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guides
of chek jawa
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 ZahidHello!…I'm Zahid, a volunteer guide of Chek Jawa. Welcome to the beautiful Chek Jawa (CJ). CJ is very beautiful and alive. With six eco-systems within CJ (mangroves, sea grass lagoon, sand bars, coral rubble, rocky shore and coastal hill forest), I regard it as unique and any other places with similar eco-system was unheard of. My first time on Chek Jawa? It was many years ago when I had my first encounter with CJ. I used to have a friend whose father stayed at Kampong Melayu. My first ride in the sampan gave me my first view of CJ during high tide. At that time, we rowed over to cast our nets for fresh catch. During low tides, we'll walk in to check what whatever catch we can find in our nets. I was not much into nature during those days but recalling what I did that time gave me a kind of guilty feelings especially after seeing the state of CJ today and the uncertainty it's facing tomorrow. I realised that CJ was very beautiful then. CJ then was unheard of. No one knew CJ except those who used to reside on Pulau Ubin. How I ended up being a guide is totally an accident. This is how it happened. I remembered those articles in the newspapers reporting about CJ and the plan for reclamation in 2001. I read them but gave no impact to me because I had seen CJ. It was in August 2002 when my club organized a trip to CJ. I signed up because the trip was cheap and also lots of friends are going. There wasn't anything that crossed my mind what I expect or see on CJ. The only thing I was curious was the issue that sparked of public's outcry on preserving CJ. The moment I stepped onto CJ, my heart suddenly melted seeing the condition of CJ which is far different from what I used to see during those days. I'm not a picture wizard going around with cameras but the impression of CJ during those days is still clearly imprinted in my memory. My second trip to CJ was in December 2002. Only then, I asked the guide how she gets herself to be a volunteer. Then I registered myself, attended trainings and there I go, swinging myself as a guide of CJ.  Why
do I want to be a guide? What I have said earlier is enough to
give myself or others the reasons why I wanted to be a guide without hesitation.
If that is not enough, let me tell you this. I want to be a guide because
I want to spread out and share my experience, my knowledge and love for
nature with other people. I want others to share the same feelings how precious
CJ is. My love for CJ grew when I began to know and understand the marine
lives residing there. The more I know about them, the deeper is my love
for CJ. A memorable outing at CJ? All outings at CJ are memorable because every outing is unique. It's hard to express here. Only those who have been there with us knew how memorable every walk on CJ can be. My favourite creature of CJ? No particular attention to any specific creature or feature. I simply love everything about CJ. What do I do at high tide? Hmmmm…..keep on looking at my calendar/diary for the next low tide. I read up on marine lives, browse the internet for information on things related to CJ. On top of that, I do guiding at Sensory Trail located near the NPark's Information Kiosk, Pulau Ubin. |
What's
so special
about Chek Jawa? Guided walks Why join the walks? How to register? Joining the walk How to get there? What to prepare? Courtesy & safety Special tips for photographers More FAQs About the guides of Chek Jawa |
a
companion website to the chek
jawa guidebook
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