part of the parade.

The sedan with the Goddess sitted inside was 'not in control' and moving all around in the street. My uncle who used to join as the sedan carrier said, during his year, they had to 'push' and 'pull' the sedan way much more than now. The carriers always ended up with muscle pain the next day.
Some of the carriers 'disappeared' when there were not many audiences and only reappeared again when it was near to the temple.

The parade arrived at the destination temple －观音庙 which is 5km away, by the sea.

The parade returned to the temple and whether you walked 5km or not, everyone can have the free lunch provided by the temple.

Walking Around Sungai Rengit...

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 05:23:00 +0000

Memories as a child

In my Form 1 Geography project, it was about to find out the origin of the name of the town you are staying. I remember i had a manuscript of 'Sejarah Pengerang' (The History of Pengerang) from my sister. I got my project done by using that manuscript. It said, the name 'Sungai Rengit' is coming from the river (Sungai) and a kind of tree which used to grow by the river, which were' rengit' trees. i did not know anyone who knew rengit tree, but there used to be mangroves by the river. Now, even the mangroves have disappeared, not to mention the rengit trees, if it ever exist. As for the chinese name si(4) wan(1) dao(3)四湾岛 (literally means the fourth cove island), if you counted from Tanjung Pengelih, Sungai Rengit is believed to be the forth cove by the sea. It is called an island because long time ago, there is no road access to here from Kota Tinggi. People had to take a boat to go to the bigger town or city. My sister was borned in 1976 and my mom had to take a boat to go the the hospital in Johor Bahru to give birth. Due to this, people mistaken or considered this 'forth cove' as an island.

This is one of the fishermen jetty, it is at the river mouth of Sungai Rengit, beside of the bridge.
When i was in primary school, for unknown reason, mantis shrimps were something that nobody wanted to buy. So i came to the jetty in the evening time when the fishermen came back from their catch, and went back home with a big bag of shrimps for free.

Near by the bridge is a 'Y' junction and this piece of land is at that junction.
When i were young, we called here san(1) jiao(3) po(1) 三角坡 [the triangle slope]. There were a few swings, see-saw and other things for children to play. Eventually, they built a garage to park the fire engines and now, it is just merely for decoration.

My grandma told me that, those tower liked structure on the sea are oil rigs. i doubted it, as i don't think we produce oil here. But later on, my friend who studied petro chemical told me that, they are oil rigs! I am still not sure what are these rigs doing here, as nobody i asked seems like can tell me for sure. Some of the rigs are so near that you are able to swim towards it! [such as the nearest one to Kampung Jawa -- tou(2) wan(1)头湾].

We called here da(4) cao(3) chang(3)[big field]. It is shared by both Yok Poon and Sungai Rengit Primary School. Any special event of the town, this is the place for it. In the evening, there are always people playing football.
When i was in the primary school, this is the field where we were trained by Sir Ganeshen (the only Indian teacher in the chinese school) for run. One round of the field is 400 meter.

This is considered as the main street of Sungai Rengit. There are many more tall buildings (more than one storey) than it used to be. There are a few new shops and restaurants, including local product shops (the only real local products are the pastry and may be the seafood at the restaurants -- even in the restaurant, nowadays, they important many seafood from else where), a bakery or patteseries, a steak restaurant (!) and shop selling bubble tea and waffles.
Most of these shops or restaurants are opened or invested by the local younger generations who earned a bit of the money else where and have confidence over the potential the town.

Medan Ikan Bakar or the grilled fish square is the only hawker centre in the town. On the 4th and 18th day of the month, there is a night market just beside of the square. The night market is the best place to try different kind of local snacks, such as apom-apom, bamboo rice, bird nest water (the owner sold this for at least 20 years already) ... There are also clothes, electric appliances, plants ...

Medan Ikan Bakar have good views. It is by the sea and you can feel the breeze and even see the sunset. Nowadays, you can see many big ships on the sea. I read it some where saying that, this part of water is the international grey zone between Singapore and Malaysia. These ships are parking here so that they do not have to pay the anchor fees, while waiting to get into the habour in Singapore.

Places for Activities

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:40:00 +0000

Desaru Beach

i personally have strong affection to Desaru Beach. When we were young, it was the greatest day outing we could get with family. It was only feasible during time when aunties or uncles came back, as we did not have car. I have good memories in this place and when possible, i always wanted to visit here.
Desaru is around 30km from Sungai Rengit.

A Chinese newspaper, Guang Ming Jit Poh (光明日報) mentioned about Desaru as a place for family outing. (16th May 2012)

親子休閒好去處‧迪沙魯碧海藍天

http://www.guangming.com.my/node/135308?tid=9

Desaru used to be a very popular weekend escape for residents of Singapore. They come to enjoy the attractive 25 km stretch of beaches and golf courses.
Nowadays, i think Singaporean know Desaru Fruits Farm more than Desaru Beach.
In the non-rainy months, the water is very blue and relatively calmer.

Over the years, i think the public beach areas looked run down. However, it is still a popular place for the local to enjoy picnic, flying kites with the children and enjoy the strong wave of South China Sea.
The beach managed by the hotels are cleaner.
We used to come and stay in the apartment or hotel, just for a weekend break or Chinese New Year family activities.

One of the resort or apartment invested by Jacky Chan (he was here for the ceremony) had a grand opening years ago. But eventually, it closed down. It had reopen again when we came.
The government is making efforts to develop this ares more. When the Senai-Desaru Expressway complected, it will connect Desaru to Johor Bahru in 45 minutes, compared to the present 1.5-2 hours.

When the weather is good and in the season -- not raining season, between April to July, this is how the beach looked like.
This is how the beach appears as in my memory too. Blue sky and crystal blue water.
(Picture is courtesy from aunty Elena and friends.)

Besides from hotel, there are also apartment for rental. i remembered i came here with my family and we brought our own small stove and had potluck in the apartment.
(Picture is courtesy from aunty Elena and friends.)

Sebana Cove

During its grand opening, like many 'feverish' local who had a little bit of money, my uncle became the member of the resort. So we got the opportunities to come and enjoy the facilities, for us, the most interesting thing is obviously not the tennis courts, but the swimming pool.
The resort is quite well maintained. It looked the same as in my memories as far as 15 years ago when we first visited there.
Sebana is around 10km from Sungai Rengit.

Located at the tranquil Santi River, Sebana Cove is integrated with golf, marina, residential and holiday resort.
This is the most expensive and most comfortable rented accommodation you can get around Pengerang areas.

During weekends, the resort come alive and is crowded with either local who comes back to Pengerang, or visitors from Singapore.
If you truely want a very quiet place to enjoy your holiday, come during weekday.
You can enjoy the relaxed ambience of the marina, play golf, enjoy the mangroves or simply sunbath by the pool. The whole place is almost all yours!

My Home Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sat, 08 May 2010 15:57:00 +0000

No place is warmer than home

Having a baby and exclusively breastfeeding have taken a lot of my time. The tiny little thing can scream so loud that sometimes it amazed you. The shore has became less accessible to me, as my coming back home time didn't fit to the tide and most importantly, i was just simply too busy taking care of the baby. The first time when i returned to the hometown with the one month old baby, i didn't even get to leave the house compound for more than 20 minutes. The tiny princess just wanted to feed all the times! i looked at the shore from far and thinking, the next time when we come back, may be the princess can already explore the shore together with me.

The behind of my house.
Grandma and mom used to grow vegetable on the land and sale them.
That is their favorite activity and we think that is a form of exercise to them too.
Since grandma got heart attached, the land is now in charged by the maid.
If you go to Pengerang and would like to purchase the fruits or vegetable that you saw at people's house, don't be shy, just ask.
If people don't give it to you, they would still be happy to sell it to you.

The banana trees which my mom grown outside of the house.
The bundle got stolen just right before she wanted to harvest it. She was rather upset with the incident.

I remember a friend cooked aloe vera dessert before. It was some kind of sticky thing.
When we were kids, we cut and apply aloe vera juice directly on the legs as a super moisturizer.
I am not sure how effective it is and as far as i know, some aloe vera is poisonous.

Sweet potato leaves were the best selling vegetable for mom and grandmom.
They sold it to the local restaurant by a serving portion at RM 2 and in turn, this dish is charged RM 8 in the restaurant.
If the restaurant place the order, grandma used to wake up at 5.30am to pluck the leaves from the soil, remove the hard skin of the stem and cut/break the leaves and stem into the cooking size.
Towards the end, the soil would get into the nails and this is a tedious job to be done.

i couldn't believe that grandma managed to grow white carrot!
I thought carrot only grows in mild or cold temperature.

The fireworks during Chinese New Year are always what we all looking forward to.
Many wealthy villagers will light their private big fireworks, comparable to the kind they had for national event.
This one was lighted by the neighbour right beside of my house. The noise was loud at its maximum and the effects are massive.

Special Feature (3): Don't Let This Be the Last Year of the Tiger

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 05:16:00 +0000

The tiger is our national animal. Our heritage. But today only less than 500 of them remain in the wild. As Malaysians, we need to stand up and protect our heritage.
Speak to your children. Speak to your leaders. Everyone of us can make a difference.

For further information, please visit MYCAT (www.malayantiger.net), WWF Malaysia (www.wwf.org.my) and Department of Wildlife & National Parks (www.wildlife.gov.my)

每次说到老虎，总会想起中学时，参加学校到柔佛苏丹皇宫时所看到的老虎标本。那是当时某任苏丹的战利品，代表着那位苏丹的英明神武。苏丹已仙逝，化做尘土，反倒是战利品的皮毛却一直被保存下来。在那个年代，徒手或用简单的武器来战胜凶猛的野兽是需要智慧和勇气的。没有人会怜悯在血泊中挣扎求存的吃人大猫。不知道皇宫中的那只老虎是在活着或死后才被剥皮的。它被杀就只是为了表现出某人的厉害吗？由何时开始，在当年象征着王者之风的老虎，已被进化得更快的我们赶进穷巷，变成硕果谨存的动物。
记得在古装片里，什么山寨大王的坐椅每每都是一片虎皮。只要坐在虎皮上，你就好比是人群中的万兽之王，可以统撤群众。可怜这万兽之王，最后也敌不过枪弹，落得连子孙根都被人拿来当补品。
在各国都赶着搭上经济发展的列车时，我们都只想到只身的利益，变得市惠和自私。我们大量的砍伐树林，开发农地，建造牧场和住家。那么，从前住在森林里，包括老虎的动物，又得往哪儿去呢？
我自己并不特别喜爱老虎，只是觉得，每个生命都有活着的权利。如果不是非不得已，没有必要杀害任何生命吧！没有人的人生会因为有一颗虎牙而变得更尊贵。人性中的真善美才会让人的生命升华。
请大家高台贵手。

When i was in Secondary school, i joined the school trip and visited the Istana in Johor. I always remember the tiger sample that i saw. It was the belonging of one of the Sultans and it signified the courage and wisdom of the Sultan. The Sultan had passed away for years, giving His share to fertilise the earth, however, his works of bravery remains there. At those ages, it was not an easy tasks to hunt and kill a beast like this. Nobody would sympathised the loser tiger, that struggle in the pool of blood. The big cat, might even had it skins peel off before it breathed its last air. Its death was just to prove the capability of somebody. Since when, the tigers which are associated to the kings, have been drove into the dead angle by us human beings. There are not many of the tiger left now.
In the TV drama, sometimes we would see the leader of the bandits was sitting on the chair with tiger skins on top. People believed that, one will be the leader like the king of the jungle by seated on its skin. In the end, the poor King of the Jungle lost to the bullets, lost even its pennis to people who believed that, eating the tiger pennis will enhance the sexual ability of man.
Nowadays, most of the countries wanted to have hight GDP. Gradually, we all become selfish and care only about ourselves and look only at money. We clear the forest and made the land into agriculture used, animals farming or just to build house. Where can those animals, including tigers, that used to stay in the forest go?
I myself do not have special feelings to the tiger. I believed the old saying: Every lives have the rights to stay alive. Killing is not the way to move forward or to solve a problem. The teeth of the tiger will not make somebody's life to be better. Only the quality within ones could enhance someone's live.
Please let the tigers live.

Access to Pengerang (3): Via Tanjung Pengelih Jetty

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:46:00 +0000

I last went back home probably by April 2008, i returned home again on Xmas 2009. Many changes in the town since then. Even the jetty, the boat fees and the taxi fees are different now.

The new immigration complex is completed with modern male and female toilet. There is a room marking as nursing room as well, but unfortunately, it is used as the cleaner room instead.
There are proper seats for passengers waiting for the boat too.

The jetty to alight and board from the board is decorated and have a floating platform now. It seems like safer.

The marina is totally new. It wasn't there at the old jetty last time.
The speed boats, the new boat services, are anchored here.

To go back to Singapore, submit your passport at the first counter. The boat man will keep the passport for a while and when they collected enough passport, they will call you to collect your passport and every passenger will ask to queue up to pass through the immigration together.
The bumb boat leaves when there are 12 passengers, sometimes they ask you to top up the fare so that the boat can leave earlier. Eg. The current boat fee is RM 15 per person if there are 12 passengers. If they are only 10 passengers, the boat man will ask everyone whether they are willing to pay RM 3 in extra, which is RM 18 per person, so that the boat can leave without waiting for another 2 more passengers.
There are at least one boat leaving from Singapore/Tanjung Pengelih to Tanjung Pengelih/Singapore at 7am and 1pm. The boat fee from Singapore is SGD 8 per person and from Tanjung Pengelih is RM 15. But the fees from Tanjung Pengelih will become SGD 8 after 1pm. It means, the boat man will ask for Singapore dollars after 1pm.
The taxi fees from Sungai Rengit to Tanjung Pengelih is RM 20 per taxi or RM 5 per person. The taxi will move only when there are 4 passengers, or else you have to 'top up' the fare (包车).

This is the new office for the speed boat services from Tanjung Pengelih to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore. They have a fixed schedule but the fare is rather expensive. My friend said, it takes only 20 minutes to arrive in Singapore.

The schedule and price of the speedboat.
It is a good option if you don't mind to pay.

Access to Pengerang (2): Via Sebana Golf Resort

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:22:00 +0000

Noted: i am currently at North America/ Europe, not likely to come back until next year. i do not intend to abandon this blog, but updating it can be tricky since i do not have the latest pictures or inputs. i would appreciate if someone is kind enough to share his/her pictures in Pengerang with me. Merci.

The marina of Sebana.
Many visitors do not know about the Ferry service between Sebana and Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
From Singapore Bedok or Tanah Merah MRT Station (i don't quite remember now, check SBS service), take shuttle bus to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
Take note that, taxi will apply a surcharge like in Airport.
From Sebana to Sungai Rengit (the biggest town in Pengerang area), transportation can be tricky.
Somehow, you do need to arrange a pick up either with Sebana or local Sungai Rengit taxi driver. It probably costs you a steep RM 50 or so. (A 20 minutes drive.)

This is how the ferry looks like.
The ferry actually takes a detour towards Tanah Merah direction.
So eventhough the speed is definitely faster than the bump boat, but the journey time is around the same. An hour or so.
The Malaysian side immigration is easy and casual (the immigration is only for Sebana ferry passengers only), but the Singaporean side is kind of tedious.
Sometimes, there are long queue and Woodlands custom kind of immigration, due to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is also used by Indonesia-Singapore ferry services.

Since it is far from the town, the journey takes around the same time as the bump boat, more costly (far more) and possible of nuisance immigration, so why should someone takes a ferry?
The only reason for local like me to do so is: The ferry service is until late evening at 7pm and it got a fixed schedule.
So if you do not want to stay overnight at Pengerang and want to hang out until late evening (since the bump boat stops the service at around 3.30pm), then this can be your option.

http://www.sebanacove.com/ferry_service.htm

Sebana provide the best accommodation at Pengerang area. (In my personal opinion.)
Resort or hotel kind of room with facilities such as swimming pool, restaurant, sports ...
If you are willing to pay and do not intend to stay at a small RM 30 motel in Sungai Rengit, then you might want to check it out.

http://www.sebanacove.com/accommodation.htm

Not to forget, you can see many mangrove monkeys around the ferry areas.
Obviously somebody has been feeding them as they are not 'that' scared with human beings.
Please do not feed them, so that they won't grow to expect food and when they don't get it, they eventually attack people for food.
They have sources of natural food around, so don't worry about their diet.

Mangrove: source of food and breeding ground for many marine creatures such as fishes and crabs.
It is also the habitat for some mammals, such as monkey and reptiles, such as monitor lizard.

Shore Behind of Yok Poon Primary School (5)

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:12:00 +0000

May be, i won't be able to update this blog again for months ...
i will on the road again soon and this time, i do not know when i will come back home again.

Banded bead anemones in the rock crevices.
When out of water, they retract their tentacles and look like beads of jelly.
In the pool, they extend their tentacles and filter feed.

This is a community of sand bubble crabs.
This kind of small crabs eat the coating of detritus on the sand grains.
Processed sand is discarded in little balls.
The tongue structure of the crabs is actually on their legs.

This looks like an elbow crab to me, with its relatively longer pincers.
During the talk with Dr. Dan, he shared about how crabs mate. The male organ of crab will go into the female's body. They can mate for ten days and up to 12 hours continuously for a day. The male will inject around 2 little of sperm into the female!

Barnacle is crustacean, or in simple words, the relative of crabs.
To continue the sex story, barnacles have the longest pennis for animals, relatively to its body size.
They can switch from male to female or vice versa.

Venus clams are normally found under the rocks.
When i was young, picking clams at the shore is a kind of family activity and source of extra-dishes.

Limpet is a kind of snail with the shape like a hat.
They lift their shells and crawl around the rock to graze algae.

Top shells are abundant at the shore. They are a kind of snail which graze on algae.

Shore Behind of Yok Poon Primary School (4)

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 10:07:00 +0000

i always like to explore this this small island. Most part of the island is submerge during high tide and it is only accessible during low tide. This island is right behind of the school and when i was young, during the art lesson, the teacher even asked us to sketch it.

The red tall building is a Sungai Rengit Malay Primary School. Beside it, it is Yok Poon Primary School.

This Soneratia alba mangrove tree (Malay: Perepat) is almost and icon of this small island.
Its circular leaves may be eaten raw or cooked and the ripe fruits are edible.
It is the host tree of fireflies.

i found this red color nerite particularly beautiful.

Nerite is a kind of marine snail and it has one of the strongest shell structure.

A beautiful blue hermit crab is hiding in the shell.
i used to think collecting shell at the beach is something romantic. :)
But since i become a nature guide, i realised that, shell collection is depriving hermit crabs from their houses.
At the same time, those shells selling by the shop is probably by first killing the snails first, in order to get their beautiful shells.
(Hermit crabs don't kill the snail in order to get the shells. They just used the one which is empty and suit to them.)
i remember Ria said something like: How long are you going to look at the thing if you bring it back home? 3 minutes? and then you just leave it there and eventually forgot all about it.
Then, why not do a good act to just leave the shell alone. A shell in good condition can become the house of a hermit crab and the broken shell eventually become the sand.

Onch is a kind of sea snail without a shell. Its thick skin prevent it from drying out.
It is so well camouflage with the similar skin color and texture with the rocks that, i almost step on this one.
It breathes air through its modified gills at its backside.

The left side is just a shell of an oyster while the right side is an oyster alive. i was actually surprised to find even one live oyster as the residents here are coming to the shore from time to time to harvest free seafood.
Oyster is a kind of soft body animals with 2 shells. They feed by filter the organic particles in the seawater during high tide.

These are my favorite animals at this shore.
They are colonial anemone. They are a kind of animals (not plant) with stinging cells like coral or jellyfish.
They get their food from photosynthesis of the algae living with them and filter feed organic particles in the seawater.

The name of this snail is drill.
It gets it name from its way of feeding. It can use its tongue like structure to 'drill' a hole at barnacle to feed on it.
Its hatched eggs turned into purple color and the yellow color eggs are the unhatched one.

Others: Accommodation and Bicycle Rental

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:22:00 +0000

The New Immigration Building in Operation

General Election of Malaysia.
Different party flags by the bridge in Sungai Rengit town.

i feel like this blog is getting like a tourism site instead of about the seashore. :)
Hope the below information is helpful since some of you have been asking.
i have never ever use their service before, so i have no idea of the quality of the service and others.
If you intend to visit the town during weekend, it is better that you call them and make your reservation.
Try to speak in Mandarin or other Chinese dialects when you call.
By the way, i do not gain any benefits from putting up their name cards here. :)

Accommodation

Chop Let Seng is almost the first hotel (more to a motel) in the town.
The owner said, every room is with attached bathroom and TV.
Room for 2, RM 40
Room for 3, RM 50
Room for 4, RM 65

i have no idea on Seng Huat Hotel. But it has been there for a while too.

Hotel Hiap Hwa is kind of brand new. Started last year and managed by the family of the ex-village head. Simple room range from RM 68 - RM 108.
My sister's friends and family had stayed there last time and they said it was clean.

P/s: The town is so small that the location of these hotels is basically not an issue. These three can be reached in 3 or 3 minutes walk from each other.

Bicycle Rental

i asked some Singaporean cyclist who i saw in the bumb boat.
They said, they rented the bicycle at Changi for SGD 18, 2 days.
Just ask at the bicycle shops near to the hawker centre.

If you prefer to rent the bicycle in the town, call and make reservation.
Kwong Hwa Heng is near to the bridge and the rate is RM 14 for one whole day and RM 2 for an hour.
i have no idea on the condition of the bike.

Other alternative, call 07-8265888
This is another bike rental shop in the town.

Sea Almond tree. This one is near to the jetty. The branches look like a pagoda.
The fruits look like almond and the nuts are edible.
The leaves change color during dry season: Red, copper, gold.
Currently, this one looks red.
The tree Sheds all its leaves twice a year in January-February and July-August.

The new jetty. Going to complete soon.
There is a marina for the yachts, like the one in Tioman.

The new immigration and passenger waiting building.
It has not yet been completed completely, but already in operation.

Leisure Pengerang (4): Lunar New Year Fireworks

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:25:00 +0000

If you like to see fireworks, undoubtly, Sungai Rengit is a place for you to see it near and without crowds during Chinese New Year.
Supposingly, fireworks are banned due to safety reason, but in fact, many rich households in the town disregard to the law and had their 'private' fireworks.
Thanks to them!

Special Feature (2): The Rape of Sungai Pulai, Johor

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:56:00 +0000

Leave the Seahorse at Sungai Pulai Alone!

As a Johorean, i don't even know where is Sungai Pulai until one day that, someone from Team Seagrass Singapore forwarded one email regarding to Sungai Pulai.
So i did a small search on this.
I myself won't dream of to see seahorse in Pengerang, but to my pleasant surprise, near by (kind of) around Pontian, there are seahorses!
I almost couldn't think of any places in Johor where there is a wide public known of rich marine lives.
(If you are thinking about Tioman, then, come on! Tioman belong to the state of Pahang! :P)
Please let other know about this place so that there will be at least someone to speak for the place.
All of us can play a role.

Photo from SOS gallery.

What is Seahorse?

Seahorses are a genus (Hippocampus) of fish.
Seahorses and pipefishes are notable for being the only species in which males become "pregnant".
The female inserts her ovipositor into the male’s brood pouch, where she deposits her eggs, which the male fertilizes. The fertilized eggs then embed in the pouch wall and become enveloped with tissues.
Most seahorse species' pregnancies lasts approximately two to three weeks

About Sungai Pulai Wetland
http://www.wetlands.org/malaysia/en/articlemenu.aspx?id=5bc18f0e-b793-4967-9fb2-e9236b055b23

About Save Our Seahorse
http://www.sosmalaysia.org/home.html

The nightmare for the seahorse and Sungai Pulai has finally show up.

A proposed development plan which involve the clearing of 2255 acres (913ha) of mangroves at Sungai Pulai (near the Ramsar Site) for petrochemical and maritime industries has its EIA open for public reviewing.

The types of industries proposed are shocking. They include the manufacturing of industrial gases, synthetic resins, paints, varnishes, petro refinery, shipbulding and repair, chemical incinerator and harzadous
waste, fertilizers and pesticides, rubber remilling and latex processing
etc.

This is the intended rape of Sungai Pulai.

The EIA is open for public reviewing and comments starting 19 July 2007.
Please send in your comments by the end of the month. The EIA executive summary is attached here. Also attached is my general comments. Alternatively you can also download the EIA report from the DOE website.

Your comments can make a difference. Pls spread the words as far as you can to the like-minded people.

Please prevent the rape of Sungai Pulai.

Sincerely Yours,
Choo Chee Kuang
Save Our Seahorses

Below are the some people whom you might want to send in your comments
(email, fax, post letter, cc whatever - the more the better)
............................................................................

Director,
Department of Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources
Level 1-4, Podium 2 & 3,
Wisma Sumber Asli,
No 25, Persiaran Perdana
Precint 4, Federal Government Administrative Centre
62573, Putrajaya
Tel: 03-88712000 or (2200)
Fax: 03-88891973
Fax (Director General Office) : 03-88891036

Pengarah
Jabatan Alam Sekitar Johor Bahru
Tingkat 1&2, Bangunan Hasil,
Jalan Padi Emas 1, Bandar Baru Uda,
81200, Johor Bahru
Tel: 07-2356042
Faks: 07-2356071
Email: johor@doe.gov.my

Prime Minister
Prime Minister's Office
Federal Government Administration Center
Bangunan Perdana Putra
62502 Putrajaya
Malaysia
Tel: 603-88888000
Fax: 603-88883444
Email: ppm@pmo.gov.my

Dato' Haji Abdul Ghani Othman
Menteri Besar Negeri Johor
Pejabat Menteri Besar Negeri Johor
Aras 1, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, 80502 Johor Bahru, Johor.
No. Telefon : 07-2244148 / 07-2234789
No. Faksimili : 07-2230867

Seaport Worldwide Sdn Bhd (Project Proponent)
Attn: Miss Susan Chiang
Level 5, Wisma Kontena, PO Box 151,
81707
Pasir Gudang
Tel: 607-2535888
Fax: 607-2522507
Email: susan@johorport.com.my

Hijau Sekitar Sdn Bhd (EIA consultants)
Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong
124A, Jalan Lembah,
Taman Tasek, 80200
Johor Bahru
07-2453388 /235 3322
Fax: 07-2355666

Y.B. Dato' Haji Abd. Latiff Bin Yusof D.P.M.J., P.I.S
SUKJ( Cawangan Jurutulis / Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan )
Aras 1, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, 80503 Johor Bahru, Johor.
No. Telefon : 07-2239780 / 07-2769780 / 07-2241957
No. Faksimili : 07-2246359

Unit Sains Teknologi dan ICT Negeri Johor
Aras 2, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, Jalan Bukit Timbalan, 80000 Johor Bahru,
Johor.
No. Telefon : 07-2238239 / 07-2215030
No. Faksimili : 07-2234269

UPEN (Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri)
Aras 2, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, Jalan Bukit Timbalan, 80000 Johor Bahru,
Johor.
No. Telefon : 07-2241768 / 07-2241698
No. Faksimili : 07-2241323

Tuan Haji Abd.Rahman bin Mohamed Dewam
Jurutulis Dewan Negeri Johor /
Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Johor.
07 - 2239780 / 2244203 ext. 108
Email : - arahmanmd@johor.gov.my

Y.B. Encik Freddie Long Hoo Hin
JAWATANKUASA PELANCONGAN DAN ALAM SEKITAR
Aras 1, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, 80503 Johor Bahru, Johor.
No. Telefon : 07-2239780 / 07-2769780 / 07-2241957
No. Faksimili : 07-2246359

Y.B. Datuk Halimah binti Mohamed Sadique
JAWATANKUASA KERAJAAN TEMPATAN DAN KESIHATAN
Aras 1, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, 80503 Johor Bahru, Johor.
No. Telefon : 07-2239780 / 07-2769780 / 07-2241957
No. Faksimili : 07-2246359

Photo from Chay Hoon, but this is from Chek Jawa Singapore. :)

Choo's Comments on EIA Executive Summary

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Tanjung Pengelih Shore (1): 4Nov07

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:28:00 +0000

It was a pleasant surprised to see so many soldier crabs near to the jetty. Roy ( :P )said, there are 'tonnes' of soldier crabs at Cyrene Reef, Singapore. But Cyrene is patch reef and not as accessible. i have never seen the soldier crabs army before, so i think this is my birthday gift from the shore. :)

When the tide goes out, hoards of Soldier Crab emerge from their sandy burrows to ‘march’ across the sandy shore. Their ‘armies’ can range from a dozen individuals to hundreds, moving over the sand flats like an undulating carpet. (This is why they are called soldier crabs. They troop about in large numbers.)

Soldier Crabs are fascinating creatures to watch, as they swarm over the flats. Systematically, they pick up parcels of sand that are placed into their large and complex mouth-parts. The sand parcel is revolved around the mouth-parts where small pieces of organic matter are extracted and consumed, the sand-pellet is then dropped and the crab picks up another parcel of sand and the process is repeated. It is interesting to note that these crabs move forward on their stilt-like legs, not sideways like most crabs.

When disturbed, the crabs burrow sideways directly into the sand, a process that takes less than two seconds. Its bizarre to sit on a sand flat and watch a hundred crabs just disappear into the sand, then a couple of minutes later, they just pop up out of the sand and carry on feeding, a great anti-predator defence.

This is not a good picture...
Anyway, i think you can see a shrimp!
It hides under the rock and normally if you flip over a rock during low tide, you will see many life forms.
(Remember to flip back the rock gentlely after that.)

Shrimp are distinguished from the superficially similar prawns by the structure of the gills. There is, however, much confusion between the two, especially among non-specialists (like me :), and many shrimp are called "prawns" and many prawns are called "shrimp".
For most people, the difference between shrimp and prawns is based on size, with larger shrimp being called prawns.

A young Avicennia mangrove.
This fellow just simply grows too near to its mother tree and this could be a disadvantage to grow under the shade of the mother tree.
The pencil roots can be see clearly.
Since mangrove nud is poor in oxygen, the pencil roots help the tree to absob oxygen from the air.

i am not sure what kind of palm tree is this.
It grows by the coastal hill by the main road of jetty.

Unknown butterfly.
Take note with the shinning blue patch near to the edge of its wing.

An ant nest!

Sungai Rengit Mangrove and Festival: 7Oct07

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:44:00 +0000

Home sweet home! i have finally returned from my months of overseas trip. One of the good things about to travel is, i learn to appreciate what surrounding me and what i have. This is of course something that everyone said when they travel, but i can really feel this from the bottom my my heart now. If you have forgotten the last time you just look up to the sky and enjoy the sunset, then please do so. The purplish, orangish and reddish colors in the sky are just amazingly beautiful. You don't have to even go to the seaside to do so. Just look up eventhough you are in the bus or car!
Do enjoy the pictures below. These are some findings in my warmth hometown.

Near to the river mouth, this area used to be a rich mangrove. But nowadays, it left only a few mangrove trees and hardly even see the mud lobster mound.
We still got a fat monitor lizard though!

Monitor lizard eats insects, crabs, dead animals and anything it can catch. It 'smells' the air with its blue forked tongue to track down carrion and small animals.

Climber crab. It feeds on mangrove leaves and scavenge for meat.

Archerfish. It feed on insects near to the water surface. The interesting thing is, archerfishes have elongate mouths to forcefully pumped out water to knock down the insects near to the water surface. But they have to practise and learn to be accurate over time.

Needle fish. Normally found near to the water surface as it eats small surface-dwelling fishes. It has a pair o long jaws with sharp teeth.

Calyx of bakau, a kind of mangrove tree.

Monkeys are common along the river near to the mangrove. You can easily sighted one at Tanjung Pengelih Jetty.

Oysters and alive! Oysters are molluscs with two-part shell. They stick one of their shells firmly to the rock with a strong glue.

It was the 'birthday' of the guarding deity of my clan, "Sim" (沈). The Teochew chinese opera was one of the yearly events to celebrate the birthday of the deity. i was surprised to see the Chinese electronics sub-title by the stage. i almost feel like i am in Singapore Esplanade Theatre! :) Nowadays many young people are not able to speak or understand Chinese dialect, not even to mention be able to appreciate the opera. This sub-title was really useful for the young people to understand the performance.

Offerings to the deity.

Fire cracker!

Shore Behind of Yok Poon Primary School (3)

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 08:47:00 +0000

Finally, i bought a new camera to replace my lost one. And i was lucky enough that, it was low tide when i got back home. So, i dragged my friend to go to the shore with me. :) There were nothing much at the shore though. The tide was not low enough, so we did not see the black sea cucumber. However, we saw a tiny elbow crab and i think my friend now knows that, why we should always visit the shore with a guide! :p

i will be away for another few months, likely until September. So, it is not likely that i will have anything to upload here until then. However, i think i should still be able to do the Q&A or comment stuff. :)

Like usual, we were greeted by the Friddle Crabs near to the Sonneratia mangrove tree. Male Friddle Crab has one big pincer and one small pincer. The big pincer is so huge and heavy that it is bascially no practical function. It is used to attract female, to show that i am mascular! (In the animals world, manhood is equally important. :)

There used to be abandance of oyster around the shore area, but due to over collection, there isn't as many now. Oyster is two-parted shell softbody animals. One of their shell stick firmly on the rock. When the tide comes in, the other half of the shell will open and it started to filter feed. It filters organic particle in the sea water. So if the water is polluted, either by heavy metal such as mercury or human waste, then these toxic is very likely to remain in the body of oyster. When you eat the oyster, these things will transfer to your body!

The things which look like a hat and stick on the rock is a kind of snail called limpet. It can shape its shell to suit to the uneven surface of the rock. This snail can lift up thier shell to move. So it is not stationary.

This volcano looked creature is called barnacle. It is the close relative of crab, so it is a crustacean. Barnacle is a pest in shipping industry as it will stick at the bottom of the vessle and hence causing the additional used of the fuel to drive the now heavier ship.

This is a tube of a tube worm. The tube worm is living in the tube under the ground and the tube is made from both mucus and sand. This species of tube worm like to attach a piece of leaf to its tube. It is believed that, the leaf will help the worm to better sense the vibration and hence, predator. Some fishermen would pull out the tube or dig the worm out as fishing bait.

i flipped over a rock and saw this tiny little crab, around 1cm. It looked like just another ordinary crab to me but when i took a closer look now, it looks like an albow crab to me. Its pincers are obviously longer than other ordinary crab.

Ok, this animals become my favorite in my hometown shore. There are always there and they look beautiful! This is colonial anemone. Anemone is called "sea sunflower" in Chinese. You can see the one opened and the one closed in this picture. The open one does look like a sunflower right? The have stinging cell, so they are cnidirian like jelly fish.

We saw these two stranded jelly fish on the way back. They were likely dead or going to die...
Some jelly fish will swim up-side-down to have their tantacle facing up. This is because there are sometimes symbiotic algae staying at the tantacle. These algae will produce their food from the sun and eventually the jelly fish gets its share too.

This is a simple and basic crane used by the fishermen to upload their catch from their boat to the jetty.

The black color dots that you see were all flies! There were tonnes of them flying and stopping on the fishes left on the ground. When i asked the fisherman were these to sell at the market (i asked in my horror, although i myself don't eat) ? To my relief, he said, no, these were to sell for making pet food.

Sungai Rengit Simple Town Map

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 05:38:00 +0000

A simple map as i can recall.
May be i will come out with a 'better' map later. :)
Anyway, hope this helps.

Accommodation

noreply@blogger.com (shenjiaqing) — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 04:19:00 +0000

This is the hotel or guest house that my family will book if we have friends or relatives come and couldn't occupy all in our house.

It is situated right in front of the taxi station. The hotel is apartment like. You may choose to rent the whole unit with 4 rooms at around RM 200 per night (if i am not mistaken) or just a room at around RM 50 or 60.

The apartment or room is clean, with kitchen, TV and air-con.

The receiption of the hotel is at the grocery shop beside of this beauty salon.

The owner of this grocery shop used to work in the grocery shop of the owner of hotel. Eventually he opens his own grocery shop but continues to work for his previous employer by taking care of his hotel business.

By the way, if you are looking for some inexpensive and reliable facial or others, this beauty salon is quite a good choice. The owner is a local used to work in Johor Bahru but she came back and opened her own shop when she got married. She has a diploma in beauty kind of thing (couldn't remember what is the name already).

i got this news when i went back during Chinese New Year 2007.

Avoid Tai Hoe Hotel right opposite to the bus/taxi station. The owner was caught and under bail for getting her Indonesia "maids" to provide "special service" in her hotel.