We gathered at the front of Jalan Sultan’s Mandarin Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur (near the Klang Bus Stand area) at 8 am to wait for the coach that will take us to Kuala Tembeling (jetty stop before Taman Negara) for a 3 hour-ride. This time around, my daughter Sebrina joined along so that makes us a complete four. Previously, we booked a complete package of 2 nights and 3 days inclusive of shuttle-bus service, a chalet suite (at a 5-star resort called Mutiara), jungle-activities and a tour guide, costing us at RM880 per person.  You can surf around the net for packages to fit your budget at NKS link. While boarding the bus, I just realised we’re the only Malaysians going. Otherwise, the whole bus was occupied by European backpackers, so it smells…:O)

 The same scenario seems to overwhelm us at Taman Negara – then again it wasn’t the holiday season in Malaysia, so I figured I’ll see more local faces if I were to go during school hols. Anyway, we passed Bentong highway and stopped for 15 minutes at an R&R before we proceed to Jerantut (a small town in Pahang).

NKS cafe fried rice

We arrived at Jerantut at 12 pm with stiffed neck due to sleeping in the bus (so folks, bring your neckrest). The bus driver told us that lunch will take place at the NKS cafe and journey will commenced at 2pm. This is what we had – fried rice and Chinese tea (that was included in the package as well).

After lunch, we walked around the quaint Jerantut town looking for torch lights and some DVD camera discs. Apparently, everything in a small town is a fraction of the price of things in Kuala Lumpur. It won’t hurt anyone’s budget to retire here! (hint hint)

Later, we arrived at Kuala Tembeling’s jetty at 2.30pm. The jetty is a bit strange – there was no proper facilities for big luggages so it was rather dangerous plus the crossing was poorly made of a wood plank while the arrangement of the boats were disarray - I am a bit appalled and ashamed at our inadequacies and hope that the Tourism Ministry would look into this matter by providing better ameneties, especially at a world-renowned place like Taman Negara. Nonetheless, the boatride was one of the greatest experience – it was really plain, but spacious and comfortable for 12 or so. The first hour was spent admiring the riverside and greeneries along the way. Then the whole boat slowly fall asleep while our boatman navigate us in his relaxed manner. It was really tranquil.

We stopped at a floating restaurant, the centre of activities that were to take place before we head to our chalet by river taxis. It was quite a stall as we sorted our forms and permits for the activities and items like cameras, etc. Apparently, June till August is the peak season. At one time, there will be a thousand tourists registering with not enough guides or boats so people are scattered all over looking after their things and sorting out their itineries. I’m glad we booked a better suite for accommodation, in spite of the chaos, we could rest in comfort later. The meals at the floating restaurant are simple village-meal but delicious, and the staff are very friendly, unlike the 5 star resort’s staff we experienced with. They tend to serve the foreigners better than us locals. But the rooms are excellent nevertheless.

We gathered at the floating restaurant at 7pm to start our night activities. After dinner, we waited for our guide to appear before the 12 of us in a group. I was already well-prepared for the mosquitoes and leech attack with a full-body spray of insect repellent plus a sprinkle of tobacco juice on my hands and legs (a remedy my friend Arni prescribed to prevent leeches).