My World Tuesday-Gunung Gading Nationl Park.

My World Tuesday entry is my trip to one of our National Park which is about 1 hour drive from Kuching City. To visit other World site just click

MYWORLD-TUESDAY

Gunung Gading National Park has a very special star attraction - the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower - and the park is one of the best places in Asia to view the Rafflesia’s spectacular blooms. Gunung Gading sprawls across four jungle-clad mountain peaks, and its dense primary rainforest is criss-crossed by crystal clear streams and waterfalls.

Gunung Gading was gazetted as a park in 1st August 1983 primarily to provide a conservation zone for the protection of the Rafflesia. It was opened to the public in 1994 and visitors can now view one of the most spectacular plants found on the planet. The park is easily accessible from Kuching on a day trip. Those wishing to stay longer can enjoy Gunung Gading’s other attractions - particularly its rainforest scenery, waterfalls and jungle trails. Some of these trails lead to the peaks of the mountains that make up the park and offer challenging jungle treks.

THE RAFFLESIA

The Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, is a parasitic plant found only in Southeast Asia, and then only in sub-montane hilly forests at elevations between 400-1,300 metres. Sir Stamford Raffles and Dr Joseph Arnold were the first Europeans to discover the Rafflesia. In 1818, whilst on a field trip near the town of Bencoolen (Bengkulu) in Sumatra, they came across a huge specimen that measured 97 cm in diameter. This species was later named the Rafflesia Arnoldi. When news of the discovery reached the botanical community in 1820 it caused quite a sensation with murmurings of disbelief.

There are thought to be 17 species of Rafflesia, some of which may already be extinct. Three species are found in Sarawak - the Rafflesia Pricei, Rafflesia Arnoldi and Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae, which is actually a type of Arnoldi. Only one species, R. Tuan-Mudae, is found at Gunung Gading.

The Rafflesia is as unusual as it is spectacular. Much of the flower’s biology remains a mystery to this day. It has no specific flowering season and it has no roots, leaves or stem. The Rafflesia depends on a host vine - the tetrastigma, a member of the grape family. Scientists are still unsure why the Rafflesia associates itself with the tetrastigma vine or how the seeds of a Rafflesia germinate and grow. What is known is that threads of tissue spread out within the vine and absorb nutrients. After 18 months a small dark brown bud appears.

Such a long period of growth means that there is a high risk of damage; even when a bud forms there is no guarantee that it will mature into a Rafflesia flower. A bud takes nine months to mature, when it may measure up to 16 cm in diameter, and studies have shown that a high percentage of buds do not survive, as they are susceptible to both drought and heavy rain.

After nine months the brown ‘leaves’ of the cabbage-like bud open, revealing the underside of the petal-like lobes. It takes several hours for a flower to open fully. There are usually five thick and fleshy red-coloured petals, covered in lighter coloured spots, warts and blotches. The Rafflesia only blooms for 3-5 days, before it starts to blacken and rot. Although it is quite common for a number of buds to occur in a cluster at the same site, it is rare for two plants of the same cluster to bloom at the same time.

Rafflesia flowers are either male or female, and therefore cannot self-pollinate. For pollination to take place, a male and a female flower must bloom at the same time and pollen must be transported over considerable distances. In the Rafflesia’s case pollination is carried out by carrion flies, so whilst in full bloom the Rafflesia gives off a foul smell of decaying flesh to attract them. Seeds are thought to be dispersed by rodents and other small mammals which eat the flowers. Scientists remain baffled, however, as to how the tiny seeds infest the roots and stems of the host vine.

Loss of habitat is the greatest threat to the survival of the Rafflesia. Its reliance on the tetrastigma vine does not help matters. With other endangered species it is possible to implement a range of conservation measures such as trans-location and the establishment of nurseries. However, these measures are not possible with the Rafflesia due to its very high degree of specialisation. The establishment of totally protected conservation zones is the only way to preserve this unique plant.

Gunung Gading National Park in Southwest Sarawak is such a conservation zone. Gazetted in 1983, the park covers an area of 4,106 hectares and forms a safe and secure habitat for the protection of the Rafflesia.

For more information visit this site SARAWAK FORESTRY

Revisiting Damai Santubong,Pasir Pandak,Kampung Buntal,Lundu and Sematan.

The attraction is the sea itself for our two friends Mr& Mrs MOOO....
Sorry no work today..I'm on holiday.
The seas in Sematan the westermost tip of Sarawak near the border with Indonesia West Kalimatan .

One of the Island in Sematan.
Sematan half an hour drive from Lundu were a popular holiday resort.To-day the hobby fisherman are heading for Sematan,eager to catch the big fish.
Fresh seafood when the boat come in from the sea and crabs are cheap in Sematan.

This way to the beach................and atrractive beaches near by.There are some beach huts and chalets but they are overpriced for basic facilities they offer.
Sematan beach.

Welcome and Selamat Datang to Sematan.

Sematan is a natural charm and offers the beauty of it's people and landscape and the seas.
Souvenir and local handycraft can be found at flea market in Sematan.
Happy Holiday to a group of scooter club from Kuching on convoy to Sematan.

The junction of the road to Lundu and Sematan.Visitors come to Lundu and Sematan for Sun,Sand and Sea.

To the Malay Kampung in Lundu.Lundu is a sleepy up-country town comprising a few rows of sophouses,a small market,government building and some attractive kampung houses,inhabited by very friendly residents.
Prawn,cuttlefish and Ikan parang crackers are widely sold at a very reasonable prices in Kampong stall .All this crackers are locally produce by villagers.
Local cookies,biscuits and cakes are among the best buy in local market Lundu.

Pasir Pandak beach.
Pasir Pandak kampung which are surrounded by small rolling hills,cocunut groves and durian orchards.

Rich Dad in Pasir Pandak

Poor Dad of Pasir Pandak.

Pasir Panjang fishing village
Pasir Pandak fishing village.Pasir Pajang and Pasir Pandak are two beach-side kampung.

The Green Paradise Cafe at the enterance to the Santubong Mountain Treks and offers rice and noodle dishes in a pleasant jungle setting.

Scooter for rent::::Maybe Rm30 perday excluding helmet and no insurance coverage.Our tourist riding the scooter in Santubong Village.

Childrens enjoying the cool water of forest pool.

Pasir Pandak Cowboys

Home stay along Jalan Sultan Tengah.
UMNO flag in Kampung Buntal.
Selamat Datang and Welcome to Kampung Buntal.

Interesting coastal village(kampungs) in the Santubong Peninsula.Buntal a Malay fishing village just off the Kuching-Santubong road,is famous for the seafood restaurants .Most of the seafood restaurants belong to Ah Kau,Along or Ah kong and my advise to Muslim friend please look for seafood stall belong to Ahmad,Ali,Bujang senang and Mak minah.
Our PAS members here can help you to look for Halal seafood restaurants in this village.

The junction to Kampung Buntal and Santubong off Jalan Sultan Tengah.
Ever wonder where the Jalan Sultan Tengah come from? According to the legends of Sarawak by Chang Pat Foh(1999),when Sultan of Brunei took over control of Sarawak,Sarawak Malay had already established their settlements in Santubong where Datu Merpati Jepang was the leader.Based on the history of Brunei there was a strong indication that Santubong was the first capital of Sarawak in the late 16th century when Sultan Tengah Ibnu Sultan Muhamad Hassan,the secong son of the third Sultan of Brunei,become the first and last Sultan of Sarawak.In 1641.Sultan Pengiran passed away at Buaya and was buried at Santubong.To-day,this mausoleum is located at the junction of Jalan Sultan Tengah and Jalan Santubong.It was restored and declared as a historical monument n Sarawak.

Happy holiday ....................................................