Canopies and Carnivores

Today’s agenda: tackle the jungle at FRIM – the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. We set our alarms for a 7am wake up call and piled into the Proton.

We wanted to hike on the FRIM’s canopy walkway. They only give out a certain amount of tickets a day, so you need to get there early. Also, BE SURE to buy your ticket at the registration desk near the parking lot. Don’t tackle the 45 minute hike to the canopy without a ticket. They don’t sell tickets at the canopy and they will turn you away.

We picked up our tickets and then fortified ourselves with some roti canai and teh tarik.

The father had every intention to sprint the 45 minutes uphill to the canopy walk. Unfortunately, his plans were thwarted.

Mr. Happy wanted to jungle-ize his pampered feet, so he removed his shoes and walked barefoot. He insisted it gave him a better grip. I insisted he looked crazy. And my mother insisted he would catch a jungle fungus.

We stopped briefly to drink some water and catch our breath.

Unfortunately, 100 Malaysian scouts passed us during our break.

This meant we had to wait in line when we reached the canopy!

It wasn’t all bad. The father found an audience of sweet locals who were amazed he could manage the climb at his advanced age.

The canopy walk offered beautiful views of both the jungle and the city and wasn’t nearly as scary as the one in Taman Negara.

Mr. Happy hammed it up for the camera, but at least he wasn’t barefoot!

The mother declared this her favorite part of the trip thus far!

We got a little lost on our way back to the car. Mr. Happy navigated and he definitely took us the (wrong) long way. The mother and I managed to cool off with some Asian air conditioning.

When we reached civilization we headed to the convenience store to re-hydrate – Team 300 Plus.

After our hike we drove to the Lake Gardens for lunch at the Hornbill Café. We ate here just last week with Mr. Happy’s parents. This time the birds actually flew right up to our table!

Some of us thought it was cool!

Others were very uncomfortable.

We took a walk through the Orchid Garden.

I did my best impression of a fairy.

And we called it a day.

That night, we headed to our favorite steak shack, Suzi’s corner, for dinner with the gang.

The father ordered some cream of mushroom soup. It turned out to be a special Malaysian recipe - Campbell’s!

As always, the steaks did not disappoint.

But next time I’ll have to try the button mushrooms & string!
(Mmmm. String.)

Mr. Happy satisfied his vegetarian cravings with some potato skins and vegetarian lasagna.

Our time in KL is going fast! Soon, we are off to Singapore.