The Arrival

Who would have thought that I would get to go to Kuala Tahan at the last minute? I was prepared to skip this trip, and focus on my new found satisfaction in my job, calculating volumes of oil in millions of barrels and arranging spreadsheets. Realizing that the meeting that I was supposed to attend would finish early, and wouldn’t continue into mid-day, made me skip a few more steps that day. Yes! I get to go to Kuala Tahan, for the very first time!

I have been hearing so many wonderful stories about Kuala Tahan before I even came. We would be staying by the river-side, I was told. Near the trees, the forest. We would even get to go onto a boat for a boat ride on the river in the evening. “Don’t expect too much, though.” The organizer fore-warned. It’s not a luxurious resort. Just a room with all the bare necessities.


Even so, that afternoon, when we arrived at 4pm, we were shell-bombed. Oh! This place looks like it has suffered a severe drought! What happened to all the trees? Why are the roads all paved? Why does the car park look deserted? Why do we have to park our car so far away from the hotel? Who’s going to take our bags? Are we even at the right place? These questions were swimming around our heads the moment we stepped out of the car.


Nevertheless, we walked straight ahead. And soon, we were greeted by the Career Awareness Banner, on which my colleague was featured. A hah! We are at the correct location. Moving further on, we met the organizers, and ushered us to the registration table. Yes! We are finally here!

The Environment

We are currently staying at Rainforest Resort, one of the many resorts available in Kuala Tahan. Frankly, I was expecting Kuala Tahan to look more like Mulu Caves, with lush greens, thick forests, cool weather and well conserved. What a disappointment. Though it’s named as the National Park, Kuala Tahan does not look like it’s well conserved at all. Most of the trees have been chopped off to make way for hotels, chalets and more hotels, the weather is hot (probably ‘coz it’s on the plains, not in the mountains), and to say it’s well conserved… would be an understatement.

Yet, all is not gone. From afar, we can still hear the chirping birds and croaking frogs. In the night, the ‘blockheads’ are attracted to the lights outside our porch. I learnt so much about animals and insects on my first night in Kuala Tahan.

After dinner, we went for a night walk in the jungle borders of Kuala Tahan. As we made our way, on thin pieces of wooden planks, we spotted ‘glow-in-the-dark’ snakes sleeping on tree branches, spiders that expand and shrink anytime they like, and giant ants too! At the observation deck, which was about 13 metres above the ground, we spotted deers grazing in one of the fields, in a group of 3. Our guide explained that those were female deers. The males were guarding the borders to make sure no predators attack their loved ones. As the guide shone his torchlight, the colour of the eyes of the deers reflected back at us. It is red. Bright red.

As we peered into the dark, faraway mountains, we see light flashing non-stop. I thought they were stars in the sky. Apparently, they are elephants which come out only in the night. These elephants emit a glow in the night as well. When the male elephants in the herd have a quarrel, and one loses a fight, the elephant who lost will leave his herd and hide under this observation deck. Until his physical and emotional wounds heal, he will remain in this spot. Hmm… animals need their alone time too. Not just humans.

As the guide looks at one of the nearby trees and shines his torchlight, he suddenly whispers, “Look! There’s a small spider! Can you see it?”

Naturally, I can’t. My eyes are not that observant. I couldn’t even spot a turtle in the sea, how can I even spot a small spider on a brown branch? I searched but it was in vain. As others whispered excitedly, “oh! Oh! There it is!”, I could only muster, “Hmm.. I can’t see it. Never mind. I shall just enjoy the cool breeze here.”

“Be careful!” the guide adds. “The spider is poisonous. Once it jumps on you, you’re gone!”

Like a well rehearsed musical, everybody immediately takes 2 steps back away from the balcony. Clearly, none of us wants to be bitten by a ‘tarantula’, no matter how harmless it seems.

Look At The Sign

Soon, it was time to return. We trudged back into the dark, unknown parts of the forest and come out into brightly lit clearing. Oh wow! We’re back to civilization. Insects buzz around us. Another big insect flies directly towards my forehead. A small, noisy insect circles my friend’s head. “Conserve the environment. What the plants breath out, we breathe in.” Essentially, it’s all about symbiosis. We depend on each other. Humans, plants and animals. So, we must look out for each other. That is why we have zoologists, vets, and national parks. If they become extinct, we disappear too.

The Pathway to the Cafe

For supper, we had some steamed ‘kuih’ at the café. It was there that I saw green blockheads and brown blockheads. According to Nicholas, the young blockheads are bright green. As they mature, they become darker and darker, eventually, they turn brown. “Look at their heads, Jean! Doesn’t it look like a block of wood to you?” Nic pointed out.

“ A hah! Yes , indeed!” Suddenly, the blockhead jumps off the pillar and onto the lamp post! Oh! It’s catching the smaller insects!

Picture of Tranquility

It’s such a wonderful and peaceful night. Away from the ringing phones and computer screens. Serenity. We all need it in these times of economic turmoil.

The Jokes

At 7.00 in the morning, I dressed up from head to toe. In office attire, wearing my black slacks, black shoes and white blouse, I walked happily to the café. Surprisingly, none of my colleagues are here yet. Perhaps, they are enjoying the comfortable bed and the TV programmes in the room. So, I stopped by to chat with one of the committee.

During our conversation, she suddenly spilled the beans. “Jean! I’m pregnant!”

“Wow! Congratulations!” I chirped happily. Suddenly, an image was conjured up in my mind. She’s pregnant. Imagine a small seed swimming in her belly. How can she know that she’s pregnant? Are there any indications? Is there a funny feeling? Or does your womanly instinct tell you that you have a baby, a young soul growing within you? How did she know that?

So, curious, I asked, “Umm… How did you know?” without thinking.

“Oh! My period was late. So, I did a self-test, and confirmed it with the doctor. Oh ya! Your time hasn’t come yet. Never mind! You’ll know it when the time comes.” The understanding mother of two said.

Geez! Jean! When I heard that, I chided myself for asking such a silly question. Of course! That was so obvious, Jean! What were you thinking!

What happening to me? I think I’m talking too fast without stopping to think. I need to install a filter in my head. To think before I talk. Not just rattle on like a little magpie, non stop. Look at the consequences.

Just like yesterday night.

At the observation deck, the guide had pointed out that there were 3 deers. However, me, being me, I only spotted 2 deers. So, I asked loudly, “Mane ade… tak Nampak pun. Mane ade 3 orang rusa?” (Do you see 3 deers? I don’t see three. I only see two!)

When the others heard that, all of them laughed! “3 orang rusa? 3 orang ker.. 3 rusa? 3 ekor rusa lar Jean!” (3 deers or 3 people?)

Huhuhu! I used the ‘penjodoh bilangan’ for people instead of animals! Waaaah! And I was teased the whole night and the whole trip because of one, single verbal slur. Huhuhu!

Next time, I must remember to think before I talk. Lately though, I find it harder and harder to contain my thoughts. The more excited I get, the more I experience verbal diahorrea.

Perhaps, I’m discovering a part of me that I’ve never known before! Digging into my verbal intelligence, I guess?

The Exhibition

Today, we’re going to exhibit our items. We have brought along a set of logs indicating presence of hydrocarbon and water zones; posters about our career as engineers; a pair of shoes with a protective metal piece; yellow coveralls; hard hat; brochures; oil samples and a minute drill bit. Nothing much.


Our neighbour, the 4 geologists, have brought along their “Box of Geological Wonders!!!!”. As 2 of them eagerly arranged their seismic figures, posters of the company’s vision and mission, various disciplines of geology, another 2 are happily arranging the rocks in their possession according to their names, countries of origin, and rock type. They fill the whole table with rocks and oil samples. They have even brought along a rock chart, to educate the public on the different types of rock that exists in this world. Wow! I must say! It is extremely impressive. I thought we had lots of exhibit items. Looks like I was wrong! For the next exhibition, we must make sure that our booth is as equally attractive as the geologists’ too!

Our first visitor to our booth was a Chinese lady teacher. She was neatly dressed with a light brown coat and skirt, long hair, and no glasses. I think she teaches Mathematics in school. After we explained a little about petroleum engineering to her and told her that in some ways, it’s related to geology, she said, “You know, I have always wanted to be a geologist! When I just graduated from Form 5 last time, I applied to study geology in UKM. But I didn’t get it. So, I ended up being a teacher. Being a geologist is fun, isn’t it? You get to study rocks, and travel around the world. Cool!”

Hmm.. a teacher who wanted to be a geologist but couldn’t get the chance? I think there are lots of people in similar predicament out there. Limited places, abundant candidates. It’s all destiny, I guess. Life is always a gamble. Either you get it, or you don’t. On the other hand, this teacher is touching the lives of little sensitive beings in need of emotional encouragement, and she’s able to give it to them. So, perhaps, God thinks she might serve the nation better here. Who knows… Only Heaven.

Then, another teacher came. This time, we explained to her how rocks contain porosity, especially sandstones. To test if it’s sandstone, all we have to do, is drip some water on it. If the rock absorbs water, it’s sandstone, because it has high porosity. To test carbonate rocks, we put a few drops of hydrochloric acid on it. If it bubbles and foams, it’s definitely carbonate rock. Other than that, sandstone is rough, carbonate rocks are smooth. We also rectified the notion that in the earth, oil, water and gas are like fluids in a swimming pool. We gave them the correct version of the story to tell to their students. The rocks in the earth are like sponges. They have certain porosities, permeabilities, and tortuosities. Unlike swimming pools where the fluid is the only element present, in the earth, the oil, water and gas permeates through the rocks. Had the fluids existed like a swimming pool in the earth, that part of the earth would have collapsed and subsided as it could not hold the overburden pressure and hydrostatic pressure applied on it!

We also explained how we used acoustic, electric and magnetic signals to detect oil and gas thousands of metres below the seabed. Using the simple theory of resistivity, and sound signals, the teachers were so eager to know more. In school, we never knew that the simple theory of V=IR could be used in detecting hydrocarbon presence. And that the theory of frequency, reflection and refrection could be used to locate the exact depth of hydrocarbon presence, and kitchen. Perhaps, we ought to start imparting more of these knowledge that we’ve learnt in our jobs to schools. It’ll make the kids and teachers a whole lot more interested in their lessons.

In the night, there was a Hands-On Experience session. The organizers had prepared a special session for the teachers to discover the wonders of science, applying the theory of observation, hypothesis and a few other scientific skills. In one activity, 2 mirrors were stuck side by side by a sticky tape. The participant was required to put a coin between the mirrors, vary the angle of the mirrors at 180o, 150o,120o, 60o, and 30o and observed the changes of images.

I tried it and I was so amazed! Hey! I apply this theory in my daily well test interpretation. Usually, I just read it in books! How is it that I have never had the curiousity to try out their explanation? And I based my understanding solely on my imagination. All it required were simple materials. Just a tape, 2 mirrors and a coin. All these are cheap and affordable materials. Why didn’t I think of trying it out in the first place? Perhaps, I just lack the initiative and curiousity to try out new theories.

So, on that day, all of us were exchanging information throughout the day. It was a win-win situation. We learnt how to explain everything in layman’s term, whereas the teachers learnt the application of basic theories in Physics, Science and Mathematics in the oil and gas industry.

The Rides

In the evening, we went for a boat ride along the river in Kuala Tahan. The boat was 6 feet wide and about 10 metres long. As we sat in the boat, going upstream, I thought it would be like Mulu, where we have to come down to help push the boat up. Nevertheless, the boat operators did a great job and required no help from his passengers. He skillfully maneuvered across the rapids and used his engine propellers to turn the boat left and right according to the meandering rivers.

Boat Ride

Yet, unsatisfied with the idea of having dry passengers cruising along on a river, these cheeky boat operators grabbed each opportunity they had to race beside each other, purposely splashing all the passengers in the boat with water. Some even had their ‘assistants’ use pails to scoop up water from the river, and as they sped us by, they purposely lifted up their pails and the buckets of water water would sail towards us and wet us from head to toe.

Armed with nothing but life jackets and our own 2 hands, we could not do anything except receive the blows of cold water hurled towards us. My shirt and pants and shoes were thoroughly soaked in brown, muddy river water. The only thing I could do was lift up both of my palms to reduce the volume of water aimed at us. Unfortunately, water is quite flexible. Wind was strong. As the water hit my palms, they splashed onto my hair, my arms, and dripped onto my shoes. Oooooh! I’m so cold!

Is it Mist or the Bouncing of Drizzling Raindrops?

The heavy rain had stopped and was reduced to a drizzle. I dipped my hand into the river and it was so warm! I yearned desperately to jump into the river for a swim. The teacher beside me pointed out that the river was deep. “Look at that guy. He’s totally submerged in the river, except for his head. Just imagine how deep it is.”

On second thought, I’m joining a company event. Safety is everything. I better be a good girl and obey the rules. No jumping into the river, Jean, no matter how much you feel like it.

Scenery along the River

The boat ride was quite enjoyable. I expected more out of it though. I expected us to stop somewhere by the banks of the river, get down at one of the river deposits, snapping pictures by the trees, the forest, the stones, and standing next to the water. Or perhaps we would be taking the boat to hike up some exotic locations. But in Peninsular Malaysia sense, a boat ride is a boat ride, and nothing more. Whereas in Sarawak, one can expect a whole chain of events to come from a boat ride, in Peninsular Malaysia, everything is direct. No surprises. What one sees is what one gets. I still feel that I have been taken for a ride.

Riding in the Pick Up Truck

The best part about this trip was riding the Triton Pick Up truck. Loaded like cattles, we climbed eagerly onto the back of the truck to and from Taman Negara. I was so afraid that I would lean over and fall. But, apparently, my fears were unfounded. It was perfectly safe, even though it seemed unstable. Admittedly, the ride on the back of the truck was very bumpy. We couldn't sit on the basement of the truck as our buttocks would have hit the metal piece terribly! Towards the end of the trip, I eventually gained the courage to stand up at the back and feel the wind blowing against our faces! So cool!

The Teasing

As we enjoyed our dinner by the riverside that night, we finally showed our true colours. Syuk loves to eat the Kelah fish, and he literally eats the whole fish except for the bones. I found the way he puts the whole fish and cleans off the bits of flesh stuck among the bones adorable. Frankly, I have never seen anybody polishing off a fish like that. Even myself, as much as I love crabs and fishes and squids.

Purportedly, Kelah fish is one of the most expensive fish in this region because it is hard to catch. It likes to hide among the rocks, staying very still. But when you try to catch it, it swims off and disappears in a second. One has to be very patient to catch this species. It lives only in clean rivers. Thus, one has to go upstream to catch it.

As we sat there, we found out who smoked the most, ate the most, laughed the most , loved petai the most.... etc. We had created our comfortable niche of close knitted friends.

The After Thoughts

On the whole, it was an enjoyable trip to Kuala Tahan. I loved every moment of it! I didn’t managed to go for the canopy walk, spend 3 nights in the jungle in a tent, spotting animals, or join the safari trip, to spot elephants. I’ll definitely come for another 3 more nights here next time. When’s the next trip? Hmm… Perhaps I shall come in July to celebrate my birthday here! Hahaa!