FRIM Jungle Trekking & Picnic
By: Marilynn Tan Shiau Huey, Lee Chia Nee, Koay Chew Soon
(all came all the way Bukit Mertajam for this wonderful event)

On the 24th Feb 2002 (Sunday), though it has not been raining for a while, but the dry weather did not stop a group of 27 people from meeting at the FRIM in the morning.

The group was led by Ong, Peter and Tony, and participated by many new comers to activities organized by Yuan-Circle. It was a very dynamic group, composed by people from all walks of life.

The main activity of the day was a walk through the forest trail that led us to a spot where National Geographic team took the picture of a type of unique tree called pokok kapur. The edges of the leaves of the tree around each other never made contact. It forms a very unique pattern when seen from below. Along the way, some of the attendees were snapping away photographs of the picturesque scenery.

A walk of about 15 minutes from the pokok kapur took us to a little hut by the main trail. So we could take a little rest and prepare ourselves before we go for a canopy walk. Even though not all attendees joined the canopy walk, for those who did, they were able to see the KLCC, KL Tower, and many other high rises in town. Above all, they could see the complexity of the tropical rain forest. Isn't it magnificent how civilization and tropical rain forest can co-exist?

The final attraction of the day was a picnic by the waterfalls. The only disappointment was: due to the weather was too dry for some time, and the water level of the fast running water falls has actually decreased to become a little stream. Anyway, we had a very wholesome meal. Everyone contributed something. There were sandwiches, Indian food, snacks, fruits and drinks.

We really had a wonderful time then. Most people left at about 1400 in the afternoon after an interesting morning in the forest. All in all, it was a great trip, which integrated the natures and arts, and promoted harmony lifestyle with the treasures of nature.