The orang otangs and Bako NP

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Having been advised the Semennggah wildlife centre just outside Kuching is much less touristic then Sepilok in Sabah with an entry fee of just 3rm we had an early start to make the 7am bus for the first feeding between 9am and 10am. Although you are not guaranteed to see them we crossed our fingers and hoped! Arriving at the park we walked the 1.2 km to the feeding area. There is some great information on the start up of the centre, the family tree of the orang otangs, injuries they can cause (along with the graphic images), and their personalities. Having been the 1st to arrive we were hopeful there would be few visiters, but then the tour groups turned up! With kids.
After a brief talk from the feeder he said we may see none, but probably one or two as they generally eat wild fruit and leafs and the centre just supplement their diet. Heading down to the viewing platform we didn't have to wait long for the first to arrive. In all we saw about a dozen! It was amazing! We saw a large alpha male, mother and baby, juniors and adults. They put on an amazing show, swinging from trees, rolling along the feeding walk board and entertaining the crowd. There were some amazing photo opportunities. The tour groups all left after about 40mins so the last 20mins were quiet and the orang otangs stayed around the viewing platform. It was by far one of the best and cheapest activities I have done in Malaysia.
After a dinner of Laksa Sarawak a delicious seafood, noodle soup we headed for the cinemas, to watch 'kung fu panda 2' I managed to watch about 10mins of it then fell asleep, can't say I didn't try.

Another early start this morning for a trip to Bako National Park. We took the bus to the park HQ then caught the short bus trip over to national park and the walking trails. The boat trip its self is picturesque firstly going through the colourful river side village then around the park edge where you see Bako's few mountains standing out of the sea. In high tide they take you up to the jetty, but during low tide you have to get you feet wet and walk out to the boats on the beach.
Arriving we registered at the park office and collected maps to plan the day. After the boat driver decided we should spend the day there and take the last bus back to Kuching it gave us a whole day at the park, however I think Lee was a bit too optimistic when he planned a possible route. I think the trek would have taken about 15hrs straight walking! In the end we agreed on an hour walk too a beach where there were hermit crabs and we got to see probiscous monkeys on the way. A great short trek, although, those wearing jandels were a bit optimistic as the track was quite difficult in places. After spraining my ankle in Taman Negara I twisted it again twice on this short trek so headed back to the huts on the board walks at the beginning of the walks. Zoe, Sally and Lee continued onto a further beach that takes you above the tree line. After running out of water they headed back too and we caught an earlier boat back, then getting a shared taxi with three others for just 5rm each back to Kuching.
After an odd conservation with the driver about where to drop us off in the seriously heavy rain we were dropped off at the colourful looking cinema. I have never in my life seen rain like it, ever! We only had a two minute walk back to the hostel and the rain had only just started. But crossing the roads the water was upto our ankles above our hiking boots, my bag was soaked through and everything in it wet. The amount of water coming off roofs and canapy's was amazing, just wish we won't out in it!
For dinner we went back to Habeebs Arabian Kitchen and shared a pizza and lamb buttered rice, both delicious, cheap and great staff, we will be back : )

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