Taman Negara : *From 23/6 to 27/6*
The saga continues....
Endless Adventure
23/6/97
6.50pm : Reach Train station at Tanjong Pagar, Singapore. Had a great Singapore squeeze prior to this on Bus 97... either my backpack or myself had to go *gasp!!*
7.00pm : Nature's call but I needed someone to look after my bag :-) *spotted a nice lady across the seat* ; this old lady was going back to K.L. chatted with her and her daughter...managed to Xchange address 'cos the daughter wanted to know abt Calcutta and Mother Teresa. Okie..so far so good...
7.50pm : Gate was suppose to open at 7.30 pm but till now then open; mad rush to the immigration *actually there weren't a crowd ;p *
8.10pm : Found my cabin..class 2, sleeping seat *S$38* ; set my alarm for 2 am; Should arrive Jerantut Station around 3 am; play safe 'cos the tour agency told me they will not be announcing the station ;p *What! then i must keep a vigil ;p *
9.00 pm : sleep zzzzzzz *woke up evry other hour to check urghhhhhhh... I need my beauty sleep!!*
24/6/97
1.30 am : Woke up and wandered around the train....went to the canteen..full house.
2.00 am : Train Moving forward and backward : lost track of station; Missed the main station Gemas.. I think...
2.15am : Talked to this malay guy who only really understand malay ;p anyway, learned that the next station is Jerantut...can't trust him..hmm...went for a second opinion from a father and his child..the prodigy boy told me that the station is Jerantut...whoppi! Finally ;p ....
2.50am : Trying to find out how come the 'next station' is nowhere insight....vigil....
2.55am : The train conductor/master came over and tell me *in malay* that Jerantut is coming up in 'lima' sth...sheeesh..is it 5 mins, fifteen minutes or fifty minutes??!!
3.30am : Finally Jerantut!!!!!!
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Train Schedule from K.L.
K.L -> Kajans -> Seremban -> Tampin -> Gemas -> Bahau -> Mentakab -> Jerantut -> Kuala Lipis -> Gua Musang -> Krai -> Tanah Merah -> Pasir Mas -> Wakat -> Baharu -> Tumpat
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The station was full of activities..thanks to 30 teeny boopers from Singapore *Bedok South Sec* anyway, I was trying to find solace on the miserable bench but can't seems to sleep ;p
5.30am : The Taman Negara's office suppose to open but it did not....
Meanwhile....heaping up on info:
To get to T.N ., you gonna go to the jetty; actually it is possible to go by road too..a bit bumpy and no one seems to like the idea of doing so...heard that a high way will be build from Jerantut to T.N...
okie..back from the depressing thoughts of nature being destroyed... ; to get to the Tembeling jetty, u can take a bus *M$6* or share a cab *$10* depends on your bargaining power!
Alternatively, wait at the train station's T.N. resorts' info office...enquire there....
then at the Jetty : must pay for 1. Ferry fare = M$19
2. Park permit = M$1
3. Camera permit = M$5 *dont try to hide your camera...park rangers can stop u in the park and ask for your camera's permit...fine = M$500 i think....anyway, i never take chances 'cos I don't have M$500 with me..;p
4. Can do your accomodation booking there too.../ ferry also varies.. cos ferry can go to Nusa Camp *Cheap cheap rooms n tents..nice water fall bad bad mosquitoes*, or trenggan *more ex. under the management of T.N. Resort, but tranquil...not much activity except being super close to nature...meet the baby monkey..kena tied up* ..further up from T.N. Resort. Can do tubbing/ rafting there!!
7.15am : The resort info guy walked casually in....
okie..Boat time is 9.00 am and 2.00pm per day..so don't miss your boat or u gonna wait till the next day for the next boat...But Jerantut, a small town of a few thousands pple, *abt 10 , i think* has a few budget hotels for pple to stay overnite...eg. Jerantut Guesthouse *run by chinese pple, got dorms and single/double * prices from M$10 up.
9.30am : Am on the boat now...About 2.30 to 3 hrs leisurely boat ride to T.N. Gaurantee no sea sick...but the boat looks as if it might topple *touch wood* any moment!!! it helps to know that the life vest is near by...if u are scared..then wear it for goodness sake!!! 6 naive tourists plus 2 weathered beaten boatmen....
Side info : heard that the hostel is abt M$35 *8 in one room, unisex!* per nite..at the resort...can get cheaper across the town.... M$10
12pm : Reach resort..checked in..tired, sticky and sleepy..went to the hostel and first thing is to note that i forgot to bring a lock to lock my cupboard!! Note note!! *Anyway, my things/ $$ weren't tolen at all during the course of holidaying hehe* okie..next thing second...bathe!!! Wonderful water!
1.00 pm : Cross over to the restaurant to eat. Just wait at the jetty...if no one notices u across *ie. the floating restaurants across the jetty* wave madly and hope that a large crowd will support u eheh...
.............to be continued!!!