| The State of Pahang n Malaysia can truly be dubbed | | | | fresh dung, and claw marks on tree trunks. Angling is |
| as the "State of Great Lakes" as it is home to Tasik | | | | allowed at the lake, and more than 100 species of |
| Bera (Bera Lake) and Tasik Cini (Cini Lake) which are | | | | fish are found here. The adventurous angler will try |
| consecutively the country's largest and second | | | | to reel in the ferocious Toman (or Giant Snakehead) |
| largest natural lakes. Taking a trip to these havens of | | | | and Haruan (or Common Snakehead). |
| biodiversity promises adventure galore for anglers | | | | A visit to a Semelai village should also be part of |
| and naturalists. | | | | one's itinerary. For more than 600 years, they have |
| Sprawling over 6,150 hectares, Tasik Bera measures | | | | lived in Tasik Bera by fishing and hunting. Today, they |
| approximately 35km long and 20km wide. Its water | | | | rely on revenue from farming. They also collect |
| landscape consists of interlocking lakes, fresh water | | | | sandalwood, resin from the Keruing tree and trap |
| swamps, pandanus (screwpine) swamps and peat | | | | reticulated pythons for their skin. |
| swamps, which drain into the Pahang River, the | | | | Tasik Cini is located 100 km south-west of Kuantan, |
| longest river in the country. | | | | and consists of 12 interlocking lakes. Romanticized as |
| From Kuala Lumpur, the easiest route to the lake is | | | | the "Loch Ness of Malaysia", Tasik Cini's fame is |
| to travel to Temerloh, then southward towards | | | | attributed to a Jakun legend that a naga laut (water |
| Triang. Before reaching Triang, a signboard at | | | | serpent) lurks in its underwater caves. The lake is |
| Kerayong leads you to the northside Sudin and Dara | | | | also believed to be the site of an ancient Khmer city |
| Jetties. The Tasik Bera Museum at Kg Kuin has | | | | as artifacts have been discovered in the area though |
| brochures and maps, and Tasik Bera Resort offers | | | | scientific expeditions to discover it have been |
| chalets and dormitories. For most visitors, a must-do | | | | unsuccessful. According to one story, when the city |
| is to cruise the myriad of river channels and bays on | | | | was threatened by attack, the populace submerged |
| flat-bottom boats to explore the flora and search for | | | | it using a system of aqua-ducts, intending to drain it |
| wildlife. As the boat navigates through the narrow | | | | later. |
| waterways, overhanging pandanus leaves brush | | | | Traveling to Tasik Cini involves driving to the village |
| against the faces of its passengers, while epiphytes, | | | | of Cini from Kuantan. From Cini, the next leg of the |
| ferns, orchids and pitchers plants add color to the | | | | journey is through the oil palm plantation of Felda Cini |
| swamp landscape. | | | | to the shores of the lake, where Lake Cini Resort is |
| More than 200 species of birds have recorded at | | | | located. A more exciting option is to travel from |
| Tasik Bera. The White-Throated Kingfisher can often | | | | Kuantan to Kampung Belimbing; take a boat ride |
| be seen diving into the water for fish. Feared raptors | | | | across the Sungei Pahang, followed by an upriver trip |
| such as the Grey-Head Fish Eagle and Brahminy Kite | | | | along Sungei Cini -- where a canopy of lianas hangs |
| help maintain the ecological balance of the lake. More | | | | overhead -- to the lake, |
| beautiful avian creatures include the Malayan Peacock | | | | What greets the visitor is indeed a magnificent sight. |
| Pheasant and Uncommon Wrinkled Hornbill but | | | | The surface of the lake is black and spiky pentenas |
| sightings are rare. Commonly seen frolicking among | | | | grass protrude from the water in many places. |
| the pandanus are Bulbuls, Spiderhunters and Pacific | | | | Wreathed in clouds, Gunung Cini rises 825 meters |
| Swallows. | | | | high, forming a beautiful backdrop. Near the edges of |
| To spot wildlife, ask the boatman to anchor at a | | | | lake stand massive trees with their buttress roots |
| secluded bay or shallow channel and switch off the | | | | half-submerged in water. |
| engine. There is the possibility of seeing the Malayan | | | | A highly recommended boat ride is to Laut Babi, the |
| False Gharial, a fish-eating crocodile and the Striped | | | | biggest lake in the system where turtles come |
| Giant Soft-Shelled Turtle. Across the water's surface, | | | | ashore to lay their eggs. Another must-visit lake is |
| water snakes and vipers can occasionally seen | | | | Laut Melai. From June to September, large parts of |
| swimming from one reed bed to another. A feared | | | | its water surface are swathed with thousands of |
| resident of the lake is the reticulated python, which | | | | pink water lilies and white lotus blooms on velvety |
| grows to a length of five meters. Its favorite food is | | | | carpets of green leaves. Last but not least, one must |
| monitor lizards and the Malayan Giant Frog - the latter | | | | also venture to Laut Gumum, where most of the |
| tips the scale at one kilogram. | | | | purported sightings of the serpent by locals have |
| The lowland dipterocarps around Tasik Bera support | | | | taken place. During colonial times, British engineers |
| medium-sized game such as tapirs, clouded leopards, | | | | who have glimpsed it have described the elusive |
| wild boars, monkeys, mousedeer, flying lemurs and | | | | monster as moving with forward lunges, while Jakun |
| flying squirrels. Along nature trails, there are sights of | | | | elders have claimed that it has a head resembling a |
| their existence such as paw prints on mud flats, | | | | tiger's. |