Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Taman Negara #11 - To The Canopy Walk.



With the rain lightening a bit, we took our boat up Tembeling River again. There were still dense mist covering the hills. It was beautiful and gave the jungle a mystical feel.


It was a good thing we have shelter over our head as light rain continue to fall. The river and jungle appears different on a rainy day.


It had a charm all its own, one in which is limited only by our imagination.


It is amazing how simple mist can transform a jungle’s allure, like a veil to a beautiful woman.


We came to a bend where the sand kiss the water and the river disappeared ahead.



After a short journey we arrived at our destination as our boat pushed into the sandy bank to allow us to alight.











And we began our climb up the tricky slope in a single file.











We came to a path where wide metal steps have been built over the track to assist in the climb. This only went a short distance before we were back again on the earthen track.






Before long we arrived at the hut which served as the waiting platform for those who wanted to go for the world’s longest canopy walk over the world’s oldest tropical jungle.






There were already two groups ahead of us and when we arrived, we packed into the hut like sardines. I went up to the upper platform where it was not so crowded but no full shelter from the rain. Well, a little rain would not hurt.




It was definitely the lesser evil and I do not like to be hemmed in from all side and be surrounded by chitty chatters. Up there, I got a little rain but I felt freer. I was never one for much idle conversations. From where I stood, I could see down the side of the side of the slope to a clearing watching rain falling down. When the sun came up, sunlight filtered through the gaps among the tall trees and those that made the way through shone on the rain and leaves brightening them against those in shades. It was a beautiful sight.


Sunlight, rain, trees and leaves.








This guy went down to a clearing where the light beamed down, spread his arms as if to say “I saw the light!”









It was a long wait. The group occupied themselves as best they could.







And got together for of course, another group photograph.






New groups kept coming and the crowd swelled. When there were not enough place in the hut, they spilled over the benches below. Bored, they distracted themselves with the leeches on the ground.





One of our friend wanted to find out how it was to be bitten by one. So he put it on his hand and arm. But it just would not suck, just moving by forming a forming an arch. Told him maybe it sense his blood is toxic. Or maybe it is too young to suck.





We were worried that the canopy walk may be banned today as it sometimes does if the rain or wind got too heavy. Rangers were at that moment checking on the safety of the ropes. We prayed that the rain would stopped and the hundreds of prayers must have been effective for the rain did stop.







We have to patiently wait our turn for only one person was allowed every 5 meters of the rope bridge. So considering the size of the crowd, this would take quite a while. We were lucky for we were still among those in front of the queue although not the first group. Finally, it was our turn to climb the tower to get to the bridge. From the top, I took a shot of the others still waiting below. I was glad to be up there and raring to go…


To be continued...




Sunday, July 6, 2008

Taman Negara #10 - The Morning After II



From one end of the river bank, I looked back the other seeing the stirring of life as activities picked up with the rising of the day. With every minute, the world brightened.


Boats are being loaded as preparation started for the beginning of another day. I was on holiday but these people are earning a living. Their working lives are so much different from ours. I don’t know if I can do this for a living but their office is certainly much nicer than mine with a more fantastic view and feel.


An early boatman taking his boat out for a spin.


The sun tried but could not break out through the mist cover. This was the brightest it shone all morning. The clouds are in fact gathering and taking on an ominous tone.



I walked back to where I came from but along the length of the pebbled beach. I sms a friend to describe the morning for it was not an ordinary one for me. I passed by a Malay woman selling Nasi Lemak. It looked delicious and my mouth watered. My stomach groaned reminding me I had not had my breakfast. Told myself if the free breakfast is not good this morning, tomorrow I will buy Nasi Lemak from her. The rocks crunched under me as I made my way back to our meeting place as it was getting near to breakfast time.




As I walked along the beach, I passed by the approach to Sungai Tahan from Sungai Tembeling.












This trip we did not take a boat up the Sungai Tahan. I would like to come back here someday and one of the things I would like to do is to take a boat up that river. I think that would be nice as I always enjoyed boat rides.







I came from the other end, beyond the boat houses to view the sunrise. I stopped for a while to absorb it before climbing up the stairs to the high bank.



The sound of what sounds like pitiful meowing caught my attention. I saw two cats facing each other on the roof. The white cat was perched on a higher roof and its hairs were standing on end. The other white cat with black spots was on all fours staring up and making the most pathetic calls. Although squaring off, they did not seem to be fighting so I can only guess it was a courtship. I stood there for longer than 5 minutes hoping to see the end, but end have to give up for there is no knowing how long the drama will continue. I left with the piteous call still ringing in my ears.


As I neared our chalets, my path took me under a rambutan tree with large bunches of the hairy fruits. It is a pity they are still unripe or I could feast on them. There is nothing like eating fruits you plucked from trees yourself.



We went down to our floating restaurant for breakfast which is a choice of fried rice and fried mee. You can have both which most of us did. But the rice was quite plain, still it was better than the noodles which is a little bitter. It made me regret not buying my own breakfast. Tomorrow morning, I told myself.




They also have bread and jam for those who preferred them but I never dig western breakfast. Where breakfast is concerned, I am typically Asian.






The weather turned gloomy and then a fine shower began pouring down. This group of tourists was lining up to get into the boat was drenched as there was no shelter.


As the rain began, the mist rolled down from the hills and obscured the hills in the distance. The sky deepened and everywhere was the steady sound of rain falling. It was not heavy but persistent so we waited in the restaurant waiting for it to lighten.


The anchored boat and the river seen through the bamboo screen.




And looking from the boat, you can see the sun shining through the dense layer of clouds and mists that moved and swirled from down the hills to the land and river giving it a surreal kind of feeling. You can even see a morning moon where the clouds parted slightly. The sun and moon was up in the sky at the same time. Sun, moon, clouds, mist, river, rain, boats, trees; somehow I don’t mind sitting here idly waiting for the rain to stop. It was kind of pleasant though we were impatient at the same time to get going. If we have to wait, we cannot have wait under more pleasant surroundings.





To be continued...