Back to Basic
My first day as solo backpacker. Wishing so much Murphy's Law would come in action again. To cut the long story short, Pak cik Samsir, fail to come but manage to send his friend, Pak Cik Latif to send me to Inanam bus stop along with my tickets. Sabahan are great!
This were the real thrill begins...
So happy that I was not cheated, I quickly headed for my phone to message Guna. Deng..deng...deng ..deng..the phone missing. I panicked. I quickly throw all belonging in my back pack madly searching for the phone but no where to be found. I was pretty sure I had it when I left X'plore Backpacker and when I was in the taxi. I guess I must have dropped it in Pak Cik Latif's car. I quickly went our of the bus to the nearest phone both (luckily it was working) and dialed my number first. No sound, meaning its no where around here! So I took a deep breath and dialed Pak Cik Latif s number (thank god I took his number). He picked up and I told him about my missing phone. At first he said there weren't any but he said he will look for it! So I hang up, waited sometime and dialed again. Luckily, he picked up the phone and he said yes. But he was half way to the city and was reluctant to drive back till I persuaded to pay him. Moment later, he came back to return my phone. He was so shy and refuse to take the money so i told him get himself a good meal today. Sabahan are great! And my guardian angels are always by my side!
The moment I stepped into the ground, everyone greeted friendly, specially Natt (I think that its name) who also guessed my name correctly. So impressive. Either because I am an Indian and it was easy to spot or he has good ability to spot people. To long in the jungle I guess!
I filled up the form, did my payment and of for lunch! Imagine that, the food is served before the journey begins. The food was simply lovely. Hardly a place I have travelled that have served various dishes for vegetarians (OK, OBS in Lumut did great job too!). There were at least 20 of us including a happy little french girl.
At about 2.30 p.m. we were scheduled to depart to Uncle Tan's Wildlife Camp. The groups was then dived into 3 little groups. Everyone quickly unpacked and packed and repacked and handed in their bags to the van/taxi driver. The van departed to the old ferry site at the Kinabatangan River. It was estimated to take about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the site.
Our taxi got flat tyre..but the driver changed in just seconds..We continued our journey till we reached old ferry site at Lower Kinabatangan River at about 4 o'clock. We were separated once again in groups to be transported to Uncle Tan's base. At that point the staff were not as friendly as it was mentioned in the web site. They were all stern and moody but I guess they have to for our safety purpose. I went in on the first boat accompanied by the backpacks. The ride was superb as it was drizzling. In less then an hour or so we reached the base camp.
Boat ride to Uncle Tan's Camp The place was filled with mosquitoes. I didn't realise it will start even at the river bank so smartly put my mosquito repellent in my big backpack. Luckily some one there offered me his. We waited and waited and soon our bags arrived. We were asked to carry our own bag. So I head down to the river bank and pointed at my bag. Up till then no one knew I was Malaysian. So when I said, "Beg biru dengan mangga! (Blue bag with padlock)", the chap in the boat was stunt and didn't move an inch. I repeated slowly this time, he looked back and he was still standing blurry. His friend quickly moved forward, showed him the bag and smiled. "You faham Bahasa Melayu (You understand Malay!)", someone asked. I nodded and quickly grabbed my bag, smiled and said "Saya orang Malaysialah. Kalau tak tahu saya kena gantung diri saya ( I am Malaysian and if i don't know how to speak I need to hang my self") . Hearing that everyone laughed! That was so funny.
Since the rest of the group have not arrived yet, we decided to help them carry it up. We waited and waited and waited no sign of the other boat.
There weren't any flush..so I laughed so laud in the loo...people would have thought I was mad..
By 7 o'clock, we were suppose to gather at the lounge area for briefing. The group was separated into two, seniors and the new arrivals, us. We went to the lounge are and they headed to the dinning area. Our host, Remy was suppose to start with the brief. He explained of the program arranged for tree days, dos and don'ts. Basically, the third is just relaxing. It lasted less then an hour before we headed for our dinner. Dinner was simply superb! I don't miss home at all!
The main block
My roomie chilling out at the lounge 
Eating area
My delicious dinner..imagine 5-6 different type of dishes in the middle of the jungle
We gathered again after dinner for our first night safari by boat. It was scheduled at 9.30 till 0.30 p.m. We were asked to bring torches, water as well rain coat just incase it rains! The groups were separated again in three scorpian, King Fisher and Orang Utan, and I was send with Tony' group, the Scorpian.
Tony is a old timer, so we are hopping to see great stuff. The water level was not so high, so we had walk back to the river bank for our boat ride. In group and with torches, we walked back in the same muddy track. This time it was even harder, as we could not see the ground. And I loved it. The smell of the jungle, the creepy sound, the erie feeling was simply superb!
Along with us on the boat was Ross, a shy chap that sat inform of me and hardly say anything. His job was to be in charge of the spot light. However, half of the time Tony was calling me to tell Ross to move about!
I simply loved the ride. It simply reminded my previous night safari boat ride at Kalis Wet Land, Beaufort finding Proboscis and fireflies. The feeling of soft cold breeze on my face in dark as the boat speed away to unknown end was superb! I was actually dozing of till Tony stopped to show us wild lifes. From birds (Kingfisher and Owl) to monkey and even crocodiles! Simply awesome.
It was getting late. We were already took extra time with the safari so Tony turned his boat back at about 11.30 p.m. Upon our arrival, we all opted to get a pair of rubber boots to avoid the muddy surface. I found perfect one and was heading back to the camp. I didn't want to get to bed early so stopped by the lounge to chat with my fellow travellers but ended up chatting with the boys and laughing at their pictures framed on the wall of fame. Some persuaded me to stay back to see Civet Cats in action, but I was reluctant as it was my first night there in the jungle, and I didn't want to take any chances! So I left and headed back to my cage!
I had good sleep. My mind was actually in peace after along time. I really needed that! Time by myself.
Day 7: 24 July 2008
Where Have All the Animal Gone!
We suppose to begin our day at 6.30 a.m for our first morning safari. But I was wide awake by 5 a.m. and was waiting for the unheard morning call. By 6.30 a.m, amazingly all was gathered at the lounge and we walked back again to the boat at river bank. The rubber boat helped. This time around, we changed boat, from Tony to Lan and I was not surprised! It didn't matter who drove or navigate the boat, all we want was wild life! Big huge wild life!
This time, I was requested to sit at the back. Knowing me not knowing how to shut my mouth, I chatted with my guide basically talking about Sabah and wild life. The three boat separated in opposite direction and we went to the wrong side of the path. Why? Because we hardly saw anything expect for bird and long tail monkey. So whats more to do then to chat and it preety much annoyed the rest as they were thinking he was telling me something more to myself then the group. I can't imagine translating to them about Malaysian politic, while we sit and wait for the bird to fly or monkey jump. That was real silly.
The truth was, there was absolutlely nothing to show. I guess they expected the wild life to pop out to say helo there mate! But we were not in Africa, only Malaysia, where half the wild life have gone in to the ancestors tummy (so I was told by my friend while trekking Pinnacles)!
Felling disapointed, we headed back to camp for our breakfast. Our next activity was on due at 10.30 a.m. My mind was extremely in peace that reading abook seems not right! So I sat there writing my journal, that was untouched since the day I was with Guna!
1, 2, 3 Ready or Not Here I come....
Our next activity begain at 10.30 a.m. and we were handed over to Loy, a young funny chap. Loy was amazing spotting wild animal (specially insects), plants and etc. But what I liked most about him was his honesty to say that he hated morning jungle walk as its, boaring and difficult to spot animal. Imagine, a guide telling that! But he was good.
Our introduction was interesting...
Intially, just like the rest he didn't know I was Malaysian. But I like his techniques of wanting to know everyone's name and making them feel important. Superb strategy! He was bring us to swampy area and spotted a brown milipede near by a tree. He quickly took it in hand and started to explain. Bla..bla..bla..yada..yada.. yada and the only thing I remmeber now was the almond smell relesed by that creature! As he was stroking the creature, I was curios as that creature in his hand will curl. So I asked, "Does it Curl?" and he went "Huh!". "Curl i said slowly!" He still looked lost. To make both our life easy I simply asked him in Malay, "Gulung ke?" He was even more stunt then before and was silence for a while. Instead on answering me back, he siad "Wow! You understand Malay!", he said. " I am Malaysian!" I replied. Hearing that he laughed, feeling embaraced. Imagine if I know more language and bullied all!
Loy, holding some tinny little creature
I was telling him that Sarwak had more insects then Sabah. He was shocked. But i was rather shocked both this places was only filled with insects. While it was easy to spot in Sarwak, here we had no problem with the help of Loy!
Our mission today was to spot Orang Utan. He spotted them two days ago and was hopping it will remain there for us to see. So Loy called and called and called, no reply form them! He managed to find their habitat, his food and even his poops, but they were no where to be seen. Dissapointed, we headed back. Nevertheless, the walk in the jungle was indeed nice.
Animal at Lower Kinabatangan..
Long tail monkey
Bettle that curls like a ball why it shy
Beautifully sturctured tree
Beautiful wild Mushroom...the tip are pointed upwards!
Not mushroom again silly..its worm poop..cool huh!
Tranatula skin
Funny lookin inscet but not spider..as Loy said it had only 6 legs
Ugly beared pig
Kingfisher during night safari
The next boat safari was scheduled at 5 p.m. after our tea break at 4.30 p.m. The animal don't come out in hot sun so we given free time for ourself. I was so lazy to sit in the launge, I slept in my stuffy room. The place was hot!
About 4.30 p.m., we took our tea break and headed for another round of boat Safarai with the same guide. This annoyed the rest of the group and they quickly requested me to translate what ever being spoken by us. Hmm, malaysian politic, life and Sabah was not something they want to know but I guess they were annoyed for the fact that they didn't see any animal earlier and it was all his fault.
Lan the boat guide..
So we went the opposite direction ofthe river. To my suprise we saw many things and the most awaited...Orang Utan as well Proboscis. It so cool. we made him stop at the river bank, got down on the land and stand right below those Orang Utan watching them eating, stroking and pooping! It was superb.
Watching Orang utan in action
We headed back to our boat and continued spooting more animal, but nevertehless, our chatting didn't reduce. They kept on asking what were talking about so I explained to them especially the strory about the male probosois' life. Even though they were happy with my eplanation but still wished it came out form the guide's mouth. So I kept my mouth shut!
It was getting a late and we were supposed to get back to camp for dinner. He suggested we use the lake way and I quikly nooded. Instead of shutting his mouth, he mentioned about some creepy story. The moment he said that, I snaped this picture and got pretty scared and stop snaping pictures . The journey back was the most erriest moment in Uncle Tan!
You see how the picture turn out...May be I am being paranoid!
The group headed back. The dinner was only at 9 o'clock, so we all gathered at the lauge to chat. Just then the generator went off and we all sat in the dark for along time. Yet we never stop chatting. It was so nice to explain the real thing about Malaysia rather then the rubbish they awalys read. Moment later, the electricity was back but we never stopped chatting. We were soon separated once again to sit in different groups, this this we were the seniors and the juniors went of to listen to the briefing.
Dinner was good and moment later we were devided to groups again for night jungle track which was exiciting But was not was the muddy ground that made it difficult to walk. Anyhow, nothing unusual was spotted except for the fact that we saw live Tranatula, scorpins, birds and more insect. I was getting tired of litlle animal and was waiting for MR. S. But we never saw any!
Went back to camp and decided to stay back for Civet Cat. Waited and waited and waited, finally when the light went of at 12 oclock and the guide asked us to shut our torches, it slowy sneaked out his hidding running between the dinning and resting area. The problem with all was that hey were not patient. Every time it coming runing in, the were runing chasing him out with red lights and cameras. So it kept on running. One time, the guide there cought it in the cabinet and kept there for sometime. It made some funny noices. He asked them all to be ready to snap pictures when he realese it. The french couple was all set with his camera to snap pictures. The moment he opened the door, it freed for its life.
That was really torcher! We were like paparazi's! All it wanted was scrapes and we were tourturing it. So what my guide did was to sneak some bread form the store and scated around the dinning area. Slowly, it came, looked around and quietly peacefully ate his food giving me ample of time to snap its picture. I know we should not have doen that, but looking at it so sad it reminded me of rusty! I was happy we did that. Moment later it ran away. I sat there chated with the guide. But the truth was I wasnt really listening to the confersation, (except to answer some screept stuff being asked) but actually enjoing the quiet momenet in deep forest, facing beutiful lake, shining moonlight! That's peace. I was happy with quiet moment and waived good bye to the guide and headed back to room to sleep.
Moment with Civet
Day 8: 25 July 2008
God bye peace.....
I guess hearing to much creepy thing made it hard for me to sleep. Its been three days since I bathe so I took my last bottle of mineral to remove thick layer sof dirt form my skin. One of the group was all set to hunt fo Orang Utan. I was just happy packing my bag. Finished with the task, I headed out to snap pictures and talking with everyone. Breakfast was only at 9 o'clock.
We were scheduled to depart at 10.30 a.m. The third gorup arrived but in no vain. They didnt manage to spot Orang Utan at all. So packed our bag, waived good by to all and was shipped of the the boat to be sent to the old ferry site at Kinabantangan river. We used the same Danau Girang way and the view this time was so magnificient. Our boat man once again was Tony, and this time we spotted the crocodilies agaian I guess there is something supernatural power with Tony to atrract them.
The Danau Girang lake..
Our journey took about 4 hours to reach KK Mountain at about 6.30 p.m. By the time we reached Ranau and town, it was drizilling and the whole place was misty. Me. Caspaer and muriel got down and registered for our room. They didn't have enough cash so went to teh nearest town to find money changer while I bathed with hot shower scrubbing away inches of dirt, did some calling, ate my packed instant packed poridge and headed staright to bed. It going to be long way tomorrow.
Note:
For more information about Uncle Tan wildlife Camp please reffer this site: http://www.uncletan.com/
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