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Published: October 23rd 2007
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Canopy Walkway
Walkin across the Canopy, think this was the Highest Point!! well I finally left Thailand and headed to my next destination....Malaysia. I got a cheap flight from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur and headed into the "China Town" area of the city.
I headed to some digs that had a good reputation.........well the "had" must have been about ten years ago........I was given a box room with a floodlight, bed, chair and table......no window, toilet or shower!! well gutted, and the fact it was chucking it down outside I bit the bullet and decided to stay.........the communal showers and toilet were.......well I hope you never have to experience anything like it!!
the next day I headed into Kuala Lumpa city centre to see the famous Petronas Towers, but it was raining again so I went a wander around some shopping centre then went to the cinema and watched "The Bourne Ultimatum" decent movie, it passed a few hours before I headed back to the digs. I also booked some transport to one of Malaysia's National Parks, Taman Negara, so the next day I was up early to catch the bus then boat to the base camp of the park, Kuala Tahan.
In Kuala Tahan itself there isn't much
Canopy Walkway
View of the river and park from walkway... there, just a few mini-markets, floating restaurants and accommadation. the place has no alcohol at all..........but it was about time I never had a drink cause the last week or so in Phuket was non-stop.
I booked up for a few trips the next day, jungle trek and canopy walkway, water rapid shooting and a visit to an Orang Asli settlement.
up early for the trek and when I arrived at the meeting point I started to worry..........the other four on the trek were dressed to impressed.....walking boots, Gortex like tops and trousers.....I began to think I had signed up for some mad expidition.......and there's me with my cheap Bangkok t-shirt, River Island shorts and my bright whites on my feet!!!! to say I felt outta place would be an understatement!! anyway we boarded the boat to cross the river to the entrance to the park......then once there the guide explained what to expect.......a 1 mile walk to a view point with a canopy walk in between then back again. still nothing mentioned about my trainers and clothing. he also said that he came across a deadly viper snake the previous day.........I thought he was at the wind
Jungle Trek
The snake that we came across!!! up of course!!!
the canopy walk was alright.....the highest point is about 45-50 meters from the deck and in total it was approx. 300 metres in length with platforms in between........there were some great views of the park and river.
the walk to the view point was fine.....and to be honest I think the rest of the group, a welsh/english couple, belgian chick and a portugese guy, felt out of place cause there was no need for all the gear!!!!
also 10 mins into the walk we came across the snake, a viper or something, he said it was venimous??..........sittin/lyin at one of the steps.....a bright green thing with an orange/brown tale........so we got a few pictures whilst keeping well back and then the guide helped it into the tree next to the path......and on the way back it was still in the same tree. seen some massive ants, bettles and heard some wood peckers as well.
got to the view point and the view was pretty good.........well worth it a suppose, but the snake made the trek for me!!
the afternoon trip, shooting rapids, was alot better than the bamboo rafting in Thailand. actually got wet this time and
Jungle Trek
Probably the worst path on the journey!! it was a bit scary at parts.
the visit to the Orang Asli (Original People) settlement was interesting. the Chief of the settlement showed us how to make a fire using bamboo and some other tree from the jungle.......we all got to have ago, and the guide was like the announcer for the euro vision song contest....and now from 'Scootlaand'...etc. quite funny....had to be there I guess!! so when I had ago....you have to stand on the bamboo, then using the other flexable tree bit, rub it back and forward to build up the heat.....so I was giving it my all when they began to shout faster, harder so I stepped it up a gear then.....snap!!!! I broke the bamboo, the Big Chief just glared at me....then started to laugh, so his sense of humour was good thankfully!!!
next they showed us how to make a hunting tool........a lengh of bamboo which you blow these dart things out.....so we were to try and hit a cuddly red cow.......now of us did but a got fairly close to it!!!!
the rest of the folk were really cool that I met on the trip.....so email addresses were swapped but no
Jungle Trek
Me at view point........eye's and mouth shut.....tan's lookin good tho eh?? doubt nothing will come of it.
there wasn't much else that interested me there so I decided to head back to Kuala Lumpa for some sight seeing.
On my way back to Kuala Lumpa on the bus we stopped off for the toilet......so bursting that I was, I was first off and I seen the building with the picture of the guy wearing a hat so I darted in and as I started to undo my belt and turn past the partition expecting to see a few urinals......I was faced with a muslim guy kneeling on the ground praying.....so a quick pivot and I was outta there...........the shoes at the entrance should have given it away but having been in Thailand, especially the islands, that long it's not unusal for people to take their footwear off when entering shops, bars and restaurants!!!! never mind, he never seen me!!!!
a short blog for you's this time but hopefully you have enjoyed the read!!
S XXX
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Val
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Malaysian Royalty Connections!
Hi Steven - your great grandfathers cousin Helen Bartholomew married Sultan Ibrahim of Johor in 1930 and became Sultana Helen of Johore. Johore is the old name for Malaysia, as I'm sure everyone knows(!?!). The Sultan was reputed to have hunted and killed more tigers than anyone else in the world. He was incredibly wealthy, and they spent a lot of time jet-setting around the world. Their marriage was reported in lots of newspapers and the fact that there was a Scottish Sultana made the front page of Time magazine in the States. The Sultan issued a stamp with Helens face on it one year as a birthday present. I'll show you photos etc when you get back if you like!