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The destination of Tanjong Piai is very exotic. It is pronounced as
"Pi" & "ai" as in "p -i" A resort built on stilts and out in the
sea. Dramatized the scene further - The most Southern Tip of
Continental Asia. Of course opposite the resort is the Industrial
estate of Tuas in Singapore. What else can be seen? The Second
Causeway Link of Gelang Patah. What cannot be seen is the fact that
this cape is the most southern point of Peninsula Malaysia on the
western shore. So much of Geography, that I know of.
An earth bund ran parallel to the
shorelines of this bay. Typical construction supported a track on top.
That leaves a narrow belt of Mangrove Trees outside the bund and the
inter tidal area. This area support quite a number of Sonneratias in
this Avicenna forest. Prior to 2002, visitors could see fair amount of
Fireflies at night just outside the entrance to the Resort. Since, the
State Government had decided to furnish this destination as a proper
recreation park. This dirt track had since being paved and rest sheds
erected along the whole way. The walkway was lighted at night . Gone
are the chances of enjoying the sight of Fireflies without walking.
I would personally rate the bird
life here as poor. The forest belt is too narrow to be meaningful
habitat. The mudflats do not seem to have any activities, except those
by the Leaf Monkey or Langurs. I have only sighted a Little Heron
among the forest area and none in the mudflats. The Collar Kingfisher
was much visible and so the the Tailorbirds and Sunbirds. On the way
in through the Kampong, the tall grasses along the way, do have a
healthy population of Munias. More time should be spent on Kukup
Island which the Government had worked very hard to meet the
requirements for qualification as Ramsar Site. From what ever trip
report that I had read, bird life on Kukup too, had not appeared to be
extraordinary as compared to places like Panti. |
