Friday, February 27, 2009

Teman Negara - oldest jungle on the planet

Teman Negara is reported to be the oldest jungle on the planet . . . I'm not sure how they figured that out exactly or even what that means entirely but it's a very cool national park which we had the chance to see only a little corner of.
Upon our arrival into the dry (no, still quite humid and a bit rainy - I'm talking beer-free!) town of Kuala Tehan, we found most accommodations full but eventually set ourselves up in the one Motel. The town is on a river and has very little to it other than a few simple accommodations and a half dozen floating restaurants on the river which have nearly identical menus full of tasty and cheap food.
A quick 15 meter boat ferry to the other side of the river places you on the edge of the national park. Signs remind you to carry your park pass at all times or you could be thrown in JAIL for up to 3 years!! Whoa there Malaysia, take it easy. The park pass costs 1 ringett - about 30 cents. We spent our first morning, hiking through a light cooling rain to the canopy walk. The walk is a loop of suspended wooden planks linking ancient trees high above the jungle floor. Yes, it was legitimate, involved tickets and completely safe. Yes, it was wobbly, made of old ladders and scrap wood and awesomely frightening. That evening we took a slightly less harrowing night walk with a guide to show us some night creatures of the jungle. Mmm - one tiny key chain flashlight between the two of us. Luckily we saw only deer and some sizable spiders.
We also took a day hike to The Bat Cave. Not Bruce Wayne but a stench you wouldn't believe and a whole slew of sleeping bats. Which, I will tell you are mammals. Kyle and I have worked out a fairly successful system where I deal with the frightening mammals (barking dogs, friendly and not so friendly monkeys etc.) and Kyle deals with the bugs (massive roaches and spiders etc.) Our system does fall down at reptiles so the jungles full of large Monitor lizards, we take on together. This system did come back to bite Kyle in the rear (thankfully not literally) when we checked out of our room early on the morning to catch our bus to Kuala Lumpor.
Here is the scene: 7am, rundown motel with an open air hallway. Packs on, we step out of our room. I stop in horror, Kyle collides face first with my pack behind me.

KATE: "Whoa"
KYLE: "It's just a cicada Kate - let's go"
KATE: "No, that one - over there"
KYLE: "Whoa"
KATE: "Yeah, it could be considered a mammal by virtue of size alone but this one's in your department I think"

Blocking our exit, was the largest bug I have ever seen. The body, was the size of my fist with wings the size of . . . absurdly large bug wings. Kyle, forced into heroic action by our animal/bug contract, took a trash can and threw it over the dinosaurian-beast while I fled to safety down the hall.
I am ashamed to say that some unsuspecting custodial technician at Jungle View Motel must have had quite a surprise when they went to put that waste basket back. For that, I am deeply apologetic but it was out of my jurisdiction and we had a bus to catch.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

jeez Kate, you are your mother's daughter. I would take a snarling pit bull over that bug any day. mom

Unknown said...

but who deals with bats? i suggest Kyle since she has the experience!
dad