Crossing from Singapore in to Malaysia was very simple and easy. Everyone on the bus were extremely friendly and helpful. The bus too was great. We got blankets, food and water and the air con worked the entire journey.
Arriving in to Kuala Lampur was great. The bus driver told me how to get to where I was staying, then decided to drop me right outside my hostel.
The hostel was lovely. The receptionist was really funny and knew everything. Breakfast was great and there was a fantastic TV lounge, so I watched DVDs in the evening with fellow backpackers. The hostel had a roof terrace that gave spectacular views of the city. The girls in my room were also great fun. We could not stop talking.
During the day I went out with the girls from my dorm. We looked around the buildings and parks of KL. One of the parks is called the 'Lake Garden', but there was not a lake there. They were doing building work. I walked through a small woodland area, which to people from the UK would call a jungle. It was full of palms, bamboo and ferns. I did not see any snakes or scorpions.
Its a fun city. Vibrant and full of activity. Its also very hot and humid so you can't really walk too far. The Christmas decorations here are spectacular too. The roads were crazy to cross, no one obeyed the traffic rules, so you just had to go!
I only stayed for three nights and wanted to move on to do a jungle trek tour in Taman Negara. Two of the girls from the dorm decided to join me.
The journey up took a while. The bus took three hours and then we took a boat upstream to where we were actually staying. The boat was tiny. It was a glorified rowing boat, though it had a motor. It took three hours to complete the journey. The views were great. Lush green vegetation as far as the eye could see. Then it started to rain and all our luggage was uncovered. The guy pulled over and covered them up, but it took a while to get started again.
Once we arrived, the accommodation was fine. There were monkeys in the trees and lizards everywhere. The showers were cold, but its so hot and humid in the jungle it was not really a problem. We went on a night jungle safari that evening. Our guide kept warning us and scaring us about leeches. It was also raining very heavily. I decided to leave my camera back at the hostel as I was already soaked to the bone.
The walk was great, we saw stick insects, glow in the dark mushrooms, deer, spiders, snakes, and so many other creatures. We did not get to see the tigers that live somewhere in the jungle nor any elephants. The creatures and plants in the jungle are so weird and wonderful. Their camouflage completely works. It took a while for us to see the stick insects, the difference between the creature and the plant. The rain did not really ease, but being under the plant canopy provides sufficient shelter. The leaves on the trees are so big and thick. The sounds of the rain and the animals was very relaxing.
We survived the night jungle trek and were all leech free. I slept very well that night. We had to get up fairly early the next day.
The following morning started with a canopy walk way. We were walking on suspended bridges that were 10 meters plus off of the ground. I was quite scared so took my time. I do not think this pleased everyone, but I got to have a great look and the wonderful plants and trees. The sounds of the birds and crickets was constant, and soothing.
Next on the agenda was a climb to the top of one of the hills. It was only 400 meters high, but was hard work as it was steep. I enjoyed the work out. The view was not great. We stopped at about 300 meters and should have been able to see the river from where we were, but the clouds had not really lifted. We continued walking and the next view was great. The clouds had risen a bit more and the sun was peaking out. Lush green rain forest everywhere. Then much to our surprise on the way back, the view that was blocked by the clouds had completely cleared. We could see so much of the valley.
I love being in the rain forest. I love the shapes of the leaves, the smells, the creatures, the sounds. Everywhere is green and lush. The plants are all competing with each other, small flowers are on the trees, I did see some orchids; the sunlight casting light beams through the gaps in the canopy making the leaves shine and so much more. During the day, I got to see spiders, beetles, leeches, crickets and thousands of termites. Some of them were poisonous and others harmless. The weather changes all the time, its raining then its sunny, then it rains again. The light level changes the view of the rain forest. When there is less light you can see out further and through the depths of the trees, when it is sunny the greens of the leaves are bright and reflect the light and the brown of the wood is enhanced.
Once we had finished the day trek our guide asked us to check for leeches, only two people from the group had some and they did not want to let go. They had two each and could not feel them there at all. So pleased that they did not find me tasty.
In the afternoon we went to see an indigenous settlement that live on the river. We were not sure if it was staged or if they really live there. Most of them were wearing jeans and t-shirts. Our guide said that the government try to help them. Before we got to the village, we went white water rafting in the tiny rowing boat with a motor. We all drenched. It was great fun, I could not stop screaming and laughing. The village met us when we were soaked through. I guess it helped us to get rid of any inhibitions, and it was en route. We got to see how they hunt for food with a long bamboo stick and darts. They blow through the bamboo which is about 1- 2 meters long and darts go for about 30 meters. The construction was simple and looked perfect. They also showed us how to make fire using bamboo and palm wood. They got a flame going with in 30 seconds.
After being soaked through and full of mud I went back to clean up before dinner. In the evening we went on a night jungle safari. I do not know how the 4x4 managed to get us in and out of the jungle. It is rainy season here. The tracks are like streams and rivers. It was cool though. Got to see more creatures: wild boars, leopard cats, cows, snakes and owls. Night time in the jungle is so noisy. The frogs and the crickets and everything else just come alive.
That night I slept very well. We had to be up early the next day. It was time to leave. The group I had been travelling with were heading back to KL and I was leaving for the Cameron Highlands. We left the same way we arrived, by boat. So I had to say goodbye to them all once we got to the bus station.
I was the only one going to the Cameron Highlands. I had the bus all to myself. The journey was very frightening. My driver was experienced as I guess I had nothing to fear, and they all drive the same way, so I guess everyone is aware. He would over take about 10 vehicles at once, even when there was traffic coming the other way, then complain about the bad driving from other drivers. There have been a few land slips recently. In the UK the roads would have been closed, but no here in Asia you can still go over bridges that are only half standing. My drivers strategy was drive as quickly as possible in case the bridge collapses. He could see I was nervous and told me this to comfort me!
Anyway, I managed to get here alive. Its very beautiful. Its cold. I am 2000 meters above sea level. Its great to escape the hot weather for a while. Its like Autumn in the UK. I have to wear jumpers and sleep in thermals. I have gotten used to 30oC weather so 15oC is very cold to me now. the hostel has no glass in the windows and I am not sure who constructed it. Its a few bits of wood nailed together and it leaks. The roof above the cheap beds is just plastic and the expensive ones have wood. Cheap is 80p and expensive is 1 pound. I actually really like it. Is cosy once you have two blankets and thermals. Everyone here is great.
I had a lazy day when I arrived. Yesterday I went to see the local strawberry farms- nothing like the English strawberry, but still great. I had cake and milkshake, both strawberry flavour. I also saw the tea plantations, butterfly farms, bee farms and more. The highlands are great. Lots of farming villages and great markets. The food in the village is great. I am living off of Indian food.
Malaysia is so diverse. There are so many cultures living side by side together happily. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. It throws me. I am so used to being on my guard, that I feel guilty doubting people that help me. People offer me to come under their umbrellas when its raining, and just want to talk, maybe to practice their English. People are curious, but friendly. Its also very clear that the English were here. There are Tudor buildings scattered around and I can get a cream tea just about anywhere I go.
I am going on a trek later on today. Tomorrow I leave to Pengang. I island in the north. For Christmas I should be in Thailand a place called Khao Lak. I have some friends from the UK in Thailand at the moment, so will hopefully see them all over the festive period.
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