Malaysia's Largest Natural Lake - Tasik Bera

Before this I talked about Tasek Chini, Malaysia's second largest natural lake. Maybe you will ask about the largest natural lake in Malaysia? Where is it? How about it? How large is it? So, today lets talk about it.

The Lake named Tasik Bera. Also located in Pahang state, in the southwest of the state. Tasik Bera is the largest natural lake in Peninsular Malaysia approximately 35km long and 20km wide.It was big isn’t it?

This Largest natural lake in Malaysia area has been home to the indigenious Orang Asli communities of the Semelai tribe for more than 600 years. When Malaysia signed the 'Convention On Wetlands of International Importance', the world's oldest environmental treaty which also known as Ramsar Convention, this lake has been nominated as country's first and to date only Ramsar site.

It is believed to be structurally and floristically unique and also the largest freshwater lake system in Malaysia with catchment area of some 61,000 hectares replenishes more than 7,000 hectares of wetland.

taken from Virtualmalaysia.com

As usual I’d been there, but don’t have a chance to explore more. There is some picture of me at the entry point and at the jetty of the lake.

Cherating

There are many beautiful beaches in Malaysia. Today I would like to tell about cherating. Located in pahang state, it is one of the famous beaches in malaysia. This place still preserves its nature with the beautiful and refreshing scenery. If you want to visit cherating, there are many facilities available such as hotel, chalet and sport activity.

Here are some information about Cherating :
Located 47 km north of Kuantan, the capital of Pahang. A number of water sport such as catamaran sailing and kayaking can be enjoyed here. The excellent wind conditions in Cherating make it the perfect site for windsurfing and kite flying. Hire a bicycle and explore the beach surrounding. Look out for small eateries by the roadside selling inexpensive local favorites and interesting stalls selling souvenirs.
The old Cherating Village has a blend of modern and traditional. A stretch of road about 1km long runs parallel to the beach, dotted with charming and comfortable chalets, many of which face the beach front. Experience the rustic and laid-back atmosphere at the Cherating Village and take home a handicraft or batik souvenir.
Nearer to the town of Kuantan are the beaches of Teluk Chempedak and Balok. Sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing can be enjoyed when wind and sea conditions are favorable. Beserah, less than ten minutes from Kuantan is a fishing village. An interesting sight here is water buffaloes on the beach transporting fish to the markets at certain times of the year.
Getting There
By Road
Cherating is a 5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur via the scenic route to the east coast. There are buses to Kuantan departing daily from Kuala Lumpur. From Kuantan, there are regular bus and taxi services to Cherating. Alternatively, take a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Dungun or Kemaman in Terengganu, and disembark at Cherating.
By Air
Malaysia Airlines has daily flight to Kuantan. From the airport, Cherating is just 45 minutes away.

Taken from mycutimalaysia.com


These are some picture had been taken while I was there with family.

Tasik Chini and The Legend

As promise before, this is the articles about Malaysia's second largest natural lake. In English, ‘Tasik’ means lake. Tasik Chini is one of the only two natural lakes in Peninsula Malaysia, both of which are located in the state of Pahang. Located approximately 100km from Kuantan town, the capital of Pahang, Chini is a lake that was formed from the natural damming of a river valley. It is Malaysia's second largest natural lake and is made up of a series of 12 lakes. With its well-known myths, the lake has attracted many visitors from various destinations. Nevertheless, these legends have enticed numerous archeologists to conduct scientific expeditions in Chini.
Local legend tells a tale of a wandering group of Jakun tribesmen who cleared the land to grow food crops. During their labour, an old woman appeared who proclaimed that she was the rightful owner of the land and that her permission should have been sought before any trees were felled. The Jakun humbly apologised, whereupon the woman allowed the men to continue their work. Before departing, however, she planted her walking stick in the ground as a mark of her ownership, telling the men never to remove it.
The men continued with their work, but some time later they heard one of their dogs barking and snarling at a decaying log. One of the Jakun threw his stick at the log, but immediately a torrent of blood issued from the log causing the man to run back to his friends in fear. His friends thought he was possessed by demons and tried to keep away from him. However, the barking continued so the entire tribe returned to investigate the log. A spreading pool of blood had formed around the log.
In fear they hurled their own sticks at the sight, whereupon a dark cloud gathered in the sky. The thunder roared, the lightning flashed and a torrent of rain fell from the sky. The men grabbed their belongings and ran for cover, but in the chaos one of them pulled the old woman's stick from the ground - the very stick which they had been warned not to touch. Immediately a fountain of water poured from the hole made by the stick. The water flowed for many years, thereby creating the lake of Tasik Chini. The tribe realised then that the log was actually the dragon called Naga Seri Gumum.
Of course, no magical lake would be complete without stories of a resident monster or a long-lost, sunken city. So, Tasik Chini has both ! Much like the famous Loch Ness, a serpent-like monster is reputed to make the lake its home. More seriously, there are theories that an ancient Khmer city once existed in the vicinity which has prompted archaeological studies of the lake and its surrounds.
The Sacred Lotus
In reality, Tasik Chini is less a lake and more a naturally dammed tributary of the mighty Pahang River, which lies to the north. Until recently the lake's waters rose and fell with the seasons - during the rainy season the waters were unable to flow down the narrow Sungai Chini and so became backed up in a series of lakes. A unique ecosystem developed, dominated by the presence of the Sacred Lotus Nelumbo Nucifera which once covered the entire surface of the lake system.

Taken from http://www.ecologyasia.com

Malaysia's Second Largest Natural Lake

Last week, my family and I went to my sister’s house at Felda Chini. She’s just been transferred here from Sabah. Once there, the first thing got in my mind is Tasik Chini, Malaysia's second largest natural lake. Actually, I never been there although I’m from this state, Pahang. So, we decided to spend time there. We went there with our mother that also came from Temerloh with my brother and his wife. So, it’s more alike a family gathering. So, we’ve been there about 2 hours and feel the refreshment beside the lake. Here are some picture to share with.
To know more about Tasik Chini and the legend tells about it I’ll make it in my next post.