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As I fly in over Sandakan in Sabah (N.Borneo), I'm sceptical there is an airport due to the vast amount of Palm Trees around us. When we land I'm still sceptical its an airport!! Although Borneo is still part of Malaysia it has its own immigration desk so I was thinking another stamp on the passport!! Instead they scribble something on your departure card. There's 2 dutch guys just about to leave the airport so I hassle them and it jurns out were going to the same Hotel and pretty much planed the same while in Borneo - winner!! We get to the Mayfair - with DVD players in the room and the biggest collection of fake DVD's outside of KL's Chinatown - dump the bags and out to search for food. Already everyone is shouting hello and kids no older than 12 are offering us ciggarettes.

Uncle Tan and High Chief Lan

Gareth Penpraze
2007-04-21 00:08:29

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As I fly in over Sandakan in Sabah (N.Borneo), I'm sceptical there is an airport due to the vast amount of Palm Trees around us. When we land I'm still sceptical its an airport!! Although Borneo is still part of Malaysia it has its own immigration desk so I was thinking another stamp on the passport!! Instead they scribble something on your departure card. There's 2 dutch guys just about to leave the airport so I hassle them and it jurns out were going to the same Hotel and pretty much planed the same while in Borneo - winner!! We get to the Mayfair - with DVD players in the room and the biggest collection of fake DVD's outside of KL's Chinatown - dump the bags and out to search for food. Already everyone is shouting hello and kids no older than 12 are offering us ciggarettes. Its a shame cos later we see them hiding behind a building sniffing glue!! We have a few beers at the seafront and watch the footy, but I'm off early next day so earlyish one for me. The lads should be joiing me the next day.

I manage to find a bakery which is a relief cos the typical Malay breakfast seems to be spicy noodles and its the last thing I want before heading into the jungle. Wasn't ready for any "rumbles in the jungle." So destination is Uncle Tan's Jungle Camp. Uncle Tan is a local legend in these parts but unfortunately passed away a few years back and thank god the camp is still running. Its just me and a New Yorker - Roger who are joining the camp today so our mini bus is loaded with supplies, most importanly beer and we're off to the Kilimantan river. The goods are loaded into a boat at a tiny village and we set off down the river. Within 5 minutes the boatman spots Prosbicus monkeys and then Long Tailed Makaaks (spelling?). The Probiscus' are ugly buggars but easy to spot the males as the guide says to us "Look red rocket, red rocket!" Further on down there's a croc basking in the mud at ...