On day two of the trip, we went on a jungle hike that Ben's boss had been on with his family. The guidebook said it was a moderate 2 KM hike passing a pretty waterfall on the way and ending at the cultural village.
It started out beautiful. It is fascinating how much life there is in a rainforest. 
We kept marching along with the ants but then we got to a fork in the trail--one way to the jungle trek (our planned hike) and one way to the summit. The map had a lovely depiction of a waterfall but it was on the summit trail (the mountain in the view where we ate lunch in the Borneo post). We all wanted to see the waterfall so we wisely decided to follow the map. After all, we only had to make it to Marker E. The top of the summit was about Marker V so we thought it couldn't be that far. Why would some old map be less accurate than someone who had just been there and a guidebook? 
WRONG! After about 45 minutes, some frustration, some serious steepness, and much loss of bodily fluids (ewww--I meant sweat!) we determined that since we'd only made it to "B", we'd better turn back.
I wish I would have taken more pictures just to show how "summit like" it was in places. I'm not sure why the summit trail didn't throw us off having seen the summit. Neither of us had backpacks for the kids. The Smiths forever gained our respect. We traded off carrying Samara during the hike. They each carried one of their kids, who are both older than Samara and their 6-year did the whole hike herself. Impressive!When we got back to the map, we saw a guide taking others on the hike so we asked if there was a waterfall the trek way (the easier path). He confirmed there was and that it was in fact bigger than the one on the summit trail. You know the one actually pictured on the map?
We reached the waterfall about 5 minutes later. Notice how Ben did not break a sweat on the hike? And the...uh...wetness on his bottom half, well that was just an accident.
After the waterfall, we got to walk along this fabulous tree-top bridge. And that is the story of why we will never trust a map in a jungle again.
We reached the waterfall about 5 minutes later. Notice how Ben did not break a sweat on the hike? And the...uh...wetness on his bottom half, well that was just an accident.
After the waterfall, we got to walk along this fabulous tree-top bridge. And that is the story of why we will never trust a map in a jungle again.
I'm glad you found me. So you guys are in Singapore?? And have a kid too?? I added your blog to my blog roll, I hope that's okay. We'll have to keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you made it to the waterfall in one piece, even if Ben lost control of his bldder on the way. It's the time together that counts, right? (I hope he brought a change of pants!!)
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