130 Million-Year-Old Taman Negara
So I went off to Taman Negara last Thursday after hearing so much about that place from my non Malaysian friends. It's always embarassing when that happened. Being the adventurous me, I wanted to do the rustic trips like hiking up Gunung Tahan or staying overnight in the cave. But then I decided to go subtle and opted for a more "relaxing" trip. With the chinese new year around the corner, I couldn't afford fresh wounds or scars when everyone else are looking their best...*grin* (I'm so vain.. God damnit!) I even asked Jessie to join me, which is rather unusual if you know me as I love travelling on my own. I'm such a loner I tell ya.
The trip was run by NKS . We left KL at 8 am on a comfy 24 seater couch and arrived in Jerantut for lunch before proceeding to Kuala Tembeling jetty for a 3 hours long boat trip up north to Taman Negara.
The view at Sungai Tembeling Jetty. Noticed the long boats with zinc roof. Those were similar to the one we used for our 3 hours trip.
The boat ride journey was great, going upriver passing through scenic views and natives villages ... although it only kept Jessie and I awake for a good 1 hour before we both passed out. Mind you, the boat was about 15 metres in length and 1.5 metres in width. Nothing of luxury but we managed to sleep for a good 2 hours with our butt totally numb. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the company tour guides which were made up of some malay and chinese guys with heavy put on english accent. Among the visitors, we were the only Malaysians. Suprise suprise!
So we checked in, freshened up and took a nap (again!) while waiting for dinner at 7.30pm
The chalet that we stayed. This place is called Ekoton Village located across the river from Taman Negara.
It was a RM20 per person a/c dorm with attached bathroom that can fit 5 person. Since it wasn't the peak season, we got the whole room to ourselves!!!!
Jessie trying to say that dinner was not bad at all.
*burp* That's my "very satisfied" look.
After dinner we went for a night walk in the jungle hoping to catch sight of wildlife and insects. While all the Mat Sallehs (caucasians) when aahh- ooohh-- at the sight of scorpions, big spiders, praying mantis and moth, we were both yawning and grinning from ear to ear knowing that all these were so common and found back home in our house! The tour guide, Sharif was pretty cool though. He knew we were pretty amused by the whole trip. Sharif is a real peace out dude who was knowledgable in his field but had a tendency to joke by bullshitting in between the lines. We realised that we were the only one laughing because all the others were taking what he said as facts. Those poor people. But we did managed to see 12 barking deers and mousedeer.... now, everybody say"OOoooohHHHh".
Day 2 was more interesting because that was when all the action kicked in. We did jungle trekking up to Bukit Teresek.
So I went off to Taman Negara last Thursday after hearing so much about that place from my non Malaysian friends. It's always embarassing when that happened. Being the adventurous me, I wanted to do the rustic trips like hiking up Gunung Tahan or staying overnight in the cave. But then I decided to go subtle and opted for a more "relaxing" trip. With the chinese new year around the corner, I couldn't afford fresh wounds or scars when everyone else are looking their best...*grin* (I'm so vain.. God damnit!) I even asked Jessie to join me, which is rather unusual if you know me as I love travelling on my own. I'm such a loner I tell ya.
The trip was run by NKS . We left KL at 8 am on a comfy 24 seater couch and arrived in Jerantut for lunch before proceeding to Kuala Tembeling jetty for a 3 hours long boat trip up north to Taman Negara.
The view at Sungai Tembeling Jetty. Noticed the long boats with zinc roof. Those were similar to the one we used for our 3 hours trip.
The boat ride journey was great, going upriver passing through scenic views and natives villages ... although it only kept Jessie and I awake for a good 1 hour before we both passed out. Mind you, the boat was about 15 metres in length and 1.5 metres in width. Nothing of luxury but we managed to sleep for a good 2 hours with our butt totally numb. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the company tour guides which were made up of some malay and chinese guys with heavy put on english accent. Among the visitors, we were the only Malaysians. Suprise suprise!
So we checked in, freshened up and took a nap (again!) while waiting for dinner at 7.30pm
The chalet that we stayed. This place is called Ekoton Village located across the river from Taman Negara.
It was a RM20 per person a/c dorm with attached bathroom that can fit 5 person. Since it wasn't the peak season, we got the whole room to ourselves!!!!
Jessie trying to say that dinner was not bad at all.
*burp* That's my "very satisfied" look.
After dinner we went for a night walk in the jungle hoping to catch sight of wildlife and insects. While all the Mat Sallehs (caucasians) when aahh- ooohh-- at the sight of scorpions, big spiders, praying mantis and moth, we were both yawning and grinning from ear to ear knowing that all these were so common and found back home in our house! The tour guide, Sharif was pretty cool though. He knew we were pretty amused by the whole trip. Sharif is a real peace out dude who was knowledgable in his field but had a tendency to joke by bullshitting in between the lines. We realised that we were the only one laughing because all the others were taking what he said as facts. Those poor people. But we did managed to see 12 barking deers and mousedeer.... now, everybody say"OOoooohHHHh".
Day 2 was more interesting because that was when all the action kicked in. We did jungle trekking up to Bukit Teresek.
Taking 5 for photo.
We were lucky as it was a clear day and we got a good view of the Gunung Tahan -the highest peak in peninsular Malaysia.
Later that afternoon, we went to see the Basek hill tribes (orang asli/"sakai" people). A little dissapointed upon seeing how civilized they already were.
Trying my hands on blowpipe. I got bull's eye which sent everyone applauding. I was stunned myself but you know what, I'll be worried if I didn't because I'm from Sarawak and blowpipe is our toy...NOT!!!!
Firestarting by the orang asli using a tree bark and a rattan. I could do that too .. just give me 3 days to work that out.
Notice that his digital wrist watch was far more advanced than mine.
Then we did the canopy walk -the world's tallest (50m off the ground) and longest canopy walk hanging on very tall trees.
It was a bit scary at first as I AM afraid of heights and was worried that the "bridge" might just break. I was walking really carefully and stopping to gasp for air but after awhile, I got used to it and started to enjoy the view around me. For the first time I saw how feminine Jessie was while walking. She was just as chicken shit as me but towards the middle we started taking photos and cracking stupid jokes again -and walking pretty fast.
After the "tight-rope-walking", we did the rapid shooting. No photos taken because all our stuffs had to be sealed in a plastic bags. We only had life jackets on. It was fun although not as scary as I expected more adrenaline rush. But it left us all drenched to the skin. We stopped by to have a swim in the clay coloured river. I know why now that we always read about kids swept away and drowned while playing in the river. The current was flowing really fast in this river and it was really deep.
So on Saturday, it was our last day. Took the 3 hours boat ride although we didn't managed to sleep quite as soundly as we did before because it was drizzling and freaking cold. But during the 3 hours bus ride from Jerantut to KL, I slept all the way. Upon reaching Petaling Street (Chinatown), I looked out of the window and saw the massive jams, rushing traffic, high rise buildings and when I got down from the bus, it was so noisy with cars honking, chinese new year songs blaring from one corner to another, street peddlers shouting making my head spinning for awhile. It all seemed so familiar to me, yet not quite there.
I felt like an orang asli who just got out from the jungle, and it's only been 3 days.
****Footnote:
Firestarting by the orang asli using a tree bark and a rattan. I could do that too .. just give me 3 days to work that out.
Notice that his digital wrist watch was far more advanced than mine.
Then we did the canopy walk -the world's tallest (50m off the ground) and longest canopy walk hanging on very tall trees.
It was a bit scary at first as I AM afraid of heights and was worried that the "bridge" might just break. I was walking really carefully and stopping to gasp for air but after awhile, I got used to it and started to enjoy the view around me. For the first time I saw how feminine Jessie was while walking. She was just as chicken shit as me but towards the middle we started taking photos and cracking stupid jokes again -and walking pretty fast.
After the "tight-rope-walking", we did the rapid shooting. No photos taken because all our stuffs had to be sealed in a plastic bags. We only had life jackets on. It was fun although not as scary as I expected more adrenaline rush. But it left us all drenched to the skin. We stopped by to have a swim in the clay coloured river. I know why now that we always read about kids swept away and drowned while playing in the river. The current was flowing really fast in this river and it was really deep.
So on Saturday, it was our last day. Took the 3 hours boat ride although we didn't managed to sleep quite as soundly as we did before because it was drizzling and freaking cold. But during the 3 hours bus ride from Jerantut to KL, I slept all the way. Upon reaching Petaling Street (Chinatown), I looked out of the window and saw the massive jams, rushing traffic, high rise buildings and when I got down from the bus, it was so noisy with cars honking, chinese new year songs blaring from one corner to another, street peddlers shouting making my head spinning for awhile. It all seemed so familiar to me, yet not quite there.
I felt like an orang asli who just got out from the jungle, and it's only been 3 days.
****Footnote:
I paid RM 370 for a fullboard package which is inclusive of all meals, accomodation, guided activities, return transfer from KL and also souvenirs ( a tee worth RM 15 and a cheap looking pen ). Buddy up with the tour guides like what we did and we got free mineral water 1.5L bottle everyday and also free drinks at night during their drinking session. Only if you dig Tiger beer which unfortunately, I do not.
A living proof that I've been there and I would do it all over again anytime.
A living proof that I've been there and I would do it all over again anytime.
posted by spacecadet @ 11:39 PM
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