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.