Day 225 (Sat 17 Feb) - Taman Negara
Up at 8m to pack our bags and move to Woodlands.
Our room would not be ready until 1pm so we dumped our bags at reception and had a nice breakfast on one of the floating river restaurants. Paid our 1 Ringitt each so that we could cross the river and were soon climbing up the steep steps to the posh resort that is sited at the entrance to the forest.
Decided to go to the canopy walkway. This is apparently the longest in the world, some 500metres suspended 30metres above ground.
From the resort we took a carefully marked path that led us into the interior. Soon we were totally surrounded by the forest with only the buzz of insects and the occasional trill from a bird. Quite peaceful. Within 15 mins we were absolutely soaked in sweat ( [1], [2] ). The heat and humidity was very uncomfortable.
As we walked on we heard a rustle and crash from the trees above us. Looking carefully we could see a troop of Langur monkeys playing high amongst the branches above.
We got to the entrance to the walkway and had a little breather, chatting to a few Malay tourists.
Soon the other tourists wandered off and we were left sitting on a wooden bench. Suddenly we heard a rustling sound and spotted a lizard about 8 inches high burst out from the undergrowth towards us. It had obviously been eyeing up lunch. It swooped on an unsuspecting beetle and scuttled off again and sat under a tree. It really looked like a mini T-rex, as it ran on its hind legs only and had two sorts of horns on its head.
Carried on up to the entrance to the walkway. You had to walk about 10 metres apart and only 4 people were allowed on any one section of the walkway. It's pretty scary as the wooden plank you walk on is very narrow and sways alarmingly. You end up clutching the side ropes so tight your knuckles turn white ( [1], [2] )!
Didn't see any animals (wrong time of day) but it certainly gave you an idea as to what life in the treetops might be like. Got some good photos from some of the landings that looked out over the river.
After the walkway we walked back to the jetty. Close to where the forest gave way to the grounds of the resort Jo spotted a woodpecker and some pheasants. Amazing to see the woodpecker doing his stuff!
Got back to Woodlands quite exhausted at about 3. Unpacked our bags and relaxed for a while. The clothes we were wearing on the walk were thoroughly soaked! We had planned to go on a night jungle walk tonight but it started to absolutely hammer down with rain.
Had a good supper at the hotel and turned in for the night.
Our room would not be ready until 1pm so we dumped our bags at reception and had a nice breakfast on one of the floating river restaurants. Paid our 1 Ringitt each so that we could cross the river and were soon climbing up the steep steps to the posh resort that is sited at the entrance to the forest.
Decided to go to the canopy walkway. This is apparently the longest in the world, some 500metres suspended 30metres above ground.
From the resort we took a carefully marked path that led us into the interior. Soon we were totally surrounded by the forest with only the buzz of insects and the occasional trill from a bird. Quite peaceful. Within 15 mins we were absolutely soaked in sweat ( [1], [2] ). The heat and humidity was very uncomfortable.
As we walked on we heard a rustle and crash from the trees above us. Looking carefully we could see a troop of Langur monkeys playing high amongst the branches above.
We got to the entrance to the walkway and had a little breather, chatting to a few Malay tourists.
Soon the other tourists wandered off and we were left sitting on a wooden bench. Suddenly we heard a rustling sound and spotted a lizard about 8 inches high burst out from the undergrowth towards us. It had obviously been eyeing up lunch. It swooped on an unsuspecting beetle and scuttled off again and sat under a tree. It really looked like a mini T-rex, as it ran on its hind legs only and had two sorts of horns on its head.
Carried on up to the entrance to the walkway. You had to walk about 10 metres apart and only 4 people were allowed on any one section of the walkway. It's pretty scary as the wooden plank you walk on is very narrow and sways alarmingly. You end up clutching the side ropes so tight your knuckles turn white ( [1], [2] )!
Didn't see any animals (wrong time of day) but it certainly gave you an idea as to what life in the treetops might be like. Got some good photos from some of the landings that looked out over the river.
After the walkway we walked back to the jetty. Close to where the forest gave way to the grounds of the resort Jo spotted a woodpecker and some pheasants. Amazing to see the woodpecker doing his stuff!
Got back to Woodlands quite exhausted at about 3. Unpacked our bags and relaxed for a while. The clothes we were wearing on the walk were thoroughly soaked! We had planned to go on a night jungle walk tonight but it started to absolutely hammer down with rain.
Had a good supper at the hotel and turned in for the night.
posted by Jo and Sarb at
2/17/2007 06:24:00 am
1 Comments:
I think you're very brave looks really scary I think the walkways we've been on are much more stable. Sorry I can't give you an id on the woodpecker- great shot but Sarb perhaps you could go back and get a rear view too! thanks
By
Anonymous, At
3:06 pm
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home