http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Asia , Malaysia , Sabah , Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary en-us Mon, 20 May 2013 02:57:12 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:57:12 +0000 I learnt a new backpacker39s secretSince in Malaysia accomodation seems to be generally a little more expensive than the rest of Southeast Asia so I39ve decided to bunk in dormitories whenever I find the prices for private rooms too steep for my liking.Despite having been a longterm backpacker and despite its significantly cheaper price I generally don39t like dormitories for several http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-784097.html Our initial plan after Koh Tao was to go to the perhentian islands however the idea seemed too damn hard to organise transport connections to get there. Instead we found ourselves heading on a rather plush night train to a small island off Western Malaysia called Lankawi. A few years previously the prime minister of Malaysia tried to make the small paradise island as the new capital but unfortu http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-743663.html The main attraction for us has been the Orangutan rehabilitation center ORC and the Rainforest Discover Center RDCAlthough the main purpose of the RDC remains as an environmental education center for students and teachers it has opened its doors to the public since August 2006.Its primary function is to create public awareness and appreciation of the importance of conserving forests as well http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-729396.html Today I went to 2 different sanctuaries for Monkeys. In the morning I went to the Probiscus monkey reserve. These monkeys are highly endangered as their habitat is being destroyed due to the ongoing farming for palm oil. Palm Oil is Malaysia39s biggest export and Borneo 50 is under Malaysia rule is no exception to this. Palm Oil plantations do not give off air and the monkeys cannot feed off http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-691723.html We all make mistakes thats the thing about travelling you cant see what you book first. You faithfully rely upon that popular travel guide booking sites reviews and photos submitted by the hotel or guesthouses themselves as reliable sources of information.ltspangtltspangt On the very rare occasion we were lucky and got better than we bargained for but sadly too many times a hotel http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-678270.html We reached Sepilok after a 6 hour bus journey from Kota Kinabulu. what awaited us next was something truly out of a movie we were very lucky to have an English guy with us on the bus from our previous hostel because after realising our phones wouldnt work and we could not contact our jungle hut for our pickup the only way was to walk through the jungle IN THE DARK...not to mention with our backp http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-672854.html After flying from Phnom Penh to Kuala Lumpur we finally reached Kota Kinabulu. We headed to our hostel Masada Backapackers and were taken to our very cool room with rice fields canvas on the walls. the place had a great homely feel and even had a toaster and tea and coffee machines so we could make a piece of toast whenever we fancied we spent the evening with two british guys and a german and http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-672851.html Our 24 hour stay in the nature town of Sandakan Sabah Borneo was quite eventful. Before we had a chance to get acquainted with the wooden paths joining the buildings of the Sepilok Jungle Resort we were caught in a torrential downpour that was so loud we had to yell in each others ears like we were in a noisy bar. Since the wooden walkways over the river and jungle were not covered we booked it http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-634936.html Up and out for breakfast at 730. All the tea she could drink toast egg and some weird sausage. Seems to be the staple out here. Obviously it was already too hot and humid to go anywhere but what else can be expected of a holiday in a jungle Only a 5 minute ride away in the blissfully air conditioned van and we were at Sepilok. Tickets bought and everything hidden away in a locker and we headed http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-633741.html BorneoThe past 2 weeks in Sabah Malaysian Borneo have been our best yet. We are now extremely tired and have spent far too much money but it has been completely worth it From the depths of the ocean to the highest peak we have seen some incredible sights and some amazing wildlife it really has been unbelievableWe have so much to tell you and so many pictures to show so we will split Borne http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-610767.html Dave had booked us into the Sepilok Forest Edge Resort for a few nights which had a hot shower so I was happy The resort is situated on the edge of the Orangutan sanctuary so it's surrounded by jungle making it a haven for wildlife. Every morning we were woken by the birds... lots of birds... sounding like they were trying to get into the chalet... very early... but hey that's nature for you http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-589528.html Just in time to see the wild Orang Utans getting fed. Everyday at 10am 3pm. Well there was only one they got out of a cage someone confimed that to me the next day and send him up on the platform so the tourist wont be dissapointet. Of course I was I didnt like this kind of show.So we decidet to do a little jungle walk in the park. It was quit difficult because it was very wet and mu http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-581077.html A full bus a seat for 5 hours on the floor torrential storms major traffic and a fallen tree blocking the road. It could have been the journey from hell but we kept up our motto of Just smile and make the best of a bad situation and still soaked through we arrived at our lodgings in Sandakan. The rustic conditions of our wooden hut took us right back to nature with an open air bathroom th http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-561697.html Occasionally I go to Sandakan more out of necessity than out of choice. And when I was sitting in a street cafe there the other day looking at the scruffy surroundings the rubbish in the street the rundown apartment blocks I was thinking how amazing nature is in comparison to manmade structures nothing in nature is wasted nothing is illconceived everything is perfect just as it is. And http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-548027.html I was early for work one morning and rather than standing around waiting for the nurses to unlock the clinic doors I decided to go for a stroll in the adjoining forest. Suddenly I saw an orangutan in one of the trees and as I moved closer to find out who it was she lowered herself down to my height and stretched her arms out to me before I knew what was happening she grabbed me and embraced m http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-546687.html Ringo is young and handsome and he likes Mimi. And it was looking promising for him until Miskam arrived on the scene. Mimi was smitten. Miskam is big and good looking and all Ringo could do was trying to pull his girl away from this new rival. Miskam made it clear he was not impressed and Ringo retreated in humiliation. But for whatever reason and against all expectations Mimi had a change http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-545670.html You dont need an alarm clock in the jungle. As soon as the first rays of the sun colour the sky a milky bluish grey a cacophony erupts the highpitched screeching of the cicadas competes with the more melodious songs of the many different birds and results in a symphony like no other and enough noise to wake you from even the deepest sleep. At 7am Maria Emily and I meet up with Gabili and http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-543106.html It is customary in Malaysia to refer to a place according to the distance it is located from a larger town. Sepilok is Malay for 14 meaning it is 14 miles out of Sandakan Sabahs 2nd city which by the way seems to have a lot more character than KK.... Sepilok consists of a few private houses some lodges and BBs the rainforest discovery centre a research station a couple of shops http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-539623.html About three years ago I watched a BBC documentary on a rehabilitation centre in Borneo for orangutans called Sepilok. Today I finally visited.From Sandakan we caught a minibus with some other travellers to the rehab centre in time for the 10am feeding. We walked down to the viewing balcony with the dozens of other tourists and watched as three gorgeous and bright orange orangutans had their b http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-539365.html Not had chance to update for a bit. We stayed at the forest retreat in Sepilok for two nights. It was nice and peaceful. We visited the Orangutan sanctuary and rainforest discovery centre on the first full day there. We had to wait on a platform for about 30 mins until the orangutans started to appear for feeding. Oh my it was bldy hot we were dripping. It was really nice when they swung on http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Sepilok-Orang-Utan-Sanctuary/blog-525123.html