Bako National Park (8 September 2024)

Why Bako National Park hiking?  

I have been to Bako with my uncle. I have hiked there before. But I lost all the photos due to the auto factory reset incident on my phone. And Bako being one of the 14 national parks in Sarawak, I just have to make it there again, to get my checklist ticked. Beyond just ticking the checklist, Bako has a lot to offer offcourse, and I thought “Just why not?” Besides, a friend from KL came visiting, and I thought this Bako is a good place to show to visitor.

The trip highlights 

Different from a year ago, this time around the jetty counter allows boat sharing. This is good news for the solo traveller, or people who come in small group of 2-3 people. The boat isn’t cheap, especially for Malaysians who are earning Ringgit. With this good news, comes a bad one too. The iconic Sea Stack of Bako National Park is gone forever. Back in February 2024, the Sea Stack collapsed into the sea after succumbing to the nature forces. Even so, it seems that our Tourism Board still can’t get over it, and continue to promote Bako National Park using the Iconic Sea Stack photo.

This time, I didn’t hike up to the viewing point. Instead, I was taking Telok Delima trail, as I only have 3 hours on the island before the returning boat comes picking us up. The moment we stepped out of the HQ, we were greeted by bearded boars. The trail was pretty wet and slippery after the morning rain. Though short, the trail is packed with thick vegetation. At some point, we came to “red” river stream. Towards the end of the trail when returning to the HQ, few proboscis monkeys were sighted. They were pretty shy, staying high up on the trees.   My uncle once shared with me, Bako National Park is probably one of the forest with the highest density of Flora and Fauna, within its small acreage of land.

 My transports, accommodation, and F&B 

• Bako jetty is about 45 minutes drive from Kuching
• Accommodation: I made it there day trip. However, there are plenty of choices when it comes to national park accommodation on Bako Island. While we Malaysian shy away from these accommodation, foreigners love it there.

 My 3 Plus and 2 Minus:-

3 things I like about this trip: 

• Boat sharing – this greatly reduce the expenses of visiting the Bako National Park
• Proboscis, proboscis
• Easy trail with a lot of surprises including “bloody” river

 2 thing I would do differently if I can turn back the clock:  

• I know I said it before. But I really want to. I really want to stay overnight at one of the national park accommodation. I believe there is little light pollution there. I can imagine, I would enjoy the star gazing and also the occasion rhythm from the animals.
• A better camera to capture the proboscis maybe?

A surprise learning from the trip 
Just when I thought there is no luck to sight the proboscis this time around, a few turned up when I tilted my head and looked up to the trees near the HQ. Similar with work and life, sometimes just when I thought there is little order coming in, a few came unexpectedly. What did I learn? Perhaps the old saying is right, “Expect the worst, hope for the best”. Expect the worst so that we can keep ourselves prepared and stay prudent, but keep the hope at the same times, the hope that somethings good will be happening.