We arose 6am to find a very rainy day and grey skies but 75 degrees. We got to the 7am bus on time - which arrived 15mins late. Nice a/c comfy bus for 3.5RM each (70p). It is a 1hr 30km drive to Bako Rainforest and Park (not quite like, say, Sefton Park!) to the NW of Kuching. We arrived at the visitor centre which is a boat ride away from the Rainforest and purchased entry tickets. We and a pair from Australia then joined Gigi the boatman to take the 30min boat to Bako. It was brightening up, slightly (see photos), as we passed the vilage, mountains, mangroves and crossed the South China Sea to reach Bako. As we landed macaque monkeys - some with very young babies - were all around (see photos) and one cheeky chap pinched my SD card from inside my back pack! (I did get it back). Off we went to register and pick our trails. By now it was brighter (and warmer!) but only 08:30. We got a noodle breakfast and drinks and off we went. As we walked to the Tajor trail (waterfall and rainforest with possible monkeys) there was a large hairy wild bearded pig nuzzling the ground for food - awesome. We followed the flimsy raised walkways above the mangrove swamps and reached the main 'path'. The noises were all about screeches and repetitive buzzing noises from insects. The last of the rainwater dripped from leaves high in the canopy above as we picked our path like mountain goats between the myriad of tree roots which covered the rainforest floor. The Tajor trail was 3.5km each way and only 15 minutes in Sheryl heard noises above us in the now sunlit canopy. As we stopped a Proboscis monkey was moving above. I tried to get a shot, but it was high and facing away from us. Suddenly there were 2 more joining us - again high up and screeching then jumping from tree to tree. We then noticed one quietly poised and I got 2 great pictures when Sheryl saw a huge monkey sitting on a tree branch feeding and I got 2 more great shots. We watched awhile until they left. A great experience. We continued on up steep tree and root laden paths and across sandstone and limestone covered open plateaus through giant trees and scrubland with the skies clearing and temperatures rising. We stopped often for water and breaks and to listen to the silence of the rainforest. During the 2hr 15min trek we saw no-one on our path. The trek itself was exhilirating - walking (or climbing) across the various terrains we were constantly seeing new trees, plants even butterflies - I was often stopping and taking photos. We arrived at the waterfall which was deserted, the drops were small and I climbed down into the lower, large pool to get more views and pics. It was quiet and calm - although the brown/black pool water was not so inviting. We met 3 others while we rested and then decided to take the beach path. It was only 800m - but the downhill was steep, slippery and root/tree covered. After some climbing and hanging off vines and then red-ant infested ropes we made it. The huge sandy beach was enormous and empty, the tide was out (say 500m) and the flat sand was covered with millions of little crab hidey-holes and the associated excavation sand lumps they leave. We explored around the bay in the incredible heat of a blue-sky early afternoon. It was then time to retrace our steps/climbs to get back for our 3pm boat man. The return was uneventful and we arrived at the trail end around 2pm. We tried another short trail, but decided against it based on time and on returning to the registration area saw many mud-skippers and mangrove crabs (with one huge red claw and one small one). After de-registering we grabbed cool drinks and relaxed. As 3pm approached the tide was out so we took off our shoes/socks and I unzipped the legs of my pants with Sheryl rolling up hers and off we went in search of our boat. We were met by our new man with his boat and we paddled the 5m or so of very warm sea water and set off. We sped past the coast and through the fishing frames (see photos) and back to the village and visitors centre. Our bus did not arrive so we took the 50 year old yellow town bus with no suspension, windows open and rock-hard seats it was an interesting journey to Kuching! All in all a great day.. we will go back next week to explore further trails....of the 8500+ photos I have taken so far - enjoy some of my favourite photos in the new album!