The Environment

We are currently staying at Rainforest Resort, one of the many resorts available in Kuala Tahan. Frankly, I was expecting Kuala Tahan to look more like Mulu Caves, with lush greens, thick forests, cool weather and well conserved. What a disappointment. Though it’s named as the National Park, Kuala Tahan does not look like it’s well conserved at all. Most of the trees have been chopped off to make way for hotels, chalets and more hotels, the weather is hot (probably ‘coz it’s on the plains, not in the mountains), and to say it’s well conserved… would be an understatement.

Yet, all is not gone. From afar, we can still hear the chirping birds and croaking frogs. In the night, the ‘blockheads’ are attracted to the lights outside our porch. I learnt so much about animals and insects on my first night in Kuala Tahan.

After dinner, we went for a night walk in the jungle borders of Kuala Tahan. As we made our way, on thin pieces of wooden planks, we spotted ‘glow-in-the-dark’ snakes sleeping on tree branches, spiders that expand and shrink anytime they like, and giant ants too! At the observation deck, which was about 13 metres above the ground, we spotted deers grazing in one of the fields, in a group of 3. Our guide explained that those were female deers. The males were guarding the borders to make sure no predators attack their loved ones. As the guide shone his torchlight, the colour of the eyes of the deers reflected back at us. It is red. Bright red.

As we peered into the dark, faraway mountains, we see light flashing non-stop. I thought they were stars in the sky. Apparently, they are elephants which come out only in the night. These elephants emit a glow in the night as well. When the male elephants in the herd have a quarrel, and one loses a fight, the elephant who lost will leave his herd and hide under this observation deck. Until his physical and emotional wounds heal, he will remain in this spot. Hmm… animals need their alone time too. Not just humans.

As the guide looks at one of the nearby trees and shines his torchlight, he suddenly whispers, “Look! There’s a small spider! Can you see it?”

Naturally, I can’t. My eyes are not that observant. I couldn’t even spot a turtle in the sea, how can I even spot a small spider on a brown branch? I searched but it was in vain. As others whispered excitedly, “oh! Oh! There it is!”, I could only muster, “Hmm.. I can’t see it. Never mind. I shall just enjoy the cool breeze here.”

“Be careful!” the guide adds. “The spider is poisonous. Once it jumps on you, you’re gone!”

Like a well rehearsed musical, everybody immediately takes 2 steps back away from the balcony. Clearly, none of us wants to be bitten by a ‘tarantula’, no matter how harmless it seems.

Look At The Sign

Soon, it was time to return. We trudged back into the dark, unknown parts of the forest and come out into brightly lit clearing. Oh wow! We’re back to civilization. Insects buzz around us. Another big insect flies directly towards my forehead. A small, noisy insect circles my friend’s head. “Conserve the environment. What the plants breath out, we breathe in.” Essentially, it’s all about symbiosis. We depend on each other. Humans, plants and animals. So, we must look out for each other. That is why we have zoologists, vets, and national parks. If they become extinct, we disappear too.

The Pathway to the Cafe

For supper, we had some steamed ‘kuih’ at the café. It was there that I saw green blockheads and brown blockheads. According to Nicholas, the young blockheads are bright green. As they mature, they become darker and darker, eventually, they turn brown. “Look at their heads, Jean! Doesn’t it look like a block of wood to you?” Nic pointed out.

“ A hah! Yes , indeed!” Suddenly, the blockhead jumps off the pillar and onto the lamp post! Oh! It’s catching the smaller insects!

Picture of Tranquility

It’s such a wonderful and peaceful night. Away from the ringing phones and computer screens. Serenity. We all need it in these times of economic turmoil.