A 1 day Cryptocoryne collection trip in Malaysia?

[illumbomb]

Ok, seems like so far we will have 5 guys going, tentatively still meeting at 7am at Kranji MRT station on 19 April 2008 (April). Any updates yet on the recommended place in Johore to go to? I am beginning to gear up for it.....


The net's area is slightly larger than the size of A4 paper... come fishy fishy fishy......

[David Moses Heng]

guys, i have manage to recruit one guide for us. I was with him today and he recommended mersing where there are plenty of wild bettas, some of which are alien to me. For crypts, he suggested kota tingi. He even showed me his photos of past expedition to these places. Condition: He will only be available two weeks later.

[planted86]

POWER!!! hahaha now we got 2 cabs with 3 ppl in each cab... at least won't be so cramp... muahahahahaha....

me also gearing up... bought a 40liter backpack... a few nets... alot of plastic bags... lol...

[illumbomb]

Great! I can smell the steams and swamps and feel the leeches sucking my blood already!!! 2 weeks later meaning we have to postpone the trip to say 26 April 2008? And also, if we are travelling all the way down to Mersing, are we waking up a little earlier (say 06:30hrs) and try to still squeeze it into a day trip and returning really late (say after 22:00hrs) or are we thinking of extending it into a 2 days trip instead?

David, do you want to check with our "guide" on his schedule and preferances as we won't want to drive him too hard and scare him off...... (also do extend our sincere thanks to him for agreeing to be our guide!!!).

[David Moses Heng]

Great! I can smell the steams and swamps and feel the leeches sucking my blood already!!! 2 weeks later meaning we have to postpone the trip to say 26 April 2008? And also, if we are travelling all the way down to Mersing, are we waking up a little earlier (say 06:30hrs) and try to still squeeze it into a day trip and returning really late (say after 22:00hrs) or are we thinking of extending it into a 2 days trip instead?

David, do you want to check with our "guide" on his schedule and preferances as we won't want to drive him too hard and scare him off...... (also do extend our sincere thanks to him for agreeing to be our guide!!!).

tentative date is early may and he suggested two day trip so that we won't be too tired out. The guy is none other than Mr. Nakamoto.

[planted86]

cool!! its fine with me.. i got more time to save money for the trip.. but roughly how much per person??? cause now we will have 2x 140RM + stay leh...

[illumbomb]

Cost Allowance:

1) bus / MRT from home to Kranji MRT station: S$2
2) buy newspaper to read and currypuff + Kopi-O to eat during the trip: S$3
3) bus to and fro Larkin and Kranji MRT station: S$2
4) Bus ride to lst day location (Kota Tinggi / Mersing): RM$10
5) Lunch: RM$10
5) Taxi for 1st day (RM$20 per hour for 7hrs / 3 person): RM$50
6) Bus Ride to 2nd day location (Kota Tinggi / Mersing): RM$10
7) Accomodation (1 night twin sharing?): RM$50
Dinner: RM$10
9) Breakfast RM$10
10) Taxi for 2nd day (RM$20 per hour for 7hrs / 3 person): RM$50
11) Lunch: RM$10
12) Bus ride back to Larkin: RM$10
13) bus from Larkin to Kranji MRT station: S$2
14) Dinner: S$5
15) Damn Tired, take cab back home: S$20

Sub-total: S$34 (for above)+ RM$220 (for above), + S$16 (for emergency) + RM$80 (for emergency)

Total: S$50 + RM$300 (S$130) = about S$200 per person to be allowed (not necessary equate to actual amount spent) for the 2 day trip

[planted86]

hmmm.... SHOULD BE ABLE TO save that amount...

so confirm early may??

[ZANE]

Hey Guys!

Been really busy with work but finally able to chill abit. In anycase, David and Illumbomb, can we lock in those dates with Mr. Nakamoto? And is everyone else ok with that weekend? I'm gonna try my best to lock those 2 days away so my job doesn't book me for a business trip.

Also, I need to know where to get those cheap-arsed boots/ watershoes pls! I plan to buy some nets this weekend. Oh yeah, David, does Mr. Nakamoto have any tips for us in terms of preparation/ equipment to bring along? I just thought of 1 the other night actually:

1) Inflatable raft/ Air cushion

Why: Lots of ponds I've seen on other people's expedition photos where they said "If only they had a raft to go to further away from the shore...they saw plenty more fish ".... etc. etc...

Anyone have a canvas air cushion and inflator that we can use for this trip?
Ok later guys, keep in touch!

ZANE.

[David Moses Heng]

no inflatable craft needed as the water will only be waist deep but he did warn of water snakes and alligators though.

[jwuog]

Dudes, I remember watching a docu that says that water snakes are one of the most venomous snakes.

So I think it's a good idea for you guys to bring along a first-aid box. I believe there's also some "over-the-counter" anti-venom available in specialist shops. Not very sure but do check it out.

Better be safe than sorry.

[A.Rashid]

Good luck on your trip. But in my opinion its best to rent a car then along the way when u see streams u can just stop and scoop. plus also its a hassle and taxi driver might not like it with you and your wet clothing in his taxi.

Weather wise: its raining every now and then so water level can be high and I think it can be disappointing to see stream or rivers but you can go into (current can be strong)

lastly as mentioned by budak... take what you need and not what you want. remember Gaia is alway watching.....

[eddy planer]

Cost Allowance:

1) bus / MRT from home to Kranji MRT station: S$2
2) buy newspaper to read and currypuff + Kopi-O to eat during the trip: S$3
3) bus to and fro Larkin and Kranji MRT station: S$2
4) Bus ride to lst day location (Kota Tinggi / Mersing): RM$10
5) Lunch: RM$10
5) Taxi for 1st day (RM$20 per hour for 7hrs / 3 person): RM$50
6) Bus Ride to 2nd day location (Kota Tinggi / Mersing): RM$10
7) Accomodation (1 night twin sharing?): RM$50
Dinner: RM$10
9) Breakfast RM$10
10) Taxi for 2nd day (RM$20 per hour for 7hrs / 3 person): RM$50
11) Lunch: RM$10
12) Bus ride back to Larkin: RM$10
13) bus from Larkin to Kranji MRT station: S$2
14) Dinner: S$5
15) Damn Tired, take cab back home: S$20

Sub-total: S$34 (for above)+ RM$220 (for above), + S$16 (for emergency) + RM$80 (for emergency)

Total: S$50 + RM$300 (S$130) = about S$200 per person to be allowed (not necessary equate to actual amount spent) for the 2 day trip

That great guys!

So forget to add another cost $5 for pantyhose to ward off blood sucking leeches. Tried before is work! hehehe.

[A.Rashid]

Leeches...

You take some you give some lah... anyway those leeches do good than harm.... suck your old blood and make your body work harder to produce new blood.

But from my experience, I had no leech experience in the south of Msia. Just be carefull of wild boars, tigers and elephants ok... also the infamous black ants that sting you until you scream....

[illumbomb]

Guys,

A suggestion: To be considerate, please shave all your leg hairs prior to the trip to facilitate the leeches in sucking your blood. I am sure the leeches won't like the feeling of have hairs in their mouths.

[illumbomb]

Hey David,

Could you check if Mr. Nakamoto could tentatively fix which weekend in May 08 will the trip be scheduled so that we can all plan for it in advance and most importantly look forward to it!

Also, could you check with him whether he is ok with our intended mode of transport (i.e. hiring of taxis) and our route (i.e. will it be both Kota Tinggi and Mersing or only one of them?) or does he have something else in mind? And also, as what Zane asked, does he have and tips for us (especially on equipment, attire and footwear?). Thanks for the coordination!

Regards,
T S Wang

[A.Rashid]

Ok, seems like so far we will have 5 guys going, tentatively still meeting at 7am at Kranji MRT station on 19 April 2008 (April). Any updates yet on the recommended place in Johore to go to? I am beginning to gear up for it.....


The net's area is slightly larger than the size of A4 paper... come fishy fishy fishy......

Bro, This net wont do. you gotta get a net with a strong and firm frame. The net you buy will just bend and will be out of shape. Also you must have at least 2 sets of net. One with fine holes and the other slightly larger holes to suit the kinda fish you wanna catch.

these nets will be good if you can get them.

[wynx]

Ok, seems like so far we will have 5 guys going, tentatively still meeting at 7am at Kranji MRT station on 19 April 2008 (April). Any updates yet on the recommended place in Johore to go to? I am beginning to gear up for it.....


The net's area is slightly larger than the size of A4 paper... come fishy fishy fishy......

Sorry, to burst your bubbles... This net definitely won't make the cut to get your fishes..

[David Moses Heng]

guys, give me some time to reconfirm with him cos on my end i need to clock sales. Been having zero sales for two weeks running now...

[planted86]

bro... if you want you can PM me his contact and his shop address... i quite free after sch... can go help you talk to him...