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 | imogen1989 |  | Imogen's South East Asia... |  | The Wild Taman Negara |
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Nov 30 2007, 05:31 PM
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Taman Negara, Malaysia
Jaree and I left KL on Tuesday and took a bus and boat trip of about 6 hours to central Malaysia to the Taman Negara (directly translated as National Park). The initial 2 1/2 hour boat ride up the river was absolutely beautiful. We were blessed with blue skies and lovely weather. We arrived in Kuala Tahan the local village on the opposite side of the river fron TN. After finding a local hostel to logde ourselves in we were set. On Wednesday we took a self guided tour to the 'Canopy Walkway' a series of rope bridges suspended between trees in the canopy many meters above the ground. It was rather spectacular! We then walked to the lagoon which turned out to be fairly muddy and despite the heat we were not tepmted. We late found out that the mosoon season has begun and both the lagoon and the tembelling river turn a murky brown from all the rain. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be in the dry season when the river is a crystal green! Jaree and I planned to spend Thursday night in a Hide which is a concete lodge above the ground where you stay overnight to hopefully spot some wildlife. The hide we chose to stay in was Bumbun Kumbang, the most remote hide where we were today there would be the best chance of seeing something. The hide was located 11km from Kuala Tahan which could be reached by a boat ride and then a 45 minute walk. Jaree and I however chose to walk to 11km and planned to get picked up friday morning. So we walked, and walked, and climbed and struggle. We had clearly underestimated the task we had undertaken. With the monsoon comes the mud and I can not underestimate the vast quantities we struggled though. I was covered in it just a few hours in. It was not too hot, however the junlge ever reaches less than 90% humidity (apparently) so we sweated like never before. After walking for 3 1/2 hours I was panic stricken, we had not seen a sign along the path in at least an hour. The nature of the track meant that it became unclear whether we could've taken a wrong turn somewher. To add to this we saw animal tracks following the same path as ourelves that resembled that of a tiger. By this stage we were deep in the jungle and while tiger popuations are very low it was a possibility. Jaree and I took turns at reassuring eachother that we were going to be ok during our various states of panic. We knew we were to evetually reach a river that we would have to cross just before we got to the hide. We did eventually reach to river and both swore outloud when we realised we would have to walk though it up to our thighs. Why they wouldn't have a bridge, I don't know. It is malaysia and it is the jungle after all. Jaree fell in the river wearing the backpack after nearly losing her shoe. Thankfully she didn't get washed away as the river was very strong. Her glasses, however, did. We had been walking for 5 hours and as it was coming on 4 o clock it was essential that we get there quickly. We crossed the river and continued on our way now wet and muddy and a little slower than before due to the fact that jaree couldn't see so well. Finally after 5 1/2 hours of mud, sweat and tear (and plenty of bloody leeches) we arrived at Kumbang Hide and swore we would never do it again! We had wooden beds with a thin mat and a single sheet to look foreward to that night with a hearty dinner of vegemite on crackers. needless to say the night was sleepless and our bodies were in agony (still are mind you). This morning we trekked a further 2km in the same damp, smelly, muddy clothes. But what an adveture! I don't think i will forget yesterday as long as i live! All I can say is yes the jungle is wild and not for the faint hearted particularly during the monsoon! Good Lucky Rhiannon and Jenny and Colin when you make it here, I would suggest you take a guide and avoid too much jungle hiking unless you like mud alot! To everyone else you should definatly not miss it! I imagine it is wonderful i the dry season!
lots of love to you all!
imogen
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Ohmigod
Written by Nathan&Ellie 14 months ago
This comment was modified by Nathan&Ellie 14 months ago
you fools! no guide! what were you thinking?? and the saga of jaree loosing her glasses continues. I hope you managed to see some wildlife after all that. love you lot's don't die! Ellie