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Published: September 21st 2010
Taman Negara National Park
After the rapids we went to visit a tribe who live in the rainforestWe have just reached the Cameron Highlands and already loving it. It never gets above 21 degrees or below 10 here and it's a welcome respite from the heat us two Celtic-skinned pansies have endured so far!
The Cameron Highlands is famous for its tea plantations and strawberry farms...so basically it's a dream come true for two English travelers. We've booked on a tour tomorrow that takes us around the tea plantations, strawberry farms, honey farms, rose gardens and to a Buddhist Temple. I believe we get some tea-tasting thrown into the deal but I'll keep you posted.
So, since the joy of Kota Bharu we have been to Taman Negara National Park which was absolutely fantastic and right up our street. Due to the aforementioned Celtic skin neither of us has ever exactly been a 'sun bunny' so trekking was exactly what we were after, rather than lying on a beach where we were both feeling a little restless.
We went on a boat down the rapids and got absolutely SOAKED...couldn't have got more wet if we'd jumped in the river...then visited a tribe who live in the rainforest. They showed us how they make fire (which
was actually pretty nifty, I have a video I'll upload shortly), showed us how they make arrows for catching dinner (aka monkeys) and then let us try it out. I had a go and was only three inches from my target's head (Winnie the Pooh nailed to a board), which was pretty good considering you shoot the thing by blowing into it!
We went on a trek up through the rainforest to a lovely view of the mountains (VERY sweaty by this point as you'll see by the photos), also saw HUGE parades of ants, literally thousands of them all marching off to the same place, then walked across an extremely rickety canopy over the trees (apparently the longest canopy in the world), which was pretty creaky and unnerving but lots of fun!
That evening we went on a night safari and saw some very cute baby jungle cats, an owl who then proceeded to eat a frog, some lovely birds and a GORGEOUS slow loris (Katie Sotiris I thought of you!) moving through a tree...they certainly are slow. Oh, and some cows. Also when we got back to our chalet there was a giant snail on the
Taman Negara National Park
Showing us how they make fire path.
Yesterday we went to see the elephants but when we arrived it wasn't exactly what we'd expected. We thought it'd be like an elephant sanctuary but in reality it was more like a circus act and even when enclosed the elephants were chained up so we decided not to ride them. We did feed the babies though, they were extremely cute.
So last night we stayed in Jerantut, not much to report from there, and then today we've caught the bus to the Highlands. Planning to maybe stay here a few days so we can also do some hiking...there are quite a few trails to explore, including one that Jim Thompson went on and never returned from (body never recovered, it's a mystery)...will feel good to do some more trekking and get a bit of exercise for a few days, especially in these temperatures!! If we don't return from the Jim Thompson walk, it's been a pleasure knowing you all (mum, that's a joke!)
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Mummy Bailey
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I wish I was there!
Hi both, still green with envy.... sounds brilliant. Say hello to Buddha for me when you get to the Temple. Ohhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm. xx