Borneo, Part II: Welcome to the Jungle

Some of the oldest tropical rain forests in the world are rooted in Borneo. So, besides adventures under the sea, we decided to leave the oxygen tanks and deserted islands behind and hightail our sunburnt selves to some much needed shade. It turns out that rain forests aren't called rain forests for nothing. It rained so much that I think we were wetter trekking in the jungles than we were while scuba diving.

After a 2-hour ride in a van suited for munchkins and an hour long boat ride down a river of cafe au lait, we made it to our jungle camp. The boat ride was filled with sights of numerous species of monkeys, birds galore, and many logs that looked like crocodiles. In particular, Proboscis monkeys are a rare species that lives along the banks of the river. It is known for its long nose, big belly, and never staying put long enough for me to get a good picture of one.
























Situated along the Kinabatangan River for 3 days, we had days filled with boat rides in oxbow lakes and through forests filled with water up to our shoulders. There was plenty of time to lounge about playing gin rummy and haphazardly swim in the silty alligator-infested water. It was awesome zooming through mangrove forests with an aluminum boat and outboard motor with monkeys dancing in the trees to the left, right, and above you. Colorful flashes from flapping wings would alert your eye to birds that make cardinals and goldfinches seem dreary. We were lucky enough to see a pair of orangutans mauling a few unlucky trees while sporadically stopping for photos.

Our nights were filled with jungle expeditions. During the night walks we would see scores of frogs exhibiting more colors than a Picasso painting, sleeping birds, and enough mosquitos to pick you up and fly away. Scorpions, tarantulas, and millipedes all decided to unite in Borneo and form a coalition of insects that I am repulsed by the most. However, I soon learned to love one species of millipede because if you rubbed its back he would spray you with the scent of almonds. We spotted many birds perched on their favorite bedtime limb during the night boat rides. It was an exploration filled with superlatives and loss of words.