A week after I returned from my Vietnam trip, my collegues and I went for a hike from Teluk Bahang to Pantai Kerachut. (Yeah, it is as if I did not have enough workouts in Vietnam)
I meant to blog about this, but Bryan was sick immediately after the hike. And I was busy caring for him and then preparing for my US biz trip. So I forgot all about these until I was housekeeping my photos last weekend.
For one as physically unfit as me, many told me that it will be quite a challenge. But my collegues told me that they will take it slow and encouraged me to go as part of our own “teambuilding.” ..(as if we are not seeing enough of each other :p )
I left my house at 545am that Saturday morning to meet up with my friend. As we need to pick up 2 other friends on the way, we had to leave our house early so that we can start the hike before the day turns hot.
We arrived at Teluk Bahang before 7am, and it was still fairly dark. The hike was estimated to take 1.5 hours. And to me that is a long and strenuous 1.5 hours. I was so glad to see the end of the hike, and even happier to see the reward at the end of the hike.
Before we reach the beach, we are greeted by a rare geographical phenomenon – a meromictic lake. Well, it is actually a lagoon fed by freshwater streams. But at certain times of the year, the seawater will flow inland and enter the lake creating a lake with 2 layers of water – fresh water at the top, and sea water at the bottom. These 2 layers do not mix homogeneously and this has created a unique ecosystem at Pantai Kerachut. I have lived in Penang all my life and I just found out about this….*shame on me*
Pantai Kerachut is a beach lover’s heaven. Soft, clean sandy beach and it is usually quiet because it is only accessible by boat or hike thorough the forest reserve. We were the only ones at the beach that morning. That is excluding the forest reserve officers stationed at the beach, of course. It was only when we are about to leave that another group of hikers arrived.
And look what we found near the beach….
BABY TURTLE!! The beach is also a turtle sanctuary. Every June & July, turtles will come to lay their eggs at Pantai Kerachut. These eggs are harvested by the State Fisheries Department and the turtles are released to the sea once they are hatched.
My colleague who was there a few weeks ago saw hundreds of baby turtle, but we only saw one on this visit. But still it was a priceless moment.
Hikers will also spot eagles, otters or even dolphins at the waters of Pantai Kerachut. I spotted plenty of eagles but no otters / dolphins. Hopefully I’ll be luckier the next time… 
You can’t be serious… DOLPHINS???
It’s rare but yes. I have lots of friends who spotted them during one dept teambuilding hike there last year
wah..the meromictic lake just so stunning!!
Shooi: yeah, so many unique sites where we stay and yet we donno…
wah! teambuilding ah? You really had a great workout eh?
Shooi: yeah, self initiated team building. I thought i’ll never complete the hike…certain portions are quite challenging. But then my stamina is very poor.
Shooi, this is so beautiful! Just can’t believe my eyes when i see the turtle in that clear water (even clearer than my house tap!)
Shooi: the turtle was actually in a container of sea water. It has not been released yet. It will later that day. Yup, it was a beautiful place
Wow nice, can we drive to there or we can only hike there. I don’t mind bringing my children there.
Shooi: The only way is via a hike through the forest reserve or by boat from Teluk Bahang. You can rent a fishing boat to take you there for about RM50. Not sure if it is one way/ two way though.