rainforest rescue coffee
In short in an inspection visit Borneo
I embark on a journey of jet-lag so hard core, could challenge an astronaut. Borneo attracts because I've never been there. A mere 5 hours to Los Angeles, 12 in Tokyo, Singapore and 7 to 3 to Kota. Note that this is just one way not including the time scale.
Sitting in coach, I hope my body is dehydrated to a prune, my muscles atrophy, clog pores and I swell with "jet belly" but okay. The bottom line is, I love airplanes. The crazy about this being only 5-day visit and I spend most of the time on earth as I will in the air.
The best benefit of my work are on-site inspection is witnessed first hand what my experience if a target group is new to me. This is far from my world. Before departure, I polled friends asking, "Where is Borneo?" Only 10% answered correctly. This time Terry and I bring the wonder of his strength in the trailer. But it turns out to be a good fighter aviation.
On our arrival flight, I see glistening white sand beaches, turquoise reefs and coconut palms stretch to the eye can see. At the airport, which are received by Martin, which we monitor and respond to 7,000 questions we have prepared on this earth. It's hot sauna.
We went out last cocoa and tea plantations for our first resort stay at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru, an oasis of luxury in the South China Sea. At a distance of 5 coral islands. A short drive will deposit a jetty for sea caves snorkeling and world class diving. Pulau Tiga is further with mud volcanoes in the first series survivor was killed.
Here we are poor as a pair of pot belly pigs with an updated package with fruits and orchids, and a beachside massage. I feel like I've reached Nirvana with a mantra of "I am not worthy", but I delight in all services. Pure playing time, with activities planned here. And Malaysia's spectacular buffet breakfast should be filmed by the alimentary canal.
Kota Kinabalu (also known as KK) is the capital of Sabah, with 340,000 inhabitants. My expectations were 5 feet Borneo. lizards and the chiefs of the hunt for the head, but here I was greeted with Starbucks and mega malls.
The city is worn out and working hard to develop. Founded by the British in 1881, also has a long history of World War II. backdrop of the city is the impressive 13,600-foot Mt. Kinabalu, UNESCO WH site for being the mountain with the greatest biodiversity on earth.
It has a whole ecosystem and is a botanical paradise. There is a surprising variety of flora and fauna, such as eating insects, plants, fungi and raffelsia funky, flower world's largest 3-feet. petals. It takes two years to flower and lasts only 7 days.
The lush National Park is the size of Singapore. Hillside tribes living on the slopes. The mountain is afraid of them because they believe it is the resting place of their ancestors, spirits.
Leisure to visit museums, craft markets and village water. I can buy the gifts of pearls, organic teas, coffee batik, and baskets. As Americans, we felt like VIP tourists Most visitors are from Australia, UK, Japan and Europe.
The locals are so friendly and polite. There are 30 ethnic groups speaking 80 languages different living together in harmony. Many are animists who worship all living beings. The main tribes are the Dusuns with women priests, the Bajau are known as "Cowboys of the sea" and Murat living in traditional houses. They are descendants of the famous headhunters who once fiercely protected their territories and decorated home with "trophy" who cut the heads of the invaders.
Many here seem to Polynesia. Bahasa Malaysia is the primary language, a dialect that sounds like as if speaking in tongues. second language is English.
In August I bring two groups here. Let's go inside to discover the essence of Borneo, with its virgin forests, lush wetlands and wildlife to feel that you have entered into a zoo of life.
We will learn about the culture and history, but the exciting part for me is to see the rare species of pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros, giant crocodiles, bearded pigs, gibbons, macaques and monkeys omni-present proboscis (the one with Jimmy Duranti noses.)
The highlight will be Sepilok, the largest orangutan sanctuary where we can stay close and personal to these wild "men of Borneo."
At night by the ocean here provide a surreal beauty that surrounds you in the serenity and totally romantic. I like going out, but it is time to visit another complex that I booked for my groups.
The Shangri-La Rasa Ria is a bit of heaven where you can do nothing or everything. There are morning yoga, Tai Chi, golf, ATV, horses, paragliding, a large spa and more. Classes are taught in Malay, kitchen, pareo wraps, beads, torches and tissue. But what makes this resort special is its ultra-secretive nature.
The hotel helps fund the orangutan orphans here. If the forest continues to decline, these gentle creatures face extinction in the wild. Dr. Galdikas OFI (Orangutan Foundation Int.) predicts grimly: "If extreme measures are not taken soon, these forests could be a 5 to 7 years and the wild orangutan with them. "
We attended a lecture by a guard learn about the "jungle man" second world monkey. Are 96.4% genetically human and are considered more emotional creatures on earth. Leads by trail up mountain slopes to see seven protected baby orangutans, mostly orphans of the illegal logging that destroyed their homes.
Unlike other primates, who prefer to play the fighting. "Lemon" was a hard life early. His mother was killed and eaten by the plantation workers. That kept as a pet chained to the wall of a wooden crate 4 years to forest police rescued him. When he got here, was a bag of bones and death.
For 10 days he refused to eat until one day, a sweet pineapple changed his life. I ate a whole and since then has not Limón stopped eating. Now it is five times heavier and gets silly. After graduation, which will be released back into the forest.
I hope that my return and experience the true mystique of Borneo. The best trip is always to go home. Boarding the plane from Singapore Airlines, I feel I've gained 6 kilos of all the seafood it consumes. I sleep like a baby in the house long distance through Taipei. The miracle of it all is that my luggage was a round up of 19,000 kilometers and the fact that I still love airplanes.
About the Author
Former Miss Wisconsin Suzy Davis has traveled the world for nearly 30 years,
initially as a flight attendant and now with her company
http://www.AdventuresForSingles.com
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