Paya Indah Wetlands, Selangor : journeymalaysia.com

Paya Indah Wetlands - hippos and other animals

The Palm Garden

You are retracing your steps to watch the first big event of the day, but there is no real need to hurry. There is still a lot of time. Slow down as you cruise by the Palm Garden. Try to identify the numerous different species of palm trees standing proud within this exciting landscape. Some of them have flown hundreds and thousands of miles, from different corners of the world, to gather here at Paya Indah.

Hardly flying but resting their wings, you will find some pelicans and flamingoes in an enclosure within the protection of the Palm Garden. There are rumours flying about that one of its former inhabitants had flown off the coop, bound on its very own flight of fancy. On several occasions, it has been seen airborne or perching somewhere, but never in the enclosure. Fortunately, he still has an attachment for Paya Indah. And fortunately for him, no one has yet managed to capture him, and what's even more fortunate, is that none of the predators have been lucky enough either.

Saujana Café

There is still time, and your body is telling you it needs nourishment to fuel your energy for this big day. It wants you to douse your throat and soak it with a glass of cold refreshing tea. Just say the word, and Saujana Café will indulge you. It may also just serve you with a meal fit for a prince.

And now you are ready to say hello to the much talked about gentle giants.

The Hippo Release

It is 9.15. Invite yourself to join the crowd of people congregating before the Hippo Lake. Listen to the Park Guide who will tell you the story of Juita, Chendana and Tiomi. She will recount the many adventures they encountered when leaving their beloved Botswana. How they survived their 27 hour long flight, and what they had to undergo to adapt to this unfamiliar territory and alien tropical weather. And then, the vital moment will arrive, when our Park Guide will announce the impending release of the celebrated hippopotami. You will see that this signal is indeed necessary, for what is going to follow will be fascinatingly quick. Weight is no measure of (or in this case, impediment to) how quick the hippos will make for the water. Like a flash they leave their pens, and in a few blinks of the eye, they find their stocky legs in the water. And, in the pond they will remain contentedly submerged underwater. It would be a long time before they will show they heads again, and impress you with a big healthy yawn. And that is only if you are lucky enough to be close by to witness it. Almost always they will only accommodate you with a show of the tips of their ears and a swift offering of their round shy snouts.

Crocodile Feeding

The next show is certainly suited for the tough, looking for some action in a quiet and complacent sanctuary. The Buaya Tembaga which have been specially translocated here from Pulau Langkawi have the infamous reputation of being the largest and fiercest crocodiles in the world. And how contented they are to maintain this notoriety. During meal time, they bare their fangs and leap threateningly out of the water to entertain the crowd. Oh, what fun it is to exhibit one's ferocity. So, for the faint-hearted, stay clear until meal time is over, which normally does not take very long at all. In a few menacing gulps, the whole lean and mean demonstration is over. In contrast, it is much more pleasant to observe these reptiles when they are in their lazy mood as they are half basking in the sun. And if that's not your cup of tea, you could play 'spot the croc' and count how many heads are half-surfacing out of the water; vigilantly looking out for their next meal.

The Horse Joyride

Well that's that for the beastliest of the beasts. Time to brush shoulders with the more cultured ones. Or better still, learn how to brush the coat of the horse the right way. If you wish to take the opportunity, hop on a horse and have a little happy ride.