Taman Negara is the most famous national park in Malaysia and the top place to visit. Our resort is accessed by a boat ride across the river and is next door to park HQ and all the trails. Really beautiful place on the doorstep of the jungle. Great accommodation in a wooden chalet. First afternoon we did a fantastic hike to a jungle hide. Only took 3 hours but it is tough in 30C, 100% humidity and climbing over tree roots on a very uneven path. We also met the ubiquitous jungle leech, managed to catch 3 on their way up my socks and 1 on my calf as we walked but 2 made it onto my skin for the duration. No idea what happened to them as the only evidence was a load of blood on my socks and pants when I got undressed – yuck. Only saw a couple of monitor lizards, lots of large butterflies and a few birds but we were surrounded by all manner of noises.
Next day we went trekking with a guide who told us loads about the jungle. We saw one of the world largest spiders -the bird eating spider, about the size of your hand. Unfortunately it was hidden in its hole so we didn't see the full extent. Difficult to see much wildlife in the dense jungle but can hear birds and monkeys all the time. Tough up hill walk but great views over rainforest at the top. You get so wet with sweat it is like you have just stepped out of the shower with all your clothes on!! Later we went on a boat trip up to the cascades for a dip. Bit of a tough scramble over rocks to get in quite turbulent water. Not for timid swimmer!! Saw two hornbill birds, these are really colourful large birds that look like they belong in the Jurassic period. Malaysia is famous for these birds. The action packed day finished with a night walk again with a guide. Great walk, saw tree frogs, large grasshoppers, lots of spiders, two tree snakes and best of all scorpions. These glow fluorescent green under ultra violate light so they are easy to see in the dark if you have a special torch. Fantastic day.
Last day in the jungle we got up at 5.30am to check out the hide overlooking water and a clearing. Saw lots of bats and wild pig but nothing bigger. Met the guide for a bit of rapids shooting on the river. Easy going in a motorised boat, no paddling. Visited another Orang Asli nomadic tribe camp. Really nice visit and interesting to learn about how they live and survive in the jungle. They still hunt in the jungle for food with the blow pipe. We both had a go with the blow pipe, Mark hit the target first time and I nearly hit it, only an inch away. It was quite hard as the blow pipe is about 1.5 metres long. The chief made Mark a man bangle and I also got one from another tribe member. The people are very reserved but friendly and the children are really cute. We didn't take any photos as it feels a bit intrusive, I didn't want to look like Madonna on a child collecting trip. On our very wet return down the rapids we saw a large water snake, the boatmen did a quick manoeuvre away from the snake as it is deadly poisonous – yikes! On our return we had lunch and then set off on a walk. Only did a couple of hours walk because we were both tired out after an action packed few days.
Absolutely fantastic few days in the jungle, the highlight of the trip. In case you were wondering the food was brilliant as well! Off to the UNESCO town of Melaka now, got a 5 hour drive, hope it isn't as hair-raising as the last long drive!!
