Day 248 (Mon 12 Mar) - Kubah National Park
Packed for an overnight stay at Kubah National Park, leaving our main packs at the Mandarin in Kuching.
Got a taxi to take us the 35km to the park as there is no reliable public transport. As we traveled to Kubah we noticed that the scenery looked remarkably like our journey to Bako a few days before. It was only when the driver triumphantly swept into the car park and said 'Bako!' that we realised where the muppet had taken us. When we explained where we wanted to go he looked pretty embarrassed and drove us to Kubah double quick.
When we got to the reception office the staff (three young girls) seemed totally confused as to how to deal with a couple of tourists that wanted to stay the night. After much shuffling of folders, seemingly randomly filling out forms, we were finally given a room. We offhandedly asked where the on site cafe/shop was. Slightly taken aback as they said there was none and that the nearest shop was some 40minutes away on foot. Since we had no food or water this posed a slight issue.
Decided to dump our bags before deciding what to do. We followed a ranger who, overhearing the conversation about the shop, said that there were plenty of rangers around who would be happy to give us a lift. Great we thought.
Our digs were really good. We basically had a whole house to ourselves complete with dining area, lounge and kitchen. Our bedroom was pretty neat and tidy too.
Walked back to the reception office, past a group of about 8 rangers busy preparing themselves a BBQ, and asked the girl there if she could find someone to whizz us down to the shops. She dutifully used her walkie talkie and after a long conversation in Malay relayed to us that noone could be found! Like there were about 8 rangers about 100 yards away!!! Clearly a case of the Walkie-Talkie says no. Decided to walk.
Flaming hot as we walked on the grass verge of a road that although had little traffic what it did have was moving fast. This was brought home to us as we walked round a corner and saw a car that had obviously skidded out of control and ended up in a ditch. The windscreen was cracked and a dazed girl sat in the passenger seat. A man was talking to her and also to someone on his mobile. Must have happened in the last hour. They seemed to have the situation under control so we motored on.
Very hot as we finally made it to a small shop. Bought some noodles, tins of curry and other bits and pieces. Walked back and stopped at a tiny cafe for some dodgy chicken noodles.
Finally made it back to Kubah knackered. Spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing as the only walks around Kubah involving going up steep inclines and, quite frankly, we were bushed.
We cooked the food we bought and although it did look like a dog had been at it, it was actually quite tasty. Luckily we had had the foresight of bringing a bottle of wine with us!
Jo slept rather fitfully as she kept on hearing noises around the house, as if someone was walking round. Sarb was not too happy about being sent out into the void to investigate. However armed with a small Swiss Army knife and a camera tripod he felt he was well able to cope with any eventuality.
Got a taxi to take us the 35km to the park as there is no reliable public transport. As we traveled to Kubah we noticed that the scenery looked remarkably like our journey to Bako a few days before. It was only when the driver triumphantly swept into the car park and said 'Bako!' that we realised where the muppet had taken us. When we explained where we wanted to go he looked pretty embarrassed and drove us to Kubah double quick.
When we got to the reception office the staff (three young girls) seemed totally confused as to how to deal with a couple of tourists that wanted to stay the night. After much shuffling of folders, seemingly randomly filling out forms, we were finally given a room. We offhandedly asked where the on site cafe/shop was. Slightly taken aback as they said there was none and that the nearest shop was some 40minutes away on foot. Since we had no food or water this posed a slight issue.
Decided to dump our bags before deciding what to do. We followed a ranger who, overhearing the conversation about the shop, said that there were plenty of rangers around who would be happy to give us a lift. Great we thought.
Our digs were really good. We basically had a whole house to ourselves complete with dining area, lounge and kitchen. Our bedroom was pretty neat and tidy too.
Walked back to the reception office, past a group of about 8 rangers busy preparing themselves a BBQ, and asked the girl there if she could find someone to whizz us down to the shops. She dutifully used her walkie talkie and after a long conversation in Malay relayed to us that noone could be found! Like there were about 8 rangers about 100 yards away!!! Clearly a case of the Walkie-Talkie says no. Decided to walk.
Flaming hot as we walked on the grass verge of a road that although had little traffic what it did have was moving fast. This was brought home to us as we walked round a corner and saw a car that had obviously skidded out of control and ended up in a ditch. The windscreen was cracked and a dazed girl sat in the passenger seat. A man was talking to her and also to someone on his mobile. Must have happened in the last hour. They seemed to have the situation under control so we motored on.
Very hot as we finally made it to a small shop. Bought some noodles, tins of curry and other bits and pieces. Walked back and stopped at a tiny cafe for some dodgy chicken noodles.
Finally made it back to Kubah knackered. Spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing as the only walks around Kubah involving going up steep inclines and, quite frankly, we were bushed.
We cooked the food we bought and although it did look like a dog had been at it, it was actually quite tasty. Luckily we had had the foresight of bringing a bottle of wine with us!
Jo slept rather fitfully as she kept on hearing noises around the house, as if someone was walking round. Sarb was not too happy about being sent out into the void to investigate. However armed with a small Swiss Army knife and a camera tripod he felt he was well able to cope with any eventuality.
posted by Jo and Sarb at
3/12/2007 05:20:00 am
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