AIBU to think I might have a nervous breakdown in the jungle

[Writer034]

My partner, my kids and I are going away on a bit of an exotic holiday and will be staying, amongst other things, for one week in a small private retreat which is on a jungle island and built quite literally in the middle of the jungle.

It's en eco resort where they don't believe in harsh chemicals (which I agree with) and try to coexist with nature. I came across it because I'm a writer and someone invited me to a writing retreat there, I couldn't go but checked out the place and fell in love with it based on the stunning photos and videos available on the net. It's got amazing Tripadvisor reviews and so I booked the whole thing, not giving much thought to where it's located (I just thought of it as, 'lush vegetation', not 'middle of the tropical rainforest').

Now, it's almost coming up to the trip, I'm starting to seriously panic. It's for the first time sinking in that we are going to be IN the jungle, and while there are some very cool things - monkeys, hornbills, geckos - there are also snakes, spiders, mosquitoes galore, and our accommodation - being based on authentic Malaysian architecture - is kind of like a giant tree house. It's really pretty and artistic, set in 7 acres of jungle with two stunning saltwater swimming pools, but on the website itself - which I have only for the first time read properly this week! - it clearly says if you're scared of the jungle, don't like insects etc, then this is not the place for you.

I've travelled a lot when younger and have hiked through what's called the outer jungle in Peru, but only for one day (didn't spend the night) and wasn't really scared at all, but I worry I'm going to feel completely trapped somewhere where I might just lose my mind if I see a massive spider in my shower or whatever. The retreat is meant to have a 5* service and incredible food made by, essentially, a private chef who cooks for each family individually (there are only 8 rooms) so there's much to look forward to, but I just keep thinking, Jesus we will really be right IN it. Not next to it, not close to it, but INSIDE it. Most of the accommodation is kind of open to the jungle (in the bedrooms, you can close the wooden shutters and turn on the air con, but otherwise the living quarters are very immersed in the rainforest)

I haven't shared my concerns with my kids as I have to model adventure spirit....I wonder if my 15 year old daughter will join me in the nervous breakdown. My partner says we'll be fine, famous last words. The resort has been there since 1996 so they absolutely know what they're doing and in fact it's owned by two Brits who were born in Malaysia and who have been wonderful to deal with (the woman is an artist and this is their former home). And yet, and yet, who's going to save me when I trip over a gigantic tarantula lol.

Any thoughts - anyone on MN, who's a real city person in normal life, gone somewhere like this on holiday and survived the trauma of various exotic fauna :-) ?

Yes I stayed in a very basic lodge in the jungle on the border between Mexico and Guatamala. It was surrounded by thick jungle, there are actually still jaguars in it (though we didn't get to see any!) and lots of noisy monkeys plus insects and spiders. We were told not to go outside our rooms overnight after the lights were turned off and to shake our shoes before putting them on.

It was a bit unnerving to start with but so exciting and different and something I will never forget. You'll be fine, go with it. Any massive bugs or insects call for help, remember most are harmless or only dangerous if disturbed. I had a huge moth the size of a plate fly into my room on that trip in Mexico and the staff caught it for me as I couldn't face turning the light off with that still inside!.

Definitely no malaria - that much I know. We're all getting vaccinated although I already have tetanus from a trip in the past. Hopefully no parasites (this thread is bringing up all sort of new fears!)

Thanks so much! You sound really brave!

We stayed in a jungle lodge in Borneo. It was rough and ready, I wont lie. A lot of the food was foraged and not what we are used to. There were monkeys, lizards etc but they stayed well clear. We covered up dusk till dawn and they provided mosquito nets.

It was BLOODY brilliant. Hope your trip is good too OP.

You’ll be fine op. We stayed in the middle of the rainforest in Langkawi - it was unforgettable. Skin so soft from Avon was incredible at stopping mozzie bites.

Ours was Pacuare Lodge - the accommodation is “luxury” in some ways (lovely beds, rainforest showers) but the lodges themselves are fairly rustic (mesh windows not glass, no air con, just a ceiling fan). The overall experience was total luxury though!

Sorry I can’t stop laughing, mostly because it’s the sort of thing I’d do!

last year thought my teenagers would love an adventure type holiday, and I was right they bloody loved it, I however am the least adventurous person on earth and was convinced I was going to die multiple times per day.

you’ll be fine, or if not you’ll look back on a year and laugh.

Also, if you take antihistamines in the run up (I usually start at least a week before) and every day when you are there then even if you get bitten by mosquitos you won’t know about it.

I learnt that as I get terrible heat stroke, and someone on here recommended loading up before going away - the mosquito thing is a bonus!

If you scream when you see a spider in England then why tf would you book a holiday in a jungle lodge in Malaysia 😅 its one thing being a dreamy writer, quite another dragging your kids into something you're not prepared for!

meant to have 5 star service

Then I'm sure if you find a lizard in your knicker drawer or something, one of the staff will be happy to assist in its removal.

Honestly, you're staying in a tourist 'retreat' with a private chef, not hacking through uncharted rainforests with a machete and foraging for coconuts. You're really not doing anything adventurous here and I doubt you will find yourself fending off rampaging tarantulas on any frequent basis.

I'm very allergic to most insect bites - each bite comes up the size of a saucer and then blisters - to the point where I get a fever if I get more than a couple. If you're concerned about bites and stings making you miserable on holiday, I recommend taking with you:

• A very strong, tropical formula insect repellent that contains DEET
• A bug-bite clicker/zapper. These are good at reducing itching for an hour or two. They essentially deliver a tiny little electric zap and you circle the weal with them.
• A bug-bite heat pen. These are different from the clickers and essentially heat up the skin which weirdly soothes the itching (an emergency solution is to hold a teaspoon in boiling water or a cup of tea and then press that on to the bite when it's as hot as you can bear it without actually burning yourself).
• At least two types of antihistamine tablets. Ask your pharmacist which ones are most effective for hives - some are better than others for skin irritation - and I would buy both non-drowsy for day and drowsy ones for night time
• An antihistamine cream.

I think I'd cope with everything, except boredom.
What will you do with your time?
Are there places to visit?
I 'd be concerned that in such a small place, the other guests might be awful ! There'll be no getting away from them.

You just have to do the mental gymnastics of telling yourself that you could get hit by a bus outside your house tomorrow, people with kids live there everyday, etc etc.
Then maybe have a stiff drink, relax and enjoy it.

It looks incredible, OP. Just keep telling yourself that they haven't lost a guest yet, so the odds are you'll make it back alive! 😁

Jungle trekking, bird watching, swimming, kayaking, board games, reading, journalling meals. Wildlife spotting, canyoning, foraging, camp fire cookout, relaxing at the pool. If you could be bored in the jungle I would be massively surprised.

ETFA

pp is right, nothing in malaysia can kill you other than the questionable driving (both cars and boats). I have stayed in and trekked through malaysian jungle a few times, in 3 different places and on a few different occasions as some places we went back to more than once. There were with differing levels of remoteness but it's not a massive country, and everywhere will be to some extent set up to cater for tourists so you're never going to feel like you're literally in the middle of nowhere. Yes there will be some creepy crawlies, the cockroaches can be massive and it was those that I found the most gross tbh. Sleep under a net if you're worried about it, but you'll have a brilliant time.

(We did once see a really fucking massive spider while staying in a beach hut but a lot of the big ones won't be up high in tree houses! They tend to stay lower to the ground)

I think it sounds awesome. You'll have an amazing time with your family and never be scared of a UK insect ever again.

Second poster's advice spot on.

😂

My DD has just spent a week in the middle of the Australian bush, hours away from anywhere. In a tent.

You’ll be fine, OP.

As part of my honeymoon I stayed in something similar in the Amazon jungle. It required boats to it, that's how remote it was. I was utterly shitting it as I hated spiders.

We went on a midnight trek around and to see these creatures in their natural habitat was quite humbling. We had tarantulas walking across the deck down to dinner and frogs bigger than footballs. They aren't out to kill you, they're just going about their business.

It was honestly magical and turned out to be the best part of my honeymoon. I feel very privileged to have stayed there and because the insects were explained to me by the guide I'm no longer afraid of anything that lurks in my house!

Enjoy it OP. It will be fantastic.

Uh, thank you for that recommendation, I'll add it to our list of potions!

I really can't imagine being 'bored' in a jungle.

Just to note that ordered some SSS from avon specifically because it was recommended and I found it did fuck all and my dh was quietly furious because I had assured him he didn't need to wear deet because I'd got my special stuff from avon, he put it on and got absolutely bitten to shit by sandflies which are often more of an issue in malaysia than mosquitos. So I wouldn't rely on it in a jungle environment and it doesn't claim to be an insect repellent.

Yeah it's sort of similar - no glass on these windows either, only wooden shutters, but we do have air con thankfully and the beds are meant to be very comfy. I think the service and the food are the real stand out features. I'm glad you enjoyed yours, hopefully we will survive enjoy ours too!

I lived in the Amazon rainforest for 6 months. You will be fine. Just research which snakes and spiders are deadly and stay away from them .. .

You're being daft. I stayed in a jungle in Cameroon for two weeks in a tent without access to running water, electricity or sanitation and it was an amazing experience. You're hardly going to be roughing it.

Is this a not so subtle plug for the resort/travel blog you e been writing about?