Henry took us to one of the specially designated Mangrove Forests. There are many Asian countries + others involved in the project to protect and manage the mangrove forests. This one is called the Tanjung Piai. When we first arrived there were a few monkeys hanging about.
This one preferred the gents toilet.
We headed this way to the location of the boardwalk over the mud and water. There is a monkey on the lower far right.
Hanging out between letters!
and also here.
The start of the boardwalk.
Interesting tree roots.
Its nice to see a country that is still working against climate change. After the 2024 tsunami, people realized that Mangrove forests act as natural bio-shields that protect coastlines from tsunamis by reducing wave height, slowing water flow, and mitigating structural damage.
There are two main pathways. One leads to the observation deck - that is the one we went on first. And the second one leading to the spot that is the most southernmost tip of Asia.
Our guide kept talking about the mud skippers. Turns out they are actually fish with feet. They walk, but look slightly like they are skipping.
Diagonal lines of new plants newly planted to fill in the mangrove forest.
We kept seeing these circles.
Henry told us that male mud skippers would build the small round houses - then lure a female into it. If she accepted the house she would stay. Soon she would discover she was pregnant and he was long gone - building another house for another female! Henry did not know what the larger circles were for. We saw at least one large mud skipper jump into the water in the middle of the circle. I think the males live in the larger ones!
We watched these two threaten each other - but it never got to the point of a fight. We also noticed the footprints in the mud. We never did figure out what made them. Not monkeys per Henry.
I don't know how to process video - so please be patient as I skip around. Towards the end there are 3-4 mud skippers swimming in water. Please also blow up the video to much larger so you can see the mud skipper which are quite small.
Most likely an egret.
From here it just looks like mud leading to the lighthouse. But there are big ships on the other side.
It turns out all those ships are waiting in line to get to the this shipping dock. We passed by the dock on the way too the forest and on the way back out. So obviously the water is much deeper here.
We headed back to the starting point and took the second path to the southern most tip of Asia.
Along the way someone spotted this big lizard in the tree roots. His tail is in the sunlight in the lower left side of photo. The head is hidden by tree roots.
Not sure if this means the lizards, mud skippers or maybe birds!
Finally made it to the most southern tip of Asia.
And far off in the distance you can see a line of ships.
Now for the long walk back!
These roots looked like hands!
Back at the entrance to Tanjung Piai - there are no monkeys to be seen. Apparently they do not care to walk on the boardwalk and stick to firm land. We are hot and sticky. We carry water with us every where we go - but we need something more before we hit our next tourist site. So on we go.
