Follow me to Malaysian Borneo and the Fabulous Rainforest
On day five of our stay in Malaysia, we awoke early on Sunday morning and headed for the airport. We were leaving Kuala Lumpur, and traveling to Sabah, the northern state of Malaysian Borneo. Borneo is the third largest island in the world, after Greenland and New Guinea and politically, the island is divided among three countries, Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. At the airport, we paid a warm goodbye to our Malaysian Peninsula team and boarded one of two airplanes followed by a helicopter, which delivered us to the Danum Valley and the terrific Borneo Rainforest Lodge, located in the heart of the rainforest. This part of Malaysian Borneo is an enormous wildlife reserve, home to a most diverse range of flora and fauna and we were there to explore!
1 Leaving our wonderful Kuala Lumpur team at the airport
2 Despite feeling a bit under the weather and needing a little rest, Sophie was in good spirits and thrilled to go to Borneo, as she is a real lover of animals.
3 We took two flights - Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, then to Lahad Datu. From Lahad Datu, we took a helicopter to the Danum Valley. This is Lahad Datu from the helicopter.
4 The rugged terrain is quite varied.
5 Our first close up glimpse of the rainforest!
6 Even closer
7 More rainforest
8 This is Dato' Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin, the chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board. He was amazing to travel with.
9 Here are palm oil plantations and cleared forest for future palms. Fortunately, deforestation rules in Malaysian Borneo are being improved.
10 Here is a pocket of rainforest among the plantation.
11 Two lone houses - most likely belonging to palm oil plantation workers.
12 This is a prawn plantation.
13 This smoke is some type of controlled burning near the palm oil plantation.
14 Palm trees galore!
15 And then suddenly, it was dense rainforest!
16 Beautiful treetops of trees that are about 150-feet tall!
17 Memrie taken by the incredible forest!
18 The reddish flowering on the treetops occurs only once every 5-10 years. We were very lucky to see this!
19 This is part of the Danum Valley research center. It is the only establishment, along with our lodge, for many miles.
20 The forest near our lodge
21 Another view of the research center
22 Our destination - the Borneo Rainforest Lodge
23 Another view
24 This is the only road for many miles.
25 Disembarking the helicopter
26 We were greeted at the Rainforest Lodge by Noredah Othman - Director of Marketing for Sabah Tourism Board and George Hong - General Manager of Borneo Rainforest Lodge. On the far right is Tengku Adlin - Chairman of Sabah Tourism and the President of the Malaysia Wildlife Fund.
27 Before dinner, we were given a wonderful presentation about Borneo by Chairman Adlin.
28 Some delicious appetizers served at dinner, including prawns, glutenous rice grilled in bamboo leaves, and sautéed local ferns.
29 Chicken was wrapped in banana leaves and grilled.
30 Grilling satay, prawns, and that great glutenous rice
31 The Rainforest Lodge has a beautiful, newly renovated kitchen.
32 Wonderful brown rice with chili prawns and a refreshing mango dish
33 A lone salamander
34 Sophie, although still under the weather, wouldn't think of missing the nocturnal walk. Along the way, she found these longhorn beetles.
35 And this leaf-like insect
36 Guide Denny, illuminated the way
37 One of many species of land snails living in the rainforest
38 There are many, many toads and frogs.
39 Ohhh...many spiders in Sabah! Supposedly, none are deadly.
40 Another cute frog
41 This is a very unusual siting! A Borneo Horn Frog
42 It's amazing how much he looks like the surrounding leaves.
43 Adlin standing near a giant tree
44 We were warned about touching the vegetation. Many branches have spikes and some move because they're actually snakes!
45 A fresh water crab
46 At dawn, the next day, the fog was lifting before the sun came up.
47 Some of the lodges - They can accommodate up to 60 people.
48 Looking towards the east
49 We found another beetle inside!
50 The sun just starting to illuminate the treetops
51 The clearing mist
52 The striking yellow bloom of Dillenia luzonensis - These flowers bloom in the morning and drop once the day's heat arrives.
53 This exotic looking bird is a male Asian Fairy-bluebird, a member of the oriole family.
54 Zack and Jori preparing for the day ahead in the beautiful main lodge
55 George Hong and some of the Rainforest Lodge guides. The knee-height socks are leech protection - you need to wear them!!!
56 Zack, all set to shoot, perched in the back of a pick-up truck
57 We drove a few minutes to the canopy walk. Here are our two guides, Denny and Edmundo.
58 The tops of the rainforest trees shortly after sunrise
59 The rope on the right supports the canopy walkway.
60 Here it is! As you can see, the walkway is quite lofty!
61 Here I am ascending the canopy walkway with Memrie, Adlin, guide Denny, and George
62 A close up of how the canopy suspensions wrap around the trees.
63 Only a few people at a time can walk across the pathway.
64 Hopefully, visitors will take heed.
65 I must say, being up near the treetops was exhilarating!
66 A trail of ants busy at work
67 The tree has grown around the old cable suspensions.
68 A better look at this growth
69 The multi-tierd canopies are fantastic observation decks.
70 We all thought this bark design looked like an animal face - perhaps a bear?
71 A very active beehive - This tree has the smoothest bark of all in the rain forest, making it very difficult for bee predators, such as bears, to climb up.
72 An active spider web
73 I love this shot.
74 Looking down - it's a long way!
75 Sophie, where's your camera?
76 After the walk, we ate a snack of plantains and various types of manioc root, the source of tapioca.
77 Such colorful varieties!
78 On the short drive back to the lodge, we saw this beautiful orchid high in a treetop.
79 Adlin got out of the car to pose with these giant elephant ears.
80 The reddish hue is the rare flowering of the rainforest treetops.
81 After our morning walk, we were served a delicious breakfast back at the lodge.
82 The breakfast table
83 Deliciously ripe mango, dragon fruit, honey dew, and jack fruit
84 Freshly baked breads, rolls, and muffins
85 almost..
86
87 the sun coming up
88
89
90
WOW! How simply incredible your photos are! So sad to see all the logging and deforestation just for palm trees. So many amazing creatures - those beetles are so beautiful! And the gorgeous fruit, I am envious for sure!
Posted by: Sara Monzo | June 15th, 2010 at 12:39 am
Hi Martha,
Its amazing to see you exploring Malaysia more than Malaysian!
Marina
Posted by: Marina | June 15th, 2010 at 1:11 am
Wow! What beautiful photos! After looking at them, I'm so inspired to visit the Borneo rain forest. Thank you so much for sharing your photos.
Posted by: Phillippe | June 15th, 2010 at 2:09 am
Welcome to Malaysia!
Posted by: Carey Chu | June 15th, 2010 at 2:18 am
Poor Sophie! I hope she is feeling better now! Food poisoning can be really awefull! But what a trooper!! Just like her aunt! I was wondering if you took precautions against that type of thing in such a foreign country. In fact I was a little worried for you. That rain forest is spectacular though! http://www.meandmartha.net Thank you again for sharing these pictures! You never know how much longer the rain forest will be around!
Dan Viger
Hollis center, Maine.
Hollis 5 Corner's
Posted by: dan viger | June 15th, 2010 at 2:30 am
Hi Martha!! You are so blessed to be able to visit parts of the world like this. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Becky
Posted by: Becky | June 15th, 2010 at 3:11 am
Hi Martha! Those leaf-looking frogs and the giant beetle are crazy looking. Number 73 is a great photo of you; your outfit reminds me of what I usually wear to work these days. I must add, you look about 40-something! And somehow you look even more elegant and tall than usual. I was glad to see you post some plant/forest photos again. I would be excited if you posted some photos of unknown plants from your woods (if there are any) so I can ID them for you.
Posted by: Michele in PA | June 15th, 2010 at 4:36 am
I forgot to add another hopeful offer- since you love photo 73, how would you like an iconic, full-length portrait painted from it? It would make my life to hear that you would be interested in taking advantage of my talents. A little crazy, but I keep trying.
Posted by: Michele in PA | June 15th, 2010 at 4:43 am
Martha, wish you would have come to Sarawak. It's a great state just south of Sabah. It has a lot to offer! Well, maybe next time then. Pretty sure you have an exciting trip in Malaysia! Wish I could come with you.
Posted by: douglas | June 15th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Stunning pictures, like in the different world. Martha you looks great too...feel sorry for sophie, too.
One of the species of the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower i.e. "Rafflesia tengku-adlinii" was binomially named after Tengku Zainal Adlin, the man featured in the Pic. #8.
http://www.squidoo.com/rafflesiaflower
http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Rafflesiaceae/Raff.tengku.page.html
Posted by: durio uno | June 15th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Dear Martha
You missed seeing the Rafflesia flower, a big beautiful flower unique to Sabah. But it has a stinky smell. Maybe you would see it if you have trekked Mount Kinabalu.
There's a beautiful hotel at the foot of the mountain.
Please come again next time and climb the mountain, the highest in Malaysia.
Down the mountain, there's a town called Ranau with a temperate climate where you can buy beautiful flowers,fruits and vegetables.
You also missed the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary.
You should also visit Sipadan Island and various other islands in Sabah which have beautiful corals and good for snorkeling and diving.
You must also visit Sarawak the next time around. Also another of our state in Borneo whose capital city is Kuching or Cat in Malay.
P.s. It's rather unusual to have food poisoning in our country. We have strict food handling and hygiene regulations.
It may be a hawker food which is unsuitable to your stomach.
Posted by: Idzan, Kuala lumpur | June 15th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Hi Martha,
Wouldn't just a variety of different kinds of food cause an upset stomach in some people and not necessarily food poisoning? If Sophie had that she would have been laid up longer than she was and probably would not have been able to fly. You get a little more than 'under the weather' with that so I hope everyone will stop talking about food poisoning! My sister who hates all kinds of foods would get an upset stomach just from looking at it. I made an Aussie burger yesterday from the July/August issue of Everyday Food and she about gagged looking at the beets! lol
~
I just knew you guys walked across that pathway! Well, maybe not Memrie if she is still afraid of heights such as when she hiked with you in Arcadia National Park. I hope Michele paints your portrait from picture #73 and sends it to you. Some pictures really are keepers such as that one!
~
Thanks so much again for all the flora and fauna pictures. I might have taken a pass on the nocturnal walk, (as well as the pathway btw), since I am not as brave as you. I panic just looking at a snake but yes, the snail was cute! Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 15th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Thanks for showing us these incredible photos of
a very rare rain forest. My thoughts are Malayasian tourism board is very wise to have you visit and promote their country.
Posted by: ann | June 15th, 2010 at 10:50 am
This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. There is a link to this trip and your work at the Living Center dedicated to your mom. The serious research coming out of the rainforest is offering the world cures to diseases. Staying healthy and well allows all of us to see the world. Thanks for your example!
Posted by: E. Teresa Touey | June 15th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Love the pics of all the wildlife, especially the froggies!
Posted by: Alyzabeth | June 15th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
spiders, and beetles, and frogs...oh my.
Posted by: Tiffany | June 15th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Hi Martha,
Nice to see you are interested in the world's rainforests! Your pictures are wonderful. Make your next trip to Panama, and we will show you how we are creating jobs for an indigenous tribe so they do not have to destroy their environment to live. We have been working for the last six years and have already attracted worldwide attention for our innovation in an art form that has been around for 600 years.
There is a short video on our website of our Wounaan artist carvers as they produce our exotic Rainforest Design® shell cameos, inspired by the flora and fauna of the Darien tropical rainforest.
Your comments would be greatly appreciated and would honor these very humble, hard workers.
Thanks!
Posted by: Roslyn | June 15th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Okay, Okay next time I'll go!! What fantastic pictures and wonderful narration. That one frog/toad is fierce!
Posted by: Cheree | June 15th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Talk about vibrant colour....your visit to Malaysia did it all. Thanks Martha.
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | June 15th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Martha, please tell us more about how you stay so young-looking and vibrant. Most women of any age would be very tired after travelling such long distances as you did on this trip. How do you keep fresh and full of energy? Also, tapioca is one of my all time favs. The suspension bridge looks like fun. I had a blast on the Capilano suspension bridge in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). There are tree-top adventure houses just like in your pictures. http://www.capbridge.com
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | June 15th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Hi Martha, This is one of the most fascinating tours that you have ever taken us on. All of the photos are absolutely stunning and worth looking at many times! I've been to a rain forest here in Washington state, but this beautiful tropical rain forest is outstanding and maybe the biggest one in the world. The trees and animals plus the insects are phenomenal! My favorite part was about that fantastic bridge! I also love photo #73! Sure hope Sophie is feeling much better. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 15th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Hi again Trish
You said it right. It's just a stomach upset after eating different kinds of food. Definitely not food poisoning. If not she cannot be up and about. If it is food poisoning, the whole group will also get it.
I guess Sophie's body too have not adjusted to the hot weather in Malaysia at this time of the year.
We need time to acclimatise to the weather.
But dear Martha and team have been on the move from the day they arrived.
Posted by: Idzan, Kuala lumpur | June 15th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Wow! We have just booked our flights and have started booking our lodging for a trip to Borneo that our family of four (two adults and two kids ages 6 and
is taking in April of 2011. Our goal is to find orangutans in the wild, and we will be spending 3 nights at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge! I can barely wait, which is why I spend all of my free time searching reviews, blogs, etc. I suppose if it's good enough for Martha and her team, it's good enough for us! 
Posted by: Jenny | June 15th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Believe it or not, all pictures in my screen savers are from your blog..they are too beautiful
thanks Martha!
Marina, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Posted by: Marina | June 15th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Hi Martha! Am wondering when are you coming to the Philippines? Just like Malaysia, Philippines has enormous variety of flowers and beautiful places to see and explore!
Posted by: Connie | June 15th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Good things are in your website thanks alot!
Posted by: marie | June 16th, 2010 at 2:17 am
Jenny
Great. I can guarantee you will have an enjoyable time.
Please read the comments above on which place you must visit.
Cheers
P.S. Our country's invitation to Martha has not gone to waste. We pray more will visit us.
Posted by: Idzan, Kuala lumpur | June 16th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I've always dreamed of going to the Rainforest, I would love to see the trees, flowers and birds. The Borneo horn frog is amazing, as was the plate of fruit you were served for breakfast. Thank you again for sharing your beautiful photos!
Posted by: Suzanne Allen | June 16th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Thank you Martha for taking us on such wonderful adventures..You take the best photos and take me to places I know I won't ever get to see...It is so important you show these photo's of the rain forest to as many people as possible, so they can see how important the rain forest is to all of us....
Posted by: Betty Mickelson | June 16th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Thank you, Idzan! We have only two weeks and will be traveling with two children, but our itinerary is:
3 nights Kota Kinabalu (rest, adjust to time change)
3 nights Borneo Rainforest Lodge
3 nights Kinabatangan
3 nights Lankayan (non-divers)
2 nights Sepilok (also visiting Labuk Bay)
I really, really can't wait. This is a trip of a lifetime for us!
Posted by: Jenny | June 16th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Jenny
Great itinerary that. I have yet to see some of the places you mentioned. Like they say, you see the world but you don't see your own backyard.
It takes Martha to tell us what a beautiful country we have. Sometimes we are only appreciative of other countries.
Please do put a night in Kuala Lumpur (KL). Squeeze in some shopping. Maybe also visit Penang, our Orient of the East island.
Please blog here after your visit. I am always reading Martha's blog. Or do you have your own blog.
I am always blogging with my American friends with shared interest like books and politics.
Posted by: Idzan, Kuala lumpur | June 16th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
I love watching all your talk shows. You inspire me to do a lot of improvement in and around the house. You give me many ideas to refurnish my home. I just those ideas even though I dont use them. One big regret I have is I did not know your projects in Malaysia. Tell me more of what I can do for my small home.
Posted by: KCPhang | June 17th, 2010 at 2:47 am
Oh my, how can I miss your visit here in Malaysia! Guess I wasnt a die-hard fan of yours, but hey, I used to watch your show every morning! Its great to see you here amongst our rainforest. Hope you had a blast exploring the colors of it. Too bad I cant catch you in peninsula. I shall follow you in twitter now onwards!
Posted by: Andymervingeorge | June 23rd, 2010 at 10:57 pm