There is something about the jungles that attracted me towards them. And there is no better feeling than to be enclosed by the huge trees and surrounded by the greenery with an orchestra of various sounds playing in the background. Of course, the occasional leeches and mosquitoes and those small bugs that bite can sometimes be annoying, but that is a small price to pay for the peace and tranquility surrounding the place.
My first jungle experience was when I was in school, and we had an expedition to Gunung Angsi in Kuala Pilah. Being near my school, the mountain turned up to be the place that I go to when I needed to be alone and surrounded by nature. When there was an opportunity, I will pack my bag and head to the place, sometimes staying there for a night. I will always remember Gunung Angsi as I remember my first love. My first sweet innocent love.
I've been to a lot of other mountains eversince that. And it was always the same feeling I get when I first stepped into the jungle. The calmness that radiates in the surrounding, the fact that knowing I'm at the mercy of the elements, and the thrill that I get when I run and walk the small mountain path. I guess it is the same feeling that divers get when they are underwater. That's why I can't wait to go for my first dive, because I believe, it's even more challenging and thrilling since being underwater is something that not everybody gets to do.
Nowadays, my favourite haunt is Taman Negara Pahang. Getting there is easy, with the new road leading all the way up to the resort. A drive from KL will only take around 3-4 hours, and I can just leave my car at the riverside and take a boat across. The place is so huge that it will take my whole lifetime to explore every nooks and crannies and to get acquainted with every trees and animals. Eventhough it is highly commercialised, the beauty and calm are still untouched by technology and globalisation.
When I was younger and reckless, I went for a-week hike to Taman Negara alone. I was planning to go to Mount Tahan, but somewhere along the way, I got sidetracked and followed the wrong trail. Needless to say, I was lost, and it took me almost 5 days to find my way out to civilisation. The weird part was, I didn't panic nor was I worried. It's a feeling that I have that somehow, the jungle will look after me, and I am safe as long as I respected the place. And so, I went about my trek, and camped when it was dark, and eat whatever food I have, and drink from the small streams and rivers.
It was an experience that I will never forget. And every now and then, I will fit in a weekend where I set off to some mountain or jungle. Most of the time, I will be alone, but every now and then, there will be a few friends who will check with me on my next trip and tag along with me.
I can't wait for my next trip.
Showing posts with label travels-aholic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travels-aholic. Show all posts
Friday, November 9
Wednesday, September 5
When nature calls
It's good to be away sometimes. Away from the crazy roads with colourful cars bustling on it. Away from the hectic demands of work. Away from TV (oh no!) and the comfort of a soft big bed. And away from all the troubles that's been plaguing my mind for the past few weeks.
And what better place to be away at if not the deep jungles of Taman Negara. I've been there numerous times, sometimes with a group of friends, sometimes alone. It feels like I'm going home everytime I'm there. The place never seems to change. It's like time stood still over there. The rivers are the same, the floating restaurants are still there, the leeches still plentiful and always hungry and eager to latch themselves to unsuspected trekkers. And the prices for most of the stuffs over there, they never change. The food still costs the same at the floating restaurants, and the entry permit is still RM1.
The drive from KL took around 5 hours, and we drove up to the river. The other option was to board the 2 hours boat ride from Kuala Tembeling, but driving is more convenient nowadays, because the road heading to Kuala Tahan has been tarred nicely. There is only one resort on the park, the rest are across the river. The river crossing (which only takes a minute) costs RM1 (it used to be 50 cents, but I guess the hike in gasoline price effected this too).
We spent some time at the resort. The original plan was to go for the canopy walkway, without realizing that on Friday the walkway closed at 12.30pm. Having scrapped that, we hiked up Bukit Terasik, for a breathtaking view at the end of the hour-long hike. After a big dinner at one of the floating restaurant, we geared up and started to trek to our first stop - Bumbun Tabing. Bumbun Tabing is one of the many elevated animal viewing post in the park. We trekked around nightfall, and I have always love night trek. There is so many things to observe, even in the dark. The dark jungle seems to come alive at night, and my senses are also heighten. The trek took us 2 hours, and the animal hide wasn't that bad. There were bed bunks and a toilet (although the condition was so bad). We spent the night there, while keeping an eye for animals coming to the river for a drink at night.
The next morning, we continued our trek to Lata Berkoh, which was 5.5km away. It took us a bloody 4 hours, bloody because we were attacked by leeches along the way. The wet ground was perfect for the leeches to hunt, and they were out in full force. Nobody was sparred, and we were left nursing our wounds when we reached the campsite.
After setting up camp, we headed to the river, and right at that moment, all the worries in the world vanished from our minds. The deep pool was so inviting that we jumped into it and swam around. The water was cold and the rock was warm, and we lazed around for hours before heading back just because it was getting dark. That was the best part of the trip, I have to say.
It was good to spent the night in the wilderness. Luck was on our side because the weather was perfect, eventhough rain clouds were threatening menacingly above, no rain followed. We woke up to a sunny morning, and after breakfast, we headed back to the park.
Of all the places I've been to, Taman Negara has always been one of my favourites. One thing for sure, this will not be my last trip there. Next year, I'm planning a whole week hike, to conquer Mount Tahan.
Feel free to tag along.
And what better place to be away at if not the deep jungles of Taman Negara. I've been there numerous times, sometimes with a group of friends, sometimes alone. It feels like I'm going home everytime I'm there. The place never seems to change. It's like time stood still over there. The rivers are the same, the floating restaurants are still there, the leeches still plentiful and always hungry and eager to latch themselves to unsuspected trekkers. And the prices for most of the stuffs over there, they never change. The food still costs the same at the floating restaurants, and the entry permit is still RM1.
The drive from KL took around 5 hours, and we drove up to the river. The other option was to board the 2 hours boat ride from Kuala Tembeling, but driving is more convenient nowadays, because the road heading to Kuala Tahan has been tarred nicely. There is only one resort on the park, the rest are across the river. The river crossing (which only takes a minute) costs RM1 (it used to be 50 cents, but I guess the hike in gasoline price effected this too).
We spent some time at the resort. The original plan was to go for the canopy walkway, without realizing that on Friday the walkway closed at 12.30pm. Having scrapped that, we hiked up Bukit Terasik, for a breathtaking view at the end of the hour-long hike. After a big dinner at one of the floating restaurant, we geared up and started to trek to our first stop - Bumbun Tabing. Bumbun Tabing is one of the many elevated animal viewing post in the park. We trekked around nightfall, and I have always love night trek. There is so many things to observe, even in the dark. The dark jungle seems to come alive at night, and my senses are also heighten. The trek took us 2 hours, and the animal hide wasn't that bad. There were bed bunks and a toilet (although the condition was so bad). We spent the night there, while keeping an eye for animals coming to the river for a drink at night.
The next morning, we continued our trek to Lata Berkoh, which was 5.5km away. It took us a bloody 4 hours, bloody because we were attacked by leeches along the way. The wet ground was perfect for the leeches to hunt, and they were out in full force. Nobody was sparred, and we were left nursing our wounds when we reached the campsite.
After setting up camp, we headed to the river, and right at that moment, all the worries in the world vanished from our minds. The deep pool was so inviting that we jumped into it and swam around. The water was cold and the rock was warm, and we lazed around for hours before heading back just because it was getting dark. That was the best part of the trip, I have to say.
It was good to spent the night in the wilderness. Luck was on our side because the weather was perfect, eventhough rain clouds were threatening menacingly above, no rain followed. We woke up to a sunny morning, and after breakfast, we headed back to the park.
Of all the places I've been to, Taman Negara has always been one of my favourites. One thing for sure, this will not be my last trip there. Next year, I'm planning a whole week hike, to conquer Mount Tahan.
Feel free to tag along.
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