Jungle Monkey eating Mangosteen
This was no leisurely trek, and it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. We did some serious climbing up and down jungle mountains, through areas where there wasn't even a path, and crossed multiple streams and rapids where the rocks were so slippery, one has to get down on all fours to make it across safely. We entered bamboo forests, where we could see monkeys swinging from bamboo to bamboo, while cicadas whistled in the background. Raht tried to tempt out tarantulas from their holes, and took up close pictures for us. We swang on jungle rope - which seemed right out of a movie - "Tarzan" to be specific. We saw camoflouge trees - all natural, though they looked as if they were painted - in fact, the ones in which the US army fatigues are based off of.
We stopped for lunch at, what they call a waterfall, but what we might call a series of large rapids, or small river waterfalls. There, we rested and went swimming in the clean jungle mountain water. Then, Raht began asking us what we did for exercise... and then he said if we wanted, and felt we were fit enough, we could do a hardcore trek through the waterfalls. Kasper, C.J., Jacqueline and I all headed up the river into the waterfalls, while Louise did some river R & R. Raht started the serious trek with "When I swim, you swim. When I jump, you jump. Wherever I put my foot, you put your foot. Follow me, and do not attempt shortcuts!" What were we in for? Wow, did we accomplish a dangerous and seriously extreme adventure trek. He took us across the rapids and up the multiple waterfalls. To get to the bottom of the waterfalls, we had to all grab each other's hands to pass through the extreme rushing currents, and then swim hard and fast through the whirlpool at the bottom and grab onto a rock. We placed our feet in nooks and crannys to climb up, while the water poured down on our heads - which made it hard for me to even see where I was going! I just had to reach out. At a top point, our destination, one hour later, we swam through the most intense rush of waters to get into a cave behind the waterfall. We went one at a time. It took Jacqueline and I a few tries to make it across, and when we failed, we floated backwards with the current and had to grab onto a rock, before we were taken away down the waterfall below! Mind you, throughout this whole waterfall adventure trek, Raht warned us that the cobras of the jungle can swim on water, so to keep an eye out! During one of Jacqueline's attempts to get into the cave, as she floated backwards, and I grabbed her arm, there was a massively sized spider spotted! I was holding onto a rock, half in the water, half out, and all the sudden I heard Jacqueline call it out (though I thought she was nervous about being pulled backwards), and then noticed Kasper (who was seriously terrified of spiders) and C.J. jump up on rocks faster than I can even say "spider". It was quite a funny sight, as I didn't even see it, though I'm sure if I had, I would have been up on a rock just as fast. Meanwhile, Raht is behind the waterfall in the cave laughing at us.
As dangerous and scary as the waterfall adventure was, Jacqueline and I both noted that we felt extremely comfortable with the fact that there were three guys with us - all of whom were in fit condition, and helped us along the way. The hardest part about it was finding your footing, especially going up the waterfall, as one could easily miss, slip and go rushing down. We all made it out without a scratch. Then, it was time to make it back, which for obvious reasons, we could not go down the same way we came up. So, Raht led us into the straight jungle - barefoot! Wow, did we feel like jungle people all of the sudden.
After lunch, we had another couple hours of trekking, in which along our path we came across multiple herds of termite, biting ants - the ones that latch onto you, and you have to physically pull them out if they start biting! So, when Raht said "run", we sprinted through them. All of the sudden, I found myself to be a long jumper! I never knew my legs to jump so far!
As Jacqueline puts it... our first taste of the jungle
Checking out the rubber trees - it produces rubber like sap, and tough enough to pull on!
A natural rubber ring mark
Natural Jungle Rope
Bamboo Forest
Following closely behind Raht, our jungle guide
Raht was trying to coax this guy out...
Jungle Face Painting
Jungle Trekkers with war paint
Natural Camoflouge Trees!
Tree Climbers!
Raht and Kasper blending in...
Jungle Swingers
For the last leg of the trip, we had to cross a rushing river, for which there used to be a bridge, but it broke down, and no one ever fixed it! We had to all hold hands (boy-girl-boy-girl-boy-girl) and walked through it sideways, taking step by step to prevent being pulled away by the strong current.
Really... not as easy as it looks here, or we wouldn't all be holding hands
Seven hours later, we came out of the jungle, coverd in bug bites, sweaty and smelly, all with wet sneakers (as we eventually gave up on taking off and putting back on our shoes while crossing the rivers), tired and absolutely thrilled from the adrenalin rush of what we had just accomplished! Wow! I think I'm ready for an overnight stay next time... anyone want to join?
Jacqueline and I later discussed how much that trip was so not leisurely - and they should change their advertisements! But, we also think that maybe Raht assessed his group, and figured that since he was leading five, young, fit people through the jungle, he would take it up a few notches.
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