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*Round 1*
The first round was a long drawn out affair, we both looked a little worse for wear after enduring a long bus ride from the Cameron Highlands to one of the oldest jungles in the world, The Taman Negara National park, over 130 million years old and home to animals like Elephants, Tigers, Tapir etc.
We had looked at ways to get from the Highlands to the park, including a trip on the very scenic jungle railway but we decided to take a transfer from our accomodation instead which cost us Rm85 each, quite expensive but a lot easier than using public transport. Sometimes you have to take the easy route. As we were in the guesthouse we met a Welsh couple that we befriended, called Mark and Carys, we were with these for the next couple of days and they were very nice.
We had previously read on other peoples blogs that sometimes this transfer hasn't run to plan so we were a little sceptical about the trip, but it all went well, We arrived in the town of Jerantut, where we had to buy our camera permits and where we were asked if we had any
accomodation or a return ticket away from the park. We decided to reject both!. Then we arrived in the village of Kuala Tahan at 7:00pm after a long 9 hour bus ride. We were tired!
*Round 2*
After surviving the beating of the bus ride, we were suddenly dealt with a barrage of counter attacks, by the (Tout?), welcoming person that jumped on our bus as we pulled up into the darkness of our new village.
First he hit us with a crunching right hand. "It is a public holiday, it is very busy, everywhere is booked" (was he telling the truth or was it another scam?)
Then came the sucker punches, that nearly finished us off. The guy started to ring round for accomodation for us and the bus full that had just arrived with us. Everywhere WAS just about booked up!! But still was he telling the truth?
Not believing what he had said, because this is the mentality that seems to get put into your head when you are constantly being told 'porkies' by touts etc. Me, Melissa, Mark and Carys headed off to Park Lodge that had just been recomended to us by another
traveller, but we had also been told by the guy that there was only one room left (like many others in town).
We arrived at the lodge and guess what?? He was telling the truth. It was a holiday and just about everywhere was booked up. Oh dear! But the kind people at the Park Lodge had a double room that they said we could all share for the night and if there were any cancellations we could stay there again tomorrow. So me and Melissa had the two single beds and Mark and Carys had the matresses on the floor. But what were we going to do tomorrow?
(It is nice to meet people when you are travelling, but in situations like this when there are no places to stay, it is better to be on your own as it can get a bit awkward)
*Round 3*
We made a bit of a comeback. We found somewhere to stay for the next few nights. A dorm room at a place called Agoh's that Melissa had managed to get Rm10 knocked off for us. So we headed off to the floating restaraunts on the river for some
well deserved rest and food. The place where we eat was where the guy that jumped on the bus owned. It seems that he is trying to corner the tourist market in and around the Taman Negara National Park. There were numerous tours, packages and bus transfers on offer behind his desk.
After some good food we headed off to our lodge for a game of cards and a bedtime chat in our room.
*Round 4*
This was where the first sight of blood appeared. But not until we had moved accomodation.
We all caught a Rm1 boat accross the river to the jungle to do a walk that would have cost us Rm30 if we had booked it with the guy at the restaraunt.
We were heading for the 'Canopy Walkway' The highest and longest in the world. It was just that.
We walked through some pretty well worn jungle, we saw some "wild" pigs on the way. Then arrived at the canopy where we paid our Rm5 each (less than a quid). It was really nice being in the tree tops, we were a little dissapointed we didn't see any wildlife though but it made for
Canopy walk
We were covered up for the jungle despite it was boiling hot. a pleasant walk and it wasn't that scarey at all.
After the 1/2 hour / 45 mins on the canopy, Mark and Carys decided to head back as Mark had a swollen foot, from stubbing his toe months ago (We had recognised his foot from Melaka).
Not wanting to finish off our jungle trek, Me and Melissa decided to venture further into the jungle. So we headed up a path to a lookout point on top of Bukit Teresik, which gave us a birdseye view of this vast rainforest/jungle. It was nice but a hard steep walk.
Still not wanting to head back, we took a diversion to a place called Lubok Simpon (a swimming hole on the river) This is when we suddenly started to get attacked by the jungle wildlife. If its not the just darn Mozzies that you have to watch out for we had found a new danger to our already bruised and battered bodies. LEECHES. Who decided to put Leeches in a jungle?
Melissa copped for the first lot. On her socks and trousers! HELP, HELP, GET THEM OFF, GET THEM OFF!!. She does make some funny faces and noises when she is scared. I
know its bad but she makes me laugh. Anyway we got them off and carried on. Now trying to avoid Mozzies and Leeches. Sounds great fun eh?
We completed the walk, and saw some really nice jungle scenery, but again no animals. Apparently you have to go at least 2 days into the jungle for this. We were dissapointed but still had a nice walk despite all the attacks.
As we got back to where we started the first sign of blood appeared in "The Rumble in The Jungle" We noticed a guy we saw earlier with blood on his socks from where the Leeches had been sucking. So we insinctively checked our footwear. I had one stook to my foot and when I took it off the blood started to pour.
*Round 5*
After a brief rest and a little attention to the newly opened wounds, we headed off for a bit of internet, booked our cheap bus tickets away from the park (guess what? The guy wanted Rm25, we paid Rm6 on a local bus) Well done us!. We booked ourselves on a jungle safari for the night, then chilled a little.
Kuala Tahan
is a real small village on the side of the Sungai Tembaling river if my memory is correct. It is a very friendly place, as are all villages. It is really pretty as you would expect, what with the jungle over the river, all the floating restaraunts and the constant boats going up and down the river.
*Round 6*
The Jungle Safari.
We paid Rm30 each and were off at 9:00pm into "the jungle" it wasn't, it was a Palm oil plantation from what we could see and had learnt from our previous trips. Nevertheless it was good, again we didn't see that much wildlife, Guess what the first jungle animal was? A domestic cat sat on the side of the road.
After the guides spotlight had broken we proceeded on and saw various birds including a brightly coloured Kingfisher and a Leopard cat which was cool to see.
We were a little dissapointed with the tour but I, Andy got to sit on the roof all the way and to use the new spotlight on the way back. But it was a quite pleasant drive in the countryside and at times I felt like nodding off.
Another canopy shot
It's 500m long and 45m off the ground, and these babies swing! *Round 7*
The end of the bout.
We finished the "Rumble in the Jungle" with a cheap, early bus ride back to Jerantut.
We thought it was a close decision but we enjoyed our brief time here and in the end we know we came out winners.
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Dad and Anna
non-member comment
What Blood
Andy you wuss, I could only just see the blood. Any way happy birthday for Friday have a drink on us, check your account. Glad to see you're both having such fun and still enjoying it all, I don't know how you're going to settle down to home life again!! Hope you have a great time when you meet up with your friends.Love to you both Dad and Anna