This morning marked the start of an exciting adventure. Eager to explore the Canopy Walkway in Taman Negara, I rose with the sun. I casually mentioned to Mike and Fiona that I’d catch up with them for breakfast later – truth be told, I needed a bit more time to shake off the morning grogginess.
Upon reaching the restaurant, there was no sign of Mike and Fiona. However, the breakfast spread at the resort was a delightful surprise! From French toast to pancakes, and even nasi goreng, the options were diverse. The highlight was a skilled cook crafting scrambled eggs for the guests. While Mutiara Taman Negara’s breakfast left me with a positive impression, I must admit it’s not quite the lavish spread you’d find in a typical Western 5-star resort.
In the afternoon, I shared a lighthearted remark with two Dutch women residing in a chalet. I quipped, “It’s a Malaysian 5-star resort”. The dorm’s value at 80 ringgit per night doesn’t quite match the standards. Our room had numerous ant nests, and the shared bathroom/showers were rather unpleasant, teeming with large bugs. However, one must adjust expectations when staying in a rainforest environment.
Around 10 am, I made my way to the opposite bank of the river for the tour I had scheduled. A mere one ringgit secured me a ferry ride, transporting me to the floating restaurant owned by the travel agency NKS. To my unexpected delight, I found Mike and Fiona enjoying breakfast there.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn’t resist asking them why they opted for a modest breakfast at the floating restaurant instead of indulging in the resort’s buffet. Much to my surprise, they had no clue about the breakfast options at the resort – turns out, the check-in guy had neglected to inform them. This revelation left me wondering if I had been similarly uninformed. The thought of stumbling into a lavish breakfast buffet purely due to my ignorance was quite amusing, a serendipitous twist of fate, if you will! Haha.
Reunion on the River
Later in the day, we embarked on a simple hiking tour through the Taman Negara National Park. Our journey commenced with a boat ride from the floating restaurant, with a brief pause at the resort for additional participants. Since Fiona and Mike were on a different tour, I found myself in the company of strangers, with no familiar faces in the group.
As our boat paused by the resort stairs, another boat in the middle of the river sailed past us. To my surprise, a group of Western tourists on that boat enthusiastically waved at us. Perplexed, I wondered, “Why are they waving at us? We’re not locals or anything extraordinary.” The bemusement spread among everyone on our boat, with some exchanging curious glances.
Amused by the situation, I decided to join in the fun and waved back. Much to my surprise, their joyful waves turned into laughter. The unexpected twist occurred when they began shouting, ‘Martennnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!’ – turning an already peculiar encounter into an even stranger and more amusing moment.
‘What on earth, how do they know my name?’ I pondered in disbelief. Then, it dawned on me. Squinting my eyes, I recognized Tom and Lotus, who I met on New Year’s Eve, in the neighboring boat. Without hesitation, I shouted, ‘Hey!’ The shared recognition sparked laughter on both boats, creating a hilarious and unexpected reunion on the water. What a coincidence! Later, I crossed paths with Tom and Lotus again during the canopy walk.
The Canopy Walk
The Canopy Walkway in Taman Negara offers a thrilling journey along one-way, human-made high bridges amidst the treetops. The fear factor doesn’t stem from the height but rather from the slightly unnerving construction of the bridges. Picture a horizontal ladder with wooden planks nailed on top – that’s the gist of it. The walk guides you to central platforms, each just spacious enough for a quartet. For safety reasons, only four individuals were permitted on these platforms simultaneously due to weight considerations.
Maintaining a 10-meter distance from the person ahead of you was a must throughout the Canopy Walkway in Taman Negara. While the risk of falling or injury seemed minimal, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that it wasn’t entirely foolproof. Some planks were a bit precarious, with missing nails here and there. The adventure was enjoyable, but in hindsight, tackling it solo would have been preferable. The constant cycle of waiting and rushing due to the group dynamics detracted from the experience; I longed for the freedom to savor it at my own pace. A piece of advice: if you’re part of a group, consider being the last person to enter the Canopy Walkway in Taman Negara for a more leisurely and individualized adventure.
Post-Canopy Walkway, I somehow managed to lose my way in the forest. After a while, I found myself halfway back to our resort (we had arrived by boat, so I wasn’t familiar with the trail leading to the resort). Passing unfamiliar faces, I grew increasingly disoriented. Eventually, I retraced my steps to the dock we had arrived at, only to find it deserted. Panic set in – had the boats departed without me? Frustration mounted, realizing I might miss the scenic hilltop view. We were meant to embark on a picturesque hike through the forest. On the bright side, I knew I could navigate my way back to the resort from my current location.
Suddenly, I heard the guide calling my name, an unexpected occurrence in the heart of a Malaysian rainforest. Intrigued, I retraced my steps to the canopy stairs. The group awaited my return, bursting into laughter upon my reappearance. To my delight, I spotted Tom and Lotus among them. The unexpected reunion added a joyful twist to the adventure, making the encounter all the more memorable.
A Walk Through Taman Negara
We commenced our hike, and it turned out to be quite a sweaty affair for me. The forest’s humidity, combined with the climb, had me perspiring profusely. Our guide pointed out various insects, including sizable timber ants and these peculiar sweat flies. These little creatures have a penchant for sipping on your sweat, and the amusing part is that they only sting if you attempt to shoo them away—quite the unexpected detail, haha.
While hiking through Taman Negara, I caught up with Tom and Lotus, discussing the events that transpired after New Year’s Eve. After a 30-minute walk, we reached the first scenic viewpoint. Another 15 minutes later, we arrived at the second viewpoint. The forest’s beauty was truly breathtaking!
Come afternoon, I shared lunch with Tom and Lotus, grateful for their company, especially considering my aversion to Fiona. Tom and Lotus had befriended a pair of sisters, Milly and Jess, charming girls from the UK. We all enjoyed a delectable meal together—fish curry with rice. It carried a pleasant kick of spice, adding to the overall enjoyment of the experience.
Post-lunch, I returned to the dorm to engage in some writing. At the resort, I secured an internet connection and checked my email for details about my next accommodation. Tonight, I could look forward to a stress-free night’s sleep. Later in the afternoon, I crossed paths with Ben, a newcomer to our resort dorm. Ben, a lawyer from London with a few months to spare for travel, and I decided to have dinner on the opposite bank of the river.
A Heavy Downpour
We took a seat at one of the floating restaurants, relishing the picturesque view. Ben marveled at the water flowing through the river, captivated by its intricate details. As we placed our food orders and our dishes arrived, a sudden deluge began. Swiftly, we relocated to the center of the restaurant, devoid of sidewalls but sheltered by a roof.
The rain poured heavily, creating an extraordinary and soothing dining experience. Tiny rivulets formed, trickling down from the hilly village, while millions of raindrops descended into the river. The symphony of raindrops colliding with the restaurant’s roof made for a mesmerizing ambiance. That particular moment, with the intense rain surrounding us, is etched in my memory forever.
Late Night Conversations
Later, we returned to the hostel and found Fiona and Mike engaged in conversation with a new arrival in the room next to ours. That’s when we met Bryan from Cape Town, South Africa. In the evening, we gathered in front of the hostel and engaged in a lengthy conversation. Bryan shared insights into the challenges of corruption in South Africa, and it was amusing to hear him speak Afrikaans, noting the similarities with the Dutch language. The exchange of information about our respective home countries added a nice and interesting touch to the evening. Unsurprisingly, we all retired to bed late that night.
