langkawi magazine

Nature SECTION

A Walk In The Dark

What could be more romantic than an evening stroll? But as Irshad Mobarak explains, sunset in the jungle is also a perfect time to appreciate Langkawi's natural asset. Langkawi's most famous naturalist conducts these evening walks in the Datai area as a way to get people to understand the rainforest from a new angle.
The walks begin just before sunset, and Irshad starts by pointing out some of the common sounds to be heard throughout the walk. These include the call of birds closing shop for the night to the electronic whine of cicadas preparing for an evening of courtship. Along the way as he explains the intimate routines of the rainforest, he'll stop to break off a leaf or two for you to crush and hold under your nose. The darkness intensifies the smell of fresh leaves and you'll come to appreciate how much his walk appeals to all your senses.
As the walk progresses at an easy pace, so does night and that's when larger animals such as owls come out. Irshad points them out as we move through the trees and connects the whole ecosystem of the rainforest through his vivid descriptions. On a branch 30 meters above the ground, flying squirrel performs a death-defying glide narrowly traced out by the beam of his torch.
You'll never walk in the dark and feel alone after this experience.

2004-04-01