Hello from Borneo Rainforest! I'm sitting in the middle of the jungle on the Kinabatangan River watching sheet lightning flash between the trees.

After and early start this morning I caught a taxi with Emma and Nadiah to the airport for my 0705 flight to Sandakan. Mount Kinabalu towered above the plane as we rounded it to reach the East coast and the clear skies gave a beautiful view of it in all it's glory.

A short taxi ride in arrival dropped me in Sandakan city centre and I had a few hours to play with before my lift to the rainforest. Deciding to explore the town I found a similar city to KK although a bit more rough around the edges. Wandering the markets I tried a variety of fruits and brought some kaya jam (quickly becoming one of my favourites) and bread for lunch.

Wavering in the heat I did some shopping and got a really nice maxi dress (at last) for £3 before finding some shade to read my book in until my pickup at 11.30.

Surprised by the luxury air conditioned bus that pulled up I gladly got abroad and we made our way, via many hostels and hotels, towards the rainforest. On the way meeting several people I recognised from Lavender ad so had a chance to catch up. A few bumpy tracks later (don't think they could quite be called roads) and we had arrived, almost! A quick transfer to a boat and a short zip across the river and we were warmly welcomed to Nature Lodge.

Running a bit late we checked into out rooms (having a 4 bedded dorm room to myself) before the gong sounded for our first river cruise. Equipped with camera and BA we headed out seeing monkeys, hornbills and crocodiles as well as many other birds and trees.

We got back in time for dinner and then it was a night walk before bed. It turned out to be more of a night wade with mud up to my knees! I spent so much time trying not to fall over I ended up bot seeing much apart from a few scorpions and spiders (no leeches thankfully though).

Now off to bed as we have an early start tomorrow kicking off with another river cruise at 0600!

Update soon xxx