A 4 hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur dropped us off at Kuala Tembeling, a couple of shops and a jetty from where we caught a boat up the river to Taman Negara, Malaysia’s National Park and the oldest rainforrest in the world. The wooden boats that took us up tje river were long and narrow, just enough to fit two people across, and with a whole load of luggage weighing down the front. The river itself was a murky chocolate milkshake colour, and flowed quite rapidly, which made the boat trip that little bit more hair-raising. We didn’t see much for the two and a half hour journey, a few kingfisher type birds and some water buffalo wallowing in the river as we passed. Rounding the final corner, the floating restaurants of Kuala Tahan came into view, and after a walk through the village on a mud track, we made it to the aircon comfort of our “chalet”. It sounds fancy, and it wasn’t too bad, but the big gaps around the doors had me a bit concerned about how easily the mozzies could get in. The village isn’t actually as remote as the boat journey suggests, there is a shop, main road, electricity, and even phone reception!
That night after dinner, we ventured into the jungle where our guide Zani pointed out the creatures, such as hunting spiders, black scorpions, moths, sloe monkeys, stick insects and deer at a watering hole. The jungle is one place I’m not sure about being in when it’s pitch black, so much noise and wildlife, they have tigers in there too!