EKOPELANCONGAN

SENARAI TEMPAT MENARIK EKOPELANCONGAN

• Taman Negara Pahang
• Taman Negara Terengganu
• Taman Negara Kelantan
• Taman Negara Pulau Pinang
• Tapak Ramsar Tasek Bera
• Pusat Konservasi Gajah Kebangsaan, Kuala Gandah, Pahang
• Zoo Melaka
• Gunung Benum
• Paya Indah Wetlands, Dengkil, Selangor

                                                       TAMAN  NEGARA PAHANG

                                       TAMAN NEGARA TERENGGANU(TASIK KENYIR)

                                                 TAMAN NEGARA KELANTAN

                                                   TAMAN NEGARA PULAU PINANG

Ecotourism

The term Eco tourism encompasses a whole lot of thing. For the starter it means visiting all those regions that exude a striking richness in their culture and nature. Moreover, eco tourism also implies being sensitive to one's surroundings and customs. This means that tourists are pretty well aware of the significance these places have in our lives and the need to protect them from being eroded by the fast pace of development. Last but definitely not the least, Eco Tourism means opening up different places for visit and in process generate employment and business.

Ecotourism

Defining The Experience:

   There are almost as many terms to describe types of travel as there are travel companies.  A couple of buzzwords that you often hear these days are "Eco-Tourism" and "Adventure Travel" .  To further confuse the issue there is also "Sustainable Tourism", "Responsible Tourism", "Nature Based Travel", "Green Travel", "Multi-Sport Adventures" and "Cultural Tourism".  The following are Untamed Path's definitions based on common usage.

Eco-tourism:   Perhaps the most over-used and mis-used word in the travel industry. But what does it mean?  The Ecotourism Society defines it as "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people".  A walk through the rainforest is not eco-tourism unless that particular walk somehow benefits that environment and the people who live there.  A rafting trip is only eco-tourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed.  A loose interpretation of this definition allows many companies to promote themselves as something that they are not.  If true eco-tourism is important to you, ask plenty of questions to determine if your trip will help "conserve and improve" the places you visit.

Adventure Travel:   Another term which is heavily used by marketing departments.  While travel to another country is often adventurous it is not necessarily "Adventure Travel".  Most dictionaries define adventure similarly: "an unusual experience including some level of risk and uncertainty".  "Adventure Travel" includes this idea of risk and oftentimes some unconventional means of transport.  A dugout canoe journey deep into the Amazon basin with it's attendant difficulties meets this definition.  While a city tour of Paris might have some level of uncertainty it is not by definition "Adventure Travel".  If you love true adventure you probably already know this and can see through the hype to find the real thing for yourself. 

  There is sometimes a distinction made between "Soft" and  "Hard" adventures.  Soft adventures have a lower level of risk, greater comfort in accommodations and are less physically rigorous.  Hard adventures often have very basic facilities, higher risk factor and greater physical challenge (ie: mountain climbing, backpacking or river expeditions).

Sustainable Tourism:   Any form of tourism that does not reduce the availability of resources and does not inhibit future travelers from enjoying the same experience.  If the presence of large numbers of tourists disturbs an animal's mating patterns so that there are fewer of that species in the future then that visit was not sustainable.  Kayaking school on a free flowing river is an example of sustainable tourism.  Big game hunting in Alaska is not.

Responsible Tourism:   Tourism which operates in such a way as to minimize negative impacts on the environment.  A wilderness camping trip using "Leave No Trace" ethics would be considered responsible tourism while dune buggy tours would not.

Nature-Based Tourism:   A more generic term for any activity or travel experience with a focus on nature.  Large jungle lodges fall into this category as do cruise ships to view penguins in Antarctica.  These types of trips may or may not be environmentally sustainable or responsible. -

Green Tourism:    Often used inter-changeably with eco-tourism and sustainable tourism  but more accurately described as "any activity or facility operating in an environmentally friendly fashion".  A lodge with composting toilets, gray water system, and solar powered lighting is probably "green".   There are varying degrees of "greenness"; an awareness of where resources are coming from and where      wastes are going is at the heart of the idea.                                                                                

Multi-Sport Adventures:    These trips have a focus on physical outdoor activities.  Rafting, mountain biking, climbing, surfing, diving, etc. all offered in the same package.  Not necessarily sustainable or eco but might be since many companies want to protect the areas where these activities take place.

Cultural Tourism:   Interacting with and observing unique cultures is the focus of this style of trip.  The concept of learning from other cultures to broaden ones perspective is usually a core value.  An artisan showing you how to weave a tapestry and learning from them about their traditional dress would be a form of cultural tourism.  Buying crafts in the market with no more interaction than the exchange of money does not provide the insight into another culture that is the central theme of cultural tourism.

   Clearly all of these definitions are debatable.  What one person or company calls "eco" another calls "sustainable" and so on.  The main distinction between these terms is the motives and ethics behind them.  Is the environment being cared for?  Is there genuine effort to help the local economies?  Are resources being left intact for future generations?  Is the local culture being honored and valued and not just photographed?  These questions will cut through the semantics and allow you to see what is really being offered.

   At Untamed Path we've blended many of these ideas together to create our own unique form of travel.  We place a high priority on preserving the places we visit, both environmentally and culturally.  We enjoy active outdoor pursuits so many of our trips incorporate these sports but never at the expense of the natural world or the people who already live there.  However, we don't make claims to be something that we can't live up to and are constantly reassessing our trips for ways to improve their ecological and cultural soundness.  All of our trips contain elements of adventure travel, eco-tourism, multi-sport and cultural travel.  We operate in a focused responsible and sustainable fashion and always, always have fun.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Nature and Adventure Jerteh Bukit Belatan Waterfall Being located in the gunung tebu forest reserve. Bukit Belatan Waterfall is surrounded by lush scenery and dense tropical forest. It has a delightful scenery of water tumbles over sharp shelves of rock into a natural pool bordered by almost rectangular rock walls. The waterfall is located about 18 km from Jerteh town is easily accessible. Pasir Raja Pasir Raja A highly exciting destination for nature lovers and the adventurous, Pasir Raja is blessed with clean, fresh air, countless wildlife, magnificent flora and fauna, numerous winding streams, rapids and a waterfall. It is a perfect setting for jungle Trekking, swimming and relaxing. Kerteh Lata Temakoh Lata Temakoh is located upstream of sungai tenang within the pelagat forest reserve about 20 km from Jerteh town. Lata Temakoh cannot be appreciated in its entirely because it consists of seven-ties falls, of which the fourth ties alone reaches 75 metres in a grand display of water power and natural beauty. Several natural pools created by rapids can be found at the lower reaches of the falls. Kemaman Cenderong Waterfalls & Kuala Benum Rapids Cenderong waterfall is located at 100m above sea level. The sight of waterfall in full spate as it thunders down a 200m slope is majestic however journey to the site is an arduous 2 hours trek along jungle trail. Kuala benum rapids are actually a stretch of sungai Kemaman that travesses a rocky series of steps. These rocky outcrops have also resulted in several natural pools ideal for wading and swimming. Kijal Kijal Kijal is a small, quiet and quaint fishing village to the north of chukai town. The atmosphere is full of peace and tranquility where one can laze around watching the activities of fishing village life unfold or just enjoy the caress of the cool palmy breeze. The fanciful rock formation is found in tanjung penunjuk which is a curiosity along the usually sandy beaches of the east coast of peninsular malaysia. Marang Marang Marang is one of the most pictureque fishing village in the country. Coconut palms swaying in a balmy breeze, an incredibly serene lagoon with fishing boats rest stranded on the sand at low tide is the exotic image of Marang. At the mouth of the river where in coming wavws and forever shifting sands require experience and constant vigilance by the boatmen to avoid running around.

TOURISM

I'm specially focused my planning issues about local tourism.I will introduce about Kuala Terengganu.

                                                                                  Kuala Terengganu

Upon entering Chendering, on the outskirts of Kuala Terengganu , sits the Kuala Ibai mosque also known as the 'Floating mosque of the East'. It is built on a lagoon by the mouth of Sungai Ibai or the Ibai River. The mosque is open to all, you can have a wander around but please observe the regulations and most importantly, if you intend to visit the mosque or any mosques - remember to dress conservatively ie. no shorts or mini skirts or any other revealing attire - not even spaghetti strap tops. And another thing, it's best not to visit during prayer times especially Friday afternoons from noon till 3.00pm

Jalan Bandar - Chinatown

Town is just a stone's throw from here(well, actually another 4km). Kuala Terengganu has grown tremendously since the discovery of oil. For most travellers, the favourite part of K.T. is definitely chinatown. A row of pre-war chinese shophouses filled with familiar scents of the past- old fusty rooms with cardboard boxes full of unwanted bric-a-bracs, aged documents piled up high in the corner with a lingering faint smell of dampness.

A few of the shophouses have been taken over by island resort operators such as Redang Reef Resort and Square Point Resort. But many of the premises are still maintained by the original owners. If you get a chance to snoop around, the back of the shop extends out onto the river, which opens an entirely different scenary from the bustling street. Here, you may be able to spot the fishing boats coming back from a day's fishing and the usual daily routine of river life. Looking across the river, you can see a throbbing fishing village with women going about their daily chores. This is Seberang Takir.

There are also several batik boutiques along the way and a couple of shops selling art pieces which includes reprints of prints painted by a well known local artist from Dungun, Chang Fee Ming. Apart from the resort operators, many of the shops are closed by 5.30pm and most do not open on Fridays.

A backpackers' hostel around the corner from chinatown and its batik gallery shop called the Ping Anchorage travellers' inn is a good place to meet other travellers but caters only to foreigners. Reason being, bad past experiences with local people who preferred to use the inn for untoward reasons (or so we were told). They have a small café/restaurant in the premise that sells cold beer in chilled mugs - the sort of luxury that is difficult to come by in these parts.

Central Market

At the end of Jalan Bandar (Bandar Road) is Central Market. This 2 storey square building is the hub of K.Terengganu. The ground floor is bustling with the haggling of vendors selling everyday needs. Fresh fish such as trevally goes for RM10 a kilo. Women dressed in colourful, vibrant tudungs (head scarf) and baju (malay top and long skirt) selling grain, fruits and sundry items. Shops selling brassware, batik items, books, local medicine. On the top floor, there are more shops selling a great selection of baju, scarves, songket- handwoven cloth, batik clothes. Don't worry if you don't have cash with you, many of them accept credit cards (mastercard, visa). 

There are also a number of shops selling colourful malay and indonesian cakes(kuih). Daintily wrapped in banana leaves, the 'dodol' is a strange tasting candy. It may take a bit of getting use to for first-timers - it's goo-ey in texture, is made from coconut and is extremely sweet. The other local must-have is the 'serunding'. This is usually sprinkled on rice or on the vegetable/meat dishes. Beef, chicken or lamb pieces are finely grated, fried in a helping of hot oil and generously seasoned with red hot chilli peppers. Serunding goes great with bread too. Try it only if you can take really spicy food.

Occasionally, travelling medicine men are seen peddling their wares on the side lanes. Talking through their microphones, they entertain interested crowds with fancy concoctions for all sorts of illnesses bottled in fancy containers- sometimes throwing in personal demonstrations for added effect.

There are other places you can get to by hopping onto the riverboats at the jetties around the market area. Just to name you 2 interesting places below: 

Pulau Duyung Besar

Right next to Hotel Seri Malaysia is a small jetty where local villagers arrive from a little river islet called Pulau Duyung Besar. Pulau Duyung sits at the mouth of River Terrengganu and is now accessible either by boat or by road. The local riverboat charges a nominal fee of 50sen or so. Villagers unload their produce to sell in the market. Bunches of bananas and baskets of c(h)empedak fruit (a very pungent but delicious fruit but not as wicked as the durian!) are common produce of the villages. Others unload their bicycles for cruising around town or used as transportation to work nearby. Another way to get to Pulau Duyung is via the highway but many travellers prefer the old-fashioned way of travel by riverboat on Pulau Duyung.