Cerita KedaiKopi #50-15/06/2000
"Wow,this is much better than Bintang Walk!",I told my son as we walked along the paved track along the river Sungai Batang Teraci,in the district of Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembialan.The place is called Ulu Bendul, about 15 minutes drive before the town of Kuala Pilah.To me,it is a beautiful jungle retreat for individuals and families,especiallly for urbanites like me who is always nostalgic about his kampung (village) environment. How I wish I have the time to sit on the bench by the river reading book while listening to birds chirping on the trees and the sound of running water breaking themselves on the rocks! Or how nice it is for me just to have an afternoon siesta on the the 'wakaf' ( a small open hut where people rest) and dream away just like another lazy Saturday afternoon ....
I passed through this picnic/rest area for a few times times before but never bothered to stop for a real look at the place. Most of the time,I stopped at the road-side stalls for a drink and a smoke as my usual break from a long and tired journey.To me, it is just another forest reserve with a stream and a few stalls. Somehow,last week I had the urge to stop at Ulu Bendul to explore the site.
The Forestery Department has done a marvelous job there.The place has all the basic facilities for a forest retreat like restaurant,wakaf,toilets,chalets and camping ground. It is located at about 200metres above sea level. From here,for those who are more adventurous,they can take a walk along the river to climb a nearby Gunung Angsi which is 820 metres above sea level. It would be real cool(the pun is intended) if I could gather a few of my freinds to come here,stay overnight, and read poetry by the campfire! It would also be quite educational and fun to my children to get closer to nature.
This brief encounter rekindled my earlier desires to visit Endau Rompin and Belum forest reserves. To date,it still remains a dream. What I really need is a few friends who share the same interests to motivate me. Anyone cares to response?
During my road travels all over Malaysia,I have seen a few similar places along the highway to the north,south and east of Kuala Lumpur.The sad thing was that I never bother to stop like what I did at Ulu Bendul. Most of the time, I was just passing through in a rush to a destination. In fact, we have a lot of picnic areas along the highway; not to mention a few historical places of interest. But as usual,in our haste to some where,we do not have the time to stop and explore. What a waste! What is worse,the foreign tourists know more about beautiful resorts than we Malaysians!
May be, life itself is just like a road journey. It is no good to be on the fast lane all the time ,for you will be exposed to greater risks to accidents.Do take a slower lane and stop and explore a few places along the way. Or we miss certain beautiful places .....
The journey is also a destination!
In case you don't believe me,why not ask a few big bikers especially the one who owns Harley Davidson;-) A few claimed that they are born to ride.