We got to the airport in KL and was a little nervous, about what kind of plane we were going to get on the way to Borneo, thank god it was a jet, and Sam was even happier. Once we arrived in Borneo we went to our hostel in Kota Kinabaloo, it was pouring down again and you would think we were used to it by now but we're not! It was too late to do anything by the time we got there so the next day we checked out and discovered that Borneo is massive (the 3rd biggest island in the world) and we had underestimated it's size massivly so had to adjust our plans. Before we had chance to see the city we caught a bus to Sandakan in the north, we arrived late again, so went to bed giddy about the next day....

Early to rise again but it was for a good reason, we got a taxi to Sepilok rehabilitation centre to see Sen. We made it time for feeding, before the orang-utans came out, loads of monkeys appeared and nicked all the food from the feeding platforms, tut cheeky monkeys. Then they appeared down some ropes and some trainers brought them some fresh bananas. Bless they are lovely and one came over for a nosy at everyone. They only stayed about ten mins and then they were of again and that's was it. You're not allowed to go near them as you may make them ill, so I didn't get to see Sen, but we saw a video about how the centre works, not the same but o well don't want to make them ill do we.

It was then back to the hostel to collect our bags and of to the bus station to return to Kota kinabaloo. That's when the disaster struck again. Once there we got told there where no seats left on any bus for 3 days not good, so we got a taxi to the airport (Sams favourite place). We tried to get a ticket with air asia and was told that there isn't anymore left for the day, we went and sat down trying to figure out what to do when some guys told us there about some seats on an evening flight with Malaysian air, yippeee we were saved and on our way back south.

There was no stopping us then and early the next day we where up and off to the mount Kinabloo botanical gardens, on the way we got to stop off and see the biggest flower in the world, which only blossoms for 1 week so we are very lucky, it's called the raffelsia. After this we headed up hill again and more walking, it's a good job i'm so fit and healthy (who am I kidding?!). After a very steep him we reached the cannopy walk, 41m above the ground and my legs turned to jelly, but i managed to do both cannopy's, very quickly!!! That night to give ourselves a little treat we went off and found the bars, we got talking to a guy who turned out to be our pilot the next day to Kuchin how freaky!!!

The next day we decided to go to a local zoo to pass some time and saw some more urag utans and eleflumps. We then made our way to the airport again (we must be clocking up some real air miles now). Once on the plane the pilot from the night before came down to see us, how important did we feel then?!?! once he had taken off he came back to see us again which scared Sam a little but he let us have a look at the flight deck before we got off, it's not every day you meet the pilot so it felt a little special.

Once safely in Kuching and checked in to our new home (thanks to our pilot friend) we made our way to the cultural village and saw how they used to live in borneo. They did a performance, loads of dancing you know the usual sort of thing! until they did the blowpipe display and dragged Sam on to stage, highly hilarious until he told her to fire it at me!!

We decided this was not enough culture so booked a tour to a head hunters longhouse. The next day we got picked up by our guide and as we were the only people on the trip, we had the comfort of a car (marvellous). He took us to see a local market and a pepper farm. After lunch we had to buy gifts for the tribe so we got some snacks, books and pencils (24 of each, 1 for each family). We then made our way to the village by long boat, how cool. The long house is fantastic we did not get to stay in it but we only stayed next to it in a little hut with a mattress and a mossy net. Inside the longhouse live 24 family's all with a little bit (like a terrace) but an open area which they all share. That night we went and met the chief and we danced and drank rice wine (nice) and rice whisky (terrible) after we did a traditional toast headed by the acting chief. I than tried my hand at skipping over bamboo poles, it's not easy when it's so hot and there's a load of people watching. How cool to stay with head hunters, get this they still had heads outside one of the doors luckily they don't practice those customs anymore!! After a surprising good nights sleep, we had another go at the blowpipe and I think i'm getting the hang of it now. It was then time to leave again on our little long boat and head back to town.

After visiting the gallerys and musemums the next day it was then time to leave and we caught a plane to Johor bharut and then crossed the border in to Singapore!

L x