Last stop in Borneo was Sandakan, where we took a three day trip to the Kinabatangan river. The Kinabatangan river is the second largest river in Malaysia and famous for it’s remarkable wildlife and fascinating habitats. I was both shocked and surprised. Shocked to hear, that the surrounding jungle is only secondary jungle (i.e. had been lodged before). That the stretch of jungle along the river is normally not wider than 40 meters. Followed by palm oil plantations. That often even reach up to the river.

Surprised to still see so many animals. The reason is, that all surviving wildlife has to live in the more and more decreasing habitat stretch along the river. Thus they have less and less options to withdraw and are forced to stay close to the river, where they can easily be spotted from a boat.

I saw Orang Utans, Proboscis monkeys, Macaques, crocodiles, several kinds of wild cats, an otter, eagles, hornbills, owls, king fishers and more. But unfortunately no pigmy elephants! Guess, I need to come back… Wildlife was hard to capture on photo with my pocket camera, so the pics are basically a seek and find game :-)

After the tour I had one day to spent in Sandakan before I caught my flight to KL. Not much to see in Sandakan. Thanks to Rachel for interesting & funny company in a boring city. Practice your cricket ;-)

In KL I organized my stuff for Nepal and said goodbye to Stephen. Steve: Thanks for your awesome company in Borneo! It was so much fun with you! Thanks for speeding up my travels a bit, so I could see a lot of great places in wonderful Borneo. All the best for your world trip! Keep smiling & laughing! Drop me a not, when you arrive in Europe and Germany! Save travels!

Greets from the men of the woods (=Organ Utans)
Michael