After visiting the orangutans, we headed to Permai Rainforest Resort with our Grab driver, and I’m happy to say he didn’t drive away with all our belongings, hooray! The ride was about an hour to the coast. We arrived around 11 AM and were lucky they allowed us to check in early and put our bags into a cozy treehouse, which would be our home for the next few nights. Our treehouse overlooked the sea and was surrounded by lush rainforest, home to three species of monkeys.

We decided to have lunch and then go on a hike. The restaurant had limited veg options, but I was glad they at least had a few choices. Lunch was enjoyable, with a nice view of the beach.

There were two hiking options, and we chose the three-hour hike to a waterfall. The trails were surprisingly well-marked and easy to follow, but a bit more challenging than I expected, with sections where you had to cross a rope bridge or climb rocks. It was a lot of fun though. The jungle was hot and humid, so we got a good workout. We also spotted monkeys in the tree canopies and some cool lizards. The highlight was nearly stepping on a reed snake, which we only noticed when David pointed it out. It stayed around for a while, allowing us to take some photos; the iridescence on its scales created a beautiful rainbow of colors. The snake was quite small, and fortunately, this species is non-venomous, so there was no need to fear.

By the time we reached the waterfall, we were both soaked in sweat, so it was refreshing to swim in the waterfall’s water. We enjoyed sitting by the pools and having a snack. The trail was quiet; we only encountered one other group all day, which made for a peaceful experience in nature – a welcome change from city life!

After the hike, we went to the beach for another quick swim in the sea. The sun was intense, so the water wasn’t as refreshing, but it was still beautiful. Afterward, we returned to our treehouse to shower, enjoy the AC, and then headed to the nearby town center for ice cream and snacks, preparing for our big adventure to Bako Island the next day.

As dusk approached, we explored the resort’s trails to spot wildlife. We saw proboscis monkeys and silver leaf monkeys feeding in the trees. For dinner at the restaurant, I had a delicious mushroom garlic pasta with garlic bread (not a Malaysian specialty, but I loved it). After dinner, we did a wildlife night walk with our torches, hoping to spot nocturnal animals. We saw some cool stick insects, butterflies, and other insects. Then we walked up the many steps of our tree house and had a good night’s rest, enjoying the sounds of the lapping waves and the noises of the jungle.