Dabong
Understand
Dabong is a town of 2000 people, close to the River Galas. It is the main access point to the Stong waterfall.
Get in
By train: It is a station on the Jungle Railway line between Tumpat and Gua Musang. Check the schedule for the train - you might be stuck there for some hours otherwise.
By car: Route 66, either from Jeli or Gua Musang
Get around
There are usually no taxis waiting at the train station, however you might find a local person willing to bring you around either by car or motorbike.
See
Stong Waterfall: Find a local on a motorbike who is willing to bring you there. (it is about 9 km), and wait to bring you back to the station again. RM20 for a half day. If you cross the hanging bridge, there is a hut on your left with a good view up to the waterfall. If you decide to climb up the mountain, bring along proper shoes and repellant, you need both (there are 1-inch ants walking around, and a fair share of flying insects) and the trail is equipped with rope and chain in critical sections. To swim in the pond beside the bridge, bring along long swimsuits and a T-Shirt to cover you up, the local population will thank you for that.
Gua Ikan Cave: There is a system of five caves, called Gua Ikan (fish cave). It is only 3-4 km outside town. It is very interesting to see the mountains and stone formations, and there are birds, bats, crabs and more in the cave. If you go, bring good shoes (it is not recommended to wade in the waters), and mosquito repellent (lots of mosquitos). Free admission.
Do
Engage in communication with the local school kids - most of them are very eager to practise their english.
Eat
- A small restaurant at the other side (east side) of the railway
- Foodstall at the bus stop (east side of railway)
Sleep
- Rumah Rehat Dabong. Has five rooms. A basic room cost RM20 or RM40 for a bigger room with attached bathroom. The owner can organise a taxi to transport you to the waterfall, wait for you to climb it and bring you back into town for RM25. To get to the guesthouse walk 100m up the main road away from the station and then the second street on the left onto Jalan Pejabat. The guest house is on the right about 40m up this road.
- Rose House Dabong Guesthouse. See facebook page. Nice apartment with aircondition. RM70 for two persons. The owner is very friendly, and will organise transportation for you.
- 'Resort at the Stong Waterfall. Not-so-new resort, RM10 for dorms.
Connect
There is an internet cafe provided by the community, RM 1/hour in the orange building, two blocks away from the train station