Goodafternoon my lovely readers,

Today has been absolutely magical!

This morning was an early start as we had the day trek through the jungle.

It was a 4,5 hour walk up a hill, or mini mountain.

We first had to get a license for entry and for being allowed to use your camera. It was a total of 6 ringet but if you didnt have it on you and a controller asked for it then either you pay 10.000,00 ringet (circa €2000,00) or spend up to 3 years in jail.

This little bit of information reminded me of how different their culture and mine are but I am really relieved that they are strict when it comes to protecting the national park.

The trek in the morning was tiring due to the heat but also it was only climbing. I love and adore Holland, I really do but it is in times like these where I really wouldn’t of minded if Holland was less flat…. that or I need to seriously get into better shape haha

The trek upwards brought us to two viewpoints and once we had reached them, it was gobsmackingly beautiful.

The first viewpoint unfortunately did not have any information signs and our guide didn’t tell us much as this was more of a pitstop, drink water and especially catch your breath moment.

The second viewpoint was 334 meters high, 8,1 km trek and took me 11.884 steps to climb.

During the trek our guide told us so much information about the tree’s and medical properties they have and how the aboriginal people who still live in tribes there use this knowledge themselves.

There is a type of leaf which is rough and can be used as sandpaper that lasts a week… aboriginals use it to sharpen their arrows or spears.

There was also a leaf that if you were bitten by a leech then you can, with a bit of water or spit, crush it and rub in between your palms to make a paste that looks a lot like soap, this stops the bleeding and helps sooth the itchiness.

There was also a leaf that looked like a dogs paw which is commonly used for women after they have delivered a baby to help shrink the womb back down and for better blood circulation.

I would tell you more but I feel like i’m starting to sound like Freek Vonk. Oeps..

 

After our trek I had lunch, showered and then it was off to our boat ride for the swimming in the river and waterfall sightseeing.

Now this part of my day was absolutely breathtaking and I cannot believe that I actually got the chance to do something like this. Okay yes I am paying for all of this by myself but besides the point!

We sat in our little dingy boat and for about 20-30 minutes we just sailed along the river.

The trees bending over to catch more sunlight, reaching over the riverbank as-if greeting us hello.

The King Fischer’s that swept so rapidly yet so smoothly from tree top to the water and back again.

On the way to the waterfall I got the chance to see a wild crocodile. It was slowly walking along a part of the riverbank that was sandy.

So instead of seeing fluffy animals I got to see scary and intimidating ones… at least they didn’t have more than four legs, so thats a plus I guess haha.

Once we arrived at our destination we had to made another trek for about 10 minutes to actually reach the waterfall. We did this by waking along the tree’s above the riverbank.

We finally came to the end of the trail and were greeted by the waterfall.

It was loud but soothing and the birds could still be heard overhead.

We were nearly the first ones there so after taking a few photo’s me and only one other guest decided to swim.

Well it took me about 10 minutes to convince myself to do it but in the end I did!

I swam for only a few minutes but still I can proudly say that this girl swam in a river in the middle of the jungle where she witnessed a bloody crocodile and conquered her fear of water (true story, might explain another time) so there!

The water is dark brown and cool, I stayed in the part where the current was not strong and just relaxed.

After my few relaxing minutes in the water I climbed out, attempting to be as graceful as i possibly can on the slippery rocks and climbed back up to dry off.

Thanks to the humidity this only took half a minute to succeed.

We laid there for about an hour in total and it was so serene and zen that it made me appreciate the fact that i’m doing this all on my own.

It is still daunting and worries do still find their way into my head but I am succeeding in kicking them straight back out again.

On the trip back to our jetty we came across another animal, this time the king cobra. It was only then that I realised: yeah won’t be swimming in this river ever again.

We swerved around the rocks and sped our way down until we reached the hotels jetty again.

Tonight I have nothing planned except dinner, writing you guys and then I think watching tv in bed as my feet are done for.

Tomorrow morning will be my last here in the rain forest which saddens me but I have booked a face massage before I leave so I hopefully look less dead when i arrive in Singapore…

For now I bid you all sweetdreams and talk soon!

Lots of love,

G.