" AWAS - SESIAPA YANG MENGAMBIL ATAU MENCURI BENDA-BENDA DISINI AKAN DITIMPA MALAPETAKA" ---- BOMOH ALI
A translation of the above Malay language is as follows: "BEWARE - CATASTROPHY SHALL BEFALL ON ANYONE WHO TAKE OR STEAL THINGS HERE" --- ALI, THE SHAMAN
The message was found on a piece of laminated paper tied up to a tree, near an unregistered named waterfall deep in a jungle, more than an hour's hike from the trailhead to Mount Nuang, the tallest peak in the State of Selangor, Malaysia. While unauthorised message is quite common in the jungle, however what set apart the notice from the norm was the tone of the contents - it may be construed as A Curse laid upon a Culprit by a Shaman!
I've joined a Facebook hiking group which is called roundMalaysiaround led by the head honcho, Dominic Koo to visit two small waterfalls which were hidden beyond the overgrown path off along the well-trodden trail to the camping site of Lolo Camp. Unknown to the general public until recently. the waterfalls are virtually secluded and unnoticed by even the regular hikers. Waterfalls hunters are primarily responsible for seeking out such falls and indirectly brought its attention to the mainstream trekkers.
After registering with the Park officials in Pangsoon, Ulu Langat, we proceeded to the former logging road, a mixture of gravel stones, bare red earth and even short tarred surfaces. After about forty minutes, about three quarter length's journey of the road, we got off the main track to the right side which has a few durian trees and a small hut. Dom had to chop and clear the thick undergrowth on the left side of the hut to expose a meandering trail down a path until a T-junction. Here, taking the right turn to a path will enable a hiker to proceed to the direction of the two waterfalls which are nicknamed Lata Nyur (Lata Berembun) and Lata Bomoh Ali (Shaman Ali's Fall). Both falls at a distance of 250 metres apart are located down below different slopes along a stream that is parallel with the path.
The message was found on a piece of laminated paper tied up to a tree, near an unregistered named waterfall deep in a jungle, more than an hour's hike from the trailhead to Mount Nuang, the tallest peak in the State of Selangor, Malaysia. While unauthorised message is quite common in the jungle, however what set apart the notice from the norm was the tone of the contents - it may be construed as A Curse laid upon a Culprit by a Shaman!
I've joined a Facebook hiking group which is called roundMalaysiaround led by the head honcho, Dominic Koo to visit two small waterfalls which were hidden beyond the overgrown path off along the well-trodden trail to the camping site of Lolo Camp. Unknown to the general public until recently. the waterfalls are virtually secluded and unnoticed by even the regular hikers. Waterfalls hunters are primarily responsible for seeking out such falls and indirectly brought its attention to the mainstream trekkers.
After registering with the Park officials in Pangsoon, Ulu Langat, we proceeded to the former logging road, a mixture of gravel stones, bare red earth and even short tarred surfaces. After about forty minutes, about three quarter length's journey of the road, we got off the main track to the right side which has a few durian trees and a small hut. Dom had to chop and clear the thick undergrowth on the left side of the hut to expose a meandering trail down a path until a T-junction. Here, taking the right turn to a path will enable a hiker to proceed to the direction of the two waterfalls which are nicknamed Lata Nyur (Lata Berembun) and Lata Bomoh Ali (Shaman Ali's Fall). Both falls at a distance of 250 metres apart are located down below different slopes along a stream that is parallel with the path.
We proceeded forward until towards the end of the path and hiked down carefully along a steep rocky slope with the aid of a rope fixed at the site to a stream which leads to the Shaman Ali's Fall; just a few yards away. A pool at least 7 feet deep with cascades at the background and a rope dangling high up from a thick branch of a tree above the middle of the pool provides a smashing time for those who can swim and able to climb up the vertical rope!
Surprisingly, a notice prompted a warning at the site. Since the fall is made known to the public a little over a year ago, perhaps the exclusiveness to some vested individuals ceased to exist. A shaman named Ali decided to put a curse on anyone who dares to pick anything found at the site and keep it as a momento.
For trekkers who regularly venture into the jungles and forests for umpteen years in this part of the world, the wilderness can be construed as someone's domain or even spiritual enclaves. Hence, we are truly visitors to the word! Sensitivity and respect goes hand in hand in such places, lest we forget, we might be "punished" for our carelessness by seemingly forces of nature. Tales of misadventures are sometimes linked to blatant disregard to such "rules".
I've heard of a story from a local about a certain mountain here in the country that when things are found, for example a keris (Malay dagger) or whatnot is actually meant specifically for someone to inherit it. Perhaps, these are some of the "things" that may appeared at the Fall here and prompted the shaman to put up the notice. Such gifts perceived to be from the supernatural world which possess certain magical powers to the beholders. Even if the stories are not true, it's wise not to take home anything found nor succumb to any temptations in the jungles. The mantra "Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Nothing but your Footprints" has an aura of civility in any nature excursions!
We had a great time at the fall and later set off for another called Lata Nyur. We backtracked up to the main trail to continue the hike. However, some fallen branches and twigs had obscured the path to the second fall and only much later managed to locate the track that branched down a slope to a stream. Carefully we trod down the slope that ended with a flat bed of peebles and a pool that connects to Lata Nyur at a corner via a narrow foot deep water-gushing ravine. Either you swim across the pool, or clamber up on the right side onto a foothold 10 inches wide that has protruded out at the side of a cliff and maneuver your way together with your hands on any crevices found to the narrow ravine. Here, it will lead to a giant roofless chamber-like room with water splashing down to a pool at a depth of your waist only. We had a splashing time again at the fall and the echos reverted around the chamber akin to a private party at a pool!
Photo Credit: Dominic Koo
Lata Nyur
Who would have thought that such a cosy place exists near where hundreds of hikers trek every week, just a few hundred metres off the main trail? Surely these pools, Lata Bomoh Ali and Lata Nyur, still pristine and unpolluted are some of the natural gems located deep in the jungles at the backyard of our capital city of Kuala Lumpur. As for the dire warning from the shaman not to take anything, it might be as well also in sync with our nature's mantra!
Lata Nyur
Who would have thought that such a cosy place exists near where hundreds of hikers trek every week, just a few hundred metres off the main trail? Surely these pools, Lata Bomoh Ali and Lata Nyur, still pristine and unpolluted are some of the natural gems located deep in the jungles at the backyard of our capital city of Kuala Lumpur. As for the dire warning from the shaman not to take anything, it might be as well also in sync with our nature's mantra!
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