Taman Negara

...one of the oldest rainforests in the world. It supposed to be 130 million years old.

I arrived here yesterday after an 8 hour bus ride - which was quite exhausting. But the journey was worth it since I now find myself inmidst a jungle - and I am loving it. Not just because it is very peaceful place, but also because i am staying in a very nice guesthouse (with wireless internet, a terrace where I can chill out and drink free tea) where i meet and met nice people.



There a lot of things to do here : today I joined a couple and we hiked to a cave whose inhabitants were bats. On our way we passed a village, where the 'original' people live (called the 'Orang Asli'). It was amazing to see them living a nomadic livestyle in the jungle. The women were only partly dressed while the kids wore next to nothing; their house being a hut. They didnt seem busy at all, the kids playing, the adults chatting.. There were fewer men than women - I suspect they were out hunting..



We continued on to the cave where we saw a bunch of bats hanging from the ceiling - quite spectacular. On the way back we came across a giant lizard - but it ran away too quickly for me to take a photo. It took us a total of 4 hours to complete the hike. I was soaked in sweat when I returned.



After lunch I participated in a boat ride labeled 'Rapid Shooting'. This involved our wooden boat going upstream by shooting the rapids. It was fun especially once we were all wet from head to foot. Back in the hostel, I chilled out on the balcony sipping on tea (which was endlessly supplied) and chatting with the other travelers, with whom I went for dinner afterwards at one of the floating restaurants.



The next day I took of to the 'Canopy Walkway' - on my own! I got there shortly after 12 pm to be told that they just closed - how annoying. However, that was not the end of the hike - I continued on to the hilltop - a sweaty affair. The climb was well worth it - given the nice view up there. There I met a couple from nice Germany (Karsten and Susanne) with whom I continued the hike (or loop). This site of the hill was less developed and required climbing skills (we all didnt have). Worst of all, the path was 'guarded' by lots of leeches , which didnt take long to find their way into and up our shoes. Karsten was the first to be bitten (he was wearing sandals), but later we were all attacked. Shortly before we got back to the starting point (having completed the loop) we were given the opportunity to go for a swim in the river - exactly the kind of refreshment I was looking for. I spent about 30 minutes swimming and bathing, while the two were watching (they forgot to bring swimming clothes). When I got out, I discovered a leech sucking away on my leg - bahhhhh! Back on the other side, we all went for a well deserved lunch on one of the floating restaurants. I chilled out on the balcony for the rest of the afternoon - reading my book and sipping my tea. Dinner again had to be in a restaurant on the river, followed by watching the Germany vs. Portugal replay on TV.