Nestled at the rubber plantation, this shelter referred to as Murai hut is our favorite.
It would be our base camp when we set out exploring at night.
A family of small bats sometimes hide on the roof, making sounds that even spook paranormal investigators.
Tap…tap…tap…tap…tap…tap….
For thing for sure, it doesn’t sound like dirt raining down. Doesn’t sound like a rat or squirrel or some other rodents, cause they don’t “tapped.” Sticks falling? Leaves dropping? Stones? Its impossible. The sounds made were going slow, then randomly. Like beats playing on the drum. And going fast at the same time.
This is where, fear had gripped us cold….
Not like what others have imagined but this is a peaceful place. In the quiet of the night you may even see or hear wild pigs foraging for rubber seeds. Although getting rare, you can also see fireflies. Try turning off all lights for better night vision.
The shelters are all lightning protected. Probably the safest place to be at during thunderstorms. They also serve as useful checkpoints with given names like “Murai”, “Punai”, “Pekakak”, “Beberek”. All four are good observation points to watch for wildlife.
The names of the huts are Malay names for native birds.
Murai – Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis)
Punai/Punai Tanah – Green-winged Pigeon, Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
Pekakak – Kingfisher
Beberek/Beberek Leher Biru – Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)
Kelichap – Hummingbird
Belatok – Woodpecker
Lang – Falcon?
Chamar/Camar Batu – Tern
Kedidi – Sandpiper
Merbah – Bulbul
Bubut – Coucal
Update: 6th April 2009. Mousedeers were sighted in the rubber plantation nearby. They are shy and nocturnal animals so you can only spot them at night.
