Sandakan was kind of a trip. We arrived as Hari Raya (end of Ramadan celebration that lasts for another month -Eid) began. We were staying in a place a bit out of downtown and we were tired, but we needed food… and then we found this. It’s not a big city but this is definitely the business district downtown. I was raised in a desert and this would never happen. I hope all the children kept all their fingers. Hostel definitely has a Star Wars theme, it just struck me since the jellyfish looked like this guy. Notice the banner and hanging green and yellow diamond. We finally found out what those symbolize. It is a woven palm leaves stuffed with rice called ketupat. Seems like you can buy the leaves or the already made ketupat from these vendors. There was also a street with more than twenty people with sewing machines on the sidewalk in a row. Maybe you can get things fixed or made to order for the holiday on the spot? And a bunch of other food or fireworks on other streets. It was an adventure. Lots of younger folks would say hello and ask either where we were from or our names, and about half disappeared in the crowd before we could answer. This kept happening in various places. I think they are practicing the English they know, but don’t really know more to have a conversation. But it had the effect of feeling both welcoming and a bit eerie. I’m glad we went out to explore the one night we were there. Then a van to our Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort. We decided to splurge a bit for our birthdays. I can’t think of anywhere I’ve ever stayed that was this fancy feeling. I loved this walkways from the pool/restaurant to our bungalow. They even had little pineapples growing. Didn’t love the lack of queen bed, but it’s too warm to cuddle much anyway. There are three reasons to go to Sepilok. 1: Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. Probably the least famous. But so well done and such amazing access to the world’s smallest bear.They are highly endangered and there was a good video about taking young ones and rehabilitating in the forest with a primary 24 hour per day caregiver. Then letting them wander alone until they stop coming back to camp. 2- Semenggoh Wildlife Center. When they have babies, sometimes they come back for feedings even if it’s been a long time that they’ve been independent. She was amazingly adept traversing the 150+ foot rope from tree to platform. And baby held on strong. And she provided her kid with his/her own jungle gym to hang from. Zarah’s camera is so much better! Look at those eyes! Orang is the the Malay word for person and Hutan is forest. They are the people of the forest. And silliness. 3- The Rainforest Discovery Center and its night walk. Western Tarsiers are so cute with those huge eyes! Flying squirrel! Ok and a sense of humor about their skywalk (raised walkways through the forest) From an observation tower, looking at a bit more walkway in the distance.
We had a magical minute as we walked when two gibbons came brachiating by… not in a hurry, just going about their business at 3-4 mph. They can go up to 35mph when they feel like it. But no pictures, just memory. 🙂Hornbill! Little blue bird in flight from one of the towers. Semenggoh again the orangutan is a bit small but it gives a sense of their open freedom to come and go. This gal is pregnant and coming for food for that reason. We went again because we somehow missed the nursery area feeding where the young ones are fed and learn their motor skills. It makes you think as you watch them really use their feet and hands about the same. The pig tailed macaques are waiting. There is a man standing in the field as a warning until the orangutans are mostly done.
Then all hell broke loose as the man walked away – I swear it was like a horror movie the way they swarmed out of the forest by the dozen. Zarah had the presence of mind to video about 30-45 seconds in. I was just staring. These are not the mischievous long tails. These guys are more aggressive and brave. The poor young orangutans don’t know how to fight them off so they let them in. it is part of what they need to learn to be ready to release. Another night walk and another flying squirrel. Next up will be the Kinebetangan River, deeper in the wilds.
Jessica Wandering 
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