Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group, UMT

That’s it… I survived the week in Chagar Hutang Beach, Redang Island and it was incredible! I was there from April 19th 2008 till April 26th 2008. Well, I departed from Kuantan as early as 4.45am and the journey took about three hours. Before reaching UMT, I’d actually went into the wrong campus.. I was in UDM instead of UMT. Basically, I couldn’t wait to reach the meet up destination (Turtle House in UMT) so I drove in to whichever place that seems like an entrance to a campus to me. I didn’t look clearly if that was UMT before entering that place. Alright, enough about the first time being in UMT, Kuala Terengganu.

I was a volunteer for Slot D of the Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Programme and there were six other guys – five from Singapore(Humphrey, Gus, Boon, Forest, Huzer) and one from Penang (Prince). We were first welcomed by the Research Assistant (RA – Lim) and later by Prof. Chan. She gave us a very detailed explanation on the project as well as the lovely turtles; which apparently may face extinction if no action is taken by us – the human kind.

Pak Uda (the van driver) sent the eight of us (Lim, Humphrey, Gus, Boon, Forest, Huzer, Prince and me) to Merang at 11.00am. Along the way, we dropped by a petrol station and guess what, the guys are really ‘keen’ shoppers. Wasn’t that sure that they are really good in ‘shopping’ at this time. But you’ll know why did I say so a little while later ^^ Hihi…

As we arrived in Merang jetty, the guys were having their lunch somewhere nearby before departing from Merang jetty. I offered to look after all the stuffs then as I wasn’t too keen to have meal before journey. So, everybody had their first meal in Terengganu state except me and we were ready for Redang Island. Redang, here we come! That was an hour journey before we get to meet up with Abang Adi (the worker) and now, Chagar Hutang, here we come!

As we reached Chagar Hutang.. it was like.. wowww.www……..! I’m gonna stay here for a week! For Slot D, out of seven volunteers, there was only one girl – me. So, Lim offered me to stay in the RA room and he joined the fellow guy volunteers in ‘Ladies room’. Lim told us that previously, there were more girls than guys and it happened in the other way round for our slot. Therefore, slight changes have to be made as in the room, and the washrooms. Well, I have a ‘private’ room and a ‘private’ washroom! Haha.. Hooray, I have the priority! And it happened that this ‘private’ washroom of mine was meant for the guys previously when there were more girls than guys. While the guys have attached washrooms to their room.. convenient but not convenient.. hihi.. their washrooms have no lights! And mine.. though a little bit further, but will always be ‘bright’ without the need of torchlight or candles. Anyway, I don’t really need that washroom all by myself. After all, it’s a little unfair for the other six guys to share two washrooms and me having a washroom all for myself. So, in the end, we were sharing the washroom. It’s more convenient for everybody.

On the first day, we settled down and Lim gave us a briefing on our responsibilities as a volunteer. After lunch, the guys who happened to find out about their beloved ‘hammocks’ went straight for siesta there. Well, just nice for the guys.. six hammocks for the six of them. By the way, Abang Mann(another worker) was the one who prepared the lunch for us. Yum yum, delicious! While me, Lim and Prince(he managed to lie on the hammock for photo snapping) headed for upriver hike. Cool! That was really great! Lim told us that we were the very first for this upriver hike in 2008. The previous slots didn’t make it because they insisted to be guided. The water’s cooling! Anyway, we didn’t climb all the way up. Just managed to make it half way and we turned back as it was getting late. Anyway, I climbed all the way bare footed! Hihi!~

As we were back at the campsite, Abang Adi told us that there was an excavation. Hatchlings on our first day of arrival! Great! Basically, this wasn’t the first time I saw turtle hatchlings.. so, I was happy and glad instead of thrilled ^^

Now, we’re back in the campsite after collecting the hatchlings. And.. oops.. I’d lost my sunglasses! Prince offered to take care of the sunglasses as we went upriver hike but.. well.. I have to say bye bye to my dear sunglasses forever ^^

At night, we had our dinner and group patrolling from 8.00pm till 12.00am. Then we patrolled in group from 12.00am-2.00am, 2.00am-4.00am and 4.00am-6.00am. My first night was the third patrolling time. Urgh… was so reluctant to wake up! ^^ Anyway, on the first night itself, we also managed to see the biggest turtle landing on Chagar Hutang in record. The Green Turtle was about 120cm long. Don’t ask me for the width.. I don’t remember. Hihi..

The next morning, we went for snorkeling in Chagar Hutang Beach area guided by Abang Adi. Well, I first thought that we wouldn’t be far and it wouldn’t be too deep as well. But I was wrong… again! Never make an assumption! Ask! Haha… All the seven volunteers and Abang Adi were snorkeling without life jacket. Anyway, it was such an experience! No doubt we were without our life jackets, but we did fine and it was great… We saw turtle as we snorkeled! By the way, the playful and naughty Abang Adi handed me a life sea cucumber! Gosh! I wasn’t ready for it… well, what do you expect from one who isn’t a good swimmer ^^ I have to keep swimming to have the sense of security for not drowning.. although the salty sea water is good enough to keep me afloat. The guys went on to look for baby sharks and me, decided to swim back to the beach. Haha.. I don’t wish to get overly tanned! After all, I don’t really expect the sunblock to be 100% effective. And yes.. both me and Lim saw a pair of turtles mating as we were heading back to the campsite.

On Monday morning, we headed to Pulau Lima (Lima Island), Pulau Paku (Paku Island) as well as Long Beach. We snorkeled at both Pulau Lima and Pulau Paku. Well, fellow friends who don’t understand Malay, Lima means five and Paku means nail. It was another gorgeous experience! The beautiful fishes swam all around me! Needless to mention, the sea water all around Redang Island is crystal blue/green/aqua clear! Actually, Abang Adi who was waiting for us on the boat threw pieces of bread all around our body as we snorkeled. But it was great! ^^ Due to the sun again, I was back on boat under the shade.. I took my time to take photos as well as feeding the fishes. Well, I held the bread as I fed. Basically, I can feel the fishes bit my hand every now and then ^^ Tickling and sometimes a little pain ^^ After all these, I checked on my phones. Well, this was the only chance to check and to make calls and send sms. In Chagar Hutang, we’re completely out of the world… as in no outside world connection ^^ Hihi.. it’s good actually. Anyway, it’s only for a week, not too long. It won’t kill for not being able to make phone calls or sms for a week ^^

By the way, in Lima Island, the guys had a great snapshot of them jumping off the ground! I was told later that this is part of their university’s practice. SMU students will make it a point to have such photo wherever they ‘landed’ as to show the image of their students being vivid. Nice one guys!~

In Long Beach, the guys have their own sweet time there as there were no corals. It looked exactly like a man-made beach! Clean and crystal clear! This time, I didn’t join them. Hmph… it was almost noon! No way! Haha… so, I took the chance to snap photos again. This was also the time my camera’s battery died.

After almost an hour waiting on boat, I nearly got sea-sick… urgh… Then, time to be back in Chagar Hutang for our much needed delicious lunch prepared by Abang Mann! ^^ Ooh yes, Long Beach was also a place where I got Prince’s help to get me MOPIKO! Gee.. it’s definitely a must in Chagar Hutang especially during night patrol ^^

Ooh… we were not able to head back to Chagar Hutang yet! Prof Chan was coming! So we waited until 1.30pm and we went back to Chagar Hutang together with Prof Chan.

Well, I don’t think I’ll have to elaborate much to our activity the next day. This is a link to the blog Prof Chan has written on the next activities and some other details – http://www.umt.edu.my/turtle/?p=91

Anyway, on Tuesday’s evening, both me and Prince went upriver hike again to search for the sunglasses. This time, I had my slippers on ^^ Well, found nothing. Anyway, in return, we found the treasure of nature! It was great! We climbed all the way up to the source of the river. We stopped from places to places along the river and had nature SPA treatment! Guess what? We placed our feet and hands into the river water and there were small little prawns that nibbled on them! Just like feeding the fishes, it’s tickling and sometimes a little pain. Lim wanted to follow but he required us to wait for him for another hour. Well, honestly speaking, I don’t really think the one hour was worth waiting. He wanted to take a nap and I don’t see that I have anything else to do while waiting for him to ‘sleep’. Yup, I admit that I’m impatient.. but, there wasn’t a strong reason to convince me to wait for that one hour ^^ Sorry Lim. I’m rather tired and sometimes sick of waiting. Back in nature, I don’t wish to be restrained by time and required to waiting and waiting again. When we were back in the campsite, we got a big rubbish bag from Abang Mann to collect the rubbish all around the river mouth. This was also the time I actually got my left foot injured by the thorns. Phew… it was bleeding all over my wounds and those wounds covered almost 2/3 of my foot.

On Wednesday, me, Boon and Prince went for snorkeling in the morning at Chagar Hutang. Supposedly, we wanted to climb the Turtle Rock before Humphrey and Gus leave but couldn’t make it due to the rain. It was too slippery and dangerous for us to climb up. For this time’s snorkeling, I managed to see the baby sharks!! As well as turtles too! And on top of the large amount of cuts I had on my left foot, I got myself another deep cut on my right foot heel this time! Hihi.. Later in the evening, me, Boon, Lim and Fifi/Harry (worker) went to upriver hike – again ^^ Anyway, we didn’t hike too far up. It was only about 10-15minutes hike as this time, we only wanted to indulge ourselves with the SPA of nature! Kudos Boon! You were the only representative from the Singapore team in Slot D to make it for this wonderful activity! Prince didn’t join the upriver hike this time because he was busy with his artwork. Well, it’s his last second day!

Prince left the camp on Thursday and he left behind a pair of chopsticks on purpose.. I guess he wanted to contribute it to the campsite ^^ Well, good bye Prince! Good bye Prof Chan! Good bye Abang Mann! Good bye Humphrey! Good bye Gus! (Both Humphrey and Gus left on Wednesday – you’ll know why by reading the blog by Prof Chan ^^ ).
Well, as the weather weren’t sunny for a couple of days, I was sleeping in the cold! The ‘smart’ me left my sleeping bag in the car! Hihi.. ^^

Now, the campsite was rather quiet and lonely.. Only fours volunteers, a RA and three workers left. Well these few days were the days I get to sit there quietly and fed the hungry mosquitoes while reading! I would rather donate my blood than to feed the mosquitoes… urgh… draculas!

Also on this day, there was a nest found attacked by the ants colony. Lim found it when he was conducting the nest check. It was really spooky!

On Thursday’s night, we managed to see a Hawksbill turtle landing on the beach. She was definitely so much smaller compared to the Green Turtle.

Friday! We finally had our fine and sunny day back! And it’s hot again! ^^ So, we finally get to climb Turtle Rock in the evening. Fifi led the way and we stopped in five great view points! What else? Time for photos snapping of course!! Well, the only scary thing was the ant colonies! They’re everywhere right after the few rainy days! Grr….

Friday night.. our last night on Chagar Hutang beach. By now, I’d accumulated lots of sandfly bite. Anyway, didn’t feel it when I was still there. On this night, me, Lim and Gary were on the first shift. Me and Lim were supposed to patrol from 12.00am-3.00am while Gary from 12.00am-2.00am. But Gary chose to stay up until 3.00am as he said this was my last night there. By 2.00am, both Gary and Lim were asleep. I was still awake while monitoring the Green Turtle. Well, guess what? I had the ‘nature’ clock in me! I manage to predict when she was about to lay eggs and I was right! Then I woke them up of course! ^^ This night, I managed to measure the turtle ^^ Thanks Gary! ^^ By the way, this was also the night I began to bring along mosquito coils to everywhere! And it worked! Hihi.. too bad.. it was too late. Only manage to do that on the last night there ^^

Saturday morning.. we had our breakfast and were all ready to leave after a week there. And before that, we had another group photo – the SURVIVORS! Hihi… As we waited for the ferry at Long Beach, I made several phone calls.. finally! And also continued snapping as many photos as I can.. well, not that nice. Not because of the view, it’s me.. ^^ After all, can’t expect much, I’m not a professional photographer ^^ Later, we had ‘ais kacang’ (an icy serving served especially on a hot day). Thanks for the treat guys! Appreciate that a lot! ^^

Finally, we’re back in Merang and now, only four of us left – me, Boon, Forest and Huzer. Pak Uda was a little late and we waited at the jetty. Then, hello UMT again! And hello Prof Chan! She gave us our certificates and had a little chat before leaving.

Well, end of ‘report’ for my one week away from ‘civilization’ as we described it ^^ For those who didn’t reach me from April 19th 2008 till April 26th 2008, now you know where I was! I was somewhere on the earth feeding the hungry mosquitoes!

As for today, I’m still suffering from the itchiness of the sandfly’s bites! Basically, I’m also tanned! Hihi ^^

Ooh.. anyone interested to join the volunteer programme? ^^