Green trail

On Monday, we went to this place for a morning trail hiking.  Everyone was up early before 7am, and we set off immediately to Matang. It was not a long ride to our destination but the road was pretty jam as it was a working day.

When we saw this road side, we turned into this narrow village road to the designated parking space. After paying RM5 parking fee, we started off our trail.

Before we started, reading the sign and rules was a must.  The Beccari Discovery Trail was recently launched. Odoaedo Beccari came in 1865 during the Rajah time, resided in Matang and studied and described the forest.  Today, Matang forest was recognised as one of the richest palm habitats in the world. Beccari's discovery was turned into a book, Wanderings in the great forest of Borneo, which was published in 1902.

Our journey of 3000metres up the Mount Matang started slightly before 8am. The trail was good and nice for hiking. Not so steep initially.

But it getting steeper along the way, on certain parts, and we took few water break to recover before we continued the green trail.

The first Hindu shrine we passed was at the foot of the mountain. No, we did not go and check it out; I just took few shots and then off again.

The shrine from the back view (below).

Although it was a warm morning, but the tall trees and their leaves shed us from the glaring sun. Along the way, there was descriptive and educative signs, which we read and let the kids learnt about the nature.

It was learnt that the Indian labourers were brought over to work in the tea and coffee plantations.  So there was a Hindu temple and a St Mary shrine on the mountain.  However, no trail was found on the latter, which they restored the temple. I will blog about the temple in my other post.

 No more coffee plantation but we could see the fern landscape covering it in this part.

How long it took us to complete the 3000m Beccari Discovery Trail?? Slightly over an hour. Everyone was puffing and breathing hard to reach the top. A physical challenge and oh boy, we were proud of ourselves for completing the trail.  More in my next post!