Overland to Dermakot

When travelling out to the pockets of rainforest left throughout Malaysia (Danum, Deramakot, etc.) you get to feel just how how isolated they are, currently surrounded by extensive oil palm plantations — oil palm production is a main income generator for Malaysia. Some pics here of the road trip through to the forest of Deramakot.

Back at Sepilok, Sabah

We're back at Sepilok in Sabah, while Frith spends time at the University in Kota Kinabalu, and also for fieldwork; preparing for his field course, and workshop. Bea and Ili are reluctantly working on school work (urghhh!), while in between observing the wildlife here and taking walks into the forest. We can walk into the Sepilok Rainforest reserve from our doorstep, and hear the gibbons in the morning — which is pretty special — so spend time searching for wildlife in the forest. So far, seen the tiny rufus-backed kingfisher (very pretty), civit cat, mouse deer, hornbills, and many more birds, butterflies and moths.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpar

Our second stop was the aquarium (Papa did that trip alone with the kiddies), and then we headed to the Batu Caves outside of Kuala Lumpar. The limestone caves were huge, and very impressive and full of Hindu temples and shrines — a few rituals were also taking place. It's the biggest Hindi temple outside of India.

Kuala Lumpar, Butterfly Park

We started our Saturday of sightseeing around Kuala Lumpar in the Butterfly Park next to the Lake Gardens. Sooo many beautiful butterflies to see, and a very cool exhibition for the kids too. The one on Ili's head is the national butterfly of Malaysia, the Raja Brooke's Birdwing butterfly.

Weekend in Kuala Lumpar

Left Bali this morning, and had a weekend in Kuala Lumpar while on route to Borneo. Stayed in a neighbourhood called Bangsar overlooking downtown KL, in a homestay owned by a friend of Frith's with some nice Indian Malay restaurants in the vicinity (ahh, Roti Canai). We took Bea and Ili into town to see the twin towers from the "Heli Lounge" which is a Helipad by day and a bar/club by night, but unfortunately kids were too young to go up top. On Saturday we had a whistlestop city tour of all the kid-friendly sights (Butterfly Park, Batu Caves, and the KL aquarium), so pics will come soon.

Bye bye Bali - we'll be back!

All sad to leave the Ubud area, but it was totally great to spend a month here getting to know the local area and the local people well rather than dashing around Indonesia. Slow, local tourism ;-) And we'll be back for sure as there's so much more to do and see.

Reptile Park

Next door to the Bali Bird Park is the reptile park, with some horrid, toothy salt crocs, turtles, snakes (the King Cobra was there in all his venomous glory), and the iguana that the children were able to hold (in the piccies here). Like the big birds, he was very heavy!! We didn't stay too long here and had another fun moped ride back through the ever interesting roads of Bali.

Bali Bird Park

Had a fun family moped ride out to the Bali Bird Park today, which is a very interactive and tonnes of fun for the children. Lots of tropical bird feeding, and bird shows — the birds of prey show was great, and these two were very brave handling the feathered friends. The hornbills were heavy!!!

Bambu Beautiful

Had an evening out with the manager from Beji who took us to John and Cynthia Hardy's eco place which is constructed entirely from sustainable bamboo. Amazing architecture. The couple also set up the very popular "Green School" here in Bali, so all interesting stuff. John's Ted Talk about the school is here.

Back at Beji Indah

Back at our favourite Bali hangout for a few days. Sometimes it rains, sometime it shines. We love it whatever! Bea is turning into a book worm, and eating his way through the Harry Potter series.