Since I arrived very late
the night of our group meeting, I not only missed our Intrepid meeting but
missed meeting my roommate!!! In the
morning at breakfast I met a few of my fellow travelers and we had a free morning
to pick up some water, etc. at the nearby open market. The zipper had broken on my little red day
pack so I needed to find something to see me through. I found a very cut little blue one with
pockets and zippers compartments and since it was a bit worn I bought it for
$5!!! Such a deal!
Left about 12:45 p.m. for
our homestay in a Dusun village. Our
host explained how rubber was extracted from the trees which we saw nearby on
the following day. Walked down to the
river to cool off and when we returned a delicious dinner was set out for us –
vegetable and fish curry!! Dancers and
gong players came by later to entertain us – fun!!
In the morning after fried
rice and noodles for breakfast we walked over to the host’s house and his wife
gave us a cooking lesson. We made (and
then enjoyed) fish soup, chicken and potato curry and fresh vegetables. Afterwards we drove to a chalet near Mount Kinabalu
In the morning after eggs
and lentils for breakfast, we got our walking sticks and porters to carry our
bags and everyone set out. I was only
able to walk for a couple hours and had to return to the chalet but I was able
to enjoy the lush, green rainforest and the beauty of my surroundings. The hike is all uphill and normally it would
have been easy enough for me but I think
I was bitten by something which made my legs almost unworkable. I would, however, highly recommend the hike
to the top and everyone who made it said it was really worth the effort!!!
The next afternoon
everyone came down and had lunch and then we drove to poring hot springs
In the morning after hard
cooked eggs and delicious pineapple slices for breakfast I walked over to the
poring springs area. First I wandered
through the Orchid conservation park which was filled with lovely plants and on
to the forest suspension bridge with its six suspension bridges overlooking the
forest below. Stopped at a very elegant
restaurant near the springs with a lovely view of the lake and relaxed and
enjoyed some tea before heading to the butterfly park with its unusual flowers
and butterflies. When I returned to the
hostel a few people were leaving to see the largest flower in the world called
the “rafflesia” which rarely blooms so it was very unique to see it. It had been opened for a few days and was
rather strange in appearance, i.e. the petals looked like leather and it was
enormous!!! Had some thin noodles with
mushrooms and egg for dinner – quite delicious.
In the morning we drove to
Bilet a small village on the banks of the Kinabatangan river. Transferred our luggage to boats which took
us across the river to our lodge located directly on the river. After settling in to our cabin and enjoying a
tasty lunch of chicken/rice/vegetables we divided into boats and took a river
cruise in the late afternoon. We saw a
lot of proboscis monkeys, some really close to the shore, a few birds,
etc. It reminded me of a boat ride I
took in the Ecuadorian jungle except this lake was a lot wider. Tender chicken and stir fried greens for
dinner. Some took an evening jungle walk
but it was raining and I decided I didn’t want to stumble around in the mud…
In the morning after an
early morning cruise in search of wildlife and breakfast on the porch we
visited the Gomantong caves renown for their valuable swiftlet nests which are
harvested for bird’s nest soup. On to
the busy city of Sandakan Burma , lived with her husband Harry, a
conservator of forestry for North Borneo . Before the visit we sat outside in the garden
and enjoyed afternoon tea sandwiches, scones and tea. It was lovely.
Walked down to the
waterfront and visited the central market and walked around the dock. In the evening we all walked back down to the
waterfront for dinner outside under the stars.
I had some ginger prawns which were quite nice. Packed a small bag for our trip to turtle
island.
Delicious buffet breakfast
in the morning, eggs, noodles, fruits, etc. etc. and then a 20 minute walk to
the ferry where we took speedboats over to the turtle island marine park. The water was choppy which made for a fun
ride. Checked into our little cabin and
then walked along the beach before lunch of vegetables/rice and fruit. Free afternoon to wander around which was great
as it was a beautiful day. Met at 6 p.m.
in the lodge and our guide explained all about the turtles laying eggs,
etc. We saw a video about the protection
of the eggs, how the little turtles are released back into the ocean, etc. so
had a nice feel for what we would see later.
Delicious sweet and sour shrimp for dinner with fresh pineapple and then
we waited until it became dark and the “show” to began.
About 8 p.m. we walked
down to the beach and were able to see a large green turtle laying her eggs. She had already dug her “nest” and was very
concentrated on laying her 67 eggs almost in a trance. The guide shined a flashlight on the “nest”
so we could see her laying the eggs which was incredible…The ranger collected
the eggs and we followed him back to the hatchery where he put the eggs which
would hatch in 3 – 4 weeks. He gathered
up some just hatched baby turtles and we followed him back to the ocean where
he released them – hopefully some made their way out….
After breakfast we took
the ferry back to the mainland, walked to our hotel and retrieved our
luggage. Hopped on the bus to the
orangutan rehabilitation center in Sepilok.
We arrived at the center in time for the first feeding at 10 a.m.. Bananas, etc. were laid out on the feeding platform
and the orangutans came down from the trees to eat. They are such impressive animals and great
fun to watch. Took a break and had a
light lunch in the café nearby, saw a video of the endangered sun bears and
then walked over to the reserve where there were a few sun bears which were
really small!!! We returned to another
“feeding” of the orangutans and this time saw a mother with little babies
hanging on to her chest….That evening our lodge put on a nice barbecue dinner
for us with salmon, vegetables, chicken wings, fresh corn and watermelon –
wonderful for a change!!!
After breakfast we headed
back to kota kinabalu and on the way we stopped at the War Memorial built on
the site of a Japanese POW camp which marks the starting point of the tragic Sandakan
Death Marches on which 2,400 POW’s were forced to walk through the jungles of
Borneo, only 6 Australians surviving the ordeal…Short flight to KK and then a
drive to a seaside resort nearby where we had a free afternoon to enjoy the
beach. A fresh fish dinner on the
verandah overlooking the water and a fond farewell to all the travelers…
Peaceful breakfast and
then our guide dropped me off at my colonial style hotel, the Jesselton. They upgraded me to a lovely quiet room where
I spent four nights. I wandered around a
bit to get oriented and found a coffee bean and leaf café where I had a
delicious raisin scone and coffee for lunch!
Afterwards, I took a taxi to the Sabah
museum where I spent a couple hours enjoying the old instruments, costumes, old
ceramic pottery, etc. Outside was a
heritage village with several long houses which you could go into and imagine
how people lived. Back to the hotel to
freshen up and then a pleasant walk to the waterfront for a delicious Indian
dinner at Kohinoor. Shared outstanding tandoori
chicken, spinach paneer, vegetable korma, spicy prawns, naan and roti with one
of my fellow travelers. Afterwards we
wandered around the food stalls selling fish and vegetables cooked to
order. Back to the hotel where it was so
nice to have a room alone!!!
Early in the morning I
picked up some little pastries across the street and then took a taxi to the
train station. Bought my ticket for the
local train and then had coffee and my pastries next door for breakfast. Train left at 7:45 a.m. and I enjoyed my trip
through the countryside watching people get on and off along the way. It stopped for an hour in Beaufort so I
wandered around a bit through the local market and up to the Mosque. Train arrived back about 1 p.m. and this time
I took a local bus into town for $1!!! There
is another train called the North Borneo railway which is the oldest running
steam train in Borneo . On board tiffin-style breakfast and lunch are
served but it is quite expensive… Stopped by Jesselton Point where the ferries
leave for the islands and got a schedule as I planned to go to Pulau Manukan in
the morning. Had a delicious raisin
scone and coffee at the coffee bean and leaf, took a rest and was back out to
the waterfront as the sun set. Stopped
by the fish market and picked out some fish which they grilled for me in banana
leaves but it really didn’t compare to that awesome Indian dinner I had the
night before!
In the morning I took the
ferry to Manukan Island ,
the second largest in Malaysia
The following morning
after breakfast, I walked to the wetlands which took about an hour. First I climbed the steps to the Signal Hill
Observatory Platform, the highest point in the city, for a beautiful view and
then walked to the wetlands where you walk along a 1.5 kilometer boardwalk
which brings you deep into the mangrove where there are interesting birds,
plants and wildlife to see. Another
great meal at the Indian restaurant – this time I ordered the tandoori fish and
some interesting vegetables.
In the morning I walked
along the Sunday market which was just outside my hotel and then took a taxi to
the airport from where I flew to Kuching.
Checked in to the Lime Tree Hotel and then wandered the waterfront to
the textile museum which houses textiles and costumes made by the ethnic
community of Sarawak and was very
interesting. Stopped for a coffee and
hazelnut cookie before continuing on to the Historical Museum
It rained pretty heavily
in the night so I packed my waterproof jacket for the trip to Bako National Park
Was surprised that there
was toast, eggs and fruit for breakfast!!!
Took the T Pandan Basar trail which was a longer hike but flatter and
more interesting. It ended with a view
overlooking the beach. Later as I sat on
my porch lots of probiscus monkeys were playing and running up and down my
banisters and on the roof – really cute.
Dinner was brown fried rice, fresh vegetables and watermelon – not bad
for $2!!!
Took another short walk
after breakfast and then the 11:00 a.m. ferry to the bus and the bus back to
Kuching and checked into the Batik Hotel.
Walked to the Tun Jugah foundation which had some very interesting local
art, jewelry and textiles on display.
Later the gal at my hotel drove me to Dyak restaurant which was a bit
far away. The chef, classically trained
in the Western tradition, takes traditional recipes and fresh, organic jungle
veggies to create innovative and quite delicious dishes. The restaurant is bit like a museum with
historical artifacts, etc. all around. I
mentioned I was a chef so was able to try 4 different little plates, i.e.
chicken with bamboo and greens, pork tenderloin w/two sauces, special rice and
some outstanding jungle vegetables. Great
fun.
In the morning after
breakfast I walked along the waterfront to the art museum and enjoyed the Maori
exhibit from New Zealand Sarawak Museum
I arrived in Seoul , South
Korea
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