Got back from the most memorable trip on Thursday night and I still haven't unpacked. I didn't want to unpack the memories...
Every step me and Bambie took, we were contemplating about turning back.
It was one of the hardest thing to do, leaving Kinabatangan, leaving the so charmingly down to earth jungle boys, leaving the jungle life and returning to city life.
What amazed me most was the fact that I didn't think it would have been such an amazingly breathtaking experience.
Sure I've always wanted to backpack, and this was my first backpacking trip, with Bambie, and meeting her 2 mates (Y.J & Neo) from the same zoo affinity. We were helluva retarded, had hella fun.
Sandakan was different from the Malaysia I know. It was kinder.
First 2 days were spent overnight at this humbly beautifully bohemianly decorated hostel (Sandakan Backpackers) located at Harbour Sqaure, just by the coast of the sea. Simply beautiful. We visited Agnes Keith's Tea & Breakfast house on top of a hill nearby, overlooking the sea. It was serene at it's best in a classy English environment, I fell asleep just sitting. Played a game of croquet after some delightful tea & desserts. How English were we.
Didn't get to visit Agnes Keith's House because it was RM2 for locals, and RM15 for foreigners. We were on a budget trip after all. Maybe the next time. Yes, there will be a next time.
Monday morning (30 August) we packed up, took some last shots from the backpackers suite, scribbled our appreciation on the welcomed army green wall, and made our way to Sepilok, where we were picked up & brought to our main destination of this trip; Uncle Tan's Wildlife Camp.
It was about 15 minutes ride from Sepilok to Uncle Tan's op base. At Uncle Tan's op base, we registered & fed ourselves. At this point of time, I was getting pretty excited.
After which at 1430h, it was an 1 hour road trip to Sungai Kinabatangan, and about 20 minutes speedboat ride in the rain, to Uncle Tan's Wildlife camp, where memories started and will forever etched in me and Bambie's mind.
We were greeted by young jungle guides, most of them not any older than me and Bambie. Their friendly nature was greatly appreciated. After all, I was feeling quite apprehensive about staying in the jungle for 3 days, with only having river water to shower with, huts with only mattresses & mosquito nets, minimal electricity provided, where lights will be out by 12 midnight, where toilets have no flush, where creepy crawlies can be seen creeping... *shudders*
It's Bambie's & Y.J's 2nd trip to Uncle Tan's wildlife camp, so I guess they pretty much know what to expect. Whereas for me, I was paranoid whenever I felt something dropped on my head or flew into my face. That was how it was like on the first day for me.
By the 2nd day I was pretty much getting used to things flying into my face, and still slightly squealy and feeling jumpy about it.
The morning boat ride down the river channels to catch wildlife in action (proboscis, silverleaf, macaque monkeys) was refreshing. The late morning jungle trekking was fun. The time spent after trekking was pretty much up to us to do whatever we want. So, we lazed. Like the monkeys did. It was getting warmer by noon after all.
Late afternoon boat ride down the stream again to catch more monkeys in action. Because of the high water level, we only spotted one crocodile which disappeared quickly under the water. No snakes were spotted. Hornbills, stocks, eagle of some sort and vibrant colored king fishers were quite a common sight.
Late night jungle trekking was quite a thrill. With the aid of only our torches through the dark jungle, our late night guide, Leo, managed to caught hold of a scorpion, a palm sized new spotted tarantula specie in the area, and walked us through many muddy spots, where I personally have problems with because I keep getting stuck. Bambie had to keep an eye on me, just in case I get left behind. She was my heroine through the treks.
Night jungle trek was the last itinerary of the day. Me and Bambie managed to spent some bonding time with our guides late into the night. Talking about anything, having a beer or two. Lan, the manager has proclaimed Bambie his wifey after he experimented his Thai-taught reflexology on her feet. Sweet. Haha.
Our nights were spent bonding with our charmingly earthly jungle guides. For 3 nights. Laughing so hard our stomach hurts and tears were brimming. Playing card games, learning how to speak each other's languages. It was good times. Definitely.
On the last day of our stay before we depart the next morning, we took a swim into the river. I was a little petrified. Crocodiles do exist around the area. But Yan and Jeff pretty much assured us if there were any, they'd smell it.
These jungle boys are such earthly souls, so natural you forget how true human nature is like. They get together and break into music and songs with their guitars, singing upbeat tempos. Making everyone feel like home in the wilderness.
Guitars + Beers + Wilderness = Rockin' Jungle Life.
No one may share the same sentiments as me and Bambie, but we really could have stayed there forever. I don't know if this depressingly yearning feeling is temporary. But what I know for now for sure, is I have fallen in love with the Sungai Orangs of Uncle Tan's wildlife camp, and the jungle life they've showed us, with a Hardcore Borneo Style.
A return trip is definitely in the planning.
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