A few weeks ago, two friends and I went for a hiking trip through a not too distant rainforest area called Sungai Lepok. Unlike the other hiking trips that we’ve been to, this one was special. Aside it from being the smallest hiking group, it was also the most challenging terrain that we’ve been on. It took almost three hours to hike up the side of the mountain to get to our location, and it was not an easy or even a very scenic route. I think the others will agree with me when I say that it was the most droning hike we’ve ever undertaken.
Once we arrived at the destination, it began to rain so we took cover underneath a forlorn shelter. At least we were entertained by the small schools of fish swimming around the upper pool by one of the waterfalls, and we even spotted a softshell turtle slowly scurrying about at the bottom of the pool.
Once the rain stopped, we hiked further up the location and up some very steep tree root steps. At least the terrain was much more interesting to look at in this area, and the trail was much more colorful and less droning. When we couldn’t hike anymore, we found a spot at the base of a beautiful waterfall and had a nice afternoon swim. We were too tired to photograph anything, but I did manage to take one shot of our resting place before we departed.
I do have one complaint though. I’ve only chosen to show you the beauty and highlight of the trip, but the surrounding area was bound with rampant ugliness. People in this area have absolutely no civic consciousness at all for there was rampant garbage everywhere. And I don’t mean the little things that are bio-degradable. I’m talking about brightly colored plastic bags, wrappers, and other unsightly things which are probably damaging the surrounding natural area beyond imagination. Not to mention the stupid graffiti that some mindless teenagers (who knows, they could have been adults) put on old growth trees! It simply made my heart sank and it was most certainly not worth the long and strenuous hike up.
The hike down proved to be much more challenging. The forest surface was quite slippery from the rainfall not too long ago, and on the way down some slippery rocks, I managed to twist my ankle. Luckily I did not tumble down and break my face on the rocks though. From that point on, that weak and injured ankle of mine decided to twist two more times. It hurt like a bitch by the time we reached the base and my right leg was shaking from the stress of having to support my entire weight since I had to shift my body away from the bad ankle. But I was alright overall and managed to sustain the injury.
I did learn some valuable lessons though:
- Next time, wear hiking shoes, not sandals.
- Get a lighter backpack.
- Learn to adjust the backpack properly in the beginning, not during the last 10 minutes.
- Scout for more information about the area before going off to kill yourself.
As for the next hiking trip, we’re definitely not going back there again. Ever. Even if beautiful fairy nymphs decide to show themselves and grant you immortality. Well okay, maybe that would be the exception, but you get the idea.
