After breakfast, I walked over to the 'bus station' to catch the local mini bus to Sepilok; Orang-utans rehabilitation centre, Sun bears rehabilitation centre and a Rain forest discovery centre. The bus ride was about 40minutes. I decided to go to the Orang-utans first, since there was a feeding at 10 (I arrived around 945) and my ticket would be good for the entire day so why miss the first one (there would be another one it the afternoon). I didn't quite enjoy it, there was one orang-utan with her baby and a lot of macaques! So I briefly took a look, thinking back of the one I saw in Semenggoh which was so excited, and made my way to the outside nursery. This is where they teach the young rescued (orphans or wounded) orang-utans how to play, walk, stay off the ground, etc. It's also open to any wild or (as they call the once that are send back into the wild) graduated orang-utans. I didn't stay long and exited the area. The sun bears were across the street but I really wanted to check out the Rainforest discovery centre first.
On the way there, it was about a 1,5km walk, a pick up truck stopped and asked if I needed a ride. I replied with no, thank you and continued walking. The same pick up was waiting a bit down the road and honked, the driver gave me his number and told me to call him. I was polite and said okay but was also a bit annoyed. Anyways, I continued walking down the road. The rainforest discovery centre wasn't really what I expected. There were some nice walking trails and I did all of the walking on my cheap flipflops of course, but I expected to see more birds I guess and bigger trees. But I must say, it was very quiet and peaceful. But so so hot!!
I then walked back to the main road to make my way back to the orang-utans and sun bears. And then another pick up truck stopped with tainted windows and just waited, so I took a turn into a b&b. The car eventually made a u turn and drove off. I was getting a bit annoyed and grabbed a stick and a rock, that I walked with all the way back to the sun bears/orang-utans. No other cars stopped.
I first went to the sun bears and didn't expect much but it was rather nice. There's different areas that they stay in, depending on the stages of their rehabilitation. Because I was there when the temperature was at it's highest, they just mostly layed down and sunbathed (as sun bears apparently love to do). One was up in a far away tree but they pointed a telescope that way so you could see it and also take pictures through it. Oh and BBC was also recording for a documentary, so we had to walk very slowly. There was also a second platform where I found one sun bear that was looking for food, but it soon dissapeared out of sight.
I then went back to the orang-utans and first watched a documentary on what it is they're doing there. I didn't expect much of it and just the a/c alone was nice! And watching it, there was a part me that wondered if this was all necessary and if it wasn't better to just let them be and another part of me felt so sad that I felt understanding of what it is they were doing. After the movie I decided to get an icecream before doing anything else haha. I then walked towards the nursery again. As I got closer to the nursery, I looked up, -always look up- and I saw 3 orang utans in the distance high up in a tree. I watched them for a little while and then continued walking around the corner and into the nursery where I only stayed for a few minutes. I then went back outside onto the boardwalk which was where I would be for a little while, missing the second feeding.
The 3, orang-utans were making their way down, climbing down that big tree I saw them on first and then swinging from tree to tree. They were waiting for each other, which was quite cute. They got closer and closer and then jumped from the tree to the boardwalk we were on. And they were right in front of us!!! Holy crap, they were so close. Me and the other people still there tried not to move. I couldn't take any pictures because my memory was full, darnit...I guess we all take so many pictures and videos because we are afraid to forget the moment and for me it's also because I always love to share my experiences! But I do hope this memory stays with me forever and I tried to really savor the moment.
I also went through my photos when I was down at the river and was able to relive everything I had done and seen. It sometimes just doesn't register right away, well it does in some degree. Another reason I should really start doing photo albums.
Anyways, I took the mini bus back after that (there's only one going back). I was the only 'tourist' and the driver kept telling anyone he could with a sad face. The bus filled up with locals all the way back though and I saw a pricelist on the bus and it was about half of what tourists had to pay. Now by this time, I was a bit fed up, also because of the pick up trucks and the differences in prices each and every time, that I payed the busdriver what a local would have to. He told me it wasn't enough, I pointed at the pricelist and said, same same. And I really just walked off after that. I did feel a bit guilty later that day.
I flew back to Kota Kinabalu the next morning and was able to get another row to myself. I was glad that, I wouldn't have a lot of flights left in the next two months. After all, I did 6 flights in the last two weeks. Back to the same hostel with the familiar faces, having dinner together, playing uno, having fun for the next two days. It's now almost 2am and I'm leaving for the airport at 6am. I stayed up to finish my book so I didn't have to carry it with me and decided to then write this. Not sure I'll go to sleep anymore. I realized that this would probably be my last hostel on this trip! And I will only really go to two countries before going home, Australia and Indonesia (and then make my way back to Bangkok for my flight home). I know I have a lot of time left but because I'll be seeing all these familiar faces in the next two months, it feels like time will go by even faster!
Cheers,
T.
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