Sunday 22 December. Rain, clearing later
The rain had started at about 3.00 in the morning and was still going strong when I woke.
There was really nothing to do but have some coffees and read which is what I did until about 11.00. By then it had eased a little and I made my way over to the reception building and asked them what they thought. Their forecast was gloomy but they suggested wandering along the flat path to the boat station. This I did, unable to ignore all the rubbish washed up on the beach.
and then decided to continue, seeing how I got on with the Paku trail. This proved OK but at one point the trail was closed because the steps were being repaired. It was easy to go past this but I began to think that I'd neither said here I was going nor was it likely anyone would come across me on a closed trail. I was also getting soaked and decided to turn back. Funnily enough I almost immediately met a party of four who had also made their way past the closed sign but I stuck with my decision - partly because I was so wet.
After some lunch in the canteen, it had actually brightened and there was even a hint of the sun throught the cloud. I went top take another look at the viper which was more frightening than last night - just sitting and waiting!
I set off on the Pandan Besar teail which is meant to end with a nice view. It is also a common trail for much of the way with the Pandan Kecil trail that leads to a beach. Maybe I'd do the double.
Before I really got started I came across a friendly monkey near the boat station and spent a while observing and getting a short video..
Once I stat
rted on the trail, I made quite slow progress and it seemed an age before I got to the bench where people are advised to have a last cigarette before going into the more open, dry and at risk of fire area. Soon after, the Lintang trail branches off. Now I was on territory that was new to me. It was a good deal flatter with a boardwalk along large stretches just above the wet ground below.
In the end I came to the point where the Besatr and Kecil trails branch and fortuitously met a couple on their way back. They said the view was great and that I was about twenty minutes off. Reaching the end, the view was indeed great and included a much-appreciated bench. I'd got decidedly warm as the weather perked up and was glad of a rest.
However, time was marching on and they like people to be back by 5.30 - quite apart from the fact that struggling around in the dark would be a very undesirable end.
The journey back was a good deal quicker than the outward one, partly because it was more downhill and also it was a known quantity.
Getting back to the boat station, a group of probocis monkeys crossed my path but I was a bit slow to photograph them.
On the other hand, the macaques who had taken over the beach were not in the least camera shy.
In the evening, I did another night walk which was essentially a repeat of the night before and I didn't really see anything new. However, it was definitely worthwhile given that it is not an experience that can be repeated in West Hampstead!
and then decided to continue, seeing how I got on with the Paku trail. This proved OK but at one point the trail was closed because the steps were being repaired. It was easy to go past this but I began to think that I'd neither said here I was going nor was it likely anyone would come across me on a closed trail. I was also getting soaked and decided to turn back. Funnily enough I almost immediately met a party of four who had also made their way past the closed sign but I stuck with my decision - partly because I was so wet.
After some lunch in the canteen, it had actually brightened and there was even a hint of the sun throught the cloud. I went top take another look at the viper which was more frightening than last night - just sitting and waiting!
I set off on the Pandan Besar teail which is meant to end with a nice view. It is also a common trail for much of the way with the Pandan Kecil trail that leads to a beach. Maybe I'd do the double.
Before I really got started I came across a friendly monkey near the boat station and spent a while observing and getting a short video..
Once I stat
rted on the trail, I made quite slow progress and it seemed an age before I got to the bench where people are advised to have a last cigarette before going into the more open, dry and at risk of fire area. Soon after, the Lintang trail branches off. Now I was on territory that was new to me. It was a good deal flatter with a boardwalk along large stretches just above the wet ground below.
In the end I came to the point where the Besatr and Kecil trails branch and fortuitously met a couple on their way back. They said the view was great and that I was about twenty minutes off. Reaching the end, the view was indeed great and included a much-appreciated bench. I'd got decidedly warm as the weather perked up and was glad of a rest.
However, time was marching on and they like people to be back by 5.30 - quite apart from the fact that struggling around in the dark would be a very undesirable end.
The journey back was a good deal quicker than the outward one, partly because it was more downhill and also it was a known quantity.
Getting back to the boat station, a group of probocis monkeys crossed my path but I was a bit slow to photograph them.
On the other hand, the macaques who had taken over the beach were not in the least camera shy.
In the evening, I did another night walk which was essentially a repeat of the night before and I didn't really see anything new. However, it was definitely worthwhile given that it is not an experience that can be repeated in West Hampstead!
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