The road to Tawau (from Semporna)

Finally made our escape from Semporna in a taxi -smaller, faster target than a full bus.

Passed first machine gun emplacement and checkpoint just outside Semporna city limits (no resemblance to Nutbush for the oldies amongst you!).

To the left and right all you can see are palm oil plantations where a solitary tree or bush is the only remaining evidence of the jungle at very infrequent intervals

The endless palm trees are occasionally broken up by a moonscape 2 or 3 miles long by a mile deep. The palm trees have been harvested (cut down) for shipment to the mills and the plantation will eventually plant new saplings (?).

What a sad sight as the chances are the jungle and it's creatures will never return.

Passed a second machine gun emplacement and checkpoint just outside Tawau.

We are both delighted to be in a nice hotel in Tawau for a couple of days before flying back to KL for an overnight stop before moving on to Cherating.