THE RETURN TREk
We begin our second day with a self-prepared breakfast while the morning sun shines slanting columns of light into the cave.
In stark contrast to the dim and dreary scenery welcoming yesterday’s evening arrival, the cave of Kepayang Besar takes onanalmostmagicalfeel whenilluminated by the morning light.
I notice the many hues of colour on the limestone walls and rock formations as I explore the cavern.
Needing to face another 8km for the return journey but this time to Kuala Terenggan, we begin our return trek after taking some photos.
Twenty minutes into the trek, Tam suddenly stops and tells us to leave our backpacks on the side of the trail and follow him. He leads us through a smaller trail towards the entrance of another limestone cave which is a bit smaller.
Named Gua Kepayang Kechil, the cave is the smaller sister cave of Kepayang Besar and it is home to a large colony of bats, insects, cave racer snakes and even giant toads.
Pressing on, we stop near the riverbank of Terenggan river around noon for a light lunch of instant noodles and a refreshing dip.
Tam says our pace is good, seeing that we arrived at a rest point at the riverbank as scheduled.
Indeed, the Inner Jungle Tour is actually a well orchestrated adventure, not merely trudging mindlessly through thick impenetrable rainforest to sleep in a dingy cave.
Although the total distance of the inner jungle hiking tour is 18km and may sound gruelling, the trail is actually moderate in difficulty and has well defined points of interests to take in the sights as well as to rest.
THE BATEk pEopLE
Having kept to the schedule of the tour, we have ample time to visit and explore the Batek Tribe settlement which is the last point of interest before returning back to Kuala Tahan by boat from Kuala Terenggan.
The Batek, an indigenous tribe of hunters and gatherers, still lead a seminomadic life within the area of Taman Negara, Kuala Tahan.
Their settlements canbefoundnearand along the Tembeling river.
It is here at one of their small settlements that I get to learn a bit more about the Batek and their way of life.
The settlements of the Batek are quite simple, consisting of humble huts made from bamboo with roofs of woven nipah leaves.
With only around 1,000 in number, the Batek people are somewhat reserved and
Taman Negara's rugged beauty will leave visitors in awe and wonder.
shy. Tam invites us to come closer as one of the Batek men begins demonstrating unique Batek lifeskills such as shooting blowpipes and making fire with rattan vines and dry wood.
From the Batek settlement, it takes about 30 minutes to finally arrive at Kuala Terenggan, marking the end to our two-day jungle adventure in Taman Negara.
Exhausted but elated, I amnotprepared for the wet surprise on the return boat ride to Kuala Tahan when the boatman shoots through the gushing rapids, splashing everyone on the boat and making for a memorable end to the adventure.
Rest and light lunch at the Terenggan river.
A Batek man demonstrating how to start a fire.