20100813 - Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh, Pahang Recce

Went up to Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh, Pahang ("Park") to submit application for permit to climb Gunung Tahan in March 2011. Also to have a general understanding of what the travelling from Kuala Lumpur to the Park entails and discover the kinks to expect. Took the Transnasional express bus from Hentian Putra destined for Gua Musang in the night of 12 Aug 2010. Bus late by 6 minutes. Uneventful ride till I reached Merapoh in the wee hours of the morning where I asked the bus driver to drop me off near the Merapoh KTM Train Station. Took a catnap at the station all alone. Safe. No problem. But just a 30-minute break before the train station master came to start his shift followed by a makcik who wanted to take the early morning shuttle train from Kuala Lipis to Tumpat. Chatted with both of them - learned something new and was treated to duku langsat and rambutan by makcik. No food stall was opened at Merapoh for breakfast namely due to it being Puasa time. Additionally, the food stall next to the train station (operated by the train station master's wife) has been closed since June this year. Guess it was wise that I bought some buns in KL and took 2 bottles of drinking water with me. My shuttle transfer to the Park came after 7am - a 4WD ride of 7km along oil palm estate with the road littered with "mines" (cow dung actually hahahaha). Upon arrival at the Park, the 4WD driver allowed me to go into the Park's surrounding without having to pay for the entry permit and the camera permit as long as I do not cross the Sg Relau bridge. Took the opportunity to roam around and took photos. At 8am, when the Park officially opened for business, went to the office to submit the application for permit to climb Gunung Tahan in March 2011. The permit was granted on the spot and a letter to that effect was issued to me. Once concluded, made a call to the 4WD driver to pick me up and send me to Gua Musang for my trip home. Very funny place, the Park, not every little spot has mobile telco signal. I had to stand underneath a tree with a label "Kawasan Talian Telefon Maxis & Celcom" in order to do so. I found that it was very difficult to get Maxis's signal - the Park's personnel all use Celcom. Was informed that signals are erractic around the Park and on the trail but no problem with all telcos' signals at the summit of Gunung Tahan. Spent a miserable 6 hours plus at Gua Musang - Puasa time, no eatery opened. And the bus station was located at the new section of Gua Musang which was far away from the Chinese-centric business location. Lucky there was a Petronas station where I bought some buns & soft drinks for my lunch. The trip back was marred by the bus breaking down after stopping for dinner at Bentong. Had to wait for 1 hour plus to hop on another Transnasional bus (from Kuala Lipis) to come back to Kuala Lumpur. Finally reached home around 11:00pm. What a relief! 24 hours without bath or proper sleep. But it was a great trip - talked with a lot of nice eldery folks in Merapoh & Gua Musang, learned new stuff, and get to see the Kelah Sanctuary at the Park as well (though no chance of getting up close & personal with the kelahs).