Rachel and Matt’s World Tour
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Farewell Malaysia!

It’s been just over 2 weeks since Rachels parents went back to Southampton. We can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by.

We spent a few more days relaxing in KL after our busy few weeks with Bob and Sue before heading north to Taman Negara National Park. Taman Negara is the worlds oldest rainforest, and home to lots of animals including Tigers, Elephants and Bears. We got to Kuala Tembeling by bus before getting on a longboat for a 2.5 hour trip upstream to Kuala Tahan, where we would be staying for the next 2 days. On the journey we saw indiginous tribe people and water buffulo on the edges of the river. The night we arrived we went for a night walk through the jungle. We weren’t expecting to see any large animals, but we did see lots of insects including a big hairy spider and a scorpion. Needless to say, Rach wouldn’t get anywhere near the spiders!

The next day we went on the world longest canopy walkway. It all felt very precarious but we got to the end safely. After that we walked to the top of Teresek Hill. Not a particularly long walk, but the path was steep in places and the humidity was very intense, so we all looked like we had run a marathon by the end. We also visited a local indiginous tribe for an hour or so. There we learned about the traditions of the Batek tribe, the only humans allowed to hunt in the park. We also were shown how they create fire, make blowpipe darts as well as apply the poison! I got myself a cut down blowpipe, so if any more roosters wake me up at 4am they had beter watch out!

From Taman Negara we took a long and very cramped mini bus journey north to Kuala Bestut, where we got the fast boat to Perhentian Kecil, one of two islands a few miles offshore. We had heard a lot of positive things about this place and we weren’t disappointed. White sand, crystal clear water, and a great chilled out atmosphere make it our best island retreat so far.

A couple of friends we made in Taman Negara, Oliver and Marianna had also come on the same boat, so we stayed with them at Fatima’s at Coral Bay. Oliver and Marianne were doing their PADI diving cert so Rach and I entertained oursleves by basically bumming around on the beach for 5 days. We did take a snorkelling trip where we saw massive Green Turtles, Reef Sharks, and Sting Rays. In the evening the local bar has a fresh seafood bbq and Rach intoduced herself to shark and blue marlin and I tried kingfish and barracuda.

After 5 days we begrudgingly headed back to KL via the night train, and after the most boring day of our trip so far (12 hours in KL LCCT airport!) we are now in Phuket, Thailand, land of the touts. Our tans have reached such a level that we are now being mistaken for Aussies. “Hello boss” has been replaced by “G’day mate”, though my accent isn’t really up to scratch. Any tips Rob?!

That’s all for now. Till the next update…

Matt

5 comments

1 Mum and Dad Silsbury { 06.19.09 at 4:51 pm }

As usual good reading and pics Matt. You were soooooo brave to be so close to that long legged hairy fella. Hope you are both enjoying your time in Phuket. Weather here has been reasonable, think we are due a decent weekend so must make the most of it. Take care, have fun.
Love Mr. Bob, Sue and Grandad xx

2 Fiona { 06.20.09 at 11:30 am }

Hey!

Those creepy crawlies look horrible – my idea of a nightmare! Does it not bother the indiginous people that there are tourists allowed to come and take pictures of them? I went to Royal Ascot yesterda, which was good but we didn’t win a thing! How typical. Got my interview on Wednesday in Soho, I’ll let you know how it goes. Hopefully speak soon on skype. Love Fee xx

3 Rachel { 06.20.09 at 11:46 am }

Hey Fee, we asked the same thing…

Apparently the tribes are proud to have visitors and to show off their skills in blow pipe production and use, fire making etc. Tour operator garb? Maybe, but they were friendly while we were there. They are nomadic and move every year or so, either when someone dies (interestingly enough the body is laid to rest up in the trees before the tribe move on) or the food in the area gets low – so I guess if they didn’t like having visitors or they hadn’t chosen to accept the visitors they would have moved to the next spot by now. I’m sure the money helps! Hope you like your birthday present. Rach xx

4 cool car { 06.20.09 at 4:04 pm }

Hello hobbos,You two wont settle back into life back in the uk after your wonderful adventure ,but i suspose its far away at the moment .Look forward to the next instalment.all the best.
J.

5 Fee { 07.05.09 at 9:56 pm }

Update please it’s been too long, unemployment is getting to me and I need something interesting to look at!

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