Back from another fantastic holiday although the steam train broke down again and we did not see any pigmy elephants or the leopard which had been recently spotted (no pun intended).
There were 13 of us in the Borneo part and 5 on the Singapore add-on. Our tour manager Liza Richardson was very efficient and did a good job and was came to Singapore with us.
We flew with Malaysian airlines via Kuala Lumpar to Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian part of Borneo. We arrived around lunchtime and after checking in I walked on the covered bridge at the rear of the hotel to the fruit,veg,meat and fish markets to see a variety of local produce.Large crates of fish were being offloaded from the boats.We had a shower (of rain) this afternoon. We visited a fish restaurant in the evening.
Day 3. We had a light breakfast on the steam train before stopping to visit a temple with many Buddhas. However on the last leg to Papar ,our destination,the train ran out of steam on an incline.After a second attempt after building up pressure failed we tried to reverse to the previous station but failed again and had to rescued by a diesel locomotive. Our coach had been redirected to pick our group up from the next station to return us to the hotel where we arrived over an hour late. We had less than an hour free before the only optional trip which 11 of us had booked. This was an evening cruise on the South China Sea lasting 2 hours. The buffet on board was quite large and there was a pop group playing. On the upper deck we watching the view and at 1820 the sunset.However at the last moment the sun was hidden by an intervening island. This option was expensive for what it was but nevertheless a pleasant trip.
Day 4. Today we left the hotel at 0800 for a long journey (over 3 hours) up north to visit the Rungus tribe. We stopped at 3 villages close together to find out about bee keeping (stingless bees),gong making and to have lunch and watch some dancers in a longhouse.
Day 5. Leaving at 0800 we headed inland to a more mountainous/hilly landscape with views of Mount Kinabalu.
We had a walk in the National Park/Botanical Gardens and saw many flowers inc. orchids and plants but no wildlife. Next we travelled to Poring Hot Springs and the tree canopy walk which was at the same site. It was quite a steep and rough path up to the tree canopy walk which consisted of 4 rope bridges , the walkway being firm horizontal ladders with a plank of wood on top and ropes making up the sides.We all did the walk. There was free time to bathe,paddle or dip the feet in the water at the tubs/pools of the Hot Springs. Some did dip their feet but others preferred an ice cream.The next stop was to see not one but two Rafflesia flowers on bloom-the largest flowers in the world. The Kinabalu Pines Resort hotel was more basic. We had been advised to pack an overnight bag for this hotel and our main luggage would remain on the coach overnight parked in the small park near the road. This was because the coach could not access the hotel entrance (only a steep driveway for cars and pedestrians) and we had to carry our bags. Alcohol was served in the bar but not allowed in the restaurant - a Moslem hotel. Accommodation was in lodges at the rear on a hillside. There was a good view of Mount Kinabalu.
Day 6 was all about the Death March in 1945 when mainly British and Australian POWs were forced to march from Sandakan to another camp at Ranu no far from this hotel. The uncle of one of our group died in this area which made it more poignant and emotional. We visited the memorials at Ranu, at a roadside plaque and the Sandakan Memorial Park.
Day 7 we left our modern hotel with sea views in Sandakan to visit the Orangutan rehabilitation centre in Sepilok. After a walk on the boardwalk we watched the Orangutans and macaques being fed behind glass before watching another feeding session on the open boardwalk.Across the road was the sun bear centre where we saw about 6 bears,a squirrel and a snake. Next we travelled to the quay and boarded 2 speedboats for the 1.5 hour trip on the sea and up the river to Abai. The Jungle Lodge was on one side of the river and the village on the other. There was no road access to this Lodge. The accommodation was in terraced lodges accessed from a boardwalk behind the restaurant - no shoes allowed in the latter. There were a number of boardwalks into the forest. It was pot luck as to what people saw at different times. Wild pigs, macaques , snakes, butterflies and probosis monkeys were seen. We had an afternoon boat trip looking for wildlife and when it was dark we watched the firefly display like a Christmas tree.
Day 8. A 0600 start for a boat trip (2 boats) spotting wildlife was followed by a tree planting session. Breakfast was at a platform on the hotel boardwalk with macaques and wild pigs and babies watching us watching them.
After free time we crossed the river to the village for a walk and lunch. We had just arrived back at the Lodge when then was a thunderstorm. We took another boat trip at 1545 and travelled to a location where a pygmy elephant had been seen but we were unlucky.
Day 9 . After an 0630 boardwalk walk and breakfast we continued our journey upriver to Sukau Lodge where there was vehicular access. We were welcomed by musicians and had a demonstration how to wear a sarong.
After lunch and a thunderstorm we had a river trip looking for more wildlife. The main sight was monkeys up to monkey business. At dinner we all wore sarongs.
Day 10 We left the Lodge at 0730 for the river trip back to Sandakan with a comfort stop at Abai. We did stop to see a crocodile. I did not mention that hornbills,kites,egrets and kingfishers were amongst the birds spotted.
We arrived back at our hotel in Sandakan late morning. Only a few of our rooms were ready. Lunch at the hotel was supposed to be a buffet but we had a choice from the menu. During free time in the afternoon I walked around the markets and shops and some ladies from our group and joined them for a Tiger beer and watched some monitor lizards and crabs. We had a farewell meal in the evening.
Day 11. We all flew from Sandakan to Kuala Lupur . Those returning home had a 7 hour wait but the 5 of us plus Liza only had 2 hours to wait for our next flight to Singapore. We arrived in Singapore at 2025 and were met by local Guide Angela. Although the JY itinerary indicated an evening programme, these items were moved to the following evening. After checking in at the hotel we walked to a restaurant by the river for our first Singapore Sling.
Day 12. We had a morning tour passing the expensive shops and Raffles hotel to visit the Indian,Malay and Chinatown parts of the city. Some of us went for lunch and an afternoon walk in Chinatown. We visited the Tooth relic Temple again to see the orchids and prayer wheel on the top floor. I left the group in order to visit the subway (MRT) and eventually persuaded the machine to accept my ticket money. I travelled to Harbour Front staion to see the cable cars. We all met at the hotel later for the coach to take us to the rickshaws. We had icecream in a slice of bread before a rickshaw ride through Little India . Next it was to the Marina Bay Sands hotel - 3 tower blocks bridged on top with a boat shaped structure (Sky Park) . There we watched the light show and had a Singapore Sling. We also met TM Sarah Wightson who was leading the Global tour.
Day 13. An optional trip which everyone made to the Gardens by the Bay. We only had time to visit the 2 domes full of trees, shrubs, cacti ,succulents, rhododendrons ,azaleas and others. We saw the large indoor waterfall and walked on the sky walkway. In the afternoon most of us took a taxi to Mount Faber for he cable car but it started to rain impairing visibility and so we had to have a beer. This did the trick and the weather cleared. After a 45 minute queue we boarded the cable across to Sentosa island. Then we took another cable car trip on Sentosa island watching zip wiring and the bungee jump and a bid merlion statue. After an ice cream we took the monorail and the subway (MRT) back to the hotel for another farewell meal. As it was raining we took taxis to the restaurant but we walked back by the river and watched some electronic kites (radio controlled - I had not seen any before)
Day 14. Most of us had a leisurely walk by the river and saw several modern statues -cats,swimmers - as well as Raffles. We saw the Grand Prix starting grid and grandstand and we went on the Singapore Flyer (big wheel)
We left the hotel at 1430 for the airport. This gave us time to visit the Jewel (large waterfall and shrubs) at terminal 2 before flying back to london via Singapore.
I hope this has encouraged others to visit Borneo and Singapore. I was very impressed and would have liked more time in Singapore to visit the zoo (night safari and breakfast with orangutans) and Sentosa island . Apologies for any errors. I am sure I will be corrected. Thanks to a great crowd and Tour Manager.
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