Just got a bit of time in a cafe in Lambuan. Overnight in a "longhouse" in Sarawak, with the chief's family. Really lovely, gentle people. Shared a slug of rice wine with Tomasamai and his friend overlooking the Mendalem River, with him anxious to learn a few words of English. We'd just finished the Headhunters Trail (11.3k) which took us 5 hours! Walking through waterflooded tracks(yes I know we're on an alluvial plain, Andy!), picking leeches off legs, wrists etc. Horrible things! They crawl up your socks, boots, trousers, shirt-sleeves and attach themselves! I got one the first day out and it bled for hours! They inject an anticoagulant to maintain the blood-flow. God how horrible! Andy the guide walked in just his shorts so that he could see the leeches more easily and deal with them, and I thought it was so I could marvel at his tribal family tattoos! He is from the Iban native tribe, and ex-military, so we have "briefings" and "operational requirements"!
After 5 long, rain-sodden, boot-soaked hours we were collected by a friendly, smiley chief who took us to the longhouse in his boat, where 15 families lived 100 people. Women weaving baskets, children playing with old prams, and others laying basket-ball. After 2 nights fitfull "sleeping" in the walking camp, we slept like babies. We even had pillows- fancy that.
Anyway back to Lambuan. Arrived here after 2 hours on a ferry from Limbang-very much busy. its hard to believe we set off from the jungle in such isolation at 6am, again in the chief's boat and now we're here. From here 3hr journey to Kota Kinabalu, where we set off to climb Mt Kinabalu. I'm feeling quietly confident, having climbed, and I mean CLIMBED the Pinnacles. Have to be one of the natural wonders of the world. Truly amazing. Pics to follow, we have plenty! Hardest physical challenge I have ever done! Had to come back down on all fours, (was thinking of you Florence) wet limestone rock, ladders, ropes, roots , and anything you could lay your hands on. It was very hard. I'm told Mt K is much easier underfoot!
Also seen 4 fantastic caves, one of which is considered to be the largest in the world! Marvellous!
Makes it all worth while. But have been living out of a daysack for 5 days (crap advice from Walks Worldwide) so we smell and all our clothes are wet or damp!
Hoping to get dry before Mt K. Sun is shining again like a furnace.
Lovely to hear from you Keith and Mum(yes, receiving you loud and clear!) xxxxx
After 5 long, rain-sodden, boot-soaked hours we were collected by a friendly, smiley chief who took us to the longhouse in his boat, where 15 families lived 100 people. Women weaving baskets, children playing with old prams, and others laying basket-ball. After 2 nights fitfull "sleeping" in the walking camp, we slept like babies. We even had pillows- fancy that.
Anyway back to Lambuan. Arrived here after 2 hours on a ferry from Limbang-very much busy. its hard to believe we set off from the jungle in such isolation at 6am, again in the chief's boat and now we're here. From here 3hr journey to Kota Kinabalu, where we set off to climb Mt Kinabalu. I'm feeling quietly confident, having climbed, and I mean CLIMBED the Pinnacles. Have to be one of the natural wonders of the world. Truly amazing. Pics to follow, we have plenty! Hardest physical challenge I have ever done! Had to come back down on all fours, (was thinking of you Florence) wet limestone rock, ladders, ropes, roots , and anything you could lay your hands on. It was very hard. I'm told Mt K is much easier underfoot!
Also seen 4 fantastic caves, one of which is considered to be the largest in the world! Marvellous!
Makes it all worth while. But have been living out of a daysack for 5 days (crap advice from Walks Worldwide) so we smell and all our clothes are wet or damp!
Hoping to get dry before Mt K. Sun is shining again like a furnace.
Lovely to hear from you Keith and Mum(yes, receiving you loud and clear!) xxxxx