Flora and Fauna at Teluk Bahang national park

Teluk Bahang National Park is possibly one of the smallest but most interesting and easy to explore national parks in Malaysia. I have hiked both Monkey Beach and Keracut Beach with my mother, tourists that I met on travels and some of my friends. The pictures with the animals were taken as I hiked either completely on my own or with some Dutch travelers that I met in the park.

This time was the first time that I hiked with Couchsurfers from Malaysia. Couchsurfer Chau, his friend Chin and myself hiked to Keracut Beach. This is pretty much a local and quiet beach, due to the fact that people have to hike to this beach. Chau prepared a great picnic lunch and just name what is missing: sandwiches, different types of canned tuna, cucmbers, tomatoes, onions, drinks. Thank you Chau for organising such a great day.

We hiked in the morning and it was pleasant because we were not exposed to the scorching Malaysian heat. It was quite a big pity that the monkeys, lizards and other inhabitants of the national park had their day off on that Sunday. Nevertheless, Chau, Chin and me got to know each other quite well and we had great conversations. Actually I prefer such outings with local and non-local couchsurfers rather than an uncomfortable couch with a host who considers you a stranger and who provides nothing more than a place to sleep. Living close-corner with travellers whose company I don't prefer too much would add more to the suboptimal experience.

Well, Chin and Chau have been great company who enjoyed food and picnic lunches as much as they enjoyed nature and trekking.The National Park was well-organised and they maintain a little turtle sanctuary on Keracut Beach. I was lazy and tired in the afternoon and chose the boat to return instead of hiking in the heat. The boat was less expensive than I thought, RM 10,- or 2 EUR. For the first time I saw the whole national park from the ocean side from a boat. Something nobody should miss for such a reasonable price. It was my first time on a boat either and it is a great experience to experience the park from different viewpoints.