Beautiful Borneo - Gomantong Cave

Swallow nesting

After an early morning jungle trek, followed by breakfast, we departed for the Gomantong Cave, the  largest cave and main producer of bird's nests used in bird's nest soup.

We drove through primary jungle and had to walk over several board walks to get to the mouth of the cave. As we walked we saw many interesting trees and  the red monkey native of Borneo.

At the mouth of the cave Mr Aji gave us lime leaves as he said that they would mask the smell.

It was certainly smelly!!
 

Interesting tripod roots




Palms with ferns growing on trunks

Bird's Nest for making soup



View through cave

Hibiscus National Flower of Malaysia 

Cockroaches on cave wall

In the centre there was a black mound which turned out to be cockroaches all scuttling around and near our feet. Mr Aji showed us swallows nesting in the rocks, the nest of the swallow made from spittle, a beautiful blue bat hanging from a rail and more cockroaches. The cave was beautiful as the light filtered through the stalactites and stalagmites.

The only slightly disconcerting feeling was treading through so much pooh which was tacky and soft -yum not!!!!!

Beautiful Borneo - Kinabatangan Jungle Trek

Dressed to protect - but hot!!!!

Mr Aji

Rhinos beetles

Stick insect

Dragon Fly

Resting bird

Long legged spider

After our exciting boat ride we got ready for a night trek through the jungle. With everything covered and lots of deet spray to protect against leeches, we set off. It is amazing how much there is to see at night, particularly strange minibeasts and birds resting. We returned with 3 leeches on our outer clothing and one worm like thing with a sucker at one end  - yuck!

Beautiful Borneo - Kinabatangan River (1)

Male probiscus



Misty view across jungle

Male probiscus

 

Grey Tailed Monkey - go away I'm eating!!!

Female probiscus with baby

Female probiscus with baby

Small Kingfisher

 The Kinabatangan river is 560 kms long and has conservation areas along its bank. Mr Aji picked us up from Sandakan and drove 2 and a half hours to a small village called Sakau spectacularly situated opposite the river and a short walk from the jungle. When we arrived it was raining cats and dogs and we had to wait until it eased off a little before we went on a boat ride down the river. Initially we wondered what we would see, sitting at the front of the boat in our packa macs blinded by the pouring rain, but it soon became apparent how in tune with nature Mr Aji is. There were probiscus monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers to name but a few. As we chugged down the river the sound of a trumpeting elephant could be heard and so it was decided to moor the boat alongside the river bank. Unfortunately as I hopped out of the boat I sunk into 3 feet of mud -(great for the skin) but managed to keep my balance and tumble gracefully(mmmm!) back into the boat. Once cleaned up, we tried again and were rewarded by the sight of a magnificent herd of 32 pygmy elephants including calves. As my camera was not powerful enough, many of the attached photos are curtesy of Mr Aji who is an excellent photographer. (see www.mrajiexpeditions.blogspot,com).

Beautiful Borneo - Sandakan (3) Turtle Island

On our second day we took a boat to Selingan Island, which is renowned for turtle conservation. It is the nearest island to the Phillipines. The hour boat ride was fast and exciting, as well as wet! It was also great to see Sandakan from another angle!
After we arrived we were take to our accommodation (basic with toilet and shower) and shown around. Our time was our own to be spent on a beautiful beach. Although they say you can snorkel here,  visibility is not good and sealife uninteresting.

At 6.30 the exhibition opened, followed by a dvd on the island and then dinner. Then it was a waiting game! Just after nine o'clock we were told to proceed to the beach and there we saw close up a turtle laying her eggs - 62 amazing!!!!!! The eggs were then take to the hatchery where they were buried to keep them safe from predators - the huge lizards wondering around, birds.


We then watched 17 newly hatched turtles being released on the beach - a wow moment!

Then off to bed ready for a 6.30 breakfast followed by a boat ride home. Scarily, in the middle of the night I discovered that I had a visitor in my bed! Initially I thought it was my imagination but then I grabbed something big and threw it out. The morning brought forth one dead beetle with legs in the air! If you are ever this way and would like to share this wonderful experience, beetle and all, book via Crystal Quest not through a tourist office as they are double the price for the same experience. (cquest@tm.net.my)

Î


View of Island

Hatchery, each green mark contains at least 60 plus eggs

 

    

Eggs collected to be buried

Eggs ready to be buried and tagged

Babies ready for release

View of stilt houses in Sandakan

Beautiful Borneo Sandakan (2)

 We left the war memorial and waited patiently outside for the bus to Agnes Keith's house. A group of taxi drivers eyed us up eagerly and then one got in his cab and drove towards us and stopped. We said we were waiting for the bus which turned up a couple of minutes later. Ironically the bus driver did not understand and called to the said taxi driver to help. If looks could kill we would be 5 feet under, however he told the bus driver where to take us! Off we went, picking up passengers on the way, wondering if we would be anywhere near the Agnes Keith museum. After an uneventful journey,  the bus driver pointed left and then took us to the top of the hill to the museum much to the surprise of the hijacked passengers - and still only 4 ringits!



 

Outside main Entrance of house

 

View from house



View from house

 The museum is the family home where Agnes, the famous American author who wrote " Three came home", lived before and after the second world war. The initial house was burnt by the Japanese and this one was rebuilt on the site. The house was interesting and well worth a visit. Having saved on taxi fares, we splashed out on cocktails but, for those teetotallers, there is always a cream tea or crumpets! The view to Sandakan was superb, only 100 steps down!

After such a great day we had cocktails in the Sheraton bar and looked at a spectacular sunset - minus camera! This is a must!

Beautiful Borneo - Sandakan (1)

We arrived at Sandakan and went directly to the Swiss Inn overlooking the harbour. The staff were friendly , particularly Nur Azwa at reception who went out of her way to help us. On her suggestion we took the local minibus to the War Memorial - an interesting 40 minute journey with a speedy bus driver who flew over speedbumps and then seemed to remember he had passengers! The total cost for this experience , which dropped us directly outside the war memorial, was 4 ringits (40p each!).

Nur Azwa wonderful receptionist



View from restaurant windy but warm

View of harbour from walkway

Patrol Boat



Street decorated for Chinese New Year
The war memorial was established to remember the 2000 Australians, local people and 600 British imprisoned there by the Japanese during the war. The park is beautifully landscaped with objects from the camp, with explanations, dotted around it. The centre provides a comprehensive explanation of life during those times. Altogether a peaceful  but quite sobering experience especially considering only 6 Australians returned.

Landscaped Gardens

Add caption

Boiler used to supply electricity 

Out and about in Bali

Travelling is interesting in Bali. You see whole families out on their scooters - one little one standing up in front of the driver, with one or two children seated behind him and then his wife. Tradesmen have loaded their scooters, motorbikes or push bikes with their wares and move confidently along the road. To be a driver you need nerves of steel as bikes overtake on both sides of the vehicle.

Walking poses it's own hazards, you certainly need your wits about you on the pavement , not just uneven but with huge holes not lit or signposted! It poses a health hazard after a few drinks!!

He will never get thirsty!!

Chickens for KFC - open air transport!

Guess What

Hole in the pavements

We went to a restaurant and placed our order. The waiter then brought two small tablets (below) on a small tray (9X9CMS) with two small holes filled with water - not that you could see the water. We sat and looked at it and then he explained that we needed to put the small tablets in the holes. The tablets then absorbed the water to make two decent sized wipes for our hands. The wipes are made out of bamboo and come from China - a great idea to import to the UK!                       





When in water it makes a hand wipe

Small tablets



Jerry our helpful Royal Resorts friend