Sandakan - Sabah

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 2^nd 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.