Sampling what life has to offer in Pos Betau...

There's places here that nature has left for us to discover. Here's a sample of the places within Pos Betau you can visit or do...

Serving the Semai Community

UiTM, the country's premier University was again at the forefront of community service when 27 of its students and a lecturer performed community services at the Semai village of RPS Pos Betau, Kuala Lipis, Pahang from 15-16th June, 2013.

Comprising of second year undergraduates of various courses from its main campus in Shah Alam, Selangor who formed the bulk of the Community Service Club, the students arrived early by UiTM's bus at 10.30 am on 15th June at the Ecolife Basecamp in Pos Betau. Upon arrival, they straight away get down to business, painting the basecamp's Sri Sewang Hall, taking a break for lunch at 1.30 pm, before continuing their paint job until finish.  

After that, it was playtime with the kids of Tadika Kemas kindergarten. More than 200 Semai folks came to watch their children took part in the games organised by UiTM students. UiTM students also performed a group song for the audience while the kids presented a cute ritual Sewang dance, which was later joined by the crowd.. The crowd - 100% more than we expected - were later treated with dinner served by the students.

On Sunday morning, 16th June, the students boarded three 4-wheel drives loaded with hampers and goodies to Pos Lenjang, about 40km away from the basecamp to distribute them to poor Semai villagers.The presentation to 20 families was made fronting a beautiful river and joined by the community. The journey to the place was simply breathtaking.

It was certainly a proud moment for the students as they were the first batch of students from any local university to do a community service in Pos Betau of its kind. They should all be given an "A" for their noble efforts for blazing the trail. Well done, UiTM!

The sign says it all

Students painting the Sri Sewang building

The students were well fed at the basecamp...!

Instructions were given in the Semai language for the tele-matches.

Cute kindergarten students performing the Sewang dance.

UiTM students performing for the crowd

The big feast after the games. 

Students loading the goodies for the trip to Pos Lenjang

The students traveled in 1 tonne lorry and SUV and had a thrill of their life...

Lining up the goodies at Pos Lenjang

The food hamper was distributed to 20 families.

Admiring the beauty of Pos Lenjang

UiTM Leadership Programme 

Ecolife Basecamp, 22-24th Jan, 2013

The Basecamp have seen local Universities and Colleges, both public and private making their base for their activities the past 2 years. UiTM became the first to start the ball rolling for 2013 when they got together for an unforgettable 3-day, 2-night outing.

Water confidence exercise...

indoor session

As soon as they arrived after a delay, chicken rice was all ready for them. Half an hour later, late in the afternoon, they went straight into the river - floating about 300m down the Betau river with their life jacket provided by the basecamp, to conquer the fear of being in the water. For many, it was such a thrill that they repeated - some even jumping from a 10m bridge into the river below - for an experience of a lifetime! If the Semai can do, they can do better!

They then spent the night swaying to the tune of bamboo music that accompanied the ritual Sewang dance. They certainly had a great nite, partying with the Semai and getting to know them better, learning to play their instruments, and even serving them refreshments after the Sewang. Steamboat dinner followed.

Joy with the Semai...

After breakfast, the second day was spent on community work, sweeping the compound of the basecamp, the nearby Surau as well as the Tadika Kemas kindergarten. In the late afternoon, a blowpipe contest was held to test their marksmanship. After that, they were off to visit grandma Laila Abdullah, one of the earliest Muslim convert in Pos Betau, and into the river again for another round of fun in the river. A van full of durian from Cameron Highlands was also brought in for a mini durian celebration. Some were turned into bubur kacang durian (green pea plus durian porridge) for supper.

Durian feast...from Semai village near Cameron Highlands

The night was spent on BBQ and a movie was shown at the Sri Sewang multi-purpose hall. They also held  talks on the life of the Prophet Mohamad SAW in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Mohamad's birthday) at the Surau.

The 3rd day, after breakfast, they were all ready for the climax of their 3-day stay - the rakit ride. At 9am, 2 Toyota 4WD arrived to load them, all with life jacket and ferry them to the starting point at Jeram Tema. Even the journey to the starting point, passing thru' 3 Semai villages along winding road was an experience for all of them, shrieking with joy and laughter along the way.

As soon as they arrived to the starting point, 8 bamboo rakits awaited them. With 5 to a rakit and guided by a Semai river guide on each rakit, they were off on the river, gliding, stopping at 3 places, basking in the sun, passing thru' villages and playing in the water. They certainly had fun and a lifetime of unforgettable experience.

River crossing

The bamboo rakit ride ends at the basecamp jetty

As soon they arrived at the basecamp jetty at noon. Banana leaf rice was served to fill their hungry stomach. After a short closing ceremony followed by the national anthem, the very disciplined, patriotic and motivated students left the basecamp in 2 MPVs and the UiTM bus at 3pm. We hope to see the future leaders of our country again soon...

Banana leaf rice lunch...

Lunch on the 3rd day....mmmmmm....

One for the album....

They left with a heavy heart at 3pm

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...!