Kuala Tahan

28th Jan

I thought Kuala meant 'a port' but it's actually a point where two or more bodies of water meet, or river mouth. Kuala Lumpur actually means 'muddy confluence' .....not a very glamorous name for the capital city, though everyone now just calls it 'KL'

My last day here in the countryside, I'd decided on a 'chill day'. Chatted to Eve, who was having trouble sleeping, then a stroll round the town

The school with its positive, encouraging slogans on the wall

A milkshake by the river

A walk in the park.

I was letting my imagination run away with me, convincing myself I could hear animal footsteps amongst the trees, breathing sounds from a black panther, the dry leaves, crushed by the slither of a snake......

.....its one of those conflicting desires, as it would be wonderful to see a snake but at the same time terrifying, so you really hope you do & you don't.......I have maybe said this before.

......what's that I hear behind me....was it a falling leaf, or a stalking animal.....am I the predator....or the prey?....I hear a roaring sound.....omg.....oh - wait - its the roar of a power tool! 😅

I only saw butterflies & birds, a few squirrels scampering up the trees, and at the hide - a monkey or two amongst the dense foliage. 

Later, on my balcony, I saw a hornbill. It landed clumsily in the tree & was swaying - the light branches not quite firm enough to take its weight properly - and me - unable to get a good photo.

This - from the Internet:

Chatted to the lady next door who was there with her 9 month old daughter - I guessed her age from the sounds she was making - the same 'A' sounds - exactly like Archie when we took him to Cormayeur skiing, just before he learnt to crawl......we were skiing, not him of course!

I will have to say goodbye to my luxury room with the crooked sink. 

 

Tomorrow, I leave for the city