Kuala Selangor - Melintang - 75 km
Early morning, the tarmac was already baking in the sun. Still, I filled
my water bottles and searched for rural routes, of which there were
plenty. These small secondary paths through palm plantations were
quiet, with practically no traffic, only the occasional small kampung
and playful monkeys darting across the way.
Interestingly, these Selangor silvered langurs are born sporting
orange fur, while the adults are black. The fur doesn’t change colour
until three to five months after birth. The young are cared for by
females communally and aren’t weaned until 18 months, even though
the biological mother stops lactating after 12 months. How
fascinating?
Pantai Redang was home to a wishing tree and sported branches
entangled by red ribbons. One could buy the ribbons, knotted both
ends with coins, and throw them into the tree to make a wish. I
threw one lying on the ground and wondered if it would have the
same effect.
My chosen path continued across countless rivers, crammed with
fishing boats, past ornate Hindu temples and small villages until
reaching Melintang. Almost 16h00, the usual food carts were already
in full swing. The smells drifting across from these stalls were enough
to make me call it a day.