Remember The Fallen: Trip to FRIM

Posted by shloke 12 March 2010
The Fallen 1

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:44 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

An up close and personal shot. The forest floor was carpeted with layers of fallen leaves. I had been too engrossed with macro shots. I didn't realized five bloody leeches were crawling up my shoes :(

The Fallen 2

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:44 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

Same leaf but different angle. The pattern of the veins (venation) are AMAZING! Just like blood vessels.

The Fallen 3

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:44 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

SURPRISE! This is the actual leaf. From afar, it looks dull and boring.

VROOM! VROOM!

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:41 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 140

Halfway trekking, I stumbled upon a Temuan tribe boy. He was doing the VROOM! VROOM! pose. He looked back at me when I pressed the camera button :) Nowadays, Temuan forest inhabitants are tech savvy - with hand phones and motorbike.

After that, I continued with my trekking. Less than 100 m, I heard someone call me....repeatedly. I was shocked! I was searching high and low for that mysterious person. Later, I saw a Temuan elder hiding in the bushes setting up a small trap.

He asked me..."What are you doing with your camera?" I answered "Um...I'm taking photos of the forest :) " I walked off hurriedly. I think he saw me capturing junior with my camera. LOL!

The Fallen 4

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:32 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200

Sahara desert??? or the surface of Mars???

The Fallen 5

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 12:18 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 720

Toffee flavored leaf :)

The Fallen 6

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:32 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 180

Into the valley of DEATH!

The Fallen 7

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:32 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200

I've never realized the beauty of dead leaves until today :)

Fading Star

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:49 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100

It's sweltering hot in FRIM. Look at this dying leaf. The lower part was 'burning'!

The Fallen 8

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:32 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.3, ISO Equiv.: 200

'Wrinkles' everywhere! Signs of premature aging :)

The Fallen 9

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 1:35 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 140

Nature never fails to amaze me! Fallen and dead but remembered by mylo :)

Green Highway 1

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 3:03 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200

A close-up shot of a natural backlit leaf.

Green Highway 2

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 3:02 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 100

When I look at this picture, I imagine myself as a small little fella sliding down the green lanes. WEE!

Green Highway 3

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 3:03 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100

More green goody. I'm a sucker for close-up shots. I just can't get enough of these green beauties.

Green Highway 4

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 3:04 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 160

Another diagonal shot.

The Fallen 10

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 12:22 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800

This picture reminds me of tissue paper :)

Purple Fruits

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 11:36 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200

Two interesting purple fruits. About 13.8 inches in length.

The Trunk

Location: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 11th March 2010 (Thursday), 2:04 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 140

Lichens can be found growing on tree trunks. These organisms are widespread and may be long-lived.


Today, I went back to Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM, Malay: Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia). It's been awhile since I last visited the city forest. My last trip was in late 2008. The place is pretty much the same as it was yesterday.

After parking my car, I walked almost 1 km to the entrance of Canopy Walk Trail. From there, I trekked 4.5 km covering several trails in FRIM.

At first, it was a peaceful and joyous walk. When I reached the steep climbing trails leading to Canopy Walkway, a big group of school kids (junior and senior high) arrived. OMG! These youngsters were SO LOUD! They were laughing, shouting and mimicking the cry of the primates. It was so ANNOYING! Even 'Mat Sallehs' were quietly complaining.

Do they read the rules before trekking? You suppose to walk quietly, observe your surroundings and listen out to sounds of the forest. I came here to escape the hustle and bustle of KL...but only to be surrounded by a group of loud kids. LOL!

Luckily the group only walk up to the canopy trail. Everything is finally back to normal after one hour. PHEW! I spent another two hours completing the entire trail. Honestly, the forest trails in FRIM are way to easy for me....Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy! I still prefer to trek in a jungle. FRIM looks like a commercialized forest with too many trekkers.

There's not much to see at FRIM. But there's an awful lot of hungry leeches. Halfway trekking, I took a short rest at a mini waterfall. I removed my shoes and socks only to discover four leeches sucking blood on my feet. I used a twig to removed these parasite. Later, I felt a persisting itch on my left thigh. So, I loosen my pants only to discover another horrible fat blood sucker on my thigh. Fortunately, it didn't crawl up to my dick. There are so many leeches in FRIM! Just like Fraser's Hill.

Overall, FRIM is SO-SO. I still prefer the authentic jungle trekking in Fraser's Hill, Pahang. Anyway, the fallen leaves on the forest floor were quite impressive. I spent some time capturing the fallen beauties.

I'll be updating this post again with more pictures plus informative brochures. It's 2:10 a.m. I'm really tired and sleepy.

Last updated 15th March 2010 (1:17 p.m.)

Forest Research Institute of Malaysa (FRIM) - Directions, Getting There & Maps:

These thumbnails are screenshots. Click link to download.

  1. FRIM Layout & Complete Map (1 page, PDF file, 235 kb)
  2. FRIM Keruing Trail Brochure (4 pages, English, PDF file, 1.65 MB)
  3. FRIM Canopy Walkway Trails & Complete Map (2 pages, English, PDF file, 738 kb)
Note: All PDF files are hosted in MediaFire.

FRIM is located along the Selayang-Kepong Highway. You can take the KTM Komuter train from the Kuala Lumpur Railway station or any KTM Komuter station that is in the vicinity and head for Kepong station. Once you reach Kepong station, alight from the train and take a taxi to FRIM.

Forest Research Institute of Malaysa (FRIM) - Contact Details & Opening Hours:

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM),
52110 Kepong,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel : (603) 6279 7000
Fax : (603) 6273 1314

The operating hours of the park is from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

If you are driving, the entrance fee to the park is RM5/car else the fee charged is RM1/person.

About Canopy Walkway:

200m long, the canopy walkway was constructed in 1992 for scientific studies of above ground flora and fauna. It was built 30m above ground level.

  1. The walkway is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  2. Closed on Mondays and Fridays.
  3. Last registration --> 1:30 p.m. Operating hours and entrance are subject to weather conditions. The canopy walkway will be closed should it rains. Re-open within 2 hours once it has subsided and the weather is permissible.
  4. You may download the Canopy Walkway Brochure for more info. CLICK HERE

A small charge is levied for the visit:

  • RM10.00 (foreigner adult)
  • RM5.00 (Local adult)
  • RM3.00 (students age 13 years old onwards – must show your student ID)
  • RM1.00 (children age 7 – 12 years old)

Advance booking can be made at Visitor Information Centre by phone, fax or email.

Visitor Information Centre,
Tel: (603) 6279 7575
Fax: (603) 6280 4619

or contact:

Mohd Shazwara Ab Halim
Tel (603) 62797677
Email: mohdshazwara@frim.gov.my

Forest Research Institute of Malaysa (FRIM) - About & FAQs:

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is a statutory agency of the Government of Malaysia, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. FRIM promotes sustainable management and optimal use of forest resources in Malaysia by generating knowledge and technology through research, development and application in tropical forestry. FRIM is located in Kepong, near Kuala Lumpur.

The 486-ha site in Kepong located 16 km northwest of Kuala Lumpur, is surrounded by the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve.

Note: Details obtained from WIKIPEDIA & FRIM

Forest Research Institute of Malaysa (FRIM) - Google Maps:


Forest Research Institute of Malaysa (FRIM) - Things to Do/See:

  • Keruing Trail - This trail winds its way through one of FRIM’s oldest plantations and boasts of statuesque commercial timber trees.
  • Salleh Nature Trail - Named after the first Director General of FRIM, Dato’ Dr.Salleh bin Mohd Nor since our statutory trip on trees and ground dwellers.
  • Engkabang Trail - This trail takes you through a former wetland which back in 1930, was partially covered by grassland and by secondary forest.
  • Rover Track - 1.3 km, The rover track is a dirt road which approximately the 170m contour on the slopes towards the summits of Bukit Beruang (401m) and Bukit Nolang (439m). It is a very popular track for joggers.
  • Canopy Walk Trail - 500 m
  • Waterfall Trail - 900 m
  • Canopy Walkway - 200 m long
  • Fruit Tree Arboretum
  • Ethno-Botanic Garden (Requires Written Permission)
  • Museum
  • Dipterocarp Arboretum
  • Bird Watching & Wildlife Observation
  • Mini Waterfall
  • Insect House
  • Picnic
  • Jogging
  • Cycling & Mountain Biking
  • Camping
  • Nature Studies
  • Library

Forest Research Institute of Malaysa (FRIM) - Read More & Useful Links:

  1. http://tinyurl.com/yg57yvm (Wikipedia Article About FRIM)
  2. http://www.frim.gov.my/index.cfm (FRIM Official Portal)
  3. http://tinyurl.com/y9jzgb9 (Read my previous articles on FRIM)
  4. http://www.malaysiavacationguide.com/frim.html (An informative article by Malaysia Vacation Guide)

7 comments

  1. fufu Says:
  2. wow wow wow... the third picture with a kid on a bike =p vrooom... leeches?? omg... i gotta ponder should i go or not.... @.@

     
  3. xplorer Says:
  4. once in a while i went fishing in FRIM but have to be careful from being caught by the renjer , he he

     
  5. micki Says:
  6. Your macro shots and detail observation inspired me to get some shots of the leaves as well. As you said, they really look like human's fingerprints with life as well! I did some close-up shots for the rocks before. I think they are another interesting objects to be observed :) Love your images!

     
  7. Mylo, impressive macro collections you got there. Frim was last visited by me in 2008 and it's an excellent place for nature.

    David

     
  8. Cecil Lee Says:
  9. Didn't expect fallen leaves could be so interesting before... :) Great close up capture on leaves you have here and great info on FRIM!

     
  10. Anonymous Says:
  11. You're right.
    I think if we observe more deeply, we can find the most mundane things interesting.

    Re: Welcome to Wellcome / 欢迎光临维康 / Selamat datang ke Wellcome / ウェルカムへようこそ

    Do you like Saw? Ha ha... I thought the film was banned in Malaysia?!

    Re: Eiffel Tower’s Cousin / 艾菲尔铁塔的堂弟 / Sepupu Menara Eiffel / エッフェル塔のいとこ

    KL Tower? Not suitable lah. It's only got 1 leg. Eiffel Tower & BBC Tower each got 4 legs. Ha ha.

     
  12. shloke Says:
  13. fufu

    Yeah! Leech bites are bloody, itchy and ugly.

    xplorer

    Where is the fishing location? Got many security guards in FRIM. Have to be more alert!

    Micki

    Thanks for sharing! Definitely going to try out macro shots on stones.

    David

    Me too! My last visit was in year 2008.

    Cecil Lee

    WOW! Thanks for your wonderful comments :)

    1ondoncaller

    Yep! Nature never fails to impress us.

    Cheers to all!
    mylo

     
Related Posts with Thumbnails












My Photo
shloke
Traveling & photography are the most rewarding & enriching experiences in my life. Photography is all about discovery, enjoying myself, having adventure, learning people & nature. The greatest experience for me is the connection I felt with NATURE. If you haven’t seen Malaysia, you haven’t seen the world! My photography works are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported.
View my complete profile


mylo's twitter

Twitter Updates

    follow me on Twitter