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The Bako National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia is a stunning destination that
offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. From
its colorful villages on stilts to its lush rainforest and serene beaches, the
park is a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts. To get to the park, we
took a local bus from central Kuching to the town of Bako. Along the way, we
stopped at a colorful village on stilts and saw the local community in action.
We then boarded a longboat and rode through the waves for about fifteen minutes
until we arrived at the beach with huge, multi-colored, limestone cliffs. The
boatmen instructed us to take off our shoes and walk onto the beach with our
heavy backpacks because it was low tide.
After walking half a kilometer, we arrived at the Bako National Park
headquarters and decided to take a quick walk into the jungle before dark. We
followed a plankwalk as the sun was setting, the best time to spot Proboscis
monkeys. We also encountered a black, thin snake and heard crashing sounds from
four monkeys overhead. A tropical rainstorm cut our walk short, and we had to
head back to the headquarters.
The next day, we woke up early to start a hike while the sun was still low.
Along the trail, we saw an entire community of Long Tailed Macquaques. These
monkeys were much bolder than the previous night's monkeys and ventured really
close to us. We also passed loads of carnivorous pitcher plants and reached a
plateau that led to the sea. The beach was surrounded by huge, red lakes, and
the rocks had deposits of iron throughout them. We jumped into the South China
Sea and enjoyed bodysurfing while watching mudskippers run across the rusty
water.
In the afternoon, we went on another trail through the dense forest and
reached Tajor Waterfall after two sweaty hours. The waterfall itself was quite
small, and the rocks around the pool were covered in slippery moss. We played in
the water and noticed that although it was red, it was crystal clear.
Overall, the Bako National Park is a place of natural beauty that is
certainly worth a visit. Its colorful villages on stilts, lush rainforest,
serene beaches, and fascinating wildlife make it an unforgettable destination.
Whether you want to hike, swim, or simply soak up the sights and sounds of
nature, this park has something for everyone. |
