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...