Taman Negara

Even with the torn ligaments(which thankfully happened near the end of the last day) Taman Negara was amazing! (awesome dudes!) We had a great guide, Man, who told us about the plants and animals and cooked some great food. I had started talking to Gavin and Andrea on the bus, we recognized each other from the Perhentians, so we went to the same hostel, and then at dinner a crowd of others from our bus was there so we met other people who wanted to go trekking and got a group together, and it was a great group, we had a lot of fun together. The first night was an easy hike, up in the canopy, then to a village, then a short but difficult hike becuase of fallen trees to a hide, a shelter built on stilts. We didn't see any animals but heard plenty, it was great. The next night we spent in a cave- it was absolutely massive! We heard elephants this night but didn't see them, sometimes they come into the caves. Out last day was when I had my tarzan-gone-awry incident- no one else had a problem but me, of course. But Mare gave me some first aid, Yohan found me a walking stick, and the boys gallantly took turns carrying my bag for me and I made it the rest of the way out of the jungle. It could have been SO much worse! But went to the doctor today and he gave me some meds and a new wrap and orders to not do any hard sports, but yay water stuff is fine! So all set for the islands of Thailand.

The jungle plants were so cool- I loved the big trees. And according to the scientists this is the world's oldest rainforest. Man's been giving tours for 11 years so he knows his stuff and told us the medicinal and recreational uses of the plants. Theres even one that naturally keeps away mosquitos so I didn't even get bitten. The jungle was an amazing, very "nature" experience and I love it. Though I've never felt so dirty and grimy as when we got back to the village! A cold shower never felt so good.