19 Jun, 2024 - Taman Negara, Malaysia

“A new friend and I - we met at a hostel in Langkawi a few weeks earlier - made our way to Kuala Tahan, the last small village before the jungle sets in. The jungle that is home to tigers, black panthers, elephants, sun bears and so many other incredible species. While in Sri Lanka, I kept hearing about Taman Negara, and the trek offered by a local to experience the magic of this wild place. So, the next morning, we prepared our packs (and ourselves) and made our way to the depths of the rainforest by boat with our group of ten. The boat ride was beautiful. The jungle lining the river looked almost too real. So raw, lush and magical. We started trekking, everyone was excited - with a hint of nervousness. Nobody knew what to expect after all. But it was an amazing feeling, being able to experience this together. A once in a lifetime experience, that’s for sure!

A few hours in we saw tracks from a sun bear, a black panther and last nights resting place of a group of wild elephants. We heard all kinds of birds and monkeys in the canopy of trees towering above. The overall experience of hiking through the dense rainforest was magical. Insects twice their usual size, sunbeams making their way through the leaves and something new to see in every corner. Arriving in the cave, our home for the night, everyone was stunned by the beauty of this place. Despite the snake resting on a big rock, the fruit bats hanging off the ceiling and the elephant feces in the corner, it didn’t take long for everyone to feel homey. We made a fire, explored the cave and listened to our guide Tam’s jungle stories under the flickering light of candles propped up on our empty cans and water bottles. I took the time sitting around the fire in silence, reflecting on the day. I was so filled with gratitude and joy and enjoyed the peace away from all civilization, fully immersed in nature. Our group grew together as friends, and the coincidence of someone from my hometown happening to be right there with me in this 130 million year old and 4,343 square kilometer large rainforest in the middle of Malaysia was just ridiculous. After a surprisingly good night’s sleep we celebrated my friend’s birthday with a piece of birthday-toast and coffee, packed up camp, and started the second part of the hike.

We climbed over branches, crossed small rivers by using natural bridges and had another great day feeling small in this big world. The emotions when seeing we had made it were overwhelming. Exhaustion from hiking through uncharted terrain during a humidity peak and the realization that we had spent 24 hours in one of the oldest and biggest tropical rainforests in the world began to sink in and I was filled with gratitude and joy once again. I felt alive. And there really is no better feeling. Back in the boat, Tam had the time of his life getting us wet from head to toe and I don’t think I’ve laughed that much in a long time, I was overflowing with endorphins. What an experience. I would disappear in the jungle again in a heartbeat and will never forget these two days that were so so very special to me.”