We left Friday night on the red eye with Malaysian Airlines to Kuala Lumpur. I have to say the airline is a bit overrated. Economy class seems to just become more uncomfortable… We had booked a flight with AirAsia to Sandakan on Saturday, so that we could fly directly to Penang from Kota Kinabalu when we left Sabah. We knew if was an 8 hour wait, but we had thought the LCCT terminal was a bit more comfortable than it turned out to be. Turns out that upgrades where due to be completed 2 weeks after we used it.
Us buggered on the only seats available, outside
We had also booked a stay with Sepilok Jungle Resort for 3 nights. It was great! We arrived in the afternoon, and enjoyed a great dinner outside.
Next morning we went to the Orangutan Reserve. It was quite educational, and very nice!
Commanding silence!
Cruising down the jungle freeway!
Gridlock….
Macaque playing
Orang Utan eating
After lunch, we went on an overnight tour to Bilit, along the Kinabatangan River.
We did an afternoon river cruise, where we saw lots!
Promiscuous Proboscis monkeys
We saw more longtailed Macaque, Proboscis monkeys and lots of different birds! We skipped the night walk, as it would just be to many leeches we figured. Next morning we had an early river cruise, before we headed back to Sepilok.
Once back, we went for a city tour of Sandakan. We saw the war memorial from the Sandakan death marches, the city market and the floating village.
This was our last night in Sepilok, so we went on a guided tour of the Orang Utan centre with a ranger. I was really struggling with the humidity, but it was so interesting! We saw vipers, stick bugs and birds. We both loved it! Even though Sara was very apprehensive in regards to the leeches.
We cought the bus to Ranou and Poring Hot Springs Tuesday morning. We missed out one the morning bus, but got there just before sunset anyways. The springs where not too inviting for us, but the Canopy walkway and the Butterfly farm where nice!
We left the springs aiming to catch the express bus to KK, however, it was full, and we where rather rudely rejected. We figured we walk in to city center, but got picked up after less than 100m by a very friendly driver who was going to Kota Kinabalu, so we went with him the whole way. Very good service! KK was ok, we got a room at the Daya hotel and chilled for the night, before leaving for Penang very early the next morning (Thursday).
Us on our Balcony at the Golden Sands resort in Batu Ferengi in Penang.
Since we where all checked in to our resort before 1100 in the morning, we spent the day familiarizing ourselves with the area. The comfort we where presented with was almost uncomfortable, but oh so nice!
From the spice gardens
Flying Squirrel
What fruit is this on the fruit farm?
Going up Penang Hill
Had to try the snake… Its a Burmese Python, so not very dangerous
Sara kept accumulating mozzie bites….
Its hard too see, but a Burqa seems to be no problem when parasailing!
After 3 nights in Penang, we left for Cameron Highlands on a very quiet Sunday morning. The bus drive felt like it took forever! Once in Tana Ratah, we where picked up and talken to our Hostel. We spent the afternoon exploring and making arrangements for a tour the next morning, before our bus to Kuala Lumpur. That night we had a awesome Banana Leaf dinner at a local Indian restaurant, it was huge!
Flycatcher in the mossy forest
The area has lots of tea plantations! Home of the BOH tea.
How the tea is collected, you also got the scissor method and the machine method
Had to hold the Scorpion too!
Monday afternoon we caught the express bus to Kuala Lumpur, it had 3 seats in a row, so very roomy! We stayed at the Federal in Batu Bintang. The shopping and business district of town!
KL was hot and humid, we spent the first half of Tuesday doing our tourist stops, going to KL tower. Had a great lunch at Blue Boys vegetarian!
Wednesday morning we went to Batu caves, north of KL. A big Hindu temple north of town. The monkeys here where very cheeky!
We watched as a kid got robbed of his drink can by this monkey. Kid wasn’t too impressed.
The rest of the day and Thursday was spend shopping, before another disappointing red eye flight back to Sydney.
Great holiday!