Kuala Selangor Trip - Day 1

With so many free weekends since I got transferred to my new workplace, this weekend YD, ND and myself were at Kuala Selangor to check out the attractions there. Two other friends bailed out at the last minute. We took the PLUS highway and exited at the Sungai Buloh exit. From there, we followed the signboards to Kuala Selangor and arrived 2 hours after leaving the house. Traffic was heavy in Sungai Buloh or we would have reached sooner.

We stayed at the Firefly Park Resort in Kampung Belimbing, a short drive from the centre of Kuala Selangor town. The 2 bedroom chalets are built on stilts on a small pond by the banks of the Selangor River. The chalets normally cost RM190 and come with breakfast for 4. However this weekend's occupancy was low so breakfast was omitted and the chalets cost only RM135. With so much stagnant water around the chalets, we were terrified of being eaten alive by mosquitoes.

Fortunately the pond was filled with fish, preventing the pond from ending up as a breeding ground for the flying bloodsuckers.

Lunch was home cooked Nasi Lemak, Sambal Sotong, Sambal Tempeh & Eggs, initially planned as a picnic at the nearby nature reserve but later ended up as a simple lunch at the chalet since we were too tired to immediately venture out to the nature reserve.


After a short nap at the chalet, the first stop on our itinerary was the Kuala Selangor Nature Park or locally known as Taman Alam. This is an 800 acre nature reserve which is home to a large variety of flora and fauna.

Several different trails take you on walks around the area. Expect to spend up to 2 hours to explore all the different trails and truly appreciate the beauty of the area.

The Brackish Lake System is a 25 acre man-made lake system which is a nesting area for many different species of birds. From the watch tower several birds can be seen perching on the canopy. Initially we were doubtful that these were real birds since these looked too plastic from the distance but we became convinced when they were seen moving about.

Some serious nature photographers patiently waiting to capture the perfect pictures of some of the fauna at the reserve.

One of the observation towers

YD 10kgs lighter since drastically limiting his food intake (guys don't go on diets) It'll be even harder for me to catch up with him now that he's joined Fitness First.

This elevated mangrove walk takes you deep into the mangrove forest lining the banks of the Selangor River allowing you to catch glimpses of some of the wildlife in their natural home.

The Selangor River just before reaching the Straits of Malacca

The Melawati Hill and lighthouse as seen from Taman Alam. Dark clouds had gathered and we could hear the sound of distant thunder getting closer while we were still about half an hour's walk deep in the nature reserve. Fortunately we managed to get back to the entrance just before it started pouring.

The next activity on the agenda - checking out Kuala Selangor's most famous attraction - The Fireflies. The rain finally abated by around 8pm that night. Lucky for us or we would have missed seeing these marvels of nature which can be seen at either Kampung Belimbing or Kampung Kuantan by taking rides along the Selangor River on silent electric boats.

This is what the Firefly or scientific name, Pteroptyx Tener actually looks like. They congregate nightly to feed on the fluids on the leaves of the Berembang tree lining the river bank, while captivatingly emitting light in unison. Truly a sight to behold and a must see when in Kuala Selangor.

3kgs lighter since going to the gym regularly for over a month. I lack YD's willpower when it comes to watching what I eat.

These pictures were taken earlier in the day. Attempts at taking pictures of the firelies on the boat ride (which by the way is prohibited) was disastrous due to the extremely low light conditions. Using long exposures on the moving boat did not help at all either.

After feasting our eyes at the marvel of the Fireflies' nightly ritual, it was time of us to feast our bellies. We decided to check out the food at Riverview Restaurant near Pasir Penambang. Of all the restaurants we passed earlier in the day, the crowd there seemed the biggest so we decided to trust the masses.

We weren't disappointed. For Rm72 this is what we had:

Tau Fu Soup

Butter Fried Prawns

Foo Young Egg

Mixed Vegetables

Steamed Sweet & Sour Ikan Merah

With full bellies we returned to the chalet and managed to catch some of the bizarre & ridiculous acts on American Idol 6 on 8tv.