Reef fishes, hard and soft corals, all living abundantly in the Straits of Malacca.
Little did we know that the Straits of Malacca harbours some of nature's best kept secrets. Unknown to many, a small cape extending into the Straits of Malacca hosts not only a tropical rainforest but a rich diversity of marine life beneath the rumbling surface of the sea. Our journey which supposed to start early in the morning, was delayed because my car couldn't start. I was just about to give up and call off the trip before the engine miraculously came to life. voila.
Journey took us approximately an hour and a half via the trunk road, offering a scenic view of surrounding palm oil estates and the kampungs.
It was a perfectly cloudy morning which made the journey somewhat enjoyable but upon reaching our destination, we were yearning for sunlight. After all, photos don't turn out well without sunlight. We hiked up the cape on a paved road before turning left at an opening between the trees, venturing off the beaten path. We were planning to head to the deserted beach on the western coast of the cape.
huge trees towering above each other
calling her relatives out of the jungle
just before we ventured off the beaten path
The trek to the beach would have been an enjoyable one if it weren't because of the mosquitoes that were targeting me; or should I say my black bag? They were swarming all over me as if they haven't had their meals for ages. I couldn't even pause to snap a picture or gasp some air without getting bitten. Before reaching the beach, we stumbled upon a nicely dug well with brick walls. What is a well doing in the middle of the jungle? It certainly added to the already spooky environment.
wild snake fruit; it is impossible to take a clear picture with dozens of mosquitoes hovering above your head.
Finally, after a 30-minute hike, we reached our destination. Greeted by an unknown stench, stagnant and murky waters, we were wondering if all these worth the journey. There were debris scattered all around the beach, many of which are dead and broken corals, which gave us evidence that an ecosystem once thrived here. At one end of the beach was a dead monitor lizard with a size comparable to that of a crocodile. With the sun still playing hide and seek with us, photos turned out dull and lifeless.
C'est art
fossil-like impression
dead seaweeds
The yellow sand beach
half a dozen of this and you'll get a great appetiser, or aphrodisiac. =P
the unfortunate reptile
an empty beach with a white frangipani tree and many offerings and joss sticks; it was time to get out of there.
We searched around for another trail which leads to another beach on the tip of the cape. It was quite a steep journey up but the trail is well marked if not used. After hiking up the hill, we had to hike down before we found paradise. It was actually my second time here but limited time didn't allow for exploration during my first trip. We surveyed the surrounding, walked around and headed straight to the exposed sea bed as it was low tide.
sneak preview
white sand beach fringed by the forest
the exposed reef during low tide
A couple of dull-looking hard corals in pools of water caught our attentions. It was simply amazing to see such organisms living in a heavily polluted environment and high water turbidity. The one and only thing that helped them survive is the poor accessibility to the beach which is a blessing in disguise. Some of these hard corals boast blue and green hues that made excellent contents for our photo album. Of course, we didn't stop there. We continued walking towards the sea which had a nice blueish shade that turned crystal clear as we approach closer.
A closer look revealed more hard corals and soft corals that rival those in the east coast. This is by far the largest collection of corals we've ever seen on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia after Pulau Payar. So vast that we barely explored it after half a day. At one side there were huge colonies brain corals while at the corner there were small pools of water housing reef fishes that got trapped by the receding tide. Humans are barely present here as these fishes were clearly intimidated by every slight movement above or beneath the water surface.
stone corals. Goniastrea sp.
close-up of hard coral. Goniastrea sp.
reef fishes that were trapped by the receding tide
reef crab
intimidated by our presence
seagrass and corals living harmoniously together
Rockies
After snapping scene from above the water, I decided it was time to get dirty. Actually the water was only knee-deep. The further we head out to the sea, the more colourful the corals are and the variety found increases as well. No nudibranches or morray eel unfortunately. It was a sight to behold as marine lives never fail to fascinate my climbing buddy and me. The corals were simply amazing, bursting with colours and they are surprisingly healthy. I'm basically out of words to describe the whole scene beneath the surface. As usual, I'll allow the pictures to paint the thousand words.
Family Faviidae
two of the few fishes that I managed to capture on camera
seaweeds
Goniastrea sp. which formed the majority of corals
yellow disc coral. turbinaria sp.
Family Faviidae
Family Faviidae
green Goniastrea sp.
brown disc coral. turbinaria sp.
Family Faviidae
Goniastrea sp.
turbinaria sp.
Family Faviidae partially submerged
Family Faviidae
close-up from above to beneath
A great picture of the full internal reflection (pantulan dalam penuh)
species unknown
Tried to take "the best of both worlds"
the rough sea
partially burned coral enthusiasts
talking to her mom on the phone while balancing on slippery rocks. Camp 5 skill. lol
the reef flat. While it looks brown, it is very much alive and vibrant
Goniopora columna sp.
Goniopora columna sp.
Goniopora columna sp.
Goniopora columna sp.
grape-like seaweeds. So tempted to burst one
Soft Corals - black
Soft Corals - brown
Soft Corals - green
Family Alcyoniidae
Family Alcyoniidae
Family Alcyoniidae
Family Alcyoniidae
a perfect example of coral bleaching due to constant exposure to the surface
damsel fishes
Zebra-like fishes
dried table coral
alien-like Family Faviidae and octopus like hermit crab shell
the lot that didn't make it to adulthood
Without realising it, we've already spent half a day snapping pictures and appreciating one of mother nature's greatest creation. Tide was coming in and it was time for some a nice cool shower and an overpriced KFC meal which was my last. Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile journey and a rewarding hike to unlock the secrets of the historic straits
Why Great Barrier Reef when it's all here?
Journey took us approximately an hour and a half via the trunk road, offering a scenic view of surrounding palm oil estates and the kampungs.
It was a perfectly cloudy morning which made the journey somewhat enjoyable but upon reaching our destination, we were yearning for sunlight. After all, photos don't turn out well without sunlight. We hiked up the cape on a paved road before turning left at an opening between the trees, venturing off the beaten path. We were planning to head to the deserted beach on the western coast of the cape.
huge trees towering above each other
calling her relatives out of the jungle
just before we ventured off the beaten path
The trek to the beach would have been an enjoyable one if it weren't because of the mosquitoes that were targeting me; or should I say my black bag? They were swarming all over me as if they haven't had their meals for ages. I couldn't even pause to snap a picture or gasp some air without getting bitten. Before reaching the beach, we stumbled upon a nicely dug well with brick walls. What is a well doing in the middle of the jungle? It certainly added to the already spooky environment.
wild snake fruit; it is impossible to take a clear picture with dozens of mosquitoes hovering above your head.
Finally, after a 30-minute hike, we reached our destination. Greeted by an unknown stench, stagnant and murky waters, we were wondering if all these worth the journey. There were debris scattered all around the beach, many of which are dead and broken corals, which gave us evidence that an ecosystem once thrived here. At one end of the beach was a dead monitor lizard with a size comparable to that of a crocodile. With the sun still playing hide and seek with us, photos turned out dull and lifeless.
C'est art
fossil-like impression
dead seaweeds
The yellow sand beach
half a dozen of this and you'll get a great appetiser, or aphrodisiac. =P
the unfortunate reptile
an empty beach with a white frangipani tree and many offerings and joss sticks; it was time to get out of there.
We searched around for another trail which leads to another beach on the tip of the cape. It was quite a steep journey up but the trail is well marked if not used. After hiking up the hill, we had to hike down before we found paradise. It was actually my second time here but limited time didn't allow for exploration during my first trip. We surveyed the surrounding, walked around and headed straight to the exposed sea bed as it was low tide.
sneak preview
white sand beach fringed by the forest
the exposed reef during low tide
A couple of dull-looking hard corals in pools of water caught our attentions. It was simply amazing to see such organisms living in a heavily polluted environment and high water turbidity. The one and only thing that helped them survive is the poor accessibility to the beach which is a blessing in disguise. Some of these hard corals boast blue and green hues that made excellent contents for our photo album. Of course, we didn't stop there. We continued walking towards the sea which had a nice blueish shade that turned crystal clear as we approach closer.
A closer look revealed more hard corals and soft corals that rival those in the east coast. This is by far the largest collection of corals we've ever seen on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia after Pulau Payar. So vast that we barely explored it after half a day. At one side there were huge colonies brain corals while at the corner there were small pools of water housing reef fishes that got trapped by the receding tide. Humans are barely present here as these fishes were clearly intimidated by every slight movement above or beneath the water surface.
stone corals. Goniastrea sp.
close-up of hard coral. Goniastrea sp.
reef fishes that were trapped by the receding tide
reef crab
intimidated by our presence
seagrass and corals living harmoniously together
Rockies
After snapping scene from above the water, I decided it was time to get dirty. Actually the water was only knee-deep. The further we head out to the sea, the more colourful the corals are and the variety found increases as well. No nudibranches or morray eel unfortunately. It was a sight to behold as marine lives never fail to fascinate my climbing buddy and me. The corals were simply amazing, bursting with colours and they are surprisingly healthy. I'm basically out of words to describe the whole scene beneath the surface. As usual, I'll allow the pictures to paint the thousand words.
Family Faviidae
two of the few fishes that I managed to capture on camera
seaweeds
Goniastrea sp. which formed the majority of corals
yellow disc coral. turbinaria sp.
Family Faviidae
Family Faviidae
green Goniastrea sp.
brown disc coral. turbinaria sp.
Family Faviidae
Goniastrea sp.
turbinaria sp.
Family Faviidae partially submerged
Family Faviidae
close-up from above to beneath
A great picture of the full internal reflection (pantulan dalam penuh)
species unknown
Tried to take "the best of both worlds"
the rough sea
partially burned coral enthusiasts
talking to her mom on the phone while balancing on slippery rocks. Camp 5 skill. lol
the reef flat. While it looks brown, it is very much alive and vibrant
Goniopora columna sp.
Goniopora columna sp.
Goniopora columna sp.
Goniopora columna sp.
grape-like seaweeds. So tempted to burst one
Soft Corals - black
Soft Corals - brown
Soft Corals - green
Family Alcyoniidae
Family Alcyoniidae
Family Alcyoniidae
Family Alcyoniidae
a perfect example of coral bleaching due to constant exposure to the surface
damsel fishes
Zebra-like fishes
dried table coral
alien-like Family Faviidae and octopus like hermit crab shell
the lot that didn't make it to adulthood
Without realising it, we've already spent half a day snapping pictures and appreciating one of mother nature's greatest creation. Tide was coming in and it was time for some a nice cool shower and an overpriced KFC meal which was my last. Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile journey and a rewarding hike to unlock the secrets of the historic straits
Why Great Barrier Reef when it's all here?
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