MARANG ECO-RIVER CRUISE

Come hither to the river

Hiking at Chemerong Waterfalls a jungle out there for you? Or scuba diving at Tenggol Island rocks your boat? Perhaps the Marang Eco-River Cruise would be a smooth-sailing pursuit that you can indulge in.

This leisurely cruise takes place in the morning, spanning half a day and brings you along the scenic views of the Marang River. As the boat gently meanders down the waters, you’ll be rewarded by the sights and sounds of Terengganu’s tropical mangroves and quaint Malay villages, also known as kampungs. It is a delightful addition to the list of activities that you can participate in a coastal beach getaway.

Our day unfurled early in the morning with breakfast at Di Atas Sungei in Tanjong Jara Resort. By 9.00am, we took off in the resort van to head to the jetty. During the drive, our Resident Naturalist, Zul rattled off interesting pieces of information and anecdotes about the resort, the town and the villages; something which only a local would be able to divulge. Forty-five minutes later, we arrived at the Sungai Kerak Marang Jetty, where the boat was waiting for us.

How much to get on the boat? Three chin scratches and two strokes, was the price charged by the cat

Red jellyfish at the Sungai Kerak Marang Jetty

As we alighted, a loud and persistent meow greeted us. A large, pregnant cat sidled up beside us, curled around our legs, insisted to be petted and stroked before we hopped on the boat. I chuckled at the thought that she’s probably sent by our cat lover Chef Ann to meet us.

Anyway, we clambered on board with the helping hand of the skipper’s first mate. Zul would be accompanying us on the ride as our cruise guide. The first thing that caught my eye as I looked into the river is that it was teeming with red jellyfish! Large and small, they were happily bobbing away with the current. Pretty orangey-red creatures, I thought, but definitely not pretty if you come into contact with them.

Along the way, we saw plenty of mangrove plants and creatures. Zul pointed out the nipah trees lining the riverbanks. A type of palm, this unusual tree has a trunk that grows beneath the ground, with its leaves and flowers growing upwards the surface of the river. The nipah tree has many uses, Zul explained. Its leaves are used as materials for thatched roofs and weaving baskets, its sap can be processed as palm sugar or even green fuel, while the palm seeds from its fruit, also known as attap chee, can be used in local desserts such as ais kacang.

I spy… Monitor lizard enjoying the morning sun along the riverbank.

Fish farm along Marang River.

Marang River is part-saltwater and part-freshwater. These waters converge at Kampung Jenang, a half hour’s drive from the jetty before flowing out to sea. The tranquil setting of the area belies its buzzing eco-system; apart from the nipah trees, there are other plant species and creatures that call Marang River their home. Some of the other mangrove trees found along the river are the grey mangrove (pokok api-api) and twin-leaf tree; while in the river itself there are many types of fishes, prawns, crabs and muddy clams.

Caught you! A river eagle, or Brahminy kite gets into focus along Marang River.

One of the resident show-offs in the river is the ikan todak, also known as the flying fish or swordfish. We spotted a few of them zipping along the surface of the river, going at speeds faster than our boat. I had my camera ready but my efforts were futile. Their speeds proved to be too quick for my shutter. We also came upon one or two fish farms along the way.

And then, on the way back to the first jetty, we were rewarded with the sight of two river eagles, known as Brahminy kites flying just right above the mangroves. With my camera on standby, I managed to catch a snap of the magnificent birds. And that, was the perfect snap that capped off a perfect cruise!