Lunch at the Waterfall
October 2022
Location Inspiration: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Cooling water droplets land on my cheeks as I approach the rivers edge, beautifully deafened by the waterfalls roar. My skin prickles with the arrival of goosebumps as the temperature drops a degree or two by the water; a welcoming relief.
After two hours of hiking, my heartbeat reduces and my breathing slows. I feel my muscles relax and my temples soften. This is the feeling that makes it all worthwhile. The breathlessness, the rising heat, the tiredness, the hunger and thirst. I have always said ‘I love hiking,’ but in reality, I don’t particularly like it at all. It is the end product I find thrilling, and it’s that feeling that makes the journey seem enjoyable. When the summit is reached, the previous discomfort fades and is replaced by a rush of endorphins that leave nothing but utter joy behind.
Water in the pool to my left ripples, and I spot a tiny green frog on the waters edge. As my gaze rises I spot an orange butterfly, perched upon an overhung tree. Black eagles swoop above, and two more butterflies, Raja Brooke’s this time, fly in unison between the branches. They look as though they’re also in awe of their surroundings, enjoying the open air to full capacity.
Raja Brooke’s boast as Malaysia’s national butterfly, with an impressive velvet like black and green wingspan, they’re hard to pass unnoticed. The pop of red on the back of their neck seen only sparsely, as they swoop and float away. Despite their size, they of course flutter with elegance and grace, in silence.
I find a fallen tree to sit, and pull out my homemade jam and peanut butter sandwiches – a staple hiking lunch for the budget traveller. What a beautiful spot to rest and re-charge.
Wild Rose Travel 