Soliloquy of a Juneberry

Taman Negara Trip 2

This is the view from the jetty. The tiled roof is the roof of the platform where we board the boat. On the right hand side of the photo you can see a boat. The boat we took is exactly like it.



A close up pict of the boat we were abt to take. Each boat seats about 20 people. The zinc roof protects the travellers from the sun. The boat is divided into several sections using wooden boards. We sit on the cusions provided using the wooden boards as back rests.

The seating arrangement is 2 people per section except for the very first & last sections since they are narrower and can only accomodate 1 person each. You can either sit cross-legged or stretch your legs out in front of you. Yep, it's THAT spacious and comfortable

Note: You see 2 "tips"...Why? Because there are 2 boats in the pict.. duh.. ok i am the lame one.




Whee!! Off we go! Time: 9 am Feeling: EXcited!

The red bit in the pict is my sis' backpack. All luggages are placed at the front part of the boat/sampan.



My sis was the lucky one who sat in the first section (read: more leg space, better view). She was assigned the seat cos she is an "Ang" with her middle name starting with a "C" and a last name starting with a "P". I am not the second person in line... as my sis' fren is also an "Ang" with her middle name starting with "C" and a last name starting with "Y".
(Aside: both their middle names are the same.. they have been good frens since sec sch)

Those were the bagpacks behind my sister.



Heading towards Taman Negara.

We were lucky that we took the very first boat/sampan and that the sky was overcast. This meant the breeze was cool and there was no sun to burn our skin (You'ld say, "But there's a zinc roof to protect you from the sun!!" Ah... that's a misconception.. I will further explain when i talk about our return trip)



As you can see in the first picture, the river is a meandering one. Hence, the course towards TN is a zig-zag one. The whole journey (to TN) took 3hrs.

While the trip was long, there were sights aplenty to keep us from dozing off. Ah ma(s) washing clothes by the river bank, fishermen pulling in their nets, the passing greenery, the occasional mild rapids, rhinos/hippos/bulls bathing in the river (being the city kid that i am.. i can't identify which was the type i saw.. hee~~). And thus, we the city kids weren't that bored.

About an hour into the boat ride.. we saw boats travelling in the opposite direction. Presumably people coming from Taman Negara back to Jerantut. Friendly ang mos waved to us as they passed and i waved back.

A good start to wonderful stay at Taman Negara. =)

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Next up, the arrival.

posted by juneberry @ Tuesday, July 19, 2005