"Virginal" a Taman Negara Travel Page by Quero

This newly-emerged butterfly has not yet taken its first flight. Its wings display all the glory of nature in its most stunning perfection. It captures the essence of Taman Negara National Park, a remarkably unspoiled wilderness in the heart of Peninsular Malaysia.

The rainforest is estimated to be at least 130,000,000 years old (yes, all those zeros belong there!), perhaps the oldest lowland tropical rainforest in the world. Because of its equatorial location, it was untouched even by the ice age.

Those of us who have had the good fortune to go there and to penetrate even the first few kilometers of the over 4,000 square kilometers of its total extent (seven times the size of Singapore) can consider ourselves favored by providence.

"Taman Negara" literally means "National Park." This protected virgin rainforest straddles three Malaysian states in the Titiwangsa mountain range which is the backbone of Peninsular Malaysia. Access is limited to a few entry points, though multi-day hikes are permitted throughout most of the parkland.

The rivers dictate the rhythms of life in the park as well as in this settlement along the opposite bank of the Tembling River. At the time of this photo, the river was low. Houses and other buildings are constructed either far from the shore above the flood zone or are built on rafts which are moored to the margins and accessed by rickety plank footbridges. At all times of the year, travel to and around the park is undertaken by boat.