Taman Negara Malaysia

20 years ago, I visited Taman Negara for work and leisure. It was pristine and calm. We had to take a 4 hour boat  ride from Kuala Tembeling. At that time, in the course of my work, I came across a young girl from Bukit Mat Daling, a village which took 7 hours boat ride to Kuala Tembeling who had to quit school at form one because her parents couldn't afford to finance her. I intervened and paid her fees and daily allowance (which was so little) until she completed form five. We kept in touch for a while but lost touch with her for so many years. I couldn't remember her exact name, Zahara Awang Chik, I think. I am sure she has a family of her own now. So going back to Taman Negara made me think of her and wondered. I hope she has a good life, no matter where she is.

2-4 June 2012, I went with Izan and 6 others to Taman Negara. We left KL at 12.30 am in a van drove by Izan's brother-in-law and arrived Kuala Tahan at about 4 am. We checked in at Teresek View Resort, rested, prayed and had our breakfast at the riverside restaurant.

By 9.30 am the boat came to take us to Lata Berkoh. It rained the night before, so the river was murky. I wasn't prepared for the long walk to the raging rapids or waterfalls at Lata Berkoh. My sandal kept on slipping. I should bring my walking shoes! The reward after the long walk was we soaked our tired body in the fresh swirling shallow river at the bank. It was bliss!! My great weakness - river. I just love it (not the big ones, though). 

The next day was also exciting. We screamed our hearts out while shooting the rapids and got ourselves drenched wet. It was fun! While still wet the two us, Norhayati and I, went for canopy walk, another long climbing walk but it was worth it.

We boarded our boat to visit the Orang Asli settlement (the Bateq tribe), learned to use blow pipe and saw how they light fires using what was available in the jungle. I noticed that there were hardly any children around but was informed when visitors come they hide themselves in their shacks. They're shy. I coaxed two of them out by offering a packet of biscuits. I wished I had brought more food and some good used clothes for them. I didn't know. Another dip in the cold river at Nusa Camp which I enjoyed but had to get out early because of the sun.

I wish the Taman Negara authorities are more strict in enforcing their regulations. That night we went to Bumbun Heights to sight wild animals visiting the area around Mutiara Resort. There were so many people around making so much noise talking, laughing and joking loudly which is impossible for wild animals to come. The silent signs at the tower were ignored. The noise definitely frighten any animals. Unfortunately, the guides themselves were talking so loud explaining things to the tourists. That should be done before they go to the tower. The authorities should limit the number of visitors to the tower and really enforce the silent regulations.
Disgusted, we returned to the river to take the boat across to our hotel. We found 2 deer at the chalet looking for food and being friendly with visitors. 20 years ago at the old tower, I saw elephant and the night was really quiet. We had more respect then and understood what we should do and shouldn't do. It's so different now where respect is not in anyone's vocabulary.

We returned to KL the next morning.  Came across water buffaloes roaming the road.
  

Vienna/ Wien, Austria

The drive from Zagreb to Maribor, Slovania, wasn't so exciting. The landscape is flat with some background mountain. After seeing the beauty of mountain side in Bosnia, other places seemed pale in comparison. Maribor is a small city situated in yet another country, Slovania. Since this was just a passing through trip we didn't actually toured the city. Detlef stopped at a town centre where we got down to take some photos and bought fridge magnets. Then we drove off to Vienna.

I have been to Vienna some years back but couldnot remember the hotel we stayed in. I just remember the name of the hotel which started with a letter 'M'. I also remember there was a park opposite the hotel where we went and watched free music shows and enjoyed the colourful tulip flowers. So while sightseeing the city I recognized the park and the hotel was Marriot, still standing there.
Another long face and unhappiness were demonstrated by the same member here, in Vienna. It affected the others too. Honestly, negative behaviour and attitude really affected people around you. The reason was Izan didn't provide a local guide in Vienna but she already paid Detlef to take us around. I wasn't pleased either but it wasn't the end of the world.

We were aimless at first but finally Detlef found his way and we got to see all the places we were supposed to see, such as the Palace, Parliment, Mozart museum and the city centre No big deal and no point making a mountain out of an ant hill. It became worse when in the itinerary, Izan put a visit and a night stay in Salzburg.That was her mistake. It was ridiculous to go to Salzburg because of time constraint. But  unreasonable attitude created another conflict with Izan who was not there to defend herself. Harsh words became the order of the day.. To me going to Salzburg would be pointless. The drive alone would take 4 hours - 5 hours. What would we see in Vienna and Salzburg? This unreasonable attitude made a person blind to simple logic and practicality. I was really bored with this stupid attitude and desperate to get out of such person's reach. It was such a pity, an enjoyable trip was marred by unreasonable attitude.
I already planned to talk to Izan when I came back to PJ and hope she would improve her services and select her trip customers carefully so that no difficult individual would succeed in turning a situation into a hopeless one.

Much gratitude to Detlef, who diligently drove around the city asking loads of people the where about of Vienna mosque. He found it and we managed to do our prayer there, at the Vienna Mosque. 
One tip I could give to such aggressive people ie when you expect perfection, look at yourself. You're not perfect yourself. One advice I could give, when you travel in group, make the best of thing and enjoy the trip. Don't dwell on the negative too much as it would make you feel miserable and infected it to others.
I am allergic to negative people and keep away as far as possible from them. Life is too short to be influenced by them.
If any group members was not happy with DHIA Hols, don't travel with them in future but don't badmouth them. You have a choice. Nobody forced you to go with anybody or with any travel agent. It's your choice. If anybody to blame, blame it on yourself for being stupid choosing that particular travel group.
On the whole, I enjoyed the trip tremendously and always feel gratitude to Allah for allowing me the pleasure of seeing his greatness. May I have more opportunities to see this world in future. Thank you Izan for making this trip possible.