Archive for March, 2008

Stick Insect of Malaysian rainforest

March 23, 2008 at 5:15 am · Filed under Uncategorized


The jungle can come to life if you look carefully.

Malaysia is home to an order of insects called Phasmatodea, a name derived from Greek “phasma” meaning an apparition or phantom, and refers to the resemblance of many species to sticks or leaves. Notable ones which are only found around our region are Lopaphus perakensis, the world’s longest and largest insect and Heteropteryx dilata which lays the largest eggs. These insects are hyper-endemic and can only be found in the jungles around Ipoh.


The rainforest can come alive if you look close enough. This stick insect got too intimate with one of the trekkers and we couldn’t resist this shot.


It is hard to spot these insects at a glance. When discovered, these insects seldom fly away but sway with the breeze or drop to the ground and play dead.


Notice the green-coloured male clinging on the the bigger sized female.


Leaf insect

Leave a Comment

Dendrobium crumenatum orchid – Little white trinklets

March 16, 2008 at 4:35 am · Filed under Uncategorized


Avid orchidists call it Pigeon Orchid, but we prefer to call it Dove Orchid because that’s what the locals call it – for obvious reason.

Dendrobium crumenatum is endemic to Malaysia, especially in the region of Perak, our home state, and grows wild on tree trunks in open countryside, wetland but almost never in the rainforest. No one knows why. Well, that’s the beauty of Malaysian tropical orchids. Every type has attitude.

Another peculiar trait of the Dove Orchid is its blooming cycle is spurred by a sudden temperature drop, usually as a result of heavy downpour. When this happens, the plant bursts into a bouquet of fragrant white flowers and a passer-by that catches a whiff of its scent is said to enjoy good luck. It certain villages, the orchid is planted near doorways to ward off evil spirits.

And before anyone say “Hey, I saw the same orchid in Singapore!”, let it be known that since 19th century, colonial English orchid hobbyists have been uprooting wild orchids from Perak and carted them by the loads to Singapore to dress their gardens. If one has delved into the history on how Singapore’s national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim came into existence, it’d give one a good explanation.

Leave a Comment

National Geographic / Ashoka Changemaker 2008 Geotourism

March 7, 2008 at 4:18 am · Filed under Uncategorized


There’s a saying that goes – When life gives you lemon, make one helluva lemonade.


And we did.


In Dec 21, 2007, Ashoka Changemaker emailed us to inform that OO has been nominated for the 2008 Geotourism Challenge, and it’s…A-ma-zing. The recognition hits the spot: We’re beginning to feel human again and the world indeed has a heart.


One of our past guests Karen Ackland, wrote this in her support for our nomination:


“We were in a wooden boat heading out to ocean to see an aqua-farm. My husband and I were sitting under a canopy with a woven plastic tarp over our legs. Because of the slanting rain, neither the canopy nor tarp was keeping us dry. When we got to the aqua-farm and I saw that I had to walk out across a series of bobbing planks, my vision of myself as a good traveler took a soggy nose dive. I’d contacted Casey Ng, founder of Outskirt Outreach, a month earlier when the opportunity for a trip to Malaysia came up. Based on our interests—orchids, hiking, good food, and tribal villages—Casey helped us put together a trip that got us into the countryside. We found him to be an exceptional guide. His enthusiasm and knowledge about local flora, rural communities, and Malaysian history provided a glimpse into a country we’d known little about. I did walk out on the aqua-farm, tightly gripping Casey’s hand. We waited until it got dark and then motored slowly back up the river and watched the fireflies along the banks. It was exactly what I’d wanted.”


As the euphoria now coursing deliciously through our veins, we reminded ourselves that OO is pitted against mammoth organizations that deal with multi-million dollar annual budgets. We are not going to dream about tweaking their ankles, much less rubbing shoulders with them, but our little presence goes a long way in telling the world one need not be big to make a difference. Small timers like OO have fans too.


It’s nice to know there are caring organizations like Ashoka Changemakers (even the name sounds nice) to help the tourism industry to evolve into something that has some moral fibre, and most importantly backbone. It’s about time people realise that travelling means more than postcard scenes and sipping Pina Colada under a palm tree.


It’s also about touching lives.


Read OO’s nomination entry.




COPYRIGHT RESERVED “TAKE THE PATH LESS ORDINARY”. NO PART OF THIS ARTICLE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM OUTSKIRT OUTREACH MALAYSIA © Copying isn’t cool. You may stumble on our musings in the news, magazines and selected websites. So, asking works. We are nice people and hope you are too.


Comments off