Wildlife Spotting in Bako National Park

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Today I went to Bako National Park, which is the oldest national park in Sarawak, to go wildlife spotting. We set off relatively early to board the boat for the 30 minute journey to the park. After registering when we arrived, we went to the jetty ready to board the boat and there was an otter just next to the jetty with its head popping up out of the water, it then went over to the bank and got out and I saw it running into the trees - the wildlife spotting was off to a good start!

The boat ride was pretty choppy on the way there, luckily I don't suffer from sea sickness! We arrived at the jetty and got off the boat, as I climbed the steps there was a macaque sat at the top. The animals here are much more used to people than the more remote rainforest I was in a couple of days ago. When we went down to the beach there was a proboscis monkey in the tree, he's known as the Lone Ranger and normally hangs out in the trees by the beach. A couple of photos later, we went out on to the trail to see if we could spot anything else, given that we'd been quite lucky already I didn't hold out much hope to be honest, but I was wrong. We stepped on to the wooden boardwalk ready to head into the trees and Eric spotted a small whipsnake right by our feet. It was really quite small and I nearly didn't see it.

We walked round the back of the headquarters hunting for more animals, when we came to the opposite side of the building there were a couple of pretty big bearded pigs wandering around. They really didn't bother about people being around at all. We went back on to the trail and found a small green viper in the trees and another proboscis monkey. We continued on the trail and after about 10 minutes went off the path a little and found a small pond with terrapin and catfish.

Heading back to the park headquarters for lunch, just as I'd finished eating a few people spotted a group of male proboscis monkeys in the tree just outside. I stood and watched them for ages, they're so fascinating to watch. They were jumping from branch to branch and eating in the tree. Along the way we also saw more bearded pigs with 2 piglets, they were so cute!

As the tides were changing we'd been advised the last boat back would be at 2pm, so we chilled out before getting the boat back. The water thankfully a little calmer than the morning.

When we got back, it was time for a much needed shower after the walk in the rainforest and then I went to the local blind centre for a massage. Anyone who has had a massage from me and complained about it hurting, I now feel your pain!

For dinner I went out with my tour guide for some local street food, it was amazing! There were so many stalls and it was all so cheap, I didn't know what to eat. I finally settled on a roast pork bun and rice with chicken, Chinese sausage and salted fish - it was all so good, I only wish I could've tried more whilst I was there but I was so stuffed there wasn't a chance. A great place to visit and I would never have found it on my own, a true place for the locals and a fantastic experience for me once again.

Tomorrow I leave Kuching and take a couple of flights and should end up in Sandakan by late afternoon.

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