So I know that I am definitely NOT backpacking after quite a restless night in the 18 person dorm. Yup, that's a lot of people. I mean there was quite a big space for us all with our own numbered bed cots but one sink, 2 showers and 2 toilets....?! I figured I am past my backpacking dorm days, especially being a light sleeper in the first place. I think I got maybe 5 hours all up with the help of my iPod and sleep mask.
Anyway, I packed up my stuff as quietly as I could in the morning and headed out to the other hostel where I was meeting my new friend from Wales and taking my jungle trek for the day. I had also booked a private room for about $3 extra in the place. 6 of us headed out in our old school 4x4 Land Rover to an Aborigine village where we learned how to shoot arrows from a traditionally made blowpipe. No poison in these arrows of course but it was surprisingly quite easy to shoot at our home made targets. The arrows traditionally were used for catching food and in some places "head hunting" - literally!. The village people are scattered throughout the highlands with their own language dialects. However, we learned that the Malaysian government are building cement homes for them to live in but I wonder if they are forced to move or not?
We then begun our 4 wheel drive upward descent as much as we could since it had rained quite heavily the night before. When our Rover (which I nicknamed "Rory") could not go any more, we got out to start our jungle trek. Here, I really felt like I was in the jungle with the animal sounds, rushing waters around us, muddy tracks, green vegetation and more. My choice of wearing the "Keen" sandals was a good one as we sludged up and down the area. Everybody else had opted on socks and tennis shoes which got absolutely drenched on our trek. It was definitely a rugged trek of about 2-3 hours all up. Going up and down, sliding, watching your steps, holding onto tree trunks, roots and anything else you could. It was just what I wanted and needed. Finally, we saw the giant Rafflesia flower at full bloom.
These flowers take 7 days to fully bloom and then they die, but there are small bulbs everywhere and the Aborigine people help the guides find them since they find them for medicinal purposes. The flower was named after the man who founded it, Mr. Ruffles himself who is also the same guy named after the famous Ruffles Hotel chains. On the way back (which of course is always quicker than going there!) we stopped at the waterfall to eat some of our snacks brought with us. It was a nice little rest but the water was mirky from all the rain of course. I had one big slip and slide with my shorts all muddy but it was part of the fun and our group was so great! When we finally we got to our SUV, we got stuck in some mud and had to get out for a bit...pretty funny. We got a little rain here and there on the hike back to the car too so everybody and everything was muddy!
Our transit back to Tanah Rata in the main town was a content one made even more content with a roadside stop to get some fresh sweet corn on the cob hot off the grill. After a good scrub and shower, my friend and I headed into town for some Tea (of course!) and some freshly cooked naan bread. Tonight, we will meet up with our new friends from the group today and eat a Chinese steamboat meal. It's basically a broth with vegetables and meat that you cook in the broth by yourself...Yum! I'm craving some good vegetables too.
I am loving the lodge I have moved to. Its got a great open but covered patio area where I am sitting on the computer. Over 8000 titles to choose from in a (pirated) DVD collection and the hot shower is super! The rain has started to come down now but it's all good.
Tomorrow, we are going to get on a local bus and explore the strawberry, vegetable, bee, rose, butterfly and tea farms/plantations on our own as opposed to jumping on another tour. Should be fun....and hope the weather holds up for us! I think I might stay here a bit longer than I had first planned:)
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