Hello world!

Development comes fast in Pos Betau. After PM's visit in June last year, proper roads leading to Pos Lenjang, the innermost village some 30km away has been built. Currently, a new R&R is being built to cater for the traffic to Cameron Highlands. And most recently, Maxis coverage is now available.

Hardcore Anglers

The basecamp had seen various anglers making a return trip to their favourite fishing grounds. They came from all over the country and with diverse backgounds; from a CEO of an international company to a teacher, pensioner, driver, who shares the same passion, - fishing.

Here, you can fish during the day or night. You can do your thing at a secluded fishing sanctury, from the river banks or from a chartered boat complete with a Semai boatman who would take you to his fishing ground known only to him. They had not been a single case of the anglers coming home empty handed. Most of them were very pleased with their catch. A package can be arranged for the anglers by the basecamp.

You can tell a serious angler by the equipment that he carried

The anglers were a merry bunch

You can add your fishing with some Semai fun

Fishing and Sewang can go together hand-in-hand..

Womens' Bureau did their rounds...

In was a busy April as the Womens' Bureau of the Al-Hidayah Mosque, Taman Melawati, K.L. paid a visit to the Basecamp. It was the second such visit by the same mosque to the basecamp nestled in the tranquility of Pos Betau.There were there to witness the free weekly Islamic classes organised by the basecamp for the folks of Pos Betau conducted at the nearby Al Falah Surau.The class has been running for more than a year purely from public donation.

After the class was over, the visitors had lunch together with class attendees. After a really good Malay kampung lunch, the Bureau then proceeded with their other mission -distribution of free food hampers to each Semai family who attended the class. There were smiles everywhere. Some were distributed straight to their houses as they do not have the means to carry the goodies as their village was quite a distance from the Basecamp. The grateful Semai folks could not thank enough for the goodies they had received. It was such a fulfilling day trip for the visitors. It looks like it's going to be a yearly affair for the visitors from K.L.

The visitors arrived by a chartered bus.

The visitors witnessing the free classes being conducted every Tuesday helmed by two Ustaz.

The kampung-styled lunch that greeted the guests

Lunch with the Semai folks

Nenek Laila (left), one of the recepients of the food hamper

Each family were given the free food hamper, courtesy of the Al Hidayah Mosque.

Even the kids got theirs too.

Some were handed staright to their house.

RHB Bank joins the fun...

The Basecamp continues to welcome guest from all over the country. In April, they welcomed a group of adventure-seeking bankers from RHB Bank Kuala Lumpur. They did the round - wading & bathing in the cool Betau river, bamboo rafting, dance the Sewang with the local Semai girls, enjoying the sumptious food spread including BBQ, karoake-filled night, visiting a Semai village & donating used clothes. They achieved so much in such a short 2-day 1-night stay, with a promise to be back.

Doing the Sewang...a first for the bankers

Deciding what to eat...

A really relaxing karaoke session...

The 'crowning' ceremony...

Banana leaf lunch...

BBQ...

Bankers with a heart...donating used clothes to the Semai folks

We shall return...!

Life in Pos Betau

The Ecolife basecamp continues to be a magnet for all things nature has to offer. Since the beginning of the year, the basecamp has continue to draw in visitors from all walks of life.

They came to watch the ritual Sewang dance, participate in bamboo rafting down the Betau River, visit a Semai village, tried  blow pipes,, mingle with the friendly Semai, record their culture, do a movie, eat with them or donate your used clothings, shoes, books, toys,etc to the poor Semai.

Until mid April, we have seen students from UiTM, ASWARA & UKM dropping by to do various community programs. Bureaus from Taman Melawati Al-Hidayah mosque, bankers from RHB, anglers from all over the country, and ex-SMS alumni members, all coming this way to enjoy unhurried life in the living jungle community of Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia.

Sometimes, we take for granted what life has to offer - until it's too late. Let's not wait for it to come

Try local favourites

View the unspoiled world from your private balcony

Mix with the Semai

One of the many visitors to the basecamp

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The view is simply stunning - even if you don't catch anything

Enjoy the river - just like the Semai kids

The Sewang ritual dance

The unforgetable bamboo rafting ...a must for all visitors

Banana business to continue

Bananas of various species, aplenty in Pos Betau, is once again being sought after by buyers in the Klang Valley.

1st order for the year, and plenty more to come

The supply chain was broken last year when buyers stopped buying from the Semai. The Semai claimed they were paid a pittance for their goods, which were organically grown. In step PERKAS, which managed to get a regular weekly buyer for the Semai community beginning 31st Jan. And the Semai couldn't be happier. And we are happy that the business is blooming once again.

Fishing weekends...

Don't know what to do with your wasted weekends and public holidays? Are you into fishing? If you are, why not go fishing? You can fish from the banks of a fish santuary, or take a boat fishing - day or night. Interested? Contact us!

Fishing by chartered boat - day or night

Fish sanctuary

Yes! Udang Galah is caught here!

Ecolife played host to 1AZAM programme

The recepients of the grant with the VIP

ECOLIFE basecamp once again played host to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community programme when the it distributed free grants to the Semai in Pos Betau on Jan 7, 2012.

The recepients of the programme received grants in the form of freezer, fridge, chiller, rice cooker, sewing machine, racks, tables, chairs, dough mixer, double burners, kuali, weighing machines, etc,etc, all designed to assist the Semai to kick start their business in an effort to raise their household income.

The Ministry was represented by Political Secretary Y.Bhg Dato' Suhaimi, who together with Jelai ADUN Y.B. Dato' Wan Rosdy gave away the grants. The visitors were later served lunch with Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak as its speciality.

Ladies Bureau visits basecamp

Doing the Sewang

The Ladies Bureau of Masjid Taman Melawati visited the basecamp late in December after hearing from their male counterparts who had visited the place earlier.

The busload of ladies joined the free Islamic classes that was in progress at the nearby Surau that taught the Semai about Islam, had great lunch that resulted in many sleepy eyes, bought Potato Chips produced by the local cottage industry, scrambled to purchase fresh Petai on the cheap specially brought by the Semai at the basecamp, tasted Semai food cooked in Bamboo or grilled to perfection, ate durian  kampung like crazy, did the Sewang dance, and joined the Semai for Tea, before leaving for home - all in a day!

They sure did enjoyed themselves with a promise to return.

Buying the kerepek from the Semai

Semai food cooked the traditional way - in bamboo

Petai on the cheap...and the ladies want more...

Joining the weekly Islamic classes held for the Semai

One for the album