Saturday, September 27, 2008

View(s) (This week's Photo Hunt theme)



Back in September 2006, I visited Taman Negara -- whose name translates into plain "National Park" from Bahasa Malaysia, as befits its being the first and oldest of Malaysia's national parks -- with a city-slicker friend from the US who hitherto had never been to a single national park in his life. Or, as I was to learn, on a single country or wildeness hike. Ever.

As I was to find out, he was singularly unimpressed with views dominated by greenery -- even if it encompassed those of the oldest tropical forest in the world; and this especially when he had to hike on muddy trails to get up high hills to see them. Put another way: views from the interior of Taman Negara like the ones in this week's Photo Hunt entry represented too little gain for the considerable effort that it took to get to the vantage points from where they could be had.

I, on the other hand, view matters differently. And I hope that you will too after viewing two of my photos of those views; at least one of which was taken from atop one of Taman Negara's lesser peaks, 344 meter high Bukit Terisek. ;b

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes its has a nice view...happy weekend.

Carver said...

I am very impressed with the views. They are spectacular.

Thanks for your comment on my blog and I'm the same way about usually not staying in hotels in NY. I generally stay with my sister who lives there. However, for my birthday since there were too many of us to all stay at my sisters, my daughter was the one who stayed with her aunt and the rest of us were together in the hotel. It was fun.

Lilly said...

Beautiful views, I happen to lvoe views with lost of greenery. We are all different arent we.

Forever Foster said...

I love the feeling of being completely removed from society for a little while. It's what makes national parks so important, imho. Lovely shots:)

jmb said...

Well I hope you started him onto the path for enjoying the outdoors YTSL. Lovely photos of the wilderness, but not Hong Kong this week. Have a good weekend.

Leslie: said...

Very impressive! :D

stan said...

I have been to many jungles in malaysia but not that famous one. Nice shots of HK below too!

Randi said...

Stunning views...happy weekend.

Juliana said...

beautiful view...i like the first shot

Please stop at my PH post also: in HERE or HERE Thanks

eastcoastlife said...

I have heard of Taman Negara and I'm planning to visit one day. It would be a great adventure. Any tips for me?

Anonymous said...

This is a great take on the theme for this week - really good views! :)

The Good Witch said...

Beautiful!! Lots of greeen!

YTSL said...

Hi gen/entry here --

Thanks and happy weekend to you too.

Hi Carver --

BTW, another New York connection: the friend I wrote about in this entry is a New York resident... ;b

Hi Lilly's Life --

Yes re the diversity out there... and, well, variety is the spice of life, etc., etc.! :)

Hi Forever Foster --

Agree that every once in a while, it can be nice to feel far removed from "civilization". :)

Hi jmb --

Alas, I don't think I succeeded with my friend. But, ah well. And yes, decided to showcase somewhere else besides Hong Kong for a change. :)

Hi Leslie --

Glad you think so! :)

Hi Sho --

Understandable that you've not yet been there. It takes a bit of an effort to do so! (And thanks for checking out other entries in my blog!)

Hi Randi --

Thanks and happy weekend to you too! :)

Hi Juliana --

I like *both* shots actually! ;b

Hi eastcoastlife --

Taman Negara's good to visit at least once in your life, especially since you're so close by, I think. Tips: I have many. Perhaps the most important is: don't go during the rainy season! Also, recommend the (world's longest -- or is it highest?) canopy walk -- it was the highlight of the visit for me! :)

Hi Leslie --

Thanks! :)

Hi Eppie --

Beautiful and lots of green indeed! :)

jams o donnell said...

Such marvellous views. Have a great weekend

Gattina said...

What a beautiful landscape ! and what a view !!

BTW the "ball thingy" is the Atomium the sign of Brussels, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, lol !

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful, I am sure your friend was impressed.

Anonymous said...

Terrific shots... a shame your friend seems destined to miss out on so much... or maybe your friend will grow into it ;-)

Sandy said...

Wonderful views.

Hootin Anni said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, so pretty!!!!

Mine's up, it's a Cat's Eye View of fun.

Happy Hunting.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I don't live that far from Glacier park been there when I was young but some how we never get over there.

I don't live in a jungle like rain forest but would like to visit on come day.

I been to Baniff in Canada a few times it's out of this world in beauty.

YTSL said...

Hi jams o'donnell --

Thanks and you have a great weekend too! :)

Hi Gattina --

Thanks for the info re the Atomium. I guess I associate Brussels (and Belgium in general) more with great beer and food! ;b

Hi Aileni --

I'm afraid my friend felt it was anticlimactic -- think he was expecting something far more spectacular for his troubles! ;D

Hi JC --

Afraid not: The last time I met up with him, he mentioned that he never ever wanted to go on a hike again! (This after I told him that Hong Kong -- where I now live -- really is great for hiking...) ;D

Hi Sandy --

Thanks. :)

Hi Hootin' Anni --

:) re both your reactions to my photos and your hint as to what's over at your blog! ;b

Hi peppylady --

Believe it or not, the only thing I know about Banff is from a movie with Hong Kong actors in it called "Lunch with Charles"... ;S

Bengbeng said...

i would enjoy a visit to Taman Negara

Dragonstar said...

These are lovely views - particularly the first one, which I love! In my view, that is a beautiful place!

Anonymous said...

I've never went hiking either, but I am sure the views are more impressive in person especially having to travel a great distance to catch them

I also missed your last week's photohunt so it's no big deal if you miss ours but thanks for visiting

-lissa

YTSL said...

Hi Bengbeng --

Out there in East Malaysia where you live, there's lots of great national parks too. (FWIW, of all the Malaysian national parks I've been in, have been most blown away by what I saw in Mulu.)

Hi Dragonstar --

Am inclined to agree with you. :)

Hi lissa (of 2lives) --

Try hiking some time. It can be lots of fun! :)

H e n r i c k said...

I as a Malaysian have never been to that Park. Sigh... But it's really nice that you have taken this 2 photos to share it out :). Guess I need to arrange a trip there.

And I suddenly feels like to be a Tarzan in the photos you have taken :P

Have a great week ahead!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful views! :-)

Have a good day.

YTSL said...

Hi Henrick --

Don't feel bad. There are a lot of places in Malaysia I haven't been too as well!

Hi Pat --

Thanks and I did. (It's 11:19pm on Sunday as I write and I just came back from a wonderful day out hiking and barbecue dinner-ing! ;b)

Anonymous said...

Amazing that your friend should take that view ;) Your shots are fantastic, from my point of view especially the first.

Sorry to be so incredibly late returning your visit from last week. I was over-optimistic about the internet connection I would find on holiday.

YTSL said...

Hi a. --

Well, I guess my friend's just a true blue city slicker... and thanks for your vote at least! ;S