Paradise Tree Snake

Wanting to completely recover from the recent illness, on the return short hike our human walked extra slow. It was getting warm as the sun has risen high up.

Full of thoughts of ways on how not to fall ill again, our human suddenly sensed something in front, immediately stopped and looked.

Just one step in front was this beautiful chap in a sun puddle.

Our human quickly sidestepped, went behind the tree beside in a controlled slow motion and slowly took out the cellphone to capture the moment. (Our human purposely use the tree as a shield from the snake.)

Googled and found out that this is Paradise Tree Snake.

[from Wikipedia --

Paradise tree snake, paradise flying snake or garden flying snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) is a species of colubrid snake found in Southeast Asia. It can, like all species of its genus Chrysopelea, glide by stretching the body into a flattened strip using its ribs. It is mostly found in moist forests and can cover a horizontal distance of 10 meters (33 feet) or more in a glide from the top of a tree. Slow motion photography shows an undulation of the snake's body in flight while the head remains relatively stable, suggesting controlled flight. They are mildly venomous with rear fangs and also can constrict their prey, which consists of mostly lizards and bats.]

Moon Gate and Sun Rise

As mentioned in the previous post of Loop de Loop, this is the giant vine loop which our human named it 'Moon Gate' where all hikers going this way have to walk through it.

The almost 4-foot hiking pole and the haversack purposedly placed there was to show its size in comparison.

It was one of those rare days when you are at the right place at the right time. It was a beautiful sunrise.

PS: Our human had a bad case of flu and on recovery, got caught on a sudden downpour which worsened and prolonged the flu.

Loop de Loop

These pictures well describe the vines doing the Loop de Loop.

There is one big one where you have to walk through it but it is on another trail opposite to this usual path which our human normally takes; and will snap the photo another day.

A Hand on Path?!

As usual in the mornings, walking alone in the forest, all our human's senses are heightened; hearing, smelling, looking, feeling, including the sixth.

Suddenly from the corner of the eye, there was something looking strangely familiar that should not be there.

Our human stopped immediately, turned and looked.

A hand! A child-sized hand on the path.

The early morning sun filtering through the thick canopy aided shadow play on it.

Imagine a superstitious, weak-hearted hiker walking alone during dusk, the scene would certainly scare the wits out of him or her.

Fruits on Path

Our human saw and recognised these fruits on the path. These were still young, not matured or fully grown yet.

It is possible that either the bad weather or some animals may be the cause of the falling. Due to the thick foliage above, our human could not determine which tree these fruits belonged to.

These are either nangka (jackfruit in English) or cempedak (honey jackfruit in English).

Nangka is usually huge and oval in shape while cempedak is smaller and tubular. Nangka tastes sweet and fruity when ripe, like a mix of banana, pineapple, and mango, with a fragrant, sometimes durian-like smell, while unripe nangka is mild, chewy, and absorbs spices, often used as a meat substitute in savory dishes.

Our human loves unripe nangka cooked in coconut milk with a bit of chilli, 'Nangka muda masak lemak' or 'Young Jackfruit Curry with Coconut Milk' and could seldom enjoy it as unripe nangka is so difficult to get.