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Published: February 4th 2008
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Jungles, rivers, mountains and wildlife.
We flew from the Philippines to the Borneo Island of Malaysia. We were a dubious about the weather that would greet us, as we’d heard about bad rain storms covering much of south East Asia. But to our delight we’ve been very lucky with sunny hot weather (just!). Good to keep totting up the tan! First stop, Kota Kinabalu and stayed in Summer Lodge, a typical backpacker venue. While in Kota Kinabalu we had to work out where to go in Borneo, as we’d little previous knowledge. So lots of surfing the net and leaflet reading and we were all planned out.
Next stop Mount Kinabalu. Only a 2 hour journey and in a cheap but very luxurious leather seated taxi, we were spoilt! We stayed in a plush looking resort, and within our budget as breakfast and dinner were included. Our room was amazing, with dark polished wooden floors, a balcony with mountain views and a marble bathroom, it was heaven. Unfortunately, despite this, throughout our second night we were kept awake by rats! When we turned on the lights they ran across our bedroom floor and climbed the door frame trying desperately
Oh the monsoon rains.
Found the shelter just in time. to escape. They were huge things! At one point we thought we were rat free but it must’ve been hiding and we’d already blocked up his escape hole and it couldn’t get out!! I politely complained with a smile that we had paid for 2 nights sleep but only had 1, They gave us a reasonable reduction off our room!!
As climbing mountains leaves me breathless and with sore muscles for days, we decided just to do a leisurely day walking around the foot of the mountain on the nature trails. Well it lasted 6 hours and felt like an adventure in the jungle! During the beginning of our hike, it was sunny and an ideal day to be outside. Unfortunately the monsoon rains came and we became absolutely drenched, completely soaked through. There was no shelter, the paths turned to streams and the rain just kept on coming. With no short cut, we had to continue, we were just pleased our feet were warm and dry in our hiking boots. Despite getting soaked we really enjoyed ourselves. The forest was quite dense, and the trail at times was precariously close to the edge of the mountain side. Parts
of the path had eroded away and bits of wood balanced across deep ditches. We hardly saw any people throughout the whole day, quite amazing. Did they know it was going to rain?
We continued from Mount Kinabalu to Poring, where we’d read about the natural Hot Springs. Arriving I was amazed that it was a dead-end road with one resort and a backpackers hotel. We checked in the cheaper one. During the afternoon we thought we’d get relaxed in the hot springs, but what we saw disappointed us as it was full of Westerners and it wasn’t as we’d expected. The Hot springs consisted of lots of individual bathing areas with taps, a small warm pool for all to share. But it was so commercialized, and had a Japanese feel to it. The thought of getting in a green pool of warm water with strangers didn’t appeal to us, even if it was natural warm sulphuric spring water.
While we were there we went into the Butterfly farm and experienced a tree top canopy walk, on a suspended bridge. The later was quite exciting; it was a long suspended bridge that wobbled high above the trees. We survived
Orang-utans
Translates to 'Man of the Forest' it, quite an experience!
The World's Largest.... Also we were extremely lucky to see the Worlds largest flower in bloom! The Rafflesia flower only blooms for about 10 days every 6 months. The locals cash in on this and charged us for going to look at it. But it was on his land so I can’t blame him!
We continued our trip onto Sandakan, on a very deluxe air-con bus. 2 movies and 4 hours later we arrived in a town with very little to do. Within 5 minutes of checking into our room, (Sandakan Harbour B&B) the hotel owner, Rose, insisted we joined her in attending a Muslim Malaysian wedding! We were made to feel very welcome, ate a delicious chicken and rice buffet meal and sat on the floor with everyone else to witness and participate in the marriage ceremony. Quite an experience!
Orang-utans (Translated into ‘Man of the forest’) From Sandakan we caught a bus to Sepilok Orang-utan rehabilitation centre. Arriving precisely at 10am, we saw the Orang-utans feeding. They leapt and dangled along a rope that led them to the feeding platform in straight view of us tourists. It was cute and
Rain drinking plant.
Just loved the tropical shape. humorous sight. They are so human like in the way they move, it’s amazing. Well apparently they are biologically 96.4%!t(MISSING)he same as us!
Our stay in the jungle: We stayed at Nature Lodge along the Kinabatagan River which was really back to basics. Our hut was comfy enough to sleep in, once the paranoia of bugs and crawling insects had eased. We trekked through the Jungle in hope of seeing elephants, but only experienced blood sucking leeches instead! River trips enabled us to see a variety of Monkeys including Orang-utans and the Probicious with our binoculars. Bird life sat on the swaying tree tops, kingfishers completely amazed me with their vibrant colours, the hornbill’s song echoed the sounds of the jungle, monitor lizards sat along the river banks and so did the crocodiles!
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