Lets get ready for Malaysia Lake Tours . There are many beautiful lakes to visit. All of them have numerous attractive spots around which offer panoramic views of colorful landscapes. Lush tropical gardens, deep forests, wonderful waterfalls, exotic wildlife; these and many more things surround the charming lakes.
You can either bask in the beauty of the fantabulous vicinity or venture on any of the water-sport activities like canoeing, kayaking, boating, water-skiing and wind-surfing. Nature Lovers and photographers get the privilege to know nature from close. And if you also want to be one of those privileged nature-lovers or water sport enthusiasts, then a tour to Tasik Chini Lake is must for you.
Of the two beautiful natural lakes in Peninsula Malaysia , Tasik Chini is the second largest natural lake . It is located 100 km away from the state capital of Pahang called Kuantan town .
This Chini Lake has evolved from damming of a river valley. It embodies a series of 12 lakes .
It is believed, in this beautiful lake a fictitious dragon guarding a lost city of gold and a serpent Naga Seri Gumum (Loch Ness Monster) which is considered to be the guardian spirit of the lake, exist. In fact, all these myths have attracted many archeologists to carry out their scientific expeditions in this lake.
However, apart from its popular mythical story, Tasik Lake also features 144 species of fishes and 200 species of birds . You can see all these and enjoy many more things such as an adventure ride all the way through challenging routes of Jungle and swamps which call for an off-road drive.
Besides all these, Tasik Lake or say Chini Lake also has provisions for camping spots .
In fact, there are various accommodations available by the side of the lake in forms of chalets, hotels and resorts.
Beautiful Tasik Chini. Such strong will to survive the ravishes of humans. It's been several years since our last visit to Chini lake, and she is still as beautiful as when we first laid our eyes on her in 1996. She is a little sicker.
Everywhere, we see life clinging on to a fine line of survive or perish. The old fig trees in which the jungle birds and animals feed off fruits are around but fewer.
Palm oil plantations encroaching into the area, illegal logging, introduction of alien destructive plants like the 'ekor kuching' and that damned dam - they're all tightening the noose round her neck.. and the authorities are not heeding to it's melancholic call.
Tasik Chini, the country's second-largest freshwater lake, is contaminated with high levels of e-coli, the bacteria that may have caused rash and diarrhoea among the orang asli living near it.
The state government had warned the 400 villagers, including 100 children aged six and under, not to drink water from the lake and wells but they do nothing to improve the situation... The orang Jakun (indigenous tribe who lives around and on the lake) believes that the lake is slowly suffocating and the spirits of the lake and the jungle fringing her are upset with the state of the lake. As it is, the lake people have been complaining of poor fish harvests recently and that the stagnant lake water is giving them much worry that soon the juvenile fish stock will die off and the river fishes will no longer return to the lake for spawning. There is only one way to resolve this and it is to do away with the dam.
The orang Jakun are still keeping their chins up on the matter in hope that the situation will be reversed. They believe that the problem is rectifiable and if things happen soon, the lake can be saved and their livelihood restored. With the restoration of the lake will also come the restoration of their folklore and their tales of the good old days where water was so clear and clean one could drink straight from the lake! That would be nice....
Lake Chini Resort is a favourite haunt for fishing enthusiasts and at times, corporate team building trips. But this Resort is not for the fainthearted... just be sure to bring a pair of rubber slippers, a bottle of dettol or bleach, your own toilet roll and towels, and lower your expectations.
But once out on the lake and into the narrow sungai or river chini, life becomes clear..this is it...this is worth the trip ... just to be at one with the lake..Birds can be heard all round..deep behind the veil of vines and foliage, melodious singing lures strangers like sirens of the mermaid.
Let's hope that due to the insensitivities or perhaps greed of a few, this gift of life is not taken away from us..
Worldtravel4indians.com offers interesting information on Tasik Chini Lake and many more around Malaysia.
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