Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

This is an old thread posted on Jul 18, 2007, 9:58pm .

I did go to Terengganu for wild Betta hunting trip with Mr. Horst Linke (A Germany author for a book called Labyrinth Fish) last year. But I missed the place of Betta stigmosa because I join the trip on the second day. After that, I always plan to have a trip to Terengganu.

And 1 month before, I talk to Zahar (A wild Betta enthusiast who live in Terengganu) about the Terengganu trip. Then he told me that Michael Lo(A adventurer and photographer from Kuching) was planning a Terengganu trip too. Zahar suggested me to join him...

That's how the last week trip happened.

First day, I reached Jerteh at 4.30 am, a very early morning. I supposed to go straight to Kuala Terengganu, but the ticket from Butterworth to Kuala Terengganu was sold out. I waited there for about 2 hours, then I took a first bus from Jerteh to Kuala Terengganu at 7.00 am.
At that time, Michael already reached Kuala Terengganu. But from Jerteh to Kuala Terengganu, need about 2 hours. So, Michael and Zahar took breakfast first while waiting for me.

9.00 am, I reached Kuala Terengganu Bus station, Zahar and Michael came and fetched me for breakfast. After having the breakfast with Nasi goreng, we went straight to a waterfall near Kuala Berang.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt0.jpg

There are a lot of flora and fauna around this waterfall.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt1.jpg

Some nice moss.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt6.jpg

Metallic blue plant!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt4.jpg

Unknown plant
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt5.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Ginger flower
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt2.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt3.jpg

Eh... Siapa ludah kat sini?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt7.jpg

Ha ha.. Not me! But this spit is belongs to this spit bug!! Cool is it?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt8.jpg

Check this link for more info about the spit bugs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Froghopper

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

According to Zahar, the Betta stigmosa can be found in this stream.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt10.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt11.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

After doing some catching, I got some common fish like:

Puntius binotatus
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt14.jpg

Rasbora notura
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt13.jpg

Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt15.jpg

A kind of freshwater crab
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt12.jpg

And finally...

The Betta stigmosa!! Hurray!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt16.jpg

The Betta stigmosa is a kind of wild betta which just described in 2005. It is endemic to Terengganu and only can be found in this waterfall.

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Looks like a fun trip! Congratulations on finding the Betas you were looking for! That Metallic blue plant plant is interesting...I have two other "blue" species of plants and would love to plant a small garden area or large planter with just Blue plants. Any ideas about what it was? It doe not look fern-like nor palm but maybe similar to a pandanus or dracena relative? The last one looks like a form of Maranta.

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

What happen to the CPs??

Ken

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Besides those fish, my legs caught some leeches too!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt17.jpg

What a well fed leech!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/kt18.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

After that waterfall, we heading to one stream where Zahar saw a lot of Cryptocoryne affinis last year. A native aquatic plants which famous among aquarists.
http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/Cry...y/aff/aff.html

When we reached this stream, the water is muddy and very fast flowing. We went down to this stream but nothing were found. According to Zahar, the stream should be full of C. affinis. There were more than thousand of it. But now not even a single plant was found. Thanks to the road construction nearby!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/ca1.jpg

Then, we investigated the rubber plantation along the bank.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/ca2.jpg

I saw this interesting plant!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/ca3.jpg

Caught this katydid.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/ca5.jpg

Hmm... that plant on the tree look familiar...
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/ca6.jpg

Ant fern?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/ca7.jpg

Oh, Yes! It's ant fern!! Lecanopteris sinuosa. There were a lot of ants when I took it down from the tree. Ha ha...
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/ca8.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

The time being late. We have to go to the hotel in Kemaman before dark. On the way to Kemaman, we passed through Dungun.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/btb1.jpg

We noticed some nice stream at the roadside. We decided to stop for a while to check out that stream. Because this place is close to the area where KUSTEM researcher found the Paedocypris sp. One of the smallest freshwater fish.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/btbk.jpg

To reach that stream we have to walk down from this steep slope!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/btb3.jpg

The stream look nice. But we just managed to catch some common fish like Rasbora gracilis, Rasbora einthovenii and Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/btb2.jpg

So, I decided to go back to the car. Now I have to climb up this slope. Very steep and rocky slope!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/btb4.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

On the way climbing back to the car...

Suddenly, I saw some pitchers just infront me at the slope!! http://s1.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

It is Nepenthes gracilis !!! But......

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

But...

But the pitchers are deep purple red in colour!! What variety is it?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/btb5.jpg

Sorry. The photo a little bit blur... Because it is difficult to take a nice photo at the middle of the slope.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/btb6.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

The next day morning, after having breakfast at Hai Peng Kopitiam, one of the famous kopitiam in Terengganu. We continued our hunting in a swamp forest at Southern Terengganu.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/st2.jpg

While Zahar was looking for some Betta tussyae in the forest, I spotted some green pitchers hanging around the bush.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...racilis1-1.jpg

It is a typical Nepenthes gracilis.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../gracilis0.jpg

Saw some flower of N.gracilis too.
Male flower.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../gracilis3.jpg

Female flower.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../gracilis4.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

While checking around, I saw this flowers with yellowish sepal. It's look really different from the N. gracilis's flowers. What could it be?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/amp1.jpg

I try to search for the pitchers... But no pitchers are forming on the climbing stem! Err... Could it be....
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/amp2.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

I immediately checking from the climbing stem to it's base...

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Oh. Yes!! It is a N. ampullaria!! Ha ha.. This is what I am thinking.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/amp3.jpg

There are a lot of N. ampullaria hide inside the bush.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/amp4.jpg

Ha ha... Cute little apple!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/amp5.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Suddenly, I saw this giant stout pitcher sitting infront me!!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...raffles3-1.jpg

Check it's aerial pitcher...

It's a Nepenthes rafflesiana!!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...raffles2-1.jpg

I really can't believe my eyes!! I always thought that N. rafflesiana can only be found in Southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. But now I found it in Terengganu.

Check the size of the upper pitcher.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...9/raffles5.jpg

And the lower pitcher.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...9/raffles6.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Leaving that hidden paradise, we headed to Tasik Kenyir.
Zahar was not follow because he got some works to do.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/tk1.jpg

Michael and I overnight in one of the Island at Tasik Kenyir.
And on the next day, we went to this waterfall .
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/tk2.jpg

Because the time was too short. And we have to leave Tasik Kenyir before lunch time. Not much things were found.
Only got this frog.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/tk3.jpg

And this Cyprinid.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/tk4.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Then, we took a taxi to Kuala Terengganu. And from Kuala Terengganu, we got on a 2.30pm bus to Machang. When reached Machang, we stayed in one hotel near UiTM. May be is the same hotel where ding stayed. But the volume of the television can be adjusted and the water of the bathroom got continuous supply! :biggrin:

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

We woke up very early on the next day morning. Then we took a taxi to the type locality of the Nepenthes benstonei, " the Burning Hill! "
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/bbr.jpg

About 1 hour hiking, we start to sport some Nepenthes.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/bb3.jpg

It's a Nepenthes mirabilis.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nm1.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

We continued to hike up several hundred meters...

Suddenly, Michael shouted, " N. benstonei !!! "
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/bb2.jpg

Oh my god! It's a N. benstonei!! Our very first N. benstonei !! Hurray!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbl1.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Very excited!! I quickly checking around.
Then I saw some N. benstonei's pitchers hanging from the slope!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbu1.jpg

We decided to climb up the slope to take more photos.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/bb4.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Suddenly, a N. mirabilis stand infront me!! It's not a normal N. mirabilis which I saw just now.

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

It's a N. mirabilis with red hot sexy lip!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nm2.jpg

It's look so sexy! Really couldn't resist!
Luckily, I am not an insect. If not, I sure will fall down to her deadly kiss!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nm3.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

I continued to take more photos of N. benstonei.

Lower pitcher.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbl2.jpg

Upper pitchers.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbu3.jpg

Dead pitcher.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/dnb.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

The leaves of the N. benstonei is narrow and slender with bluish colour.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nb0.jpg

It got fairly long inflorescence.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...im79/nbfm1.jpg

The male flowers is brownish red in colour.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...im79/nbfm2.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Check out this pitcher. The shape look likes N. mirabilis. But inside the pitcher got some speckles just likes N. benstonei.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbm2.jpg

And also the leaves are not as broad as N. mirabilis. But also not very slender like N. benstonei. Could it be the natural hybrid between N. mirabilis and N. benstonei?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbm1.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

OK. Here come the last 2 photos before my camera ran out of battery. I am sure you all will jaws drop!!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbr2.jpg

A deep red splendid pitcher! What species is this?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j130/tylim79/nbr1.jpg

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Thanks for viewing my old trip!


To Shawn: Yes, the blue plant look more like Pandanus. But I not sure what species is it.

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

OMG!!!!!!Those are very beautiful wild neps. And cute fish too. Looks so cute I feel like feeding it to my plants.(I know I'm sick) Hahaha snap so many photos until camera battery ran out. Love those cute amps. feel like squeezing them. I hope this place won't get destroyed. So many places already cleared. What a pity.

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Hi

Looks like i was wrong with the NO CP thing....WOW thats just one of the most amzing pictures of the wild i've EVER seen..................Really Amazing.

Ken

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

He he! Good thing always at behind! But our country is rich in a lot of interesting natural stuff. Not only CPs!

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Lim my man, eventhough it's a repost, I just made my day going through them again.

Btw, I did notice some nepenthes which I think are N. gracilis on the way to Kuala Trengganu from the south. My other half was driving way too fast for me to notice the exact species - I think he did this intentionally, he knew if he had slowed down, we'll never get to the beach before nite fall :tongue: But boy, they were everywhere, wish I had been able to take some snapshots though :glare:

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

May be N. mirabilis too. I saw both.

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

Lim,

The last photos are the red form of benstoneii.

Choong

Re: Trip to Terengganu and Kelantan
 

I think somebody is going to Kelantan soon.... :laugh: