Before breakfast, We sent our wet, smelly and sweaty clothes to the laundry and searched for a clinic to cure the unbearable itch. I bought an RM 10 China made anti-septic cream and applied it on all the red spots on my hands and legs immediately.
At noon, we walked to the nearest bus station, intending to take the bus to the Lambir National Park. Apparently, that bus station only served destinations in nearby towns. Lambir National Park is 31km away from Miri and 182km from Bintulu. So we had to board the bus to Pujut, about 5 minutes from Miri, and take a bus heading towards Bintulu.
After walking for 30km in 4 days, taking the bus to Lambir National Park was blissfully joyful. Thank Heavens for the invention for technology. No exertion of aching joints and hard tree trunks as chairs; just plonk ourselves onto the cushioned chair and in no time, we’ll be there. How convenient!
Then again, the dilemma presents itself. Because humans, in general, desperately yearn for convenience, we chop down trees and burn down bushes, removing the essential greens that bring peace to our souls, replacing it instead with technology that causes us to lose ourselves. Cool air of the forests replaced by air conditions; lush greens in the jungle replaced by money plants and orchids in the garden; cool and clean bath by the river replaced by purified water in the reservoir with options of varying temperatures; is it all worth it? Sacrificing Mother Nature for the sake of our own convenience? Ultimately, we are the ones who are at the losing end; losing our clean air, healthy lungs and our conscience.
About an hour later, we arrived at the Lambir Hills National Park. The place seemed really quiet. There were a few chalets outside the park. When we signed in at the guest book, we noticed that there had only been 2 visitors for the day. One of them registered at 1pm and came out 10 minutes later. Perhaps, the visitor came alone and was bored from walking alone in the jungle.
Anyhow, we registered ourselves. There were about 10 sites of interest at Lambir Hills National Park. However, we had only 2 hours to explore the place before it got dark. So, we decided on the nearest site, which was the Latak Waterfalls. Introduced as one of the highest waterfalls in Sarawak, we just had to see this one. In fact, there was also an abandoned oil rig built by Shell in the before the 1970s, I believe, but it was too far and we just didn’t have the time to visit it.
And so, we took our own sweet time, walking and talking among ourselves, and enjoying the sights and sounds in the jungle. This time around, we didn’t have to follow some speedy tour guide, who was constantly on the run, leaving us no time to stop and spot any birds or lizards.
1st Waterfall
The sight of the waterfall was just amazing. At a height of 25m, the river water just kept gushing down! As the water from above splashed into the calm pool of water beneath it, millions of tiny droplets bounced back from the surface into the air. At that particular moment, all I wished to do was just to sit under the strong current of the waterfall and let it massage my shoulders and legs! Ah!!! Kimochii!
Not long after, the wind gently blew the grey clouds over our heads. I got out of the water instantly , changed into a pair of dry clothes and walked out of the jungle once again.
Once at the sales booth, I bought a black Lambir Hills National Park Shirt. Just to announce to the world that I have come to the National Park of Lambir Hills. The shirt at Mulu National Park was just too costly! It was very nice though! It had this giant dragon on the right shoulder with the words “Mulu National Park” printed behind it.
In the night, we had seafood with our friends from Miri, chat ‘til the wee hours of the night. The next day, we sang karaoke ‘til it was time to go to the airport!
No stress, no cares. I’m loving it!
Saw this "No Swimming" sign outside the entry to the park. Who would ever think of swimming in this 'drain'? Days of living in the jungle, next to a real river has enlightened me. I would never, ever see a big, wide drain and think of it as a river again.
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