Back in Bali

We're back in Bali, and have returned to our first location (when we were probably to bit too jet-lagged to appreciate it first time around). It's an eco-resort on the quieter and greener east coast (hours away from the hubbub of Kuta, etc) which is super laid back, close to a good beach with snorkelling, has a great view over to Bali's highest volcano Gunung Agung (last erupted 1963) with plenty of birds and insects for Bea and Ili. Being off-season it's also lovely and quiet. We now seem to be more into the rainy season, with warm sunny mornings turning into storms in the afternoons. Not too hot for the children, so actually a good time to be here. And watching the lightning out to sea is fine by me.

A peak at Raffles, Singapore

While Frith is in Rome, us three are on our way back to Bali with another Singapore stopover. This time we had a sneak peak around the infamous Raffles Hotel which sits in it's old style colonial grandeur facing the towering architecture of Singapore's Central Business District. Two world's apart, and Bea and Ili not impressed with either and would much rather be chasing butterflies! We did revisit the superb Edge Restaurant in the Pan Pacific. Bea, or perhaps Bea's stomach, wouldn't have forgiven me if we'd missed that.

Weekend in Mount Kinabalu National Park

Spent the weekend up at Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO site, an area of amazing plant diversity. It's also an area famous for those that come to climb the highest peak in Borneo, Mount Kinabalu. Not so much interest for the kids regarding monkeys, etc. but the lodge we stayed in is well-known for its amazing moths which Bea and Ili marvelled over. The Park has different trail walking to the Danum Valley as this is high-altitude montane rainforest, so good for the children to experience something different . Many beautiful orchids, and rhododendrons to see on the trials, but we failed to find the pitcher plants.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas . . . ???

Coming back to Kota Kinabalu, the Malls are full of Christmas decorations and familiar Christmas tunes. Hearing Jingle Bells by the South China Sea in 33 degrees temperatures is very weird to say the least.

Back to Kota Kinabalu

Flew back to Kota Kinabalu today, so travel day.

Labak Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Angus's papa and Frith took the kids out to the Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary at Labak Bay this morning. Plenty of the odd little fellows to see as they get fed regularly for us tourists. Kids enjoyed it lots. In the evening we had a great guided night walk in the forest at Sepilok. Bea has all the good photos from the night, so these will follow, but we saw the most beautiful sleeping birds sheltering under leaves (spider-eating bird, and oriental dwarf kingfisher), tarantula, scorpion, river turtle, flying red squirrel and slow loris. But failed to see the Tarsier! Next time.

Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

Just a little pic of Ili at our digs, and the kids swimming in the rain in the pool here! It's Bea and Angus in the pool on the second pic.

Orangutan Rehab Centre - Sepilok

Spent the morning at the Orang Rehab Centre where they take in orphaned babies and try to get them back to the forest, and then the afternoon at the Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre. Unbelievably the bears are still hunted for food (bear paw soup) and kept caged as pets.

Rainforest Discovery Centre - Sepilok

Joined by Angus, the son of Frith's colleague from the workshop here, the kiddies and I went out to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (in Sepilok) today. Frith was of course at his workshop. The Rainforest Discovery Centre is a great resource on the edge of the forest here where the Orangs here are semi-wild as it's only a few kilometres from the orang rehab centre. Saw a mother with baby, and got a bit too close to a male who started shaking the tree in protest. We then kept a respectful distance.

Bea's wild shots

I'll ask Bea to add captions to these when we have time, but for now here's a few of the best of Bea's wildlife shots. These are all taken either in the forest at Danum where a mother and baby Orangutan came close to the Research Centre to feed on the jackfruit (so wild Orang), or the rainforest in Sepilok so are "semi-wild" (none are from the the Orang Rehab).

Moving on, again . . .

Left the Danum valley today — in the back of the truck — with many lovely memories. We spent eight hours in the forest on Sunday, in the hot, humid rainforest and the two little ones took it in their stride. Like a walk in the park, but with leeches!! Very proud of them both.

Danum valley - rainy season

Moving into the wet season here, but refreshing warm rain showers. Here's Bea in the research centre's cafe.

Wildlife watching

Here's Bea climbing the tree platform in Danum. Total goosebumps for me, especially when Ili went up and down — but they are probably safer than me!  In just a few days in Danum, we were able to see two Orangutan mother with babies (two pairs), family of gibbons, red leafed monkeys, lots of macaque, flying foxes, flying squirrels, mouse deer, leopard cat, hornbills. The kids were like little wildlife cameramen watching and snapping pics. I'll post some of their own art soon.