The Great Outdoors

Taman Negara Dragonback Slaying (Part 3)

The view from the canopy bridge, spectacular!

After the night's dinner and a good rest overnight, me and wife woke up at 5.00am which was a wee bit early. I have to get up as going back to sleep makes me feel lethargic when I wake up again. After a morning bath, I walked to the restaurant but it was not open yet, can't even get a cup of coffee. The security officer was snoring away on the lobby's seat. We then walked back to our room to watch TV.

At 7.00am we walked out again and some of the other riders were already there. Also later the restaurant opened and we had our complimentary breakfast but it was ......lousy! After that we walked to the Ranger's kiosk to register ourselves for the levy charged for entrance to National Park. RM1.00 per person and RM5.00 for a camera permit but that lasts a month.

Getting registered!

After all were registered, we walked to the jetty and the boatman was there already. The first boat seated 11 while the second boat took 10. The boat ride was pleasant and was quite near. We disembark near a small jetty and started walking up the stairs to the Canopy Bridge. Seems we were the first group. We took a group photo here and waited for the facility to open.

We were the first group!

We were having fun bantering and laughing and all of a sudden, a white coloured chimpanzee jumped out of nowhere and snapped loudly at us, " Please be quiet and respect nature". For all I know, nature is never quiet, in fact nature is thunderous. There's thunderous roar of the waterfalls, the loud ultrasonic calls of the insect. And this chimpanzee told us nature is quiet! He must be deaf! In fact his scolding us was even louder than our bantering.

The wild chimpanzee!

Feeling like he was not respected, he then took out a name tag and hung it on his neck and came to us again and declared that he was from the Malaysian Nature Soceity and we should respect his authority. OK, OK, we obliged and one of us tried to take a picture of our group and was doing a silent mime telling us to smile and hold up our hands, all in silence. This made the chimpanzee even more furious but can't do anything but to scowl at us. In fact his was the only unpleasant incident that marred our perfect outing!

Exciting canopy walk but gets bored after a while!

Although we were first there, we allowed the other group to go first. Then we took our turn. It was scary at the beginning but later it started to get a bit bored for me. I quickly finish the 650 meters of canopy bridge and had my two feet solidly planted on the ground. At the other end, we regrouped slowly and then started walking back to the boat.

Regrouping after the canopy walk.

At the boat, there was a discussion on whether to go to the rapids and we decided that one will go and the other will head back. Alas, the number of those going overwhelmed those who was not going. Then I decided to give up going as well to balance out the boat. So, maybe next time, I will go for the rapids. We reached the shores and then after collecting the fare and paid to the boatman, we walked back to the hotel to pack up but not before we went for an early lunch. After eating, we headed to the hotel, took a bath and then stared checking out and regrouped at the jetty.

Arriving back to shore!

Boroi was already waiting there and one bike was already in the boat. I folded mine and my wife's and passed the bikes to Boroi. One by one the rest started to appear and all foded their bikes and passed to the boatman. We chartered three boats with one boat carrying our bikes. We boarded and all three boats started off for Kuala Tembeling again.

Loading for the trip back, no more riding!

The first boat!

The ride was fun and it took more than 2 hours to reach Kuala Tembeling. we did pass a few spots where we rode past yesterday. As it was Sunday, there were many anglers along the river. The view was quite scenic and if only the river was more filled up. It was quite shallow and at one point, a boat has to be pushed. Some dozed off on the boat catching up some sleep.

Our precious!

We reached Kuala Tembeling at 2.35pm and after unloading our bikes, I started carrying mine up all the way to the car. Many others opted for the electrical winch where the locals charged RM3.00 per bike. After packing the bikes in the car and waiting for all to be ready, we set a place to have  alate lunch. I called up New Tokyo Restaurant to check if they are still open and after confirming it was, we made our way there.

Food from New Tokyo Restaurant.

We ordered a few dishes and one specialty this area are river fishes. we ordered an exotic wild fish and had it steamed and ordered a few other dishes. The second group that arrived also made similar orders. It was quite a while before they started serving and when it came, it also dissappeared the same moment. We were all famished!

After settling the bill, we said our goodbyes and drove back to KL. Till our next ride, I am anticipating!