[Article from
Philip's Site]
Take a cruise down the Krian River in Nibong Tebal, Penang, and witness a brilliant show of nature's light - courtesy of the area 's firefly colony.
The flickering lights of the fireflies on the mangrove trees remind one of Christmas trees but this magical scene is quite difficult to capture on photograph. The next best things for visitors to do is to cherish the moment in their mind.
At some parts of the river, the boatman would steer the boat nearer to the banks for visitors to reach out and cup the fireflies in their palms for a closer look at these little glowing insects.
Mr Heng Chor Snuah, 45, who runs the cruise business, said the idea to promote the river for firefly-watching activity came about five months ago.
"We read in the newspapers about the depletion of fireflies in Kuala Selangor and we jokingly told YB Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi assemblyman) that people don't have to go down to the south to see fireflies.
"We have our very own colony of fireflies in the nothern region, along the banks of Krian River," he added.
Heng said after that, Tan went on a cruise to check out the fireflies.
Impressed by what she saw, Tan approached the Pai Teik Old Boy's Association for help to promote the river for tourism activities.
Heng said so far, they had conducted many trips for outstation visitors as well as foreign tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Australian, English and France.
"Being relatively new, tourists only found out about this place through some tour agencies," he added.
The one-hour cruise begins at a jetty in the Nibong Tebal old town.
"We usually start our journey after 8 pm when it is completely dark so that the fireflies can be seen clearly." said Heng.
A note of advice from Heng:"Don't come during the rainy season or on full moon nights because you are bound to be disappointed.
He added that he should be informed one or two days in advance so that he could make the necessary arangements to avoid overcrowding the boats.
"For now, we have three boats - two big boat that can seat 15 each and a small one that only takes eight passengers at one time," he added.
Apart from watching fireflies, Heng said arrangements could also be made for a river cruise where visitors could watch the sunset at the river mouth.
Tan said the 4 kn-long river, which runs through Byram and Nibong Tebal towards the Kedah border, had tremendous tourism potential.
She said she had applied for a RM29 mil allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to beautify and strengthen the river banks.
"We also need to build a proper jetty for visitors to board the boat," she added. Apart from the cruise, Tan added that plans were also in the pipeline to set up a waterfront park. complete with seafood restaurants, along the river.
Nevertheless, at present, those who come for the cruises can also go for a sumptuous seafood dinner at Batu Kawan and Bukit Tambun, two of the states popular seafood areas.
Latest News:
The jetty costs RM20000 already completed recently.
The strengthening of the river bank almost completed.
Mr Heng's mobile No. : 0124595146
