Assalamualaikum wbt,
Hello Yeop and Yongs!
I haven’t been updating konasaid.com for some time now – and I supposed to be doing it every week! Here’s my posting for the week of 38 in 2017.
You seen it all , in person or read it in book, seen it via mass media ( radio, tv , internet , newspapers etc) , the sight of palm oil plantation ( ladang sawit)
In getting through the palm oil plantation area, it is not advisable at all to wear sandal or slippers. The land may be seen to be cracked like in the image below. However, it will be other areas and the last thing you wanted it the sandals or slippers to be dragging your feet in these areas.
Losing slippers or sandals deep in the mud in not an interesting experience either. I can tell you that since I once slipped into a mudhole and nearly came to my waist ( I’m about 5’ 7” or 173 cm in height. 3 feet into the mud. And try to crawl out of it..ha ha hah ahah ) other challenges beside muddy creek, thorny bushes, hard rocky surfaces, That’s natural part of my country – we live with it.
Yeah – this should be easy..just a single jump and I’ll be on the other side …think again my friend…there’s two banks over this trench left and right. If you think that you’ll be running from the left bank and made a big leap across and will land on the right – on your first attempt, that’s a 50% probability, you land properly or you’ll be waist deep in mud.
What you need to be aware that these landbanks may appear to be hard – but the soil composition is uneven and it can be soft and it can be hard. unpredictably convenient.
This is different for experienced Yeops and Yongs! they can run barefeet in these areas ..which I enoucrage you to think twice. even the splinter from the palm oil leaves can punch deep into your skin. Had a few of these which I’m trying to remove.
Now here’s something you need to wear whenever you go into the farm area ( kebun or ladang) . For noobs , please think twice entering our farm without these pair! It is only RM12 there about and it will saves you effort, time and also embarrassment to your kins. If somebody ridcules you for entering a kebun with these pairs..let them be and just let it pass.
It is made from rubber and for everything man-made there’s always a drawback. It comes with one size fits all..haha hah aha.. and it is not impervious to heat or fire or sharp pointy stuff ( knife , machete,etc) When it gets hot in one of these pairs, the next best thing, what you’ll do is take off your boots and jump into the river or creek! instant relief….hoowwww behaaaaaveeee….
the other importance factor is the maintenance of these boots , for long term use. after every trip or jungle tour, clean it up properly specially on the soles which mud and small pebbles will get stuck in it. Use a small stick or phillip edge screwdrivers to drive dirt and pebble out.
After a few trips or maybe weeks after you have accustomed to your boots, you may be upgrading it to a different type of shoes. like rubber shoes with long socks. I haven’t got a pair of rubber shoes – which was known as very practical during flood prone areas, during rescue mission and life saving efforts. you will see the village folks tend to have this pair for them. I saw them in a nearby grocery store in Manong and I have yet to get a pair for myself. A sock is a must! or prepare your feet with blisters.
As conclusion – stay safe and enjoy your trip to the plantation area , just because you’re a city boy or a newbie, you have to endure the trip without proper gear.
Always have a proper shoes or attire before entering the bushes or secondary forest.
good luck and till we meet again!
Konasaid 