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The weekend spent at Taman Negara was tough. After spending the Friday night at Jerantut, I headed off for a 2 day trek in the jungle, with the intent of sleeping in a hide in the forest itself. The first day's trek was an intense 6 hours. Sweaty, repetitive, taxing. The plan was simple. Trek for 8km alongside the river, and stop off at a village for supplies, then a further 1.5km to the High Hide, to spend the night. Waiting in a A&E to be seen by a doctor takes time, but trekking through the jungle is longer still. With bugs and beasts and fallen trees to overcome. And sweaty. The biggest disappointment to be had was upon arrival at the village, to discover that it was abandoned - for some six months now. The park warden didn't think it necessary to pass on this information. So, thirsty, tired and hungry, I sat in this ghost town, staring at the river, and picking off leeches. A man (who in hindsight could well have been a mirage) appeared, and I engaged him in conversation. It turns out that due to pesticide restrictions, the timber for huts had rotten, and the resort was abandoned. He advised I get moving as soon as possible for the Hide, as the sun was setting. So I set off, and circled for a while, unable to find the Hide, due to bad signposting and too many paths. Finally arriving at the Hide, I was greeted by some Americans with the words "There's a shower upstairs". Thanks.


The bed was simply a wooden bunk, with no mattress. Never has solid wood felt so comforting before. Passed out before 9pm, and awoke at 7am to head back to the park HQ.

11km on the Sunday, and blasted through it in less than 4 hours. Lots and lots of drinks, some fried rice, and a thoroughly relaxing boat trip out of the jungle. Taxi back to KL, and sleep with air conditioning.














- posted by Daniel @ Monday, June 14, 2004