Will we or won’t we? was the big question for a few weeks
before our March break. We had booked
air tickets and two nights’ accommodation to Sandakan and weren't sure about
the happenings at Lahad Datu. There was
an intrusion happening as well as fighting and air raids and we were not sure how close it was to our
destination. On the last week we emailed Sepilok Jungle Resort
and they assured us that all was fine so we made the
decision to go and would book our other accommodation once we got there. Wayne had arranged for us to be picked up at
the airport which was a good thing. They
were waiting with our name card so it was straight into their vehicle off we
went on our next adventure. We arrived
and were greeted by a lovely young lady.
We explained what we wanted to do and she arranged everything for us at
a much cheaper rate than if we had booked on-line!
That afternoon we walked down to the Rainforest Discovery
Centre thinking that this is all the time we would need there but found once
there that it wasn't enough and needed to go back which we did.
The next day we visited Sepilok Orang-utan Centre for
feeding time. We were a bit late but
still got to see them eating. Once again
this wasn't enough so we went back after lunch for the next feeding time early
enough to get a good viewing place. Only
3 orang-utans came down but they were mischievous ones and we had a great time
watching them. They also have a short
video to watch and this was very informative.
We slept in a little the next morning but didn't really have
any plans so this was ok. After eating
breakfast we decided to go back to the Rainforest Discovery Centre expecting to
be there till about mid-afternoon but were still there after 6 pm. We walked the canopy, found many trails to
walk as well there flower area. All is
well laid out with maps and signs in many places. Very well thought out for tourists. Around midday we were beginning to feel
hungry but it started to rain so we sheltered in the Bird watchers hut. This was profitable as there was a gorgeous
spider waiting to be photographed.
We
found our way back onto the canopy walk to find the restaurant for a late
lunch. From here we decided to find the
giant tree of Sepilok which meant a bit of trek in the forest. We took the long way which was uphill a
bit. We had only walked a few metres
when Wayne stopped and said he had found a leech! YUCK!
We decided to carry on
and do a leech patrol of each other’s legs.
This was fine and dandy but in the end it didn't work as we both had a
leech or two on us and the amount of blood that kept dripping wasn't funny! We found the big tree and it was
alive with bees – two different kinds.
Well worth the walk. Thinking it
was time to start heading back we made for the exit only to be caught up with
the canopy walk again. After completing
this we meandered back past there lake and spent some time taking photos of the
reflections. Finally back to Sepilok
Jungle Resort for a well-earned rest.
Turtle Island here we come.
Picked up and taken to the jetty to catch a boat by 8.30 and we were off
for an hours ride past floating villages and fishing boats. Arrival at Turtle Island was met with
approval, white sand, trees, and no rubbish…so beautiful. Checked into our room and had a wander along
the beach before Wayne decided it was time for a swim. He got a mask and snorkel and off he went but
he forgot to take Kermit and so could only tell me what he had seen. By now it was lunchtime and this was included
in our deal. After lunch it was back to
the beach to swim and cool down. While
Wayne was snorkelling I went and got my Kobo for reading in the shade. My peace was soon disturbed by a monitor
lizard wandering along looking for food.
He came within a metre before realising I was there. Wayne came back to show his photos and wow,
wow such beautiful coral and clams and fish.
He had a short break on the beach before heading back into the
water. By now we were told to be off the
beach by 6.30 so that it was quiet for the turtles to come in. We all met in the dining room for a video and
dinner and the waiting began. Our guide
Adeil had told us that he was the ‘lucky’ guide and had never missed a day of
having a turtle come in to lay eggs. We
were hopeful! Dinner finished and we
waited. 8.15… we are still waiting. 8.30… there was a whisper that a turtle was
on the beach. 9 pm and we were off to see
the laying of eggs. Fascinating and
amazing. It takes her about an hour to
climb up the beach and dig the hole. We
had to take turns to see and it was incredible.
This animal had been around for longer than the dinosaurs and was still
surviving. As humans we have to do more
to ensure they continue to survive. She
laid 83 eggs and these were taking to the hatchery. It was the 2nd time this turtle had
come to lay eggs this season. The eggs
are soft shelled and are easy for predators to find and eat. After putting the eggs into their new hole we
were off to see some hatchlings escape.
This was interesting. They quickly
made their way to the water and were off.
All of this was an awesome experience and one that we recommend many
people should do. Bedtime came around
but we were still excited about the turtles and found it hard to sleep. Finally breakfast arrived and it was then
back to the mainland.
We were picked up at 12.30 to go to Bilit Adventure Lodge
for 2 nights. This was a 2 hour drive
away and this was going to be our stay in the jungle. After checking into our room we looked out
back yes there was jungle out there. We
had a snack of banana fritters and coffee before taking a river cruise. Along the way we saw a stork, hornbills,
proboscis monkeys, long tailed and pig tailed macaque. Back for a shower, dinner and a night
walk. We hired leech socks and
gumboots…well worth it although it didn't stop the leeches from getting me…up
on my neck under my hairline. The walk
was interesting though as we saw the smallest frog I have ever seen…less 2 cm long, a couple of bigger
frogs, snails, birds sleeping and a western tarsier hugging a tree. These are small primates and are so
cute. Lots of spiders were out too. We saw a newly hatched cicada. These ones are
green with beautiful wings. Up for
sunrise the next morning and it was a beautiful one! Then it was off for a morning river cruise
where we saw egrets and monkeys waking up.
It was all rather pleasant.
Jungle trekking was next on the list to Ox Bow Lake to feed some fish. It was an interesting walk but they did seem
to be in a rush to get there though. We
did see a centipede, a ball centipede, spiders, stick insects, crickets, and
eventually found the lake. This was
rather pretty and the fish were very hungry.
Walked back to the lodge for a shower and lunch and an easy afternoon
before a short river cruise before dinner.
During this cruise we were looking for proboscis monkeys and orang-utans
but sadly we only saw proboscis monkeys but wait…..we did hear an elephant
trumpet and then we did see it…but it was not easy to take a photo.
